Earlier text: “For our Learning.” Rom. 15:4Another Movement.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
A NEW movement has been lately made, headed by the Methodists, and seconded by other denominations, for a reform party in political affairs. They do not propose to start an independent party, but only to cast their vote and influence with that party which shall nominate what they think is the best candidate. Methodist papers and ministers are urging their members to be on hand at nominations and elections, and to take a zealous part in it. The following, from The Methodist, will give a good idea of what they are doing: A noticeable feature of the proceedings of the recent Pennsylvania Methodist Convention, was the thorough discussion, of the “Duty of the Christian Citizen to the State.” Three capital essays upon this theme were read, one of them by a minister, and the others by laymen. The ground was broadly taken that the ends for which the State exists are moral, and that the duties of the citizen are moral duties. The first essayist, Hon. H. S. Richmond, of Meadville, took the position that “every Christian should be an active and energetic politician,” using the term “politician,” of course, in its purest sense. In this opinion, the Convention evidently concurred. The Christian Statesman hails this movement with joy, as indicating that it will soon have help in its great object of making this a religious government, with none but religious men to hold office. Certainly it is a good index of where the church is drifting; viz., into the vortex of political strife. Then will come up religious questions, and the Sabbath will manifestly be among the first. Things are slowly but surely adjusting themselves for the great and last contest. May it come soon. D. M. CANRIGHT. The Cause in Woodburn, Ill.
By William Penniman
Eld. Canright closed, this week, a very successful meeting in this place, and I feel like adding a word of testimony in respect to what the Lord has done for us. The preacher of the M. E. church, who challenged any of our preachers to debate, and who was so intent on preaching the “funeral sermon of S. D. Adventism” in Woodburn, now knows that it is yet alive, and that the number of those who advocate the “pernicious doctrine,” as he would term it, is doubled, and the friends of the cause more than doubled. We can only exclaim, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!” Truly, the Lord has caused “the wrath of man to praise him.” Previous to the advent of the Methodist minister above referred to, to this place, we did not dream of sending for Bro. Canright; but the circumstances were such that we thought it necessary to send for help. The way was opened, and Bro. C. came, and was a powerful instrument in the hands of the Lord, in demolishing objections to the Sabbath, and in overthrowing the Akerian system, that refuge of lies under which so many are vainly striving to find shelter. How clearly the truth shone out over that chaos of inconsistencies! How much grace and wisdom our preachers need when defending our faith against the attacks of men who seem to be urged on by the enemy of all righteousness to overthrow the truth. How fully did I realize the force of the words, “Babylon is fallen,” when listening to the abusive epithets of one who, though claiming to be a preacher of the gospel, and a minister of God, yet exhibited the pugilistic propensities of the prize-fighter. There must be something “rotten in Denmark,” or such preachers would not be sent out to proclaim the gospel. The calm, Christian spirit which Bro. C. maintained throughout the discussion, and that when he was even mocked, and the most unchristian language used against him, gave him many friends among those without. We had the pleasure of listening to several very interesting and profitable discourses before and after the debate. One of them, on the coming of Christ, very forcibly impressed me in regard to the nearness of his coming, especially when Bro. C. alluded to the wasting away of the man of sin; and that even now they have taken away from him the last foot of ground. We all feel encouraged and strengthened from the result of the meeting, and praise the Lord for what he has done for us. Woodburn, Ill., Nov. 23, 1870. Who Was Michael?
