Earlier text: HOW THE SEPARATE EXISTENCE OF THE SOUL CAME TO BE BELIEVED“And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. xiii, 11, 12. The day which is represented as at hand, is evidently the day of deliverance to the people of God. The night, which is far spent, represents the period of man’s probation; the time during which the people of God sojourn in the earth in its state of subjection to the curse. It is the whole period from the expulsion of our first parents from Paradise, till the overcomers’ return to Paradise, never to lose it again. It is a long night, but the morning shall at last chase away its gloom. It is the night of weeping. The morning shall bring everlasting joy. Ps. xxx, 5. This morning, when “the Just One” shall begin his rule, shall be a morning without clouds. 2 Sam. xxiii, 3, 4. This night of sin and death is one perpetual watch for the church of Christ. The world uses this night for sleep and for drunkenness. 1 Thess. v, 4-8. It is the business of the church to watch and be sober. The church must watch through the whole night. But it is only as the night is actually giving place to the morning, that the tokens of coming day indicate to the watchers that their hopes are about to be realized. Till then, they have to watch without being able to tell very clearly the time of night. And so the people of God, weary with long watching, call out with anxious cry, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night; if ye will inquire, inquire ye; return, come.” Isa. xxi, 11, 12. The watchman assures the inquirers that the day shall finally dawn, and encourages them to ask again. And this is a virtual pledge that he will, in answer to his questions, report every token of coming day that he is able to discover. He makes one statement worthy of particular observation. The night comes as well as the morning. The present is the day of probation. If men will hear the voice of Christ, “while it is called to-day,” they may be saved. But when this is past, then comes the night, to the wicked, in which none can work the works of God. John ix, 4. But the present is our night, and when it is ended the “morning without clouds,” the morning of joy breaks upon our delighted vision. So the one class finds a night of unutterable anguish, just where the other hails with infinite joy the long-hoped-for morning. The rest of the church and the distress of the foe come at the same time. Paul tells us that “the night is far spent, the day is at hand.” Thank God, for that good word. Our salvation is nearer than when we believed. But stop, says the objector; Paul said this eighteen hundred years ago. If it was far spent eighteen hundred years ago, no one can tell that another like period may not elapse before the day shall actually come. Perhaps it would be a proper answer were I to reply that Paul often speaks to the church in a prophetic capacity, as, for instance, 1 Thess. iv, 15, 17; v, 1-4; 1 Tim. iv, 1; 2 Tim. iii; and that he is addressing the people of God from a prophetic standpoint, where the day of God is about to open. It is evident that he speaks in this capacity when he numbers himself with those who shall be alive at the coming of Jesus. The “we” thus brought to view, being that part of the church that, standing as the representatives of all the people of God, shall finish out this long night of watching, and welcome the coming of “the perfect day.” Prov. iv, 18. But I shall say no such thing to an objector. Yet even he ought to see that his objection is sophistical, i. e., it consists wholly of false reasoning. For if this kind of reasoning proves anything, it proves that the nearer we get to an event the farther it is from us. Any reasoning by which we may prove an absurdity is manifestly false reasoning. Thus to continue this style of reasoning: The apostle said that the day was at hand and the night far spent eighteen hundred years since; therefore, for aught we can tell, another like period may elapse. Let us suppose five hundred years more to elapse without the advent of Jesus. This same question being raised, the objector would say, Twenty-three hundred years have passed since Paul said the night was far spent; who can tell why another twenty-three hundred years may not intervene between us and the day of God? Who cannot see that this kind of reasoning is deceptive and false? We must be getting nearer the grand event, year by year; yet the lapse of time only makes the event more remote from us. What, then, did Paul really teach, and what is the true method of reasoning from his words? Common sense, an article so rare that the name seems inappropriate, would seem plainly to suggest the following as the reasonable and just view of this text: As the night