Earlier text: Death of Christ VicariousSectarianism.
By John Nevins Andrews
[Translated from the “Signes des Temps.”] SOME have spoken against our journal accusing it of sectarianism, but this charge is wholly unjust. It is true that we set forth several doctrines not generally adopted by our fellow-men; and it is also true that we say that these doctrines are important. But this does not constitute our journal sectarian. If it be said that we are sectarian because the majority is against us, we reply that to be in the minority does not render any class of persons sectarian. If it does, then the true servants of God in all ages have been sectarian. Noah was in a minority, so was Lot. Caleb and Joshua were in the minority. It was thus with Elijah, and with all the prophets of God. St. Paul was in the minority at Athens. Those who stood up against the errors of Rome during the dark ages found themselves always in a minority. Nor does it constitute sectarianism to be earnest in the support of whatever we find plainly taught in the Bible. Unless error be equally as valuable as truth, the friends of truth are not only justified in earnestly advocating it, but they are under the most sacred obligation to be in earnest in its support. The men whom we have enumerated as being always in the minority were not more distinguished by the fact that they were in the minority, than they were by the fact that they were thoroughly in earnest in behalf of those truths which the majority condemned. To earnestly advocate unpopular truth, and to be obliged to meet strong opposition from those in the majority, does not constitute men sectarian. Sectarianism is oftener found with those who are in the majority than with those who are in the minority. The question is not whether a doctrine is popular, but whether it is taught in the Bible. Men are sectarian when they are actuated by selfish motives and by party spirit. They are sectarian when they seek to gain notoriety by establishing parties that shall honor them rather than reverence God. Men are sectarian when they hold the truth in unrighteousness; when instead of being converted by the truth themselves, they use the truth for the purpose of condemning others, or for any other motive than the glory of God. Thus men may be sectarian in making an evil use of the truth, though sectarianism is generally founded upon error. When men labor with pure motives in behalf of the cause of truth they are not sectarian even though all the world oppose them. But when men neglect to be converted by the truth themselves, and only use the truth for the purpose of vanquishing others, or when they advocate error and seek to draw away disciples after them, then they may be justly charged with sectarianism. But we believe that this charge cannot with any justice be made against our journal. We do not claim infallibility. We do not affirm that we know all the truth. We do not assert that no man can be saved unless he believes just as we do. On the contrary we endeavor to recognize whatever we find of good in others, however widely they may differ from us in some things. We strongly condemn error, but we carefully avoid judging men. We say to others, in presenting to them our doctrine, here are important truths, and here are the reasons which convince us that these things are true. We are responsible to God to make these things known to you, and we beseech you to act with regard to them as those that must give account. We say that every man is accountable to God, not only to obey the truth which he has learned, but also to use every means in his power to learn all the will of God, and that the Judgment at the last day will be with reference to the faithfulness or unfaithfulness with which men have acted in this respect. The doctrines wherein we differ from others may be stated thus:— 1. That the prophetic scriptures show that the second advent and the day of Judgment must be now right at hand. 2. That the law of God is the perfect rule of morality, and that the gospel of Christ is not given for the purpose of abolishing the ten commandments, but to enable the Christian to fulfill the righteousness of the law. 3. That though men in all ages have been saved by the grace of God, that grace is not given for the purpose of excusing disobedience, but for the purpose of making obedience possible. 4. That it is the duty of every member of the human family to recognize God as the Creator of the heavens and of the earth, by observing the day which he sanctified as the memorial of his creative work. 5. That “God only hath immortality.” That men must seek for immortality by patient continuance in well-doing. And that immortality will be received by the righteous at the sound of the last trumpet. That men are neither rewarded nor punished till they have first been judged; and that at the day of Judgment the righteous will inherit eternal life, and the wicked experience the second death, by which they will be utterly devoured or consumed; after which there will be a clean universe, in which only holy beings will be permitted to live. 6. That the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ ought to be commemorated by the celebration of the holy supper and by burial with Christ in baptism. 7. Finally, that conversion to God, or the circumcision of the heart, consists in a miraculous change, wrought by the Holy Spirit, by which the law of sin is taken out of the heart, and the law of God is written in the heart; and that the grace of God will carry forward its transforming work through the entire life of the Christian, till he shall at last be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. We believe that these things are true, and we know that if they are true they are very important. We war not against men, but against error, and we beseech all classes of our fellow-men to refrain from denouncing us as evil teachers till they have first weighed well the reasons which we offer in defense of our doctrine and our work. J. N. A. Importance of Bible Study.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
