Earlier text: PROCRASTINATIONTO THE MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.
By John Harvey Kellogg
Notwithstanding little has been said on the subject of late, the work of the health and temperance cause has been steadily advancing in nearly all parts of the field. New clubs are being formed in almost every State, and new names added to the ranks, so that the Association now numbers more than twelve thousand members. This has been done, too, with a comparatively small amount of labor. Several years of earnest effort were required to effect as much in any other department of our cause. This is undoubtedly to be attributed to the fact that the way was so well prepared by the interest in health and temperance reform which has for years characterized S. D. Adventists more than any other organization. We may well feel encouraged when we look upon the work which has already been done in a few short months. One year ago there were scarcely five hundred names enrolled as signers of the teetotal pledge. Now there are ten thousand. Where else in the wide world can there be found ten thousand men and women who are wholly free from the taint of alcohol and tobacco, and even abstain entirely from tea and coffee? If nothing more were accomplished than has already been done, we should feel profoundly grateful for the amount of good that has been done. Ten thousand persons have signed a solemn pledge from which they cannot withdraw. No matter if every temperance club, State society, and even the General Association, were disorganized, the pledge would still exist, with all its obligations, and thus the good work done would be perpetuated, at least during the lifetime of its members. But we do not look forward to such a result as this. The same love of truth and of the principles of true reform which made possible the accomplishment of so much in so short a time will insure the continued existence and energetic pushing forward of the same work. Really we have only made a beginning. A small foundation has been laid. We must enlarge our borders and build up a noble structure the proportions of which we may now hardly dare to estimate. Let every friend of truth and genuine reform enlist his energies and engage his most earnest efforts in this work. A wonderful work was accomplished last year at our camp-meetings, through the earnest labors of Bro. and Sr. White and others upon whom the chief burden of the meetings rested, and it is to be hoped that the temperance cause will not be forgotten this season. Little permanent good will be accomplished unless the work is followed up, not only this year, but in years to come. State presidents and secretaries should be on hand at each camp-meeting in their respective States, and should take care to secure at least one meeting entirely devoted to the interests of the H. and T. work. A supply of pledge papers should be secured, together with certificates for each meeting, and all arrangements made for a successful and interesting campaign. The few persons who hesitated about signing the pledge last year, will, it is to be hoped, have made up their minds to give their names and influence to the work, and they should be given a chance. There will be many interesting experiences to relate. These should be saved and reported, as far as possible, for the encouragement of others. The next six months ought to witness the addition of several thousand members; and this good work may be accomplished, if all take hold together. Ten thousand enthusiastic workers can accomplish an almost unlimited amount of good by united effort. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE MEETINGS.
So much difficulty has been experienced in keeping up an interest in local societies for want of experienced leaders it has been decided to publish monthly or quarterly a Health and Temperance Budget, which will contain a programme for a meeting and interesting articles to be read, some good music, etc. A few copies only will be printed, and these will be sent to the officers of State societies for distribution to the several clubs. If a sufficient number are interested in the matter, the cost to each club can be reduced to a very small sum, perhaps five or ten cents a month. It will be nothing but the actual cost of printing, at any rate. Let all who desire to receive the Budget write immediately to their State secretaries, so that it can be known in time to have a sufficient number printed to supply all who may require them. After consultation with members of the General Conference Committee, Eld. Whitney, and others interested in the tract and missionary work, it has been decided to ask that arrangements shall be made to hold a health and temperance meeting in connection with the next T. and M. district quarterly meetings, wherever such meetings are held. Where there is no club existing in the district, let a club be formed at these meetings. Let arrangements be made for a successful meeting in every district. The temperance organization can be made a powerful auxiliary of the T. and M. work, and all who are interested in both are agreed that there ought to be the closest harmony between the two. State presidents should see that some proper person is appointed to look after the matter at each district meeting, and that copies of the Budget are ordered and furnished. CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By J. G. Matteson
