The first camp-meeting of Seventh-day Adventists was held at Wright, Mich., Sept. 1-7, 1868. The notice was necessarily limited, for which reason, the representation from other States was not large. Yet the interest taken in the meeting, and the numbers present, exceeded the anticipations of all.
There were nineteen tents from churches in Michigan, one from Olcott, N. Y., and one each from Oakland and Johnstown, Wis., making in all twenty-two tents on the ground, besides the Ohio and Michigan large meeting tents, each 60 feet in diameter. These, arranged in a circle around the preachers' stand and the seats for the people, in the edge of the beautiful grove, made it a most pleasant and inviting spot.
Of the preaching brethren there were present, Elds. James White, J. N. Andrews, Jos. Bates, J. H. Waggoner, I. D. Van Horn, R. J. Lawrence, R. F. Andrews, C. O. Taylor, N. Fuller, and John Matteson. It is estimated that there were as many as a thousand Sabbath-keepers most of the time on the ground.
The meeting opened with a season of prayer at the stand, Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 11, A. M. Brethren were so busy this day erecting tents, and preparing for their sojourn during the meeting, that no further services were held till 5, P. M., when Sr. White spoke in reference to the wants of the churches, and the objects for which we had assembled in the tented grove. These were plainly set forth, and served to put the brethren upon the right train of thought at the very commencement. Those who before had not seen the need of such a gathering, if any such there were, must have seen it, when its objects were thus clearly set forth.
We cannot, of course, in one brief report, give even a synopsis of the themes presented during a seven days' meeting, devoted wholly to religious exercises. Sixteen discourses in all were given, six by Bro. White, five by Sr. White, four by Bro. Andrews, and one by Bro. Fuller; and we doubt if a series of more stirring, earnest, vehement and pointed discourses were ever consecutively given. They were all aglow with the fire of present truth. The Spirit of the Lord is evidently calling the minds of his servants to the special duties and dangers of the church at the present time.
Prominent among the truths presented was the startling fact that the return of the Bridegroom from the wedding, is his coming out from the most holy place, whither he went in to the marriage in 1844. In what a solemn position does this place the church—waiting, not for the appearance of the Lord in the clouds of heaven, which is not to come unheralded, but for the time when his work in the most holy shall close, and the day of probation shall end. And this coming is to take place—at what hour we know not; this coming is to be sudden; at this coming we are to be ready to open unto him immediately. Let no one delude himself with the idea that he may still invite the treacherous spirit of slumber, and that something will transpire to arouse him, ere this decisive hour shall pass upon the church. Nor enough has been done to arouse him already. We have been long made familiar with the fact that our Lord has gone in to the wedding, from which, after a work of brief but indefinite duration, he is to return; and we have been commanded to watch. The doom of sleeping, and the reward of watchfulness, have been plainly declared; and the injunction has been oft repeated, Watch! watch! If, then, we fail to watch, we are careless, slothful, disobedient; and if we are found in this condition, when the decisive moment in our cases shall silently and unannounced arrive, all is lost!
“There is a time, we know not when,
A point we know not where,
Which seals the destinies of men
For glory or despair.”
And the hour of fearful drowsiness that just precedes the breaking of the day is upon us. The hour in which, of all that constitute the watches of the night, we are most liable to be found sleeping, is here. Watchers know how they feel as they approach the breaking of the day. In a like condition now stand the people of God. The last watch is reached; and the powers of darkness are making their last desperate effort to bewilder, stupify, and ruin those who are seeking for everlasting life. Every energy of the being should now be aroused to the work of watching unto prayer.
“Chase slumber from thine eyes,
Chase doubtings from thy breast.”
The preaching told powerfully upon the people. This was manifest in the social meetings of which there were held two, and sometimes three, each day. It soon became very apparent that the meeting was a most timely and important one. Its appointment was owing to the fact that it had become absolutely necessary that something should be done to arouse the church; but how great that necessity was, we presume no one fully comprehended till it was developed by the meeting. The power of the world had come upon the church to an alarming extent. But a willingness to see their backslidings, and a spirit of repentance and confession, came into the meeting. Wrongs were freely acknowledged. There has been cause enough for the lack of spiritual life among us. Some confessed to having encroached upon the Sabbath, some that they had omitted, partially or wholly, family worship, and all, more or less, that they had been engrossed in the spirit of the world with its attendant evils. Parents confessed to children, children to parents, and companions to each other. The Lord immediately owned this effort of his people to put away their wrongs and get near to him. His Spirit rested graciously upon us, and the hearts of many were melted down in contrition and tears before him. This was the case in many of the meetings. It was good to be there.
