THERE is a wide difference between diversion and wearing, disagreeable labor. We have ministers among us who really enjoy the ministry, especially the leisurely, visiting, social part, to which they take very naturally. They may even enjoy study, and come before the people with a degree of pleasure. But these men have but little burden upon them for the general good of the cause. They seldom take either interest or stock in our institutions, and different enterprises to advance the cause. There is too much unpleasant labor in the establishment of Systematic Benevolence and a constant effort on their part to keep it up, to suit their taste. The minister of this stamp generally chooses to take the wife along with him, and enjoys common visiting almost or quite exclusively in the families of favorite brethren, or those who make favorites of them, and leaves matters in the church generally at loose ends. These are not laborers. They make the ministry a matter of diversion.
The real laborer for God, who has the true missionary spirit, can find but very little time to spend in the homes of favorite families, who are real social, congenial spirits. To spend his time with these leisurely would bring upon his soul leanness and a sense of guilt. His mind is reaching out ever for opportunities to form new acquaintances, and help those who most need help, instead of seeking for present enjoyment among old social friends.
The foregoing may illustrate missionary labor generally. It is missionary work, and not missionary diversion merely, that is called for at this time. It is an easy thing to scrape up names almost indiscriminately, or, under missionary enthusiasm, to raise money to pay for them, and to make large reports of papers sent and money raised, may be pleasing. And yet, in all this there may be but very little real missionary labor, and very trifling good accomplished. But when you come to going from house to house to labor, and with real burden of soul to converse and pray in tears with the people, it is then that you find work.
We do not raise too much money for missionary purposes. Nor do we circulate too many papers and books. But for want of a proper amount of real missionary labor, not one-tenth of the good is accomplished that might be with the same amount of money and printed matter. A brother sent us one hundred and twenty names from Toledo, Ohio. We did expect that he would feel duty to follow these up, and send us means to help publish the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. But only one person has paid. The one hundred and twenty papers cost $240 less $2.00 paid by one of the number.
This fairly illustrates the course of a class of men among us. In their missionary labors they are very liberal with other people's money. It has been our object to cut off this reckless waste of means that we have spoken against, gathering up names indiscriminately and then bestowing no further labor. Labor is wanted. Labor must be bestowed, both before and after taking names for our periodicals.
Eld. Haskell strikes the point of importance in the missionary work when he says in REVIEW for Oct. 28:—
“All that have any knowledge of this truth should feel a burden of the work resting upon them. Parents should so feel the importance of this matter that their children will partake of its inspiration, and feel an anxiety to do something to help forward the cause of God. Children can do something. They can not only make an investment of their pennies where it will pay large interest in this life, but fruit will be seen of their lives in the kingdom of God. Last year, when the effort was made to get the Hygienic Almanac into the families of the city of Boston, the children of Bro. Wood and others went from house to house and sold a large number of them. Many would purchase because a child offered them for sale.”
“Brethren, sisters, and children, should take a part in this work as above indicated. We have not less than five thousand individuals who have paid their dollar and thus have become members of our Tract Societies, and all of these have friends to whom the almanac would prove a blessing, and by whom it would be appreciated.”
“The times demand action from consecrated hearts. Other branches of the missionary work should not be neglected, but all should be carried forward together.”
If our missionary workers had one-tenth part of the courage and real hang on to them that these trained book and picture canvassers have, more than half would pay for our periodicals and other publications by those who receive them. But because this work does not partake of the nature of pleasing diversion they dodge it. The true spirit of missionary labor for this time is expressed in the third and last call to the supper in these earnest words of hold on, and hang on: “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in.” The brethren and sisters must nerve themselves for this work, and in humility, and in a right spirit press the matter forward. There are a few persons who have more zeal than wisdom who should be held back. It is the prudent, retiring ones who need to break over natural diffidence, and with the help and blessing of God, enter into the work with a will.
Eld. Haskell’s system of missionary labor is good. His zeal is right. Now if he can inspire the spirit of labor in the very hearts of our people, the missionary cause will move forward. He has connected with this work relief for orphans and widows. We do not object to proper attention being given to the wants of these. But we call attention to the wants of our active ministers in the States of Minnesota, Kansas, and of Missouri. We recommend that Elds. Haskell and Canright confer upon the subject of their condition, and bring them relief if possible.
We shall keep to the point, that the first claim upon the liberalities of our people is the cause of the Third Angel’s Message. J. W.
