By the providence of God, I have the great privilege to meet you, my dear friends, brethren and sisters. I have also had the great pleasure to speak to you, not only at Battle Creek, but also at several camp-meetings, as in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Although in my broken English, I think you understood me.
I spoke to you of my joy to see you, and to meet you. I never expected this in coming here. I was desirous to make acquaintance with you, but all this was more than I could expect. I spoke to you of my happiness among you. I spoke to you of my thankfulness for your love and sympathy shown to me, etc. I spoke to you of the mission in Europe (Switzerland). I brought you the Christian love and friendship, and the salutations, from our brethren and sisters in Switzerland. You were glad to hear of them, and I was rejoiced with you. To-day I am constrained to speak, through this good paper, to you.
You know, my beloved brethren and sisters, that, when we are connected one with another in the true Christian love, then our joys and sorrows are common, as it is written in 1 Cor. xii, 26. Now I cannot have the many joys which I have had among you for myself alone, nor the many blessings which I have received since coming among you. I was greatly rejoiced, and richly blessed. I have also seen your Christian love and sympathy which you have manifested for the brethren and sisters in Switzerland. I have written to them of all this. I have sent them your love and your salutations.
I received a letter from the elder of the church at home, Bro. Albert Vuilleumier. They are greatly rejoiced because of all this. Their hearts are lifted up to God in gratitude, who united their hearts with yours in the same faith, in the same spirit, and in the same love. I am charged to express to you, in the name of the whole church there, their heartfelt Christian esteem and friendship, their warm gratitude for all that you have shown and manifested to me, and for them. They send you again their hearty salutations, and pray you to remember them in your prayers. They do the same for you.
I can, and I must, also tell you, that although they have recently had great trials, as Bro. A. V. wrote me, God has sustained them till now. The enemy, although endeavoring to destroy the good work there, was defeated, not by men, but by the Almighty God. This good work goes still forward. God be blessed! Oh! he has been very good to us. He is still good to us. Let us be faithful. Let us love him because he has loved us first. Let us go forward in repenting and overcoming. Let us draw nearer to him. Let us live in him. Let us be ready for his glorious coming.
Many of our dear brethren and sisters were desirous to know how long I shall stay here. I could not give a definite answer. Our dear Bro. White and Andrews told me that it would be good for me to stay here till the next General Conference. I wrote to the elder, and to the deacons, of the church in Switzerland. They answered me, that they were glad to hear that the dear brethren had the same views; and I therefore can remain longer here.
May God help me in learning English, and in studying the present truth. Pray for me, that I may return prepared as a true servant of God, able to lead many to him. Yours thankfully,
JAMES ERTZENBERGER.
Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 22, 1869.
DELILAH C. ELMER
By Delilah C. Elmer
From Sr. Elmer.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS; I wish to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord to me since attending the N. E. Camp-meeting. For six months previous to this, I had been in a discouraged state of mind, with but little hope of ever getting through to the kingdom. I had been for seventeen years a devoted lover of the testimonies of Sr. White. They were a great source of help and comfort to me. But when I received Testimony No. 17, I was passing through trials of a peculiar nature, and while I read the many pointed, personal testimonies, I felt that I was guilty in many respects. I could see so much sin, and so little good, that I had done in my life, that my spirit nearly sank within me. I laid the Testimonies all aside, and for months scarcely looked into one of them, for fear I should read something that would condemn me. The thought that I had let cases among the worthy poor and needy in our midst pass by without doing more for them (especially one lovely orphan who now sleeps in the grave), was piercing to me, almost beyond endurance. I felt that I needed a new conversion. When I saw the appointment for the N. E. Camp-meeting, I was glad, for I thought that if I should attend, it might be a benefit to me; and I am happy to say that, although it was not a time of excitement and great rejoicing with me, yet hope revived, and courage and peace of mind came to my troubled soul. I did not rely alone on the efforts of others, although I greatly prized them. I tried to consecrate myself to the Lord anew, and with fasting and prayer return to him. I feel like daily consecrating myself to the Lord. I have much to do to get ready for what is coming upon the earth, and but little time to do it in; yet I am greatly encouraged as I have the sweet evidence of His assisting grace. I feel incapable of praising him enough for what he is doing for me. “Oh! give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people.” Ps. cv, 1. “Oh! that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps. cvii, 8.