By George I. Butler
THIS is a question of some interest, upon which there has been a difference of opinion in the religious world, and which the Scriptures alone can settle. We propose, therefore, to notice each passage where his name is mentioned. These are five in number. We will first notice Rev. 12:7: “And there was war in Heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in Heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” Here are two great hosts brought to view, and their respective commanders at their head. Michael leads the angelic host; Satan, his rival, leads the other. Who, then, is represented in the Scriptures as the commander of the angelic host? I answer, Christ. 1 Pet. 3:22: “Who is gone into Heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers, being made subject unto him.” The Scriptures bring to view, in many places, one being between the Father and the angels, the agent through whom all his high commands were given, our Lord and Saviour. Evidently he is the same as Michael referred to above. The next passage I will quote, is Jude 9: “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses,” &c. Here the same parties are again represented as contending, evidently in regard to the resurrection of Moses. And it is further evident that Michael was successful; for the next account of Moses we have, he is seen upon the mount with Elijah and Christ. He is there, not his disembodied spirit. Evidently, then, Michael had power to resurrect him. Who is it that brings the dead to life? John 5:25: “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.” “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” Verse 28. Here we see again that Michael and Christ are the same. Jude calls Michael the archangel. This is a compound word. According to Webster, arch means “chief, eminent;” angel means “a messenger of God.” So Michael is the chief, or first, messenger of God; the first in authority under him. This answers exactly to Christ. Paul says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16. The shout proceeds from Christ; the voice of the archangel goes forth from Christ; the trump of God is with Christ. Is it therefore evident that the archangel is no other than Christ? This word is never used in the plural. The next instance we quote from Dan. 12:1, 2: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time; and at that time shall thy people be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,” &c. Who is the great prince whose standing up results in the coming forth of the dead, and the terrible destruction of his enemies? We have but to read the scriptures quoted from 1 Thess. 4:16, and many others, to be satisfied it must be Christ. He is the “great prince” who is so often set before us in the word of God; “the chiefest among ten thousand,” and “the one altogether lovely.” The next instance I quote from Dan. 10:13: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” One of the heavenly messengers was evidently the speaker. There was an important work to be done. There were certain purposes to be revealed in the past through God’s prophets, to be brought about and fulfilled. These purposes involved the agency of the kings of Persia. Daniel had been earnestly praying to God, and had been chastening his soul, partaking of no pleasant food for three full weeks. Daniel’s heart was set to see that work wrought for his own people, that God had promised. His faith took hold upon God’s promises, and we see its effects. The heavenly messenger says to him, “From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me,” &c. Here we not only see the way God works among the nations of the earth, but the power of fervent prayer when the soul is really chastened before God. Satan, no doubt, was doing all he could to hinder the fulfillment of God’s purposes, bringing his influence to bear upon the mind of the sovereign. The king himself, it seems, was loth to carry out the design of God. It became necessary for a greater and more powerful influence to be brought to bear upon his mind; so Michael is sent. In the text, he is said to be “one of the chief princes.” The margin says, “the first of the chief princes.” I think in view of the other scriptures I have quoted, this is evidently the correct reading; and here plainly this refers to Christ, the head over all the angelic host. Michael is mentioned in just one more instance. Dan. 10:21: “There is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” We read that angels are “all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Heb. 1:14. We see, then, that they occupy a very important and intimate relation to the salvation of men. But Michael is a heavenly messenger, and one to be entitled emphatically, “your prince.” One of the heavenly beings is our prince. I trust none of us can have any doubt who that is: the “Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” How thankful we may all be, if we love him, that our “prince” is so soon “to stand up.” May the Lord hasten it in his time. Lowell, Iowa, Dec. 1, 1870. To the Brethren and Sisters of the N. E. Conference.
