After much labor to nail up the law of God, “written and engraven in stones” to the cross of Christ, its opponents, having found that this requires too much laborious drilling, have, to their great satisfaction, found an easier and shorter method to accomplish the same much-desired result. It is as follows:—
Ignoring the plainly revealed fact that the first covenant consisted of mutual promises—on the part of the people to keep God’s covenant, the ten commandments, and on the part of God to make them his peculiar treasure—they assert that the law is itself the old covenant. They will not hear the plainly expressed testimony that the covenant was made “concerning these words,” that is, the words of the Lord which Moses had written in the book of the covenant; Ex. 24: 3–8, but contend that the words of the great Jehovah, the words of his law which he uttered with his own voice, are the covenant that waxed old and vanished away, because it was faulty.
Then, forgetting themselves—for they have a bad memory—they talk of covenants in a rational, common-sense manner, thus: “When one party to a covenant fails to fulfill his part of the agreement, the covenant is null and void. The other party is not bound by it to fulfill on his part.” This is very true. After the people of Israel had broken the covenant on their part, which they soon did by violating his law, God was no longer bound to fulfill his promise to make them his peculiar care. But what is the conclusion which these acute reasoners draw from the above premises? It is this: The old covenant was the words of the Lord including the ten commandments, spoken by his voice. The people broke that law, they broke his covenant; and, as a broken covenant is null and void, the law of God was dead! Said Eld. Marlatt, in the recent discussion at Woodhull, N. Y., “When one party breaks a covenant, it is dead!” And from this he drew the conclusion that the law of ten commandments “was abolished long before it was abolished at the crucifixion.”
This is an easy way for sinners to dispose of the law of the Most High. They are continually abolishing the law in this way.
But I suppose that if God had not condescended to make a covenant with the children of Israel, he would not have put it in their power to abolish his law.
Truly, the first covenant did pass away by default on the part of the people; for finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come that I will make a new covenant. “In that he saith, A new, he hath made the first old”—when he promised by Jeremiah the new, the first was old, the people had broken their promise in violating his law, and God was under no obligation to be their husband. See Jer. 31: 32, margin. His obligation to make them his peculiar treasure was released by their transgressions. The covenant was made void and passed away by default. It vanished away; and there was no necessity that Christ should nail it to his cross. Hence, there is nothing said in the New Testament of its abolition. Christ introduces the new, in fulfillment of the promise; the first having become of no binding force by the transgressions of the people.
Those who oppose God’s holy law get things strangely mixed. Something was nailed to the cross. They greatly desire to make it the ten commandments. The word says it was the handwriting of ordinances. They make it the old covenant, the moral law, or all previously existing law, to suit their own convenience for the time being. And in their struggles, they overthrow their own position previously taken. But no matter, if they can only abolish the law of God.
“Better ’t would be, ye fighters of the law,
If your own weakness verily ye saw.
Better ’t would be to obey God’s holy will,
And own the Sabbath precept binding still,
Before you make, in all ye do and say,
Such wretched work to have it done away.”
R. F. COTTRELL.
“Your Labor Is not in Vain in the Lord.”
By N. Orcutt
For the encouragement of the worn laborers who “sow beside all waters,” I would place upon record in the REVIEW an instance of the verification of the above declaration of the apostle. A sister living near us has recently commenced to honor God in keeping his commandments, who dates her convictions of the truths of the third angel’s message at a tent meeting, held in Jamaica some thirteen years ago. She has unwisely allowed her family to hinder her from obeying, through these many years, but now from the seed then sown, watered by the influence of a beloved daughter who has recently embraced the truth, the fruit is manifest.
In feeble health, unable to meet with those of like faith, at the age of sixty-four years, she finds peace in believing, and joy in obeying God. We trust her faithfulness in time to come may lead others of her family to glorify God through obeying the truth, and place the overcomer’s crown upon her brow when the wheat is gathered into the heavenly garner.