NO ONE will question the statement that those who presume to teach the Scriptures should have a good knowledge of them. "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth." This fact is so well established that dishonest men often take advantage of it to lead people astray; professing to be Bible teachers, they gain the confidence of those not familiar with the Bible, and palm off upon them the theories of men's devising, in the place of sacred truth. There are, however, but few, even of those who profess to love the Bible and to be guided by its teachings, who recognize the necessity of a thorough study of the Bible for themselves. It is for this reason that they are so easily deceived by ignorant and unscrupulous men. If there were nothing in the Bible itself on this point, our own reason ought to teach us that if the Bible is to be our rule of life, we ought to know for ourselves what things it requires of us. If it is a guide-book to tell us whereabouts we are in the journey toward the celestial city, and to warn us of the dangers and difficulties of the way, certainly every one who is making the journey needs to be thoroughly acquainted with its contents. It was for this purpose that the Bible was written; the inspired penmen did not write for the benefit of a few, but for all. The way in which it was designed that the Bible should be studied, is thus given by Moses:— "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes." Deut. 6:6-8. This last part was not to be taken literally, as the Jews afterwards supposed; it is a figurative expression to denote that the sacred truths were to be studied until they would be constantly in the mind, before the eyes, and influence both the thoughts of the head and the actions of the hand. David had the correct idea of this injunction, for he said, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Ps. 119: 11. There are two points to be noted in this text: 1. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart." How did he do this? The following verses tell: "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways." Verse 15. Also verses 23, 48, 78. "Mine eyes prevent the night-watches, that I might meditate in thy word." Verse 148. It was by constant study that David was enabled to hide the word in his heart. Any one who reads these verses thoughtfully, will be convinced that David was not content with having a copy of the law in his possession, but that he studied it until he had, as we say, "learned it by heart." How else could he meditate upon it in the night? 2. "That I might not sin against thee." This is why he studied the word so carefully. A blessing is pronounced on the man who meditates day and night in the law of the Lord (Ps. 1:1, 2); and this blessing consists primarily in the fact that by so doing he is kept from sin. "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide." Ps. 37:30, 31. There is no other way than this brought to view in the Bible, whereby we may be kept from sin. We are to be sanctified through the truth, and it is by obeying it that our lives are purified. Now since none can enter heaven except those who are free from sin, it follows that it is as necessary for lay members to have the word of God in their hearts (not on their tables, nor simply in their hands), as it is for preachers of the gospel. Of course the latter will be, from constant exercise, more ready in handling the word than others, but this should be the only difference. We, as a general thing, have not realized the necessity of close, personal study of the Bible. It is our standard; we draw our faith, pure and simple, from its pages; it is that which is to be our "shield and buckler," i.e., our defense, in the time of trouble. How important, then, that we make it our constant study. The Bible is able not only to make us "wise unto salvation," but it furnishes the best possible discipline for the mental faculties. The psalmist says: "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119: 130. When Moses was giving his final charge to the children of Israel, he548 said: "Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'" Deut. 4:5, 6. The book of the law was the only book that the Israelites had, yet there were no more shrewd and acute people among the ancients. Even to-day, the Jews, although they have sadly wandered from the ancient landmarks, are the leaders in literature and the arts; and we think that we are safe in saying that their aptness is due to the fact that their ancestors were men who made the law of God their constant study. A BROTHER beyond the mountains asks concerning this text, "Does it state that the earth as well as the works is to be burned up? Why is also omitted in the Revised Version? May it not be made plain from other scriptures that the earth will not be totally destroyed?" We think that "also" is correctly omitted in the Revised Version. The Scriptures are very plain upon the point that the earth will not be totally destroyed. On verse 11 Clarke says:— "All these things shall be dissolved. They will be separated, all decomposed; but none of them destroyed. And as they are the original matter out of which God formed the terraqueous globe, consequently they may enter again into the composition of a new system." And Barnes, on verse 10, says:— "So far as the action of fire is concerned, the form of the