Earlier text: Save Me, I PerishThe Wisconsin Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
There was quite a good attendance at this meeting. Some thought it was the largest ever convened in the State. Some were present from Illinois. The brethren and sisters were on the ground in good season, and the camp-meeting committee had things in a good state of readiness, so that there was no delay in commencing promptly Thursday morning, according to appointment. I arrived upon the ground at that time, and was very sorry to find no other ministers from other Conferences there to help me. I had expected Eld. Canright without fail, but received a line from him stating that the condition of his throat was such that he could not be present. I then telegraphed to Bro. and sister White, hoping it might be possible for them to be present and labor what their strength would permit. But I suppose they could not find it consistent to come. Their absence was a very great disappointment to all, but to me especially. I feared these things would prove a source of discouragement to the meetings. But we all tried to take hold with zeal to keep the work moving forward, and I hope the result will prove that real good was accomplished; though I regretted exceedingly that there could not have been more ministerial help present from abroad, which would have more truly represented our people in point of ability—especially where so many of S. D. Baptist brethren were in attendance. But God can use weak instruments to advance his cause when necessity compels such selection. I gave eleven discourses, besides doing a large amount of other talking and labor and business. Bro. Matteson spoke five times. Bro. Sanborn once. Our social meetings were, on the whole, very good, especially toward the last part of the meeting. A large number came forward for prayers Sabbath afternoon, and there was a very solemn state of feeling among the people. I think the efforts of prominent brethren to draw near to God, and humble their hearts, and really consecrate themselves to him, were never more earnest. Many expressed themselves as very hopeful that better days were before the cause in Wisconsin; and that a real turning point had been reached, and that some influences had been changed for the better, which had been in the way in the past. I felt called upon, by a sense of duty, to bring out the evidences plainly before our own people in regard to the visions. I chose mornings to do this, outside of our regular preaching appointments, thinking those who were not of our people would not wish to hear on that subject. I presented the matter pointedly, and had the satisfaction of knowing, from the testimony of many, that their doubts were dispelled, and that they saw the matter as never before. From some causes, there had been a good deal of skepticism on this point in the minds of many in this State. I now relate a circumstance which rather surprised me, I confess; and it may be worth while to relate it here. On Sunday afternoon, when the largest crowd were there, and many of them were our S. D. Baptist friends, a large number expressed great desire to hear on this subject of the visions, and prominent ministers expressed great regret that they could not have heard my remarks upon that subject. So, by their special request, I spoke upon it to the large crowd Sunday afternoon. My remarks seemed to be received in the best spirit, and I believe a large amount of prejudice was removed. When the arguments are brought out on the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and the evidences given that genuine manifestations of them have existed among us, we have no reason to fear the effects upon the minds of candid men, the evidences are so very clear. It is high time our own people knew their whereabouts on this important subject. Our enemies will bring the issue to bear upon us, and, for one, I have no fears to meet it when it comes. The doctrine of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts is as clearly taught as any doctrine of the Bible. And if God honors us by manifestations of his Spirit, I, for one, do not propose to be ashamed of it. If he does not, we have been very much deluded as a people, and the sooner we find our whereabouts the better. My faith was never stronger in the genuineness of this manifestation among us than to-day. I formed some very pleasant acquaintances among our S. D. Baptist friends. Four or five ministers were in attendance much of the time, and took their seat with us in the stand, and took part like brethren. In particular, I formed a very pleasant acquaintance with Eld. Varnum Hull, who had come on to attend the Association meeting of the S. D. Baptists, to be held next week, and who attended quite a number of our meetings. I am glad to learn from him and others that a kindly feeling of brotherly regard is growing up among them toward us, and am glad that such is the case among ourselves. I trust it may increase. On Monday, we called the people forward again, and had an examination of candidates for baptism. Bro. Sanborn buried seventeen willing souls, whom, we trust, will walk in newness of life. The scene was a beautiful one. The pretty little lake lying like a broad mirror at our feet, calm and still, and the sacred influence of our meeting, and the solemnity of the ordinance, made the scene an interesting one. I never saw a prettier ground for a camp-meeting than this. Our business meetings were harmonious. I tried to give such instructions in regard to means and the proper care of the same as seemed to be necessary to make all realize the sacred trust imposed upon those who had the care of these funds raised by others for a holy purpose. The Tract and Missionary Society seems to be in a hopeful state, but there was very great regret that Bro. Haskell did not give them a call. Perhaps it should be explained that his not doing so arose from a misunderstanding in regard to putting the appointment in the paper. The people are very anxious he should return soon. There was a cheerful response to the appeal in behalf of the proposed school. Nearly two thousand dollars were pledged in a very short time for this one purpose. The brethren have purchased another small tent, forty feet in diameter, and so, expect to have two running this season. Bro. A. Olsen was solemnly set apart to the ministry by the laying on of hands. The Spirit of the Lord seemed greatly to bless upon the occasion. Our parting meeting, Tuesday morning, was a very melting one. So we parted, many to meet, I trust, in the kingdom of God, if not before. Medford, Minn., June 25, 1873.30 “THOU SHALT REAP IF THOU FAINT NOT.”
