5. One thing I was very sorry to observe about the cause in Iowa, and that is that while the Lord has been blessing them in raising up many new churches, and adding to the old ones, so that they number several hundred more this year than they did last, still their S. B. pledges have actually fallen off $1000. That is, the pledges for 1876 were $1000 more than for 1877. This looks decidedly bad. The brethren have not been getting poor at that rate. It is true that in some parts of the State their crops have been poor, but even there they have raised considerable. In other parts of the State, crops have been good and times are no harder than in all parts of the country. By a little inquiry we found that there were quite a number of men worth several thousand dollars each, who did not pledge a cent last year, nor pay anything either. How such men can expect God to prosper them in their business, or save them from calamity, I don't know.
We also found a very large number who are paying only one-fourth or one-half what they should pay. If the S. B. pledges in Iowa were up to what they should be, it would amount to $10,000. There must be a united effort on the part of the preachers and tract workers to bring this up, or the State will be crippled for want of means. There are men enough in Iowa, who are now offering themselves to preach, to run ten tents, and then quite a number would have to labor without tents. It will take some means to do this. “But perhaps some of these men will prove failures. It will cost $125 to get a forty-foot tent for two of these young preachers; and it may cost another hundred or more, time and expenses, to give them a trial. And then, if it should prove a failure, how terrible that would be! What a dreadful loss!” Well, yes, that would be bad, certainly; but would it not be worse to allow fifty souls to be lost who might be saved if the risk were made? Do our brethren ever think of this side of the question?
Risks have to be taken in everything. There is not a single farmer or trader of any account who is not risking scores and hundreds of dollars every year; and every little while these men lose more or less too. But do they stop working on that account? Do they shut up shop, and refuse to invest anything? No; they never think of such a thing. I can name plenty of men among us, who have gone into some enterprise, and have lost from $500 to $3000 in a year or two. Talk to them about it, and they will say they do not expect to be always successful anyway. They expect to lose something now and then. But if one of these men puts $25 into the cause of God, and it is lost, you never will hear the end of it. They will make that an excuse for not giving for ten years to come.
It is remarkable how little has been lost in this cause. We have reason to thank God that almost every investment brings some success. Iowa is becoming one of our most wealthy Conferences. They will have to be careful, or they will become covetous. The systematic pledges are a good index in this matter.
6. But the one thing that struck my mind more forcibly than anything else in all my travels in Iowa was the fact that the blessing of God has signally followed those who have been liberal in the cause, and have been consecrated to the work; while adversity and losses have invariably followed those who have withheld their means, and robbed God. Were I at liberty, I could give scores of names illustrating these facts.
One brother I knew some eight years ago, who was then worth over $2000. After preaching as plainly as I could, and making an earnest personal appeal to him, all I could induce him to pledge was five cents a week, and that came grudgingly. Now he hasn't a dollar in the world. Another one I knew in the same church who was then worth but a few hundred dollars. He was always liberal; paid the full amount of S. B., and a little more, and gave on other enterprises liberally. God has blessed him remarkably. He has met with no losses, has had good health, and his property has more than quadrupled. Brethren, is this all a happen-so?
Another case I know, where a brother has given on every call that has been made, not simply by tens and fifties, but by hundreds. He kept his systematic up promptly and liberally. It is remarkable how he has been blessed. Everything he turns his hand to seems to prosper. With another brother of large means, who has taken the opposite course, everything has gone the other way. It has been loss after loss. Some eight years ago there was a man who owned six hundred acres of land. Means were urgently needed. But he could not give anything; he had no money; it was all tied up. We urged him to sell off some of his land, and give that to the cause. But no; he could not think of doing that. Land was coming up. He couldn't make such a sacrifice. At that time he could have taken $30 an acre; but he must keep it to have more. Well, his land kept coming up all the way from $30 per acre to about $18. In fact, he could not get that for it now. Poor deceived man! If he had sold seven-eighths of his land, or the whole of it, and put two or three thousand dollars into the cause of God, he would still have had left several thousand dollars more than he now has.