The Coming Revival.
By Uriah Smith
MESSRS. MOODY AND SANKEY have commenced their labors in Brooklyn, and a general expectation is beginning to prevail of a wonderful revival work in this country, similar to that which so recently attended their efforts in Great Britain. But before allowing expectation to run too high as to permanent results, it would be well to look over the field which they have just left, and mark what results are now to be seen there. The Covenanter, published in Londonderry, Ireland, has the following article on this subject:—
“A very suggestive document is now before the public, which has been called ‘The Revival Balance Sheet.’ It is the financial account of the committees who had charge of the movement in London in which Messrs. Moody and Sankey were central figures. The receipts reached a total of £28,238, from 2,578 subscribers. One gave £550, seven gave £500 each, twelve £250 each, forty-six £100 each, thirty-six £10 10s each, two hundred and nine £10 each, sixty-nine £5 5s, and four hundred and sixty-nine £5 each. Only twenty-seven sent in half-a-crown each, and, stranger still, only fifteen contributed a shilling each. The significance of these figures cannot be exaggerated, and the feeling they are calculated to excite is deepened when we remember the daily advertisements of the committee, calling on those who had received benefit to contribute. We read of the thousands, nay, hundreds of thousands, who filled the places of assembly, of the multitudes who crowded the ‘inquiry rooms.’ If a hundred thousand had sent in a shilling each the balance sheet would have surprised us less. But what of the spiritual results? These can only be known by their effects. We have seen that the money raised came from a comparatively small number, and these among the wealthy classes. The prayer-meeting has dwindled down almost to nothing. Where thousands assembled when Moody, Sankey, and the American organ were present, only from ten to twenty are to be found. The requests for prayer, which took so long to read that they had to be classified, have all but ceased. A large increase of church membership was expected, particularly in the north of London, round the Agricultural Hall, where the meetings were so crowded. But, instead, the ministers report an actual decrease in the number of those seeking the membership of the church. During the past two years about a quarter of a million has been expended on the work of these Americans. We look for results in vain. If the same amount had been expended on the ordinary means of grace, some solid and lasting results would have been obtained. In four months, in London alone, a sum has been expended more than six times the income of the Home Missionary Society, and more than one-fourth of the entire revenue of the London Missionary Society. The worst of all this is that the money that used to be given to these most beneficial societies, and to others of the same class, has been lavished on this so-called revival.”
So it seems that after so brief a time scarcely a trace of the great movement is to be found. Contributions to the more permanent religious organizations have fallen off heavily, the membership of the churches has decreased, and the prayer-meeting has almost ceased to exist. Does not this show that there is a radical defect somewhere in the method or matter of the religious teaching of to-day. We claim that it leaves out the demands of the law, and the work of true conviction of sin, and repentance by godly sorrow for transgression, and forsaking of evil ways with brokenness of heart. God is calling upon the people to reform in their observance of his law, and this, too, in view of the soon-coming Judgment, evidences of which he is holding out before their eyes; and it is fast becoming evident that in this age of intense worldliness and irreligion, nothing short of these great truths, that God has an immutable law which holds under sentence of death every transgressor, and that the Judge standeth before the door, soon to reward every man as his work shall be, is sufficient to restrain men and hold them to an active religious life. Hence every movement which leaves out these elements is short-lived. And though a great excitement is created, and multitudes are moved, and thousands upon thousands profess to be converted, as the prophet says, Hos. 5: 6, 7, a moth devours them with their portions.
U. S.
Turn Out, Brethren, Turn Out.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Thus far, in my appointments, I have only been able to get the brethren waked up enough to begin to get out to meeting just as I got through. This is too bad. Churches have been left for long months, and some of them for a year or more, without labor. These churches have felt tried about it, and have urged that somebody should come; but now, come to the case in hand, many of them care but little about it.
I commence my meetings as early in the week as possible, perhaps Wednesday night. Generally only a small proportion of the brethren and sisters will be out; the next evening probably a few more, and Sabbath, at half past eleven, we are able to get quite a fair turnout. Even then many of them come and leave their grown up children and hired help at home, the very ones we wish to reach. On Sunday, perhaps, they will turn out a little better, when the presence of outsiders renders it impossible to say to them what needs to be said. This discourages me very much. I find connected with our churches some who have so far lost their interest in present truth as to let their subscription for the REVIEW stop. These, of course, do not have interest enough to attend the regular Sabbath meetings always, and hence, in several cases, know nothing about the meetings till they are over or nearly so. These are the very persons above all others I wish to reach.
