Earlier text: THE CHILDREN'S HOMESABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS AND LITTLE THINGS.
By Ida Iden
MUCH has been said in the past in regard to the importance of little things, yet the subject may, with profit, be taken up again in connection with Sabbath-school teachers. While we are pressed on all sides with cares and responsibilities, and things that must receive attention, we are apt to forget the little matters that may arise, or regard them of small account. But let us remember that it is attention to little things that makes our success in life, and the neglect of little things that makes our failures. Many of us fail to realize how great an influence we exert on the side of either right or wrong; and though perhaps unconscious of the harm we are doing, we may be the cause, direct or indirect, of the loss of precious souls. Seed that is sown in youthful hearts, soon grows and bears fruit; for it has been cast in fertile soil. Children naturally imitate those older than themselves; and to whom should they look for a good example, if not to their Sabbath-school teacher? They do look to him, and watch closely his manner and habits. The pupil who already has some particular weakness or bad habit, will be greatly injured on seeing those same weaknesses displayed by his teacher. He may rejoice over his discovery of them, feeling that it in some degree justifies him in his own course, and thinking that if his teacher gets along without reforming, he is safe enough. If his teacher in the Sabbath-school can do these things, and escape the censure and ill-will of those around him, surely it cannot be so very wrong if he does the same. We are often tempted to indulge in the light, frivolous talking and jesting so common among young people. And frequently, too, we get in such a hurry that we think we cannot stop for the little courtesies and acts of love that we might mix in here and there, by simply denying the gratification of our own selfish desires. If we would inculcate right principles in the hearts of those we instruct, we must have right principles and motives in our own hearts. We should cultivate habits of regularity, thoughtfulness, and care, not to be manifested simply on particular occasions, or before certain persons, but at all times. Great care must be taken, lest all the good we do by meeting the members of our classes occasionally, be entirely counteracted by our bad influence outside of the Sabbath-school and these meetings. Then let us try harder to do our part in the work, and the blessing of the Lord will surely attend our efforts. DEDICATION AT WOLF LAKE, IND.
By S. H. Lane
The house of worship recently completed at Wolf Lake was dedicated according to appointment, May 16. Wolf Lake is eleven miles southeast of Ligonier. We were favored with the presence and labors of Elds. White and Smith. They reached Ligonier Friday afternoon, May 14. Sabbath evening Eld. White gave a very interesting and instructive discourse from Phil. 2:1–7. The sermon was highly practical in its nature. The congregation listened with marked attention while he dwelt so earnestly upon what it takes to constitute a true Christian, and those who listened were deeply impressed with the necessity of consecrating themselves anew to the cause of the Master. Sabbath morning Bro. Smith went to Wolf Lake and held profitable meetings, which greatly benefited the church. Eld. White spoke at Ligonier, Sabbath forenoon, from 1 Thess. 4:13–18; 5:1–6. And as he set forth what will be the realization of the blessed hope, and the prospect of its speedy consummation, all hearts were cheered and strengthened. In the afternoon we enjoyed a precious social meeting, in which nearly all in the house took part. In the evening we again listened to a discourse from Bro. White from the words, “God is love.” The sermon forcibly impressed our minds with the richness of God’s love. Many hearts were touched, and resolutions were formed to show our appreciation of such love by walking humbly before God. First-day morning, on reaching Wolf Lake we found the house of worship densely packed with people awaiting our arrival; and many who could not find room in the house were assembled in the large tent pitched near by. Eld. White gave the dedicatory sermon in the church. He set forth in his usual clear and impressive manner the reasons of our faith and hope. The people listened with almost breathless attention, and an excellent impression was made in favor of the truth. After the sermon, in the dedicatory prayer, the house was solemnly set apart to the service of God. Eld. Smith preached to about one hundred and fifty in the tent, while services were being carried on in the church. In the afternoon Eld. White gave a discourse on baptism to several hundred assembled in the tent, after which he baptized seven in Wolf Lake. The several hundred who witnessed the scene observed the best of order, and the occasion was a solemn one. Among those baptized was a lady recently from Southampton, England. In the evening Eld. Smith gave a very impressive discourse from Heb. 12:1–3, thus closing a series of meetings which resulted in much good. When the truth was first presented in Wolf Lake, in 1875, it met with much opposition, some of which was of such a despicable character that the writer’s charts upon one occasion were stolen and destroyed. Much prejudice was raised against the spirit of prophecy as developed in our midst, and against our views generally. Notwithstanding all this, whenever the truth was spoken the people would come out to hear. Much reading matter was distributed, and one by one honest souls have embraced the truth. In May, 1878, we organized a church of thirteen members, since which time its numbers have more than trebled, and two years from the date of organization their nicely finished meeting-house, 30x40, was dedicated to the service of God. The erection of this church has cost sacrifice on the part of the brethren and sisters. The Lord is graciously blessing in that field, and if they are faithful others will be added to the church. CAMP-MEETING IN LEMOORE, CAL.
