The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 24
FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETYPage 1
Earlier text: JUDGE NOTTHE HOLIDAYS.
By Ellen G. White
We are rapidly approaching the season of the holidays, and many conscientious ones are now questioning what course they may pursue that will be pleasing in the sight of God. By the world the holidays are spent in frivolity and extravagance, gluttony and display. It is the prevailing custom at this time to make and receive presents. And it is no small burden upon the mind to know how to distribute these gifts among friends so that none will feel slighted. It is a fact that much envy and jealousy are often created by this custom of making presents. Thousands of dollars will be worse than thrown away upon the coming Christmas and New Year’s in needless indulgences. But it is our privilege to depart from the customs and practices of this degenerate age; and instead of expending means merely for the gratification of the appetite, or for needless ornaments or articles of clothing, we may make the coming holidays an occasion in which to honor and glorify God. We advise all our brethren and sisters to make a decided reform in regard to these festal days. Those who appreciate the gift of God’s dear Son to save them from ruin, now have a favorable opportunity to give tangible proofs of their gratitude by rendering to God their thank-offerings. Let old and young lay aside their mites as sacred offerings to God. If we would give to the cause of our Redeemer one-half as much as we have bestowed upon our friends, we would do much good and receive a blessing for giving. Let us seek to faithfully represent Christ on the coming festal days by imitating his example as he went about doing good. It is impossible to enjoy the approbation of God while living for self. As Christians who profess a living faith in the near coming of the Son of man, keeping all of God’s commandments, let us make earnest efforts to draw near to God through Jesus Christ, and make a covenant with him by sacrifice. In our principles of action we must be elevated above the customs and fashions of the world. Christ came to our world to elevate the minds of men to the divine level, and to bring them into sympathy with the mind of God. As every blessing we enjoy is brought to us through the condescension, humiliation, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we should render to him our best gifts, above all not withholding ourselves. The infinite sacrifice which Christ has made to free us from the guilt and woe of sin, should work in every heart a spirit of gratitude and self-denial which is not manifested by the world. God’s gift of Christ to man filled all Heaven with amazement, and inspired at his birth the angelic song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Christmas day, precious reminder of the sacrifice made in man’s behalf, should not be devoted to gluttony and self-indulgence, thus exalting the creature above the Creator. Let us who are partakers of this great salvation show that we have some appreciation of the gift, by rendering to God our thank-offerings. If we would indulge less in feasting and merriment upon these occasions, and instead make them the means of benefiting humanity, we should better meet the mind of God. It is a pleasure and gratification to exchange gifts with our friends; but are there not nobler and more glorious objects for which we may give our means, and thus do good by shedding light upon the pathway of others? There are many who have not books and publications upon present truth. Here is a large field where money can be safely invested. There are large numbers of little ones who should be supplied with reading. The Sunshine Series, Golden Grains Series, Poems, Sabbath Readings, etc., are all precious books, and may be introduced safely into every family. The many trifles usually spent in candies and useless toys, may be treasured up with which to buy these volumes. Children need proper reading, which will afford amusement and recreation, and not demoralize the mind or weary the body. If they are taught to love romance and newspaper tales, instructive books and papers will become distasteful to them. Most children and young people will have reading matter; and if it is not selected for them, they will select it for themselves. They can find a ruinous quality of reading anywhere, and they soon learn to love it; but if pure and good reading is furnished them, they will cultivate a taste for that. Especial efforts should be made to exclude from our homes that class of literature which can have no beneficial influence upon our children. Many times I have been pained to find upon the tables or in the book-cases of Sabbath-keepers, papers and books full of romance, which their children were eagerly perusing. There are those who profess to be brethren who do not take the REVIEW, Signs, Instructor, or Good Health, but take one or more secular papers. Their children are deeply interested in reading the fictitious tales and love stories which are found in these papers, and which their father can afford to pay for, although claiming that he cannot afford to pay for our periodicals and publications on present truth. Thus parents are educating the taste of their children to greedily devour the sickly, sensational stories found in newspaper columns. All such reading is poisonous; it leaves a stain upon the soul, and encourages a love for cheap reading which will debase the morals and ruin the mind. Parents should guard their children, and teach them to cultivate a pure imagination and to