We are still laboring to spread the truth in this city and country, and not without some success. Quite a number of believers in the truth are longing to keep the Sabbath, but do not yet have courage to take this step, because it will throw them out of employment. There is truly a hard struggle for many souls on this point. The interest on the immortality question has not abated. When a lecture on this subject is announced, our hall is better filled than usual, and among the hearers we see preachers and students. There is a good interest in our Sabbath-school. One of our brethren has now the second time been summoned before the magistrate for keeping his children from school on the Sabbath. The superintendent of the school insists that he must be fined. Our brother presented the catechism of the Lutheran church, which teaches that the ten commandments are perpetual, and that God will severely punish those who transgress them, but greatly bless all who obey them. He asked the judge to say himself whether he did not act according to this teaching, in keeping holy the seventh day. The judge answered that he could not see but he did. He then inquired about our church and faith, and the system of teaching in our Sabbath-school; whereupon our brother was again dismissed without any fine. Bro. Jasperson leaves Skien next week. He is having a good hearing at present. The Lord willing, I commence a series of meetings in Denmark next week. Bro. J. will then labor in Sjælland, Denmark. Bro. Ræsqvist is having a very good hearing in Aamot, Sweden. A few more have embraced the truth there. Bro. Tökzelius is also preaching the truth quite diligently. Bro. Olsen has to labor at his trade in Söderhamn this summer, to get a living, but will preach again in the winter. Bro. Klungland is gathering subscribers, selling tracts, and holding meetings now and then in Arendal, Norway. All these brethren are single. It seems to be difficult for them to sustain themselves by the means that can be obtained from friends. Bro. Brorson is most successful in this respect, but he had also a better start, since more than one year's labor had been bestowed by me on his field before he commenced. We have a colporter here in Christiana who employs all his time in selling tracts, bringing around the paper, collecting dues, and getting new subscribers. It is much more difficult here than in America to find men who can present the truth intelligently to others, even after they have had some chance for instruction; and it is far more difficult to find a man that unites a little financial ability with his other powers. Still we do not doubt but that the Lord will help us, if we do all we can. He always blesses earnest and faithful efforts, if well directed. Our American brethren can realize few of the difficulties we have to encounter here,—hard times, unreasonably low wages for labor, high taxes, tithes and offerings to be paid to the priests' and state church, etc. A low state of education and civilization prevails in the farming districts, and in whole towns it is frequently the case that there is not enough interest to secure a single subscriber for a paper. We feel thankful to God that under these circumstances so many thousand papers and tracts have gone out in Denmark and Norway. In this city we are peculiarly situated. That the battles for the truth have been fought so successfully against, and in the presence of, the ablest theologians of the country, gives a general interest to the work, and is a great help in all its branches. But our spiritual as well as our financial condition is such that this place cannot be left alone very long at a time. Our friends here have not been idle in trying to help the work. Besides laboring in the tract society and helping in the Sabbath-school, and also donating some to my expenses, they have during the past year given more than $1,000 into my hands to meet payments and taxes on the property we have bought, and running expense for the meetings; and lent to the building society nearly $200 more to fit up the house. To urge these friends to do more, or to withdraw much-needed labor from them at present, when their religious prosperity is so much dependent on this labor, is not wise. The American Methodists and the Mormons have planted successful missions in this country; the American Baptists have been very much prospered in Sweden. They still sustain several missionaries, and have also helped to build meeting-houses here and there. The work cannot move so fast in Europe as in America. It will take a longer time to become self-sustaining, and the whole mission here is not yet very old. When a good interest has been started, and a good foothold obtained in a few places, it does not pay to leave such interests to go down, while going hither and thither in new places to labor for that which is more uncertain. We shall advance as fast as our forces allow, but we shall also try, by the help of God, to hold what we have gained. Our paper is sent to nearly nine hundred subscribers, and we send to no others; but we solicit the help of our brethren to increase our list. The tract societies help us here, and our brethren in America are also ordering for their friends in Europe. One brother in Texas has just sent us one hundred and four addresses for Norway, and pays for sending the paper three months. He also corresponds with these persons. Please notice that we send Tidernes Tegn for three months to any subscriber in Denmark or Norway for eight and three-fourths cents. Thus one hundred copies cost only $8.75. Now we pay only one and three-fourths cents postage, in all, for the three months; and in Norway we can send letters back and forth free to each subscriber during those three months for the same one and three-fourths cents, if they contain only such matter as concerns the continued subscription of the paper. And when the subscriber wants to renew his subscription, he sends his money in a letter free of postage. Those brethren in America who have friends in Denmark and Norway, or can obtain addresses of people in these countries, can, for a small sum of money, send out many copies of a paper which proclaims the truth in a manner peculiarly adapted to the Scandinavian people. Our subscriptions all begin with January, April, July, or October. Orders can be sent to Advent Tidende or directly to us. Address only Tidernes Tegn, Christiana, Norway. With humble thanks to God and to all my brethren for past favors, I still ask an interest in your prayers. Christiana, May 12, 1880. IS IT PRACTICABLE?