So I found things as I went from church to church. Every single place furnished illustrations of the fact that the curse of God is upon those that are stingy, and withhold their means from the cause; while, on the other hand, the blessing of God follows those who live up to the truth, and do their duty with the substance God has given them. D. M. CANRIGHT.
SABBATH-SCHOOLS
By H. A. St. John
I would bear my testimony in favor of renewed vigor in Sabbath-school work. There is no question but the study of the Sacred Scriptures in the capacity of a school on the holy Sabbath, is morally right, noble, and praiseworthy. How precious the opportunity! How valuable this means of grace!
The time is coming, and that too within the compass of our own history, when a knowledge of the harmonious and glorious present truth will be of more value to us than all the treasures of earth. How important, then, while this inestimable treasure is at our command, that we be diligent in laying in store for the time to come.
If at all possible, officers and teachers should meet once a week to counsel and encourage each other, and to pray for wisdom and success.
The Sabbath-school is too commonly regarded as of secondary or minor importance. There should be a change in our estimation of the Sabbath-school. Those persons having charge should, in love, and with unwavering diligence, labor for success. The youth and the little children must be specially cared for.
Officers and teachers, be punctual, be patient, be pleasant, be persevering, be prayerful, be thorough.
Do not give up the Sabbath-school when the minister comes, nor when the quarterly meeting comes, nor when the cold winter comes, only when Jesus comes. H. A. St. John.
Fresh Air Versus Fear of Burglars
Some, by nailing down their windows to keep out burglars, shut out their very best friend,—pure atmospheric air. By so fixing the windows that the upper sash can be dropped a few inches only, the air can be admitted, while the burglar cannot enter, but by violent means. It would be better to risk the danger from burglars, than to procure sure death by shutting out the air. Better be robbed, or murdered even, than to commit suicide.
WISCONSIN
Labor among the Churches.
AFTER my last report, April 7, I went to Marietta, Crawford county, and remained there eight days. There are twenty there who have embraced the truth. I baptized twelve, and there are others that will be baptized as soon as they can get rid of tobacco. Organized a Sabbath-school and Bible-class.
At Mount Hope, Grant county, I found the church all striving to live near the159Lord. They are living in harmony and love and growing in grace. I remained with them over Sabbath and Sunday.
I was at Waterloo, April 27 and 28. I tried to give a strait and pointed testimony. There are some humble souls there, and they feel the burden of the cause.
I then visited the little flock at Hurricane Grove, and found nearly all in good working order and growing in grace.
The Lord blessed in presenting his truth at all these places. To him be all the praise. I have returned home pretty well worn, but I would rather wear out in the cause of God than to rust out. I desire the prayers of God’s people that I may humbly do his will.
May 8. JOHN ATKINSON.
Shawano Co.
I SPENT ten days in this county, and held fifteen meetings. I baptized nine and organized a church of twelve members. Others will unite at the first opportunity. There are now sixteen persons here, heads of families, that have taken hold of the truth. They have very interesting Sabbath and Wednesday evening prayer-meetings. They have commenced to make earnest work, and may the Lord help them to persevere to the end.
I returned from this tour, May 1, and am now on my way to Manistee, Mich.
O. A. OLSEN.
Milwaukee, Wis., May 8.
MICHIGAN
Labor among the Churches.
FROM March 8 to 11 we labored with the church at Leighton, in Allegan county. By our visit to that place we are encouraged to believe that the church located there are steadily moving in the right direction. Their numbers are few, but with consecration and thorough devotion to the cause of Christ, we believe that they might be speedily increased. They have resumed the payment of systematic benevolence, and we hope soon to see them engage heartily in the tract and missionary work.
