Earlier text: HISTORY AND EXPOSITIONHow to Fish for Men.
By Rev. Dr. Ballard
1. Improve your time. All being ready, put out your line at once, and keep it out every moment possible, as you cannot tell the minute when you may take a big fish. Hold forth continually, in season and out of season. Only yesterday, a young lady just converted wrote to me, “Do you remember in your letter to my brother, urging him to a Christian life, that you added, ‘I think your oldest sister is a Christian?’ That troubled me. I knew I was not a Christian, and I knew that I ought to be one.” Keep out your line. 2. Be sure to keep your float whirling lively and bright. Make the truth fresh and attractive. Turn its bright sides to men's hearts. If you can add a bright feather from the wing of fancy, it will be all the better. 3. Row often over the same ground. The fish that is not quite ready to take hold this time round may spring for it the next. No matter if other more expert fisherman than you have been over the ground before you. God may give to those hitherto indifferent an eye to your hook. Be careful about saying, “There are no fish to be caught there.” 4. Be prepared for some disappointments. Now and then your hopes will be greatly raised only to be greatly dashed. You may reel a splendid fellow to the boat's side, and, just when you are sure of him, off he will slip from the hook, and you will lose him. You will sometimes be sure a man is stepping into the kingdom, and the next you know, he is in the deep water of worldliness or skepticism. 2. Finally, be patient. This is the supreme, indispensable quality in a good fisherman. A fisherman's patience is proverbial the world over. You must learn to fish the whole day without taking a single fish, or even having a bite, and yet consider that you have had a good time, and go at it again, light and cheerful, the next day. Above all things, be not weary in well doing if you would catch souls.—Rev. Dr. Ballard. R. M. KILGORE
By R. M. Kilgore
REVELRY, surfeiting, and drunkenness, are now the order of the day; and there seems to be no prospect of abatement, but, on the contrary, facts show that they are alarmingly on the increase. The following statistics furnished by the St. Louis Republican, in regard to drinking, and what it costs, certainly does not give the advocates of the coming millennium great cause for rejoicing:— “The total outlay for last year’s stock of drinks—including native and foreign wines and liquors and beverages—exceeds one hundred and sixty-two millions of dollars. The profit on this outlay to dealers foots up the handsome sum of five hundred millions, making the total expenditure of the people of the United States for drinking, six hundred and sixty-two millions.” “From three to four hundred thousand able-bodied men are employed behind the counters of saloons. Those licensed to sell liquors make one in two hundred and fifty of the people, and as each of these has one or two aids, it is estimated that one in about every one hundred and twenty of the citizens is engaged in drink-selling. Leaving out women and children, and making due allowance for teetotalers, the drinkers are less than twelve millions in number, and, on an average, every eighty drinkers support a drinking establishment, and consume four hundred and sixty gallons of spirits, eighty gallons of wine, and two thousand gallons of beer, annually; and pay about sixty dollars each.” “The statistician whom we have followed, in his result from actual figures, goes further than the money paid out in this line of trade, and makes some speculations upon the principle of indirect damages. He wants to put the three or four hundred thousand persons employed in the saloon business in some other employment, where they could earn from five hundred dollars to one thousand dollars a year each, and add to our productive wealth, and he estimates that the nation would be from two hundred to four hundred millions a year the richer for it. This loss, added to the other sums, makes a total of eight hundred to one thousand millions of dollars annually, as the cost to the nation of the drinks in which our people indulge. Is the pleasure of drinking worth such a sum?” Some say there is nothing in religion that militates against war, and it has always been a mystery to us how any man could say so in sincerity. If there are any two things diverse one from the other, it seems to us it must be these two. They are entirely opposed to each other; as much so as light and darkness, good and evil. This is no assertion of ours, it is a simple fact. Look and see. Let each one be tried by their fruits. Religion saves men, and war destroys them. Religion elevates and refines men, and war degrades and debases them. Religion purifies and sanctifies men, and war corrupts and defiles them. Let us listen to the language of each:
Religion says—Thou shalt not kill.