DELILAH C. ELMER
Franklin Co., Mass.
C. ORDWAY
By C. ORDWAY
From Sr. Ordway.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I never realized the great responsibility that rests upon me as a Seventh-day Adventist as I have within a few weeks past. I have been trying to live out the truth for three years, but I have not seen the fruits that I could wish. I find, by searching my own heart, that I lack the zeal of a true and faithful laborer.
I feel like covenanting anew with God, that I may be among the faithful. I want to meet with loved ones that have long slumbered in the tomb. I want to be willing to endure with the remnant, and have on the whole armor, that I may withstand all the fiery darts of the evil one.
Yours striving to be an overcomer,
C. ORDWAY
Richland Co., Ohio.
SARAH GORTON
By Sarah Gorton
From Sr. Gorton.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I believe that in answer to prayer, my Heavenly Father has enabled me to see myself as he sees me. And oh! with anguish of heart, I find that this stubborn will of mine is not yet fully brought into subjection to the will of God. Feeling almost like giving up in despair, I exclaimed, Can I ever overcome all my sins? Realizing my unfaithfulness I scarcely dared to hope in the mercies of my Saviour.
In this state of mind I went to our Minnesota Camp-meeting. While listening to the testimonies of those dear, faithful servants of God, and seeing their care-worn faces, I could in some degree realize the sacrifice they were making, that they might lead poor sinners to Jesus. Counting not their own lives dear to them, but forsaking all for Christ’s sake, they have traveled from State to State, and suffered and toiled to save those for whom our dear Saviour died. God grant that their crowns may be starry ones in the kingdom of his dear Son.
What half-hearted religion is mine, if content to say, They are doing well, let them toil on for their Master, while I look idly on, or place, from week to week, a few cents or dimes in the S. B. fund, or send a few dollars now and then for books or papers to selfishly send to some dear friend, and appease conscience by saying, I have done all with my one poor talent I can do. Oh, my soul cries out for shame! I will not mock my Maker thus, but will arise and go to my Father and tell him I am not worthy to be called his child, so often have I sinned against him. If he will only make me one of his servants I will consecrate my life to his service, and I will try to keep so near his side that I may daily know his will concerning me, and then by his grace assisting me, I will cheerfully obey. Yes; now my God is reconciled; his pardoning voice I seem to hear. If I am faithful, he will grant me a crown of life. Praise be to his dear name.
SARAH GORTON
Greenwood Prairie, Minn.
Care of Our Children.
By Harriet S. Zoller
Do NOT let us neglect our children. If we do not see that they are supplied with spiritual food, Satan will feed them with envy, lust, and pride. He will see that the passions, especially the grosser ones, are fully nourished, and he will spare no pains to sever our influence from those whom God has given us.
But, we ask, how shall we reach our children, particularly if we have not watched them from the cradle to know that they are kept from every secret sin?
If in our heart there burns a desire to be pure in the sight of holy angels and our great High Priest; if, like our Saviour, we would, although tempted, be without sin, and would, in the earnestness of our souls, have our children innocent before God; if we really hate sin and love righteousness; if we walk with God; circumstances and occasions above our control, will occur by which the Spirit will operate, and our prayers be answered.
Let us exercise more faith, and, when we discover their sins, let us not be angry with them, and scold and lose our self-possession, thus separating ourselves farther from them, but let us draw them closer to us, and explain to them the nature of sin, the power of our great adversary, and the sure victory that Christ can give them.
HARRIET S. ZOLLER.
Marquette Co., Wis.
Working All Day for God
How sweet to work all day for God, and then lie down at night beneath his smile.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
The next Monthly Meeting for the churches of Jackson, Tompkins and Parma, will be held at Tompkins, the first Sabbath in December. Providence permitting, I will attend this meeting. Will the friends please assemble as early as 10 o'clock. W. C. GAGE.