Go, beside all waters sow; in the morning scatter wide;
Liberal let thy hand bestow, at the fall of eventide;
What shall spring, or where, or when, thou art not concerned to know.
Quickening sunbeams, genial rain, God in his own time will show. Thou be faithful, watch and pray, murmur not, nor dare repine,
If thy labor seem in vain, from the dawn to day’s decline,
Where the foot of sin hath trod, there unwearied do thou toil;
Still renew, with ready zeal, efforts to reclaim the soil. What glad sound salutes the ear? Lo, the blade unfolds its green!
Now the tender grains appear! ripened now the fields are seen!
Take the sickle, reap ye there; garner in the sheaves spread wide.
What the harvest? Souls are saved, pardoned, sealed, and sanctified. Going to God for Strength
Do you feel you are weak? this is the Spirit's bidding you to go to God for strength. California Tent Lectures and Woodland Church Report
By John Norton Loughborough
My last report was dated June 9. We had then given about fourteen lectures in our new tent, in Napa. We have now given thirty-one lectures, and sold over $41.00 worth of books. The people have contributed $30.71 toward our expenses. We have canvassed the Sabbath question quite thoroughly; one opposition sermon has been given by a minister of the Christian denomination, at their church. To this, a reply was given by Bro. Cornell, in the tent. This has served to increase the interest. A Bible-class was held last Sabbath, attended by about sixty. We do not know yet how many of these were keeping the Sabbath. There are, at least, twenty that we know of, who have taken their stand upon the truth, and still the work goes on. We shall continue here while the interest demands. Last Sabbath and first-day, I was with the church at Woodland and gave four discourses, and had one social meeting. Two more were baptized, and united to the church on first-day. Those who have come out in Woodland, seem to be in earnest in the work, and have interesting prayer and social meetings, and a good Sabbath-school and Bible-class, without preachers. One of their number wrote to us here that they “thought the Sabbath-keepers in Woodland, in their meetings, had more interesting times, even without a preacher, than the other churches did with all their preachers.” The interest is such that quite a number of those outside of the church attend the Sabbath meetings there. If all make it a point to be active in the work, they may expect to be “blessed in the deed.” If all strive, in deportment, dress, conversation, and deal, to show that the hope of life, and the better world, has a larger place in their hearts than this world, then may their influence always tell for the right. We cannot go along neglectful of our duty in obeying the Lord’s word, and expect his blessing. We claim, as a people, to have light and truth in advance of anything that has gone before us. Has not this truth, with God’s blessing, power to hold us to our purpose to do right? Some in Woodland, even outside the church, are watching to see if this people will be humble, and conform to the Scriptures, or, whether they, like some other denominations, will fall into pride, dress, and jewelry-wearing. The Bible is very plain on this subject: “Not wearing gold,” &c. “Not the putting on of gold,” &c. Why is it not just as easy to do what the book says in that as in other matters? and, if it is needful to wear collar pins and cuff buttons, why is not simple jet or ivory just as useful as gold? And then it leaves no ground for the claim that in this our practice is against the plain letter of the Bible. As for finger rings, I know not what plea is made for them. They certainly do not help the circulation of the blood, and are only used as ornaments. I am glad to see as great an advancement as there is at Woodland, in laying aside useless adornings, and hope progress will still be made, and none turn back to take up what they have once laid down. Those who are struggling against the filthy weed, tobacco, have our sympathies and prayers that they may gain complete victory. We learn by letter from Healdsburg, that they had an excellent quarterly meeting there the 14th and 15th inst. From the different churches, we learn that their Sabbath meetings are good. All express an anxiety for the spread of the truth. Although they enjoy preaching when they can hear it, they say, “Go and bring souls into the truth, we will hold on as best we can without a preacher.” May the Lord bless them. It is just five years to-day since Eld. Bourdeau and myself embarked from New York city on the steamer, Rising Star, with our then new tent for California. We little knew of the labor incident to planting a new mission, or we might have come with our hearts