War says—Thou shalt kill.
Religion—Blessed are the peace-makers.
War—Blessed are the war-makers.
Religion—Love your enemies.
War—Hate your enemies.
Religion—Forgive men their trespasses.
War—Forgive them not.
Religion—Resist not evil.
War—Resist to the death.
Religion—If a man smite thee on one cheek, turn the other.
War—If a man smite thee on one cheek, knock him down.
Religion—Bless those who curse you.
War—Curse those who curse you.
Religion—Pray for those who despitefully use you.
War—Destroy those who thus use you.
Religion—Overcome evil with good
War—Overcome evil with evil. Do they speak the same language? If there is any such matter as one thing being antagonistic to another, do we not find it here? Let us seek for the things that make peace.—Christian Era. THEY who are eminently successful in business, who achieve greatness, notoriety in any pursuit, must expect to make enemies. So prone to petty jealousy and sordid envy is poor human nature, that whoever becomes distinguished is sure to become a mark for the malicious spite of those who, not deserving success themselves, are envious of the merited triumph of the more worthy. Moreover, the opposition which originates in such despicable motives is sure to be of the most unscrupulous character; hesitating at no iniquity, descending to the shabbiest littleness. Opposition, if it be honest and manly, is not in itself undesirable. The competitor in life's struggles, who is of true mettle, deprecates not opposition of an honorable character, but rather rejoices in it. It is only injustice or meanness which he deprecates; and it is this which the successful must meet, proportioned in bitterness, oftentimes, to the measure of success which excites it. Martin Luther's Advice to Ministers.
MARTIN Luther gave some good advice to a preacher of the gospel, which is not altogether out of date: “Let all thy sermons be of the simplest. Look not to the princes; but to the simple, unwise, rude, and unlearned people; for the prince is made of the same stuff. If I in my sermons were to regard Philip Melancthon and the other doctors, I should do no good; but I preach in the simplest way to the unlearned, and that pleases all. (I keep the Hebrew and the Greek for the times when we learned men are alone together. Then we can talk such crabbed stuff they may well wonder at us in Heaven).” The profound disquisitions that are sometimes delivered in the pulpit, to promiscuous congregations, might better be reserved for the time when “we learned men are alone.”—N. Y. Observer. A MAN strikes me with a sword and inflicts a wound. Suppose, instead of binding up the wound, I am showing it to everybody; and after it has been bound up, I am taking off the bandage continually, and examining the depth of the wound, and making it to fester till my limb becomes greatly inflamed, and my general health is materially affected; is there a person in the world who would not call me a fool? Now such a fool is he, who, by dwelling upon little injuries, or insults, or provocations, causes them to agitate and inflame the mind. How much better were it to put a bandage over the wound, and never look at it again.—Simeon's Life. Architects, building committees, trustees, and sextons, ought to have some one to remind them perpetually that fresh air is a vital necessity in churches. Better do without almost anything else. A living gospel ought never to be preached in a dead atmosphere. Give us plenty of pure air, and the preachers will preach better, the brethren will pray better, the people will sing better, and all our meetings will be better attended, and followed by better consequences. Give each one of us forty cubic inches of fresh air for every inspiration, and, for every minute of the service, the eighteen pints to which we are each justly entitled, according to the doctors, and we shall complain less of languor, headaches, poor preaching, and dull meetings, and be in less danger of backsliding; for we devoutly believe that fresh air is a means of grace.—Methodist. A Clergyman Who Could Not See
