Earlier text: OUR CAMP-MEETINGSThe Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
By J. S. Olive
This meeting began on time, Wednesday evening, June 18. The attendance was very large. There were about one hundred tents, and over twenty covered wagons. Nearly fifteen hundred people were encamped on the ground. On Monday night preceding the meeting, seventeen wagon loads of people camped together on their way to the place of meeting. Persons were in attendance from five States and thirty-seven counties. Eleven ordained ministers and many licentiates were present. Some came over two hundred miles with teams. Eld. John Fulton arrived from Canada, in the midst of the meeting, in response to a summons from the president of the General Conference. The grounds were pleasant, situated just off the main road that winds around the beautiful Lake Calhoun, which is a great resort for tourists. Early Thursday morning, Eld. White and his wife, W. C. White and wife, and Eld. Olsen arrived on the ground, and were received with great joy. Nearly the whole burden of the meeting fell on Bro. and Sr. White, and the Lord seemed to give strength and freedom to his worn and weary servants to give to the waiting people the needed instruction and reproof. Many new converts had never before seen them, and they were truly thankful for the privilege. Eld. Olsen held meetings with the Scandinavians during the intermissions, and preached twice in English to attentive and interested audiences. At nine o’clock Thursday morning, Sr. White gave a discourse which held all spell-bound. Her words seemed to penetrate to the very hearts of all who listened to her. Friday morning she gave a practical discourse to Adventists. Friday afternoon two stirring temperance addresses were made by Bro. and Sr. White, after which ten individuals were appointed to secure signers to the grand teetotal pledge. A busy time intervened, and soon one hundred and ninety-one signatures were obtained, and the society was organized in due form. The number of signers to the pledge was greatly increased on Sunday afternoon. At 9:30 A. M. Sabbath, an immense model Sabbath-school was held, with thirty-seven classes and over three hundred scholars. W. C. White assisted in organizing; the arrangements were splendid considering the very limited time to prepare. Order and quiet prevailed. One little boy, not three years old, sat in his mother’s lap and answered the questions in a clear, audible voice; and one young girl, fourteen or fifteen years old, repeated the entire synopsis of the lesson, without a break, in a voice so distinct as to be heard by the whole school. Several others stood up, prepared to repeat it; but she was the only one called upon. The whole exercise was very interesting. After this came a forcible and impressive address from sister White, urging on parents the duty of studying the Scriptures themselves and teaching them to their children, as the best means of excluding the light and frivolous reading of the day, which is ruining so many. Bro. White then followed with a sermon, presenting the truth in a grand and clear manner. He had help from the Lord to bring forth, out of the Scriptures, things both new and old. Sabbath afternoon, after a solemn address by both Bro. and Sr. White, a call was made for those who desired a new conversion, a deeper consecration to the work, and also to all who desired to make a start in the service of the Lord for the first time, to separate themselves from the congregation as did ancient Israel, and show who was on the Lord’s side. Seat after seat had to be vacated for those who pressed forward, with softened hearts and tear-dimmed eyes, to take their places as seekers after the grace and pardon offered by the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and many humble confessions were made, and heartfelt prayers offered up for forgiveness, and grace to help in time of need. Sunday morning, Bro. White spoke with great freedom and energy on the reasons of our faith and hope. The meeting was appointed near Minneapolis, in the hope that large numbers from that place would attend. But owing to the presence in the city of several new things, among which was a grand musical festival, the Sangerfest, held by the Germans, who had a grand parade Sabbath, and a picnic Sunday, the crowd was not nearly so large as was expected. It was thought, however, that there were five hundred from the city present on Sunday; and they evidently came to hear, and listened with close attention, and it is hoped to some profit. Sunday afternoon, Sr. White