evidently covers the whole period of our earth’s continuance in its present state, in other words, as the night represents the time of probation and affliction to the people of God, for Paul to be justified in saying that the night is far spent, the greater part of the entire period must be in the past. This is certainly a reasonable, just, and necessary conclusion. Thus if two-thirds of the entire period had elapsed, then the night itself was far spent though Paul could not live to see the dawning of the day. How much time had elapsed when Paul wrote these startling words? Nearly forty-two hundred years! How much has elapsed since? about eighteen hundred! Then it follows that the dawning of the day is immediately upon us. More than two-thirds of the six thousand years of human probation were then past. The remainder is nearly full! Whether human probation covers just six thousand years or not, the most careful study of the Bible shows that it cannot vary much therefrom. Probably it is the very limit assigned. But waiving this, Paul’s words do show that the day of God is certainly at hand. What was near, compared with the whole period of the night in the time of Paul, is, by that very fact, proved to be now emphatically at hand. Then, surely, it is time for us to awake out of sleep. The dreadful day draws near. Probation is about to close. Our fellow-men all around us are unprepared. Our own preparation is not complete. Some have hardly made a fair commencement. Probably a very large proportion of our number fail to make daily progress in the great work. Oh, terrible mistake is this! Shall our Lord come and find us thus? Shall the close of our brief, remaining probation bring us to the morning of eternal joy or to the night of utter darkness and despair? THIS is one of the evil elements of fallen nature. It is that principle which causes men to suspect evil, even in their best friends. It finds wrong where none exists. It even construes good deeds in such a light that they appear as grievous wrongs. It is always watching for a slight, and it never watches in vain. If the act upon which it seizes is one of perfect innocence, then it so construes it as to make it one of immeasurable wickedness, because it is an act of hypocrisy. Great evil, it thinks, must lie in the background, and their good act was designed to cover it from view. There is no escaping the venom of this satanic fury. Where it exists in a family, there is no peace to that house. The Son of peace does not abide under that roof. Where it is found in a church, there is neither rest nor quiet for that church. There will be perpetual trouble unless the members who are cursed with this foul demon in their hearts, either die or are converted. But there is little ground to hope that such persons will be converted, and as to their dying, that generally seems to be quite out of the account. Men and women who have this indwelling demon generally prove a life-long curse to their families, and to the church. The inscrutable providence of God suffers such persons to live. Perhaps it is that the patience of those who have this sharp thorn to endure may be perfected. Perhaps it is that sin may be permitted to show itself in its hateful character. But one thing is certain; this evil has limits which it cannot pass. It may destroy the peace of families; it may grievously afflict the people of God. But it shall never be found in the city of God. Not one particle of this spirit shall ever enter the gates of the holy city. So it follows that those who have this wicked principle in their hearts must be converted, or consumed by the fire of the last day. There is a remedy for jealousy. It is found in that charity which thinketh no evil. 1 Cor. xiii. Sometimes we see in one family a life-long contest between two of its members: one being full of jealousy, the other exemplifying the principle of heavenly love. Perhaps Solomon had seen this strange contest or he would never have written, “Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave.” If we could become new creatures in Christ, how great would be the change! If the old man were put off, and the new man put on, how great an improvement it would be! “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” 2 Cor. v. When men are converted after this fashion, the world is always the better for it. Stumbling Blocks and Genuine Religion
NEVER lay a stumbling-block in the way of a man who is trying to advance himself in the world honestly and uprightly, for he is likely to walk over it and laugh at you afterward. THERE is reason to suspect the genuineness of that religion which is too modest to bear the gaze, and too delicate to bear the touch of the world.—Jenkin Thomas. EASTERN TOUR.