shun, as they would a leper, the love-sick pen pictures presented in newspapers. Let publications upon moral and religious subjects be found on your tables and in your libraries, that your children may cultivate a taste for elevated reading. Let those who wish to make valuable presents to their children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces, procure for them the children’s books mentioned above. For young people, the Life of Joseph Bates is a treasure; also the three volumes of Spirit of Prophecy. These volumes should be placed in every family in the land. God is giving light from Heaven, and not a family should be without it. Let the presents you shall make be of that order which will shed beams of light upon the pathway to Heaven. Anciently the children of Israel were commanded to keep three annual feasts each year: the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Feast of Weeks. The Lord gave directions that on these occasions their gifts and offerings were to be consecrated to him, and none should appear before him empty-handed. But in our day it has become fashionable to observe these festal occasions in a manner that would divert the mind from God instead of bringing glory to his name. Those whom God has blessed with prosperity should acknowledge the Giver, and feel that where much is given much will be required. Our holidays have been perverted from their intended use. Gifts are lavished upon one another, and praise which should have been given to God, to whom all these things belong, is bestowed upon poor mortals. Our houses of worship in Oakland and Battle Creek are under the pressure of debt. The Dime Tabernacle belongs to us all; we should all have a special interest in it. In order to accommodate the students at the College, the patients at the Sanitarium, the laborers at the Office, and the large number of worshipers constantly coming in from abroad, the erection of this spacious house of worship was a positive necessity. Great responsibilities rest upon those at Battle Creek, and also upon those whose arms should be reached out to sustain these interests at the great heart of the work. Not in all the world is there a battle field for truth and reform like this. Great interests are involved here. The Sabbath-school and College are educating the young, and determining the future destiny of souls. There is here a continual necessity of devising ways and means for the advancement of truth and the conversion of souls. Our people are not half awake to the demands of the times. The voice of Providence is calling upon all who have the love of God in their hearts to arouse to this great emergency. Never was there a time when so much was at stake as to-day. Never was there a period in which greater energy and self-sacrifice were demanded from God’s commandment-keeping people. We are now nearing the close of another year, and shall we not make these festal days opportunities in which to bring to God our offerings? I cannot say sacrifices, for we shall only be rendering to God that which is his already, and which he has only intrusted to us till he shall call for it. God would be well pleased if on Christmas, each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship. Letters of inquiry have come to us asking, Shall we have a Christmas tree? will it not be like the world? We answer, You can make it like the world if you have a disposition to do so, or you can make it as unlike the world as possible. There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen, and placing it in our churches; but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action, and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree. The tree may be as tall and its branches as wide as shall best suit the occasion; but let its boughs be laden with the golden and silver fruit of your beneficence, and present this to Him as your Christmas gift. Let your donations be sanctified by prayer, and let the fruit upon this consecrated tree be applied toward removing the debts from our houses of worship at Battle Creek, Mich., and Oakland, Cal. A word to the wise is sufficient. OUR FOREIGN MISSIONS.
By General Conference Committee
At our recent General Conference, the subject of our foreign missions received much attention. Perhaps the press of business and the want of time would not permit all that careful consideration which such an important subject demanded; but we can truly say the deepest interest was felt in their prosperity. The hearts of our people in America are drawn out toward our dear Brn. Andrews, Loughborough, and Matteson, who have left us to go among strangers away in distant lands, to preach the precious truths of the last message, and toward their fellow-laborers who have united with them in the work. We know they must experience hardships and trials of peculiar difficulty, which we can little realize in America. It is in all our hearts to sustain them by our earnest prayers in their behalf, and by our means as duty shall require. We feel that these are our missions, and nothing fills our hearts with greater joy than to learn of their prosperity. These dear brethren we know to be men of God, who would peril their lives to advance this cause and save precious souls for the Master. We greatly miss them, and feel their loss in the work here; but we know they are engaged in a branch of the work of the utmost importance, and for this reason we will try to bear patiently the loss we feel in their absence. When we take into consideration the final outcome of these missions, now in their infancy, the work, under God, they are yet to accomplish in warning