p. 63 | Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 4. (7/14/1868)

Earlier text: Prayer for Isolated Believers

“Seven Times.”

By Lynde Palmer

LITTLE Milly, who felt very happy sitting in the sunshine, was anxious to do something to please the good God who had made such a beautiful world. So, as she learned her verse, “And if thy brother trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him,”—her gray eyes looked very thoughtful, and her small mouth grew firm with some very important resolution.

Pretty soon down stairs she came to the sitting-room, and found nobody there but brother Frank, who had two years the start of her in the race of life, but was not so far ahead as you might suppose. He was looking very discontented. The first words she heard were,

“Real mean!”

“What’s real mean?”

“Real mean to spend such a day as this in school!” and the book he held in his hand was transferred to his foot and sent spinning in the air, from whence it returned with a broken back, and two fluttering leaves.

“O Frank! isn’t that my arithmetic, and you know I was trying to keep it like a new book?” cried Milly.

“I declare it is. I thought it was mine; I’m very sorry; won’t you forgive me?” said Frank in a tone of real regret.

“Yes,” said Milly, slowly picking up the scattered leaves, and thinking of her verse, “Yes, I suppose so;” and under her breath she added, “One.”

Breakfast over, they started for school together.

“Milly,” cried Frank, suddenly, “here comes a big dog—tongue out, red eyes! Look out for hydrophobia! Run for your life!”

Poor Milly ran forward in great terror, too frightened to see where she stepped. Down went one foot in a treacherous hole, and the rest of Milly came tumbling after. This was a serious mishap; for the skin was quite rubbed off from one dimpled elbow, and, worst of all, one of the Morocco shoes—bright as a mirror—had a great white unsightly graze. Milly burst into tears, not about the elbow, for she could bear pain like a hero, and she knew that Nature, with the help of that experienced old tailor, Time, would soon set in a patch so nicely joined that she could never find the seam; but the new shoe, that was hopeless.

“O Frank, how could you? And the dog was only good old Cato, that would not hurt a fly.”

“Why, Millie, I’m sure I never thought you’d fall. I only meant to give you a nice little run. It is too bad that you’re hurt. I am so sorry; won’t you forgive me?”

“Yes, I’ll try,” said Milly, swallowing a lump in her throat. “Two,” she sighed softly to herself.

At school Frank was very aggravating, and Milly had great temptation to forget her verse. He borrowed her slate pencil and lost it, and once when she went up to her class, he put his feet in the way, and Milly, stumbling over them, fell, to her great mortification, and the laughter of the school. But Frank was so sorry. How could he help it? He tried very hard to keep them under the desk, but there was room there only for one. He was sorry, and patient Milly had to forgive him.

There were two or three other grievances in the morning which I have not time to relate. We will pass on to the time when school was out, and Milly found, to her great dismay, that there had been a change in the weather, and the rain was pouring down in torrents; but chivalrous Frank borrowed an umbrella, and taking Milly’s plump hand under his arm, started off as valiant as Greatheart.

“Look out! you swing the umbrella so that half the time it drips on my head,” cried Milly.

“A little water won’t hurt you, will it?” cried careless Frank.

But when they reached home, poor Milly found that the coloring matter had run from the umbrella, and long dingy streams disfigured the cherry lining of her pretty hood.

“Well, now, that is too bad,” cried Frank, observing her look of blank dismay.

“Well, Milly, you know I didn’t mean to. I’m sure you’d forgive me if you knew how sorry I felt.”

“I do forgive you,” said Milly with an effort, and she counted something on her fingers. “Seven,” said she to herself, with a great sigh of relief.

“What have you been counting all day, Milly?” asked Frank, curiously.

Milly did not answer; but as she ran in to dinner, a very self-satisfied smile was on her face, and she repeated to herself, “Seven times. Well, I hope God has been pleased, for it has been very hard; and I am so glad it’s over, for I don’t think I could hold out any longer.”