The most ingenious, practical sarcasm ever made use of was that of the late Rev. Robert Hall, addressed to a clergyman who had obtained a lucrative living after a change of religious opinions. Mr. Hall had pressed him hard upon the question of Church Reform. The gentleman's constant answer to the arguments addressed to him was: “I can't see it.” “I don't see it.” “I can't see that at all.” Mr. Hall took a letter from his pocket and wrote on the back of it with his pencil, in small letters, the word God. He then covered it with a piece of gold. “I must wish you good-morning, sir,” said Mr. Hall, and left him to his meditations. Our future is always before us. The past is fixed. No tears can wash away its facts. Let us waste no vain regrets upon it; but from the wisdom its mistakes and sins have bequeathed us, start afresh on the race. Though yesterday we were weak, selfish, indolent, let us to-day—at this moment—begin to be strong, brave, hopeful, just, considerate, generous, tender, truthful, pure, patient and forgiving. “Now” is a glorious word. “Henceforth” is always within our grasp. Ohio Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
Another important meeting has just closed with good results to the cause of present truth. When we reached the ground, some three miles from the station, we found the brethren hard at work preparing it for the meeting. They had been disappointed in not getting the ground they occupied last year, and were therefore thrown behind a day or two, so that the meeting did not fairly commence till Thursday noon. We all made the best of the delay we could, some of us in rest and doing up some of our writing, and others in making preparation. There was the largest attendance of Sabbath-keepers present that was ever assembled in the State; more, by considerable, than I expected to see. There were twenty tents well filled besides some who were obliged to stay elsewhere, and probably upwards of two hundred brethren and sisters. The weather was very favorable for our meeting though a little too cool. We had a pleasant grove away from all the noise and confusion of the town, and the opportunity was favorable for spiritual improvement. The word preached seemed to profit those who heard, and there seemed to be a real disposition to work in the cause and reap the benefits to be gained on such an occasion. Sabbath day there was a general move to seek the Lord. When all who desired prayers were called forward, almost the whole congregation moved out. I think I never saw so large a proportion in any audience accept the invitation before. The brethren and sisters in Ohio seem heartily in union with the work in all parts of the field, and willing to do their part to help advance it; and this, in spite of the fact that they have had but little labor, having had no ordained minister belonging to the State for years in the past. This fact shows there is a vitality in this doctrine and work that does not exist generally in the religious world. Not many of the denominations of the present day could keep up an organization at all, did they not have a preacher stationed to keep watch over them all the time, while our people go for a year scarcely hearing a sermon, and then come fifty, one hundred, or even two hundred miles to our annual meetings ready to take hold in supporting the work. May God bless the dear struggling ones amidst the darkness around them. The friends of the cause subscribed nearly three hundred dollars on the Hygienic Book fund. At the close of the meeting two were baptized. Bro. H. A. St. John was solemnly ordained to the work of the ministry by the laying on of hands. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to specially witness to the work as being according to the mind of the same. In reference to men moving to Battle Creek, the Conference took emphatic action, and named Brn. Oliver Mears and Newell Grant as those whose duty it was to step forward to supply the need felt at that important post. We hope these brethren will feel that this action of their State Conference is of some importance, seeing it is the expressed judgment of those of experience in the cause. We hope they will not feel like taking the responsibility of refusing to come up to the help of the cause of God in a most trying hour, when great and important interests, such as our denominational school, and others, are hindered for the very reason of the lack existing at the heart of the work. They will be clear in heeding the voice of their brethren, we do not believe they will in neglecting it. We have delayed already too long as a people in supplying this great want. We are glad Ohio has set an example of sacrifice, by being willing to give men in whom she has confidence and whose loss will be felt, for the benefit of the whole cause. GEO. I. BUTLER. Kokomo, Ind., Sept. 18, 1872. Wisconsin and Chicago.