What an incentive to faithful labor. Brethren in the ministry, it is for us to plant and water the seed as we have opportunity, and for God to give the increase. Brethren and sisters looking for the return of the Lord, you have a part assigned you in this work. Whether you have one, five, or ten talents intrusted to you, for what you have, you must give an account when the husbandman returns.
Oh! let us heed the admonition of our Father, given through the wise man: “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” “Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.” Eccl. 11: 6, 1.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15: 58.
N. ORCUTT.
Jamaica, Vt.
The Final Disappointment.
By Smith Sharp
“MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22, 23.
It is very evident that our Lord addresses this language to a professing people. It is to a people that claim that they have even prophesied and cast out devils in the name of the Lord. It seems to me that here will be experienced the saddest disappointment that has ever been experienced since our world began.
Adam and Eve must have felt bitter pangs of remorse when they were driven from Eden and forbidden access to the tree of life; but it was nothing in comparison to that which will be felt by that individual that comes up feeling sure of everlasting life and finds the gates of the city forever closed. As he realizes that repentance is now an impossible thing, inexpressible anguish will take possession of the mind. As Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are seen inside the city of God, the thought that will give the greatest anguish is that we might have been in there with them. Yes; it might have been ours to walk the gold-paved streets of the New Jerusalem, to talk with Adam, and hear from his lips the story of the creation of the world and of the glories of Eden. But now all is lost.
Great as will be the bodily suffering of the finally lost, it will be but a small part in comparison with that occasioned by the great disappointment of many professing Christians. What could give greater anguish than to come up in full expectation of eternal life, to see the city of God in all its splendor, and perhaps start to enter the pearly gates, only to hear the angels that keep vigil there inform us that none but the complete overcomers ever enter there. And oh! how sad the thought that perhaps many that read these lines will know from experience what that anguish is.
Dear brothers and sisters, thank God, probation still lasts; and there is still a chance to secure that which will be a sufficient passport through the gates into the city, and enable us to be among that company that stand on the sea of glass. How glorious to be among that company! The crown of everlasting life decks the immortal brow, and Jesus says, I behold the travail of my soul and am satisfied. It is possible to be there, and we shall find, in that day, that giving this world and all its glory and honor, yes, and sacrificing everything and thus gaining eternal life, will be to secure it cheap enough. Let us be there. SMITH SHARP.
Centerville, Kansas.
Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
By N. Orcutt
“No! when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere his name.”
THE gospel brings good tidings to all. Its merciful, bountiful provisions are just adapted to the exigencies of our case. It brings strength to the weak, relief to the oppressed, joy to the sorrowing, hope to the despairing, humility to the proud, meekness to the arrogant, peace to the troubled, drink to the thirsty, food to the hungry, apparel to the naked, wealth to the poor, sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, wisdom to the foolish, forgiveness to the erring, mercy to the lost, cleanliness and purity for pollution, light to those in darkness, energy to the indolent, faith to the doubting, knowledge to the ignorant, moderation to the intemperate, patience to the impetuous, beauty to the repulsive and deformed, love for hatred, rest to the weary, health to the sick, life to the dead.
There is no want which it does not meet, no moral disease it cannot heal, no necessity which it will not supply. Its perfect work, wrought in us, fits us for, and enables us to find, our place as members in the body, bringing us where God can use us as instruments to forward his work. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” 1 Cor. 12:18.
Be it his to work in us to will and do of his good pleasure; ours to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, that the gospel may prove unto us the power of God unto salvation.
“And, oh! may this my glory be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me.”
N. ORCUTT.
Christian Forbearance
It is easy to talk of Christian forbearance among neighbors, but to practice it ourselves proves us to be Christian indeed.
The Iowa Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
Our annual camp-meeting has just closed. It was the largest and best meeting of the kind ever held in the State, though not as large as it would have been by considerable, had the weather and season been as propitious as usual. It commenced with a rain and under rather discouraging circumstances, but it steadily improved till the close. Many were intending to come, and some started who gave it up because of the bad roads and weather. In some parts of the State we have had unprecedented floods, in some cases greater than have been known since the settlement of the State. But the Lord put it into the hearts of nearly five hundred Sabbath-keepers to come to the feast; and none were sorry so far as I have known.