On Friday, at 5 P. M., an invitation was given for those who had no hope, but who wished to start in the service of God, to come forward into the altar in front of the stand. One after another came forward with deep feeling and tears, till they numbered over sixty. Those who felt themselves backslidden, and wished to start anew in the service of God, were also invited, when room had to be made for about three hundred, who came pressing in as though their salvation depended upon their making a move then. These embraced persons in all positions in the church, elders, as well as private members. The degree of feeling manifested was wonderful. It was the testimony of those who have been continually in the work since the first message, that they had seen nothing like this since 1844. Nor was this confined to one occasion. Several scenes of this kind were witnessed during the meeting. To see fathers bringing along their children, brethren, their friends, and those who had been alienated in feeling, coming along together, joined in hand, and mingling together their tears of forgiveness and brotherly kindness, was truly an affecting sight. Never has it been our lot to witness so much of this good work; as at this meeting.
On first-day, a severe rain storm prevented many from coming in from the surrounding country, who would, probably, otherwise have been present. As it was, full two thousand people were on the ground. Meetings were held in the large tents, both of which were full. While a social meeting was held in the Ohio tent by believers, Bro. Andrews spoke in the Michigan tent to those who might wish to hear on the subject of prophecy. He briefly rehearsed our position on the four kingdoms, the coming of Christ, the resurrection, and the Judgment. The best of attention was given by the audience and a good impression was made.
In the afternoon, Sr. White spoke in the same tent, on the elevating tendency of Christianity, vividly portraying what Christ has done, to raise man from his fallen and degraded condition, and fit him for the society of the holy inhabitants of Heaven. Tracts were freely distributed through the crowd. Before the meeting closed, the enemy, ever busy to forestall any effort for good, had caused a report to go abroad confounding us with the time-setting Adventists, against whom the public are so justly prejudiced. This report was promptly corrected in both the public meetings.
Between the afternoon and evening meetings, social meetings were held by many of the tent companies, in their respective tents. These were seasons of unparalleled interest, richly repaying, even if there had been nothing else, all the efforts made to attend the meeting. The weather becoming favorable, Bro. White spoke in the evening, from the stand, with freedom, on the law and the gospel.
Monday was occupied in social meetings, and labor for the inquiring. Brethren were eager to bring in their testimonies; and the meeting in the evening had to be closed in the face of many testimonies which would have been brought in had there been time. With the singing of the hymn on p. 240, the regular, religious exercises of the occasion, closed. The best of order reigned throughout, and no disturbance was experienced from any quarter.
We have thus tried to present a plain and simple statement of the main features of the meeting for the benefit of those not present. We trust that many others will speak in reference to the occasion. Its experiences, blessings, joys, and effects, were sufficient to afford themes for more than one pen. It was the largest, the most important, and by far the best, meeting, ever held by S. D. Adventists. Many came to the place as a last resort, feeling that if they got no help there, they must give up in despair. But help came; and they went home strengthened, encouraged, and determined to make a business of serving the Lord, at their homes, as they had made it their business during this meeting. But all seemed to realize that the battle was to come. There upon the camp ground with so strong a tide toward a complete surrender and consecration of all to God, it was easy to form resolutions, and make determinations; the struggle will be to carry them out when the immediate influence of the meeting is gone, and the brethren find themselves once more busy with their daily avocations. Time will test us all in this respect. We believe that some go home to pay their vows, watch, and be ready for their Lord's return from the wedding; and some will doubtless fall into deeper sleep, and be taken in the snare. But whatever the result may be, certainly those upon whom the burden of the meeting rested, bore a faithful testimony, and cleared their skirts from the blood of all who heard.