By James White
THE only reason why the readers of the REVIEW have not heard from us each week, has been the want of time to write. Since my last note relative to our arrival in Boston, and the meetings in Chelsea, we have attended camp-meetings from four to six days each week. Care, business relative to our Office of publication, preaching, and distance of travel, have taken all our time. September 8-13, we were on the This meeting was held in a beautiful pine grove, near the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, at South Lancaster, Mass. The preparation of the ground, and general arrangements for the meeting were under the especial care of Eld. S. N. Haskell, who spared neither time nor labor in the performance of his duty. There were two large tents upon the ground in which to hold meetings should it rain. These were found very serviceable in several showers of rain, and for those to sleep in who had no other provision for the night. There were also a goodly number of smaller tents on the ground, crowded with those who had a deep interest in the meeting. Beside these, the brethren in the place entertained many. Eld. A. C. Bourdeau from Bordoville, Vt., was present with about forty from his place, and as many more were present from other parts of that State. This was no small sacrifice on their part, yet I think they all felt, at the close of the meeting, that they had been richly paid. There was a general attendance from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and a good representation from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine, and some from New York. The speakers present were Elders Waggoner, Cornell, Bourdeau, Stone, Hutchins, Haskell, Rodman, Goodrich, White, and sister White. Much freedom was enjoyed by all who addressed the people. The congregations were large and very attentive. On Sunday, special trains from Worcester and Nashua, brought nearly two thousand hearers to the ground. The congregation on that day was not much less than four thousand. Eld. Waggoner spoke in the forenoon and sister White in the afternoon. Both were listened to with wonderful attention. A descriptive discourse in the afternoon, upon the life, betrayal, condemnation, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension and second advent of Christ, moved the feelings of the thousands. At this favorable moment we circulated gratuitously about two thousand tracts upon the Sufferings of Christ, Law and Gospel, and God's Memorial. These were seized with surprising eagerness. We sold several hundred dollars' worth of books upon the ground, and gave from the tract fund near two hundred dollars' worth. The social meetings were characterized with solemnity and searching of heart. Many close, practical remarks were made, which will not soon be lost sight of. We were glad to know that the truth and work of God was taking strong hold of good minds. We were under the painful necessity of explaining and exposing some things to our people, in consequence of false impressions which had gone out from the very heart of the work, within a few years, calculated to cut off our influence. We parted with our New England people with mutual feelings of the strongest union and sympathy. Elders Waggoner and Cornell remain to labor with them. May the cause there prosper, and may souls be brought to the knowledge of the truth. September 15-20, we were in the midst of friends from New York and Pennsylvania upon the There was a general turnout from this conference. It was the largest gathering of our people ever held in the State. Here we were joined in labor with Elds. Waggoner and Andrews, and the ministers of the N. Y. and Pa. Conference. The preaching was pointed, and with power. Backsliders were reclaimed, and sinners were converted to God. The influence of this good meeting will long be felt in that Conference. Consecration to the work is what is wanted everywhere, especially in that part of the field. God will abundantly bless his people, and raise them above discouragements, if they consecrate themselves to his work. At the close of this meeting we hastened on to Battle Creek, where we tarried one night, and immediately went on our way to attend the western camp-meetings. I write on the boat Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, between Winona, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis. LOVE, THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
DR. CHALMERS closed his sermon on “The Power of the Gospel” with the following words: “Amid the fruitlessness of every other expedient, when power threatened to crush the heart which it could not soften—when authority lifted its voice, and laid on man an enactment to love which it could not carry—when terror shot its arrows, and they dropped ineffectual from that citadel of the human affections which stood proof against the impression of every one of them—when wrath mustered up its appalling severities, and filled that bosom with despair which it could not fill with the warmth of a confiding attachment—then the kindness of an inviting God was brought to bear on the heart of man, and got an opening through all its mysterious avenues. Goodness did what the nakedness of power could not do. It found its way through all the intricacies of the human constitution, and there, depositing the right principle of repentance, did it establish the only effectual security for the right purposes, and the right fruits of repentance.” The great mind of Chalmers never grasped a greater thought than this; and, perhaps, no uninspired pen could present it in a better manner than he did. It has its defects; but it is easier to discover faults in the work of another than to do a better work ourselves. Goodness is not peculiar to the gospel; “the law is holy, and just, and good,” in its condemnation of iniquity, though it strikes terror to the heart of the evil-doer. The gospel does not create favor, but only brings us into harmony with the favor which we had forfeited. It does not substitute grace for justice, but enables God to be gracious to the penitent believer and yet maintain justice. Rom. iii, 23-26. In “Testimony to the Church, No. 16,” is the following paragraph: “Love is power. Intellectual and moral strength are involved in this principle, and cannot be separated from it. The power of wealth has a tendency to corrupt and destroy, the power of force is strong to do hurt; but the excellence and value of pure love consist in its efficiency to do good, and to do nothing else but good. Whatsoever is done out of pure love, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight of men, is wholly fruitful; for God measures more with how much love one worketh than the amount he doeth. Love is of God. The unconverted heart cannot originate nor produce this plant of heavenly growth, which lives alone, and flourishes only, where Christ reigns. Love cannot live without action, and every act increases, strengthens, and extends it. Love will prevail and gain the victory when argument and authority are powerless. Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the certain result of every labor of love. It is diffusive in its nature, and quiet in its operation, yet strong and mighty in its purpose to overcome great evils. It is melting and transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful and affect their hearts, when every other means has proved unsuccessful. Wherever the power of intellect, of authority, or of force, is employed, and love is not manifestly present, the affections and will of those whom we seek to reach assume a defensive, repelling position, and increase their strength of resistance as they are met by another power than love. Jesus was the Prince of Peace. He came into the world to bring resistance and authority into subjection to himself. Wisdom and strength he could command, but the means he employed to overcome evil were the wisdom and strength of love.” For comprehensiveness, for sublimity of thought and touching simplicity of expression, the above will rarely find a parallel. It will not only bear often reading, but must be so read to be appreciated. And how truthful its statements! How the small services of love touch our hearts, when greater favors, conferred in a cold manner, do not affect us. How cheering to know that though our talents be few, and our abilities small, a loving heart will insure the acceptance of our service, and secure the approbation of our Father in Heaven. Then let none give up in despair. If we cannot do much, let us strive to love more, and thereby make the little we can do doubly acceptable to God. As often as I have read the above words, I have blessed Heaven for the consolation. Lord, make my love perfect and complete, and then my service shall be right. J. H. WAGGONER. CONTENTMENT.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.” 1 Tim. vi, 7, 8. This statement of the apostle is worthy of careful consideration. He states a fact which no one will deny: “We brought nothing into this world.” Every one who comes into the world, comes naked, helpless and dependent. After a few brief days of sojourn here, he goes out of the world. He may have gained great wealth, broad acres, and fine houses; he may have attained to great honor and authority; may have ruled kingdoms; but at last he must die; must go out of the world, and leave them all—not one thing can he take with him. Others will take his possessions and place, will live upon what he has gathered, and delight themselves in his labors; but he himself must lie down as low as the poorest, and as powerless as the weakest. Such a fate is before every soul of man, except those who shall be translated. How very sensible, then, and forcible is the apostle’s conclusion: “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.” When we have a sufficient amount of these to supply our necessary wants, let us be content and enjoy them. This is126 the teaching both of reason and revelation. “Yet how differently men act! When they have gained a sufficient amount of this world’s goods to meet their reasonable wants, they are not at all content, but grasp after more, still more eagerly than they did at first. The more they have, the less contented they are—the less they enjoy it. How hard it is for man to learn that, as Jesus said, “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke xii, 15. Contentment is the great secret of happiness. Without this, it is utterly impossible for any one, in any circumstances, to be happy. THE LORD DOES RIGHT.
By Robert F. Cottrell
The Lord chooses his own mode and means of operation, and it is right always, and always the best. But unconsecrated human nature, instead of being thankful for what he does, murmurs and repines for what he does not. We should call to mind what he has done for us in the past—his great deliverance from our Egyptian servitude, and his strong arm in bringing us across the Red Sea of our affliction and peril. The sea was divided for Israel but once. They should never have forgotten it, however, in any subsequent trial. So with us. We should in each new trial, call to mind the way that God has led us; be thankful for the past, calm for the present, and confiding for the future. In case an Achan is in the camp, let God search him out; and let him take his own way for it, too. He can, if he sees best, point him out directly; but if, instead of doing so, he chooses to develop the matter in another way, by the slow and laborious process of the lot upon the tribes and families of Israel, and thus elicit a voluntary confession of guilt, it is all right, and the lesson inculcated will be better appreciated, and the effect upon Israel be more salutary. It is matter for rejoicing when the accursed obstacle to Israel’s success is removed; and not a proper cause for murmuring as to the manner of proceeding. The Lord has wrought for Israel all the way, sometimes by striking signs and marvelous displays of power, and sometimes in a different and less conspicuous way. He has done what was best. If the wavering and the unbelieving take occasion to give loose rein to their long-cherished spirit of murmuring and discontent, it will open the way for a further cleansing of the camp. It is much better to be established upon the evidences of the truth of our position, so that no adverse wind can move us. Has God wrought for us by his word, his providence and his Spirit? Do we know that God is developing his people by the last merciful message? Have the remnant begun to appear, that keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ? Are we settled in this? or is it better to appoint for us a captain and go back into Egypt, or disband, and every one find his own way out of the desert? It would be well to be decided, and bear together our calamities with as good grace as possible; think of our sins, for which God suffers us to be tried, and not cherish the spirit of murmuring and revolt against those upon whom God has laid the burden of his work, and our fearfully-precarious condition, with almost overwhelming and crushing weight. God lives and reigns; and those who are faithful to him will finally be the victors. Work, Lord, in thine own way; but give me a portion with thy people. THE CLOSING MESSAGES.—NO. 9.