By S. N. Haskell
This meeting was appointed to commence Thursday, April 22, and continue until the next Wednesday. The first morning the rain, which had been falling, ceased, the clouds disappeared, and the sun shone upon the encampment in all its clearness, and continued to do so, each day, until the meeting closed. We had the finest of weather for evening meetings also, as there was a full moon. Forty-five tents were pitched on the ground, including the restaurant, and the pavilion, 60x100 ft., in which the meetings were held. Services commenced at the time appointed, and continued without interruption until the second Monday morning, May 3, which included over eleven days. From the commencement, an interest to seek God was manifested by the brethren and sisters; the Lord came near to his people, and at times his presence was329 very sensibly felt. The ground seemed sacred, and it was evident that angels were present. The preaching was mostly of a practical nature. The outside interest was good. Sunday, the 24th, it was estimated that fifteen hundred people were on the ground; and this large congregation listened, with almost breathless attention, to a discourse by Sister White. Her remarks in the social meetings, fraught with practical instruction, will not soon be forgotten. A vast amount of prejudice was removed, and many who had been undecided, became established upon the truth. Not a few took their stand to keep the commandments of God. One man relinquished a salary of $75 a month in order to keep the Sabbath, not knowing how he could support his family. Another who had previously been skeptical, fully identified himself with us. In remarks which he made, he said: “They say these people are poor; I am poor, but desire the riches of God’s grace. They say these people are weak; I am weak, but desire to unite with the strength of Omnipotence. They say these people are ignorant; well, I am ignorant, and want the wisdom of God. They say these people are low; I am low, and wish the exaltation of connecting with the Lord Jesus Christ.” About one hundred separated themselves from the congregation, Sabbath afternoon, at the close of a discourse by Sister White, thus expressing a desire to seek God, some for the first time, and others who had lost their connection with Heaven, wished to again find the Saviour precious to their souls. This work was carried forward in a few family tents selected for this purpose at the close of the public service. It was a successful move. One of those who came forward was a Methodist minister. A goodly number signed the covenant, and it was evident to all that a new song was in the mouths of many. Expressions like the following were frequently made: “God has blessed me as never before;” “I never realized the pardoning love of God before as now.” Seven were baptized. One boy of seven summers asked, in tears, if he was old enough to be baptized, saying that he loved the Saviour and felt that his sins were forgiven. Jesus says, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 19:14. When a person is old enough to discern between right and wrong, and to realize the forgiving smiles of the Saviour, he is old enough to be baptized. A lively interest was manifested in the missionary work, as will be seen from the quarterly report. More than $1,700 was pledged toward raising a T. and M. reserve fund in this State. The object of this fund is to enable the society to supply ministers, colporters, and others who wish to labor actively in the missionary work, with bound books, premiums, Sabbath-school appliances, etc., to sell. Between twenty and thirty pledged to become life-members of the General T. and M. Society. It seemed necessary that we should return to Oakland at the time the meetings were to have closed, but we could not resist the urgent pleading of some of the brethren for the meetings to continue over another Sabbath and first-day. When this decision was made, some returned forty miles to bring their families and neighbors. Not a tent was taken down until after the meeting closed Monday morning. This was a feature upon which we cannot but think God looked with approbation. The brethren said, “It will not pay to break up so soon.” This sounded very different from, “We cannot afford to remain longer; our affairs at home must be attended to.” The meeting increased in interest until the close. A Bible class was held at regular sessions; and instruction was given in the missionary work. In no exercise was more interest taken than in the Bible-class, especially when the subject, “How to keep the Sabbath,” was considered. Sister White took an active part in the discussion of this question, and gave much light and instruction, which will be of great benefit to those present. Over one hundred subscribers for our periodicals, mostly the Signs of the Times, were obtained upon the ground. Two brothers, six and seven years of age, obtained nine subscribers for the Instructor. Three colporters are now