A resolution of thanks was unanimously tendered to the church in Wright for their kindness and hospitality. Many of them, especially the camp-meeting committee, were deprived of a great portion of the meetings. The Lord reward them for their labors of love, that others might not be deprived of the blessings and enjoyment of the occasion.
Early on the morning of the 8th, we left, with a feeling of reluctance, the consecrated spot which had for a week been vocal with prayer and songs of praise, where all had been blessed, and many had given their hearts to God. We hope each day to pitch our tent a full day's march nearer home, and at last to have a place in the “camp of the saints, the beloved city.”
REPORT FROM BEN. LOUGHBOROUGH AND BOURDEAU.
By John Norton Loughborough; D. T. Bourdeau
As our labors here have fairly commenced, we trust our reports may, in the future, be more interesting, if the Lord shall be pleased to crown our labors with success. We are now in Petaluma, fifty miles from San Francisco.
In this city of two thousand inhabitants, our tent is now pitched on a beautiful, retired spot.
We completed the preparation for our meeting, Thursday, Aug. 13, and held our first meeting that evening. The meeting was attended by about forty candid persons, and an opening discourse was given on the importance of truth, and what it is designed to do for us. As the report had gone out that we were Mormons, it became necessary to show our principles, to some extent, in our first discourse, and meet this report173The report of the fanatical moves of some who have had the name of Adventists in the past, and disgraced it by their course, such as the Fentonites, and those who claimed that the Lord had come, &c., is here before us. People have heard unfavorably of the Advent doctrine, but have not heard it. They need to hear the truth of course, to remove these prejudices. Again, some individuals who have more zeal than knowledge, in declaring the doctrine of the Advent, attacking people roughly, in the streets, using these things as a club, has created more disgust than interest, on the part of those who have been brought under the immediate influence of these things. More especially has this been the case in San Francisco. These things for a time make our labor harder, until the people have an opportunity to hear us and learn our manner of communication.
We have now had in this place seven meetings in the tent, and the interest has gradually increased from the first. At our second meeting, seventy-five were present. At the third, over one hundred. On Sunday, in the day meetings, of which we had one at 11 A. M., and one at 2½, there were about two hundred present. In the evening there were four hundred present. Last evening about three hundred. The increase of interest has been proportionate to the increase of the congregation, and we find, thus far, that tent meetings move off about the same in California as in the States, notwithstanding some friends here thought it would be difficult to get any one out to hear. We have offered books on every subject we have yet presented. All we had were readily taken, as also two copies of “Thoughts on Revelation.” We regretted that we had no more books on these subjects, as the people came forward eager for them. But as we expect our second box this week, we are in hopes to supply the demand. Over $8.00 worth in gold, of books were sold on Sunday, and about $2.00 worth more on last evening, on ministration of angels. The story had been circulated, that, although we advertised “Admittance free,” it would not be “exit free,” that they would be called upon to put into the hat, for there must be some speculation at the root of all this novel way of holding meetings. When the people learn that we have not come after their money, they do not seem to be afraid of us or their money. But some, of their own accord, came forward and laid down money amounting to upwards of $6.00, to meet our expenses. Such a circumstance never took place in our experience, so near the commencement of a tent meeting. We look on these things as tokens for good, and are in hopes to see the work of the Lord advance here in power. We do not mention the fact that strangers here are donating to our wants because we are after money, or because we have any fears that our brethren in the States will not be willing to do their part to help forward the work. But, on the part of the people here, we view it as fruit to their account, and an evidence of their sincere interest in what they have heard.
The news of our meeting is rapidly spreading, and we expect by next Sunday we shall have all the congregation we can take care of. We find already many here who were in the Advent movement in 1843, who have come to this State. They have had no Advent preaching here, and are hungry. Two such, living thirty miles north of this, hearing that there was an Advent tent meeting in Petaluma, immediately mounted their horses and came down to see what it meant. They have heard now five discourses, and earnestly urge us to go to their place and preach the truth. This is the second opening that has been presented already for future labors, since this meeting commenced. We think there is no lack of places to labor in this State. May the Lord strengthen us for the work, is our daily prayer.
The church members in this place are some of them already alarmed to see their fellow members flocking out to our meetings, and try to keep them away. But no; these Californians are too independent for the gag law, and say to them, “Well you may say what you please, I am going where I think best.” May the angels of God stir up the people, and the good work still go on.