There were twenty-four tents on the ground besides the large tent, and these were crowded full, besides those who came in their covered wagons and lodged in them. There were many of these. The crowd, Sunday, was large, numbering some three thousand people. We had no disturbance whatever, and the most of those who attended manifested interest in listening to Brn. White and Littlejohn and sister White during the day.
Our meetings Sabbath were most solemn seasons. I should judge some two hundred were forward for prayers, and the meetings in the tents were very remarkable on account of the earnestness manifested in seeking God, and the spirit of confession prevalent among the people. Many came to the meeting lukewarm and indifferent, but the earnest labors of those who came among us were effectual in arousing them to a sense of their wants, and some of them went home far more in earnest than when they came. Twenty-one were baptized.
Our business meetings were characterized by union and interest. Four new churches were united to the Conference. Means sufficient to pay all claims against the Conference were on hand, besides paying five hundred dollars to the General Conference fund and leaving some six hundred more in the treasury for future use.
One very encouraging feature of our meeting was to see a disposition on the part of prominent brethren to rally to the support of the cause. The two ministers who have labored in the Conference being called away to other fields, it gave occasion for some fear that a depressing influence might be left upon the minds of the people, seeing there were no ordained ministers left to carry on the work. But the brethren came up with courage to take hold of the work. Six brethren were ordained and set apart to the ministry. Brn. Henry Nicola, J. T. Mitchell, Jacob Hare, J. H. Morrison, R. M. Kilgore and Squier Osborn, and some seven or eight others licensed.
A subscription sufficient for a new tent was soon raised and ordered, so as to have two run this summer; and a State Tract Society, organized. It is peculiarly gratifying to those who have labored here in the past to see such evidences of interest, and it is to be hoped they are not delusive, but real. We expect to see God bless the work here if all take hold with zeal as present appearances seem to indicate. We feel that the cause is onward in Iowa in spite of all the opposition it has met in the past.
One of the most gratifying features of the meeting was the cheering and instructive testimony of Bro. and sister White among us. In spite of their weakness of body, and feeble, worn condition, they were enabled by the blessing of God to cast a powerful influence for good all through our meeting, and encourage the hearts of God's people. Bro. White seemed to have far more than usual freedom, and we could but hope this was evidence that God was soon to raise his servant to strength again to labor in his proper sphere in the cause of truth. And while he labored to encourage us, we hoped he might be much encouraged also at the evident blessing of God which rested upon him.
Our meeting broke up Tuesday morning, when our six brethren above mentioned were ordained to the work. It was a powerful, melting season. God's presence seemed to be especially near. The very ground seemed sacred; and we believe angels of Heaven came very near and surrounded us with their hallowed influences. It seemed hard to separate under such circumstances, who knows when to meet again? We trust God will bring a goodly number of that company to himself at last to meet in a better world where partings will never come.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, June 14, 1872.
Iowa and Nebraska Conference.
By George I. Butler; L. McCoy
According to previous appointment in Review, the tenth annual session of this Conference convened at the camp ground near Knoxville, Iowa, Friday, June 7, 1872, at 8 A. M. Called to order by the president, Eld. Geo. I. Butler. Prayer by Bro. H. Nicola.
Credentials of delegates being called for, the churches with delegates responded as follows: Richland, Ia., W. G. Bralliar; Brighton, P. A. Roberts; Marion, A. W. Cummings; Waukon, C. A. Washburn; Sandyville, J. H. Morrison; Lisbon, R. D. Tyson; State Center, S. M. Holly; Mt. Pleasant, Wm. Edgar and Jacob Hare; Monroe, J. W. Landes; Pilot Grove, Wm. Caviness; Knoxville, B. Auten and M. Miller; Washington, Z. N. Nicola; Sigourney, L. McCoy and C. E. Moser; Anamosa, Thos. Porter; Adel, Jas. M. Payne; Laport, C. A. Mitchell; Onawa, Jeff. Bartlett; Woodburn, Jacob Shively; Decatur, Neb., R. M. Kilgore.