The next Monthly Meeting of the churches in Western New York, will be held at Parma, the second Sabbath in December. Teams will be at Adams Basin, at the 12 o'clock train from the East, and at Brockport, at 4, from the West, on sixth-day. S. B. CRAIG.
The Quarterly Meeting for the churches at Little Prairie, Johnstown, and Oakland, Wis., will be held at Oakland, Dec. 5 and 6. We hope to see a goodly attendance. O. A. OLSON.
The next Quarterly Meeting for the church at Gridley, Ill., will be held at their usual place of meeting, Gregory school-house, Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 11 and 12. Meetings to commence on Sabbath evening. Sixth-day previous, Dec. 10, we purpose to devote as a day of fasting and prayer. The object of which is, 1. That the Lord may revive his work in our hearts as individuals, and as a church, that we may be prepared to stand through the perils of these last days. 2. That the Lord may work through us in bringing our unconverted relatives and neighbors into the truth.
Scattered brethren and sisters, come, and unite with us in seeking God; see Ezra 8, 21. Wm. H. SLOAN, H. G. BUXTON.
The next Quarterly Meeting of the Princeville S. D. A. church will be held (no preventing providence) with the Princeville church the first Sabbath and first-day of December, 1869. We would like to see our friends who have an interest in the furtherance of the cause of our Redeemer, and are willing to work for it. Come, friends, praying for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us; and may we see the cause advanced, and our spiritual life quickened. Can we not hear from our friends, and particularly members who are not permitted to be with us? L. F. AYRES, Church Clerk.
A Few Words Concerning a Great Sin.
ONE of the most shocking, and yet one of the most prevalent sins of this generation, is the murder of unborn infants. Let those who think this a small sin, read Ps. cxxxix. 16. They will see that even the unborn child is written in God's book. And they may be well assured that God will not pass unnoticed the murder of such children.
The Pure in Heart.
HOW EXPRESSIVE is this short sentence. How clearly does it set forth what God requires. Inward purity can alone please God. He will have the heart pure, then all the acts will be right. The saints will not only be clothed with white raiment; they will be as pure within, as they are clean without. This great work must be completely wrought in us. We cannot be too much in earnest in promoting its accomplishment. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This is equivalent to saying that those who are not such shall not see him. How, then, stands the case with each of us?
Help Wanted.
By Editor
Shall we aid the brethren in Switzerland? We do not purpose to act in a rash or unadvised manner in this thing. Should we be able to send means to these brethren to redeem their office, we should do it with the understanding that they form an association to hold the property, and not that it should be the private property of any one of their number. We have perfect confidence that if the money cannot be thus safely used, Bro. Vuilleumier will return it to those who send it. We think the importance of the case demands prompt action on our part.
As to aiding those brethren who are in distress from the failure of the bank, we think it highly proper that we should do it. We propose, therefore, to send them means that will give them some degree of relief; and to give them time to pay it back in watches. We propose also to give them credit for the entire proceeds of the sale of the watches.
Bro. White proposes to remit immediately the sum of $ 2000 United States currency. Of this amount he will give $ 100 to aid in the redemption of their office. He also proposes that another $ 100 of it be devoted to the relief of the brethren Vuilleumier, loaning it to them until they can repay it in watches. Who also will esteem it a privilege to help in either, or both, of these cases? We request those who have a heart to act, and who can do it, to take hold at once. We must remit the money now in order to be in time. But it should be replaced at once, as Bro. White needs it to use in the publication of important works.
The Advent Herald
This is the oldest of the advent papers, our own being next to it in age. The Herald was first published in March, 1840. It is the organ of that body which bears the title of “Evangelical Adventists.” The distinctive doctrines of this body were noticed at some length in the REVIEW of July 6. The Herald is conducted with ability, and is candid in its treatment of those who differ from it. It is published at Boston, Mass., at $2.00 per year. Eld. J. M. Orrock is its Editor.