By O. A. OLSON
AUG. 20, left home to attend the quarterly meeting at Chicago. I was glad to meet these dear friends again and to realize that they were growing in the grace of God and the love of the truth. The meetings were not so largely attended as we could have wished; yet we felt that the Lord met with us, and especially when we gathered to celebrate the ordinances of the Lord's house. The Lord seemed very near to us, and we all felt stronger determinations and new courage to press toward the mark of our high calling. We were baptized and united with the church. We were glad for that degree of harmony and love that prevailed among them. May the church ever walk in the light. Then God will be with them and add to their number such as shall be saved. The 26th, came to Raymond. Commenced meetings the 27th. Since Bro. Matteson and I were here last March, the enemy has been hard at work in this place to destroy the work of God. We felt sad to see their condition. The Lord gave freedom in trying to speak his word, and it seemed to reach hearts. The brethren seemed to realize their condition. A degree of contrition was felt and they all covenanted to forgive one another the errors of the past and start anew together in the service of the Lord. Dear brethren, remember your covenant before the Lord, and with one another. Strive to cultivate the grace of love in your hearts. Do not watch for the failings and faults of others, but let each one watch closely his own heart. Let each one strive to adorn his profession with meekness, humility, forbearance, and love, and the God of peace will be with you. We were glad to have Brn. Olds and Bartholf meet with us. The missionary society which was organized here in March now united with the Conference. May God help us all to realize the importance of this branch of the work. Sept. 5, commenced meetings at Oakland. These meetings were not so largely attended as usual on account of sickness among the brethren. On Sabbath, we were glad to meet a goodly number of brethren from Little Prairie. The blessing of God was with us, and we felt encouraged on our way. Here, also, the Missionary and Tract Society, organized in the church, united with the Conference. Oh! that we could have a true sense of this time and the work before us. Everything tells that the third message is onward, and the end drawing near. Shall we keep pace with the work of the Lord, and be saved? or shall we be indifferent, be left behind, and lost? May God help us to be wise unto salvation. Wisconsin.
By Oliver H. Pratt
SEPTEMBER 1, I met according to appointment in REVIEW, No. 11, with Bro. Downer and Sutherland at Mount Hope, and was very glad to find the work progressing so finely. All seemed to be happy and enjoying a good degree of the Spirit of God. I was greatly encouraged while there, to see the interest manifested in the great truths of the third angel’s message. Tuesday morning, I hired a team and drove to Waterloo, a distance of twenty-five miles, over very rough roads. I was often reminded of the last call to the marriage supper, Luke 14:23, while traveling among the hills in this western part of Grant County. I was sorry to find so much sickness there among our brethren, I fear principally from a lack of living out the health reform. Study carefully Gal. 5, and the work entitled, “A Solemn Appeal.” But we were made to rejoice on Wednesday evening as we saw the brethren and sisters coming in from the different neighborhoods to hear the words of life presented by our dear Bro. Sanborn. We all felt to praise the Lord for the straight testimony on the subject of Systematic Benevolence. We hope to see a coming up in this respect. After meeting, we organized a Missionary and Tract Society of thirty-five or forty members. Received thirty dollars for membership. We were glad to see the interest manifested among our brethren here to take hold of this work. Earnestness is commendable in the sight of the Lord. Oh! that our people may see the necessity of taking hold of this work in earnest, that the way may be opened for the last great work of the third angel’s message. Friday morning, we returned back to Mt. Hope. Found the work still progressing. They had raised money and are going right now to build a house of worship 30x45. We believe God has a people here who are willing to work for him. May God bless them and also bless and strengthen brethren Downer and Sutherland to still labor on in this great work. We received two subscribers for Reformer while traveling to and from home, both hotel keepers. Arrived home Tuesday evening greatly strengthened in the work of the third angel’s message. I would say to those who join the Missionary and Tract Society at the camp-meeting that they can send in their money to Wm. Kerr, Monroe, Green Co., Wis., as soon as convenient. The following letter from Bro. Long to Bro. Butler, having been placed, by the consent of the writer, at our disposal, we take pleasure in laying it before the readers of the REVIEW. We are confident that all the honest in heart, if they will examine the truth as faithfully as Bro. L. has done, will come to the same conclusion. Eld. Geo. I. Butler: Dear Bro.; This will inform you that I have returned from the Minnesota tent. Permit me to state that it has been a season of great benefit to me. It has greatly tended to confirm my previous impressions that