devoting their time to the work of the present truth. Besides this, a number will make a specialty of canvassing for our periodicals, and several took an agency for “Plain Facts,” with territory. Our parting meeting was held at 4:30 Monday morning. I never before saw so much feeling manifested at the breaking up of a camp meeting. As we look over the eleven days of the meeting, and consider the general arrangement of the ground, including the restaurant; the healing of alienated hearts, as individuals, kneeling, embraced one another, confessing their faults; the promptness in attending the meetings, and the outside interest manifested to hear the truth, we think it was the best camp-meeting, considering all things, that we ever attended. The brethren returned to their homes greatly encouraged, and we feel strengthened, spiritually, mentally, and physically. VISIT TO INDIANA.
By James White
As appointed in REVIEW, we visited the churches at Ligonier and Wolf Lake, Ind., the 15th and 16th of the present month. In company with Bro. Smith we took the pleasant journey by carriage, the 13th and 14th, sixty-five miles. The weather was pleasant, the roads excellent and the scenery through the rural districts of Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana was delightful. The change from the confinement and cares of office life was better enjoyed than can be expressed. We were happy to meet Eld. Lane at Ligonier. Indiana is a good field of labor, and Eld. Lane has labored faithfully and energetically. His fellow-laborers have also worked with success. Elders Covert, Sharp, Bartlett, Reese, and others are men of ability and a good degree of consecration to the work. With the blessing of God attending their efforts, in the good State of Indiana they may gather many precious souls for the kingdom of God. While in Ligonier we enjoyed the good home of Bro. and Sr. Rogers, formerly of Michigan. The brethren and sisters in Indiana received us with expressions of Christian kindness and gratitude for our visit, and the practical lessons we labored to enforce in our discourses received a hearty response. The houses of worship both at Ligonier and Wolf Lake are a credit to those who have cheerfully given of their means to build them. While in this encouraging field of labor, we felt that it would be a great pleasure to be free from those perplexing cares which have been wearing us for the last quarter of a century, to give ourself to prayer, reflection, and the word of God. We are ready to admit that there is hard labor in every branch of our important work; but if there is one branch of the work that is harder than another, it is that which confines men to the perpetual toils, cares, and perplexities at our publishing houses. And we would here suggest that those who are out in the field enjoying the changes of speaking, visiting, and studying, do not know what they are talking about when dwelling upon the hardships of their lot in contrast with the supposed ease of office life. Monday morning we drove to La Grange, a distance of twenty miles, before nine. Here we took the train, and reached home in a few hours, leaving others whose business was not as urgent as ours to drive in the team. God bless the brethren in Indiana. We see no reasons why that Conference may not be as strong as the Michigan Conference, and even stronger, if the ministers of that Conference stand where the Lord can work for them. J. W. WESTERN CAMP-MEETINGS.
By James White
THE camp-meetings in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota will be large gatherings, and very important to the cause in those States. Mrs. W. will remain upon the Pacific coast the present season, and will not therefore be present at these meetings. Her field of labor for the present season seems plainly indicated to be in California, Oregon, and Washington Territory, by the pressing need of her labors on that coast, the anxiety of the people to hear, and the freedom and health she there enjoys. Her absence from the camp-meetings in the North-west will be felt, yet none should remain away from the meetings, or have less interest in the work because of her absence. J. W. LIFE Sketches of the writer and Mrs. W. will be completed the present month, and will be for sale on the Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota camp-grounds. This book will be handled by the writer, who invites brethren in the ministry to push the sale of it. Price $1.00; with likeness of the writer—steel engraving, $1.25. J. W. Reference was made in our News Notes last week to the organization of the “Toledo [Ohio] Sabbath [Sunday] Union.” And now the Toledo Evening Bee, of May 8, 1880, through the kind offices of a correspondent, comes to our table, containing further mention of the said “Sabbath Union.” A “layman” who was present on the occasion, addressed the following communication to the editor of that paper:— TOLEDO SABBATH UNION.—CALL FOR AUTHORITY CONCERNING THE SABBATH QUESTION.