Voted, That Elds. James White and W. H. Littlejohn be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
Voted, That all brethren present in good standing be invited to participate in our deliberations.
Minutes of last Conference called for and read. A call was made for all organized churches within the bounds of Conference, which had not been admitted, to present themselves, whereupon the church at Caloma, Iowa, with Russell Hart as delegate, the church at Osceola, Iowa, with Bro. Gardner as delegate, and the church at Peru, Iowa, with W. D. McLaughlin as delegate, were admitted into Conference. On motion the churches at Soldier Valley, Iowa, and Mt. Pleasant, Neb., were taken under the watchcare of this Conference.
By order of Conference, the Chair appointed the following committees:— Auditing Committee: Benn Auten, Jacob Hare, Jacob Shively, Russell Hart, Wm. Caviness, and P. A. Roberts. On Resolutions: W. H. Littlejohn, Jacob Hare, and H. Nicola. On Nominations: Minos Miller, Z. N. Nicola, and C. A. Washburn.
Appropriate remarks by Eld. White. Adjourned to meet at call of Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Monday, June 10, 8 A. M., Committee on Nominations reported as follows: For President, H. Nicola; Secretary, L. McCoy; Treasurer, R. M. Kilgore; Conference Committee, J. T. Mitchell and Jacob Hare. R. M. Kilgore asked to be released, when Minos Miller was nominated for Treasurer in his stead; and on motion the above were declared elected as officers for the ensuing year.
On motion, the Executive Committee was made the Camp-meeting Committee for the year. Adjourned to call of Chair.
THIRD SESSION.
Prayer by W. H. Littlejohn. Credentials were granted to D. M. Canright and Geo. I. Butler for one year.
Voted, That credentials be given to R. M. Kilgore, Squier Osborn, Henry Nicola, J. T. Mitchell, Jacob Hare, and J. H. Morrison, and that they be ordained for the ministry.
Voted, That licenses be granted to Bro. Jeff. Bartlett, C. A. Washburn, James A. Smith, W. D. McLaughlin, and C. S. Boyd. The names of a number of others were referred to the Conference Committee.
Voted, That a fund be raised to purchase another tent at once; and in the course of a few hours, the amount was made up.
The Treasurer made the following report, showing that there was received during the year on S. B. fund, $2467.27
Cash on hand at beginning of year, $309.56
Total cash, $2776.83
Paid out during year, $1638.63
Balance on hand after all debts are paid, $1138.20
CAMP-MEETING FUND.
Cash on hand after all expenses, $130.04
The committee on resolutions made the following report which was unanimously adopted:
1. Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude to the General Conference for the watchcare which they have exercised over this Conference in the past, as well as for the efficient help they have sent us from time to time.
2. Resolved, That we contemplate with great satisfaction the economy and energy with which the management of the Publishing Association and the Health Institute is at present characterized, and that we recommend them to our brethren within the bounds of this Conference, as institutions worthy of their most hearty and liberal support.
3. Resolved, That in the present general prosperity of the cause we find reason for the most profound gratitude to God, and that with each succeeding year, our confidence is increased in the Message as a whole, both by the inability of its opponents to answer the clear and scriptural arguments by which it is defended, and by the fact that in warring against it their efforts are characterized by that division of sentiment among themselves which always attends the propagation of error.
4. Resolved, That there never has been a time since the prophecy of the 13th of Revelation was first applied by our people to the United States of America, when such an application was so manifestly correct as it is rendered at the present by the creation of a political party whose ostensible object is the amendment of the Constitution so as to enforce the better observance of the first day of the week as the Sabbath of the Lord, instead of the seventh which alone God commanded.
5. Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude to God, as a Conference, for the timely labors of Bro. and sister White among us at this camp-meeting, and our joy that after their many labors and burdens, they are still able to give the people of God such a cheerful and encouraging testimony, and we hereby express our earnest prayer to God that they may have health and strength to labor in this good cause till it shall close up with mighty power.