By R. F. Cottrell
After the first message is described, it is said, “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Such a message as this followed the first, in the history of the Advent movement in 1844. The prophecy thus far was verified—it foretold it, and it took place. That which before was prophecy, is now history. But it is worthy of notice that it is said of the first and the third angels that their messages are given with a loud voice, while of the second it is not so declared. Accordingly, in the fulfillment, the second message did not attract so general notice as the first. Every word of inspiration has its meaning; every prophecy is minutely fulfilled. But this message is to be repeated as the last message, that of the third angel, in finishing its work; and it will be repeated with emphasis. Rev. xviii, 1-5. All the people of God will hear and heed it. Babylon will be forsaken by all who obey God, and thus they will escape her plagues. Advent believers in 1844, anticipated more than the prophecies justified them in expecting; and God designed it should be so, in order that all their energies might be enlisted to give the word a complete and emphatic fulfillment. While they were called to proclaim the hour of his Judgment come, they were suffered to anticipate that the Lord would actually come at the end of the days. How would they have proclaimed it, and what would have been the effect in arousing attention, had they known and proclaimed that the Lord would not come in more than twenty years, and probation would continue that length of time? In order to give the prophecy such a fulfillment as was demanded, they needed to feel like men brought right up to the decisions of that Judgment which they proclaimed, and the rewarding of every man as his work should be. The first disciples of Jesus were suffered to immediately anticipate the glorious reign of Christ, which is yet future, when they shouted in fulfillment of prophecy, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord!” They must be nerved up to shout, though doomed so soon to disappointment. The prophecy must be fulfilled; and should they hold their peace, the stones must immediately cry out. How could they have shouted had they known that the blessed Jesus, instead of reigning a king, was to be crucified and slain within a very few days? They were in blissful ignorance of this terrible truth, and hence could shout for joy. Notwithstanding their ignorance and error, the Spirit of the Lord was moving them to fulfill his word. As we were saying, we anticipated the close of the Judgment in the Sanctuary, at the time when it was to commence, and as we expected the Lord immediately, at the end of the days, we also anticipated the cry of Rev. xviii, with the voice from Heaven, “Come out of her my people, . . . for her sins have reached unto Heaven,” when our work was merely to fulfill the simple announcement of Rev. xiv, 8. And this was as the providence of God would have it. It had the effect to make us a separate people, and thus prepare the way for the third and last message. It was evident Babylon was fallen in 1844; it will be far more evident before the third message closes, at the time when the announcement will be repeated with a voice that will reach all the children of God. It will then be seen that since she consummated her fall in rejecting the doctrine of the coming of the Lord, she has been adding to her sins to an alarming extent, and has been filling up with every foul spirit and every unclean and hateful bird. Apostasy, the thing signified by the fall of Babylon, is generally a gradual work. It begins with spiritual declension, and when it reaches a certain point, it becomes evidently incurable, the Lord withdraws his restraining grace, and they hasten to fill up the measure of their iniquity until their final overthrow. At the first advent, the Jewish church were far from the Lord, and, in addition to this, by rejecting the teachings of Jesus, their house was left unto them desolate; then, by crucifying the Lord and persecuting the church, they hasten to fill up the measure of their iniquity, till wrath came upon them to their final overthrow. So Babylon had long been declining to her fall which she consummated by rejecting the doctrine of the advent at hand, a doctrine so abundantly proved by the word of God. And now, with restraining influences withdrawn, she is hastening to fill up the cup of her abominations and iniquity, which will culminate in making war with those who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. xii, 17), and prepare her for the cup of the wine of the fierceness of the wrath of God. Chap. xvi, 19. The doctrine of the speedy advent of the Son of God was the last resort and the only medicine that could heal her backslidings, her errors, and consequent dissensions. But she would not accept it. “We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed; forsake her.” Jer. li, 9. But the reader may begin to inquire, What are you talking about?—what is Babylon? Perhaps I am anticipating my subject. This however is only introductory. In the next number I purpose to begin to define. REPORT OF THE N. Y. AND PA. CONFERENCE.