“EDITOR BEE: On the evening of the 28th of April your correspondent had the privilege of witnessing the organization of the alleged ‘Sabbath Union.’ It is not the design of this article to criticise the intentions of that honorable body, or your just and correct report; but there was a point that suggested itself to the writer, who claims to be a friend to all laws founded on the word of God. “Now as stated in your report of the meeting, ‘the objects of the association were, the better observance of the Sabbath day; to ascertain the names of the persons engaged at work on the Lord’s day, and report them to the Union; to examine the Sabbath laws on the statute books of Ohio, and enforce them if needs be; to induce by persuasion, if possible, all railroads and places of business to cease work and close up on the Sabbath-day, and assist the International Union in inducing Congress and the State Legislature to pass more stringent Sabbath laws.’ Now the point to notice:— “There are denominations of people (aside from the Jews) who claim to be Christian people, and who claim to be governed by higher laws than the statute laws of Ohio, that do not observe the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday (which we suppose is referred to), only as a day of labor. Yet they claim that they observe the Sabbath according to the commandment. Luke 23:56. We did not hear during this meeting, nor see in your report of these ‘more stringent laws,’ any provisions suggested, relative to such classes of ‘Christians’ as the latter, if they may be so called. Now, as one of this latter class we appeal to you Christians, who claim to be Bible men, and take the word of God as the ‘man of your counsel,’ to just take the statute delivered to you from High Heaven, and show one thus saith the Lord, one holy command, or one apostolic example, for keeping the first day of the week as a holy day or Sabbath. “We would also suggest to your honorable committee, whom you may send out to get ‘the names of those engaged at work on the Lord’s day,’ that they go forth prepared with divine proof on this point; showing from the Scriptures that the first day of the week is the Lord’s day; ‘for lo! we have sought for it, and it was not.’ Now, we think we are not unreasonable in asking this. If there is no divine law for this, then do we sin by working on the first day? ‘Sin is the transgression of the law;’ and where no law is, there is no sin. A LAYMAN.” In reference to the foregoing communication, the editor of the Bee gave in another column the following very pertinent note:— “After all, there appears to be at least a couple of sides to the Sunday observance question, as evidenced by a communication we print elsewhere from ‘Layman,’ who believes in and observes Saturday as a sacred day of rest. Now, when this matter is brought right down to business, who shall decide whether Saturday or Sunday is the sacred day?” PROFOUND LOGIC!