6. Resolved, That we express our great pleasure that we have had the presence of our dear brother Littlejohn among us during this meeting, and our gratitude for his faithful labors.
7. Resolved, That this Conference donate the sum of five hundred dollars to the General Conference.
8. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Conference be furnished the REVIEW AND HERALD for publication.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
GEORGE I. BUTLER, President.
L. McCOY, Secretary.
Caro, Mich.
By I. D. Van Horn; S. H. Lane
We pitched our tent and began meetings in this place on the evening of June 6. We continued them till last evening, and have given sixteen discourses. The weather has been quite unfavorable for meeting. Our congregations have been very small, the people having other things to draw their attention.
The interest not being sufficient for us to continue longer, we closed our meetings last evening, the 16th, and have taken down the tent. We start to-morrow for Flushing, Genesee Co., where we shall pitch our tent if the way opens, and commence meetings evening after the Sabbath, June 22.
I. D. VAN HORN,
S. H. LANE.
Discussion at Woodhull, N. Y.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
This discussion, between Eld. W. Marlatt, a nominal Adventist, and sister S. A. H. Lindsey, was held in a grove in the town of Woodhull, Steuben Co., on first-day, June 9, 1872. The challenge was given by Eld. M., and so urgently pressed that sister L. could not well avoid acceptance. The day was fair, the attendance and attention good, and all passed off in the most quiet and orderly manner. And I have never been present at a public discussion where so little personality was brought in by the speakers. In only one instance Eld. M. threw out a suggestion, questioning the veracity of his opponent, to which she made no reply whatever. We may well forgive him this, when we consider that it is so rare a thing that those who take the ground that the ten commandments have been abolished, can take part in a discussion, without evincing a large share of that enmity which always exists in the carnal mind against that law. Have we not some reason to hope for his conversion to each requirement of that entire law which David, by the Spirit, said was “perfect, converting the soul”?
The proposition which Eld. M. affirmed was in substance this: That the ten commandments, given by the voice of God at Sinai, were abolished at the crucifixion of Christ. His main argument was that the ten commandments, because they are called God’s covenant, were the old, or first, covenant, which was to give place to the new, or second, covenant. This was denied; and it was clearly shown that the first covenant, which Paul says was dedicated with blood, Heb. 9:18, 20, was the mutual agreement between God and Israel “concerning all these words,” that is, “all the words of the Lord,” which Moses had written. Ex. 24:3–8. The violation of this contract on the part of the people rendered null and void their claim to the promises of God, given on condition of their obedience to his law; but how could man’s violation of the law of his Maker abolish that law? But while claiming that God’s law was the old covenant, he asserted that if “one party breaks a covenant, it is dead,” and hence, since the Israelites broke the law, “It was abolished,” to use his own words, “long before it was abolished at the crucifixion.” Indeed! if so, it was abolished long before the time stated in the proposition. If it could be abolished so easily, why was it necessary that Christ should die in order to nail it to his cross? He denied that Christ died for man’s violations of the ten commandments. Was it then the chief object of his death to abolish that law which the Israelites abolished by worshiping the golden calf, before Moses returned from the mount with the15tables of the law? They did truly break the covenant which they had made to keep those commandments, by this act, and rendered null their claim to God’s promises, made on condition of their obedience; but did this render null and void God’s claim to their obedience? Preposterous! Then the ten commandments, and the covenant made concerning them, are distinctly two things; and the covenant could be dissolved by a failure on the part of man to fulfill the conditions, and God’s claim to man’s obedience of his law remain good. If man had fulfilled on his part the contract, and God had not, then he would have broken the covenant himself, instead of the people who he accuses of breaking it. In that case they might have claimed exemption from future obedience to the law they had agreed to keep. But God says, “My covenant will I not break,” and, besides this, he adds, “nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Ps. 89:34.
This was the tenor of the discussion. I do not attempt to reiterate the arguments precisely as they were given. But Eld. M. still persisted in the claim that “the ten commandments were called the first covenant,” and not only so, he persisted in saying that this was admitted on our part. If he did not know better, not being able to understand our position, plainly stated, we can forgive him.