more fully consecrated to the work, and a greater supply of God’s Spirit. Looking over the past, we have great reason to thank God for the success that has already attended the work. The California Mission has not been without its trials and discouragements, but these are no food for the saints abroad, and we will not parade them here. The Lord has truly wrought for us, or the cause would never have survived, and come to that state of prosperity it now enjoys. It has been our endeavor to incite all to a spirit of promptness in every respect, not only in the discharge of their practical duties in meeting and out, but to be also prompt in paying their pledges on S. B. Some have had the idea, because I wished them to be prompt, that I was anxious to get hold of the means. I have no boasting to do, but will simply say, my greatest anxiety in this respect has been to see “fruit abound to their account,” and to see all prosper in the Lord. This I know will result from prompt action in every respect. I think the brethren have been anxious to do more for me, in point of means, than I wished them to do. So I have no misgivings on that point. As the work has increased, it has become absolutely necessary that others should take part of the burdens which one might bear when the work was but just beginning. It is just as necessary for all to be prompt now as ever. Missionary officers can urge up the members, librarians, and business agents, to their respective duties, and all can be active in the work. I think it will go better when all learn what is expected of them. If I have failed to explain to the officers of the different departments of the work here their duties, then blame rests upon me. If we all know our duties, let us perform the work “faithfully,” and not “negligently.” Systematic Benevolence Treasurers are expected here to collect the S. B. and make their report at the first of each quarter, namely, first of January, April, July, and October. Members must not take it amiss because the Treasurer asks them for the sum they have pledged. We need to keep these matters straight, first, to be ready to meet contingent expenses in our own State, second, as our fund increases, so that we may, it will do the people of this State as much good to extend the mission to other parts of the Pacific coast, as it did our brethren east to extend the work to California. The Librarian or business agent in each division of our missionary society, is expected to notify each subscriber to REVIEW, Instructor, and Reformer, in his respective division, when his time is nearly expired, and give him opportunity to renew his subscription if he will, the President and Secretary of the missionary society, of course, furnishing his lists of subscribers at suitable times. All our members are expected to take an active part in circulating tracts and pamphlets, obtaining new subscribers to the papers, and in doing all they can to awaken interest in these Bible truths. When we all learn what is expected of us, and act promptly, then the work will move on harmoniously. I trust, dear brethren and sisters of the California Conference, that you will prosper during the summer, while we are making efforts to extend the borders of the work. About Sept. 17, we ought to rally all of our forces for a general camp-meeting and State Conference, at some central point, say, somewhere in Napa Valley, where all can assemble from Sonoma and Yolo Counties, and all other parts. It is none too soon to be laying our plans, and making preparations. Last year, our notice was too short; all were too much hurried in preparing for the meeting. There were not tents enough for all our people that came. We ought to have at least forty tents this fall, if not more. Let each church and company take up the matter immediately, decide how many tents they will need, and make the tents at once, so as not to be hurried with tent-making up to the last day before starting. Where possible, secure permanent tents, for while the work continues, we shall want tents for our yearly camp-meetings. We can buy, for about $15.00 apiece, tents 10x12, of heavy drilling, for those who wish them. Let us be active, and with all, let us earnestly seek God to bless the labors of the summer, and abundantly bless the general assembly of his people in the camp-meeting. Don’t begin to say, I can’t go to the meeting; but say, I must go, and then all things will bend to it. If you think you can’t attend, it will come out as “I can’t” generally does. May we all, in all things, move with that faith which “smiles at seeming impossibilities and says, It must be done.” Pray for the success of the work here, and everywhere. Napa, Cal., June 24, 1873. Proceedings of the Wisconsin Conference.