By S. N. Haskell
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have for some time felt that I would like to visit every family in this Conference, and impress upon you the importance of especial personal effort in drawing nearer to God, and of spreading present truth. There is no time to lose. Much, very much, is to be done; and there is but little time in which to do it. There are thousands of families whose attention must be called to the subject of present truth. Our preachers are very few; but we have tracts wherein the truth is clearly set forth, and a God who will bless every effort put forth in the spirit of meekness, however humble may be the instrument. Now, what is wanted is zeal, consecration, and a devotedness to this work. Who, among all the friends of the cause, will consecrate themselves to God in order to become missionaries in this work? Who will obtain one or more subscribers for the REVIEW and Reformer? Who among the youth and children will become agents for the Youth’s Instructor, and obtain one or more subscribers before the next quarterly meeting? Afflicted families should be visited and prayed with, and such works introduced to them as will interest them. No person of any profession of piety can object to the “Sufferings of Christ.” Almost any reading individuals who are religiously inclined will become interested in the “Atonement.” If faith in the soon coming of the Just One has ever taken hold of the heart, “Life Incidents” will touch a chord that will vibrate. The “Eleven Sermons” are always good. And from the variety of publications we have, something may be found that will interest all who will read. The Tract Society recently formed, is designed to give an opportunity for every individual who has the cause of present truth at heart, to do something. In every church, tracts can be had. Brethren of experience can be counseled concerning their distribution. We invite all to heartily co-operate with us. We call for consecrated hearts. We appeal to you, dear brethren and sisters, to seek that nearness to God that will enable you to feel the burden of this work. There are also families among us who are inquiring for the truth, where the help of sisters is needed. Are there not young sisters among us who can fill such openings, not so much for pay, as to do good? But they must be those who possess such a degree of consecration that their influence will gather, and not scatter. The idea that we must engage in some light, fashionable employment, with pleasant surroundings, is calculated to wither up all that noble generous-heartedness which is so prominent in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The curse which fell upon Meroz was because he came not up to the help of the Lord. It was because he neglected to do what he ought to have done. I fear there is too much ease-seeking among us. May God give us, individually, so much of his Spirit that one united effort may be put forth for the spread of present truth. Afflictions.
By Lucinda Lawson
AFFLICTIONS are designed to wean our affections from things of an earthly and decaying nature, to call us from our evil ways, and lead us to place our affections upon those things which pertain to our eternal interests. Perhaps some kind-hearted Christian, whose daily walk and conversation show to all that he is truly born of God, may be severely afflicted. All this is designed for some good purpose. We may be addicted to some evil habits, which our kind Father is trying to wean us from, by calling us, or some of our dear friends, even to the brink of death. The Saviour is ready to receive us, and is calling to us by his all-powerful word. The angels in Heaven are watching with anxiety for our return to God. How can we think of remaining in the society of cold-hearted sinners, which will only have a tendency to draw us away from the path of duty, and finally rob us of all lasting joys? Let us make haste to return to Jesus before probation shall close. We are truly living in perilous days. Satan is trying his utmost to turn us from the truth. May the Lord in much mercy help us to overcome all our sins, that when Jesus shall come we may be prepared to meet him in peace, and to share in the reward that awaits the overcomer. LUCINDA LAWSON.
Illinois. “Oh! for hearty, unanimous singing in all churches! Napoleon’s army came to a pass in the Alps where the rocks could not be surmounted by the ammunition wagons. He went to the leader of the band, and asked for his portfolio; then, leaning over till he came to an inspiring march, he said, ‘Play that.’ The whole band struck the air with their instruments, and over the rocks went the ammunition wagons. And I tell you that over all obstacles, and over all superstitions, the church of Christ will march triumphantly when we can gather the great host of the living God, and hurl them against the battlements with some grand uplifting of Antioch, Woodstock, Mt. Pisgah, or Old Hundred.” The Fire of the Bible.
By D. F. Newton
“One fragment of His blessed word
Into thy spirit burned,
Is better than the whole half heard,
And by thy interests turned.” Improve your style of composition, will it? Wonderfully—nothing like it. It is fire, fire, all the way from Genesis to Revelation—the fire of beauty, the fire of sublimity. The Psalms are full of it, Isaiah is full of it, Jeremiah is full of it, Ezekiel is full of it, David is full of it, Hosea is full of it, Micah, Habakkuk, Zechariah, and Malachi, are full of it. “The blessed Jesus spake as never man spake”—beautifully, beautifully. Every word, all he said and did, are “apples of gold in pictures of silver”—gold, seven times purified. Paul is full of this holy fire, pentecostal; Peter, James, and John—fire on fire! Every thought is condensed, brought to a burning focus. Reader, do you wish your composition, your editorials, your public addresses—fire—on fire? first? midst? last? always? Editors, bookmakers, epistolary writers, what is your wish? fire? fire? “things beautiful? majestic? glorious? sparkling? bright as the noonday sun? full of fire? pure? virtuous? heavenly? Go to the Bible, the book of books, read it, search it, pray over it, meditate on it, drink in of its spirit, hide it in your heart, commit it to memory, go over it and over it, till you can say, “Oh! how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” “How sweet are thy words to my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” “This precious food our heart revives;
What strength, what nourishment, it gives!