There are some pleasant features connected with tent meetings here, in contrast with tent labors in the States, to which we would call attention. We have no rain here, so that everything is dry and nice as on the day we erected our tent, all the time. For this reason, a tent here, with care, will last till the Lord comes, as it will not rust out, or mildew. You have not to spend an hour each day pulling at ropes, tightening and loosening to suit the weather. A tent once fairly pitched here is fixed for the entire meeting, as it is not wet at all. Again, our ministers in the States know what it is to speak and sit in a damp, heavy atmosphere in the tent. There is none of it here. It is just as easy speaking in the evening in the tent, as in the day time, and we sleep in the tent with no more fear of cold than in a house. We have not here to watch the clouds for fear the people will be scared away from our meetings, we have only to watch at meeting time, and see them come in. There has been no rain of any consequence here since April, except a thunder shower in the middle of July, and that was an unnatural occurrence in this climate. No rain is expected till the middle of November. The nights here are cool, not uncomfortably so at present, although it may be before we come to the rainy season. When we learn the climate of the State in various parts, we can so shape our labors as to accommodate ourselves to this also, as the nights hold warm later in some sections than in others.
In conclusion, we would say that a friend who has lived in this place thirteen years, has just informed us that he had never seen so great an interest manifested in the discussion of Bible subjects in this place before. We trust that friend has not seen the “beginning of the end yet.” Believing that we have your prayers and sympathies, and co-operation in this work, and striving as much as in us lies, to labor so that God may crown our labors with his blessing, we remain your brethren in hope of deliverance.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Petaluma, Cal., Aug. 18, 1868.
REPORT FROM BRO. A. C. BOURDREAU.
By A. C. Bourdreau
JULY 25 and 26, 1868, I met with the church at Wolcott. Sabbath morning I was glad to see a goodly number of Sabbath-keepers present—more than I had expected to see. I spoke cheeringly upon this point, and then read 1 John ii, 12-17, as an introduction to our subject for the forenoon. All seemed to be deeply interested in the word spoken, and the frequent responses that were made evinced that the subject was meat in due season, to the household of faith.
In the afternoon we dwelt on the subject of baptism. In the social meeting which followed, several expressed their convictions in favor of the truth; others were undecided. It is expected that a goodly number in Wolcott will soon see their duty clear, and feel a willingness to bear the cross in harmony with the clear light that shines upon our pathway.
While we try to communicate unto others what is taught us in the word, we would not show a disposition to drive any one into the performance of duty on any point of truth; yet we do desire to present the truth with such clearness, and to point out the way as marked out on the sacred pages, in such a manner that the wayfaring men, though fools, need not err therein. “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” Prov. xxv, 15. See also chapter xii, 18.
Sunday morning held a business meeting, arranged figures on s. B. for the present year, and at half past 10 o’clock gave a closing discourse. The neighbors that came in heard our remarks with interest.
Aug. 1 and 2 I attended a Quarterly Meeting at East Richford. Bro. Stone and Orcutt were present, and assisted in preaching. During these meetings three were received into the church; six were baptized, Eld. Stone administering the ordinance, and figures on s. B. were arranged for the present year, amounting to $109.98. Their figures now stand one-fourth higher than at any previous time. There is still room for improvement; yet I am happy to see the progress that this little church is making in this direction. On Sunday, at our last meeting, there was a general turn out of friends from without, including an Advent minister. I had good liberty in speaking, and all heard very attentively.
The next Tuesday evening I held a special meeting, as I had previously appointed, with the church at home. We had a full meeting. I spoke one hour from the following words: “What must I do to be saved?” Showed that the Lord requires activity on our part in the cause; that our inquiries should not be, as it is too often seen in our words and actions, “How many duties can I leave undone, and how little can I do to be saved, and for the cause?” but we should ever inquire, as did the jailer, “What must I do to be saved?” We should always endeavor to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works; always be on hand to perform every known duty on all points, in meeting or out of meeting, at home or abroad; and thus gain strength to resist the powers of darkness, which rest so heavily upon us when we neglect known duties, and allow ourselves to go astray from God. In answer to his inquiries the jailer was taught to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This he and all his house tried to do. But the work did not close here. Then they were all baptized; and doubtless when other duties were made known to them they were ready to do them.
