“That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the church of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Tim. iii, 15.
At the present time when we are talking of, and making effective moves toward, more permanent order in the church, it is highly important for us each to obtain the knowledge spoken of by Paul in the above text, to “know how to behave ourselves in the church.” The behaviour spoken of in this text does not mean to know how to act as well-bred gentlemen and ladies, but to each know our proper sphere, and our duty; to know our position and fill it; to know how to occupy our proper place and not meddle with that which belongs to the rulers in the church.
I think I can see where we shall need as a people to mend some of our ways, if we expect to prosper in our organizations. In coming together as we have from various quarters, some have never been brought under discipline, others having thrown aside the human restraint of Babylon, we have been inclined to move on in a sort of independent manner, not seeing the force of the discipline God’s word lays down for us to follow. Some, perhaps, have moved out of their proper sphere, and dictated in, and meddled with, that which was none of their concern, all because they did not “know how to behave themselves in the church of God.”
To behave ourselves properly in the church of God, I conceive several things are necessary to be known. 1. To know our own place in the church. 2. To know what is our duty in view of the place we occupy. 3. To know the duties and privileges of those officers of the church who have the rule over us. 4. To know how we are to act in reference to those who are appointed to take charge of the temporal and spiritual affairs of the church. I think I can see that a lack of understanding on these points has led to confusion, trial, strife, and grief, in the past, and I fear will lead to worse results in the future unless each one of us study diligently to find our place and duty in the church. I venture to make a few suggestions in regard to this matter.
I would notice the position of lay members. It seems from the word of God to be their duty to listen to the counsel of those who are their rulers, and obey them. Lay members are to help them in their work, not by dictating, and finding fault with their movements, but by cheerfully submitting to their just instructions, sympathizing with them, and praying for them. It is173to be supposed when officers are chosen by a church to take the temporal or spiritual oversight of them, that great care and caution will be used, and those only chosen that are as far as possible fitted for the work of their office, and that those only will be chosen whom the church, guided by sanctified judgment, are unanimous in choosing for such office. When we thus place men in the position of spiritual and temporal overseers of the church, we make them our rulers. While they show in all their movements that their only object in discharging their official duties is to work for our good, and for our spiritual advancement in the cause of the Lord, we are under obligations to obey them. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.” Heb. xiii, 17. “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their works’ sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thess. v, 12, 13. “Remember them which have the rule over you, and have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” Heb. xiii, 7, 8. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” 1 Tim. v, 17–19.
On these points I am satisfied we as a people have lacked. Instead of looking upon those whom God has placed over this work, as our rulers, we have been too much in the habit of regarding them as equals, and some, I have thought, were tried if they saw the servants of God having even the comforts which they allow themselves to have. But the above text tells us, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor.” This is not because their persons are better than other men’s, but because God designs that all should realize that it is a move that heaven looks upon with peculiar favor for a man to go out with his life in his hand and deny himself the comforts of home and friends to talk God’s truth to his fellow-men. Such the apostle styles “ambassadors for Christ.” Literally, Ministers to a foreign people. As men do special honor to a minister of a foreign nation who should be sent to this nation, so the church are to give “double honor” to those who in truth show that they are “ambassadors for Christ,” setting before the world the claims which the government of heaven has to their attention.
I have thought as I have seen the freedom with which some have indulged in jealousies, and even allowed themselves to make evil suggestions against the messengers, especially Bro. and sister White, that they little thought of what the Scriptures say on these points.
Dear brethren, the most of you will frankly admit that God has specially called them out to take a stand at the head of this work, that he has been with and sustained them in days past, and wrought mighty deliverances for them. We have seen from time to time some start up in rebellion against them and this work, but no weapon formed against them has prospered. In every rebellion as yet the rebels have either come to nought, or returned sorrowing to find a humble place with the people of God. God has been guiding them, has thrust them out in this work, and made them “laborers in the word and doctrine.” What does the Lord tell us in regard to such? Let such “be especially counted worthy of double honor.” Brethren, have they had it? While a few have had some realizing sense of these things, and have tried to bestow the honor, with the mass it has been quite the reverse.