Oh! let us evermore be fed
With this divine, celestial bread.” Students, go to the Bible. Little folks and great folks, go to the Bible. Form your taste for reading, form your style of writing and speaking, from the sacred oracles—the inspiration of Heaven, “quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword,” and every word from your pen and your lips will be fire, fire, tell on the conscience, the heart, the life—be a barbed arrow to the guilty one in the church, and out of it. Sinai’s thunders will crash, its lightnings flash. Oh! for this Bible fire! the fire of the Bible!—the Lord sent it. Thy word, “Where’er it enters in,
Is sharper than a two-edged sword,
To slay the man of sin.” Search the Scriptures to form your style, your taste, to know how to preach, how to write. There is no book like the Bible to kindle the soul, fire it with holy fire. Why is there so little energy, life, power, holy boldness, heart-searching, heart-singing, off-hand business, in the pulpit? in the editorial chair? so little of the prophetical and apostolical? the baptismal fire? and the tongue of fire? Is it not measurably owing to a lack of Bible knowledge? the fire of holy inspiration? the thunderings and lightnings of Sinai? the marrow and fatness of the gospel? the flint? the hammer? the burning lava of God’s word? the electrifying power, issuing directly from Heaven’s magazine? What kindled seraphically the souls of Isaiah? Jeremiah? Daniel? Paul? Peter? James? and John? What fired the souls of Luther? Wesley? Whitefield? Bunyan? Edwards? and other reformers? enabled them to stand firmly against the hosts of hell? cry aloud? spare not? lift their voices like trumpets fearlessly against every sin? lay the gospel as at the root of the Upas tree? What made those holy men of God eminently successful in winning souls to Christ? strong in the Lord and in the power of his might? Was it not chiefly owing to their having drunk freely at this living fountain? to their making God’s word the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, meditating, like David, day and night, on the Book of books, pouring out their whole souls on their bended knees before God for light, life, and salvation, through this blessed medium? Here lies the secret of pulpit eloquence, editorial eloquence—eloquence that burns, flashes out, cuts like a razor or a two-edged sword, slays on the right and on the left, causes Satan to tremble—fall as lightning from Heaven. It is by searching the Scriptures that we receive wisdom from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy—the only true wisdom that makes the man for the times—the emergencies of the day, the minister, the editor, the watchman on Zion’s top. This secret of secrets, this secret of hiding God’s word in the heart, burningly, scorchingly treasuring it up, is like the stone cut out of the mountain, like Moses’ rod that swallowed up all rods. Minister of Jesus, editor of Jesus, servants of the most high God, desire ye this gospel power? Heaven’s electricity? the tongue of fire? the baptism pentecostal? eternity’s life-giving flash? Take the Bible, read it, search it, pray over it, hide it in your heart—your inmost soul; let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom—purifyingly—sanctifyingly; meditate on it day and night; rise at midnight for closet duty; walk softly before the Lord, as David did, saying, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” Psa. 119:101. “Oh! how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” “This is the Christian’s trusty sword,
And shall his sword unburnished be?
Shall rust corrode the blade?