earth may pass away, and its aspect be changed; but, unless the direct power which created it interpose to annihilate it, the matter which now composes it will still be in existence. . . . The word rendered burned up, like the word just before used and rendered fervent heat—a word of the same origin, but here intensive—means that they will undergo such a change as fire will produce; not, necessarily, that the matter composing them will be annihilated." You will be interested and no doubt instructed by reading a sermon by Wesley on this subject. A few texts of Scripture will place the matter beyond all doubt. The Saviour said, Matt. 5:5, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Ps. 37 says the same thing and adds, "Their inheritance shall be forever." Man would never have lost the earth if he had not sinned. By sin the earth is defiled and corrupted; but Paul says of our inheritance that it has been purchased and is waiting for redemption. Eph. 1:14. This can refer only to the earth. We may conclude from the words of Peter that the new earth will bear the same relation to the "earth which now is," that this bears to the earth which was before the flood. There can be no doubt then, when the "fountains of the great deep were all broken up," and the "windows of heaven were opened," that the face of nature was so changed that everything looked new and strange to Noah. And so will it be when the fire has passed upon the earth, melting the elements and turning the earth "into a lake of fire;" when it comes forth beautified and free from every sign of the curse, well may it be called "a new earth." The most important point is that we heed the admonition of the apostle in verses 11–14 of this chapter. Bible Study at Healdsburg College.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
The managers of this institution, recognizing the facts briefly mentioned above, determined that this should be a place where education of the true kind might be obtained. To this end there are several classes in the Bible, adapted to the capacity of the various students who attend. At a certain hour in the day, nearly the entire school is engaged in these Bible-classes. Those students who are not of our faith are not required to pursue this study unless they wish to, but most of them do so from choice. There are certain classes engaged in studying Old Testament history, in which those of any denomination can join without scruple. Soon after the camp-meeting this fall, an advanced class was started. This class is engaged in purely denominational work. The design is to fit men and women for active duty in the field, especially in the work of holding Bible-readings. At present it consists of thirty-seven members, whose ages range from sixteen to sixty years. The average membership thus far is thirty-four. Of this number, four-fifths will doubtless engage in active missionary work during the coming year. Several of them have already done good service. In this class the different points of our faith are taken up in a systematic manner, from a Bible stand-point. “What does the Bible say?” is the one question constantly before the class. Each student is expected to turn to every passage to which reference is made, and follow the reader. This tends to produce readiness in finding Scripture texts. Questions are asked freely by both teacher and students, until everything is made clear to the minds of all. When a subject has been canvassed in this way, each member of the class is required to get up a series of questions such as he would use in presenting the matter to one out of the faith. Quite often students have the privilege of showing the connection between certain texts before the class, or else of presenting it in writing. We hold that when a person knows a thing he can tell it; consequently the ability to state the different points clearly is made the test of knowledge. This class, we said, is designed to fit men and women for work in the field; but we believe that it should not be limited to those who expect to leave their homes. As already shown, it is the duty of every one to know the Bible for himself, that he may be protected against the deceptions of Satan. There should be scores engaged in such study where there is one now. Do you say that the process just described is a slow one, and takes too much time? There is no royal road to a knowledge of the Bible any more than to a knowledge of geometry. It is true that the Lord could give us at once a perfect knowledge of the Bible if he wished, but we do not read that he ever did so. He has given us minds, and expects us to use them. He is not in so great need of workmen, that he will employ those who do not use all the means placed in their power. Those who have attained eminence as Bible students, and have been leaders in the cause, have become so by hard, unremitting labor. The way is open for others to follow their example. But we do not expect any to accomplish this work without the help of the Lord. There is nothing which a person can undertake with so good assurance of divine aid as the study of God's word. Great results may be accomplished in a short time, if we earnestly and prayerfully apply ourselves to the task. Do not say that you cannot afford the time; our time is given us for no other purpose than to work in the service of God, and to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. But little of it yet remains, and Satan is mustering his forces for a desperate final conflict. It is not enough that we have a sword; we must have it drawn from the scabbard, and sharpened for use. Let us awake, and put on the whole armor of God. E. J. W. The Missionary.
By S. N. Haskell
A Visit among the Waldenses.