By S. N. Haskell
A question has arisen of late in reference to the advisability of having vigilant missionary societies where there are local tract societies. It is recommended by some that a committee be appointed in each church to look after the Signs, and that there be no organized society. The original plan has been to have such a committee appointed only in those churches which were so small that no regular meetings could be held; but where five, six, or more could attend to have an organization effected, and regular meetings appointed, so that the business could be conducted properly and without confusion. We do not propose to here give all the arguments that might be given in favor of such organizations, but simply to call the attention of the friends of the cause to a few facts. The advantages of having such societies, and the proper manner of organizing and conducting them, are set forth in the back part of the “Constitution of the Tract and Missionary Society,” which can be obtained at either the REVIEW or Signs Office for ten cents. To show the utility of the vigilant missionary work, we will take three of the best disciplined V. M. societies in the country; viz., Battle Creek, Mich.; South Lancaster, Mass.; and Oakland, Cal. These three societies take one thousand copies of the twelve-page Signs weekly, and could they pay for them they would make use of another thousand. Six thousand copies of the paper are sent out each week from the Signs Office to clubs, and one-sixth of this entire number is taken by these three societies. Then, again, we might select about four other V. M. societies which take one thousand copies more. So we see that one-third of all the Signs sent out to clubs are used by seven successful vigilant missionary societies. Why is this? There are more than a hundred of our churches which could do as much or more than the societies above named. To be sure, Battle Creek and Oakland may have some advantages over other churches, being connected with the publishing work. But neither of them does an amount of work nor takes a number of papers as large in proportion to its means and numbers as does St. Helena, Cal., or South Lancaster, Mass. It may be said that those States which do so much vigilant missionary work make the remailing of the Signs their principal work. If this were so, it would only show that they were taking the most successful method of spreading the truth. But by an examination of statements made in REVIEW No. 17, present volume, it will appear that New England ranked third in business with the REVIEW Office on other periodicals during the last three months, while in numbers it ranks only sixth in the scale. Take another view of the matter. Michigan takes sixteen hundred copies of the Signs. Of these the Battle Creek V. M. Society takes five hundred, besides seven hundred and seventy-five other periodicals for missionary purposes. Again, as we look over the Signs list we find that the States which have the best disciplined V. M. societies, take the lead in the work of remailing the Signs and in general missionary work. These are Michigan, California, and New England; Minnesota, which has of late been organizing V. M. societies, ranks next. Some other societies have distributed more tracts, but not in proportion to their members. This shows the utility of regularly organized vigilant societies. Nearly all the other States have appointed V. M. committees instead of forming societies. We are more and more convinced that as a people we are not more than half awake to the importance of distributing reading matter, especially the Signs of the Times. If God’s providence has given us a pioneer sheet, what is it for? If these few churches with their disciplined societies can send out two or three thousand copies of the Signs weekly, what ought our hundreds of churches to do in this respect? There should be ten copies of the Signs taken in clubs where there is only one now. With a proper effort on the part of ministers and tract officers, we might, within six months time, print an edition of fifty thousand instead of ten thousand. There are hundreds of neighborhoods, towns, and cities where the truth has never entered, and if we wait for the living preacher, we might wait till the Judgment is over. We want colporters and agents to sell our publications. Yes; we want ten thousand copies of our pioneer sheet to fall like the leaves of autumn in the many dark corners of the earth where there are as precious souls as any on the face of the earth. WHAT NEXT?