For want of practice shall he flee
When Satan’s hosts invade?” WILL Peter R. Blake give his P. O. address? Some one from Richmond, Wis., sends us $20.00. Who is it? Annexed to each receipt is the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money receipted 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 then be given. $1.00 EACH. Mrs O R Dalton 39-21, J P Hoffman 36-13, N A Lord 37-22, C L Palmer 42-1, S Thompson 39-1, M C Trembley 37-1, Wm Wright 38-1, Geo N Lee 38-1, J H Murray 37-20, A Robinson 37-1, F Gould 38-1, J Gould 38-1, Mrs E Ireland 39-1, Wm Alderdice 38-1, H Shepard 37-20, J Zirkle 39-1, I P Zirkle 39-1, Nancy Gibbs 37-8, N M Gray 38-17, Thos Huxtable 38-8, Ezra Brackett 38-1, J M Rees 38-1, M Wilson 38-1, C Dunn 38-1, C H Tubbs 38-1, Isaac N Russell 38-1, William B Palmer 38-1. $2.00 EACH. D McAlpine 39-1, Lillis M Fuller 39-1, C Bryant 37-17, F Robison 39-1, E Sherman 40-12, M Hackworth 39-1, H H Bramhall 39-1, O F Brockway 38-3, Wm A Geer 36-16, S Hastings 38-18, R W Freer 38-8, Enos Rew 39-1, A B Williams 39-1, A Belden 39-1, E Lobdell 39-1, Eld P C Rodman 39-1, Nason Hoyt 39-8, F N Satterlee 39-1, A Austin 39-1, M Olmstead 39-1, N S Raymond 39-1, Jas White 38-1, Wm Waters 38-1, A Shepard 37-10, S Wright 35-1, I Dompier 36-1, Leonard Baker 39-1, S E Merrill 36-13, S J Merrill 39-1, Mrs Kate Babcock 37-1, Robert Niles 39-8, O C Spencer 39-1. MISCELLANEOUS. O A Robinson 50c 37-10, Ann Burgess $3.60 37-15, L A Lord 22c 36-19, O F Tripp 88c 37-1, S Beach 92c 38-1, A Worster 4.00 38-16, M F Dibble 4.00 40-1, J W Blake 1.38 38-1, P Conklin 50c 36-13, Eva E McCaul 50c 37-13, F C French 1.12 38-4, S M Booth 1.50 38-7. J N Loughborough $7.22, J B Benington 1.95, Enos Rew 3.00, Wm F Madden 92c, C M Stoddard 25c, H N McBrayet 25c, J C Bunch 50c, M Thompson 17c, J C Revell 50c, J Black 1.25, B H Hallock 75c, William S Moon 25c, C A Bennett 1.00, F R Richmond 1.00, E E McCaul 55c, O James 2.25, J H Waggoner 1.51, A Minkler 30c, A B Williams 35c, J Valentine 1.25, O F Brockway 25c, L C Hudson 25c, A Belden 1.10, D A Harford 50c, P C Rodman 83c, M E Guilford 29c, J McGregor 17c, B G Allen 60c, F C French 88c, M C Hastings 50c, S Sophia Post 1.25, J W Blake 12c, T Hare 1.00, M West 1.50, D T Stephens 1.40, L Winston 2.80, M Chapman 20c, S S Pierce jr 1.00, D S Plum 9.36, Wm Fenner 3.00, H Munch 35c, M F Dibble 1.00, J M Vaughan 60c, Wm Lawton 50c, I N Russell 35c, A M Mann 1.00, S Greenman 3.60. Sarah Beach, Grand Rapids, Mich., $4.08, O F Guilford, Clyde, Ohio, $1.70, W H Littlejohn, Allegan, Mich., $5.84, B F Merritt, Duncan, Stark Co., Ill., 10.00. Cash Received on Account. M E Steward $10.00, J N Loughborough 28.00, H G Buck 5.00, C W Olds 16.00, P A Mynor 1.50, D W Milk 8.10. General Conference Missionary Fund. A friend 50c, O Robinson 50c. Michigan Conference Fund. Church at Newton $25.00, church at North Liberty 50.00, church at Allegan 24.00. Library Fund of the S. D. A. P. Association. C S Glover $10.00, D H Gould 10.00, D K Smith 10.00, John Parmalee 10.00, F N Satterlee 10.00, W M Stillman 10.00, R Niles 5.00, E Boyer 10.00. Western Camp-Meeting Fund. C S Glover $5.00, John Parmalee 5.00, J Chapman 5.00, T P Finch 1.00, O M Finch 25c, M S Finch 25c, O M Patten 25c, M A Cole 25c, S Hallock 25c, A Stone 25c, A Thomas 30c, R Conly 20c, R Cole 50c, S Patten 50c, E Hallock 5.00, Henry Main 5.00, T T Wheeler 5.00, Wm S Moon 5.00, C Tosh 5.00. Michigan Camp-Meeting Fund. Wm Carpenter $10.00, D W Milk 5.00. Donation to the Publishing Association. Lodi, Wis., Dec. 11, 1870