gave another discourse on temperance, which I think exceeded any previous effort. Her impassioned and eloquent appeals held about two thousand people for an hour and a half. They listened with the deepest interest. The Minneapolis people are active in the temperance work; but I felt that many of them, while listening to her vivid picture of how drunkards are made, and her reference to the food set before children by tender and over-indulgent mothers, as the first step in the downward path, must have owned to themselves that they had not begun at the beginning in this work, and must widen their foundation if they hope for success. After this meeting many more names were signed to the pledge. At the early morning meeting, Monday, some striking and interesting remarks were made by Sr. White on the duty of Christians to dress simply, discarding useless and vain ornaments, and trimmings, if they hope to please God and secure eternal life. An interesting meeting of the T. and M. society was held at 9:30 A. M., at which over three hundred dollars were subscribed to the fund to get the society out of debt, and to create a reserve fund. The times have been so hard here for several years that it is not so easy to raise money as formerly. In the afternoon, both Bro. and Sr. White spoke on the subject of baptism. After this another revival meeting was held, at which Sr. White made an earnest and solemn appeal to all to humble themselves and put away all their sins,—all impure and unholy thoughts, all envy and strife, and ambition for high positions in the church; to press together and seek a new conversion, a new consecration to God, an unction from on high. Then all bowed in prayer, and Sr. White lifted up her voice in a prayer that seemed to reach the heavens. A cloud had to some extent rested on the meeting. The ministers seemed backward and indifferent. But as Sr. W. delivered the straight testimony to them, reproving their faults, the Spirit gave conviction of sin. Fervent cries for pardon shook the audience, and the voice of weeping and supplication pervaded the entire assembly. Such a season of repentance and humiliation before the Lord is seldom seen. After the long season of fervent, prevailing prayer, the spirit of confession rested upon the ministers, and one after another they rose, and owned with deep feeling, that they had been in a backslidden condition, indifferent, and greatly lacking interest in the work. There was no intermission from 2:30 P. M. until nearly 8 o’clock. It had been expected that the meeting would break up next morning, but it seemed now that it must continue over Tuesday. Eld. White urged all who could possibly do so, to stay over, and Eld. Grant announced that if any were compelled to leave on account of their means being exhausted, if they would make it known, their wants would be supplied. Some were obliged to go, but a large majority remained until Wednesday morning. Tuesday morning there was a good social meeting. In the course of the forenoon, subscriptions to defray expenses were taken up. The call met a hearty response, nearly twenty-five pledging $5. apiece; then smaller sums were pledged until nearly $300 were raised. Then the examination of candidates for baptism took place, soon after which twenty-seven were immersed in the waters of the beautiful lake. Some of them came up out of the water with waving hands, triumphant voices, and glad faces. Among them was a lady nearly sixty years of age, in poor health, who had traveled over ninety miles in a farm wagon, with her son and daughter, to attend the meeting. Her children had recently embraced the truth; but she had never heard our faith preached before. She seemed to be ready to embrace the truth as soon as she heard it; left her pipe on the campground, and went home rejoicing, with the determination to leave off coffee as well as tobacco. May the Lord bless her. She is in advance of some who have for years been in the truth. After an interesting social meeting on Wednesday morning, with stirring exhortations from Bro. and Sr. White, three ministers were ordained. The ceremony was very impressive. They fell upon one another’s necks with weeping, as they were welcomed by all the ministers present, into the work. After a few parting words from Sr. White, the meeting was dismissed. So closed the largest camp-meeting ever held in Minnesota. We look back with mingled joy and grief to the hours spent there,—gratitude to God for the privilege enjoyed, and sorrow that such severe reproofs and humble confessions were needed. CAMP-MEETING AT WALLA WALLA.