When God has called upon them to bear a plain, straight testimony, to reprove wrongs, many have thought it too hard, spoke evil of the testimony, sympathized with the reproved one, and done them no injury; but thereby setting at nought the judgment of Christ’s ambassadors, and in thus exalting their own judgment, have not only deprived them of the honor we are commanded to give, but frustrated the work God designed they should accomplish. And as a very natural consequence, they have been thrown under discouragement. Some have hardly needed a hint that Bro. White had done something wrong before they are off to peddle it to all open ears before stopping to learn whether it is so or not. How does this agree with the text, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” Those engaged in peddling such matters from one person to another, are very careful to tell all to keep it secret, and perhaps after it has gone the rounds for months, and alienated scores from the servant of God, it at last accidentally comes to his ears, and he settles with a few words what was in reality only the result of an evil imagination in the first place. There is no use to talk of coming into church fellowship and gospel order unless we make up our minds to lay such work as this entirely aside, and act with frankness and honesty. It seems to me it is one of the highest sins before God to take any course toward the servants of God that will bring discouragement upon them, or in any way hinder them in the great work to which God has called them.
I hear of some moving forward to organize churches who have never themselves been recognized by the church as evangelists. None are qualified to take hold of this important work but ordained preachers. May the Lord help us all to find our proper place and duty, so that we may “know how to behave ourselves in the house of God.”
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
THE CAUSE.
THE prospects brighten before the cause we love and labor to advance. It has passed through perils which have threatened its destruction, and has come through the storm gathering strength in every struggle. If it were not the Lord’s cause it would speedily come to naught. “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say, if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us, then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul, then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Ps. cxxiv.
The past two years have been especially perilous to the cause. These perils have not been in consequence of opposition from the world, or from the churches. The bitterest opposition from these is easily turned to the advancement of the cause. Past experience attests the truth of this. God gives our ministers victory in discussions, and many friends to the cause. Neither have we suffered as much from insubordination of inexperienced Sabbath-keepers as might be expected under so distracted a state of things. But the cause has stood in fearful peril from want of union among those to whom the flock should look for example. And this lack of unity has not been in regard to doctrine. It is a wonderful fact that the system of truth taught by the Seventh-day Adventists is so harmonious, so clear, and so abundantly sustained by the plain testimony of God’s word, that there is little chance for believers to differ. The differences among us have been in consequence of blind prejudices, resulting from lack of consecration, and also opposition to the plain testimony. These things have proved perilous, at least, to us. We look back upon near two years as a blank, and worse than a blank in our life; for we have been so crushed in spirit that we could neither preach nor write with freedom. A gloom has been increasing over us, injurious to the mind and to health, until the world seemed mantled with the pall of death, our love for the word of God and spiritual things was waning, and the grave presented a welcome resting-place.
In this state of mind we had decided to take no leading part in the cause. We had made strong efforts to advance the cause, and our efforts were counteracted by those who should have stood by our side. We had labored to relieve the wants of our preachers, and to get them homes. We had made appeals to our people, showing them their duty to sustain those who labored for them. We had reproved the covetous, exposing ourself to their jealousy, for the sake of our preachers. We were not in want. And from some of our preachers, and from others for similar acts, we have seen evidences of the coldest ingratitude. Some of these very persons have manifested pure hatred. In this state of things we have done what we could to tear away from the cause, all but to publicly declare ourself disconnected from it. Some have come to their senses, and have done all they can by way of confession to relieve our feelings. Others have ceased their warfare. The friends of the cause, contrary to our wishes and expectations, have placed us in a still more responsible position, and God in answer to the fervent prayers of his afflicted people, has manifested his approval, and, blessed be his name, is raising our head once more above the waters.
With astonishment we see this cause moving right onward, notwithstanding these things which have driven us within a hair-breadth of despair and insanity. The cause in some localities for awhile languishes in consequence of the strange course of some of our preachers. God waits all the time to be gracious, and when they by confession come where he can bless and build up his cause, how soon it revives. O, what lessons God’s providence is teaching us! Will not all of God’s ministers among us come up to the work strong, bold, and united? Will they not dare to be right and true in every place? While pondering in sadness over the present state of the cause, Bro. S. handed us the following lines from the New York Advocate and Journal, which seem so appropriate that we give them.