It rained so hard in the afternoon that Milly and Frank were allowed to stay at home and study in the play-room.

“Oh dear,” said Frank with a yawn, “before I begin this ‘rule of three that puzzles me,’ let’s have one little tune out of that music box that Uncle Charley gave you.”

Milly’s eyes brightened. She could not resist the temptation, and running from the room she soon returned with the treasure. Carefully she put in the little key and turned it with great caution; but mischievous Frank slipped in a little wooden wedge to the delicate works, and when she paused and listened, with smiling lips, and head turned on one side, the wonderful box was mute.

“What is it?” cried she, turning quite pale.

“Oh,” said Frank magnificently, “don’t be alarmed. I’m a great magician. Just let me put my finger in the box one second, and all will be right.”

Milly entrusted it to him with trembling hands. In went Frank’s confident fingers, but they pulled out the wedge a little too roughly. Snap! went some delicate spring. There was a dreary noise, as if the whole box were going to fly in pieces, and then all was still again. Frank examined the box with a dismayed face.

“Milly,” said he at length, with an effort, “it’s broken—spoiled! Can you ever forgive me?”

“No,” said Milly, stamping her little foot, and bursting into vehement tears—“I can’t, and I needn’t either. It is the eighth time! My dear, darling music box! You did it on purpose! You are bad to me! I’ll run right to your room and tear your kite and spoil everything I can find.”

Poor, remorseful Frank offered no opposition, and across the hall she ran, with streaming eyes and burning cheeks, and stumbled right into Uncle Charley’s arms.

“Hity tity! what’s the matter now?” But before the words were out of his mouth she was pouring forth her pitiful story.

Uncle Charley looked grave when she finished. “And so you think it right to be angry now?”

“Yes,” said little Milly, impetuously. “It is quite right. I’ve forgiven him seven times. This makes eight.”

“But didn’t you know,” said Uncle Charley, “that there is another verse in which Jesus tells Peter not only to forgive his brother seven times, but until seventy times seven?”

“Seventy times seven,” cried Milly, looking bewildered. “Oh, I am sorry I ever begun. I shall have to give up trying to please God that way.”

“I hope not,” said Uncle Charley.

“But you don’t know how hard it is to keep forgiving and forgiving,” wept little Milly.

“Yes, I think I do. And I shouldn’t wonder if the disciples knew it, too. It certainly is hard, but we must always keep trying, and not count the times either; for I think seventy times seven means that we should always forgive.”

“Oh, I can’t do it,” sobbed Milly, turning decidedly away from poor Frank, who stood in the doorway, the image of despair.

“I’ll give you my new book of travels, Milly, and save all my money until I can buy you another box,” cried Frank, in doleful tones.

But Milly would not listen.

“Very well, I would advise you not to say ‘Our Father’ for a day or two,” said Uncle Charley.

“Why,” said Milly, in surprise.

“Why, just think how very sad it would be to have to pray in this way: ‘And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive Frank, who has trespassed against us.’”

Milly’s cheeks grew burning red. She hesitated a moment, and then crying, “I can’t give up ‘Our Father,’” she ran to the sorrowful figure in the door, threw her arms around his neck, and had a good cry on the left pocket of his brown roundabout.

Good-hearted, blundering Frank has grown much more tender and careful of his little sister since then, and as for her, if you should ask Frank, “How often does Milly forgive now, till seven times?” you would see his honest eyes fill with affectionate tears, as he answers softly,

“Milly is too good to count, and I don’t dare to; but I am quite sure till seventy times seven.”—Lynde Palmer.

Youth's Department.

By Children's Guest

“FEED MY LAMBS.”

A CHILD'S FAITH.

“How sweet it is my child, To live by simple faith; Just to believe that God will do Exactly what he saith.”

“Does faith mean to believe That God will surely do Exactly what he says, mamma? Just as I know that you Will give me what I ask, Because you love me well, And listen patiently to hear Whatever I may tell?”

