Earlier text: AN APPEAL TO THE MINISTERSWhen the Italian government extinguished the civil authority of the pope in the city and suburbs of Rome, it left him the Vatican palace, for the undisturbed exercise of all his prerogatives. Thereupon the pontiff, Pius IX., declared he could not go beyond his palace. He would not set foot on soil where he would be regarded in law as a subject of the king. This is the foundation for the fiction diligently maintained of the imprisonment of the pope. He is a self-restrained prisoner. Rather, in the case of the present pontiff at least, he is restrained by the Jesuits among his cardinals. It is understood that his health is failing, and that his physicians have advised a change of air. To yield to their prescription would be, however, to yield the tacit controversy with the Italian government, and to throw away a powerful appeal to the sympathies of the Catholics. A correspondent writes:— “I know from a private source that he expressed himself in most discouraged style the other day to a certain monsignore who visited him, saying that it was all over with him, and he was not long for this world. His visitor did his best to cheer and encourage him, but the pope shook his head and replied mournfully that it was useless to try to deceive him. The monsignore added, when making the relation, that it is a very trying business to be shut up in close confinement as is the pope. Trying it is, doubtless, and especially so to a man like Leo, who, as Archbishop of Perugia, was accustomed to breathe mountain air and to wander hither and thither with great freedom. But who is to blame for this trial? Only the wicked hierarchy of the Papal Court, who are determined to carry out their programme at all costs, and to show to the Catholic world that the Holy Father is still the prisoner of the Italian government. The game is to be played to the last. In the absence of temporal power they wield the instrument of sympathy, by which they maintain great power with their remote subjects, and by which especially they succeed in replenishing their empty coffers; and this is the chief consideration. In comparison with this game, what is the life of an old man, even though he be the pope? A priest of some eminence said to me during the Conclave that every cardinal who escaped election would have to ‘thank his stars,’ as the new pope was almost sure to be a martyr. And so it bids fair to turn out, though not in the way the worthy priest would have had me suppose. What is the secret of the power of this hierarchy? By what means have they got supreme possession of their victim, and so quickly reduced him from an independent, strong-minded man into a perfectly limp and pliable tool in their hands? Clothed in pontifical robes, receiving daily most obsequious homage, his hand and foot covered with kisses, lauded as the infallible teacher and guide, I doubt whether there lives a greater slave than Leo XIII.” A physician who had an audience with him recently says: “Never have I seen such a change in any human being, unless produced by some physical illness. Cardinal Pecci was a tall, erect, well-knit figure. His presence was imposing, his gestures commanding, his voice sonorous and vibrating. Leo XIII. is a bent old man. His hand shakes as with palsy, his voice is hoarse, and the glance of his eye uncertain and suspicious.” He finds spies on his track at every turn, and he could not have a private conference with Father Curci without using artifice. The following statement made last week, may have some connection with the facts recited above: “The pope has ordered a congregation of cardinals to study the laws of the guarantees, and the speeches that have been made in the Italian Parliament concerning them, with a view to define the position of the pontiff, the Sacred College, and the Pontifical Court, it being no longer possible to proceed on the present provisional footing.”—Christian Statesman. LESSON IX.—ABRAHAM CALLED.