By E. B. Saunders
THE N. Y. and Pa. S. D. A. churches held their Annual Conference during the recent Camp-meeting at Kirkville, N. Y. The first session was held Sept. 16, with nearly all the churches represented by delegates. Eld. R. F. Cottrell in the chair. Prayer by Bro. Andrews. Voted, That Brn. White and Waggoner be invited to participate in the sessions of the Conference. The usual committees were then chosen, which occupied the time allotted for this session. Second Session. Prayer by Bro. Andrews. Reports of ministers handed in, also reports from the Conference Secretary and Treasurer were read. The following resolution was read and unanimously adopted: Whereas, We believe that it is in the providence of God that Bro. and Sr. White are called to occupy a leading position in this work, and that it is in the order of God that they should bear the plain, faithful, searching testimony that they bear; and Whereas, This work of reproving and correcting wrongs exposes them, in an especial manner, to the fierce assaults of Satan, and of his agents, therefore, Resolved, That we express our hearty sympathy with them in the work to which God has called them, and our thanks to God for placing the gift of prophecy in the church. The following resolution was then read, and after appropriate remarks by some of the ministers, was adopted. Resolved, That we deplore the apostasy and crime of Nathan Fuller; and that we express our abhorrence of the violation of the seventh commandment in whatever form, or under whatever pretenses or excuses; and we believe we have great reason to humble ourselves before God for our indifference to the testimony of his Spirit, wherein we have been warned against danger in this respect; and with deep contrition we must acknowledge that we as a people have not realized the existence of this danger, or sufficiently prized the admonitions given. Third Session. Prayer by Bro. Saunders. Case of N. Fuller considered; also Conference Secretary read his financial report. Fourth Session. Prayer by Bro. Waggoner. The committee on Resolutions report the following resolution: Resolved, That we heartily endorse the sermon of Bro. White, preached in this meeting, on the subject of consecrating our means to the cause of God; and that we confidently believe that our Saviour meant what he said on giving alms, and laying up a treasure in Heaven; and we lament the want of confidence in God's providence, that we have manifested in our use of the things of this world. The Committee on Nominations reported the following officers for the coming year, which were duly elected: President, J. N. Andrews; Conference Committee, J. N. Andrews, J. M. Lindsay, E. B. Gaskill; Secretary, R. F. Cottrell; Treasurer, Harmon Lindsay. The following resolutions were then adopted: 1. That all money belonging to this Conference, including that in the hands of the church treasurers pledged to the Conference, shall be drawn by orders signed by a majority of the Executive Committee. 2. It is with heartfelt gratitude to God that we have beheld the restoration of Bro. White to such a state of health, that he is again enabled to labor in this cause; and we hereby express our unfeigned pleasure with the action of the general meetings last spring which recognized the hand of the Lord in placing him where his interest and experience in this work may avail, not only to assist us in carrying on the work in the future, but in correcting the errors of the past. 3. That we express our deep sense of the importance of the reforms which have been introduced among us, on the subjects of Christian Temperance, and of plain, modest, and becoming dress; and we beseech all our people to regard the light which shines forth upon these subjects. 4. That we feel a deep responsibility upon ourselves to call the attention of our first-day Advent brethren to the subject of the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, as brought to view in the third angel's message, as the great truth to prepare a people for translation. 5. That we approve of the action of the General Conference in attempting to establish relations of Christian friendship with that people, who in common with ourselves, observe the Sabbath of the Lord. Last Session. Prayer by Bro. Andrews. Credentials were granted to the following ministers: J. N. Andrews, C. O. Taylor, S. B. Whitney, and R. F. Cottrell. Licenses were given to E. B. Saunders, J. W. Raymond, H. W. Lawrence, C. B. Reynolds, S. A. Lindsay, F. Wheeler, D. Arnold, Hiram Edson, H. H. Wilcox, and W. W. Stebbins. Voted, That N. Fuller be expelled from the Conference for immorality. E. B. SAUNDERS, Secretary. REPORT OF THE WISCONSIN AND ILLINOIS STATE CONFERENCE.