Something must be done by the elders and leading brethren in our churches to get such persons out to our meetings on the start. Come, brethren, you must wake up to your duties in these matters. When an appointment is given for your place, do not wait till the last day in the afternoon to do something about it. Do not wait till I get there and then ask me about it. I would rather preach to a full house than to a little company gathered around the stove.
In nearly every neighborhood, if a proper effort is made, a good turnout can be secured. Put a notice in your local paper. Give it as though you expected something to be done. Get out handbills and scatter them everywhere; post them up; send your children or go yourself to every one of whom you have the least hope and urge them to get out. Mud, rain, or snow, will not prevent me from filling my appointments. If I can get out every day in the week, and every week all winter, the brethren and sisters in each place can stand it for one week, I know. Do not be so tender and faint-hearted. Let nothing but sickness hinder. Let it be understood that in every place we shall make a special effort to reach the cold, the back-slidden, and the children, among our people. Hence every reasonable effort should be made to have them attend all the meetings. Usually we devote Sabbath afternoons to this special work. If they come to meeting for the first time Sabbath morning, they are not at all prepared to enter into the spirit of the meeting.
A suitable place should be looked out beforehand for baptism, and preparations made for the ordinances.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Vassar, Mich.
Please Take the Signs.
By James White
We are sending large numbers of copies of the Signs of the Times to eastern friends as sample copies for the use of missionary workers in canvassing for subscribers. We can send as many copies as we please to any regular subscriber at the low rates of prepaid postage of only ten cents a pound. And we are very sorry to find so few taking the Signs, that we have to pay postage for very many copies in stamps to those who are not regular subscribers at the rate of sixteen cents a pound. We need the help of our eastern friends on the Signs just now. They can help us much by subscribing for themselves at full price, and for numerous friends at half price. Friends in need are friends indeed. J. W.
U. S
By Uriah Smith
Exchanges.
NEWSPAPERS usually value very highly their list of exchanges. We do ours. Such enterprising and valuable journals as The Independent, The Methodist, The Christian at Work, and a multitude of others which come to us week by week are appreciated.
But we wish now to speak of another kind of exchanges, exchanges not confined to publishers, but such as all our readers may furnish us. From publishers we receive in return for our paper, paper for paper, during the fifty-two weeks of the year. With our readers we propose to do better. We ask of them only one paper in exchange for the REVIEW. A whole year's numbers of the REVIEW for only one copy of a paper in return! Is not this liberal?
And this paper which we ask in exchange for the REVIEW is not a large one. It is only about three inches by six, consists of only one leaf, is printed on both sides, but not very elaborately. Everybody has seen this paper, and most people have more or less copies of it by them. The back is usually printed in green, and the face contains but little matter, and that can be very quickly read. It consists chiefly of a promise on the part of the United States of America to pay the bearer two dollars. They are nice little papers, and we prize them so highly that it matters not to us if they all read precisely alike. In this case we are willing to see the same matter over and over again. We would like to have every reader of the REVIEW send in his little paper marked with the figure 2, in exchange for the REVIEW.
But if our readers do not like to send in so many of these single papers, we would remind them that they can exchange them at the post-office for a paper worth from 5 to 50 dollars, called a money order, or at the bank for another, in the form of a draft, worth from 5 to 100 dollars or more, which will do just as well, and even better. So send on the exchanges.
U. S
Ohio T. & M. Society.
By H. A. St. John
To the members of the Ohio T. & M. Society, and especially the officers, I would like to say a few words. Dear brethren and sisters, we have enlisted in a good and glorious cause. Never, perhaps, has there been a greater reformation than the one in which we are engaged. The long nights of a long winter are upon us again, and this is the very best season of the year to interest people in the investigation of the important truths of the third angel's message. Let us prepare, and enter upon active service in the Master's vineyard at once. Much of our time has run to waste, and we need to be up and doing, redeeming the time. By means of the T. & M. Society the way is open for all to do something for Jesus. In this Society we hear the Saviour saying to us at the eleventh hour, Go labor in my vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
Agents, librarians, secretaries, directors, officers one and all, are you trying to do your whole duty? Do you understand the Constitution which embraces the duties and objects of our Society? Every officer should have a clear and thorough understanding of the Constitution of the T. & M. Society. You should know distinctly every object of the Society, and the duties of all its officers. Have you a copy of the Constitution in your possession? Do you know how many Articles it contains? Now stop and think, can you give clearly the objects of this Society? In short, are you prepared just now to sit down and pass a critical inspection upon the Constitution? If you say, “Hold, until I inform myself,” then is it not evident that you are doing the work of the Lord negligently? O my dear brethren, let us make the kingdom of God and his righteousness the first consideration. Let us prepare for an examination here, and especially for the one hereafter. Let us make an effort to become thoroughly acquainted with our work.