We have seen from the history of this people that they differed from all other Protestants in many respects. First, they had no desire to mingle with the mass of mankind; they preferred seclusion, where they could preserve their faith in its purity. Secondly, their system of education was different from any other class of Christians which lived during the dark reign of the papacy. Educating their children in the Scriptures, instructing them to memorize entire gospels, so that in neighborhoods the entire Bible would be committed to memory, was a peculiar characteristic. Also, from their babyhood, they were taught that martyrdom lay in their pathway, and that their mother should be their only confidant. Thirdly, their adherence to each other and their attachment to the valleys where they first settled was peculiar to them; and often at the present day, while they believe largely with other Baptist denominations, yet the Waldensian churches have an independent existence. They are found in different parts of Europe, more especially in Italy. These characteristics, their integrity during the persecution, and their kindness toward their enemies, had begotten within us a desire to make a visit to their descendants, and to learn if they were not different from those living in other portions of Europe where the Scriptures were not held as sacred, and error and superstition were more general. We thought we should find that the descendants of this people were bearing the marks of divine favor; that it would be impossible for any people to instruct their children in the Scriptures from generation to generation, as they had done, and not find traces of the divine hand of God still existing with them. In this we were not disappointed. We found them an intelligent and hospitable people, such as we found among no other people in Europe, or even in America. We went among the common people of the Scandinavian countries, and Germany, Holland, Switzerland, France, and other portions of Europe; but there was a difference between this people and those of other portions of Europe which we could not present to the reader so that he would be able to appreciate it. In southern Italy Catholicism has gone to seed. The Bible has been taken away from the common people, and they do not know what it contains. Said a missionary to me, in Naples, "I have printed portions of the gospel of Matthew and distributed them on the corners of the streets, and the people would take and read them, and wonder where such reading came from." They had no knowledge that it was a portion of the Scriptures. Dishonesty among the people is the order of the day. But not so among the Waldenses. We called upon many families who now live in the mountains, and some in the valleys. Hidden winding paths now lead to their houses where it would be impossible for any animal, unless it be a goat, to follow. Not unfrequently we would come to a rock where we would have to climb three feet, taking hold of some shrub and pulling ourselves up. They were attached to those places on the mountain-side, and it was there they had their vineyards and raised their corn. It was there their ancestors had suffered and died. The spot was sacred; God had blessed them there. In one family which we visited we saw upon the table Greek books, and French, Italian, and English theological works, as well as the Bible in these different languages. The inmates of the house were away. After remaining a few minutes the mother and son came in. We had conversation with them on Bible doctrines. The son could speak Italian and French; the mother could speak Italian only. Bro. Gardner, who was with me, would translate what I had to say into French, and the son would put it in Italian for his mother. It is seldom that we have enjoyed a greater freedom in talking upon Bible doctrines than with this family. We finally bowed in prayer together. I prayed in English, Bro. Gardner in French, and the son and his mother in Italian. The sweet Spirit of God came into our midst, and each of us was melted in tears. Soon the father came in, and with him we had an interesting interview. He could speak English, and taught his children. We called upon a number of families, and we found every one of them deeply interested in conversation upon Bible themes, and when scriptures were read that conveyed to them new light, they would be so thankful to find that the Bible taught such precious things. We appointed a meeting on Sabbath at the house of a Bro. Farañas, who was a Baptist missionary in Torre Pellice. Some fifteen or twenty were present. We drew around a large table and had a Bible-class. Some were there with their Italian Bibles, some with their French, and one or two with their English, and as we brought out connecting links of truth, and showed the love of Christ and the preciousness of his grace, such an interest I never before witnessed. Some individuals who sat in the back part of the room would become so intensely interested that they would sit forward in their chairs, and lean over, that they might catch every word; and as new ideas would present themselves, tears would roll down their faces for joy. Oh, how precious was the word to them! Could the readers of this paper have witnessed that intense interest manifested, we would have hundreds that would say, Let me labor among that people. At