“Yes, you may trust in God, Just as you trust in me; Believe, dear child, he loves you well, And will your Father be.

For when you sought his love, Your Father up in Heaven Looked kindly down for Jesus' sake, And has your sins forgiven.

To pray in faith my child, Is humbly to believe That what you ask in Jesus' name, You surely shall receive.

Go with your simple wants, And tell him all you need; Go put your trust in Christ alone; Such faith is sweet indeed.” —Children's Guest.

Modern Fable.

Soon High, Soon Low!—“Mother,” said a little daisy, which had lost sight of the sun under the shadow of a huge mushroom, “isn’t it unbearable? Here we, who have been patiently growing and putting forth bud after bud and leaf after leaf, from the very dawn of spring, and have gradually increased to a very decent family, through summer and the opening of the autumn, suddenly buried, eclipsed, lost, under the shade of this monstrous creature, the growth of a day or two!” “Never mind, child,” said the Parent Plant; “my experience of those things is that they perish as quickly as they rise; we advance slowly but surely, and strengthen as we grow; the very rapidity with which a mushroom runs up, carries in it the sentence of a brief existence. Be patient; it will soon vanish, and we shall see the sun again.”

Self-denial of a Child.

By Young Pilgrim

LITTLE HENRY had been quite sick. When he was slowly recovering, and just able to be up and about the room, he was left alone a short time, when his sister came in eating a piece of cake. Henry's mother had told him he must eat nothing but what she gave him, and that it would not be safe for him to have what the other children did till he was stronger.

His appetite was coming back; the cake looked inviting; he wanted very much to take a bite of it, and his kind sister would gladly have given it to him. What did he do?

“Jennie,” said he, “you must run right out of the room away from me with that cake, and I'll keep my eyes shut while you go, so that I shan't want it.”

Wasn't that a good way for a little boy of seven years to get out of temptation? I think so. And when I heard of it, I thought that there are a great many times when children, and grown people too, if they would remember little Henry's way, would escape from sin and trouble.

“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way,” was the Psalmist's prayer, and it is a good one for each of us.—Young Pilgrim.

MISPLACED SHAME.

Mr. Beecher writes to the Ledger: “Explain to me, if you can, Mr. Bonner, why it is that so many young people are ashamed to have it thought they have no money? or why is it that they are ashamed of economy in the management of slender means, and of frugality in living? There is no disgrace in being an acorn before being an oak. Young people frequently wish that they were grown men; but they are not ashamed of being young! No one is ashamed to have it discovered that his strength, knowledge, and skill, are proportioned to his years. But these same persons will blush and suffer shame at being supposed not to have money, under circumstances in which all the sensible world knows that they ought to have none!”

A WORD FOR BOYS.

Truth is one of the rarest gems. Many a youth has been lost to society by allowing it to tarnish, and foolishly throwing it away. If this gem still shines in your bosom, suffer nothing to displace or dim its lustre. Profanity is a mark of low breeding. Show us the man who commands the best respect; an oath never trembles on his tongue. Read the catalogue of crime. Inquire the character of those who depart from virtue. Without a single exception, you will find them to be profane. Think of this, and let not a vile word disgrace you.

Present Work.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Now is the time to work, the future is the time of reward. The Lord is calling us to work, not because he is needy, but for our good. We need the benefit to be derived from the exercise of hands and hearts in sending abroad the truth and helping the needy.

We need the opportunity to prove by deeds that our affections are not on the present world, but on that which is to come. God is giving us a chance to manifest the spirit of Christ by our liberality and disinterested benevolence in the great work of saving men.

We have regarded Isa. lviii, as synchronous with the last message. But we have too much overlooked the acceptable fast there pointed out. It is a great blessing that our attention has been called to it. I must have a share in the Benevolent Association, and also some stock in the California Mission. My prayers go with my brethren who have left their homes to go far away among strangers to preach the everlasting gospel and wear out in the labor of saving men; and I believe that God will permit me to second my prayers by doing something to aid in the work.