To make it appear that there was “no distinction” between the ten commandments and the laws and regulations which follow in the same, and subsequent chapters, he said that the Lord ceased to speak at the end of the ten, because the people could no longer bear to hear his voice. In reply, it was demanded why, when he wrote his law on tables of stone, he ceased writing right where he ceased speaking. Deut. 5:22. To this he did not attempt to reply.
Thus he had the ten commandments abolished at the cross, and long before, and nine of them enacted by Christ in his new law, in the beginning of his ministry, in the sermon on the mount, before they were abolished at the cross. So the nine, if they were abolished, were abolished after they were incorporated into the law of Christ. He claimed that the ten commandments were obligatory upon the Jews alone; and yet he said that “The principles of nine of those commandments are as old as creation,” and that “every one of them are binding on us.” But when sister L. began to show that the Sabbath dated back there, and that the fourth commandment is the only one of the ten that refers back to the creation for its origin, he objected to her proceeding, as not being relevant to the question. He said that the law “was ordained unto death.” Said he, “Paul supposed it to be unto life, but found it to be unto death.” See Rom. 7:10. His explanation of Rom. 3:31 was, “We establish the law we are under, the law of faith.” The text read to suit this view, would stand, Do we then make void the law of faith through faith? A silly question; and equally silly the answer. The distinction which he made between the nine commandments as given on Sinai, and as given by Christ, was, that as given from Sinai, they only pertained to outward acts; but as given by Christ, they reach the motives of the heart. And he represented that God would not judge the ancients for projected crimes, if by some circumstance they were thwarted in their intention, and prevented from carrying it out in the act. Of those who planned murder or adultery, but failed in the execution, he emphatically asked, “Would God in judgment punish them?!” implying the strongest negative. And of those who were put to death for crime under the Jewish law, he asked, “Will they be punished twice for it?”
But what was most remarkable, was that, unexpectedly to us, he closed up the discussion rather suddenly, not having once referred to 2 Cor. 3:7—a text upon which we supposed he would base one of his strongest arguments. What was the reason? Was it for the same reason that Abimelech at Thebez, when mortally wounded by a piece of a millstone cast from the hand of a woman, called hastily to his armor-bearer so slay him with the sword, lest men should say, A woman slew him?
The truth has lost nothing by the discussion. I trust that fruit will be seen as the result. The truth is gaining ground with the candid inquirers. Some will see and embrace it. Would that Eld. Marlatt might see it, and have humility sufficient to come out, and, as far as possible, counteract the evil influence he has exerted in breaking the commandments of God and teaching men so. He acknowledges that if he is wrong, his position is dangerous. May he abandon it, before it be too late.
R. F. Cottrell.
THE OASIS OF LIFE.
By Harvey A. Fuller
There are bright sunny spots in the desert of life,
Far away from confusion and care,
Where the pilgrim and stranger, dejected and worn,
May at times find a resting place there.
'Tis a beautiful sight for the languishing eye,
As it turns from its sorrowing gaze
On the darkness and gloom of life's dull, arid waste,
To the joys which this prospect displays.
'Tis a relic of Eden, this vision from God,
Being left for our guidance and cheer,
As the earnest or foretaste of future reward,
To be given when Christ shall appear.
But the transports of joy which illumine the soul,
As they come through these visions of time,
Are beyond the weak language of man to express;
To declare them would need the divine.
And when blinded by passion and cumbered with care,
As we are in our physical state,
We receive such impressions of glory as these,
What delights must translation await.
Then redouble thy speed, laggard. Time for thy flight
Will but hasten the coming of bliss,
And the transcendent joys of eternity's sphere
Shall compensate for trials in this.
HARVEY A. FULLER.
Mannsville, Jeff. Co., N. Y.
Tract Society of Iowa.