By J. F. Wood
Our first camp-meeting is in the past. We came up to it with many doubts as to whether it would be a success; but it was a glorious meeting, and paid richly for all labor and anxiety in regard to it. All prejudice against such meetings on the part of our people was removed, and many expressed themselves ready to take hold with new zeal, and work harder than ever for the cause of present truth. The ground was thronged with strangers, who were delighted with the arrangements; and the general exclamation was, “I never saw such a camp-meeting as this,—so quiet, such order. Meetings like this are a credit to any people,” etc. An impression has been made here that will tell largely in our favor next season, when we shall prepare for a camp-meeting on a more extensive scale. We earnestly invite Sr. White to make us a visit at our next meeting. We are very thankful for the visit of Eld. Haskell. Much good was accomplished, prejudice removed, and information given as to the best way to forward the work. We shall miss him, and would be glad to keep him longer. We will try to remember his admonitions, and heed his counsels, hoping to meet him in the kingdom of glory. We all love our dear Bro. Van Horn. He has been a faithful laborer with us for quite a long time, until he has become attached to us, and to this part of the coast. He has seen quite a large church grow up under his labors here. Though he has had many discouragements, yet he has ever stood firm. The Spirit of the Lord was present in our meeting, to soften and subdue hearts. Confessions were made, and resolves formed to be faithful in the performance of duty. Many sought the Lord, and twenty were baptized. To him be all the praise. May we each try to advance the cause of God to the extent of our ability during the few remaining years left to us, so that when Jesus comes we shall be found with oil in our lamps, and be ready to go forth and meet him. CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By J. G. Matteson
We have now held ten meetings in our new hall. We have seats for about five hundred persons. I have commenced a course of lectures on the prophecies. There is a fair attendance and a growing interest; but it is not so easy to gather the people in the warm summertime as in the winter. The summer season is short in this country, and as the city people have a peculiar love for nature, they enjoy the fresh air, and seek recreation out of doors when their week's toil is ended. We have a baptistery in the hall. Twenty-five willing souls have been buried in baptism, and others will soon be ready. These, with our brethren and sisters that have come to us from the Baptist denomination, have united, and thus form a church of commandment-keeping believers. We have difficulties to overcome, and trials to endure; but the Lord is with us, and his blessings make up for all losses. The days are very long; in fact, there is no night in this city now. The sun rises about 2:40 A. M., and sets 9:20 P. M., and the daylight continues all night. We can read print any time of the night, in the house, when it is clear weather. I am thankful for the prospect of soon obtaining some help in this work. It has been no small task to start so many enterprises alone, and to get them in proper shape. Besides the preaching, and visiting as far as I can reach, there is a constant correspondence to keep up, and a paper (Tidernes Tegn) to write for, besides arranging for an office of our own. Last, but not least, comes our building enterprise, which can prosper only through the blessing of God and diligent attention. Then I am treasurer for the whole concern, and keep all the books. The repairing and fitting up of our house has cost us about Kr. 1400 ($373.33). The whole amount that has been received and paid out or deposited during the two last months is about Kr. 2880, besides private accounts. It will be a great relief for me to have the help of a few faithful friends, and the cause needs it, that we may work out into a larger sphere by the help of God. Church Visits at Cherokee and Amity
By J. H. Cook
Cherokee, and Amity.—June 19–25, we visited the church in Cherokee. They have passed through some trials since we last met with them. Satan had been most vigilant in his efforts to destroy the confidence which existed between the members. But the brethren pressed together and sought the Lord, and he carried them through. They learned that in union there is strength. One who had been a cause of trouble was disfellowshipped. We temporarily organized a health and temperance local association, ten signing the pledge. One was added to the church. June 28–30, at Amity. Here the meetings were profitable. The members appear to be growing. There is a marked improvement among the young, and in the Sabbath-school department. Two were added to the church. There is now quite a company of believers here, where a little over two years ago there was not a Sabbath-keeper in the neighborhood. J. H. Cook. Tent Meetings in Ogdensburg
By J. HARDIE
Ogdensburg.—Eld. C. B. Reynolds is now holding tent meetings both afternoons and evenings, in this city. The tent is so crowded that many have to stand outside. We are well suited with Bro. Reynolds. He completely holds the attention of the large audience. Our hopes are high that many will accept the truth. The Lord has been present, and his Spirit has powerfully pervaded the meetings. The adversary has been very vigilant; nevertheless the Lord has been on our side, and has made the wrath of man to praise him, and the worst enemies we have had are now on our side.