A Call for Labor in Illinois
Bro. Martin Kettle, in behalf of the few scattered Seventh-day Adventists of Marshal and Darwin, Ill., has sent a request for labor in that section. Marshal is the county-seat of Clark County. Darwin is ten miles south, on the Wabash River. Cannot some of the ministers in the Illinois Conference respond to this call? This request would have appeared before had it not been for the press of other matter.
Notes to Correspondents.
J. LINDSAY: We think there is no probability that Bro. Waggoner will visit Allegany county the present season.
S. J. HERSTUM: We have no work on the eleventh of Daniel. We hope soon to resume the publication of Bro. Smith's "Thoughts on Daniel," when a full exposition of that chapter may be expected.
Dedication.
By L. L. Howard
OUR meeting for the dedication of our house at Woodstock, will commence sixth-day evening, Dec. 10, and continue over Sabbath and first-day. The church in this place is isolated from the main body of S. D. Adventists in this State, and they extend an invitation to the brethren and sisters to come and visit them on this occasion. Come, dear brethren and sisters, in the Spirit of Christ, and labor for the upbuilding of his cause in this place. L. L. HOWARD.
P. S. Those coming on the Grand Trunk Railway will stop at West Paris Station, which is two miles from the place. Inquire for Franklin Thurlow, Jason Hammond, or Francis Hammond. L. L. H.
Note.
By A. B. Williams
IN the minutes of the Ill. and Wis. Conference, held at Johnstown Center, Wis., June, 1866, is the following:
Resolved, That we endorse the following resolution passed by the late General Conference, “That when a member takes a letter of commendation from a church, it is the judgment of this Conference that he remains a member of that church till he becomes a member of another; and that he should pay his Systematic Benevolence accordingly, giving due notice when he joins the church in another place.”
I wish to call the attention of those who have taken letters from the Johnstown church since that time. Probably not one has acted according to this resolution. “Better that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.” Eccl. v, 5. Is not this a vow? A. B. WILLIAMS.
Clinton, Wis., Nov. 21, 1869.
Change of Post Office.
By G. W. Colcord
BRETHREN OF THE ILL. AND WIS. STATE CONFERENCE: The Post Office address of both your Treasurer and Secretary, is not New Genesee, Ill., nor Genesee Grove, Ill., but now, since the P. O. is changed in name, it is Coletta, Whiteside Co., Ill. Remember, we reside in the same house, and our P. O. address is the same as above.
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 Posters. If money for the paper is not thus acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. Lewis Bush 35-21, H D Parmenter 37-1, R L Wilson 37-1, John C Kimball 36-1, J Messick 37-1, M Hughs 37-1, H L M Doyal 37-1, J Collier 36-1, Seth Swan 36-1, Mrs Wm Whalley 37-1, Mrs Rebecca Hollister 37-1, Josiah Ray 37-1, G Simmons 37-1, J Pemberton 37-1, Sarah Hamstead 37-1, D C Frothingham 36-3, W Bennett 37-1, P Lightner 35-7, Juliette Shearer 36-1, Mrs M A Bate 37-1, Eld A D Mackie 37-1, J Buttolph 35-7, Mrs W Frances 37-1, P Richmond 37-1, O H Green 37-1, Mrs E S Bretz 37-1, L L Wilkins 37-1, E Grover 37-1, M W Chapman 37-1, J Wheeler 37-1, Wm Whitney 37-1.
$2.00 each. H C Miller 36-6, J Corliss 35-10, Mrs L Spencer 37-1, R S Buckminster 36-1, E P Field 37-1, N S Raymond 37-1, O Davis 36-1, J L P Rathbun 36-14, M I Munger 37-1, T Crouch 36-6, Levi Martin 36-8, H S Woolsey 36-10, S Haskell 36-17, J Huber 36-21, J Weaver 38-1, J W Rea 36-1, A B Williams 37-1, W A Royal 36-7, Charity Prentiss 34-1, R R Abbey 37-1, J Wilmot 37-1, H Mills 37-1, W W Wilson 35-1, G W Bartlett 36-12, O Hoffer 35-9, F Vunck 37-1.