On the 16th, 23d, and 30th of March, respectively, meetings were held with the church in Allegan. The brethren in this place are of good courage in the Lord, and are beginning to see the fruits of their labors in the missionary field. We trust that ere long they may be encouraged still more by an ingathering of souls. Two have recently united with the church on profession of faith, who had formerly known what it was to serve Christ, but who under a pressure of temptation and trials had given up the truth.
April 5, we went to Potterville, Eaton county, for the purpose of being present at the quarterly meeting. Our meeting was a pleasant one, and we think the results were of an encouraging nature. Several brethren and sisters from Dimondale were present on Sabbath and Sunday.
Sabbath and Sunday, April 13, 14, we met with the brethren in Monterey, at which place the quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 4 was held. The attendance was good and the spirit of the meeting profitable. Brethren were present from Douglas, distant twenty-five miles, and were feeling very much encouraged because of recent additions to their numbers. Eld. H. M. Kenyon was in attendance, and preached several times during the meetings. One young man started in the service of the Lord, and one sister identified herself fully with the church by going forward in the ordinance of baptism.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
M. S. BURNHAM.
Cushman's Mill, Oceana Co.
I HAVE spoken here five times, to good congregations. Some came five and six miles. The truth had never been presented here, and all seem more or less interested. One man attended the meeting last night who had not attended any religious meetings for ten years. He seemed very much interested. I have called on him to-day and furnished him with some Sabbath tracts. Several have acknowledged the Sabbath, and others are investigating, but none have commenced to keep it yet, though I have good reason to believe that some will.
I have also spoken in a school-house a few miles south of this place. Two or three there are under conviction in regard to the Sabbath. I have sold several tracts and books, and obtained one subscriber for the INSTRUCTOR.
We had an excellent meeting at Twin Lakes last Sabbath. An old gentleman who used to be a class-leader among the Methodists has been with us for a few Sabbaths, and has taken part with us. He says he can feel the Spirit of the Lord in his heart just as he used to do when he was converted over twenty years ago. He is becoming convinced of the Sabbath. He is an Englishman by birth, and is very anxious that the truth should be preached in England. Others here are about ready to keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath-school is prospering finely. They are getting up a club for the INSTRUCTOR, and they are waiting for the Sabbath-school hymn book to be ready. They would like to have the INSTRUCTOR weekly.
I am now in Whitehall, on my way to Manistee to meet Bro. O. A. Olsen.
G. A. CARLSTEDT.
OHIO
By H. A. St. John
Van Wert, May 8.
THE brethren here have fitted up a storeroom for a meeting-house, which makes a tolerably comfortable place for the purpose. I began meetings on Friday evening, May 3, and continued until the following Tuesday evening. In consequence of rainy weather and extremely bad roads, the believers from the country around could not all attend. But our meetings, we think, were profitable to the church. We were sorry, however, to be obliged, for the harmony and prosperity of the church, to dismiss four persons from church fellowship. One was admitted by letter. Bro. A. A. Bigelow was chosen elder, and Bro. J. Garrison, deacon. These officers were duly set apart, and thus the organization of the church was completed.
For three successive years there has been a partial, and, in many instances, a total failure of crops in this section of the State. This has produced hard times such as our people in the central and eastern parts of the State have not felt. Debts for food and raiment are fast eating up the property of many. The frequent heavy rains up to the present writing render the outlook for this season rather gloomy. For these reasons, the contributions to the Lord’s treasury from this section are exceedingly small. But a few here continue to contribute quite liberally to the Lord’s work, although at a greater sacrifice than ever before. Such persons, I have observed, are equally as well, if not better, cared for by the hand of Providence, than those whose contributions have entirely ceased. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver, and the poor widow that sacrificed all her living, was highly commended by the world’s greatest missionary, the Lord Jesus Christ. H. A. St. John.
KANSAS
By L. D. Santer
Have just returned from Sherman City. Preached there twelve times. This was an unpromising field, as it had been burned over. There were a few faithful ones there needing encouragement. We left them in good cheer, and with three more added to their number. There is a good field of labor north of Sherman that we expect to visit after camp-meeting.