Come brethren, let us improve the opportunity of proving to God that our hearts are in the work. R. F. C.

WISCONSIN CONVOCATION NOTICE.

By John Harvey Waggoner; J. M. Aldrich; G. W. Amadon; W. C. Gage

ON receiving the article from Bro. White, entitled “Future Labors,” there was a consultation held in the Office, and the following points were considered:

1. Bro. White’s opinion is that it is appointed at the wrong time.

2. It is also his opinion that Bro. J. N. Andrews will not be present at that meeting, if held at the time appointed.

3. It seems to be necessary that one of the General Conference Committee should be present at such meetings; and if no one should be, we heartily concur in Bro. White’s opinion, that it will fail to accomplish the end desired.

4. We have no time to correspond with the Wisconsin Committee in regard to the matter, and to give them opportunity to examine the reasons for a reconsideration of their action.

Therefore, we take the liberty to say that the Convocation Meeting of Wisconsin is postponed for the present, and would suggest that the labors of one of the Gen. Conf. Committee be secured for the meeting.

We trust the brethren in Wisconsin will not be tried with us for our action. We do not take the responsibility of this step without careful consideration; and we think time will convince all that this is the most prudent course for us to pursue.

We expect immediate correspondence will be held between the Gen. Conf. Com. and the Wis. Conf. Com.

J. H. WAGGONER, J. M. ALDRICH, G. W. AMADON, W. C. GAGE.

To the Brethren in Ohio.

By John Harvey Waggoner

THE present labors of Bro. White may render it necessary to put the State Conference off for a few weeks, in order to secure his attendance; but this can make no difference with you under present circumstances. Due notice will be given.

The brethren of the church of Clyde are few, but are all urgent that the Conference be held there. We presume they have “counted the cost,” and know best what they can do. The tent can accommodate a great many brethren in good weather.

Be patient, and pray. We will soon announce what meetings will be held by Bro. and Sr. White.

Since writing the above a note from Bro. White has been received on Future Labors, to which you are referred.

J. H. WAGGONER.

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

On and after July 1, 1868, Passenger Trains will run on this road as follows:

GOING WEST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EXP.
Detroit,	6:45 A.M.	9:30 A.M.	5:25 P.M.	9:10 P.M.
Battle Creek,	12:45 P.M.	2:15 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	2:00 A.M.
Chicago, Arrive,	7:40 P.M.	8:00 P.M.	6:30 A.M.	8:50 A.M.

GOING EAST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EXP.
Chicago,	5:00 A.M.	8:00 A.M.	5:15 P.M.	9:30 P.M.
Battle Creek,	12:03 P.M.	1:48 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	3:37 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive,	5:55 P.M.	6:30 P.M.	3:40 A.M.	8:25 A.M.

These trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.

The Reformer.

In our notice of the Reformer last week we promised to give the contents of No. 1, and the notice of new arrangements for the new volume. By some oversight the notice was omitted. We give it below, and call attention to it:

“NEW VOLUME—NEW ARRANGEMENTS.—Our readers will be gratified with the appearance of this number, and the arrangements for the current volume. In order to insure a general interest in its contents, the Reformer is now published under the direction of an Editorial Committee of twelve, composed of physicians, ministers, and others, all ardent health reformers, whose interests and energies will be united to make the Reformer a first-class, practical health-reform journal. The Editorial Committee have no pecuniary interest in its publication; their labors are volunteered for the benefit of the cause which the Reformer advocates.

“Again, Dr. R. T. Trall, of New York, who has a world-wide reputation as an author, publisher, and lecturer, on the subjects of life and health, has suspended the publication of his monthly, the Gospel of Health, and thrown his interest into the Reformer, to which he will hereafter be a constant contributor; and in addition to his general articles, he will have a Special Department for his own correspondence, so that our readers will receive the benefit of answers to questions and advice to invalids, both from Dr. Trall and the physicians at the Health Reform Institute. And the regular correspondents of the late Gospel of Health will become contributors to the Reformer.”