J. HARDIE. Pontiac, Birmingham, and Holly.—The company of believers in Pontiac are still holding fast to the truth. Had a good meeting with them, June 22. Nearly all the brethren from Rochester were present, which helped our meeting much. The brethren at Birmingham are of good courage. Meetings were well attended. They are anxious for another course of lectures, which, if held at a proper time, might result in additions to their number. Our meetings with the Holly church were held at Fenton. The brethren are very much scattered, yet nearly all were present. On Sunday, our meeting was held in Seminary hall. Had an attentive congregation. Dist. No. 10 is considerably in debt to the State society. The brethren of this church (though not in debt themselves) pledged to bear their proportion of this debt, that their tract society may be relieved from embarrassment. It is to be hoped that every church in this district will do likewise. Enough money was donated to pay for a set of Sister White's circulating library. Fenton is a town of three thousand inhabitants. There is quite an interest to read our publications. Several copies of Good Health are taken here. The way is apparently opening for a successful effort with the tent at some future time. Whitewater, Tent No. 6, June 30.—We pitched our tent in this community, six miles south of Elk Rapids, for the purpose of holding a few meetings with those who embraced the truth last winter. We have held meetings here for two weeks. God has blessed our effort. Not only have our brethren here been encouraged and strengthened, but those who met with us at our general meeting, June 21, 22, shared the same blessing, and returned to their homes fully determined to live nearer to the Lord. Eld. Fargo was with us at our general meeting. Sunday, the 21st, twelve were buried in baptism, in the clear water of Elk Lake. One of these was a lady who for eight years had opposed the truth. Last night six took their stand with us, three of them being men nearly eighty years old. We believe that our labor here has not been in vain. We now go to seek a new field, trusting the Lord to direct and bless us. Camden.—According to appointment, I commenced meetings at 273 Kaighn’s Avenue, in a private room, where they will still be held most of the time. I found fourteen Sabbath-keepers, in a disunited state. After much prayer, and faithful presentation of the claims of God’s word, a spirit of humility and confession came in among them, when everything was easily settled; and now harmony and peace prevail in all hearts. A number from without seem to be deeply interested, and I think they will soon obey the truth, if those professing it will be faithful, so that the Lord can work through them; and I have confidence to believe they will do this. A society of sixteen members was organized, and a leader appointed, as well as a secretary and treasurer. A Sabbath-school and Bible-class consisting of twenty-nine members was organized.23 They will take a club of the weekly Instructor. We could not organize a tract society at present, for want of ready means. But a club of ten Signs will be taken, and the friends will work the best they can until they can become properly organized. Nearly all signed the tithing pledge. This (Tuesday) morning five were baptized, while others expect to go forward in this ordinance at the quarterly meeting in Vineland. As I part with them to-day, they are feeling much encouraged to press into the work as they never have in the past. This is one of the best missionary fields I was ever in. Camden has about 7,000 inhabitants, and Philadelphia, on the west side of the Delaware river, has about 700,000; there are sailors from all parts of the world. I expect there will yet be a large church raised up in Camden. May the Lord especially bless this little flock. If it should meet the mind of the General Conference committee, the Lord willing, I will visit this place again before cold weather. I start this evening for my mission in Virginia. May the blessing of the Lord still go with me. I crave the prayers of the faithful. THE CITY OF GOD.
By Allie A. Santee
“Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.”—Ps. 87:3. I THINK of that city unseen,
In that land where the pastures are green,
Where the skies are all cloudless and fair,
Where the music is filling the air,
Where is quenched all the thirst of the heart,
Where we meet, but are never to part.