L. D. SANTER.
NEW YORK.
Pierrepont, May 5.
THE interest here continues good. When we came here, six were keeping the Sabbath; fourteen more are now keeping it, making twenty in all, and others are on the point of deciding. It is a pleasure to hear strong men and women, heads of families testify that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and that henceforth they mean to keep it. They do one thing which it is all-important for young converts to do, they take hold in all our meetings and speak and pray. They have also erected the family altar. Bro. Edward Plum, one of the number above-mentioned, who formerly preached for the Methodists, is good help in these meetings.
H. H. WILCOX.
Otter Creek, Lewis Co., May 6.
WE administered the rite of baptism to four persons here last week, and organized a church of fourteen members. Quite a number of others (who were brought out at the tent-meeting last summer, and are members of the class) would have joined the rest in church fellowship at the same time had they been entirely free from the use of tobacco and from other objectionable habits. I trust they will soon be able to put away all these things and unite with us in full fellowship and communion.
JACOB WILBUR.
IOWA
Bentonsport, Van Buren Co., May 8.
WE began meetings here April 26. Have given eleven discourses to date. We shall reach the Sabbath question this week. The people are ready to hear, and questions are asked freely. Several reliable persons in this vicinity are observing the Sabbath, who have not heard a sermon on the subject. I expect Bro. Hollenbeck this week to aid in the work. We use the Universalist church, which has not been occupied for years.
We are much encouraged with the prospect here, and hope for some fruit. L. McCoy.
Sheldahl, May 7.
WE closed our meetings here last evening. Spoke seventeen times. Fifteen have acknowledged the true Sabbath, one has commenced to keep it, and others promise to do so. Sixteen have subscribed for the REVIEW, one for the REFORMER, and one for the Swedish paper. Besides this, we have sold 4,496 pages of our tracts, and several bound books. One man who only heard us four evenings, as he had to leave then, gave us $2.50, and said he was more than paid for it.
There are good openings for winter labor in the school-house in this vicinity. Calls come in from all directions. Pray for the cause in this part of the vineyard. Wm. Everhart. Scott Kilgore.
THE PATH THAT LEADS TO HEAVEN.
Think’st thou ’mid flowery fields it lies,
The path thine eager spirit tries,
Where faith and hope have striven?
Think’st thou the skies are always clear,
That love and joy are always near
The path that leads to Heaven?
And sweetly, in that narrow way,
Must dear ones greet thee day by day?
Ah, no: by tempests driven
The storm-cloud hovers o’er the path,
Which seems to thee the way of wrath,
The path that leads to Heaven.
And graves are there, and sighs and tears,
And sickness, with its train of fears,
And hearts with anguish riven;
And martyrs’ blood, and dying groans,
And with its woes the world disowns
The path that leads to Heaven.
Yes, ’tis the way, the way to God,
The way by ancient worthies trod,
Where they have fought and striven,
The way Christ opened when he died;
And shall we fear the path he tried,
The path that leads to Heaven?
No, weary pilgrim, hasten on;
The day of toil is almost gone;
Yon western clouds are given,
With gold and purple on their breast,
As emblems of the morrow’s rest,
That calm, sweet rest in Heaven.
—Selected.
TEXAS TENT.
By R. M. Kilgore
The good people of Terrell are still favoring us with a good hearing. The interest has not abated in the least, but has increased. We are now in our fourth week, and are well advanced in those subjects which generally reduce our congregations when presented. Some of the first families of the place are convinced and will obey. We had an excellent meeting last Sabbath. The Spirit of God was present to melt our hearts. Some of leading influence bore testimony to the truth, and asked the prayers of those laboring for them. The brethren and sisters from Dallas county were present, and added to the interest of the meeting. Some were also present from Peoria, Hill county, and rendered valuable assistance in visiting and laboring for others.