“With this arrangement we have found it necessary to increase the size by the addition of four pages; and if this does not afford sufficient room to carry out fully all the other improvements, it is contemplated to make a still further enlargement.

“In these arrangements we have presented extra inducements to our friends to renew their subscriptions promptly, and to assist in extending its circulation among their friends and neighbors. We think that we shall present you a journal that you may safely and confidently recommend—one that will both honor and greatly advance the important cause for which we are laboring.”

Quarterly Meetings in Minnesota

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Quarterly Meetings in Minnesota.

AUGUST 8, 9, at Pleasant Grove, where Bro. Crandall shall appoint. Aug. 15, 16, at Greenwood Prairie. 22, 23, Pine Island. 29, 30, Mantorville. Sept. 5, 6, Deerfield. 12, 13, Mapleton, where Bro. Mericle shall appoint. 19, 20, Brush Creek. 26, 27, Jo Daviess.

Providence permitting, I shall attend all the above Quarterly Meetings. Let all come praying for a divine blessing to be bestowed upon us.

Bro. Ingraham is expected to commence a course of lectures at the Mapleton Quarterly Meeting. For Committee. STEPHEN PIERCE.

THE next Quarterly Meeting at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis., will be held July 25 and 26. N. M. JORDON.

PROVIDENCE favoring, I will meet with the church in Charlotte, Sabbath, July 18. First-day, 19th, at 10½ A. M., I will preach a funeral sermon at Maxson’s Corners, in the town of Chester. By request. J. H. WAGGONER.

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.

A limited space will be given under this head for Business Notices from the brethren, at 20 cents per line for each insertion. Parties must give good reference as to their standing and responsibility.

For Sale, or to Rent.

A HOME, containing forty acres, pleasantly situated ¾ of a mile west of Watrousville; a desirable location for a Sabbath-keeper with small family. For sale, or to rent for a term of years. Further particulars, address

JOHN E. FREEMAN.

Watrousville, Tus. Co., Mich.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

A full Catalogue of Important Publications on Prophecy and other Bible subjects issued at this Office, sent free on application.

Business Notes.

J. G. Wood: Do in the matter as seems best; though as a general thing we prefer to follow strictly the plan named in the REVIEW.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. J M Elting 32-13, E M Emery 33-1, Mrs N Barber 33-1, E Barber 33-1, L Smith 33-1, V Fairbanks 33-1, J A Carson 33-3, B Vore 33-3, M F Conklin 32-17, J B Tinker 33-1, W L Reeves 33-1, D H Light 33-1, M H Hyatt 33-1, Mrs N Cummings 33-1, Mrs A White 32-1, R H Johnson 32-12, G A Thomas 33-4, E Miner 33-4.

$1.50 each. O A Heath 33-3, M A Merrick 32-1, A H Bellinger 34-1, M P Hopkins 33-1, D Myers 32-1, C G Saterlee 33-1, Mrs E Hurlburt 33-1, C Buck 33-1, L M Fuller 33-1, E Eaton 32-18, J Marvin 33-1, C H Kimball 34-1, P Day 32-17, I D Cramer 33-1, M Chase 35-15.

$2.00 each. Geo McDowell 32-14, E B Carpenter 32-1, B Morrill 34-1, M P West 34-1, J Pool 32-9.

$3.00 each. J G Wood 34-1, M J Bell 35-1, B M Osgood 34-1, J P Munsell 33-10, W Harris 34-1, M W West 34-1, Mrs E Morey 34-1, J M Foster 34-1, W Coon 34-1, C Chaffee 34-1, M D Clarke 34-3, D Styles 33-1, L P Baldwin 34-1, I Weston 33-14, J A Horner 33-1, H Evans 34-4, J D Hough 34-1, W S Lane 34-1, E Breed 34-4.