the close of the forenoon meeting a hard-looking man, but with a soft heart, one who had been through the Crimean War, wanted to talk with me; so we walked up and down the road together; and such a plea I never heard, that we would send them some missionaries to labor for them. Said he, "Why don't you send us laborers—men that will come to our houses and eat with us, that will read the Bible to us, and pray with us, that will stop with us over night? Send us such men, and we will all keep the Sabbath. You live in a country of freedom. You have good men; why don't you send them here? We love the Bible, and we love God." It would have moved the hardest heart to have listened to his plea. I thought to myself as I heard him plead, and saw the intense interest manifested to learn the word of God, that if I ever again reached America I could present the wants of this people in a manner that would stir our young people to become missionaries to those starving for the word of life. I thought of individuals who have attended the Battle Creek College and had some understanding of the Italian language, and felt that I could move on them to fit themselves to labor among this class of people. There are many of this people that God will fit for his heavenly garner. Where are the laborers that will go and labor among this people? Said this man to me, when referring to the missions that were established by other denominations, "They do not come to our houses and talk and pray with us; but," said he, "we want some one that will stop with us over night; that will read to us the Scripture as you have read it to us, and then we will keep the Sabbath. How can we believe unless some one tells us what the truth is?" Most of these people read and speak the French and Italian languages, for they live on the borders of northern Italy, near France. Every family on which I called, except one, either had children that they were educating for the ministry, or some who were ministers, or that had the ministry in prospect. This is the result of educating in the children not only a taste for religious things, but a knowledge of the word of God, and a true missionary spirit. If there was no other evidence of the divine authenticity of the Bible than the contrast that existed between these Waldenses who made the Bible their chief study for generation after generation, and those who had not had the privilege of even knowing what the Bible contained, it would be sufficient to convince the most thoroughly skeptical honest man that there was a divine power with the Bible, and that it would impart to those who made it their chief study, intelligence, enterprise, industry, and civilization. The Bible goes before civilization. Civilization is an outgrowth of the light as revealed in Scripture; and in proportion as men receive the sacred truths of God's word, in proportion as they have the Scriptures a part of their being, so they will become intelligent and useful in society. This is illustrated by this people. SEEKING the good of others gives a man tact, makes him amiable, and fills him with the most exquisite sense of propriety. He knows how to do good in the right way. There is ever so much Scripture against doing good with noise and racket. The General Conference.
By Editor
BRIEF reference was made in last week's SIGNS to the annual session of the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists. We now add some interesting items condensed from the Review and Herald's report of proceedings. The Conference assembled at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 8; Eld. Geo. I. Butler, President, presiding. Delegates were present from California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, the New England States, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, South Atlantic Mission, Wisconsin, the English Mission, and Sweden. The Virginia Conference, with a membership of eighty-six, organized during the past year, was admitted to membership. The President stated that a growing interest is felt among our people in the cause of foreign missions, and in the general work, as manifested in the liberality of their pledges the past season. Although the death of Eld. Andrews has been a sad blow to the cause in Europe, yet encouraging reports of the work there are being received. He further stated that a German paper is greatly needed, and also a paper in England. The Italian brethren are also calling for a paper, even if not more than a quarterly. Larger printing operations are required in Switzerland, and Eld. Matteson should have further assistance in his Scandinavian work. A mission should be established in Australia, and attention should be given to the islands of the Pacific, so that the truth may engirdle the earth. Calls for labor are coming from different quarters; there are many good openings; but where are the men who, in the fear of God and with the salvation of souls in view, will answer the calls? The bitter opposition waged against us this year is a source of encouragement, and we should be preparing to meet a still greater opposition in the near future. Eld. Corliss gave a statement of the condition and wants of the South Atlantic Mission, which contains 267 white Sabbath-keepers and twenty colored. Laborers are wanted there to forward the work. Eld. Loughborough, representing the