By I. Sanborn; E. R. Gillett
THE third annual Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Clear Lake, Rock Co., Wis., June 19 to 23. Conference called to order by the President, Eld. I. Sanborn, at five o’clock P. M., June 19, 1873. Prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. Credentials of delegates were called for; twenty churches were represented. One church, by letter. Voted, That the churches of Plainfield and Mount Hope be admitted into the Conference. Voted, That Geo. I. Butler, and all persons present in good standing in any S. D. A. church in this Conference, be invited to participate in our deliberations. Minutes of last Conference called for, read, and approved. A committee of three was chosen to select proper committees, consisting of Geo. I. Butler, H. W. Decker, and M. J. Bartholf. Adjourned to call of President. Conference called at 4 o’clock P. M., June 22. On motion, church at Ashwaubenon was received into the Conference, with Bro. O. A. Olsen as delegate. Committee on Nominations reported as follows:— For President, P. S. Thurston, of Oasis, Waushara Co.; Treasurer, Wm. Kerr, of Monroe, Green Co.; Executive Committee, O. A. Olsen, of Green Bay, E. O. Hammond, Monroe, Green Co.; Secretary, E. R. Gillett, Monroe, Green Co. Adjourned to call of the President. Conference convened at 9 o’clock A. M., June 23. Prayer by Eld. Butler. Auditing Committee made their report, which was adopted. The Committee on credentials and licenses recommended that the credentials of Eld. John Matteson, David Downer, and I. Sanborn, be renewed; that Bro. O. A. Olsen be ordained to the ministry; and that the following persons receive a license to improve their gifts: P. Cady, Walter Case, John Atkinson, H. W. Decker, Wm. B. Palmer, C. W. Olds, Rufus Baker, I. C. Nelson, P. S. Thurston, and N. M. Jordan, which report was adopted. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:— Resolved, That we are thankful to the Lord for the prosperity, which, under the management of God’s faithful servants, has attended our Institutions. We are deeply interested in their future prosperity, and also in the proposed school; therefore, we recommend these institutions to the liberal support of our brethren. 2. Resolved, That the providence of God has opened so many doors for the spread of the truth, that it brings us under very solemn obligations to live in such a way that the Lord can work through us for the salvation of precious souls. 3. Resolved, That no money shall be paid out of the several church treasuries and Conference treasuries, except by an order from the Executive Committee. 4. Resolved, That we are very thankful for the faithful labor of Bro. Butler in our camp-meeting and Conference. Adjourned to call of Chair. Fourth session, June 23, 2 o’clock P. M. Prayer by Bro. Downer. Voted, That N. M. Jordan and H. W. Decker be a Camp-meeting Committee. Report of treasurer called for, read, and approved. The report is as follows:— Amount of S. B. received during the year, $1974.47 The Secretary reported as follows:— No. of members at commencement of Conference year, 1872, 619. Do. of Conference year, 1873, 703. Amount of S. B. at commencement of Conference year, 1872, $2377.20. Do. of Conference year, 1873, 2407.72. Voted, That this Conference donate to the General Conference Fund the sum of $100.00. The following resolutions were introduced and adopted:— Resolved, That we request the General Conference Committee, if deemed consistent with the general good of the cause, to request Bro. D. T. Bourdeau to come to this Conference to labor among the French people, and in other directions as the providence of God may seem to indicate. Resolved, That we regret that Bro. Haskell could not visit us when in the West; and would extend to him an earnest invitation to come to this Conference as soon as convenient, to help along the Tract and Missionary cause. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Conference be published in the REVIEW AND HERALD. On motion, the Conference adjourned sine die. Another Word of Good Cheer.
The following short letter will be appreciated by those who send the REVIEW to their friends:— “Through the kindness of a friend, I received the last volume of the REVIEW AND HERALD. I hardly know how to express my thanks for the blessed truth that I have been led to accept through its teachings.” “I inclose $1.00 for a renewal of my subscription. I bid you God speed in your glorious work.” Ohio Field Report: Arnold Meetings and Waterford Quarterly Meeting
By H. A. St. John
My last report closed with the announcement that I had commenced meetings in Arnold school-house, Knox Co., June 1. Continued there but two weeks. The prospect was quite encouraging to begin with, but it being a farming community, the people were driven with work all the long day, and we found it about impossible to create a real interest in a country school-house at this season of the year. We presented the law, Sabbath, and third message; gave away some books; and left them, not, however, without an invitation to return when the nights were longer. Sabbath and Sunday, June 21 and 22, I attended the quarterly meeting for district No. 2, in Morrow County. This was a good meeting. Two were baptized, and the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated. The Waterford church was more fully organized, church records straightened up, &c. The work of the Lord is progressing in this place. The Waterford church have had ten accessions since we came among them, and if they seek to walk uprightly, and gather with Christ, the Lord will add to their number such as shall be saved. The first step was taken toward the erection of a house of worship, which they greatly need. We hope they will soon accomplish this worthy object. I should be glad to engage with an efficient and able-bodied man in a tent meeting in Ohio, before camp-meeting. My health and strength are such that I do not feel fitted to labor alone. I ever want the direction of the Lord. My address is Battle Creek, Mich., Box 1162. H. A. St. John. Good Manners and Silence Regarding Yourself
ONE of the most important rules of the science of good manners is an almost total silence in regard to yourself. Annual Report of the Wisconsin T. & M. Society.