By D. A. Robinson
In reading in the World’s Crisis not long since an article entitled “How it Is,” I was led to mentally use the exclamation at the head of this article. The writer commences thus:— “‘How is it,’ ask our S. D. Adventist friends, ‘that you acknowledge your obligation to keep nine commands of the decalogue, and yet reject the tenth?’ This specious argument has misled many. Be patient one moment, while I illustrate our freedom from the ‘tenth.’” Our logical friend then proceeds on the following supposition. A school-master finds it necessary to make a code of rules. The scholars are bound to obey all of them during the session of that school. When it closes, the teacher immediately commences a new school, not in the same locality, “but so near that many of his old scholars did attend, although many times their number from the region about came, who had never attended before. This wise teacher saw at a glance that in governing so large a school he must be more strict in many things than in the former one, and that a new code of rules was demanded,—one that would elevate to a higher standard of behavior and cultivate finer feelings than the former code, and accordingly he draws up and sets forth such an one. Suppose some of the rules of the first code should be incorporated into this new code, who will say that this fact makes the whole of the old code binding upon this new school? Nay, even if nine-tenths of the old code could be found in the new, none are so blind as to affirm that the old code, as such, is in force.” Let us notice some of these statements. 1. “The teacher” in the case saw that in his large school he must be more particular—in short, his old code would not suffice. How would our logical friend remedy this evil, if he were the teacher? Oh! he would simply, instead of having a code of ten rules, as in the former school, have one of nine. What did his new school demand? A “higher standard of behaviour,” one that would cultivate “finer feelings.” Then of course we should expect to find in the nine rules these very elements; but lo! when they are brought forth, we recognize in them the old code intact, minus one rule. And this is called the “higher standard,” designed to cultivate “finer feelings,” etc. This is absurdity boiled down to the lowest degree. We would suggest that the writer immediately take steps to have this method of reasoning incorporated into the standard works on logic, and thereby immortalize his name as the champion opposer of the seventh-day Sabbath. Let this method be adopted,—a method that disregards all principles of analogy, requires no use of the reasoning powers, is just the opposite of a logical sequence,—we say, let this be adopted, and our Sabbath is surely gone. Again, the writer says that “God commenced a school at Mt. Sinai with comparatively few scholars, and gave from Sinai a code to govern that school. That school closed at the cross. Gal. 3:23, 24. At Mt. Zion God commenced a new school embracing the whole world. He gave to this school a new code, or a new covenant, which is the same thing. The first code was read to the old school by Moses; the new code was declared by Jesus Christ. . . . . The reason why we keep nine commands of the decalogue, is because they are found in the new code. The reason why we reject the other command is because it is not found in the new code. This is how it is.” We wish the writer had, while quoting Gal. 3:24 with such evident satisfaction, given some light on the next verse. Why not quote it? Oh! the difficulty is simply this: Our friend tells us that the whole world is now in the new school which God commenced at Mt. Zion, this side of the cross; but the words of Paul in the verse in question affirm that “we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Since Paul spoke by inspiration, modesty suggests that the writer change his theory to be in harmony with the apostle’s words. But let us see about this new school. When was it commenced? At the cross. Very good. Who gave the new code? Answer, Jesus Christ. When did he give it? chapter and verse, please? Oh, he gave it during his ministry, we are told. But hold, my friend. The old school had not then closed, and did not close till the cross. Were both codes given to the old school? And then when the first code was abolished at the cross, are you sure the second was preserved? We must ask again, How is it? The following are the legitimate conclusions from the above:—- The law given on Mt. Sinai was adapted to the people till the cross.
- At the cross a new code was given, of a higher nature, consisting of exactly nine-tenths of the old code.
- According to the argument (!) the new code must not be given till the old school closes, which event the writer tells us occurred at the cross; but
- We are told that it “was declared by Jesus Christ.” Of course we must look for this declaration this side of the death of Christ. Will our friend give us the verse, chapter, or even the book where this can be found? Was the new code given before the cross? If so, then the old school had nineteen rules, and our friend is put to the proof to show that the new school has any at all.
Paul does clearly show that the law of ordinances was abolished at the cross (Col. 2:14; Eph. 2:14, 15), but does he mean by this the ten commandments? Never. In speaking of the law of God, he says it “is holy, just, and good.” Rom. 7:12. It is established by faith. Rom. 3:31. Our Saviour says, “Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot [a small letter] or one tittle [a part of a letter] shall in no wise pass from the law.” Yet right in the face of such testimony, men will cleave to the impious assumption that one-tenth of it, at least, has passed away. This would make a good many “jots” and “tittles.” A CORRESPONDENT sends us the following:— “Those who claim that there is no need of revelation to teach men what is right, but that reason and conscience are sufficient, are very much like the Irishman who endeavored to sustain the proposition that ‘the moon is more sensible than the sun,’ with the argument that ‘the moon shines in the night, when we need it; but the sun only comes out in broad daylight, when even a one-eyed man can see without it.’ “This so fully illustrates the very absurd position taken by so many ‘advanced thinkers,’ in public and private, at hotels, aboard the cars and steamboats, on the rostrum, and even in the pulpit, that I could not forbear putting it on paper. “We need the light of revelation, that the eyes of reason and conscience may see the path that leads to life; and he who discards it, or he who, holding it, sets aside his reason, is equally foolish with the one who, having good eyes, says he has no need of the sun; or closes his eyes at midday and walks in darkness.” VIGILANT MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
(Condensed from the Constitution.) The question is frequently asked, “Why do we need a vigilant missionary society where there is a local tract society organized?” We answer: 1. It is not usually practicable for the officers and leading members of local societies, who are mostly brethren, to devote the attention and labor required to carry out our present plan of distributing reading matter, especially the Signs of the Times, and other periodicals, and no special responsibility is felt by others in the matter, unless it is made incumbent upon them. 2. It opens to the sisters a field of labor for which many of them are well qualified, independent of the general management of the tract society. 3. It gives system and order to this part of the work, which is indispensable if anything is really accomplished. OLD METHOD OBJECTIONABLE.