the world of its approaching doom, and in gathering out a people prepared to meet the Lord in peace, our hearts are overwhelmed at the thought of the importance of their work. Think of the hundreds of millions of our fellow-men in Europe and the eastern world who are ignorant of God’s truth, and exposed to his wrath. The coming of Christ is just before us. “The great day is near, and hasteth greatly.” These missions must expand till their influence will be felt in all those countries. God has precious jewels there whom his work is sure to reach if we wisely improve the time, and make the best use of the means at our command. Bro. Andrews is located among the French and Germans, and is publishing, in their tongues, the great truths God has given us. Bro. Matteson has opened up a good work among the Scandinavian peoples, and encouraging progress is already being made. Bro. Loughborough has obtained a foothold in old England, upon whose dominions the sun never sets; and thousands of copies of our papers and tracts are being circulated there, and are being sent by English ships to all parts of the world. Reports recently received of this branch of the work are of thrilling interest, and suggest thoughts of what may and will be when these enterprises are firmly established and in full operation. Thus we see that many of the leading races and nations of the world are already having access to the light of present truth. And it is safe to say that there is no nation in Christendom or the world that may not be reached through them when these missions become fully established and do the work God would have them do. Hence we consider these by far the most important missions we shall ever establish till the close of time. Lesser ones may grow out of these; but these are the most important of any we shall ever see. We cannot, therefore, be too careful in perfecting their establishment, and laying their foundation securely. Every important building must have a good foundation; it must be firm and solid. Mistakes are liable to be made, and possibly may have been made already, in reaching out too far before we are prepared to do our work thoroughly. Those who come among us who have never had the benefit of a thorough acquaintance with our past experience, our doctrines and manner of labor, need careful instruction before they are fully qualified to build up the work properly. This is a peculiar work. Nothing exists in the world like it. Experience with other religious bodies in their manner of labor rather disqualifies than assists in labor among us. Those who have had this experience have much to unlearn before they are prepared to help build up this cause. The dear brethren of large experience who have gone to Europe to found these missions, will need to use special care in instructing those who join them in labor there, so that their work may be well done, and the believers there may be thoroughly established in all the truth. If they are not, great evils will result, and the work will have to be done over at great disadvantage. Economy in the use of means must be carefully looked after, and many such lessons as have been learned in the earlier days of our history in America must be taught. The first and most important work is to get these three leading missions thoroughly established, not merely in one town in each of these countries, but with separate churches here and there in each. The branches thus formed may support and strengthen each other, while uniting to sustain the important interests where our publishing work may be located. When these missions are firmly fixed, it will be time to establish others in distant countries. We firmly believe we can in this way work more successfully and economically than to reach out too far before we are prepared to hold what we have already started. Our publishing work in Europe is also a matter of the deepest interest. Already papers are issued regularly in French and Danish, and publications in German and other tongues are being sent out. We must soon issue papers in English from England. Means have been raised in this country for founding the publishing work there upon a stable basis. Many important and perplexing questions connected with this subject are arising, and the most careful plans and the closest investigation will be required in order to use money in the most economical manner and accomplish the important work we have in view. We long to see the day when thousands of our periodicals shall be regularly circulated to all the English-speaking dependencies of the British crown, as well as to other countries in Europe. But this, like every other important enterprise, must be built up from small beginnings, as the providence of God opens the way. It is much better to grow up gradually than to get ahead of Providence and suffer losses which will discourage our hearts and weaken our hands. We have reached a point of much interest and great perplexity. Our General Conference, in considering these matters tried to weigh them well, and while determined to do nothing rashly, nor lavish money unnecessarily, yet they mean to forward the work with ever-increasing momentum till the end shall come. God’s work cannot stop; it must not stop; it will not stop. Victory is before it. We must increase the efficiency of our missions. We must see our publishing work so consolidated and strengthened that it may exert a great influence in foreign countries. In order to secure these results, it is decided to have a general meeting of our missionaries at some central point in the old world, with some from America well qualified by their