On a bright Sabbath morning, by the side of a country road, running along the Hudson, not many miles from New York, two men stood talking together. One was a judge of high social standing and legal distinction, the other was a stone-mason, and their conversation was about the building of a new wall near the place where they were standing, to consult about which the judge had sent for the mason on this Sabbath morning.
Just coming into sight as he trudged along the road on his way to church was a plain Scotch farmer, well known as a God-fearing, Sabbath-keeping, honest, hardworking man, neither fearing nor asking favor of the great or rich. His chief ambition in life seemed to be to raise a large family of children in the fear of God and honorably in the sight of men, which his example was well fitted to do.
In the midst of an animated explanation of what he wanted in a new wall, the judge caught sight of the farmer. Stopping suddenly he said: “There comes David S—; it will never do to let him see us talking business on the Sabbath morning; we will just step behind this bit of wall until he passes.” And the judge and the mason crouched down behind the wall until the plodding footsteps of the farmer echoed faintly in the distance, and the good man passed from sight, all unconscious of the silent reproof his appearance had caused; while the judge, with feelings one would think belittling to his manliness, crept from his hiding place, to continue his conscious and confessed desecration of the Lord’s day.
The next morning the incident was related to the farmer by the mason, who was himself a Scotchman, though, unhappily, not so conscientious as his friend. He told the story with some glee, adding,
“Wha wad a’ thot, maun, that ye had sic a pooer in ye as to mak the judge hide behind the wall for the fear o’ ye?”
Is not this an illustration of the force and influence of a sincere Christian character, though devoid of the adornments, in the world’s sight, of either position, wealth, or learning? All these together could not resist the silent sermon of the good man’s life, which brought home to the haughty judge the conviction of his sin.—L. J. Kirkwood.
BE NOT DECEIVED.
By R. F. C.
God rested upon the seventh day. This made it his Sabbath. He then appointed each seventh day to come to a sacred use; thus “the Sabbath was made for man.” He has never revoked that appointment. Yet people say they think it better to keep the day of the resurrection of Christ. The Scriptures give us baptism as an emblem and memorial of the resurrection. Who gave men the right to add to this, and, to do so, to take away from the law of God the day which he appointed? They may think it a very pious act; but God may think otherwise; it may be found at the last day to have been a very impious act. Is it not best to reconsider before it is too late? R. F. C.
THE LORD'S CORN.
A mission station in the Indian Territory was at one time my house. Tobaccowell, one of our neighbors, was a member of the little mission church, and like many a white professor, was spasmodically zealous for the glory of God. One Sabbath he listened to a sermon from Gen. 28: 22,—“And of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
At the close of the service he said to the missionary,
“Me plant big corn-field next week. Me make it ten pieces; plant all, then one piece be the Lord’s corn.”
He did so; the part of the field to be devoted to the Lord was ploughed and planted with great care. But when the time for hoeing had arrived, our neighbor hoed his own corn, but did not find it convenient to hoe the Lord’s. As the season advanced, the Lord’s corn, uncultivated and dwarfed, and Tobaccowell’s well hoed, tall and thrifty, produced a sad and striking contrast.
The sight of that cornfield has been a life-long lesson to me; and whenever I find myself more devoted to my own personal interests than to the glory of God, I say to myself, I am neglecting the Lord’s corn.—Religious Intelligencer.
General Meetings
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
General Meetings.
All are invited to attend.
Lisbon, Iowa, May 26, 27. Meetings commence Friday night.
Marion, Iowa, Wednesday and Thursday, May 30 and 31.
Victor, Iowa, June 2 and 3.
Geo. I. Butler.
On account of commencing tent-meetings this week, I shall not be able to fill my appointment at Alaledon. M. B. Miller.
Quarterly and Monthly Meetings.
Churches of Johnstown, Little Prairie, and Oakland, at Oakland, Wis., June 2 and 3. T. and M. meeting at same time and place.
Monthly meeting at Danielsonville, Windham Co., Conn., Sabbath, June 2, at the house of J. S. Miller.
T. and M. Quarterly Meetings.
Send reports and donations in season.
State quarterly meeting at Battle Creek, Mich., July 1. District secretaries will send reports to Mrs. S. H. Lane, Battle Creek, Mich., a week or more in advance. A large attendance is desired. S. N. Haskell. J. Fargo.
State quarterly meeting at Hartland, Me., June 9, 10. Dist. No. 1, at same time and place. Report to Albert T. Hilton, Cornville, Me.
Dist. No. 2, at Allen’s Corner, Me., June 2 and 3. Send your reports to Geo. W. Varney, No. 30, Clark St., Portland, Me.
Dist. No. 3, at Linneus, Me., June 2 and 3. Report to Mrs. P. A. Clough, Linneus, Me. J. B. Goodrich.