S. D. Adventists are certainly engaged in a good work, and that their application of prophecy is a harmonious system, and the more I am permitted to compare it with other views the more am I convinced it is the truth of God's word. I have found Eld. Canright a man whom God loves. He certainly is a chosen instrument of God for the defense and dissemination of the unpopular, yet blessed, truths, especially designed of God to call out and prepare a people for the second advent of our Lord. Bro. C.'s ministrations of the word are logical, tending to convince and convict the minds of the candid ones, and stirring deeply the minds of those who do not choose to be guided by the blessed truths of God's book. Such persons frequently stand confounded as they see their castles of error assailed and demolished by the strong Bible arguments brought to bear against them. This was especially the case, when the truth was boldly attacked by the powers of darkness in the Minnesota tent. The gauntlet was thrown down by one Potter, a trance speaker of the spiritualists, a representative man. The contest was brief, but decisive. The people were reminded of the Appomattox victory. How beautiful the truth did appear in contrast with the marks of the counterfeit manifestations of the last days. We all felt that God was blessing his truth at this time, and we could but rejoice with the lovers of Bible truth that the powers of evil were so effectually restrained in that place. These circumstances, together with others that have come under my personal observation, convince me that S. D. Adventists, as a church, are desirous of acting candidly in119 laboring to disseminate what they believe to be Bible truth. I feel to rejoice in having the privilege of casting my lot with such a people. For years I have been watching the efforts of this devoted people, their trials, and difficulties, and sacrifices of labor and means. I have also had the opportunity of knowing something of the labors of those who oppose this people, especially of the leaders of those in Iowa, and the spirit of their work, of the unity of their faith, which is mostly negative—a disbelief in that which is designed to produce unity and harmony, whose views appear to be as various as their numbers. I have had sufficient opportunities to understand, beyond a doubt, the primary object of their work, and must testify that it is to sow dissension and doubt in the minds of those who have already embraced the truths essential to salvation. They prefer this mode instead of laboring in new fields. So we could not expect that God would commit to such hands, with such influences, the important work of giving the last solemn warning to the world, and calling out a people separate and distinct from the world, to look for the coming of the Son of man. I firmly believe that the last message of mercy is being proclaimed to the world, and I expect God's blessing to attend it. I desire to heed it, and be sanctified by it; not hinder it, but rather help to forward it. I find the work of the Lord is deepening in Missouri. Calls are coming in for lectures in different parts of the northern portion of the State. We shall do what we can to cultivate more interest in these things. We crave the prayers of those who love God and his cause, for his blessing to attend us here as well as elsewhere. L. R. LONG. CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY.
By A. M. Lindsley
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve,”
Time’s passing hours no more delay;
Oh! haste, decide before too late,
Dare to be right; your God obey. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve,”
Mount Sinai’s solemn thunders speak;
Their echoes yet prolonged we hear,
Dare to be true; God’s precepts keep. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve,”
The living God, or, “man of sin,”
Who thinks to change his times and laws;
Make now your choice; to-day begin. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve,”
A few more days will mercy plead,
Then the dread sentence shall go forth,
Let them be lost, who would not heed. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve,”
Let Joshua’s earnest words be ours,
As for me now, and for my house,
We’ll serve the Lord with all our powers. Then when our Saviour shall appear,
He’ll find us with the blood-washed throng,
Enter with them the pearly gates,
And join the new, triumphant song.
A. M. LINDSLEY. St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
By Henry H. Wilcox
LEFT home Aug. 29, for the town of Pitcairn, St. Lawrence Co., some fifty miles distant. On reaching the place found a company of six keeping the Sabbath. They have stood alone for a number of years, but in the Providence of God the way has been opening to get the truth before the people. An appointment was immediately given out for a meeting the next evening. I have spoken, up to this date, fourteen times. The best of attention has been given to the word spoken. The interest and numbers have increased from the first. Three have commenced to keep the Sabbath. Some that never made a profession desire the prayers of the people of God. Many are deeply convicted. More, no doubt, will soon yield to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel greatly humbled under a sense of God's goodness to me. Pray for me, that I may so labor as to win souls, and not mar the work. Poy Sippi, Wis.