experience in the message and the publishing work, that they may counsel together as to the best means to forward these important interests. There are many important objects to be secured by such a council, among which are greater unity of effort, more system in the use and application of means, and greater efficiency and thoroughness in the work. We believe the time has come for a council of our missionaries in Europe. “In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” These brethren can be a help to each other. Brn. Matteson, Jasperson, and Brorsen, from the Scandinavian countries; Dr. Ribton and Bro. Bertola, from the Orient; Bro. Loughborough from England; Elds. Andrews, Ertzenberger, and others in Germany and Switzerland, and others whom these brethren may think it wise to invite, can meet with such persons as the General Conference Committee may see fit to send from America. We believe such a meeting would be of immense benefit to the cause in Europe. This will involve some expense; but it is cheaper going to Europe than to California, and we have never regretted sending help there from time to time. We believe plans might be laid which would, in the end, be a great saving of expense. We think some point in Switzerland would be the most central for such a gathering, and most productive of good to the cause. Such a meeting ought to be held as early as February, if not before. We would counsel our missionaries abroad to plan such a meeting at once, and correspond with the General Conference Committee in regard to it, as to when and where it shall be held. Our work is onward, and the Lord is giving us special light as to our duty. For years we have been talking of starting the publishing work in England. We feel that now we have come to the time for action. We firmly believe our people everywhere will be ready to support these missions as the providence of God opens the way before us. Smith Center, Nov. 28.—The interest in this place has been good from the beginning, still the people move slowly. It is rumored that we are to be challenged to discuss the Sabbath question. We are expecting strong opposition. Star Valley, Cherokee Co.—I am still continuing the work here. I cannot speak all the time now, for other appointments have been thrown in, first by a Mormon, then by a Presbyterian, and lastly by a Baptist minister. I think all have one common desire,—to overthrow the Sabbath. We have now held our first Sabbath meeting. About thirty were present. Quite a number expressed themselves firm in the truth. To-morrow I take up the subject of the nature of man. I think this will be a central point for meetings, as there are three churches within ten miles of this place, north, south, and west. We expect to visit faithfully, and hold what we have gained. Fowler Center, Trumbull Co., Dec. 2.— We began meetings Nov. 24 in the M. E. church at this place. We have held eight meetings, with an average attendance of one hundred. We have just opened the Sabbath question. Some show of fight is manifested by a Disciple minister. We desire the prayers of the faithful. R. A. UNDERWOOD.
N. J. BOWERS. Van Wert and Dunkirk, Dec. 2.— I met with the brethren at Van Wert Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 22, 23. The T. and M. work was taken up, two new members were obtained, and all expect to make this work a specialty hereafter. Nov. 24, I was called to Dunkirk to attend the funeral of a child of Bro. and Sr. Packer. The T. and M. and H. and T. work received attention. Members to both societies were obtained. Since that time I have been holding meetings here, with a fair interest. About $10 worth of books and papers have been taken. One has decided to keep the Lord’s Sabbath, and one desires baptism. This is my home and the place where I commenced the observance of the Sabbath over two years ago, under very unfavorable circumstances and encountering the bitterest opposition. Pray for me, that others, through my influence, may see the warning message of the third angel.
G. G. RUPERT. GENERAL CONFERENCE.
By James White; Uriah Smith
A strong appeal having been made for Vermont by C. W. Stone, this led to a consideration, for some time, of the wants of the cause, and the dearth of laborers in important fields, whereupon it was Moved, That Elds. D. M. Canright, S. N. Haskell, and C. W. Stone be a committee to consider and report what can be done toward sending a laborer to Vermont.—Carried. Fifteenth Meeting.—Nov. 26, 6 P. M. Prayer by Eld. Jas. White. Minutes of previous meeting approved. The committees not being prepared to report, Eld. Butler spoke of the propriety of making the Missouri Conference a legally-incorporated body, qualified to hold the title to meeting-houses and other church property, so that should a church having a meeting-house cease to exist from removals or any other cause, the property would not be lost to the Conference. The Chairman raised the inquiry why it would not be well to act upon the same principle in respect to the General Conference, Missionary Society, etc. It was then Moved, That this matter be referred to the General Conference Committee.