Dist. No. 4, at Mt. Pleasant, Ia., June 2 and 3. Report to Jas. S. Houtseman, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Wm. P. Andrews, Dir.
Dist. No. 5, at Knoxville, Ia., May 26 and 27. Russell Hart, Dir.
Dist. No. 10, at State Centre, Ia., May 26, 27. Report to M. M. Kenney, State Centre, Ia. S. M. Holly, Dir.
Dist. No. 7, at Carson City, Montcalm Co., Mich., June 9, 10. Will the librarians please report in season, and each church see that their pledges are met if possible? Report to R. F. Phippeny, Ithaca, Gratiot Co., Mich. F. Squire, Dir.
Dist. No. 2, at Nasonville, Wis., May 27. Bro. Charles Smith will attend. E. J. Rice, Dir.
Ever Changing.
By James White
“WHY does Bro. White suggest so many changes?” impatiently inquires some narrow soul who can see but little importance to the work outside his own neighborhood. We confess to suggestions of change, and it would be strange if we did not make some mistakes. May God guide and help.
Were we connected with a cause that had gotten its growth, and had found a fixed position, like that of Lot’s wife, and had no more growth than some of our denominational neighbors, we could go around in the circle of our limited work without seeing the necessity of a change.
But our growth makes changes necessary. The Battle Creek church and congregation changed from a private house to house of worship number one, then in a few years to number two, and soon to number three, and soon must move again. In a cause like ours, spreading everywhere, where every man of our available forces is demanded at some post of duty, new missions opening, and new laborers entering the gospel vineyard, new plans and broader plans will ever be necessary, demanding changes until the great work shall be done. J. W.
Our Western N. Y. Camp-Meeting.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
MAY this meeting prove a blessing to the cause, especially in this part of our Conference. And in order to this, the opportunity must not be neglected, but the friends of the cause must be decided to come, if it be at much sacrifice, and come to labor for the object, namely, a fresh consecration to the will and work of the Lord, and the revival of the work of spreading the truth to those in darkness. What shall arouse us if the present signs of the times and the demands of inquirers after truth do not arouse us? Brethren, come to this meeting seeking for these objects, and knowing that these precious opportunities are rapidly passing away. Let us not lose this one. Let us not value this world with its interests, above eternal life. R. F. COTTRELL.
How to Help the Cause.
By James White
HARD times are everywhere. Failures of houses large and small continue. And yet there are many of our people who have money in Savings Banks which are shaky, and elsewhere at their command. Those who are able to give the use of means without interest, and wish to put it where it will be safe, can deposit at the REVIEW AND HERALD Office. It will help the cause the same at present as if donated. In this way the friends can help the cause, and at the same time save the principal. We will give the Association’s note without interest, payable at the time desired.
Some of our people will risk money, secured by note only, for large interest, rather than to let the cause have the use of it. And losses of principal and interest are not uncommon. But God’s cause is safe here, and will pay large interest in Heaven, if not sooner. We know a man who thinks he is greatly prospered in this life in keeping what he has in the cause of God. He imagines that the reason why everything he touches prospers, is because all is used to build up the cause of God. It is very certain that many who through covetousness labor to keep their money out at large interest, and refuse to use it in the cause of God, do meet with losses. We shall be glad to hear from scores of brethren and sisters who have from $100 to $1000 to spare without interest for one year, or longer. The College owes the Association nearly ten thousand. The building at the Health Institute will draw upon the Association at present. The cause is one. These institutions help each other. Let not the good work be hindered by a stingy grasping of means.
J. W.
Words to T. and M. Workers.
By James White
1. We were too late last fall in plans for the campaign for 1877.
2. Then, as late as it was, not a tithe of you in all the States were ready to work.
3. But few of the States took hold of the added one-third, and were not in a condition to take packages of the SIGNS.
4. We are glad that most of the [States are finally taking this matter of the added one-third into consideration. We urge that every Conference take hold of it in earnest at their annual camp-meeting.
5. We now commence arrangements for 1878. Eld. Haskell’s statement that 25,000 copies of a pioneer paper should be used in 1878 is sober. But few of the States are doing any thing to speak of, and yet the circulation of the SIGNS is 7,000. Should all do as two or three States are doing, Bro. Haskell’s number would be reached.
6. The first work is to establish S. B. according to figures adopted. Let every Conference and every church furnish their members with the tract on Systematic Benevolence. When that system is fully established, then adopt the one-third.
7. Packages for the SIGNS should be taken for six months. No Conference or church should run in debt, so as not to be ready for a grand campaign for 1878.
8. Preparations for that should be urged forward during the summer, so as to be ready to work in earnest in early autumn.