Why can we not have a good strong company of faithful and devoted laborers with our tents, to assist in bringing souls to Christ? Our experience the past week has led me to know that much good may be accomplished by our Southern brethren especially, who, with wisdom, will labor judiciously for those of Southern birth.
We have been visited by another fearful storm, making a wreck of our tent, the second time since we have been here. Our tent is torn worse than ever, but we have omitted no meetings, though we were compelled to reduce the size of the tent. The same tornado of last Thursday night destroyed the S. D. A. church at Cleburne, tearing it to pieces. It had just been built, and but a few meetings had been held in it. Other churches and houses were also torn from their foundations.
May 7. R. M. KILGORE.
VERMONT
By I. Sanborn
At the time of my last report from Bondville, the interest was good, and everything seemed favorable; but when the moon failed to give light, the rain commenced falling and continued to fall almost constantly for ten days, so we have had to give up our meetings here. If the Lord will, we will commence a series of meetings in Windham, Windham Co., May 5.
We have hope for a few who attended the meetings at Bondville. Some became interested, and have promised to read and investigate the word of God to see if these things are so.
My address, until further notice, will be Windham, Windham Co., Vt.
May 1. I. SANBORN.
IOWA AND NEBRASKA.
By E. W. Farnsworth
After our meeting at Sigourney closed, I spent two evenings with the church at Knoxville. I spoke one evening, and Bro. Starr, who was with me, the following evening.
April 27 and 28 I spent with the church at Nebraska City, Neb. The little company here have been faithful under some discouragements, and God has blessed them. The preaching was much of it practical, and it was well received. I set before them the importance of sustaining the cause, not only by our prayers, but by our means. An opportunity was then given to pledge s. B., when almost every one responded cheerfully, and I think quite liberally. God will bless the cheerful giver.
From Nebraska City I went to Weeping Water, where Bro. Hackworth has been laboring. About twenty are keeping the Sabbath here as the result of his labor. We intended to organize a church, but on account of the sickness of some, and the violent rain storms which kept many from attending, it was thought best to postpone the organization for a time. I obtained several subscribers for our periodicals, and labored as best I could. We think there can be a strong church organized here, if the friends prove faithful.
E. W. FARNSWORTH.
Humboldt, Neb., May 3.
NEBRASKA
By Chas. L. Boyd
Orleans, May 6.
The past Sabbath and Sunday I have been holding meetings at Orleans. We have organized a church of eleven members and S. S. is pledged to the amount of $174.28. Bro. J. W. Corrouthers was elected elder and set apart for the work. The meetings closed with the celebration of the Lord’s supper, when the Holy Spirit was especially near. CHAS. L. BOYD.
ALABAMA
By A. O. Burrill
Owl Valley, Etowah Co., May 3.
Since my last report, the meetings here have progressed without much interruption. The busy season of planting, and occasional rain storms, have on some occasions prevented our assembling, as this is a country settlement, and people have some distance to go to attend worship, and the roads become almost impassable in wet weather.
Last Friday a first-day Adventist challenged me to a public discussion, which commenced on Sunday, April 28, and is to close May 5. I trust the issue will prove favorable to the truth here, as many have expressed a desire to keep the law. Bro. Elliott is attending the debate.
On Wednesday next, May 8, our tent-meeting opens at Gadsden.
A. O. Burrill.
PENNSYLVANIA
By J. G. Saunders
Since the Rome, N. Y., Biblical Institute, I have visited the brethren in West Pike. They have had strong opposition to meet, and three of their number have nearly given up the truth; but the rest stand firm and are making advancement. Nine here are ready for organization; when this is effected the storm will cease its raging to a great extent.
At Hector I found all but one holding on to the truth. There is a great interest here, and we trust more will soon join the church. They keep up their prayer-meetings twice a week. It seemed hard to leave them, but I expect soon to return and follow up the interest.