Dare to be right! dare to be true!
You have a work that no other can do.
Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,
As to gladden all heaven, and silence all hell.
Dare to be right! dare to be true!
Cowards and quidnunes dread everything new;
If you can’t stand at your post in a storm,
How can you fight in the ranks of reform?
Dare to be right! dare to be true!
Foes may be many, and friends may be few;
Truth and her champions oft stand alone,
What’s a man good for without a back-bone?
Dare to be right! dare to be true!
Other men’s failures can never save you;
Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith,
Stand like a hero and battle till death.
Dare to be right! dare to be true!
Love may deny you its sunshine and dew.
Let the dew fail, for then showers shall be given;
Dew is from earth, but the showers from heaven.
Dare to be right! dare to be true!
God who created you, cares for you too;
Bottles the tears that his striving once shed,
Counts and protects every hair of your head.
Dare to be right! dare to be true!
The sun may burn red, and the planets burn blue;
God may toss back the systems to chaos again,
But his promise forever is yea and amen.
Again, we are surprised at the faithfulness and united action of our people to sustain our preachers and the cause under existing circumstances. Our preachers are generally well sustained. It might be expected that when a preacher took a course to cripple the cause, and drive men from the truth, that the means of support would dry up; but our people, faithful to their duty, and hoping for better things, still hand out their hard-earned means. We think but few of our preachers realize these things as they exist. The liberality of our people should cause the leaders in this work to feel the deepest gratitude, and inspire them with zeal to act well their part in the cause.
Especially do we feel touched with a sense of the faithfulness of the brethren to sustain that department of the cause with which we are connected. When the call was made for the Book Fund and the Steam Press, $4000 were promptly raised without the expense of traveling agents. Each brother and sister was an agent, and forwarded the money directly to the Office. And when the call was made for $8000 more for the Association, pledges for more than $6000 came in at once. Many have taken shares without pledging, and donations from churches and individuals are receipted in every Number. With a little extra effort with all the friends, the sum can be made up before 1862, and the Association be forever placed beyond want. Once free, with increase of subscribers, and an increased call for our publications, it can help missionaries in new fields by donations of its publications. Prospects as to means to sustain the cause never were so good as at present. Systematic Benevolence far exceeds our expectations, and will do the work. Though we fall in the struggle, battling for Heaven’s order of equality, and in carrying through different enterprises connected with this cause, the work will go forward, and the Seventh-day Adventists will yet fully prize what many of them have been so slow to adopt, and some have bitterly opposed. In contrast with our condition read the following from the Millennial Harbinger, for Oct. 23:
“These are ‘hard times’ we know, but they are specially hard to publishers. We are not alone in embarrassment; almost all other religious papers are embarrassed more or less, according to their popularity. A late issue of the Advent Herald contains the following:
“‘SPECIAL PROPOSITION.—A friend of the cause proposes to give one hundred dollars toward the six hundred needed to publish the Herald weekly the coming year, provided the amount be made up by other contributors.’
“And we find in other papers many similar notices. We do not rejoice at their embarrassment, but mention it to show that we are not alone. Among those papers which advocate the coming of Christ, and some or all of its kindred doctrines, we find that the World’s Crisis is feeling the hard times; the Bible Examiner is temporarily suspended; the Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come is also suspended; and the Gospel Banner is ‘in the storm,’ and feels its effects to a considerable extent.”
We have not the courage to press on against discouragements as those have whom we call nominal. Place our preachers and leaders where they are, with no better backers than they have, and we should at once fall in pieces. May God forgive us as a people, and help us to press together and quit ourselves like men working in earnest for God and his cause.
As to organization, the question has been, Shall we organize? That question being answered in the affirmative, the question now is, How shall we organize? Beware, brethren, of moving hastily in this matter. By hard tugging, our experienced ministers may be induced to take hold of this work, and not leave it for novices in the faith to make still greater confusion by meddling with the organization of churches.