By P. S. Thurston; N. M. Jordan
THE Tract and Missionary Society of Wisconsin held its first annual session in connection with the camp-meeting at Clear Lake, Rock Co., June 22, 1873. Prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and received. Secretary’s report called for, and accepted. The amount of labor reported was as follows:— No. of families visited, 483; No. of letters written, 22; No. of new subscribers for REVIEW, 55; Instructor, 62; Reformer, 89; Tidende, 3. No. of pages tracts given away, 72,836 “ “ “ pamphlets “ “ 4,062 “ “ “ books loaned, 82,055 No. of members belonging to T. and M. Society, 287. Amount received on membership, $90.76. The Treasurer made the following report, which was accepted:— Cash received during the year, $142.34 Voted, That a Nominating Committee of three be appointed by the Chair. Remarks were made by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. Adjourned to call of the President. Prayer by Eld. John Matteson. The Nominating Committee made the following report:— For President, P. S. Thurston, Oasis, Waushara Co., Wis.; Vice-president, O. H. Pratt, Monroe, Green Co.; Secretary, Mattie Babcock, Brodhead, Green Co.; Treasurer, William Kerr, Monroe, Green Co.; Directors, 1st District, A. Olsen, Jefferson Co., Wis.; 2d, O. H. Pratt, Monroe, Green Co.; 3d, A. E. Osborn, Mount Hope, Grant Co.; 4th, C. K. Ackley, Richland Co.; 5th, Eli Osborn, Vernon Co.; 6th, Milo Downer, Mendora, Lacrosse Co.; 7th, W. B. Palmer, Oasis, Waushara Co.; 8th, Rufus Baker, Markesan, Green Lake Co.; 9th, N. M. Jordan, Lodi, Columbia Co.; 10th, E. G. Rust, Chicago, Ill.; 11th, P. H. Cady, Poy Sippi; 12th, J. P. Jesperson, Neenah. The report was adopted, and the committee discharged. On motion, the officers were elected. Remarks were made by Eld. Geo. I. Butler and P. S. Thurston, on the general object and wants of the tract and missionary cause. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. DIED, in Windsor, Fayette Co., Iowa, Friday morning, June 6, my beloved wife, Sarah Jane, aged twenty-eight years and four months. She endured a painful illness for more than two years, which terminated in consumption. During the past winter and spring, she suffered severely. She embraced present truth about ten years ago. She was a worthy and esteemed member of the W. Union church, and her loss is much deplored. She loved the truth and Sabbath, lived consistently with her faith, and performed her part well during her short but exemplary life, and bore faithfully the burdens and responsibilities which fell upon her. She left a child one year old, and another rests by her side. Discourse was given by Bro. Morrison on the 15th, to an attentive audience, from Rev. 14:13. J. C. Smith. DIED, June 9, 1873, in the town of Albee, Mich., Bro. Seth Sprague, aged sixty years, eleven months, and twenty-one days. Bro. Sprague experienced religion at the age of seventeen years. He walked with the Methodists until about four years ago, when he became convinced of present truth by reading some of the Seventh-day Adventist publications, and united with the Chesaning church. Bro. Sprague has been very zealous in the cause of God since he united with us. He had to walk seven miles to attend meeting, but was present almost every Sabbath. Funeral services by Bro. Robbins, of Owosso. I. O. Thompson. DIED, at Stony Point, Cal., of membranous croup, Emma, daughter of sister Peoples, aged three years, two months, and nine days. May sister Peoples lean upon the arm of God in her trials, continue in the straight and narrow path, and finally be enabled to meet her little one at the first resurrection. John Judson. “Copy of a letter, written by our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Found 84 miles from Iconium, 65 years after our blessed Saviour’s crucifixion; transmitted from the holy city by a converted Jew, faithfully translated from the original Hebrew copy in the possession of the Lady Cuba’s family, at Mesopotamia. This letter was written by Jesus Christ, and found under a great stone, both round and large, at the foot of the cross, near a village called Mesopotamia—upon that stone was written and engraved:— “BLESSED IS HE THAT SHALL TURN ME OVER.” All people that saw it prayed to God earnestly, and desired he would make known to them the meaning of this writing, that they might not attempt in vain to turn it over; in the meantime came a little child, and turned it over without help, to the admiration of all the people that stood by; and under this stone was found a letter written by Jesus Christ, which was carried to Iconium and there published, and in it was written the commandments, signed by the angel Gabriel, ninety-eight years after our Saviour’s birth; to which is added King Agbaraus’s letter, and our Saviour’s answer; also his miracles, and a full description of his person in Lentulus’s epistle to the Senate of Rome. “Whosoever worketh on the Sabbath day shall be cursed. I command you to go to church, and keep the Lord’s day holy, without doing any manner of work. You shall not idly spend your time, in bedecking