By WALTER CASE
The brethren and sisters of this little church have reason to praise the Lord for the rich blessing he has so graciously bestowed. We held a meeting, Sabbath and Sunday, July 20 and 21, at Scott’s Grove. The Lord met with us and it was a precious season. At another meeting in Poygan, Aug. 31, after a solemn and interesting discourse by Bro. Cady, on the subject of baptism, we went to the lake where he baptized four, who we trust arose to walk in newness of life. Our quarterly meeting, held Sept. 7 and 8, is just closed. Bro. Thurston met with us. The Lord blessed with his Holy Spirit, and we trust all are benefited. At this meeting, a Tract Society was formed. It is my prayer that the good work (just commenced) may go on, and that perishing souls may be rescued from death. Your brother striving for the victory, Bro. H. F. Phelps writes that he has been a resident of this place for the past seven years, and the people, having their attention called to the subject of Sabbath-keeping by his example in this respect, have been calling on the ministry to defend the popular practice. In this, they have failed till about six weeks ago, when the Methodist minister gave a discourse against the Sabbath. Bro. Phelps reviewed him. On submitting the question, none voted for Sunday, but two new ones voted for the Sabbath. Hutchinson, Minn.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Two weeks more have passed in our work here, and the prospect looks still better than it did before. The interest in our meeting has kept up good, so that we had about as large a congregation yesterday as at all—some dropping off, of course, but others becoming interested. Farmers are exceedingly driven with their work yet, but still take time to come, evening after evening, for miles, to our meetings. We are obtaining a goodly number of subscribers for our periodicals, and selling a great many books. Notwithstanding we have visited from house to house every day for the last three weeks, we have not been able to get around and fill the many urgent calls we have. Last Sabbath we had our first Sabbath meeting. Bro. Russell spoke on the importance of the Advent movement, after which a goodly number of testimonies were borne for the truth, that being the first Sabbath they had ever kept. About twenty-five voted to keep the Sabbath. We still have hopes of quite a number more, as the interest seems to be deep and wide; and what is the best, the people receive this as light from the Lord, not simply as a cross, but are very thankful for it. Last evening, before preaching, we had a sweet season of prayer and social worship. It did our souls good to hear strong men and women confess the truth and receive it with great joy and thankfulness. Bro. Grant came in the afternoon with Bro. and sister Armstrong, who reports the little company there all holding on and growing strong in the work. We have seldom seen a better prospect for a good sound church than we have here. They are all families of good standing and intelligence, and have nearly all come in by whole families. The Methodist class-leader, a zealous and devoted man, was so prejudiced against us at first that he would not come to hear; but after venturing out once, he got caught with the truth, and has come out strong and firm in the whole truth, and rejoices in it, with his whole family, as one that has found a great pearl. And one of their licensed ministers has embraced the truth; also two men in the village who have for years been looked up to as the best informed in the Scriptures of any men in the whole section around, not even ministers excepted. This looks to me like the Lord's work, and indeed all have to confess that it is, and say that they have never seen such a deep moving among the people as in this place. The presiding elder in this district is very friendly. He comes to hear us and talk with us whenever he has an opportunity, and is reading and investigating. We still keep up our meetings through the week in our tent. Bro. Russell leaves us this morning, to enter a new field to present the truth. We regret to lose his company and his labor. We hope and pray that the good blessing of God may go with him. Bro. Grant will remain in his place for the present. To the numerous friends in all parts of the State who have now sent in requests for labor, we would say that their letters are all carefully preserved, and we shall follow these calls as fast as Providence shall open the way. We cannot consistently reply to all. Most urgent calls are being pressed upon us from adjoining towns, and we must first follow up these. If those who are owing me for the paper and for books could consistently pay up, I would be thankful for it. I do not like to write to them personally for it. I design now to visit Iowa about the first of November, and to hold a large meeting at Osceola, Richland, Sigourney. This will be all the time I can spare in that State. We hope our friends will make arrangements to attend these meetings and make the most of them. I hope to have some good strong man with me. We are in good health and strength, and enjoy some of the blessing of the Lord. Pray for us. A Good Change.