Oh, that glorious land of the blest!
Shall I enter its joy and its rest? Where the air with sweet incense is laden,
That comes from the flowers of Eden,
Where the beautiful dwellers in light,
In their garments resplendent and bright,
Are rejoicing before the great throne,
Where Jehovah is reigning alone.
Oh, that far away home of the soul!
Shall my feet ever reach the bright goal? Oh, our dim eyes are turned to that land,
Where the glorified ones all shall stand,
Where the wants of the soul shall be filled,
Where affection shall never be chilled.
Oh! our yearnings for Heaven are strong,
Through our earth life, so dark and so long,
And the burden and strength of our prayer
Is a rest and a home over there. Past the pain, and the toil, and the weeping,
Just beyond where the righteous are sleeping,
Is the glorious city of light,
The city ne'er shaded by night,
The city where pearls are its portals,
The home of the white-robed immortals,
The glorified home of the blest,
The mansions of love and of rest. NEBRASKA
By GEO. B. STARR.; A. J. CUDNEY.
Beaver City, Furnas Co., June 30.—Our meetings continue with a good interest. Yesterday many came to our afternoon meeting and remained till night, thus giving us an opportunity to get acquainted with them. All our wants are more than supplied by our brethren in the country and new friends here. GEO. B. STARR.
A. J. CUDNEY. Florence.—One good family at this place have taken hold of the Sabbath. They have also joined the health and temperance association, signing the teetotal pledge.
J. LAMONT. Sioux Falls, June 30.—We are having a good interest. The first day it rained just before meeting time, and looked likely to rain during the evening. The Dakota Sunday-school Convention was in session at the same time, and yet nearly or quite one hundred and fifty came to the meeting. Our audiences have steadily increased, until last evening the tent was full, and there was a large crowd outside. Paris, Henry Co., June 26.—We closed our meetings at Springville last Sunday evening, with a good congregation. Seven have been baptized, and we expect others will be. An interesting Sabbath-school is organized, with twenty members. We have given two discourses here in the court-house. Congregations are large, considering the season and the amount of prejudice created by false reports. Will our dear brethren and sisters pray earnestly for the success of the truth at this important point?
G. K. OWEN. Belvidere, July 1.—I came here June 17, since which time I have been visiting and holding meetings. The work here is moving steadily on. After serious reflection, and consultation with the brethren, we pitched the tent in South Belvidere. We have been holding meetings, with increasing interest, since Friday evening, June 27. We hope that precious souls may be brought to love and obey the truth. Bro. R. Vickery is my faithful helper. Brethren, pray for the prosperity of the truth. R. F. ANDREWS. Meetings at Norway
By Lewis Johnson; A. A. John
Norway, La Salle Co., June 30.—During the past week our meetings have been increasing in interest. The attendance is quite regular. We expect opposition from the Mormons; but we pray that the effect of it may prove a means of advancement to the truth. We are cheered from time to time by the presence of the friends of the Serena church, in our meetings. Pray for us.
LEWIS JOHNSON.
A. A. JOHN. INDIANA
By Wm. Covert; J. P. Henderson
Arcadia, Tent No. 3, June 30.—There has been but little change manifest in the interest here during the last week. The people are very kind in supplying us with provisions, and decorating our stand with beautiful flowers. They have given us $7.55 toward our expenses, although we have not taken up collections. We intended to hold our first Sabbath meeting the 28th inst., but the constant rain prevented. We have learned, however, of eight or ten who have decided to keep all of the commandments. Farmers are in the midst of a heavy harvest, and we cannot hasten the work. Wm. Covert.
J. P. Henderson. Greig, Lewis Co., Tent No. 3, June 28.—The tent was pitched here the 18th inst. I have been alone until last night, when Bro. H. H. Wilcox came to help me. We expect to labor together this summer. This is a small village three miles from Glensdale. We are so near to the Otter Creek church that they can assist us, and we can help them in return. I have given ten discourses thus far, which seem to be appreciated. Our congregations number from thirty to seventy-five.