We rejoice in the prosperity of the truth in other parts of the wide field, but we must labor earnestly and pray fervently that prosperity may attend our own borders. The night in which no man can work draws rapidly on. Let us now resolve that, with the aid of divine grace, we will hear Jesus say to us, “Well done.” H. A. ST. JOHN.
C. H. BLISS
By C. H. Bliss
Illinois.
After the quarterly meeting at Greenup, in August, I returned to Oakland, and, finding the interest still good, I pitched the tent again. Bro. Colcord soon joined me. Although not much excitement attended this effort, we believe much lasting good was accomplished.
We went with the tent from Oakland to Cerro Gordo; but the way seemed hedged up before us, and we left that place and pitched the tent in Dalton City, ten miles east of Lovington. Here we had a good interest for a short time, but sickness nearly broke up our meetings. Bro. Colcord assisted during the first part of this effort. In all, about thirty-five meetings were held. I closed this effort Oct. 3, leaving several keeping all the commandments, and others who promised to do so, while still others are investigating farther. We sold about twenty-five dollars’ worth of books.
Since leaving Dalton City, I have held meetings at Martinsville, Milton, and Oakland. The majority of the brethren in this part of the field seem to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
C. H. BLISS
Greenup, Ill., Oct. 27, 1875.
Round Grove, Minn.
By D. P. Curtis; L. H. Ells
We came to this place and commenced our labors July 4, immediately after our good camp-meeting. It is on the south side of McLeod Co., and on the border of the district infested by grasshoppers for the last two years, about twelve miles south of Hutchinson. It is an open prairie country and sparsely settled. Our congregations have not been large; perhaps not over eighty at any time. We spent six weeks here, and then were away about five weeks. When we returned, we found that the enemy had been busy in our absence, sowing seeds of prejudice in the community. The company whom we left in the observance of the Sabbath were not affected by the opposition, save in one or two cases; and in these we hope the Lord may yet so overrule that they may not be destroyed. Our prayers, and those of the remainder of the company, have been earnest in their behalf, and we believe the Lord will hear and answer.
The truth has taken hold of the most intelligent and conscientious portion of those who have attended our meetings. Many have been kept away from them on account of baseless rumors that have been put afloat by those from whom better things were to be expected, so that since we came back we have not been able to get the light of truth before so many as we hoped. Those who were interested have been very constant in attendance, and the brethren and sisters have grown strong. We have enjoyed some of the most precious social meetings that we ever attended.
Last Sabbath, Eld. H. W. Babcock, pastor of the S. D. Baptist church of Transit, and a good company of the brethren, cheered us by their presence in our meeting. They appeared to be deeply interested and highly pleased with the meeting and the work which God has wrought here. We trust that they and our brethren here may be mutual helpers in “holding forth the word of life” in this region.
Sabbath afternoon, we baptized twelve willing followers of their Lord. Yesterday, we came together and organized a church of twenty members. All but three are heads of families. In all, twenty-five adults have fully accepted the truths of the Bible, and some others acknowledge the truth of our positions, but have not fully decided to obey their convictions. We believe that the work has been thorough and radical, and that this company will, by the grace of God, stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free. We feel that the Lord has greatly blessed us while laboring with and for them. We have sold seven Bibles, a dozen hymn books, and some fifteen dollars’ worth of other books, besides distributing a goodly number of tracts, and obtaining about a dozen subscribers to our papers. We laid the subject of S. B. before them, and they will cheerfully accept it as soon as they have recovered from the effects of the grasshopper scourge.
We leave this morning for home, intending, if the Lord is willing, to go to a new field about the middle of next month.
D. P. Curtis,
L. H. Ells.
Round Grove, Oct. 25, 1875.
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Cal. State Tract and Missionary Society.
By John Norton Loughborough; Lucie Bush
THE SOCIETY convened 9 o’clock, Sunday, Sept. 26, on the Fairfax Camp-ground.