A large number of the brethren and sisters spoke with feeling hearts in this meeting. At the close of the meeting those who were determined to make a new start in the service of God, to be on hand in the performance of every known duty, and to double their diligence in the work of overcoming, were invited to stand upon their feet. Nearly the entire assembly arose. May God help us to carry out our determinations is my prayer.
On Friday, Aug. 7, myself and wife drove twenty-three miles to Bro. Wiswell’s, in Johnson. On reaching this place we received the sad intelligence of the sudden and unexpected death of Bro. James Heath, who was drowned while bathing in a stream at Wolcott; and were told that I was requested to attend the funeral the next day to preach on the occasion. Instead of having a meeting at Johnson as we arranged, Sabbath, the 8th, we all went to Wolcott to attend the funeral. Comforting remarks were made on the occasion, by Bro. Hutchins, from Rev. xiv, 13. Doubtless a full account of Bro. Heath’s death, &c., has already been sent for publication in the REVIEW.
Sunday, at 5, A. M., we went one mile and a half to see our afflicted Sr. Heath; called a few moments on Bro. and Sr. Morse; and returned and took breakfast at Bro. Hutchins’. Then we drove eighteen miles to Bro. Loveland’s, in Johnson; at 11 o’clock held a business meeting, settled s. B. account book for last year, prepared quarterly reports for the treasurer, arranged s. B. figures amounting to $64.48; and after dinner drove eight miles to Bro. Wiswell’s, and at 6, P. M., repaired to the side of the Lamoille river, where I baptized our aged Bro. and Sr. Wiswell. Bro. Stone was present and made appropriate remarks on the occasion. This was an interesting scene.
A. C. BOURDREAU.
Braintree, Vt., Aug., 1868.
MONTHLY MEETING IN R. I.
By P. C. Rodman
The Monthly Meeting in New Shoreham I hope will prove a profitable one. The church there is behind on some things, especially the health reform, none having come up in the work as they should. Some of the brethren use tobacco yet, and quite a number still use swine’s flesh. This ought not so to be. Bro. L. L. Howard unexpectedly came to this meeting, and gave some good remarks on how to live so as to be the most healthful, and best prepared to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are God’s. This church needs to take hold on the truth and have it get hold on them. It is the love of the truth that will save us from Satan’s power, for it is then we earnestly strive to obey. I do hope there will be such an interest to know the truth on every point as to lead them to take the paper which is not now taken by some, and the Health Reformer should be read by them all. Some have decided to do so. Others should. Then Spiritual Gifts are not understood, and so not appreciated by this church. If they will awake as I hope, they174may be saved from ruin; but if not, Satan will destroy them. As a church I fear for them. Dear brethren, seek the Lord. Seek a new conversion, an entire consecration to Him who has bought you with his own blood.
P. C. RODMAN.
SISTER C. B. SPAULDING.
By WM. H. SLOWN.
BRO. SMITH; I offer a few lines to the REVIEW in relation to Sr. Spaulding of Bloomington, Ill. There were some things about her life, last sickness, and death, that were interesting to me, and they may be to others. When her letter came in the REVIEW of May 26, 1868, I thought, as I had business at Bloomington in two or three weeks, that then I would call upon her. But when I received the REVIEW with the notice of her serious sickness, and the request for some person to visit her, I dropped everything and went immediately to visit her; but she had been dead already a week. I spent two or three hours with her husband and daughter, the only remaining members of the family, tried to comfort them, and prayed with them. But I could not say to them, you sorrow not as those that have no hope; for although the mother died in the full triumphs of living faith, and will no doubt stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion, they have not yet made God their refuge, therefore cannot expect to meet her unless they seek at once the preparation. My prayer to God is, that they may do so soon.
Sr. Spaulding was a great sufferer the most of the time for eight years. She was one of those that believed that Christ would come in 1844, and was greatly disappointed. She kept the Sabbath for eleven years. She had a stroke of the palsy eight years ago, and was unable to dress herself for five years. She sent for Bro. Pierce, who came and prayed for her, and she said in her last sickness that her suffering ceased from that time.