By Sister Ellen E. Smith
SISTER ELLEN E. SMITH writes from Van Buren Co., Mich.: Two months ago I would throw aside the REVIEW to read novels and other works of Satan. I now see my folly, and I hope it is not too late to repay to the Lord that which I have stolen from him. I have never kept any day of rest, have always been disobedient to my God; but he has loved me still. Now I feel that it is time for me to cry, What shall I do to be saved? I keep the Sabbath, and hope with God’s help to keep it to the end. I have never attended any of your meetings. I would that the truth could be preached here. I am trying to keep all the commandments, and hope I shall have faith to hold out. Pray for a sinner in the dark trying to find the light. Is thy Heart Right?
By S. Thurston
What answer can we give to this question? Are we fully given up to the will of God? And can we say of a truth that we are the Lord's, and that he is ours? Can we say in all things, Not my will, but thine be done? Are there not some sins that we are not willing to part with? If so, these are roots in the heart, which send up noxious weeds. We may cut off these weeds as often as they get grown so tall that we cannot help seeing them, but where is the victory that we have gained. We may feel very sorry that we have done wrong, and mourn, and resolve to do so no more; but soon, perhaps, we are again guilty of the same sin, and then our courage fails, and we feel to say, How can we forsake our sins so long as the roots remain in our hearts? How often in our childhood days have we been sent to pull weeds in the garden, and instead of digging down and getting the roots, would pull the tops off, thinking it was just as well; but what was our surprise in a few days to find that the weeds were alive, and growing as fast as ever. But since we have come to years of understanding, we know that if we would kill weeds we must take the roots out. Just so it is with the people of God who have departed from their first love. They need to go back and do their first works over, renew their consecration, and then in agonizing prayer ask help from on high to take not only the branches, but the roots, also, out of our hearts. Then we can say, Christ hath made us free. When the blood of Christ is applied to our hearts, then the fountain will be pure. Then let us watch unto the coming of the Lord, and have our hearts so filled with the love of Christ that there will be no room for Satan to again sow bad seeds in our hearts. Then we can say, Through Christ we have got the victory. NEVER accuse a child of a fault unless you are certain he committed it. Children should not be treated with suspicion. We should act toward them in this matter as we feel we ought to act toward others, only with greater tenderness—not less, as is usually done. We should always put the best construction possible upon their conduct; that is, unless you are sure a child is telling a lie, and can prove it, do not show the smallest hesitation in believing what he says. Far better that you should be deceived than run the risk of showing a truthful child you do not trust him. Your simple trust makes a lying child truthful. Your doubt of his truthfulness may make a truthful child a liar. —Exchange. Stay up their Hands.
By A. M. L.
As I take up our dear paper from week to week, I turn with interest first to the pages containing the reports of the progress of the cause. It is evident that God is moving on the hearts of the people in a special manner, by means which he has ordained for the proclamation of the most solemn truths this world has ever heard. The burden of the work is beginning to rest heavily on his ministering servants. In almost every report their cry is, “Pray for us,” “Brethren, do n't forget us,” “Are you holding us up in your prayers?” Who can read these earnest appeals for help, without participating in the spirit of their labors, and crying earnestly to God that he will stand by them, uphold them by his free Spirit, and give them a fresh anointing, enabling them to stand at their post? Would not a day of fasting and prayer among the churches, for this special object, be appropriate, that all may feel the burden of this work? The interest to hear is on the increase, and while God is so manifestly at work, let us all come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. While our preachers stand in the forefront of the battle, let the reserve force be ready to turn the battle to the gate by prayer, and every way in which they can help. God will bless, and the cry will swell louder and still louder. I feel unworthy to write, but my interest and feeling on the subject is intense. I cannot read these reports without tears, and my poor prayers go up in response, “Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach.” A Lesson Learned.