1. Did the descendants of Noah follow his godly example? 3. What did they undertake to do when they had become numerous? 4. What seems probable in regard to their design in the building of the tower? 5. How did God humble their pride, and put an end to their work? 6. What did this cause them to do? 7. Whom did God finally choose? 9. Where did Terah dwell? 10. In what country was Ur? 11. What did God tell Abram to do? 12. Why did the Lord choose Abram? 13. How do we know that Abram was instructed in the way of the Lord? 16. What must Abram have understood? 18. Where did Abram stop on his way to Canaan? 19. How long did he remain there? 20. Where did he then go? 22. How old was Abram at this time? 23. What did he immediately do when he entered Canaan? After the death of Noah, his descendants did not follow his godly example, but became proud and wicked. When they had become very numerous, they undertook to build a tower that should reach to Heaven. It is quite probable that they intended to build it so high that it would afford them a safe retreat in case of another flood. Thus they would be enabled to bid defiance to the God of Heaven. But God humbled their pride, and put an end to their work, by confusing their speech so that they could not understand one another. In this way they were scattered abroad in the earth. Finally God chose Abram the son of Terah, who dwelt in Ur of the Chaldees, in a country called Mesopotamia. God told Abram to leave his home and friends, and go into a land that he would show him. God chose Abram because he knew that he would so control his children that they should keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. Gen. 18:19. Abram must have been instructed in the way of the Lord, else he could not have taught it to his children. From Gen. 26:5 we learn that he had the commandments of God, and from Gal. 3:8, that in some way he had the gospel preached to him. So we see that Abram understood the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and that he obeyed the law of God. Abram left the land of his birth to go to the land of Canaan, as the Lord had commanded, but his idolatrous relatives went with him; so he stopped at a place called Haran, or Charran, and remained there till his father died. He then went to Canaan, accompanied only by his wife, Sarai, and Lot, the son of his deceased brother, Haran. Abram was seventy-five years old at this time. On entering Canaan, he immediately set up an altar, and began the worship of the true God in the way then appointed. KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.
By S. Osborn
On the 18th inst. I left Bro. and Sr. Owen to carry on the meetings at Cross Plains, Tenn., while I attended the quarterly meeting at Powder Mills, Ky. This church has a small house of worship inclosed, and an effort is making to have it finished in time for the Conference. On account of delay in the mail, the brethren did not meet me at the depot, and I had to walk ten miles and carry my satchel full of books, while the mercury stood at 104°. I arrived on the ground Sabbath morning. We rejoiced to meet a goodly number of brethren and sisters from different parts of the field; some of them old, tried friends, whose countenances seemed radiant with the love of the truth. One wagon load of converts who received the truth last winter came forty-five miles, and were much encouraged by this meeting. This begins to look like the zeal we have seen manifested in the West. On Sabbath at 9 A. M. the house was mostly filled with those not of our faith. We had a good social meeting, and I spoke three times that day. Sunday I spoke twice, held a prayer-meeting, a business meeting, and a tract society meeting. But last and best of all, we experienced the blessing of God in celebrating the ordinances. Praise his holy name! The most of the brethren and sisters took stock in the Dime Tabernacle. This meeting was a great success. Tuesday, July 23, I returned to the tent at Cross Plains, and found the interest still good. The congregation nearly reached 500 on Sunday evening; but since we have commenced to canvass the Sabbath, we have had dark nights and rainy weather, and our congregations have been considerably reduced. We know of only six who have decided to keep the Sabbath. As is usually the case in this State, the majority are convinced, and there they stand. Pray for us. LESSONS FOR BIBLE CLASSES.
By G. H. Bell
LESSON IX.—THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL VIII.