Meeting opened with Eld. Loughborough in the chair. Minutes of the last meeting read and accepted. Remarks were made by Eld. Loughborough. He thought it might be desirable to redistrict the State, and elect new officers.
Voted, That the Chair appoint a committee to consult concerning redistricting the State, and appointing new officers for the coming year. A committee was appointed to scatter tracts and SIGNS OF THE TIMES to visitors who might come upon the ground during the day. This committee consisted of the district directors who were present, as follows: District No. 1, T. M. Chapman; No. 2, Wm. Harmon; No. 3, J. W. Bond; No. 4, J. S. Howard; No. 6, J. H. Disher; No. 7, D. B. Rickey; No. 8, H. H. Stevenson. The director of No. 5 being absent, Alfred Mason was appointed to act in his place. The directors were instructed to use the help of such district secretaries as might be needed to assist them during the day. After remarks of caution and advice as to the manner of working, the meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Sunday, 5:30 P. M. The President appointed as Committee on Nominations, M. G. Kellogg, J. Dimmick, and Ruel Stickney; Committee on Resolutions, J. H. Waggoner, R. A. Morton, Wm. Saunders; as a committee to inspect the books of directors and secretaries, J. W. Bond, Lucie Bush, and May Kelsey. Report of the workings of the Society for the past year read as follows:—
No. of families visited, 745; of ships, 65; of letters written, 676.
Money received on membership, $99.00
Donations, 154.10
Book sales, 46.36
For widows and orphans, 4.50
Total, $303.96
No. of new subscribers for REVIEW, 67; for Instructor, 216; for Reformer, 147; for SIGNS, 415. No. of REVIEWS distributed, 645; Instructors, 223; Reformers, 297; SIGNS, 1,783. No. of pages of tracts and pamphlets loaned, 75,740; value of the same, $61.57. No. of pages of tracts and pamphlets given away, 286,319; value, $259.14. Books furnished to libraries, 4, value, $4.00. Total No. of pages, 362,059, value, $324.71.
The report, which showed more than three times the amount of work done this year over the last, was accepted. Eld. Loughborough suggested that the directors consider themselves a committee to solicit memberships. Remarks were made by Eld. White concerning the publishing interest as connected with the Society, saying that efforts should be made by the members for the extension of the circulation of the SIGNS; and giving encouraging reports of what has been done by the eastern societies by the circulation of tracts and papers only. Meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THIRD SESSION.
Monday, Sept. 27, 5:30 P. M. Report of the Nominating Committee read as follows: “We nominate for President, J. N. Loughborough; for Vice President, and to act as director of district No. 1, T. M. Chapman, of Petaluma; Secretary, Lucie Bush, Woodland; Treasurer, W. C. White, Oakland; for director of Dist. No. 2, Wm. Harmon, Healdsburg; No. 3, W. A. Pratt, St. Helena; No. 4, John Judson, San Rafael; No. 5, G. C. Martin, Woodland; No. 6, J. H. Disher, Red Bluff; No. 7, D. B. Rickey, Oakland; No. 8, H. H. Stevenson, San Jose; No. 9, Charles Chittenden, San Francisco. We also recommend that Dist. No. 4, as now existing, be united with No. 3, and the two hereafter be designated as Dist. No. 3. That the county of San Bernardino be separated from Dist. No. 9, and a new district be formed to be designated as Dist. No. 4.”
Report accepted to be thought upon and taken up for action at the next meeting.
Adjourned to call of the Chair.
FOURTH SESSION.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 5:30 P. M. Nominating Committee’s report was changed as follows: Bro. Mavity shall retain his old position as director of Dist. No. 3, instead of Bro. Pratt as suggested. J. N. Loughborough was then elected President for the coming year; T. M. Chapman was elected Vice President and to act as director of Dist. No. 1. W. C. White declined to accept an election, and Emma L. White was elected treasurer. Lucie Bush was elected Secretary for the coming year. The board of directors were elected at one vote.
The treasurer’s report was as follows:—
Cash on hand, Oct. 9, 1874, $554.89
Rec’d on SIGNS, 5.25
Book sales, 157.54
For membership, 121.00
By donations, 166.30
On T. & M. Fund, 41.00
Interest, 15.95
Total, $1061.93
Paid out for books and freight, $603.21
For extra copies of SIGNS for missionary work, 111.30
For postage, 10.87
For wrapping cord, .40
REVIEW subscription, 2.00
For printing 5,000 supplements, 10.00
Pasting supplements in SIGNS, 1.13
Total am’t paid out, $738.91
Amount on hand, $323.02
G. D. Hager, Treasurer.
The report was accepted, and remarks were made concerning finances of libraries. It was inquired if the Danish and Swedish publications could be drawn from the libraries the same as American, and was answered that they could, although costing a little more. The Danish brethren donated the money due them from the camp-meeting fund to the Society. Remarks were made on finances and future operations.