By S. N. Haskell
The cause of present truth is aggressive. From its commencement its course has been steadily onward. A battle and a march is the order of the day. First, a few, believing that the prophecy of Rev. 14:9-12; Rev. 7, and other parallel texts, applied to their time, began to observe and teach the seventh-day Sabbath, trusting that God would add his blessing, and the work would prosper. In this they were not disappointed. Soon the publishing work was commenced; then came organization, and systematic benevolence for the support of the ministry. The health reform and educational interests next demanded attention; and over each of these advance moves there was a battle to be fought. They required means. The covetous cried out, “You are too fast; you are becoming like the world;” “It is money, money you are after.” Thus it has ever been. It was so in the days of Luther; it was so in the time of the Wesleys; it is so now. The Jews said that John the Baptist had a devil, and that Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners, a glutton and a wine-bibber. Satan is ever dissatisfied when the cloud arises, and the people move forward. Some drop off at one point and some at another. Some continue for a time much as the ox goes in the sling to be shod; but finally they lose their hold on the truth, and the truth loses its hold on them, and they are carried away by the customs of society and the ways of the world. But notwithstanding all this, the work of God has gathered strength at every advance step, until to-day there is no civilized nation but that has witnesses to present truth. This truth is published in five of the principal languages of the world, in periodicals having an aggregate monthly circulation of over one hundred thousand copies. About ten years ago our brethren felt the necessity of more thorough organization, so that each individual’s influence might be more directly brought to bear in the work of extending the light of present truth. Accordingly our tract and missionary societies were organized; and they have accomplished much in the way of placing the truth before others. The Signs of the Times, our pioneer sheet, has during the last two months increased its circulation nearly three thousand copies; so that the first of May, 1880, its issue was the largest ever sent out to regular subscribers. Its circulation was then fully ten thousand copies. Now, it is more. We expect before the year 1880 closes it will exceed 20,000 copies. God is giving us the field. We look to our tract societies, with the co-operation of our ministers, for the accomplishment of a far greater work in a short time than we have yet witnessed. There is which our tract societies should take immediately; namely, placing the Signs of the Times and Good Health in every respectable reading room in the country. “Spirit of Prophecy” and our leading denominational works should also be placed in all the public libraries. Our reading matter must come before the people. The interest taken by ministers and agents to sell our publications is right, and should increase more and more, until the eleven power presses now in active service will be run night and day to furnish our missionary workers with the printed truth for the people. Steps should immediately be taken by our tract-society officers to ascertain the number of libraries in their respective Conferences that will receive our leading denominational works, also the reading rooms that will accept the periodicals above alluded to. This can be done by the directors, and persons whom the President of each tract society may appoint. Then at the camp-meetings, when the annual meetings of the various tract societies are usually held, the necessary arrangements can be made; so that when the long evenings come, and people begin to go to these places for reading matter, our publications will be awaiting them. Pledges can be taken at the camp-meetings to carry out this work. The reserve fund raised by most of our societies should not be used up for this purpose. This fund simply furnishes capital until the pledges can be paid after harvest. Ten thousand volumes should be thus used during the next six months. We have brethren in every Conference who will willingly furnish one hundred dollars each to do this. We are living in momentous times; the work is fast closing. Instead of diminishing our sacrifices, we should increase them. Instead of our efforts being weaker, they should be put forth with greater energy than ever before. MISSIONARY WORK ON SHIP-BOARD.
By M. L. H.
During the last quarter considerable attention has been given to this branch of the work. In Southampton, England, the ships visited were as follows: 18 sailing to the East Indies, 16 to the West Indies, 28 to different points in England, 18 to America, 10 to France, 7 to Norway, 8 to the Cape of Good Hope, 5 to Scotland, 4 to Ireland, 4 to Brazil, 3 to Sweden, 3 to Finland, 2 to Denmark, 2 to Italy, 1 each to Wales, Russia, and the Black Sea; total number, 131. On these vessels were placed 1,644 periodicals, and 40,412 pages of books and tracts. Of this amount 144 periodicals and 10,336 pages of tracts were sold. The total number of ships visited since the work was first commenced in England is 395. The following from Bro. Ings will be of interest:— “I visited a steamer this week direct from San Francisco, Cal., and handed one of the men a copy of the Signs. He recognized it immediately. ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘it is the same paper; for here is Mrs. White’s article.’ They seemed to be well acquainted with our papers and to like them, also the tracts which they received in San Francisco. I have learned that the captain of one of the West India steamers reads our publications to the passengers and crew on Sundays. A steward on one of the Brazil steamers was so much pleased with a copy of the Signs which he obtained from another boat that he desired to help us in our work, and gave me fifty cents. He promised to scatter the publications which I gave him to the best advantage at the different ports where they were to stop. “The officers of the ships which I visit manifest a surprising willingness to circulate our publications. They say to me, ‘Have you more of the Signs of the Times?’ and talk as though they were well acquainted with the papers, which is a proof that they have read them. We place four packages on boats going on long voyages,—one for the crew, one for the saloon, and two to be left at ports or with passing vessels. “It does seem to me that those Conferences having a sea-board should be alive to the importance of this branch of the work, and not let such golden opportunities for spreading the truth pass by unimproved. The message must go by sea and land, and sea-faring men are ready and willing to help in the work of spreading it. I wish that many more ships would call at this port, so that I could give the truth a wider circulation in this way. “Our missionary work on land is encouraging. I went yesterday to a small town where I had left packages of tracts two weeks ago. I sold thirty-two packages, besides other books. Since yesterday morning I have received six good missionary letters. Two persons wished to subscribe for the Signs. We are of good courage.” The following is from the Secretary of the California T. and M. Society, respecting missionary work on ships in that State:— “Owing partly to the financial standing of this branch of the work, but more particularly to the lack of proper persons who were willing to engage in it, the work on shipboard has not for a few months in the past received that attention which its importance demands. At the camp-meeting held in the southern part of the State this spring, the wants of this mission were considered, and pledges taken for a fund of $1,000 with which to carry it forward, and also for a T. and M. reserve fund of $2,000. The brethren present, not representing over one-fourth of our strength in the State, pledged over $1,700. It is designed to place libraries of our works, worth from ten to fifteen dollars, on steamers leaving San Francisco, besides furnishing them the Signs, Good Health, and such other periodicals as may be thought best. The mission is again provided with efficient laborers. “Those engaging in the work have received letters from several captains who express much gratitude for the light received and the benefit derived from our publications. One acknowledged the weight of evidence to be entirely upon the side of the seventh-day Sabbath. Our missionaries have received several donations from officers of ships, to be used to help on the good work; and captains appear willing, not only to have reading matter placed on board their ships for the crew and passengers, but to take our publications free of charge to almost any port in the civilized world. “Considerable interest has been shown by the inhabitants of one of the islands of the Pacific, to whom some of our papers were given. This was reported by the captain who furnished them with reading matter, and more has been sent. Many addresses have been obtained from officers and sailors for our V. M. societies, and thus interested readers have been secured in various parts of the world through the instrumentality of this mission. “The number of ships visited during the quarter is 91, upon which were left 14,118 pages of tracts, 1,783 periodicals, and 405 Annuals.” Bro. Wm. J. Dunscomb, of Portland, Maine, also sends a short but interesting report. Comparatively few vessels visit that port, but all of sufficient note are supplied with reading matter. He inclosed one dollar received from the captain of a vessel on its way to Buenos Ayres, in return for publications which he was to take to a friend of his who was a Sunday-school superintendent in that place. From other points where this work is carried forward, no report has been received this quarter. Maple Works, May 26.— Was with the church at this place last Sabbath and first-day. The Sabbath-school is prosperous, and there is a good degree of interest in the church. Sunday morning we had business meeting and public preaching; the afternoon till four o’clock was spent in giving instruction in the T. and M. work. We then repaired to the water, where ten were baptized, eight of whom were youth in the Sabbath-school, five of them being members of one class. Surely such fruits should encourage us in our Sabbath-school work. S. S. SMITH. Labor among the Churches.— Since the Tract and Missionary Institute was held in this State, I have visited the churches at Hillsborough, Debello, Kickapoo Center, Liberty Pole, and Victory. We had some good meetings at these places. At Debello one was baptized, and two united with the church. At Kickapoo Center, the brethren talk of building a meeting-house. Two united with the church at Liberty Pole, and one member was disfellowshipped. At Victory there is some outside interest, and the prospects are that some would receive the truth, if a series of meetings could be held there. This we hope to do next winter. The church at Leon was challenged by Mrs. A. C. Sedgwick to discuss the law, sanctuary, and Sabbath questions. Being near Leon at this time, I was called upon to defend the truth. After the discussion of the law and the sanctuary, Mrs. Sedgwick refused to discuss the Sabbath question unless I would agree to confine myself to the Bible this side of Pentecost. This was contrary to the rules of agreement that we had signed; and it would also prevent me from using the Old Testament and the four gospels. To this request I would not yield, and therefore our discussion closed. The disinterested and candid considered her attempt to overthrow the truth, or even to sustain her views, a total failure. However, she remained and spoke in the Methodist church a few times. We trust good will result from the discussion. May 13, I went to White Hall and held a few meetings with the brethren there. I also visited Bro. C. Holmes, and spoke twice to a few that had come out under his labors. To-day (May 20) I came to Avalanche, and found the church all trying to hold on to the truth. May God bless these churches, and help them to come up on higher and holier ground. O. A. JOHNSON. Clyde, Allegan Co.