The old plan of gathering up names and having periodicals sent to individuals directly from the Office, without first learning whether those to whom they were sent would be interested or not, has serious objections. 1. There is a law forbidding publishers to send out printed matter at publishers’ rates of postage to any who are not regular subscribers. 2. Many to whom the papers were sent were not interested, and never would become so; and a year’s subscription was lost. 3. Two or three copies were sometimes sent to the same individual by different tract workers. 4. The individual simply paid his money, and had no further care or responsibility in the matter, and no burden of labor. By the present plan, the society or an individual subscribes for a club of from four to four hundred copies of our paper, and remails them to such individuals as it is thought would be willing to read. Three numbers are sent to one address, and then a letter is written. If the answer indicates that the person is interested, more papers or tracts are sent. But if no response is made, the name is dropped, and others are tried. This plan has advantages over the old method in the following particulars: 1. It educates people to labor for others. 2. It lays upon each person a weekly responsibility which cannot be properly discharged without thought, planning, and much prayer. 3. It calls into exercise talent which would otherwise be useless to the cause of God. 4. The systematic workings of a vigilant missionary society prevent any of the copies of the Signs being left over in families, because they cannot find interested readers. 5. By this method, at least ten families will be visited by the Signs, where, by the old method, only one family would receive it. 6. It brings into the church a good moral atmosphere. The first questions that arise are, How many copies of the Signs can this church take? and how can we pay for them? A paper is drawn up, as follows: “We, the undersigned, do hereby agree to pay monthly the sum set to our names, for The Signs of the Times, to be sent to this church at club rates, for one year, these papers to be used in the tract and missionary work.” The amount pledged will show how many copies of the Signs can be taken by the church. One dollar and twenty-five cents a month will pay for ten copies; sixty-five cents a month, five copies, etc. Good Health, the REVIEW, or any other periodical, can be taken in the same manner, if used for the same purpose. One dollar per month would pay for twenty-four copies of Good Health, thirty-five of Stimme der Wahrheit, twenty-five of the Harolden, twenty of the Tidende, or sixteen of Les Signes des Temps. Where the members are few, and so scattered that a regular attendance of five or six cannot be secured every week at some appointed time and place, a Vigilant Committee of one, two, or three is appointed to attend to the distribution of these papers. It is the duty of this committee to obtain a sufficient number of addresses, so that each copy can be used weekly. In such cases the Signs should be sent to one of the members of the committee, who should furnish copies to those who have pledged, if they are so situated as to use them. The Vigilant Missionary Society is an arrangement entered into by members of the church, usually sisters in small churches, though all are invited to join. These persons meet weekly, and take the responsibility of seeing that all the copies of the Signs not otherwise appropriated are used weekly for the purposes designed. This organization can be effected in churches where six or more sisters can meet weekly at some stated time, to confer together and transact such business as pertains to their work. In organizing a Vigilant Missionary Society, at least two officers are necessary, a President, and a Secretary who shall act as treasurer. A Vice-president, assistant secretaries, and corresponding agents can be added when circumstances render these officers necessary. For the benefit of those who are able to effect an organization, we present the following By-Laws, which in substance are adopted by regularly organized Vigilant Societies East and West:— ART. 1. This Society shall be called the S. D. A. Vigilant Missionary Society of ——— ART. 2. The object of this Society shall be to secure the world-wide circulation of our periodicals and other publications, and to awaken and increase an interest in pure and undefiled religion wherever, and in whatever manner, practicable. ART. 3. The officers of this Society shall consist of a President, and a Secretary who shall act as treasurer. These shall be elected semi-annually. Corresponding agents may be appointed as the work demands. ART. 4. Any one who keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus may become a member by a two-thirds’ vote of the members present at any regular meeting, and by the payment of fifty cents. ART. 5. The duties of the President and Secretary shall be the same as are common to such officers. The duties of the corresponding agents shall be to circulate tracts and periodicals; also to render aid by securing names and addresses of those they think would be benefited by receiving reading matter or letters from the Society. ART. 6. These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds’ vote of members present at any regular meeting. TO THE BRETHREN IN ILLINOIS.