JACOB WILBUR. M. H. BROWN
By M. H. Brown
South Rutland, Jeff. Co., Tent No. 3, July 1.—We commenced meetings here June 26, and have now held six meetings, with an attendance of from one to two hundred. The best of attention has been given to the word spoken, and the Spirit of the Lord has greatly helped in the work thus far. The people are very kind and hospitable, donating money, and provisions to supply our temporal wants. The interest seems to be general, the stores and even the post-office being closed during the time of service. The prospect of success is at present very favorable. Our post-office address will be as above until further notice. Etna Camp Meeting
By T. M. Lane; E. S. Lane
Etna, Tompkins Co., July 2.—The interest now seems to be as good as at any stage of the meeting. Nearly all who have listened to the Sabbath question acknowledge that we have the truth; but as it presents a cross, we do not feel certain that many will bear it, although we hope for a few. Many are stirred in regard to the great truths that we teach. People talk about it far and near, many having attended from the country. We think of pitching our tent next at Dryden, five miles from this place.
T. M. LANE.
E. S. LANE. MASSACHUSETTS
By D. A. Robinson; G. F. Haines
Athol, June 29.—We pitched our tent here last Thursday night, and had our first meeting last evening after the Sabbath. Yesterday we had hard showers, and about 4 p. m. a regular tempest which threatened to carry our tent before it; but we passed through it all right. The hard rain of last night prevented nearly all from coming to the meeting. About twenty were present, and were compelled to remain till 10 p. m. This proved to be a splendid advertisement of a dry tent; for the rain came down in torrents, yet all were as well protected from the rain as they would have been at home. Bro. Bedee is with us, to look after the tent, play the organ, etc. Pray for us, that success may attend our labors. D. A. ROBINSON.
G. F. HAINES. Hartland, June 24.— Our meeting at this place, June 14, 15, was well attended. About four hundred people were present on Sunday, this being the largest gathering we ever had in this place. Good attention was paid to the word spoken. The social meetings were free, and the Spirit of God was present. Much prejudice has been removed as the result of this meeting. Brn. Blaisdell, Barnes, Osborn, and Stratton were present, and assisted in preaching the word. The Sabbath-school was good and interesting. Norridgewock, Somerset Mills, Cornville, Canaan, Cambridge, and Hartland were represented. It was voted to raise a camp-meeting fund in the same way as last year. Bro. P. B. Osborn goes to join Bro. S. J. Hersum, in tent labor, in Aroostook Co. The new fifty-foot tent, we are glad to report, is all paid for, so that it can start out free of debt, and the Lord willing will be pitched in Burnham village. Meetings will commence June 27, at 7:45 P. M., and continue as long as the interest may demand. Pray for us. My address, until further notice, will be Burnham, Maine. J. B. GOODRICH. Meetings at Burnham
By J. B. Goodrich
Burnham, July 2.—We pitched the fifty-foot tent in this village June 27, and have given six lectures, with increasing interest. Although it has been rainy the most of the time, yet from fifty to one hundred and twenty-five have attended. Bro. Stratton assists me in the meetings. Pray for us. J. B. GOODRICH. Greenville, July 1.—Closed labors at the Kuhn school-house, June 30. A Sabbath-school has been organized, with ten members. It will be known as the Sidney School. The Sidney sabbath-keepers have adopted the tithing system. May God add to their numbers such as shall be saved. O. SOULE. NORTH CAROLINA.