1. Is the little horn of Dan. 8 identical with the little horn of Dan. 7? 2. What does the little horn of the seventh chapter symbolize? 3. What does that of the eighth chapter represent? 4. In the second chapter, what universal kingdom was represented as following the Grecian kingdom? 5. What in the vision of the seventh chapter? 6. Does the little horn of the eighth chapter represent a universal kingdom? 8. What is the only universal kingdom that has succeeded Grecia? 9. How is the power denoted by the little horn of Dan. 8 spoken of in the 23d verse? 10. How did the Roman soldiers fulfill this prediction? 12. Do all admit that this passage refers to the Romans? 14. Where did Rome extend her conquests? 15. What is said of the little horn in this respect? Dan. 8:9. 16. How did pagan Rome treat other nations in its tours of conquest? 17. What is said of the destructive character of the little horn? Dan. 8:24. 18. How has Rome treated the people of God? 19. What was the little horn to do? Verse 24. 21. Against whom was the little horn to stand up? Verse 25. 22. How was this power to be destroyed? Verse 25. 23. How were the feet of the image to be destroyed? Dan. 2:34. 24. What did the feet of the image denote? 25. Then what must the little horn of Dan. 8 denote? The little horn of Dan. 8 is not identical with that of Dan. 7. The little horn of the seventh chapter symbolizes the papacy alone, or Rome under Papal control. The little horn of the eighth chapter represents Rome under both pagan and Papal rule; some of the acts attributed to it having reference to pagan Rome, and some to the papacy. That Rome is the kingdom represented by this symbol appears from the following considerations:— 1. It represents a power that is to hold sway next after Grecia, and we have seen from both the other lines of prophecy that Rome was to follow Grecia in the dominion of the world. 2. It is represented as greater than either of the kingdoms that preceded it, and this could not be true of any kingdom but Rome. 3. In verse 23 this power is spoken of as a king of fierce countenance and understanding dark sentences. The Roman soldiers were fierce in battle, and spoke a language that the Jews could not understand. Similar words are used by Moses when he is, as all agree, describing the Romans. Read Deut. 28:49, 50. 4. It was to wax exceeding great toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. This was true of Rome, for she extended her conquests into Africa on the south, and into Asia on the east; she also subdued Palestine, the pleasant land. 5. It was to destroy wonderfully. No power has ever destroyed the nations as did pagan Rome in its tours of conquest, in one of which eight hundred cities were taken and a million of men slain. 6. It was to destroy the mighty and holy people. Pagan Rome persecuted the people of God, but papal Rome has destroyed millions upon millions of them, employing the most lingering torments and the most cruel tortures that were ever invented. 8. It was to be broken without hands. In the second chapter it was said that a stone cut out without hands smote the image on the feet,—Rome. Other points might be noticed, for Rome has fulfilled the prophecy in every particular. UNION IS STRENGTH.
By James White
This true maxim is exemplified in the work which God has already accomplished by the agency of Seventh-day Adventists. Speaking of our College, Prof. W. C. Whitford, delegate from the S. D. Baptists to our General Conference, said to us two years since, “Your people have done more in raising means and in making a good beginning than the Seventh-day Baptists have done in fifty years.” Why is this? Answer: In union there is strength. Those articles which have appeared in the REVIEW AND HERALD for the past twenty years, setting forth the importance of the unity and gifts of the Christian church as set forth in the New Testament, have had their influence upon our people, and have saved them from the rash, independent spirit that has broken down order and unity among other Adventists, and thrown them into confusion. In confusion there is weakness; in unity there is strength. We take the following from a friendly letter received from Elder J. V. Himes, dated Buchanan, Mich., July 12, 1878. We would give the letter entire, but for want of room. He says:— “For the want of integrity and faithfulness, the branch of the Advent body with whom I was associated in the West has been scattered, and all my work, with that of my faithful helpers, has been perverted, at least put back for the time. As you know, in our prosperity, at one time, we sent out more mail matter from our office in Buchanan, Mich., than you sent from the Review Office at Battle Creek. But now our office, presses, paper, and all are gone, while you are united and prospering in your work. This is the difference.” “Now I wish to say as a matter of fact, as well as of justice, in regard to your institutions at Battle Creek and elsewhere, that you, by holding things in your own hands, and conducting your affairs with wisdom and discretion, have succeeded in your work. You have done, under God, a good work, in three respects. First, the full proclamation of the future coming and reign of Christ on the earth; second, the establishment of a school and the promotion of education; and, thirdly, the establishment of a health institution, in which the laws of life and health are taught and enforced. These are facts. This is work, for the good of all, and must tend to the better preparation of all who come under these influences to meet Christ.” “I could only wish that the other branches of the Advent family would be as wise to plan, and as liberal to sustain, and as united to support, the proclamation of the Lord’s coming.” The above from the pen of Elder Himes relative to those Adventists who have rejected the Sabbath and the practical influence of the gifts which God has set in the church, and have therefore run into confusion, is indeed a sad picture. One text from the apostle Paul, in which he sets forth the design, not only of the callings, but of the gifts set in the church, is sufficient to enlighten any unprejudiced mind as to the importance of the gifts of the Spirit of God in order to secure unity, and that Bible perfection which is a safeguard against being carried away by those false doctrines which cause confusion and weakness in the body. The apostle says:— “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Eph. 4:11-16. Here the unity and harmony of the members and parts that make up the human body are used as a figure of what the members of the body of Christ may be, and must be, in order for that preparation necessary to meet her Lord with readiness and joy at his second coming. Those who have been wrangling and disputing like undisciplined children, and have been carried away and swayed this way and that, as by the wind, will, at his coming, be ashamed of their folly. May the Lord save, and still prosper his people who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ. Amen. J. W. CHANGE OF LABORERS.