—Carried. Eld. Haskell being called to the chair, Eld. Jas. White introduced the following preambles and resolutions:— Whereas, The S. D. Baptists have for many years observed, taught, and defended the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and are known to us through their delegates to our General Conference as a body of Christian Sabbath-keepers possessing a good degree of culture, liberality of sentiment, and Christian forbearance, therefore Resolved, That we deem them worthy of our respect and love, and that it is for the interest of the Sabbath cause that the two bodies of Christian commandment-keepers labor to sustain friendly relations to each other; and Whereas, Certain preachers, who professed to be S. D. Adventists, at an early date in our brief history, did seek their field of labor in the localities where there were S. D. Baptist churches, and did weaken some of their feeble churches, and blot out others, resulting in harm and only harm, to the great grief of the S. D. Baptists, therefore Resolved, That our S. D. Baptist brethren had just cause for complaint, and that it is the sense of this Conference that our preachers are violating the Golden Rule—Do unto others as you would have them do to you—in seeking their fields of labor where S. D. Baptist churches are located. Resolved, That while we deplore the spirit of prejudice and unkindness manifested by certain S. D. Baptist ministers toward S. D. Adventists, we deeply regret the injury done to individuals and to feeble churches, about twenty years since, by those men whom we could not control, and who have since done S. D. Adventists tenfold the injury they did the S. D. Baptists, resulting in weakening and grieving both denominations. And while we pledge our influence against such wrongs in the future, we ask not to be held responsible for that which we have no power to control. These were unanimously adopted. Sixteenth Meeting.—Nov. 28, 10:30 A. M. Prayer by Eld. Jas. White. Minutes of previous meeting approved. The Chair, according to a vote passed in the fifth meeting, appointed the committee to inquire into the status of the cause in the southern field, as follows: B. L. Whitney, D. M. Canright, and U. Smith. The Chair, also, according to vote passed in the thirteenth meeting that he should name two others to act with himself as a committee on a course of reading and study for ministers, named U. Smith and S. Brownsberger. Eld. G. I. Butler then introduced the following, which were unanimously adopted:— Whereas, The subjects of health and temperance have been intimately connected with this cause, and are of themselves of the most eminent importance to the well-being of our fellow-men; and Whereas, God has providentially connected with this cause a Sanitarium, where the sick may be treated, and the laws of health and temperance may be taught by those eminently qualified to do so, which has already done great good, and may, if properly appreciated, accomplish much more; and Whereas, In this reading age, when the press wields such a mighty influence, comparatively little can be done to move the minds of the people without its assistance; and every good cause finds it a leading instrumentality with which to accomplish its object; and Whereas, God, in his providence, has connected with our work Good Health, a journal devoted especially to these great and important subjects, a journal ably edited, pure in tone and sentiment, containing a vast amount of information greatly needed by the public everywhere to educate them in these principles so necessary to their well-being here and hereafter; and Whereas, The success of the Sanitarium in the great work it has undertaken depends largely upon the success of Good Health in this work of educating public sentiment and creating an interest in the proper treatment of disease, and in calling the attention of the suffering to its many facilities for this object; therefore Resolved, That we urge upon our people the importance of making special efforts to extend the circulation of Good Health by all proper means, and also our other health and temperance literature. Resolved, That we deplore the lack of interest which some manifest in the great health and temperance movement, and we urge upon our people everywhere the importance of reading up on these subjects, till they become intelligently familiar with the principles of health and temperance reform. Eld. J. Fulton spoke further in reference to Ontario as a field of labor, and the help needed there at the present time. Seventeenth Meeting.—Nov. 30, 3 P. M. Prayer by Eld. James White. Minutes of last meeting approved. The committee on the matter of procuring a laborer for Vermont reported by presenting the following:— Resolved, That in view of the urgent appeal from the Vermont Conference made at its last session, the General Conference recommend that Eld. Geo. I. Butler visit Vermont this winter, and labor there and in the New England and Maine Conferences three months, or more. On motion to adopt this report, Eld. Butler remarked that if the Conference so decided, he would go and do what he could in the time specified; but he asked the Conference to look carefully at the circumstances and consider whether it was appropriate, after he had been elected president of two Conferences in the West, which were both in most urgent need of help, to send him to a distant field in another part of the country, which could not possibly be in greater need of labor than the Conferences of which he had been put in charge. The motion to adopt was further discussed by S. N. Haskell, Jas. White, and W. C. White, and lost. Eld. C. W. Stone then offered the following:— Resolved, That Eld. A. O. Burrill be recommended to go to Vermont to labor for a period of two or three years, or more. An amendment was offered to substitute the name of J. O. Corliss for that of A. O. Burrill. Under a suspension of the rules, the following resolution was introduced and adopted:— Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with Eld. J. O. Corliss in his sickness which made it necessary for him to leave the encouraging field of labor in Ontario; and we pledge our brotherly care and our prayers for his recovery, that he may return to his field of labor in that State at the opening of the next tent season. The question of the amendment being resumed, the amendment was lost. Another amendment was offered, adding the words, “at the opening of next tent season,” so that the resolution would read, “Resolved, That Eld. A. O. Burrill be recommended to go to Vermont, at the opening of next tent season, to labor for a period of two or three years, or more;” which amendment prevailed. The motion, as amended, was then carried. The committee to nominate the two remaining members of the Missionary Board, reported by recommending that it be left with the seven members already elected to fill the two remaining vacancies. The report was accepted. Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee to assist Bro. White in procuring necessary help.—Carried. Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee of three to examine all our blanks, S. S. and T. and M. books, and suggest such improvements therein as they may deem necessary; and also to suggest a form for an S. B. book.—Carried. The question of the publication of a paper in England, and the shipment of a quantity of reading matter for distribution in Sweden, was taken up and discussed at some length. The subject was finally referred by motion to the General Conference Committee. A motion to recommend leading brethren who have the principal part to act in the transaction of business matters to be on the ground at the time of camp-meetings three or four days before the regular meetings commence, in order to prepare business and make the camp-meetings more interesting, was withdrawn after being discussed by B. L. Whitney, G. I. Butler, H. Grant, J. G. Saunders, Smith Sharp, and W. C. White; and the following was offered in its place:— Moved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Chair to suggest such improvements in the manner of holding our camp-meetings as shall make them most profitable, and to report through the Review.—Carried. Eighteenth Meeting.—Dec. 1, 9:30 A. M. Prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. Minutes of previous meeting approved. Moved, That Eld. James White and wife be hereby appointed as delegates from the General Conference of S. D. Adventists to the next General Conference of S. D. Baptists.—Carried. Moved, That we recommend the Michigan Conference to take under its supervision, as a part of its territory, the province of Ontario.—Carried. The committee to be appointed by the Chair on revision of blanks, etc., was named as follows: B. L. Whitney, M. H. Brown, and Smith Sharp. The time for which Eld. J. H. Waggoner was sent by the Conference to the Pacific Coast to take charge of The Signs of the Times, having expired, it was Moved, That the matter of Eld. Waggoner’s further continuance with the Signs be referred to the General Conference Committee.—Carried. W. C. White stated that he had been requested at an informal meeting of the brethren to appoint a committee of five to prepare leaflets for distribution at camp-meetings, and he would appoint D. M. Canright, C. W. Stone, U. Smith, S. H. Lane, and W. C. Gage. Thereupon it was Moved, That this action, subject to revision, be sanctioned by the General Conference.—Carried. Moved, To revise the appointment by substituting the name of W. C. White for that of W. C. Gage.—Carried. The committee on camp-meetings, to be appointed by the Chair, was named as follows: B. L. Whitney, J. Fargo, W. C. White, H. Grant, and H. W. Decker. Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee of three to consider the following questions: 1. How long it is desirable for church elders, deacons, and clerks to hold their office without a re-election; 2. What the duties are which pertain to each office; 3. What majority should be considered necessary to elect officers, expel members, etc.—Carried. Elds. Geo. I. Butler, H. W. Decker, and J. Fargo were appointed as said committee. The following resolutions were introduced by Eld. B. L. Whitney:— Resolved, That we recommend that our ministers furnish quarterly reports of their labor, expenses, and receipts, to the secretary of the Conference to which they belong. Resolved, That we instruct the committee on the revision of blanks, to prepare blanks for quarterly and annual reports of ministers. After some discussion these were adopted. The following resolution, passed at a ministers’ meeting, was introduced and adopted as an act of the Conference:— Whereas, God has again most mercifully and graciously spoken to us as ministers, in words of admonition and reproof through the gift of the spirit of prophecy; and Whereas, These instructions are just and timely, and of the utmost importance in their relation to our future labors and usefulness; therefore Resolved, That we hereby express our sincere and devout thanksgiving to God that he has not left us in our blindness, as he might justly have done, but has given us another opportunity to overcome, by faithfully pointing out our sins and errors, and teaching us how we may please God and become useful in his cause. Resolved, That, while it is right and proper that we express our thankfulness to God and his servants in this manner, yet the best manner of expressing our gratitude is to faithfully heed the testimony that has been borne to us; and we hereby pledge ourselves to make a most earnest effort to reform on those points wherein we have been shown to be deficient, and to be obedient to the will of God thus graciously made known to us. TEXAS CONFERENCE.