The blessing of God was with us at our quarterly meeting at Port Allegany. Four were baptized, and united with the church. The interest that this new church takes in the tent enterprise this season is shown by the fact that the members pledge $110 to purchase a new forty-foot tent. If other churches will do likewise, there will be no less than six tents run in Pennsylvania this season. May this noble act inspire others to follow their example. If they will, by the blessing of God there can be a State Conference established in old Pennsylvania.
J. G. SAUNDERS.
CALIFORNIA
(Abridged from the Signs of the Times.)
San Francisco.
The meetings here are well attended. In the Signs of May 2, Brn. Loughborough and Healey report that they have given twenty discourses. At the time of reporting, they had canvassed the immortality question, and were about to speak on the subject of the Sabbath. Each Sabbath they meet with the churches in Oakland and San Francisco. May 5, they were to have a baptism at Oakland.
Red Bluff, Tent No. 3.
The interest here is good. Three hundred and fifty were out to hear on the subject of Spiritualism. The average attendance is seventy-five. Two have taken a stand for the truth, and have been baptized. Brn. Israel and Stephens are laboring here.
Lemoore, Tent No. 2.
Brn. Wood and Rice commenced meetings here the evening of April 26. The meetings open with a fair attendance.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By B. L. Whitney; E. H. Whitney
This society held its State quarterly meeting with the church at Pulaski, N. Y., April 27 and 28.
Business meeting called at half past nine, Sunday morning.
Four of the directors, those of Dists. 1, 2, 3, and 8, were present, and the other officers of the society.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Eld. R. F. Cottrell, followed by remarks by the president, in which the growth of the cause and its rapidly increasing wants were presented. The increased facilities and encouragements for labor, on every hand, were compared with the toilsome, agonizing effort which started the work on its mission, and nursed it, amid its deprivations, trials, and discouragements, to its present proportions. Had we all, as tract workers, the energy, zeal, and faith of the few devoted friends of its infancy, we should not wait long for its consummation. The increasing work of the society, its growing demands, and its present financial embarrassment, were alluded to; other points were touched upon, and the work for the meeting was thus laid before it.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The report of labor for the quarter ending April 1, was then presented, as follows:— No. of districts, 11; No. of members, 280; reports returned, 188; families visited, 584; letters written, 481; reading matter distributed, pp., 371,872; No. of new subscribers, 468; No. of periodicals distributed, 4,345.
Rec’d on membership, $34.00
“ by donations, 296.27
“ from the one-third, 166.54
“ from book sales, 73.71
“ on periodicals, 450.43
“ for European Mission, 62.50
“ for school fund, 225.00
Total, $1308.45
General book sales for quarter, $132.84
“ periodicals “ “ 25.00
The work of the Tract Distributors at Buffalo (Dist. No. 1), Wellsville (No. 10), Rome (No. 8), and Richfield Springs (No. 7), was reported in connection with their respective districts, and it is included in the summary.
The Buffalo Distributor has used 3,427 pages of reading matter and 30 periodicals; that at Wellsville, 6,666 pp. and 95 periodicals; at Rome, 7,133 pp., and 153 periodicals; and the one at Richfield Springs, 5,446 pp., 53 periodicals. Total, 22,672 pp., 331 periodicals.
The report of labor for this quarter shows an increase in the reading matter distributed of more than 200,000 pages beyond that of the preceding quarter, and a corresponding gain in other respects.
There was a very decided improvement over the preceding quarter in the promptness with which the reports were furnished, every report but one being received in good season.
The question of the financial condition of the society was then taken up, and the directors present were appointed a committee to take the matter under consideration and recommend some definite plan for relieving the society of its present embarrassment, and report at a subsequent meeting.
The question of a Sabbath-school Association in this Conference was also introduced, and a committee appointed to consider the subject.
Meeting then adjourned to call of chair.
SECOND SESSION.
The meeting was called at 4:30 P. M.
Prayer by M. H. Brown.
The report of the Committee on Finances was called for. This committee reported, recommending that the president be instructed to visit the different districts of the society to labor for its interests, and with the view to raise means for the payment of the present indebtedness, if possible, before the next annual meeting.