By James White
Our field of labor is widening and growing more extensive every year. And as new and important missions are opening continually, calling for the labors and executive ability of our strongest and most experienced laborers, it becomes a matter of great importance that the right men should superintend the great work in the right fields, and that there should be those changes of laborers which will be beneficial to both preachers and people. We will not at this time undertake to state the beneficial results of proper changes or the disadvantages of having the same gifts occupy the same fields year after year. These are too apparent to observing minds to need lengthy explanations. The Methodists, seeing the importance of change of gifts, have incorporated a system of changes from the Bishop down to the Itinerants. Whether the vitality and mammoth growth of this great body in past years has resulted very much from their system of changing laborers constantly to new fields, we leave the reader to judge. But the General Conference Committee do not think it the duty of their office to direct ministers to their fields of labor, or to decide the time they should remain in any one place. They regard themselves as a committee to form plans and take the supervision of their execution, and to counsel with and advise laborers as to their fields of labor. It is the general opinion that the time has come to open a mission in England, and that Elder J. N. Loughborough is the man to take charge of it. He has labored successfully the past ten years on the Pacific Coast, and under God has accomplished a great and good work. And now there are three organized Conferences on that coast, one in California, one in Oregon and Washington, and one in Nevada. There are in California from ten to twenty laborers, besides Elder L. Five are ordained, and others should be ordained at their Conference in September. In the Oregon and Washington Conference there are six preachers, three of whom are ordained. The Nevada Conference is young and small. One of the young men in California will probably be ordained and sent to Nevada. In order to give some idea of the growth of the cause on the Pacific Coast, we give an extract from an excellent letter from Mrs. W., dated Oakland, Cal., July 21, 1878:— “Yesterday was the Sabbath and was a precious day to the brethren in Oakland and San Francisco. The two churches met under the tent, about two hundred believers. In our first camp-meeting there were no more than this. Now these two cities alone number as many as attended our first two camp-meetings.” “I spoke from 1 John 3:1-3: ‘Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure.’ I had great freedom in speaking. Heaven seemed very near, and Jesus so exceedingly precious to me. I urged upon the congregation, whom God had made the depositaries of his law, a living faith exemplified by their works. If the hope was within, they must purify themselves as He is pure. This alone would give them a moral fitness to see the Saviour as he is, and to be glorified at his appearing. There was deep feeling in the congregation. The praise of God was in my heart and upon my lips, and I could not refrain from praising God with heart and voice.” “After I ceased speaking, a conference meeting was held, and many precious testimonies were borne. I again spoke to the people, urging upon them the necessity of their works corresponding with their faith. Self-denial is required. Means are wanted to replenish the treasury of God. If young and old would deny themselves of the littles which are continually going out from them like a tiny stream in unnecessary indulgences to gratify the eye or the taste, or to indulge the appetite, there would be a large amount to place in God’s treasury to be used to advance his cause. If those who are converted from darkness to light would take these useless and extravagant articles, such as jewelry, and place them at the foot of the cross, their hearts would be freed from these idols, and God would look with approval upon the sacrifice.” When we take into the account the Pacific press located at Oakland, and the growing interest at both Oakland and San Francisco, we agree with Mrs. W. that strong men of God are wanted in these two great cities where so very much is pending, especially in the absence of Elder L. And after prayerful deliberation we decide to recommend that Elder Geo. I. Butler be chosen president of the California