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The next quarterly meeting of the S. D. Adventist church of Allegany County, will be held at the Niles settlement, commencing Jan. 6, 1871, at 2 o’clock P. M., with a covenant meeting. Meetings will continue into first-day. All the members of said church are especially requested to be present, and come prepared to settle up their S. D. pledges for the quarter then due. Josiah Witter, Clerk. The next quarterly meeting for the Pilot Grove, Washington, and Iowa City churches, will be at Washington, Iowa, Sabbath and first-day, Jan. 7 and 8. The brethren and sisters of Brighton and Tallyrand are cordially invited to attend. Meetings to commence Friday evening. H. Nicola. The next quarterly meeting of the Memphis, Lapeer, Oakland, and Holly churches, will be held at Holly, Mich., commencing Jan. 7, 1871. W. W. Lockwood. The next quarterly meeting of the Hundred Mile Grove church, Wisconsin, will be held, Jan. 7 and 8, 1871. We hope all our members will report personally, or by letter. Brethren from other churches are invited to attend. N. M. Jordan. Lodi, Wis., Dec. 11, 1870
The next quarterly meeting of the Fish Lake church, Waushara Co., Wis., will be held the first Sabbath in January, 1871, at the new brick school-house, one mile east of P. S. Thurston’s. P. S. Thurston. The next monthly meeting for the churches and scattered friends of Southern Wisconsin, will be held at Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., Jan. 7 and 8, 1871. Meeting Sabbath evening. We hope all will come prepared to stay till the close of the meeting. C. W. Olds. The next quarterly meeting of the S. D. A. church of Waterloo, Grant Co., Wis., will be held at their house of worship, Jan. 14, commencing at 10 o’clock A. M. A general invitation is given to all the brethren and sisters who can, to attend. Cannot Bro. Downer be with us at this meeting, and spend a few days in this place? If so, he will please give due notice. Jehiel Ganiard. The next quarterly meeting for the church of Avilla, Mo., will be held at Avilla, Jan. 7 and 8. A cordial invitation is extended to the scattered brethren. Bro. Blanchard may be expected. E. W. Rice, Clerk. Providence permitting, I will meet with the church in Wright, Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 24, 25; Blendon and Allendale, 26–29; Allegan, Dec. 31, and Jan. 1, 1871; Bunker Hill, Jan. 6, 7. Will a brother from Allegan meet me at Lansing station, Friday, Dec. 30? Joseph Bates. Providence permitting, I will meet with the brethren in Charleston, Vt., at Bro. E. Colby’s, the second Sabbath and first-day of January, 1871; the third Sabbath and first-day, at Bro. Holl’s, Compton, P. Q. A. S. Hutchins. The next quarterly meeting of the S. D. A. church of Monroe, Wis., will be held Jan. 6 and 7, 1871. We extend a cordial invitation to the Albany, Avon, Rockton, and McConnell’s Grove churches, to unite with us on this occasion. Come, with your hearts full of love to God, that we may have his blessing upon us. No preventing providence, Bro. Sanborn will be with us at this meeting. Oliver H. Pratt. Our Publications.