yourselves with superfluities of costly apparel and vain dresses, for I have ordained it a day of rest. I will have that day kept holy, that your sins may be forgiven you. You shall not break my commandments. Observe and keep them, written with my own hand. Write them in your own hearts; steadfastly observe this. This was written with my own hand, and spoken by my own mouth. You shall not only go to church yourselves, but also your men-servants and your maid-servants, and observe my words, and learn my commandments. You shall finish your labor every Saturday, in the afternoon by six of the clock, at which hour, the preparation of the Sabbath begins. I advise you to fast.. five days in every year, beginning with Good Friday, and to continue the four Fridays immediately following, in remembrance of the five bloody wounds I received for all mankind. You shall diligently and peacefully labor in your respective vocations in which it hath pleased God to call you. You shall love one another with brotherly love, and cause them that are not baptized to come to church and receive the holy sacraments, viz., baptism and the Lord’s supper, and be made members thereof; and in so doing, I will give you long life, and many blessings, and your land shall replenish, and bring forth abundance. I will give you many blessings, and comfort you in great temptations; and surely he that doth the contrary shall be accursed and unprofitable. I will also send hardness of heart upon them, but especially upon hardened and impenitent unbelievers. He that hath not given to the poor shall be unprofitable. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day, for the seventh day I have taken to rest myself. And he that hath a copy of this letter, written with my own hand, and spoken with my own mouth, and keepeth it, without publishing it to others, shall not prosper; but he that publisheth it to others shall be blessed of me; and if their sins be in number as the stars of the sky, and they believe in this, they shall be pardoned; but if they believe not this writing, and my commandments, I will send a plague on them, and consume them, their children, and their cattle. “And whosoever shall have a copy of this letter, written with my own hand, and keepeth it in their houses, nothing shall hurt them, neither pestilence, lightning, nor thunder shall do them any hurt. And if a woman be with child in labor, and a copy of this letter be about her, and she firmly puts her trust in me she shall be safely delivered. You shall have no news of me but by the Holy Spirit, till the day of Judgment. All prosperity shall be in the house where a copy of this letter shall be found.—Amen.” Science, Falsely so Called.
By A. Smith
WAS the earth, at the time of its creation, thrown in a molten state from the surface of the sun like a drop of water from a swiftly revolving grindstone? Did it occupy ages in cooling from the surface inward, developing animal and vegetable life in a continually ascending scale, until it reached its maximum density and corresponding organic development? Did this cooling process extend no further than to form a thin incrustation of terra firma over the earth, comparing in thickness with the interior as the rind of an orange to its pulp? And are volcanoes and earthquakes simply the gushings forth of the intermundane fires, roused into action by stellar influence or subterranean gripings? To the first question we oppose the fact, that, since inertia is a property of all bodies, motion must have originated with an uncreated, infinite intelligence—God. And, since he has power to originate, he has also power to check or alter such motion, or originate a new order of things, at any time, to subserve his righteous will. See Josh. 10:13; 2 Kings 20:8–11. Such direct interposition, may, at least, have been the case at the creation of our world; but some men have become satisfied from experiments made with causing mercury to revolve swiftly round a disc on the surface of a basin of oil, that such was not the case; and hence the Bible account of creation is ignored, thinking that they understand better the principles upon which worlds and systems were created. If the molten hypothesis be correct, when our seething mundane drop flew off in a tangent from the solar grindstone, it must have drawn after it an immense train of vapor or steam, which, condensing, formed the waters on the surface of the earth. Whence the germs of plants and animals in this seething void? A few experiments with distilled water in a close vessel elucidates the question in the minds of some. But we leave this part of the subject in the labyrinth, where we found it, and turn with relief to the divine record in Gen. 1:6–12, 20–22. Was animal life developed in a continually ascending scale? If so, pride is unbecoming a race whose progenitors were baboons; and it is not a consoling thought that the law of development may so change as to evolve a race of beings so superior to us that they will carry us about the country in cages, as we do the monkey, to amuse the gaping crowd with our antics and