By J. Dorcas
I CANNOT feel sorry that it has turned out as it has in the labor of Bro. Canright the past summer. We know that he is an efficient and industrious laborer, yet, according to his report, he was for a long time unsuccessful, though he has not been urged nor invited to places where brethren have lived. The reason why I feel as I do about this, is, that, too often in such cases, there has been a disposition on the part of laborers and others to find fault, and lay the want of success to the “unwholesome influence” of brethren and sisters in such places. I hope that we shall all learn to be less inclined to find fault. We are glad that the good work is still onward, though slowly, in this part of the vineyard. Four good souls have come out here this summer, and we have regular meetings at Union Grove. This good work has been accomplished, mainly, by reading, and the labors of our good sister Rousher. Others are investigating. J. DORCAS. Sabbath Evening.
By Lydia J. Shaw
With what delight do I hail the approach of Sabbath evening. After six days’ toil, how sweet to lay aside the world with its care, and devote one day to God. “There’s something in those hours
Which end the weary week,
That to the heart at peace with God
Seems calm delight to speak.” I love the anticipation of this evening. I love the stillness. I think of the approaching day of sacred rest. My weary soul needs it, and desires it. I love the appropriate duty of this evening, self-examination. Although it brings to mind many sins of the day and week that is past, yet it is profitable. It leads me to the throne of grace, to the Saviour of sinners, looking to God for a preparation of heart which I so much need, that God’s holy day may be a blessing to my soul. My heart needs to be emptied of worldliness and vanity. It needs to be brought into nearer communion with God and with holy things. It needs a deeper apprehension of sinfulness, and a livelier and stronger faith in Him who is my hope. How can I profit by Sabbath days’ mercies, unless my spiritual frame is in harmony with their sacredness? Yes, if I desire to be blessed by Sabbath privileges, I must go to the Saviour for the heart that can appropriate and improve them, having determined that the great object of my life is the glory of God, and that love be the foundation of all my efforts. Every hour of my life, every faculty of my mind, every member of my body, should be completely and wholly consecrated to God, seeking to have my whole life molded into an exact conformity to the will of God. I am resolved by the grace of God to make every thought, word, and action, pay tribute unto Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. This is a hard task to do, to bring my sinful heart into subjection, but I am sure that it is no more than my duty to God; for he says, Be ye holy, for I am holy. Why, therefore, should I think it too much to do for Him who has done so much for me, that I might have eternal life? Strykersville, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1872. Few readers can be aware, until they have occasion to test the fact, how much labor is often saved by such a table as the following, the work of one who is now in his grave. If history is poetry, then here is poetry “personified:” 1607, Virginia settled by the English.
1614, New York settled by the Dutch.
1620, Massachusetts settled by the Puritans.
1624, New Jersey settled by the Dutch.
1627, Delaware settled by the Swedes and Finns.
1635, Maryland settled by Irish Catholics.
1636, Connecticut settled by Puritans.
1639, Rhode Island settled by Roger Williams.
1650, North Carolina settled by English.
1670, South Carolina settled by Huguenots.
1682, Georgia settled by General Oglethorpe.
1791, Vermont admitted into Union.
1791, Kentucky admitted into Union.
1796, Tennessee admitted into Union.
1802, Ohio admitted into Union.
1811, Louisiana admitted into Union.
1816, Indiana admitted into Union.
1818, Illinois admitted into Union.
1819, Alabama admitted into Union.
1820, Maine admitted into Union.
1821, Missouri admitted into Union.
1830, Michigan admitted into Union.
1836, Arkansas admitted into Union.
1845, Florida admitted into Union.
1846, Texas admitted into Union.
1847, Iowa admitted into Union.
1848, Wisconsin admitted into Union.
1850, California admitted into Union.
1859, Oregon admitted into Union.