Conference at its session in September. Missouri will greatly miss him; and, in fact, there is not a Conference of S. D. Adventists who would not be glad of his labors; but as we have but few such men, while positions of very great importance are increasing, these men must be spared from posts of less importance, to fill their proper places in the great work. The man who has the genius and judgment to invent, build, and use a reaper with horse power, would make a great mistake to take an old-fashioned hand sickle and go into the harvest-field to reap. And an able and judicious overseer of forty-nine common laborers would make an equally great mistake to leave his men to direct themselves while he should cease to direct others and make only a common hand himself. It is important that every man should find his proper position in the work. God has made some men to direct and other equally good men to be directed; but those that direct must be men of God, sound in head and in heart, men of piety, prayer, and good example, that they may properly impress those under their watchcare. New England is becoming a most interesting and important field. The labors bestowed in that field by Elder Canright and others the past year fully establish the fact that the time has fully come for continued efficient labors at that old head-quarters of the proclamation of the first angel’s message. That discouragement which has been felt as to laboring in the territory of the first-day and no-day Adventists is passing away. We believe that there are among the Adventists, especially among the children of the old Adventists, thousands who will yet give good heed to the gospel of the third angel’s message. And after prayerful consideration of this important matter we recommend that the New England Conference at its next session elect Elder E. W. Farnsworth president of their Conference, to remain several years in the New England States, and have the general supervision of the work in all New England. This dear brother had the good fortune to be born at Washington, New Hampshire, where the Sabbath was first introduced among the Adventists. And we further suggest that Elder L. McCoy be chosen president of the Iowa Conference at its next session, to take the place of Elder Farnsworth. Elder McCoy has long been known at Sigourney, Iowa, as a thorough business man, and his experience as secretary of the Iowa Conference for several years, and his success as a minister of the gospel, all of which is well known to the brethren in Iowa, are sufficient to warrant our suggestion. May the Lord guide our brethren in their deliberations in all these important matters pertaining to the welfare of the cause of God, of truth and righteousness. GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. CAMP-MEETINGS
By James White
As it is important that our camp-meetings be held at the best time to suit the convenience of the brethren in the localities where they are held; and that good and efficient laborers be furnished at these very important meetings, we suggest the following:— 1. That Elders Haskell and Littlejohn attend the Indiana camp-meeting, at Kokomo, August 14-19, as given in the REVIEW. 2. That Elders Smith and Littlejohn attend the Illinois camp-meeting, at Bloomington, August 27 to September 3, as given in the REVIEW. 3. That Elder Waggoner attend the Ohio camp-meeting, at Tiffin, August 28 to September 3, as given in the REVIEW. 4. That Elder Haskell attend the New England camp-meeting, also Elder Canright if he can leave his sick wife, August 28 to September 3, as given in the REVIEW. 5. That Elder Waggoner attend the Maine camp-meeting, September 4-9, as given in the REVIEW. 6. That Elders Waggoner and Littlejohn attend the Vermont camp-meeting, September 11-17, as given in the REVIEW. 7. That the first Michigan camp-meeting be held in the north-east part of the State, September 18-23. We suggest a change from the time mentioned in REVIEW No. 5, as that would accommodate much better. Elder Waggoner, and possibly Elder Canright, will attend this meeting. 8. That Elders Smith and Haskell attend the Wisconsin camp-meeting, September 11-17, as given in the REVIEW. 9. That Elders Smith and Haskell attend the Iowa camp-meeting, September 18-23, as given in the REVIEW. 10. That Elders Smith and Haskell attend the Nebraska camp-meeting, September 25-30, as given in the REVIEW. GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. MICHIGAN CAMP-MEETING.