SCRIPTURE ACCOUNT OF THE FLOOD, VINDICATED,
By John Norton Loughborough
In this time, when infidelity is fast increasing, and the adversaries of the Bible are fortifying themselves for strong attacks upon believers, it is of the highest importance that God’s people avail themselves of all the testimony within their reach to meet this prevailing unbelief. We consider that the following testimony, from the first volume of Horne’s Introduction to the study of the Bible, successfully meets the objections which are raised in regard to the flood. We would recommend to every reader, to preserve this article, for reference in case of an attack on this point,
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
No part of the Mosaic history has been more ridiculed by the opposers of revelation, than the narrative of the DELUGE; though no fact that ever occurred in the world is so well attested both by natural and civil history.
1. Proofs of that event from Natural History.
It has been asserted that the relation of the deluge, contained in the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis, is contrary to philosophy, and that the deluge could not be universal, because no stock of water could be found sufficient to overflow the earth to the degree represented by Moses. The Hebrew historian, however, expressly asserts that it was universal, and his relation is confirmed by the fossilized remains of animals belonging to a former world, which are found in every quarter of the globe.
Thus, the highest eminences of the earth, as the Andes, the Alps, the Apennines, the Pyrenees, Libanus, Atlas, and Ararat, in short, all the mountains of every region under heaven, where search has been made, conspire in one uniform and universal proof that the sea was spread over their highest summits; for they are found to contain shells, skeletons of fish, and marine animals of every kind. The bones of extinct animals have been found in America, at an elevation of 7,800 feet, and in the Cordilleras, at 7,200 feet above the level of the sea. In central Asia, the evidence is still more decisive; the fossilized remains of the horse, deer, and bear species, having been brought to England from the Himalaya mountains, from an elevation of more than 16,000 feet.174Further skeletons of the elephant and rhinoceros, natives of Africa and southern Asia, have been dug up on the steppes or table-lands of Tartary and Siberia; and remains of elephants have been found in various parts of England. Crocodiles, chiefly of the Asiatic species, have been discovered in various parts of Europe. The gigantic mammoth (an animal which has hitherto been supposed exclusively to belong to the antediluvian world) has been found in the most northern parts of Russia, and also in North America, and in Ireland. The fossil bones and teeth of the rhinoceros, hippopotamus, tiger, hyæna (animals found in Africa and the east), and of the bear and numerous other animals, have been found in England; to which we may add trees of vast dimensions with their roots and tops, and some also with leaves and fruit, discovered at the bottom of mines and marle-pits, not only in regions where no trees of such kind were ever known to grow, but also where it is demonstrably impossible that they should grow; which effect could only be produced by the fountains of the great deep being broken up. Further, the drifting of the ark northwards, from Noah's settlement to mount Ararat, leads us to infer that the main current of the waters of the deluge came from the south; and that this was the case is most evident from the present appearance of the great continents of the terraqueous globe; whose deep southern indentations and bold projecting capes on the north, together with the chaotic subversions of the ghauts of Hindoostan, as well as of the mountains of Abyssinia and Caffraria, and of those in the neighborhood of the straits of Magellan—all conspire to prove that such tremendous disruptions were originally caused by the waters of the great deep; which rushed northward with considerable fury at first, though they afterward grew less violent toward the end of their progress. There are also traces of prodigious disruptions of the earth in high northern regions, as if on purpose to absorb the redundant waters from the south: and in some parts, as in Norway, whole countries have been uplifted on one side, and half buried on the other in vast gulphs which opened to receive them. To these facts we may add, that all the researches of the most eminent geologists tend to prove the recent population of the world, and that its present surface is not of very ancient formation.
PHYSICAL OBJECTION TO THE MOSAIC HISTORY OF THE DELUGE REFUTED.
Decisive as these facts are, it has been attempted to set aside the Mosaic narrative, by some alleged marks of antiquity, which certain continental philosophers have affirmed to exist in the strata of the lava of Mt. Ætna. Thus Count Borch has attempted to prove that volcanic mountain to be eight thousand years old, by the different strata of lava which have been discovered. And in the vaults and pits which have been sunk to a great depth about Ætna, the Canon Recupero affirmed that seven strata of lava have been found, each with a surface of soil upon them, which [he assumes] would require two thousand years to accumulate upon each stratum; and reasoning from analogy, he calculates that the lowest of these strata must have flowed from the mountain fourteen thousand years ago!