By James White
The present is a good time to furnish the candid with our publications. The season of the year is favorable, especially in farming districts. Almost every friend of present truth, has brothers, sisters, parents, children, or more distant relatives and friends, who would read our publications with profit. We have decided to send our books, pamphlets, and tracts, by mail, post paid, at the prices given in our list in this number. We simply give the postage, so that our scattered friends can obtain our publications through the post-office, at the same prices they can purchase them of our preachers and agents. We make this liberal offer in expectation of liberal patronage. We have more than twelve tons of books, pamphlets, and tracts, on hand, and clerks ready to forward them by mail, express, or by railroad. The steam press can run six days in each week, and as many nights, when necessary, to supply the demand. Please send your orders. J. W. Our Building
By James White
Is STILL crowded, after we have moved a portion of the property into another building, and ten thousand dollars’ worth into our ample cellar. In the spring, God willing, we will put up another building, the size of the one now occupied, where we shall find room, for a time, to work to better advantage. Our ever faithful friends have given sufficient pledges of help, which will be needed about the first of April, next, to put up the second building. J. W. NEW AND IMPORTANT PAMPHLET.
By James White
“History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul.” By D. M. Canright. Good judges regard this little work as one of great value. Price 25 cents, post-paid. Quarterly Meeting Postponed to January 7
By W. W. Lockwood
As the Christian denomination, who occupy our hall half of the time, have an appointment for quarterly meeting at the same time with ours, we have postponed our appointment to Jan. 7. Holly, Mich. W. W. Lockwood. The Review and Herald.
By James White
It is with no small degree of satisfaction that we send out the REVIEW AND HERALD this week, enlarged, and in many respects, improved. The larger type will be more easily read; the enlarged sheet will contain a greater amount of reading matter, and will be more respectable in appearance. In consequence of unavoidable delays in making changes, the REVIEW is late this week. We design to mail it regularly on third-day of each week. Bro. Smith returns to his editorial duties, restored to usual health, with renewed consecration and courage in the work. Before him is a wide field of usefulness, and an important work. When helpers were few, nearly eighteen years since, God raised him up to help us in the work that was then increasing upon our hands. Side by side we labor on, never with better courage and brighter hopes than at the present time. We each have our part to act in close connection. Will those who have faith pray for us that He who has been with us hitherto, may be with us to help us graciously by his Holy Spirit unto the end. With this number of the REVIEW, we commence another series of articles, in which we resume the work of giving the reasons of our faith and hope. These we design to continue each week till the duties of another camp-meeting season may compel us to discontinue them for a time. We shall spare neither time nor labor to make these articles instructive. They will probably occupy nearly the first two pages of the paper each week. Without these, the REVIEW would possess that interest which should induce its patrons to subscribe for it to send to thousands of their friends; but with these articles, setting forth the reasons of our faith and hope, which we trust will be adapted to the wants of their friends, we shall expect the general interest of all our friends and patrons, in giving the REVIEW a very wide circulation. We print this week one thousand copies extra, that we may be able to send this first number of the volume, and of the enlarged sheet, to new subscribers. We are making ready, friends, and will give your orders a hearty reception. Those who design to order the REVIEW sent to their friends, should not wait till several numbers of the current volume shall be issued. Order it immediately as a New-Year’s present to your friends. The REVIEW should be sent to thousands free. But with the present size of our sheet, the Association cannot meet the expense. The friends of the cause will cheerfully bear this expense. Let all our old friends, ministers, and people, come right up to the work, from this time, and pay the full subscription price, according to the terms of our paper, namely, “Two Dollars a Year in Advance.” This will be necessary to meet the expenses of the enlarged sheet. Those who are in arrears must settle up in some way. They should pay all, or a part, at once; or should state their inability to pay, without delay, and we will forgive the debt. No one can complain of our terms. No one can expect more than we offer. And we hope that our forbearance toward those who are in debt