By James White
We decide that the last Michigan camp-meeting for this year be held on the Fair Ground at Battle Creek, to commence October 2, and hold as long as may seem proper. If the weather will admit, it will be continued over two Sabbaths. We give the following reasons for this time for this general gathering, and for a two weeks' meeting if the weather and circumstances will admit:— 1. The General Conference will be held at this camp-meeting, and in order to secure a good delegation of our ministers, this meeting is appointed after tent season shall be passed. 2. This General Camp-meeting will be held after all the other meetings of the kind shall be held, so that there may be an attendance from other States of those who can come and pitch their tents with us. We shall have the exclusive control of fifty acres, enclosed by a high fence. There will be ample room, accommodations, and provisions for all who may wish to attend this great annual feast of tabernacles. 3. In order to secure the attendance of Elder Loughborough and Sister White, this meeting is put at the latest possible date to give them time to attend two meetings in California, and one week to make the journey. 4. Therefore we suggest that the first camp-meeting for California commence Wednesday, September 11, and hold as long as thought necessary, and that the second commence Wednesday, September 18, and hold as long as thought proper. The time suggested in the Signs for the first California camp-meeting is September 13. Our suggestion puts that meeting only two days earlier. And in order to bring about that which will be very desirable, namely, that both Elder L. and Sister W. shall attend both these California camp-meetings, and be at the General meeting in Michigan, the brethren in California will be willing to make their meetings each only one week in length. It is very possible that neither of these speakers will attend another camp-meeting on the Pacific Coast, and it will be very gratifying to both them and the people that they should be present. 5. We hardly need to suggest that under the circumstances there should be a large attendance at both the California camp-meetings, to hear the parting words of instruction, counsel, and advice from the lips of these experienced servants of Christ. They will both expect to receive pledges of means, at least sufficient to lift off every debt from the Pacific press. May God add his blessing, preserve the lives and health of those worn servants of Christ, and of the people, and send them to us in safety, full of the blessing of the gospel, to meet us in General Conference. GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. M. HULET: We understand Isa. 66:24 to apply only at the time of the destruction of the wicked, and then to be a scene of the past. Job says: “Yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:26. The margin says, “Out of my flesh shall I see God.” This is quoted to prove that man has an immortal soul that sees separate from the body. How is it explained? W. L., ANS. The text is a better translation than the margin, because it is less liable to be misunderstood. But the margin contains the same idea, when correctly interpreted. The words “out of” are there used in the same sense as we use them when we speak of looking “out of” the window, or “out of” the house; not that we are outside of the house, but being in the house we look out of it. Just so with Job. Being in his flesh, in which he represents himself as in a- AN ACCEPTABLE SPIRIT.
By Stephen N. Haskell
The work of God is missionary work. The true missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ. It is laboring unselfishly for the salvation of our fellow-men. The value of the cause of Christ cannot be over-estimated. The price paid for the salvation of man is more than the finite mind can comprehend. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. It was love on the part of Christ toward rebellious man that brought him from glory to die for a fallen race. His life was one of toil and suffering. “He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” His life was an exemplification of the missionary spirit. An unselfish spirit is in opposition to the spirit of this world. So of the Christian it is said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” It leads men to go without the camp, bearing the reproach of Christ. It induces men and women to make God’s cause their own. As did their Master, they consider it of greater importance than their own interests, and therefore will not count their lives dear if they can but forward the work of God upon the earth. They will seek to scatter the seeds of truth where they have never been sown, and to lead those to Christ who before have had no practical knowledge of him. This work is an aggressive one. It makes advances upon the enemy. It goes into new fields—into the regions beyond—and there plants the cross of Christ; and when a victory is gained and truth is there established, it goes farther and continues to make inroads upon the enemy. It requires men of God, men of nerve, men of consecration and devotion to do this—men who value the truth of God more than their own personal interests. Some men in every age have exemplified this spirit. They have taken their lives in their hands and have ventured out upon the promises of God, and upon the enemy’s ground they have preached Christ and him crucified. They have dared to believe the truth, although in many instances it has severed friendships, and destroyed pleasant associations, and has led them to sacrifice upon the altar of truth every worldly prospect. There stand upon record many noble examples of this. The apostle Paul speaks of his former standing as follows: “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith; that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Phil. 3:4–11. It is not necessary that we go back to the days of the apostles to find such examples. In every age God has had witnesses of his Spirit; and in every work of reform that has been of God there has been a Huss, a Luther, a Zwingle, or a Farel; and scores of others might be mentioned, some of whom have sealed their testimony with their blood. They chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. There was a time when God would have the gospel of Christ planted in Burmah. Adoniram Judson gave himself to the work. In 1812, he set sail under the auspices of what is now the American Board of Missions. Mr. Judson, like those who pledged him his support, was a believer in sprinkling for baptism. There was existing, at this time, a strong feeling of sectarian antagonism between the Congregationalists and the Baptists. Mr. Judson, knowing he would have to meet some Baptists, sought to prepare himself by re-examining the subject. As the result, he embraced the view that immersion is the only scriptural baptism. He and his wife were soon to land in Burmah without the slightest knowledge of the language of that country. His change of views would sever his connection with those who had pledged him their sympathy and support. He was wholly unconscious that the Baptists had any organization whereby they could support him, providing they would receive him. To be left upon a heathen shore, without sympathy or support from his former friends, being counted as a heretic by them, was his future prospect if he was true to his conscience; or he could return to his native land, and enjoy the society of those who would sympathize with him in his present views. He at once decided the question. His love for the cause of Christ led him to renounce all, and cast himself upon the promises of God for protection. He was baptized, and proceeded on his way. Although it was many long months before he could speak in the Burmese language, in due time success attended his labors. Twenty-one months he was a prisoner, and seventeen months he was bound with irons. He suffered everything but death. When he was released from prison his friends advised him to return to America to recruit his wasted energies. But he would not retire from the field, nor engage in visiting among friends. “Some regretted,” says his biographer, “that so agreeable a man should become a mere devotee; others believed that sorrow for the loss of his wife had made him mad; while others, who understood him better, honored what they considered his self-immolation in a good cause; and, on the whole, he was regarded with a sort of reverential sympathy.” See his life by Frances Wayland, vol. 1, page 447. His wife was of the same spirit as himself. She died in his absence from the mission. “Her last words were spoken of him, and her last request to Dr. Richardson, her medical attendant, was, that he, Mr. Judson, would never consent to enter the service of the British government [at this time he was seeking to negotiate for the British government with the Burman government], but confine himself exclusively to the duties of his religious mission.” “Tell Adoniram,” said she, “to remember his mission to Burmah.”—Ibid., p. 414. When a few had embraced the gospel in one place he left them in care of a proper person, and explored a new field. This he understood to be the apostolic method of conducting the missionary enterprise. It was thus that he was the means in the hand of God of sowing the seed of gospel truth over quite an extensive portion of the Burman empire, and of witnessing at the close of his life very many who had embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is such a life of consecration and devotion to the cause of God that is fruitful. We may or may not be called to go to foreign lands, but in either case ours need not be an unfruitful life. The same spirit that characterized Mr. Judson in his labors must characterize every person who enters the missionary work. Self-denial is the first religious duty. The heart needs to be changed. A stream can rise no higher than its fountain. If the motive that actuates the professed Christian be selfish, then the fruit he bears will be of the same character. To-day the calls for men to enter new fields are very numerous. Sabbath-schools should be organized in a thousand neighborhoods and villages where at present there are none. There are hundreds of cities where a system of colportage should be established. Such openings are increasing daily in numbers and in importance. Where are the self-sacrificing men and women who will heed these calls? Where are those who will venture out, take their lives in their hands, sacrifice friends and worldly interests, and count not their lives dear unto themselves, if they can but win Christ? This work commenced and prospered in the hands of those who possessed this spirit. It is the only spirit that is recognized in Heaven as being genuine. It is the only one that God owns. It is the only one with which his Spirit witnesses. God is jealous for that spirit, for it brought Christ from Heaven to die upon the cross. It originated in the bosom of God and his Son Jesus Christ. It unites the soul with God. And it were better that a millstone be hanged about a man’s neck and he be cast into the depths of the sea than that he should offend one possessing it. Its fruit is only good. It will lead men to bear all things, endure all things for the sake of Christ and his truth. He that possesses it will go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, and will doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
S. N. HASKELL.