9. The first number of the pioneer sheet for 1878, will be issued in October, at some point east of Chicago. Ten thousand copies will be furnished for $1.50 a year, eighteen thousand for $1.25 a year, twenty-five thousand for $1.00 a year.
10. We are already laying our plans for the reading matter. It will be a glorious success if all get in good readiness, and then in season prosecute the work vigorously. J. W.
Elder J. G. Matteson Departs for Denmark Mission
ELDER J. G. MATTESON left Battle Creek May 21st., for New York, on his way to Denmark, to labor as a missionary in his native land, under the direction of the General Conference of S. D. Adventists.
Rockford Court-House Collapse Kills Eight Workmen
The half-finished court-house at Rockford, Ill., fell on Friday, May 11, killing eight men and seriously injuring many more.
The War.
By C. W. S.
THE big battle between the Russians and the Turks has perhaps not yet been fought, and yet considerable fighting has been done in the vicinity of Kars in Asia Minor, and along the Danube.
On the night of the 16th, the Turks made a general attack upon the Christians in the Turkish village of Turtukai, on the Danube, killing all the males and many of the women. The cries of the victims were heard by the Roumanian outposts.
Austria is becoming much alarmed by some of the movements of Russia, and has declared that she will occupy Servia if agitation continues. The president of the Hungarian council is with the emperor at Vienna, and ministerial councils are held almost daily.
In England the war feeling is intense. In English homes, even among the lower ranks, the feeling of intense hostility against Russia is marked. They charge to the Czar’s covetous ambition the hardships arising from the rise in the price of bread, stagnation in business, and other miseries that accompany war without its advantages.
The Independent says that the London press is greatly excited by the discussions of the war. The Times is strongly anti-Russian, as is also the Pall Mall Gazette. The Independent thinks that all the indications at present are that England will interfere for the protection of Turkey under the name of “British interests.”
And now comes news of internal difficulty in France. Advices from Paris, dated the 18th, state that France is trembling on the verge of a revolution which may result in bloodshed and the trial of MacMahon as a traitor. It is understood that MacMahon believes a general European war inevitable. It is considered doubtful whether he can retain his hold of the presidency.
C. W. S.
Fearful Forest Fires.
By C. W. S.
TERRIBLY destructive fires are raging in the forests of portions of York State, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Canada. Millions of property and thousands of acres of timber are destroyed. Scattered dwellings and the whole village of Clinton Mills, N. Y., are burned. There is some loss of life. C. W. S.
The Mormon Uprising.
SINCE the execution of J. D. Lee there has been much stir among the Mormons of Utah, and grave fears are entertained among the Gentile population as to the results. The governor has asked the secretary of war at Washington for more troops to be stationed at certain camps. The Mormons are arming and drilling throughout Utah.
Solid Extract of Thought.
HERE is what an exchange says upon condensing thought:— “Give the pith, the cream, the marrow, the essence, the fire. Press your thoughts, pack them, bring everything to a burning, scorching focus. Avoid prefaces, circumlocutions; rush right into your subject at once. Begin before you think of it, and keep dashing on with all your might until you are done. So, also, in preaching, praying, exhorting, testifying, say what you have to say, and stop! A tremendous thought may be packed into small compass—made as solid as a cannon ball, and, like that projectile, cut down all before it. Short articles are generally more effective, and find more readers, and are more widely copied than long ones. Pack your thoughts closely together, and though your article may be brief, it will have more weight, and will be more likely to make an impression.”
Camp-Meeting in Wisconsin.
PORTAGE CITY, where the meeting for this year is located, is very near the center of the inhabited portion of the State; and is reached by the Wis. Central from Steven’s Point, and by several branches of the C. M. and St. P. R. R.
The grounds are on the bank of Silver Lake, one mile from the depot. Round trip tickets can be purchased at the rate of about three cents per mile, and are good until used. Our arrangements will be as complete as possible for the comfort of all, and will be in many respects an improvement over anything we have yet had. The meeting will open Wednesday A. M., June 13, and close Tuesday morning, June 19.
We have advertised the largest meeting of the kind ever held in the State. Our expectations are high. Brethren will you try on your part to meet them? We feel to urge you to make earnest efforts, and sacrifice if need be, to attend. Provide yourselves with tents as far as possible.
We hope to see eighty to one hundred tents on the ground.
Do not come simply to see and hear, as we go to a fair; but bring the blessing of the Lord, and come to work for God. Urge those of your friends to attend, who are interested, but have not yet taken up their cross, or are trembling under it. The meeting will be a great blessing to such. Let us all unite to make this meeting what it should and may be, a season of rich blessings. WIS. CONF. COM.
Missouri Camp-Meeting.