Voted, That the doings of this meeting be published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Meeting adjourned.
J. N. Loughborough, Pres.
Lucie Bush, Sec.
CALMING THE STORM.
Fierce was the wild billow,
Dark was the night;
Oars labored heavily;
Foam glimmered white;
Mariners trembled:
Peril was nigh;
Then said the voice of God—
“Peace! It is I.”
Ridge of the mountain-wave,
Lower thy crest!
Wail of Euroclydon,
Be thou at rest!
Peril can none be,
Sorrow must fly,
Where saith the Light of Light—
“Peace! It is I.”
Jesus! Deliverer!
Come thou to me;
Soothe thou my voyaging
Over life’s sea!
Thou, when the storm of death
Roars, sweeping by,
Whisper, O Truth of Truth—
“Peace! It is I.”
San Francisco Tent-Meeting.
By John Norton Loughborough
This meeting, which has been in progress nearly two weeks, is well attended by an intelligent class of hearers. We have tried to heed Bro. White’s counsel to advertise thoroughly, which has served to draw in the people. Four numbers of a little paper, called The Tent-Meeting, have been circulated, and besides these 17,000 bills have been distributed in the cars and otherwise. These bills and papers not only advertise our meetings, but each contains choice reading matter, and a piece of music, which gives them a tone far above ordinary bills. They are not only eagerly sought for, but read and preserved.
The Lord has given freedom in the preaching, a deep interest is awakened; people take books quite freely, and we hope for good results. Pray earnestly for the success of this effort in San Francisco. —J. N. L., in SIGNS.
Flint, Michigan.
By E. R. Jones
According to appointment in REVIEW, I met with the friends at Flint, Sabbath and Sunday, Oct. 23, 24. A hall on the corner of Saginaw and First Streets, north of the river, has been procured and nicely seated, in which they now hold their meetings. At this gathering, I was glad to meet Bro. Lamson, with whom I have been associated in labor in this city the past tent season. When we entered the hall Sabbath morning, we found it nearly filled with brethren and sisters, mostly from this place. They appeared happy in the truth. As we looked upon their faces, it gave us joy and courage.
The Lord gave liberty in speaking the word, and it was received with all readiness of mind. Sunday morning, after a short discourse, we went to Thread River, where sixteen were buried with their Lord by baptism. In the afternoon, a meeting was held to consider organization, and an elder and deacons were chosen. Systematic Benevolence had previously been arranged among them to the amount of about $250.00 per year. At the close of this meeting, all felt that they had received a blessing, and were much encouraged. As we look over the work in this place the past summer, we cannot see any time when there was a great excitement, but from first to last there has been a steady advancement, until there are at the present time nearly one hundred Sabbath-keepers in this city. I remain to labor among them.
My P. O. address for the present is Box 154, Flint, Mich. E. R. Jones.
Tonawanda, N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
By invitation of Bro. Z. Nicola, and the advice of the Conference Committee, I came to this place the 22d inst. Found a hall owned by a first-day Adventist open for meetings, when not otherwise engaged. But the hall was engaged for so much of the time that, after preaching there twice, the Disciple church invited me to use their chapel for two evenings, and finally requested me to use it for the entire course of lectures, which it was thought best to do under the circumstances. Some are already deeply interested, and we hope for good. S. B. WHITNEY.
Oct. 27, 1875.
Eagle Lake, Minn.
By JOHN L. SMALL
The lovers of the truth may be interested to know how the good cause prospers at this place. We generally have Sabbath meetings once in two weeks besides a weekly prayer-meeting. Bro. Grant visited us not long ago, and baptized four. I think the truth is working in other minds, and I expect, by the blessing of God, others will be led to see and feel its force. There has been, and I suppose is now, considerable opposition, but God is mighty. He can work and none can hinder. I feel like putting my trust in him, and going forward. JOHN L. SMALL.
Oct. 26, 1875.
Illinois T. & M. Society.