By R. M. Kilgore; A. S. Chrisman
The first annual session of the Texas State Conference of S. D. Adventists was held on the Dallas camp-ground, Nov. 5-11, 1879. The first meeting, Nov. 7, was called to order by the President, Eld. R. M. Kilgore. Opening prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. Minutes of last meeting read and accepted. Seven delegates were present, representing the churches at Cleburne, Dallas, Peoria, and Terrell. The church at Denison was received into the Conference, with Geo. Ellis as delegate. Bro. Butler was cordially invited to assist in the deliberations of the Conference, and all members in good standing were invited to take part without the privilege of voting. The Chair, being by vote authorized to appoint the usual committees, announced the following: On Nominations, A. W. Jenson, W. J. Kerr, A. H. King; on Resolutions, Geo. I. Butler, H. Hunter, John Wilson; Credentials and Licenses, R. A. Miller, Chas. Wilson, H. C. Chrisman; on Auditing, D. C. Brooks, J. M. Huguley, D. Carpenter, W. J. Kerr, Frank Green, M. G. Dillon. Adjourned to call of Chair. The second meeting, Nov. 9, was opened with prayer by Eld. R. M. Kilgore. The Committee on Nominations submitted the following report: For President, R. M. Kilgore; Secretary, A. S. Chrisman; Treasurer, James Gague; Executive Committee, R. M. Kilgore, R. A. Miller, and H. C. Chrisman. The appointment of the camp-meeting committee was left to the President, who named the191 following as said committee: Frank Green, L. H. Huguley, and Charles Wilson. The Committee on Credentials and Licenses recommended that Bro. A. W. Jenson receive license to labor among those of his native tongue. Adjourned to call of Chair. The third meeting was held Nov. 10. Prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. The Committee on Resolutions submitted the following:— Whereas, The General Conference has sent us Bro. Geo. I. Butler to assist us at this camp-meeting, therefore Resolved, That we tender that body a vote of thanks for his efficient labors during this meeting, and that we will endeavor to carry out in our lives the rich instruction which we have received. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the evidences he has been pleased to give us that the gifts of his Spirit were to continue in the church, and that it is our privilege to express our increased faith in the spirit of prophecy so manifestly connected with the third angel's message. Resolved, That we request the General Conference to furnish us, from time to time, such help in our general gatherings as they may deem best; and we also request them to send us an efficient laborer to assist Bro. Kilgore in his work in this broad State, if such help can be spared without injuring the cause in other fields. Whereas, We find that camp-meetings largely advance the interests of the cause and our spiritual welfare, therefore Resolved, That we will punctually attend these important gatherings, and in the future manifest more interest in them than we have shown in the past. Whereas, A temperance movement has been entered into by our people, therefore Resolved, That we heartily indorse the present national temperance movement, recently commenced among us, as it supplies a want long felt and presents the most sensible temperance platform we have ever known; and we cordially invite all our brethren and sisters to sign the teetotal pledge, and labor earnestly to forward the great temperance reform. Whereas, We are indebted to Messrs. Lago and Elliot for assistance kindly rendered us at this camp-meeting, therefore Resolved, That we tender Mr. Lago a vote of thanks for the free use of our camp-ground, also a like vote to Mr. Elliot for the free use of his lumber. BEYOND THE RIVER.
By L. E. Miller
We shall meet beyond the river,
When the storms of life are o’er,
Naught shall then our hearts e’er sever,
When we reach the golden shore. Oh, the glorious day is dawning,
And I see the beams of light,
For I’m looking for the morning
That shall end in glory bright. Lift your eyes, ye sad and weary,
See the mansions bright above;
For the night so long and dreary,
Ends in joy, and light, and love. Are thine eyes now dim with weeping,
O’er earth partings, hard to bear,
For the loved ones who are sleeping,
Once so joyous, bright, and fair? Lift thine eyes, why yield to sadness?
For the Saviour will provide;
He will turn thy grief to gladness,
Ever in thy heart abide. Jesus lives, he lives forever,
And his saints will joyful meet
In that home beyond the river,
Where our bliss shall be complete. Lincoln Township, Adams Co., Nov. 27.—I have labored here twelve days, giving thirteen discourses. Two district school-houses are open to me. The interest is good so far. I have obtained three subscribers to Advent Tidende, and sold some books. I am about to take up the Sabbath question, and the test will soon come. I am in health, and of good courage. Pray for me. JOHN F. HANSON.