By R. F. Andrews
Dear Brethren: I wish to call your attention to some very important matters in connection with our work as a Conference. 1. There are quite a number of our brethren who do not take the REVIEW, the Instructor, or Good Health. Such persons are suffering a very great loss. At our last State meeting it was decided that “an earnest effort should be put forth to place these periodicals in every Sabbath-keeping family within the bounds of our Conference.” This is a noble undertaking. If the Saviour commended his people for ministering to the physical wants of his followers (see Matt. 25: 34–36), will he not also commend them for attending to their spiritual wants? How is it, my brethren, that we should be moved to divide our last meal with the hungry,—those who are famishing for lack of bread,—while we can look on complacently, when even our brethren are famishing for lack of spiritual food? Many of them will sleep on and be lost, unless they can be roused from their stupor. They need the instruction that these periodicals contain; and to supply them with the precious printed truth is much more important than giving bread to the hungry; for spiritual things are of more moment than temporal, and an eternal life is of infinitely more value than the present. 2. How shall we bring about this very important matter? We can answer this best when we understand the reasons why our brethren do not subscribe for these papers themselves. These reasons are, carelessness, lack of interest, not realizing the importance of these periodicals, and in a few instances, it may be, the lack of means. Where a person is able to pay for these papers, and yet has not interest enough to take them, the first thing to be done is to show him the loss he is sustaining, and, if possible, to induce him to subscribe. This will be far better than to order the papers through the tract society or to have them paid for by the brethren. If a lack of means is the obstacle, brethren should be taught to economize. There are but very few families who could not retrench their expenses one cent a day; and the sum thus saved, with the addition of ten cents, would pay for these valuable periodicals at full prices. And the instruction and spiritual life they impart would be a blessing throughout the entire year. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Some may be in circumstances which render it impossible for them to pay for these periodicals themselves, and in that case it certainly is the duty of the brethren to see that they are supplied. 3. We ask all our ministers, local elders, deacons, and T. and M. officers, together with the rank and file of our people, to take hold of this work in good earnest. Let us accomplish it speedily. Time is short. Our brethren are perishing. Find out who are, and who are not, taking these papers. The tract society has undertaken this work. When persons are not able, and cannot be induced to subscribe for themselves, give their names to the director in your district, or your church librarian, and the matter will receive attention. 4. Every one who has a heart in this work is invited to send to the Treasurer of our State T. and M. Society, Lizzie S. Campbell, Belvidere, Ill., a liberal donation for this worthy object. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Unless our brethren take hold of this liberally, it will be a very great burden for our tract societies, and must necessarily cripple us. We have confidence that we shall receive substantial aid in this noble work. 5. The tent season is upon us; and we have had to draw nearly $200 out of our Conference fund to pay for tents. This ought not so to be. Our ministers are really in need of this money, and should have it. There is a considerable sum of money pledged for tent purposes, some of which has remained unpaid for over three years. My brother, or sister, please do not read this over carelessly. It may be you are one of these delinquent ones; if so, redeem your pledge at once. The money is needed immediately. If you have not pledged, should you not send us help at once? Send your tent pledges and donations for tent operations to our State Conference Treasurer, J. J. Garlock, Watseka, Ill. We want to put at least five tents in the field this year. Please act with promptness. 6. Are there persons who would like to give their time as tent-masters and helpers? If so, they should write to me at once to Gilman, Ill. The King’s business demands haste.