English Mission, detailed the manner of working in that field, the obstacles to be overcome, and the results attained. Eld. Rosqvist, of Sweden, reported progress in that country, showing how the Lord often uses the opposition and hatred of the evil one to advance the cause of truth. He says there are many openings for labor, but help is greatly needed. Eld. E. R. Jones, of Colorado, urged the necessity of having another English and one Scandinavian laborer sent to that Conference. A committee of ten, who had under consideration the matter of adopting a church manual, reported adversely upon the proposition, substantially as follows: We consider it unnecessary because we have already surmounted the greatest difficulties connected with church organization without one; and perfect harmony exists among us on this subject. It would seem to many like a step toward the formation of a creed, or a discipline, other than the Bible—something we have always been opposed to as a denomination. If we had one, we fear many, especially those commencing to preach, would study it to obtain guidance in religious matters, rather than to seek for it in the Bible and from the leadings of the Spirit of God, which would tend to their hindrance in genuine religious experience and in knowledge of the mind of the Spirit. It was in taking similar steps that other bodies of Christians first began to lose their simplicity, and become formal and spiritually lifeless. Why should we imitate them? The committee feel that our tendency should be in the direction of simplicity and close conformity to the Bible, rather than in elaborately defining every point in church management and church ordinances. The report was adopted. A resolution was passed expressing grief for the death of Eld. J. N. Andrews, condolence with his bereaved family, and appreciation of his faithful and self-sacrificing labors. Also, a resolution recognizing the necessity of publishing in Europe, papers in the English, German, Italian, and Swedish languages. It was resolved that the Year Book be issued regularly, and as a committee to prepare the issue for 1884, the Chair appointed Elds. W. H. Littlejohn, H. A. St. John, and M. C. Wilcox. Also, resolved that Eld. U. Smith be requested to revise for publication, articles written by Eld. Andrews, deceased, on "The Order of Events in the Judgment." The matter of preparing a history of the manifestation of spiritual gifts in our midst, was referred to the General Conference Committee, with power to select such assistance as they may deem best. And it was voted that a tract of suitable size be published, containing the most pointed arguments on the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and some of the clearest evidences of personal experience, referring to the larger work for more complete evidence. It was recommended that our Conferences use all legitimate means to keep the ranks of canvassers well filled with earnest and efficient laborers. The matter of changing laborers from one field to another was fully discussed, and it was decided that such changes would benefit both ministers and people. It was resolved to have our leading denominational works translated into the languages of the countries where we have successful missions in Europe. And it was recommended that Bro. A. B. Oyen go, at his earliest convenience, to Europe to engage in this work. It was voted to increase the General Conference Committee from three to five members; and it was recommended that Eld. Butler visit the missions of Europe as soon as consistent with other duties. It was voted, as the sense of the Conference, that faithful report of all our general gatherings should be made for the leading papers, and that the services of good reporters, selected from our people, should be secured for this purpose at the commencement of the meetings. A resolution was adopted amending Art. II, Sec. 1 of the Constitution so as to read as follows: "The officers of this Conference shall be a President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of five, of whom the President shall be one." [As the report from which the foregoing items were culled was not complete, further notes must be deferred until next week.] Quarterly Meeting of Upper Columbia Missionary Society.
THE autumnal meeting of this society convened in the new S. D. Adventist house of worship at Farmington, W. T., Oct. 18, 1883, at 9:30 A. M., the President presiding. Tabulated reports of work done during the quarters ending June 30, 1882, and 1883 were compared, item by item, and the latter showed an increase on nearly every point. Eld. A. T. Jones, M. J. Ford, and W. J. Goodwin were appointed a Committee on Resolutions. The subject of canvassing was considered with interest; work done since camp-meeting was reported, and a feeling to "do more" prevailed. The case of a needy sister was brought before the meeting, and all agreed that God's poor saints must be cared for by his people. Faith was enlivened by donations. The President gave an account of his visits to the San Jose, Cal., camp-meeting, and Healdsburg College, mentioning items of interest, not only to the work at large, but to us in the Northwest. |
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| Cash on hand, July 1, 1883 |
$178 43 |
| Received from districts |
78 05 |
| Received from agents |