By J. A. O'Bryan
THE Mo. camp-meeting will be held in a grove half a mile west of Holden, Johnson Co., Mo., on line of Mo. Pacific and Mo. Kan. and Tex. R. R. Tickets will be sold from Kansas City and Sedalia to Holden and return at one and one-fifth the regular fare one way. On Sunday a special train. Round trip, rate of one fare from all stations between Kansas City and Sedalia inclusive. Same favors expected from the Mo. Kan. and Tex. R. R., both divisions. J. A. O'BRYAN.
Reduction of Rates to the Iowa Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
As stated recently, we have made application for reduction of rates to all those who should attend our camp-meeting. We could not obtain any on the Chicago North Western. But on the Central R. R. of Iowa we obtained the same as last year, viz., four-fifths off on the return fare. A certificate of attendance will be given on the ground to all who have paid full fare in coming, and such will have to pay but one-fifth fare in going back.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money received pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should be given.
$2.00 EACH. CH Lansing 52-1, Mrs Charlotte Turney 51-20, Mrs Nettie Craig 51-20, Alonzo Van Tassel 51-20, Jonathan Lamson 51-15, H Craw 21-10, E D Pye 51-10, Matilda Fasic 51-15, Laura L Cook 51-19, Chas Geer 51-16, Sarah Bowers 51-20, Geo Brown 51-20, J Park 53-1, J S Farnsworth 51-19, Sarah E Elder 51-21, J P Farnsworth 51-20, Mrs T M Walter 51-20, W A Doyal 50-20, Mrs R Leighton 51-20, R F Robinson 51-20, Jabez Cowles 51-20, S M Hurtt 51-20, Irena Stone 51-21, Dexter Daniels 51-10, J Crandall 51-10.
$1.00 EACH. J B Sweet 50-21, J Wight 50-20, Levi Hatherly 50-20, Wm Stage 50-20, Melvin Martin 50-20, L B Ellis 50-18, Philip Teutch 50-20, Mrs L E Warren 50-20, B F Tanner 50-20, S A Howard 50-20, J H Aldrich 50-20, J B Dey 50-20, Mrs D C Cambell 50-20, S W Rader 50-20, Jacob Butcher 50-20, Elizabeth Danes 50-20, Weldon Craig 51-5, J H Hoff 50-20, J M Logan 50-20, Wm A Geer 50-20, E G Winter 51-1, Jane Bellamy 50-21, Richard Vandervort 50-20.
MISCELLANEOUS. David Johnson 50c 50-8, H Miller 70c 50-17, Edward Harding $1.25 50-24, Ida Nettleton 75c 50-20, Mrs H E Bergstresser 1.50 51-8, F A Binkley 50c 50-4, S D Binkley 50c 50-12, O S Ferren 50c 50-4, C H Maxwell 50c 50-7, H H Aulftfather 50c 50-7, Mary Holton 1.50 51-20, M H Logan 75c 50-16, Mrs Chas Huber 50c 50-12, Mrs Geo Loomis 75c 50-21.
Books Sent by Mail.
J Hastings $3 84, Thos McCowen 2.50, Wm Weaver 1.00, B F Taylor 2.85, Mr Geo Field 1.60, D B Tyler 36c, Mrs D T Nourse 50c, E H Lincoln 25c, E J Eaton 25c, Lizzie Flory 1.25, O E Kingsbury 25c, V E Davis 50c, I T Dye 20c, C H Lansing 1.50, H Bagley 1.50, Mary Dodds 1.00, A J Crawford 1.00, A Cook 10c, E Harding 1.25, Cary Dryden 25c, J C Gotfredson 1.35, H H Aulftfather 50c, A M Mann 1.00, A M McReynolds 50c, E B Ginley 1.50, L F Foss 2.75, E R Gaylord 50c, D C King 25c, Salina Whitford 1.50, R Sawyer 50c, C H Bliss 1.75, Robert A Smith 35c, Mrs W A Hubly 1.25, Mary Benitz 1.00, F Shapfel 10c, Franklin Wood 1.25, Phebe Simmons 35c, L Bean 1.00, L H Thomas 79c, S B Owen 9c, J E Morin 1.30, L D Mills 1.25, Mary Cosert 8.40, W H Reese 2.05, Miss S C Sellers 10c, Sam Henry 20c, J E Woodbury 1.00, Mrs M E Fletcher 15c, H Woodruff 20c, Alex Carpenter 10c, Mrs D Shearer 15c, Eld O A Olsen 25c, Nellie Craig 1.25.
S. D. A. E. Society.
Miles Standish per Signs of the Times $10.00, L S 20.00, A Lindsay 10.00, Betsey Hibbard 3.00.
Mich. Conf. Fund.
Colon $13.78, Bronson 7.50, Jay 30.00, Monroe Center 9.75, Newton 26.00, Memphis 40.00.