unintelligible jargon. I am not overdrawing the picture if such illustrations as that of the tadpole and mosquito, and of the multiplying machine, made use of by naturalists, be pertinent. Are the so-called central fires covered by only a thin incrustation of terra firma? Since experiments are in order, we will make use of one to elucidate the question. Form a hollow ball of earth the size of an orange, with the pulp entirely removed. Hold this ball in your hand, and let me fill it, through an aperture, with molten iron. But you draw back, in evident distrust of the non-conducting properties of your ball. Query: How long could animal or vegetable life exist upon the surface of a ball like our earth, if filled with raging fire? Whence, then, came volcanoes and earthquakes? At the time of the flood, trees and plants of giant growth, land and marine animals, were piled together, and covered by an Almighty hand, and kept in store for the last generation, to warm and light their dwellings, to speed the wings of commerce, and to serve as an engine of wrath to depopulate the earth, at last, of its wicked inhabitants. Fire, doubtless, first caught in some outcropping coal strata (the recent burning of Fort Pillow is an example), and has ever since been extending, producing volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, in a continually increasing ratio, and muttering warnings of the impending day of wrath. Fire, in the coal strata, would, from time to time, come in contact with calcareous rock, converting it into lime, and as the earth abounds with streams of water, the fire, in its steady, onward course, would intersect them, turning their courses into the heated void, when, converted into steam, lashed into madness by the slacking lime, and all beneath, instead of a yielding liquid mass, being firm as the everlasting rocks, the mighty power thus gendered would be exerted in the direction of the least resistance, or toward the surface, causing an earthquake or volcanic eruption; or, in lieu of water, inflammable gases or oil might gender a power equally irresistible. If the molten hypothesis be correct, might we not confidently look for constantly diminishing volcanic manifestations, or, at least, if the cooling process had long since reached an equilibrium, should we not look for such demonstrations to occur with considerable regularity? But what are the facts in the case? Since earthquakes and volcanic eruptions first attracted the attention of man to the present day, they have occurred in frequency and power, in a continually increasing ratio. And what, it may be asked, with a nervous foreboding of some impending calamity, will culminate these wrathful demonstrations? Even that which is predicted in the word of God, and of which the fate of Sodom is given as an example, but of which men, blinded by philosophy and vain deceit, are willingly ignorant. See 2 Pet. 3:5–7; Jude 7. As in the former creation, so also in the destruction and new creation of our earth and heaven, unbelief respecting any special divine interposition is and will be indulged by the same class, until the realities of that awful day shall reveal the fact that their opportunity to escape is forever lost. The Bible abounds in solemn warnings of the impending day of wrath; but that only which closes the stupendous drama have we space to notice. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Pet. 3:10. The elements, air and water, are composed of certain gases: air, of oxygen and nitrogen; water, of oxygen and hydrogen. Hydrogen gas, when confined in an inverted open vessel, and ignited, will burn at the surface, but if the vessel be turned up, the gas will escape in a volume of flame. Oxygen gas is so inflammable that iron or steel will burn in it with a light too intense for human sight to endure. It is an abundant supply of this gas that gives such intense heat to the blacksmith’s forge. The sudden decomposition of water is attended with a great noise; that of a single drop being equal to the report of a pistol. Electricity is a fluid largely pervading all nature, its positive and negative principles appearing in nearly every object of which we can form a conception. It is more subtle than air, executing its office with the rapidity of flashes of light. It is that which glows in the sun, and, without doubt, tints the flower of the field, that flashes destruction from the bosom of the storm cloud, and to which the booming thunder bears a tribute of majestic power. This is the agency that may possibly be made use of by the Creator in the decomposition of the elements. But who shall dwell with the devouring fire? Isaiah replies in hope-inspiring terms, “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.” When the fires shall have expended their force in the destruction of that which the hand of sin and unbelief has polluted, “We, according to his promise,” says Peter, “look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness,” and where we believe there will be no philosophers to speculate upon the (to them) impossibilities of the divine record of the past.