By W. H. Littlejohn; S. McCoy
Upon the call of Eld. Geo. I. Butler, Pres. of Iowa and Nebraska Conference of S. D. Adventists, a meeting was held on the camp-ground near Knoxville, Iowa, Monday, June 9, at 5 P. M., when W. H. Littlejohn was chosen Chairman, and L. McCoy, Secretary. The Chairman declared the object of the meeting to be the organization of a Tract and Missionary Society, and proceeded to explain the workings of similar societies in other States.
Voted, That such a society be organized in Iowa and Nebraska.
Voted, That those who had become members of such society among the churches be admitted to membership without additional fee.
Voted, That the Constitution, framed and recommended by the committee appointed by General Conference, be adopted as the Constitution of this society.
The following officers were then elected: President, Henry Nicola, of Richmond, Iowa; Vice-President, Russell Hart, of Coloma, Iowa; Secretary, Wm. H. Hankins, of Sigourney, Iowa; Treasurer, Benn Auten, of Knoxville, Iowa.
1st District, composed of churches at Waukon and West Union; Director, C. A. Washburn, Waukon, Iowa.
2nd District, Laport, Marion, Anamosa, and Lisbon; Director, D. T. Shireman, Marion, Iowa.
3d District, Pilot Grove, Washington, and Sigourney; Director, J. W. Adams, Richmond, Iowa.
4th District, Richland, Brighton, and Mount Pleasant; Director, P. A. Roberts, Brighton, Iowa.
5th District, Knoxville, Sandyville, Monroe, Coloma, and State Center; Director, Minos Miller, Knoxville, Iowa.
6th District, Woodburn, Osceola, and Decatur City, Iowa; Director, Jacob Shively, Woodburn, Iowa.
7th District, Peru, Winterset, and Adel; Director, Henry Tawney, Adel, Iowa.
8th District, Onawa, and Soldiers’ Creek, Iowa, and Decatur and Mt. Pleasant, Nebraska; Director, M. D. Clark, Decatur, Nebraska.
About one hundred and fifty became members.
Adjourned to meet at call of the President.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN, Pres.
S. McCOY, Sec’y.
Almont, Mich.
By H. M. Kenyon
CLOSED my meetings in Berrien Co., Feb. 26. Quite an interest was manifested on the part of the people to listen to the word spoken. Disposed of about seven dollars' worth of books. The roads becoming bad, it was thought best to close the meetings for the present.
March 3 and 4, was with the brethren in quarterly meeting for Allegan Co., at Monterey. Gave five discourses. This was an encouraging meeting. One man, seventy years of age, who had been a preacher for twenty-five years, of the Disciple order, gladly received the truth, and fully identified himself with us to keep all the commandments of God.
Have held meetings during the spring at Hamilton, Allegan Co., Thornapple, Barry Co., also at Hastings, Gaines, Kent, and Blendon, Ottawa County. The brethren at these points are considerably scattered, yet they have their regular Sabbath meetings, and seemed encouraged to go forward and keep in harmony with the work.
June 1 and 2, quarterly meeting at Allegan. Our house of worship was full of Sabbath-keepers. Gave three discourses. Tried to stir up the brethren to earnestness and faithfulness in the work. The blessing of the Lord was felt in the midst of his people. During these meetings I enjoyed some of the blessing of the Lord, and have seen some fruits of my labor.
June 3, left home to join Bro. Lamson in tent labor. We held meetings with the brethren at Memphis, Sabbath and first-day, June 8 and 9. Brethren and sisters seemed much encouraged. Pitched the tent at Almont, Lapeer Co., June 10. Have now held seven meetings. Our congregations average about one hundred. We desire to humble ourselves before the Lord, that his blessing may attend our labors in this place.
The weather has been very unfavorable for meetings thus far, having rained every day but one since we came here, keeping many away from the meetings who otherwise would have come.
H. M. KENYON.
Many Hearts Cheered.
By H. A. St. John
It has been said that good news never kills anybody. As a general rule, this is, no doubt, the truth. I have heard of two or three exceptions, but could not vouch for their reliability. Perhaps the nearest approach to it in the inspired record, is the case of Jacob. He had long mourned for his son Joseph, whom he supposed to be numbered among the dead. When his sons returned from Egypt the second time, and reported to their father that Joseph was alive, the good old patriarch fainted. But upon a further recital of facts and particulars, Jacob's heart revived.