ANSWER.—Nothing can be more fallacious than this argument, if indeed it deserves to be dignified with the name of an argument. For, who knows what causes have operated to produce volcanic eruptions at very unequal periods? Who has kept a register of the eruptions of any burning mountain for one thousand years, to say nothing of three or four thousand? Who can say that the strata of earth were formed in equal periods? The time for the formation of the uppermost and last is probably not known, much less the respective periods of the lower strata. One might have been formed in a year, another in a century. The philosophers above mentioned are wholly ignorant of the cause of any one of these earthly strata. They build one hypothesis upon another, and to believe their whole argument requires stronger faith than to believe a miracle. Faith in a miracle rests upon testimony; but faith in their scheme must be founded on an extreme desire to prove a falsehood. But the analogy, on which it has been attempted to build the hypothesis just mentioned, is contradicted by another analogy, which is grounded on more certain facts.
Ætna and Vesuvius resemble each other in the causes that produce their eruptions, in the nature of their lavas, and in the time necessary to mellow them into soil fit for vegetation. This being admitted, which no philosopher will deny, the Canon Recupero's analogy will prove just nothing at all. We can produce an instance of seven different lavas, with interjacent strata of vegetable earth, which have flowed from mount Vesuvius within the space, not of fourteen thousand, but of somewhat less than fourteen hundred years; for then, according to our analogy, a stratum of lava may be covered with vegetable soil in about two hundred and fifty years, instead of requiring two thousand for that purpose. The eruption of Vesuvius, which destroyed Herculaneum and Pompeii, is rendered still more celebrated by the death of the elder Pliny, recorded in his nephew's letter to Tacitus. This event happened A. D. 79; but we are informed by unquestionable authority, that the matter which covers Herculaneum is not the produce of one eruption only, for there are evident marks that the matter of six eruptions has taken its course over that which lies immediately over the town, and which was the cause of its destruction; and these strata are either of lava or of burnt matter, with veins of good soil between. Whence it is evident, with what ease a little attention and increase of knowledge may remove a great difficulty.
2. But the fact of the universality of the deluge does not rest on the evidence arising from the organic remains of the former world which have been discovered, nor is its history confined to the Scriptures. Civil history likewise affords many evidences which support the Mosaic account of the deluge. Thus,
[i.] The paucity of mankind, and the vast tracts of uninhabited land, which are mentioned in the accounts of the first ages, show that mankind are sprung lately from a small stock, and even suit the time assigned by Moses before the flood. To which we may add, that the great number of small kingdoms and petty States, in the first ages, concur to the same purpose.
"Most eminent nations," it has been well observed, "like great families, have at all times been fond of extolling up their pedigree, and carrying it as high as possible; and where no marks remain of the successive alterations in their state, are apt to imagine that it has been always the same. Hence the many foolish pretences among the ancients, to their being aborigines of the countries they had inhabited time out of mind; hence they were led to make their several gods the founders of their government. They knew but very little of the world; and the tradition which they had of that little was so far mixed and corrupted with romance, that it serves only to confound them. Upon the removal of this cloud by the more diligent and accurate inquiry of the moderns, we see ancient history beginning to clear up, the world puts on a very different face, and all parts of it appear conformable to each other, and to the late better known course of things; as is proved, very clearly, in various instances, by a learned and ingenious writer. We find the marvelous in all the annals of those times, and more especially in the great point of their antiquity, exceedingly reduced, and our own plain accounts still more and more confirmed; whence we may be convinced, that both the peopling and cultivation of the earth arose at first from a few low beginnings; that it very gradually spread itself from some one center; and that it has at all times proceeded by pretty near the same slow regular steps as it does at present."175
REPORT FROM BRO. BYINGTON.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: By request we returned to Salem, Ind., Oct. 11, and held meetings two Sabbaths and first-days, and most of the evenings while there. We were happy to learn that those who arose when we were first there in testimony that they would repent, believe and obey the truth, were not discouraged, though the enemy had tried hard to overcome them. Our meetings were truly refreshing, and we felt we could cheerfully labor while we could see the Lord's hand set to the work. Eleven were baptized, and several others would have been had circumstances admitted.