The recommendation of the committee was adopted by unanimous vote, and the full co-operation of those present was pledged to assist in the accomplishment of this object. The report of the committee on the organization of a S. S. Association recommended that such an association be formed, and steps were taken to effect its organization. B. L. WHITNEY, Pres. E. H. WHITNEY, Sec.
“DUST ON YOUR GLASSES.”
By Observer
I DON'T often put on glasses to examine Katy’s work; but one morning, not long since, I did so upon entering a room she had been sweeping.
“Did you forget to open the windows when you swept, Katy?” I inquired; “this room is very dusty.”
“I think there is dust on your eye-glasses, ma’am,” she said, modestly. And sure enough, the eye-glasses were at fault, and not Katy. I rubbed them off, and everything looked bright and clean, the carpet like new, and Katy’s face said, “I’m glad it was the glasses, and not me, this time.” This has taught me a good lesson, I said to myself upon leaving the room, and one I shall remember through life.
In the evening Katy came to me with some kitchen trouble. The cook had done so and so, and she had said so and so. When her story was finished I said, smilingly, “There is dust on your glasses, Katy; rub them off, you will see better.” She understood me and left the room.
I told the incident to the children, and it is quite common to hear them say to each other, “Oh, there’s dust on your glasses.” Sometimes I am referred to, “Mamma, Harry has dust on his glasses; can’t he rub them off?”
When I hear a person criticising another, condemning perhaps a course of action he knows nothing about, drawing inferences prejudicial to the person or persons, I think right away, “There’s dust on your glasses, rub it off.” The truth is, everybody wears these very same glasses, only the dust is a little thicker on some than on others, and needs harder rubbing to get it off.
I said this to John one day, some little matter coming up that called forth the remark. “There are some people I wish would begin to rub, then,” said he. “There is Mr. So and So and Mrs. So and So, they are always ready to pick at some one, to slur, to hint, I don’t like them.” “I think my son John has a wee bit on his glasses just now,” he laughed and asked, “What is a body to do?” “Keep your own well rubbed up, and you will not know whether others need it or not.” “I will,” he replied. I think, as a family, we are all profiting by that little incident, and through life will never forget the meaning of—“There is dust on your glasses.”—Observer.
MAINE
By S. J. Hersum
For the past three weeks I have been holding meetings with the church in Oakfield. Sunday, April 28, was a good day for that church. Two were baptized and joined the church. Four others have lately embraced the truth, and will soon go forward in baptism. The brethren feel like doing what they can for the advancement of the truth. Although Satan has been very busy, and has gained some victories, yet the cause there was never stronger than now. If the brethren and sisters will diligently study the word, and strive earnestly to be sanctified by the truth, the Lord will keep them unto eternal life.
S. J. HERSUM.
Linneus, Aroostook Co., May 8.
PERSONAL
By D. Downer
My long silence may have caused some to believe me willingly inactive. For four months I have been afflicted with sciatica rheumatism; most of the time I have been nearly helpless. I have also been afflicted with a swelling on my right limb which the physician thinks will prove to be a fever sore. I did not go with a tent last summer on account of my health, but preached what I could, attended quarterly meetings, &c. I am now able to walk a very little on crutches, but cannot stand it to ride.
When I read the cheering reports of my brethren, I feel sad that I too cannot be at work for God and the salvation of sinners. I am anxiously waiting for the time to come when I can help bear our message to the world. Who will pray for me in my present afflictions? D. DOWNER.
Arkansaw, Wis., April 20, 1878.
KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By S. Osborn
No. of districts, 2
“ “ members, 46
“ “ families visited, 24
“ “ letters written, 37
“ “ subscribers obtained for periodicals, 166
“ “ periodicals distributed, 534
“ “ Annuals distributed, 315
“ “ books furnished to libraries, 102
“ “ pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed, 5930