Miscellaneous. E Gilad 50c 33-1, E C Boaz 85c 35-1, R K McCune $2.50 33-1, J C Walmarth 2.25 33-1, J McMillan 2.50 33-6.

Cash Received on Account.

A H Clymer 57c, J W Raymond $4.40, Eld Jas White 8.00, L A Grover for E F Andrews 3.35.

Books Sent by Mail.

Jane Clayson 15c, P Vedder $1.00, T Alverson 65c, E Ireland 15c, J P Munsell 1.12, S A Allen 1.12, A E Dart 15c, E H Root 3.36, T McGinnis 1.50, T H Coalwell 75c, Mrs L J Bishop 5.00, A Fay 4.00, T S Emery 45c, J Harvey 25c, O Chaffee 1.00, E C Boaz 85c, I L Green 15c, O E Green 15c, S H Paton 25c, C W Sawyer 25c, M K Chamberlain 1.00, C M Joslin 1.95, W Seaman 15c, M E Johnson 10c, L R Chapel 1.50, L A Grover 25c, H Clark 20c, J Dorland 15c, R K McCune 75c, C W Hartshorn 15c, L Winston 50c, J A Weeks 55c, H Bonfoey 1.25, T M Steward 1.50, F Cornell 50c, A M Benjamin 25c, H Abbott 15c, S Pierce 75c, R H Johnson 1.00, L Hersey 1.00, J McMillan 40c, L M Locke 55c, Mrs A W Nourse 5.13, T H Hills 4.00.

Received on Book and Tract Fund.

A W Maynard $10.00, A Bisbee 5.00, J Marvin 2.00, Asenath Warren 25c.

Receipts for Benevolent Fund.

A H Clymer $10.00, J G Wood 10.00, Adaline Wood 2.00, E P Osgood 1.00, B M Osgood 1.00, Mrs E Rodman 5.00, C O Taylor 10.00, M W Taylor 10.00, A Tuttle 50c, A Green 25c, E Spencer 2.00, Sarah B Sturges 1.00, Antoinette Ede 5.00, Mrs F M Ede 2.50, I D Cramer 2.00.

For California Mission.

A H Clymer $4.43, J G Wood 5.00, T Francis 1.00, E P Osgood 1.00, B M Osgood 1.00, Amelia Shireman 5.00, E M Crandall 2.00, P C Rodman 5.00, John Kemp 2.00, B Salisbury 5.00, Daniel Andre 10.00, Sarah B Sturges 1.00, Antoinette Ede 5.00, Mrs F M Ede 2.50, W S Lane 1.00.

For the Health-Reform Institute.

The following amounts have been paid on pledges previously given to the Health Reform Institute.

A W Maynard $25.00.

Future Labors.

By James White

We wish to say to brethren in Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere, that we decide that during the heat of summer it is not our duty to go out of the State of Michigan to labor. Our labors the past year have been so exceedingly wearing that we are not in condition to travel and labor in such heat as we have experienced the present month. Nothing should be expected of us before the last of August beside holding meetings on the Sabbath near home, and completing urgent writing.

I would suggest that the Convocation in Wisconsin is appointed at the wrong time, and should be changed, whether we shall be able to attend it or not.

JAMES WHITE.

Curing the Follies of Youth

The latter part of a wise man's life is taken up in curing the follies, prejudices, and false opinions he had contracted in the former.

Christ’s Divinity and the Atonement

To A. S. You are correct in saying we do not deny the divinity of Christ. If those who assert such a thing are acquainted with our faith they know better; if they do not know they are guilty of speaking evil of the things they know not.

Our views are examined at some length, and contrasted with those of our opponents, in the recently published tract on the Atonement, to which we refer you.

Meetings at Princeville, Illinois

☞ Bro. Blanchard, or any other, holds meetings at Princeville, Ill., he is requested to give notice in the REVIEW.