Her daughter wrote down much that she said in the last hours of her sickness. I make some extracts: “My sufferings began on the 10th day of the 7th month. I have tried to do all that God requires of me. All Heaven is interested in me.” These words of Scripture were very precious to her: “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.” “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” “Why art thou cast down O my soul? Why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him.” “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” I want to sleep in Jesus. “I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.”
Thus she passed away in her right mind, fell asleep in Jesus, died without a struggle, like one sinking to gentle sleep. Who would not love to die like this?
WM. H. SLOWN.
Money Creek, Ill.
A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT HOUSEKEEPING.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
With the permission of our sisters, I offer a few thoughts on this subject, which may help some, if received and lived out. I have spent several years in going from house to house, in eleven different States. This has afforded me a good opportunity to observe the difference in cooking, housekeeping, &c., with different women. I am inclined to think that good religion will make a good housekeeper; and that a poor, slack, housekeeper is a poor recommend to any cause.
There are two extremes in housekeeping. One is very nice and exceedingly precise; the other is very slack, and somewhat filthy. I do not like either. The first is so very nice and particular about every little thing that you feel uncomfortable all the time you are there, for fear that you shall soil something or put something out of place. Such women generally fret and scold a good deal. They have very small minds, and very small things occupy all their thoughts. Such women are more nice than wise, and more devoted to self than to God. They need to reform by spending some time and labor in doing others good. It would melt down their cold preciseness, and make them more approachable by their friends.
But what shall we say of the other class? Go there at any time and they are not prepared for company. Everything is in confusion; beds unmade, flour unswept, dishes unwashed, nothing cooked, everything in disorder. Go into the pantry of such a house and you will find things in terrible disorder—broken dishes, dirty dishes, grease, odds and ends, and flies and ants and cats helping themselves generally. Go into the cellar, and the same confusion and filth reign there—rotten potatoes and other vegetables, old barrels, boards, and pots, water, mud, and filth. Go to any room in the house and you will find nothing in order. All the slop and scraps from the table are generally thrown out of the back door or window, and there left to rot and breed vermin and poisonous effluvia. Their cooking is generally of about the same stamp—things are simply put together.
Have I exaggerated this? No; I have not half exhausted what might be said in truth of many families who profess to be Christians. Now, I protest against this state of things. It is all unnecessary, wrong, and wicked. Some seem to think that this is a mark of humility. To have things in order and tasty is pride. This is a great mistake. God’s word has never condemned order and cleanliness; but has repeatedly denounced the opposite. To the ancient Israelites God said, “For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thy enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy; that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.” Deut. xxiii, 14. If God would turn away from their dwellings on account of uncleanness, why will he not from ours for the same reason, if they are unclean? Does God love filthiness now more than then? When God would meet with his people anciently, his command was, “Let them wash their clothes.” Ex. xix, 10. But are Christians to be as particular in this as God’s people were then? Hear Paul: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness,” &c. Eph. v, 3, 4. Numerous other passages might be quoted, but this is sufficient to show the mind of the Lord on this point.
But some will plead, “We are poor, or we have a large family of children,” &c. This is no excuse at all. If a woman has health and strength, however poor they may be, she can keep things clean and in order. I have seen poor families, and large ones too, where everything was neat and clean. So I know that it can be done. If parents have so many children that they cannot care for them and keep them and the house clean, then they have got too many, and are accountable for that wrong.
To this class of housekeepers, then, I say, Set your house in order, and resolve to keep it so. Make an effort to overcome your slackness. Make home pleasant for your own family, and for those who visit you. Do not let your husband and children be ashamed of their own home. Do not let the cause of God be reproached on your account. Observe how others do, and do not be ashamed to ask advice, but do be ashamed to have an untidy, disorderly house. Now, let no one get offended by what I have said; for if you do not keep your house in this way, this is not for you; but if you do, then you need this, and should thank us for it.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
THE FINISHING OF CREATION.
A CORRESPONDENT sends us some inquiries on this subject, and asks an explanation of the meaning of the following verses in the Scripture narrative, being the last verse of chap. 1 and three verses in chap. 2 of the Book of Genesis:
“And God saw every thing that he had made; and behold it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.”