for the REVIEW, and our present indulgent offers, will now move every subscriber who is in arrears, to report immediately to this Office. Pay all, a part, or, if you are very poor, none, of what you owe for the past, and commence now, with the new, enlarged, and improved volume, by paying two dollars in advance. Churches, and scattered brethren, should see that the worthy poor are furnished with the REVIEW. To such, when paid for by others, we will send the REVIEW for $1.50 per year. And to all who wish to take the REVIEW on trial, and to those who order it for friends, it will be furnished for $1.50 per year. One year since, we received about five hundred subscribers at half price. Friends of the cause sent us the names and addresses of their friends, with one dollar for each, that they might receive the REVIEW for one year. It was suggested that during the year, many of the reasons of our faith and hope would be given. This has been done on our part as far as possible. We are loth to part with any of the five hundred subscribers, and shall wait three weeks for them to renew their subscriptions, or for their friends to renew for them. If, after we have sent three numbers of the enlarged sheet, their subscriptions are not renewed at $2.00 a year, we shall be compelled to take up the painful task of erasing their names from our lists. J. W. “Can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Pera, Dec. 10.—Gen. Ignatieff’s interview to-day with Adli Pasha, was unsatisfactory. The demands of Russia were strongly pressed, and the proposed conference was virtually ignored. Ignatieff insisted upon regarding the treaty as already abrogated, and Turkey refuses to admit this interpretation of the situation. There is danger of a conflict at any moment. Russia unquestionably intends practically the breaking of the treaty in her own time. London, Dec. 13.—A correspondent at Versailles makes the statement that, in a conversation on the political situation, Bismarck said that strong efforts were being made for the restoration of the Emperor Napoleon; that a congress on the Eastern question would not be held without a French plenipotentiary; that France had no authority to appoint one just now; and that he would not recognize the authority of men of the pavement to sit among their betters. London, Dec. 13, 4 P. M.—The Russian forces are rapidly concentrating near the Turkish frontier. London, Dec. 12.—The Eastern question is again agitated, and the Russian Minister to Constantinople is asking a further annulment of the Paris treaty, and England is taking precautionary means to guard against surprise. St. Petersburg, Dec. 12.—Addresses continue to be received, congratulating the Czar upon his action in regard to the treaty of 1856. Vienna, Dec. 13.—All the journals denounce the course of Prussia toward Luxembourg as arrogant. The press implores the powers which guaranteed the neutrality of Luxembourg to rise and repress the insolence which makes all treaties valueless. It is stated, with more and more positiveness, that Bismarck has given notice that Germany will no longer respect the treaty of 1867, guaranteeing the neutrality of Luxembourg, and that a German army is about to seize that province. This seemed incredible at first; for, beside the jealousies too large an expansion of German territory might excite, it looked like bad policy for Bismarck to force Belgium, just now, to join France against Germany. But it is now stated that a secret treaty of cession between the kings of Belgium and Prussia, has existed for some time, and that the Germans will occupy Luxembourg without opposition from Belgium, by virtue of this secret understanding. “For ways that are dark,” the diplomacy of Bismarck is notorious, though his tricks are not generally vain. St. Petersburg, Dec. 15.—A levy of six men in every 1,000 throughout Russia is ordered, to replace the men lost in consequence of the shortening of the term of service of the conscription. Determined Tone of Prussia.
Berlin, Dec. 14.—The Prussian Government declares that the great powers of Europe have concerned themselves in the Luxembourg matter, in the face of her plain violation of neutrality in the interest of the French, and Prussia therefore reserves to itself a full freedom for her future course. London, Dec. 15.—Proofs of the Prussian scheme for the restoration of the French Empire come from every quarter. Bismarck says this is the only way that the war can end; that the republicans of France will fight forever; that the fall of Paris can produce no effect, and that the only course is to make terms with the empire, go home, and leave the French to fight it out between themselves. The English Government has given a contract for sixty batteries of eight guns each, of Gatling’s mitrailleuses, to be made in America. The Russian Government also has in its employ a number of American workmen engaged in manufacturing mitrailleuses. There is ample evidence of other kinds, that Russia is preparing for war on a grand scale.