By C. O. Taylor
Boone, June 23.—On coming to this place I find some reading matter which has been sent to be distributed. Many thanks. I can give away, to good advantage, all that friends wish to send. I find here, in Watauga Co., four families keeping the Sabbath. They have taken a firm stand on all the commandments of God, simply from reading. Their influence in favor of the truth is good. They have done what they could in sending out reading matter, and it has created a desire to hear. It prepares the way in this section for me to speak to the people. Many are quite fully convinced that we are right on the Sabbath. Those friends that have sent our publications to Bro. Hodges and others to be distributed, will not lose their reward. Any who have reading matter which they would like to dispose of in a way to be doing good, can send it here directed to L. P. Hodges. I find a much larger opening to speak the truth in this part of the State than I expected. I had supposed my labors would be confined to this county, but already through the kindness of a friend whose mind is much awakened to the Sabbath and other truths held by us, appointments have been given out in other counties for several weeks ahead. From present observations, I think this may be the best field of labor I have seen in the South. I shall do all I can to get the truth before the people. IOWA
By C. A. Washburn; G. V. Kilgore
Davis City and Mount Ayr.— We closed our meetings at Davis City, June 22. We were there nearly two weeks. These meetings were designed to help perfect the work already begun there; but heavy rains and high water hindered us somewhat. One brother and sister who live in the city met nearly all our running expenses. May the Lord reward them. A few new ones seemed interested to some extent. One individual remarked that he believed he should be “beaten with many stripes” if he did not keep the Sabbath. He thought that nearly half of the people in the place were convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath. He bought some books, and we hope that he with others will soon obey the truth. A large meeting-house, built by a single individual for all denominations, is now nearly ready for use, and has been offered to us for meetings. It is desired that Eld. E. W. Farnsworth should visit this church and hold a series of meetings the coming fall. The brethren of this church moved our tent from Garden Grove to this place, and from thence to Mount Ayr, free of charge. Mount Ayr is the county-seat of Ringgold county, and has about eight hundred inhabitants. We have some prejudice to meet, but think it is wearing away. A wealthy citizen has given us a standing invitation to take our meals at the hotel free. We have given seven discourses up to this date, July 1. If there are any Sabbath-keepers near, we invite them to meet with us.
C. A. WASHBURN.
G. V. KILGORE. —A heavy thunderstorm visited Paris June 30. Several persons were killed. —Great distress is reported in the west of Ireland, on account of continued rains. —Mt. Hood, Oregon, has lately been giving out volumes of smoke from its long extinct crater. —Crops in all parts of France have been injured by the rains. Beet root vines suffered heavily. —Nashville, Tenn., is already beginning extensive preparations for the celebration of her centennial in April, 1880. —Official reports of the Italian harvest say that the rain and inundations have rendered the prospects in the North deplorable. —New York, July 1.—Two seamen were admitted to the Quarantine hospital in the Lower Bay yesterday who were sick with symptoms of yellow fever. —London, July 1.—The correspondent of the Times at Odessa says General Todleben has ordered the abolition of all money subscription, to prevent aid being given to political offenders. —The Times' Constantinople special says there is reason to believe that the powers have disagreed with regard to the recommendations to be made to the Porte for settlement of the Greek frontier question. —St. Petersburg, June 29.—The Minister of the Interior has ordered the local authorities to take measures against agitators inciting the peasants to disturbances by spreading false reports of an impending redistribution of land. —A Berlin correspondent reports that there is a mysterious coolness between Russia and Germany, and the Czar, in consequence of it, will not visit the empire. Many persons believe that this state of things is owing to the influence of the Czarowitz. —Both houses of Congress were finally declared adjourned at 5 o'clock July 1. The first question that will occur to most people on this event is, “What have the two great parties respectively gained or lost in the light of the extra session?” —London, July 2.