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”
“And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
We submit the following remarks, in the hope that our friend, and perhaps other Sunday-school teachers, will be helped in their study of this most important narrative.
The difficulty which some find in Gen. i, 31, and ii, 1, 2, arises from a misconception of the artlessness and truthfulness of the language, as judged by the Hebrew idiom. We can say, in English, “he finished on the seventh”; or, “he finished by the seventh.” In Hebrew there would be the same preposition (ב) in both cases; any ambiguity that might arise, when that ambiguity was of any consequence, being settled by the context. So here. Just above, the work of the sixth day had been especially described, bringing down the whole to the beginning (that is, the evening) of the seventh, by which time all was finished, and the great rest begins. The first verses of the second, whether by the same writer or not, evidently refer to the first chapter, as is shown by the conjunction were—and so the heavens, etc., were finished. Then follows the benediction of the seventh, with the mention of the cessation from work on that day. It is called a finishing, or ending, to make an impressive verbal parallel (or paronomasia) with the language of the preceding summary: “So the heavens and earth were finished”—all done on the previous day, ending at the evening, or beginning, of the seventh; “and then God ended, finished, or ceased to work on the seventh.” What follows takes away all ambiguity by the change of the word: “And God rested (sabbathed, wayyishboth, instead of the previous wayyekal) on the seventh day from all his work, which he had done.”
This is the simple explanation of it; though the peculiar language somewhat puzzled the Septuagint translator, and occasioned his rendering sixth day, instead of seventh, which is evidently exegetical, or explanatory, and by no means warrants the conclusion that he had before him a different Hebrew text. There is the same method adopted in the Syriac, and in the Samaritan; which latter is beyond all doubt, a mere accommodation to the Septuagint, as Gesenius proves.175
The Targums and the Vulgate correspond exactly to the Hebrew text, and so do all the early Jewish and Arabic versions and commentaries.
Although of no importance, it may be noted that Mohammed charges the Jews with a change of the Sabbath (Koran, ch. xvi); whereupon his commentator, Al Zamakhshari, gives a long and absurd account of the manner in which it came about. It is evident, however, that he knew nothing of the original; but had only heard of the difference in the Greek version, which he endeavors to turn in favor of Friday, the sixth day, or Mohammedan Sabbath.
It need only be said that the words rendered finished and ended are the same in the Hebrew text. They appear to have been varied by the English translator, to avoid the seeming difficulty in transferring the Hebrew idiom, or giving something that would resemble it.—Independent.
A PERPETUAL SABBATH.
By Charles P. Whitford
“By different nations every day of the week is set apart for public worship. Sunday by the Christians; Monday by the Greeks; Tuesday by the Persians; Wednesday by the Assyrians; Thursday by the Egyptians; Friday by the Turks; and Saturday by the Jews. Add to this the fact of the diurnal revolution of the earth, giving every variety of longitude a different hour, and it becomes apparent that there is upon earth a perpetual Sabbath.”
BRO. SMITH: The foregoing was recently sent me, in a private letter, by a friend. It is just this kind of philosophy that thousands resort to, in order that they may avoid the claims of the fourth commandment, which expressly declares that “the seventh day is the Sabbath.” We admit the facts set forth in the above; but if any conclude from that, that every day of the week is the Sabbath, we deny the conclusion as being absurd, and devoid of reason. When will intelligent people learn that the setting apart of a certain day for religious worship, by a nation or sect of people, does not constitute or make the day a Sabbath? Sabbath means rest; and the Sabbath of the Lord, the only Sabbath having any claims on mankind, is the rest day of the Lord; and that is the day of the week upon which he rested, and no other. He certainly did not rest upon every day of the week.
The revolution of the earth does not affect the “Sabbath,” or any day of the week. Days revolve around the earth once in twenty-four hours. We keep the “Sabbath” when it comes to us, and when it gets to California our Sabbath brethren keep it there, and so on all around the earth. When will those who profess to take God’s word for their guide cease to put light for darkness, and darkness for light; good for evil, and evil for good? Alas! we have no reason to hope that it will ever be, but that on the other hand it will ever be that very many of the professed friends of Christianity will be its worst enemies.