By C. W. Olds; G. W. Colcord
The sixth annual session of this Conference was held at Clinton Junction, Wis., Sept. 23–27, 1869, in connection with our Camp-meeting, as appointed in Review. Conference convened Sept. 23, at 4 o'clock p. m. Eld. R. F. Andrews in the chair. Prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. Present, Elds. R. F. Andrews, I. Sanborn, and T. M. Steward, of this Conference. Delegates' credentials presented and examined. Twenty-six delegates from eighteen churches. Two represented by letter, and four not represented. Voted, That all the brethren present, in good standing with their respective churches, be invited to participate with us in the discussion of business. Voted, That the following brethren act as an Auditing Committee to settle with the ministers; viz.: P. S. Thurston, John Atkinson, C. W. Olds, T. Brown, G. W. Colcord, and C. H. Bliss. Voted, That the following brethren be our Nominating Committee, to nominate officers for the Conference the coming year: R. Baker, G. L. Holiday, N. M. Jordan, E. F. Debord, and C. W. Olds. Voted, That the Chair appoint a Committee of three on Resolutions. Adjourned to call of the Chair. Conference called Sept. 24, at 3½ p. m. Prayer by Bro. I. Sanborn.127 Voted, To pass the reading of the minutes of the last Conference. Voted, To receive the churches of Chicago, Belvidere, and Trempealeau, into Conference. Treasurer's report read and accepted. Reports of churches examined; result as follows: Whole number of members, June 4, 1868, 646. Whole number of members, Sept. 23, 1869, 717. Whole amount of s. b., $3314.00. Ministers' reports called for, and R. F. Andrews, I. Sanborn, J. Matteson, H. C. Blanchard, and T. M. Steward, responded. Report of Nominating Committee presented and accepted. The following brethren were then duly elected, as nominated; viz.: President, C. W. Olds, Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis. Secretary, G. W. Colcord, Coleta, Whiteside Co., Ill. Treasurer, Ivory Colcord, Genesee Grove, Whiteside Co., Ill. Executive Committee, N. M. Jordan, Lodi, Columbia Co., Wis.; O. A. Olson, Bussyville, Jefferson Co., Wis. Report of Auditing Committee accepted. Voted, To renew the credentials of the following brethren: R. F. Andrews, I. Sanborn, J. Matteson, H. C. Blanchard, and T. M. Steward. Voted, That our ministers report as often as once a quarter. Conference called Sept. 27. Prayer by Bro. I. Sanborn. Voted, That the following brethren be licensed to improve their gift in publicly presenting the views of Seventh-day Adventists: B. F. Merritt, Princeville, license renewed; H. G. Buxton, ——, Ill.; O. A. Olson, Bussyville, Wis.; C. H. Bliss, Princeville; Wm. E. Bliss, Princeville; T. E. Morey, Princeville; E. M. Crandall, Utica, Wis.; G. W. Colcord, Coleta, Ill. Report on Resolutions accepted. Resolved, That this Conference buy a tent. Resolved, That the following brethren act with our Conference Committee in procuring a tent and arranging for Camp-meetings: R. Baker, E. F. Debord, Bro. Higley, and B. F. Merritt. Resolved, That our delegates are hereby instructed to take a subscription list to their respective churches, and let each one do according to his ability for the purchase of a new tent; the same to be paid by the first of January, 1870. Resolved, That we appropriate 80 per cent of our s. b. for a Conference fund. Resolved, That this Conference donate to the General Conference the sum of four hundred dollars. We deeply regret our backward condition, therefore, Resolved, That we enter more heartily into the work of the third angel's message in all its branches; especially the missionary work, and the circulation of our publications. Resolved, That it is our opinion that our Camp-meeting and Conference should be held about the 15th of June. Resolved, That we here express our thanks to the General Conference for the timely aid rendered by the labors of Bro. and Sr. White, and Brother J. N. Andrews. Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude to God for the gift of prophecy which he has placed in the church as a means of correcting faults and evils in our midst, and of calling our attention more perfectly to the true character of the work of preparation for the Judgment. Resolved, That we freely tender to Bro. and Sr. White the benefit of our sympathy and prayers in their labors and trials, and we will try to hold up their hands as much as is in our power. Resolved, That we all hereby express our sincere thanks to the citizens of Clinton Junction for their kind hospitality to us during the five days we have been assembled in their midst to worship God, and we earnestly pray the Lord's blessing upon them. Resolved, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the Review. G. W. Colcord, Secretary.