—The Etoile Belge states that Sunday last a placard was posted on the wall of the royal palace of Lacken, threatening the king with death if he ratified the bill passed by the Belgian Parliament, depriving the clergy of the control of elementary education. —Trustworthy advices from Constantinople speak of the endeavor of Russia to come to an understanding with France relative to the Eastern question. It is said also that Russia is endeavoring to conciliate Turkey by dwelling on the possibility of the release of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Austrian domination. —Ten thousand people witnessed the race between Yale and Harvard, and shouted themselves hoarse. You could not have got one thousand to listen for ten minutes to their best scholar displaying his mental acquirements. Wind, muscles, and legs are the three cardinal requirements of the present civilization.—Inter-Ocean. —Captain James B. Eads writes a letter to the New York Tribune, in which he proposes, as a substitute for the Panama ship canal, a railroad for monster trucks, on which ships can be placed and taken across the isthmus. Such a road can be constructed, Captain Eads believes, at one-third the cost of a ship canal, and he argues that the largest ships can be transferred, when fully loaded, with absolute safety. —According to Odessa newspapers, the situation of the crops in southern Russia and the Caucasus has scarcely ever been so bad as at present. What was left by the drought and hail is now, it is asserted, being annihilated by frightful swarms of grasshoppers and corn-beetles in the neighborhood of Odessa, and in the governments of Bessarabia, Ekaterinoslav, Kherson, Poltava, Tiflis, Terek-Baku, Stavropol, and Kutais. —Telegraphic dispatches inform us of the completion of the Sutro tunnel, the greatest mining enterprise that has ever been undertaken in this country. The Sutro tunnel is three and a half miles in length, and passes through all the ramifications of the Comstock lode in Virginia City and Gold Hill, Nev., draining the mines at a depth of nearly 3,000 feet. The work was begun in the fall of 1869, and has been going on since, without interruption, day and night. It has involved an expenditure of $6,000,000. —July 2, P. M., a terrible storm visited portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Dakota, and Iowa. The storm consisted of an unprecedented rainfall in St. Paul, Minn., thunder and hail throughout the State, and a cyclone sweeping across southern Minnesota from the southwest corner to a point on the Mississippi River above Red Wing, where it crossed into Wisconsin. Houses and barns were leveled under its tread as though threshed with a flail. Great damage was done to crops, and trains were delayed by wash-outs. At Vasa, Minn., seven persons were killed and thirty injured by lightning and the falling of buildings. At Menomonee, Wis., a house with two inmates was carried away by the flood. In Lansing, Iowa, two young men saw the storm coming, and took refuge in a barn, but the wind struck the building with such force as to demolish it, crushing them to death in the ruins. A. M. MANN
By H. A. St. John; A. M. Mann
Wakeman.—We have now taken down our tent, to pitch again within four miles; for the interest is such as to clearly make it duty to remain in the vicinity. We are sorry to disappoint our brethren, both at East Norwalk and at Cleveland, but we feel quite sure that if they fully understood the situation, they would heartily concur in our decision. Since former report we have baptized ten. The membership of the society when we pitched our tent here was thirteen; the present number is thirty-seven, making an increase of twenty-four. There are others keeping the Sabbath, nine at least, and some of these we hope yet to bring into the fold. The Sabbath-school numbers fifty-two. Have sold about twenty dollars' worth of publications, and obtained several subscribers for our periodicals. A club of nineteen Instructors is taken for the Sabbath-school. Receipts above expenses, $7.27. Had our last meeting in the tent on Monday. It was our fixed purpose, even at this time, to move immediately to Cleveland. After the sermon, which was upon practical subjects, several who had not done so before expressed their purpose to at once erect the family altar. Six presented themselves to unite with the church, and were accepted. One desired baptism, and another expressed a determination henceforth to keep the Lord's holy Sabbath. Then we had a blessed season of communion. After all these tokens for good, our minds were still fixed on Cleveland. So at the close of this meeting we took down our tent, packed it, and took it to the depot, intending to ship it the next morning. Baptized one good sister after striking the tent. But that night we suffered much from this decision, and could get no rest until we decided to remain longer. Early next morning we hastened five miles to the depot and delayed the tent. Meetings begin on Thursday night, within four miles of the former site. Our address is Wakeman, Huron Co., Ohio.