163 30 |
| Received on Reserve Fund |
13 00—$432 78 |
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|
|---|
| Paid to Signs Office |
$400 00 |
| Paid to Review |
15 28 |
| Paid to North Pacific T. and M. Society |
9 00 |
| Paid to General Expense |
5 60 |
| Cash on hand, Sept. 30, 1883 |
2 90—$432 78 |
Mrs. G. W. Colcord, Treas. The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:— WHEREAS, The second great commandment requires that we love our neighbor as we do ourselves; therefore,
Resolved, That it is the duty of the Tract and Missionary Society to manifest more practical interest in the welfare of the fatherless, the widow, the stranger, and the poor. Resolved, That although we greatly need our young brethren and sisters to act as canvassers in the immediate future, yet we prefer to suffer this want for a time, and advise all to more fully qualify themselves to engage in this work. WHEREAS, There are some of our brethren and sisters who, because of inactivity, appear to be losing their interest in the truth; therefore,
Resolved, That we appeal to all, and especially the above-named class, to engage more earnestly than ever before in this great work, and thus, with God's blessing, prevent final apostasy. Resolved, That we make an especial effort during the next few months to obtain subscriptions to the Review and Herald in all the families of our people wherever practicable. WHEREAS, Visiting has ever been one of the most efficient parts of the labors of our ministers; and,
WHEREAS, This has already proved to be a necessary part of missionary labor; therefore,
Resolved, That we urge all who anticipate working in this branch of the cause to seek wisdom from God, that they may successfully approach the people, and by social as well as public endeavor, bring souls to the knowledge of the truth of God. Before the quarterly session adjourned, a number of the friends made remarks in reference to the work, and the part they intended to bear in the same; and these were so pointed and earnest, and were given in such rapid succession, that the exercises presented some features similar to a good religious social meeting. Following is a report of the work performed during the quarter ending September 30, 1883:— |
No. of Members |
No. of Reports turned |
No. of Members Added |
No. of Members Dismissed |
No. of Missionary Visits |
No. of Letters Written |
No. of Signs taken in Clubs |
Review |
Signs |
Good Health |
Instructor |
Other Periodicals |
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| No. 1 |
43 |
13 |
|
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43 |
24 |
40 |
2 |
|
|
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| " 2 |
49 |
14 |
|
1 |
6 |
20 |
29 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
|
| " 3 |
47 |
21 |
|
|
50 |
16 |
19 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
| Agents |
4 |
4 |
1 |
|
674 |
145 |
100 |
4 |
75 |
|
|
|
| Totals |
143 |
52 |
1 |
1 |
773 |
205 |
188 |
9 |
77 |
1 |
20 |
1 |
|
Pages Tracts and Pamphlets dist. |
Periodicals Distributed |
Membership & Tract Fund Donations |
Sales |
Periodicals |
T. and M. Reserve Fund |
Total |
Collected on other Funds |
|---|
| No. 1 |
4996 |
848 |
$1 00 |
|
|
$2 00 |
$3 00 |
|
| " 2 |
4162 |
250 |
6 00 |
$3 55 |
$17 50 |
|
27 05 |
|
| " 3 |
3212 |
293 |
7 50 |
17 05 |
25 45 |
11 00 |
61 00 |
|
| Agents |
964 |
455 |
.. 75 |
108 24 |
54 31 |
|
163 30 |
|
| Totals |
13334 |
1846 |
$15 25 |
$128 84 |
$97 26 |
$13 00 |
$254 35 |
|
G. W. Colcord, Pres.
Mrs. G. W. Colcord, Sec. North Pacific Conference.
By Charles L. Boyd
THE new reading rooms of the N. P. Tract Society, on L, near corner of 5th Street, East Portland, Oregon, are now open to the public with twenty different papers and periodicals on our tables. If any of the readers of the SIGNS have good books which they would like to donate to this society to be thus placed before the reading public, they will be thankfully received and properly labeled with the donors' names. A cordial invitation is extended to the citizens of East Portland and to the traveling public to patronize our room, which will be found open during the day and evening. Address N. P. Tract Society Reading Rooms, East Portland, Oregon. The Faithful Chinese Servant
A FRIEND of the Spectator sends him the following little incident, which is derived directly from the wife of the captain concerned, and therefore may be trusted as not apocryphal: "When the Ashuelot went down, off the Chinese coast, the captain had a servant who, while all were rushing on deck, coolly went back to the captain's room, put up two suits of clothing in a bag, came up on deck, tossed the bag down into the last boat, and quietly stood by the captain, who was the last to leave the vessel, and jumped overboard with him as the vessel went down. Captain and servant were taken into the boat and all rowed for the light-house; some of the officers were only in their night-clothes, and all of them saturated to the skin. As they stood round a fire of some sort, the servant quietly stepped up to the captain, and asked, 'Would you not like to put on a dry suit of clothing?' The captain looked up in astonishment, when the boy opened the door of the next room, and the captain saw, to his amazement, two suits of his own clothing spread out upon a bed." And this boy was a "heathen Chinee."—Christian Union.