—Have just closed a ten-days' discussion at this place with Eld. Scott, on the Sabbath and law, and the state of the dead. The weakness of the positions taken by Eld. S. have greatly strengthened those who have recently embraced the truth here. The blessing of the Lord was with us Sabbath, the 22d. A church was organized with sixteen members; others will unite with them soon. On Sunday, twelve persons, all heads of families, were baptized in a beautiful lake six miles from the place of meeting. The baptismal scene was an impressive one. The concourse of people was large, and the best of order prevailed. At the close of the baptism we knelt at the water's edge, and an elder and a deacon were ordained. A Sabbath-school was fully organized, with a membership of forty. They have the record and class books, and twenty copies of the weekly Instructor are taken. Eld. R. C. Horton was with me on the Sabbath, and rendered efficient aid. Bro. H. is with us on all points of faith, and it is now expected that we will unite in tent labor the coming season. Greenbush, Duplain, and Ovid.—May 14-18, we were with the church at Greenbush and Duplain. They had had no ministerial help for about a year and a half, yet nearly all were in good spirits. We made a special effort to have every family who had not already done so, supply themselves with the three volumes of Spirit of Prophecy. We met with good success in this work, also in soliciting renewals for the REVIEW, Good Health, and the College Record; and we obtained some new subscribers. All promised to pay the tithe, and all but two add the one-third. They renewed for a club of the Signs. Book sales amounted to over $30. In the vicinity of this church there is a promising opening for a course of lectures, which we hope to see filled soon. Bro. D. Sevy, who had sent $25 to the Office toward the $10,000 to be used in circulating Sister White's works, handed me $75 more to be added to this fund. On the whole, our hearts were much cheered by this visit. Tuesday, May 18, we came to Ovid, where we remained only two days. This church has had very little help since the truth was first preached here. They have lately been visited by one who may properly be called a wolf in sheep's clothing, as he professes to be a S. D. Adventist, while he opposes the Testimonies and the health reform. I advised them not to countenance him. Some have given up the truth, but the majority have remained faithful. All the families but one supplied themselves with Spirit of Prophecy, and are to have daily readings. They have been faithful in paying the tithe and the added one-third. They have a club of the Signs, and maintain Wednesday evening prayer-meetings. Although this church is composed of sisters who are poor, yet the spirit of sacrifice and do-something manifested by them ought to shame some of our brethren who have from seventy to one hundred acres of land, and yet put into the Lord's treasury $2.00 or $3.00 per year. As might be expected, we found no church trials among them. On the whole, we left them much refreshed in spirit. May they all continue to walk in love. Bay Co.—April 26, I began meetings in the meeting-house controlled by the Methodists, though built by the people for a union house. I gave six discourses, with a good and rising interest. But on Sunday, the Methodist preacher and his wife came from an adjoining town, armed with smut and blacking from books written against our people and the truth. For over two hours the people who remained were compelled to listen to the meanest kind of slander. I gave notice that I would reply in the evening at my regular appointment. Before the hour the preacher and his wife went into the desk, having brought with them a regular self-appointed police force to prevent my occupying the desk on that Sunday night. On arriving at the house I found it crowded, and I was told that my life was in danger, as an armed mob were stationed through the house! The preacher's wife was in the desk speaking, so I was compelled to go on to the platform and raise my voice above that of the woman, the threats of the mob, etc. I succeeded, at last, in gaining a hearing, and pleaded for the right to fill my appointment without molestation. But it was soon manifest that there would be trouble. The preacher had demanded the keys of the church, saying, “I am chairman of the board of trustees, and I decide that the general doctrines of the Adventists are heterodox, and as pastor of this church I demand the keys.” After reviewing the circumstances, the conduct of the preacher, his wife and the mob, as I had freedom to do, I said, “Now if the trustees and citizens will not take the responsibility of saying that I shall speak here, I shall quietly retire.” Mr. Root then offered the use of his new and commodious hall. We then cried out, “All who are for free speech and fair play, and are not afraid to hear both sides, come over to Mr. Root's Hall.” There was a rush for seats, and about 150 listened to our defense. The result has proved that “they can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” The reaction in our favor, for miles around, has been tremendous, and many have been led to inquire after our belief who had no interest before. In school-houses and private houses, people would hear, and take books to read. Several have already decided for the truth, and we are now arranging for regular Sabbath meetings. The truth which is to gather the remnant still enrages the dragon, and our experience here shows how the Lord can make the wrath of men to praise him, and restrain the remainder. To God be the praise; for the truth shines brighter than ever. We thank God, and take courage. A style most simple, clear, concise,
A language choice, unique, refined,
With vivid pictures interwrought,
And striking figures intertwined;
The whole, a comprehensive work
Of unity and strength combined,—
A model from a skillful pen,
The product of a master mind,—
A treatise on each phase of life
Of man with self, with God, with man;
A logical discourse, well-meant
The motives of that life to scan,—
A casket, filled with choicest gems,—
A texture with this grand impress
Distinctly traced in warp and woof,
God’s kingdom and his righteousness,—
A code of ethics, searching, just,—
A hand-book filled with maxims rare,
With words of counsel, warning, hope,
To guide us here, to lead us there.