Who has not, in their lifetime, had some such feelings as these. To Jacob, the intelligence that his dear son Joseph was alive, at first seemed too good to be true. But when fully satisfied that it was true, how his countenance was lighted up with joy inexpressible, and his whole being animated. And the beautiful story of their meeting, so simple, yet so affecting; it would seem that none could read it without being moved to tears.
But why these thoughts? My heart has been greatly cheered of late by certain information received through the REVIEW, with regard to Bro. T. J. Butler, of Missouri. A wanderer from the fold of Christ, for ten long years, amid the perils of these last days, returns with heartfelt repentance and finds the blessing of God once more. Truly here is an example of the amazing mercy and long-suffering of our Heavenly Father, which will demand, upon the part of the subject, everlasting thanksgiving.
Well do I remember the counsels and admonitions of this dear brother and his faithful wife in the first period of my religious experience. Oh! that I had heeded them better? I have ever termed myself his own son in the faith, and to say that I was happy to hear of his return to the cause and the people of God, seems to but faintly express the real feelings of my heart. And in this I am not alone, but express the true feelings of many of my acquaintances.
Dear Bro. and sister Butler, we rejoice with you; and if we could meet you, I think our hearts would dissolve with thankfulness. But if this happy privilege is denied us while here on the ground of conflict, we sincerely hope to greet you with the victorious blood-washed throng in mid-heaven, and stand with you on the waveless bosom of the sea of glass. H. A. ST. JOHN.
Murmuring.
By R. M. Warren
The twelfth chapter of Numbers contains a lesson which the people of God at this time would do well to heed. Aaron and Miriam felt that they were not being honored as much as they could wish, and they saw no way of getting on an equal footing with Moses, but by reproaching his character. There are few ways to more effectually weaken confidence in the work of God, than of those who profess to believe in it, to keep pointing to real or supposed errors in the conduct of its leaders.
Yet when persons of not the highest spiritual attainments, become dissatisfied with their position, very often their first step is to begin finding fault with those whom the Lord has placed above them. They seem to have more than one motive for doing this. One is to lessen the confidence of people in their leaders, hoping in this way to bring themselves into notice and so receive the honor which has before been bestowed upon those above them. Another is to hide their own faults, by calling attention to defects in the character of those who are better than themselves. But this chapter shows how the Lord looks upon such conduct.
There have been but few in each generation who have come so near the Lord that he could speak through them to the world; but when such are found, he watches their reputation with a jealous care; for they are the instruments he uses for the salvation of his people.
If they have faults, or commit errors, the Lord knows it, and would, if he saw fit, withdraw his Spirit from them, and put others in their place; but while he retains them as leaders in his work, those who keep pointing to defects in their character, be they real or imaginary, do certainly call in question the wisdom of God in choosing the means with which to carry on his work.
If these murmurers were better qualified to do the work of God than those whom the Lord has chosen, they would be called to do it. But they have little reason to expect anything of this, while they continue to dishonor God by scoffing at his servants; for he has said, “Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” And besides, such persons defeat their own object; for in their efforts to tear down others, that they may build upon their ruins they reveal the selfishness, and malice of their own hearts.
There may be some who carelessly speak against the servants of God. Such need to consider the words of the Lord when, after speaking of the honor which he had conferred on Moses, he says, “How then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant.”
If the Lord should lay his hand upon those who thus speak against his servants, they would no doubt feel as much in haste as did Aaron and Miriam to have the very ones against whom they have spoken entreat the Lord for them.
R. M. WARREN.
Locke, N. Y., June 13, 1872.
Noble Hopes and Personal Beauty
If man or woman wishes to realize the full power of personal beauty, it must be by cherishing noble hopes and purposes; by having something to do and something to live for, which is worthy of humanity, and which, by expanding the capacities of the soul, gives expansion and symmetry to the body which contains it.—Prof. Upham.