Miscellaneous. J H Hilliard $3.00 36-1, M J Reed 4.00 36-1, Henrietta Wheeler 3.00 38-14, H Everts 4.00 36-27, J Kimball 4.00 36-1, J W Eels 3.75 35-26, S O James 2.50 36-14, M J Cornell 4.00 37-1, G H Bell 3.00 36-1, D Warren 5.00 37-1, S Holford 1.50 36-3, Kate Wilson 1.50 36-8, N Osborne 2.75 34-17, J H Montgomery 50c 36-1, A Chaffin 50c 36-1, W W Warner 50c 36-1, A Buzzell 50c 36-1, Anna Payne 50c 36-1.
Books Sent by Mail.
T Stringer 25c, J N Loughborough $1.87, A M Mann 50c, S O Winslow 50c, Benj C Newell 25c, C W Loomings 75c, E Inman 80c, E P Field 25c, J A Loughhead 1.00, A L Woodruff 25c, W Woodruff 25c, S Woodruff 25c, H Woodruff 25c, N S Raymond 3.55, Harriet Clarke 45c, Mrs Benj French 25c, A Cole 25c, T Smith 25c, J W Eels 1.00, O James 50c, Mrs E S Bretz 25c, O Mears 25c, E Grover 25c, Mrs O Lewis 25c, J Nicolson 15c, F H Chapman 3.00, N Goodrich 50c, John Cole 50c, L Bush 25c, S Haskell 2.75, L S Wilber 65c, W A Doyal 1.25, H L M Doyal 25c, Rachel Doyal 25c, Linza Wilson 25c, A Z Pond 25c, Anna Payne 25c, J M Orrock 3.60.
Michigan Tent and Ceresco Camp-meeting Expenses.
Mrs L Gerould 50c, L Ferris $1.00.
Owosso Camp-meeting Expenses.
G W Bartlett and wife $2.00.
Foreign Missionary Fund.
Rosa Garlock 50c, M Stroud $1.00, Sybil Whitney 10.00, B L Whitney 5.00, E W Whitney 5.00.
Cash Received on Account.
P Strong $5.25.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Hillsdale $6.00, church at Ransom 56.50, church at Vergennes 20.00, church at Newton 5.00, church at North Liberty, Ind., 56.00, church at Edenville 35.00.
Received on Book and Tract Fund.
Cyrus Colby $5.00, M B Cyphers 15.00, A Woodruff 4.00, N S Raymond 2.45, Ophelia Raymond 2.00, Jonathan Lamson 25.00, Harmon Lindsay 19.50, C M Lunger 1.00, R R Abbey 2.00, small donations from many, per G W Colcord 12.00.
Shares in Publishing Association.
Horatio Lindsay $10.00.
Benevolent Fund.
Jonathan Lamson $25.00.
Michigan Central Railroad Timetable
The time-table of the Michigan Central Railroad, which we give below, will be of service to our brethren visiting Battle Creek, as well as to the traveling public generally. This Road runs closer to its advertised time than any other with which we are acquainted, and is in every respect a first-class Road.
MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.
GOING WEST.
LEAVE.
MAIL
DAY EXP.
EVE. EXP.
NIGHT EXP.
Detroit,......
7:50 A.M.
11:00 A.M.
5:35 P.M.
10:00 P.M.
Battle Creek,
1:45 P.M.
3:48 P.M.
11:15 P.M.
2:37 A.M.
Chicago, Ar'vе,
8:50 P.M.
10:00 P.M.
6:30 A.M.
9:00 A.M.
GOING EAST.
MAIL
DAY EXP.
EVE. EXP.
NIGHT EXP.
Chicago,......
5:00 A.M.
8:00 A.M.
4:45 P.M.
9:00 P.M.
Battle Creek,
11:58 A.M.
1:45 P.M.
11:15 P.M.
3:20 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive,
5:50 P.M.
6:20 P.M.
3:40 A.M.
8:20 A.M.
THESE trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.
The Groundwork of All Manly Character
—The ground work of all manly character is veracity, or the habit of truthfulness. That virtue lies at the foundation of everything said.