What useful lessons to be learned,
What pure incentives found therein,
How lovely goodness doth appear,
How heinous every form of sin!
An exposition of God’s will,
His patient love and thoughtfulness,
His tender, providential care
The creatures he hath made to bless.
Ah! where in all the world of thought,
Ye wondrous wise ones of the earth,
Can such a masterpiece be found,
So fraught with truth, with matchless worth,
So fitted to life’s work and way?
Let all who think to test its strength,
Live out its precepts day by day.
Live out its precepts, all mankind!
O earth! what would thy glories be!
Thy realm would be a paradise,
The home of peace and purity. Allentown, May 16.—Two weeks ago, a Methodist minister came here to give “his reasons for keeping the first day.” His arguments were weak, consisting of the usual no-lawism; in fact, not over half of his discourse was on the subject. The spirit of Rev. 12:17 was plainly manifest, all through the discourse. We had liberty in reviewing him, and think that good was done and the truth gained a victory, as the friends were strengthened, and one more has commenced to observe the Sabbath. We organized a Sabbath-school. D. T. BIGGS. Syracuse, May 27.—Having business with the State Secretary of the Sabbath-school Association, we visited the friends in this place, and held meeting with them Sabbath, the 22d. During the past six months, some of our leading brethren from other churches have been moving in here, with a view to securing a foothold, and preparing the way by tract and missionary labor, for a tent-meeting as soon as the situation would warrant it. Weekly meetings on the Sabbath are held, a Sabbath-school has been organized, and the work is fast assuming permanency. Already there is an interest manifested in our work, and many omens of good might be mentioned. Eld. Whitney, the President of the Conference, will hold a general meeting there next Sabbath and first-day (the 29th and 30th). We hope the brethren everywhere will remember the cause in Syracuse in their prayers. Douds, May 18.—Met with the church at Douds May 14-16, in company with Eld. Washburn, and held five meetings. They were all holding on to the truth, and nearly all were making some progress in the Christian course. A few are advancing rather slowly, if at all, because of an unwillingness to take up plain Christian duties. We fear for these, unless they very soon cheerfully submit to the requirements of God’s word. Three were baptized by Bro. W., and we hope for several others to unite with the church soon. Considering the outside influence, which has been trying for more than eighteen months to ruin the cause in this place, the friends have acted nobly. Regular Sabbath meetings are sustained; also an interesting Sabbath-school of nearly forty members. A little more faith and courage, brethren and sisters. May God bless and strengthen you each for the conflict, and make you channels of light. Knob Lick, Metcalfe Co., May 23.—Our general quarterly meeting, held at Bro. J. B. Forrest’s, was quite a success. There was a good representation from the different churches. The Sabbath-school was interesting and profitable. On Sunday there were about three hundred outsiders out, most of whom gave good attention to the word spoken. Pledges were taken to the amount of $44, to defray tent expenses. On Sunday evening, after a discourse on Christian temperance, the pledges were circulated, and fourteen signers were obtained. Ten of these were not of our faith; they signed only the anti-tobacco and whisky pledge, but we think this is doing well for Kentucky, where tobacco is in better demand than bread. Money is so scarce on account of failure of crops last year, that we could not do much in the line of selling books or obtaining subscribers for our periodicals. It will be hard times for our people until we raise another crop. S. OSBORN.