The brother who came some ten miles to meet for the first time with Seventh-day Advent believers, remarked at the last evening meeting that our opposers would have it that we had no conversions among us, but only made proselytes from the churches. He wished to know how many there were present who had not before professed conversion. The number was thirteen. We believe this brother and his companion went home fully resolved to obey all the truth. We felt that our hearts were one with theirs, and trust they will yet do much good in going out into the highways and hedges to compel others to come in that our Father's house may be filled.
One family returned to the church that had been led away by the no-law system. All put their names to the covenant recommended by our last conference, and have a leader appointed until a more perfect organization can be had. May this church so let their light shine that others seeing their good works may glorify our Father which is in heaven.
JOHN BYINGTON.
Ceresco, Mich.
REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER.
By J. H. Waggoner
In consequence of Bro. Snook’s being disappointed in his coming South, he did not meet me at Knoxville as I expected he would. As I did not hear from him, or know the cause of his delay, I started alone to visit the churches westward. This failure was not only a great disappointment to us both personally, but I think it will prove a detriment to the cause in Southern Iowa, as we were deprived of all opportunity of consultation and planning for the future. I did hope, from Bro. Snook’s letter to me, that he would remain South next winter, and perhaps settle in that part of the State; but he had given this up before I saw him. This I much regret, as a laborer is needed there all the time.
After the meeting near Eddyville, the weather soon turned wet and chilly, so that the further use of the tent was impossible. I would have been pleased to have had the tent pitched once more, but then it would have been doubtful about my answering the urgent calls of the brethren.
Considering the state of my health when I entered this field, I feel that I have great cause to be thankful for being able to labor so much. I shall remember with gratitude the labors of Bro. Ben Auten, who devoted his time to the service of the tent, and by his prudence and untiring watchfulness relieved me of many burdens that I have usually borne when with the tents.
The believers at Pleasantville and Sandyville organized together under the name of the Seventh-day Adventist church of Pleasantville. At Indianola all had left the faith, but one sister, who I hope the Lord will preserve unto his kingdom. A brother and family about nine miles south-west are also faithful.
At Oceola the brethren west to the distance of ten miles united with the church. At this place, at Afton, and Decatur City, the members are much scattered, and I think their efforts to meet together truly commendable. Our meetings in all these places were in a measure frustrated by heavy and protracted rains. By much exposure I was able to meet all my positive appointments, but in several cases there was no gathering, as they did not expect meeting under such circumstances. On this account my trip was not productive of the benefit I desired. Bro. Brinkerhoff was with me part of the time, and was in the neighborhood of Knoxville when I left there. His heart is in this work, but his health is such that he dare not venture to preach much.
Last Sabbath, 12th inst., I spent with the church in Monroe Co. I found them firm in the faith, and growing stronger, I trust. Bro. Luke is doing good service in encouraging and strengthening them, and I hope the Lord will lead him in a way where a wider field of usefulness may open before him. I spoke to the church on the Sabbath, and gave an appointment for meeting in the school-house in the evening. In the afternoon I had an ague chill, the effect, probably, of neuralgia contracted by traveling in the rain.
On Monday, the 14th, I went to Batavia, and unexpectedly found Bro. Snook still lecturing there. I spent two evenings with him, on the last of which Bro. Shortridge arrived there. Next morning I went to Fairfield on my way homeward.
If the Southern Iowa tent is run next year, arrangements must be made for it this winter. If left till spring, it will not be accomplished, as their circumstances will not admit of their calling laborers from abroad. They are both able and willing to support the cause there, but it must be through resident ministers, whose wants can be supplied without much outlay of money. My own experience proves that they are as willing to bestow their means as any among whom I ever labored; but various causes, among which is their proximity to the theater of war, and consequent prostration of business, render it almost impossible to convert their property into money.
I shall remember with pleasure the acquaintances formed in this State, and with gratitude the uniform kindness of the brethren and sisters. Though I bid farewell to them now, my interest in their welfare is abiding, and I shall remember them in my prayers.