By G. W. Colcord; Ada L. Colcord
The quarterly meeting of the Ill. T. & M. Society was held at the White School-house, near Durand, Ill., Oct. 17, 1875, at 9:30 A. M. Called to order by the President. Prayer by Bro. T. Brown.
The secretary, sister E. M. T. Simonson, being absent, Ada L. Colcord was chosen secretary pro tem. Report of previous meeting was read and accepted.
Report of present quarter was called for, and showed the following result:—
No. of families visited, 124; No. of letters written, 177; No. of new subscribers for REVIEW, 16; Instructor, 9; Reformer, 1; VOICE OF TRUTH, 6. Distribution of reading matter was as follows: REVIEWS, 191; Instructors, 42; Reformers, 76; VOICE OF TRUTH, 26; Almanacs, 45; True Missionary, 9; tracts and pamphlets loaned and given away, pages, 63,998, value, $79.95; books given to libraries, number of volumes, 9, pages, 3,078, value, $9.25.
Received on membership, $ 7.00
Donations, 37.60
Book sales, 5.00
Total, $49.60
Some interesting verbal reports were given, and some very encouraging letters were read.
The cases of a poor brother in Kansas and a destitute widow in Dist. No. 10 were considered, and pledges and payments made to relieve them. Remarks were made by Bro. Pratt, of Monroe, Wis., with reference to the widow and orphan’s fund.
The attendance was larger than was anticipated. Five churches in Illinois and two or three in Wisconsin were represented. The meetings were encouraging.
The members of the Society supplied themselves with material with which to work, and promised to remember their duty with reference to reporting. With feelings of hope and good cheer the meeting adjourned.
G. W. COLCORD, Pres.
ADA L. COLCORD, Sec. pro tem.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
Fell asleep, we trust, in Jesus, near Olivet, Mich., Oct. 4, 1875, after an illness of but five days, our dear mother, Christiana Lamson, aged nearly seventy-seven years. Her disease was erysipelas; and memory does not recall the time when mother was not a sufferer, or when she could distinctly see the faces of her children, she having been almost entirely blind for about forty years. She united in early life with the Reformed Dutch church, in Eastern New York, and continued that relation for nearly half a century. She was a constant attendant at church and a consistent Christian. She had been for many years an observer of the Bible Sabbath. She was never known to complain, but at all times expressed the most implicit trust in the God of her fathers. Funeral services were held Oct. 5; and we laid her gently away for a few days, till the night goes by, and the “dawning of the morning” brings everlasting day. Words of comfort were spoken by Rev. Mr. Elmer, of Olivet, Mich. D. H. Lamson.
Died, in the city of Detroit, Sept. 8, 1875, after a protracted illness, Malvin D. Rathbun, of Rochester, Mich., aged thirty years. In early life Bro. R. sought the Saviour. Circumstances were not always favorable to a holy life, and he lost his first love. With declining health and much suffering came deep reflection and sincere repentance. The Lord heard to the satisfaction of his heart, and he died in hope. Funeral discourse, Sept. 11, by the writer, to many friends and a large congregation, in the Baptist church at Rochester, which was freely opened for the occasion. Text, John 14:1, first sentence. D. H. Lamson.
Died, Oct. 28, 1875, near Rockville, Bates Co., Mo., our youngest child, John Lawrence, aged one year and three months. We mourn, but not without hope; for we believe that Jesus will soon come to raise the sleeping dead. J. F. & Louisa Klostermyer.
Fell asleep in Jesus, Oct. 21, 1875, my beloved wife, Mary L. Fisher, aged twenty-five years. She was ill but a short time. Four little children are thus left motherless. She was a firm believer in the present truth, and had been a Sabbath-keeper nearly five years. The weary hands are now at rest, and the faithful heart is still, but we know that them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. H. H. Fisher.
On the 22d, of August, 1875, our dear sister, Hannah Hurtt, after enduring with great fortitude several months’ severe suffering from that distressing disease, consumption, calmly and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, at the residence of her sister, near Ceresco, Saunders Co., Nebraska. Sister Hurtt leaves a husband, a father, several brothers and sisters, and many warm friends to mourn their loss; but we mourn not as those who have no hope. She consecrated herself entirely to the Lord, and believed that he accepted her. We trust she will have a part in the first resurrection, and will be permitted to walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem. May God speed the glad morning when death will be swallowed up in victory. Funeral discourse by Eld. C. L. Boyd. S. E. Hurlburt.