I CLOSED my labors at this place the 19th inst. Opposition was most bitter from the first. It was soon decided that something must be done to prop up the tottering institution of Sunday, accordingly they sent for their learned men. Six discourses were given by three different persons, and several more have been promised. Their arguments were reviewed; but their slander and abuse were left to recoil upon their own heads.
Bro. J. W. Bagby, the Methodist minister on this circuit, has heartily embraced the Sabbath, and henceforth will preach the third angel’s message in connection with the everlasting gospel. As his former friends give him the cold shoulder he finds consolation in Matt. 5:11.
Quite a large number are convinced of the truthfulness of our positions; but on account of the bitter opposition only a few have had the courage openly to declare their intention to practice the truth. We hope, however, that enough will do so to keep up Sabbath meetings. Arrangements have been made to that effect.
I am now on my way to Republic Co.
Chas. F. STEVENS.
Osage City and Elm Creek.
I ORGANIZED a church of eight members at this place. Bro. J. H. Kibbe was elected leader.
Our meeting with the church at Elm Creek was both interesting and profitable. The ordinances were celebrated. Bro. John Riley was ordained elder, and Bro. P. I. Atwood deacon.
In the evening, assisted by the director, Bro. G. H. Rogers, we organized a tract and missionary society of six members. Four copies of the SIGNS were subscribed for. More papers would have been taken had it been advised; but, knowing that these brethren had almost everything pertaining to the missionary work yet to learn, it seemed better to make a small beginning.
I am now at Hymer, Chase Co.
J. LAMONT.
MINNESOTA
Sumner.
WE commenced meetings at the Sumner school-house, Jan. 13. Our congregations have been quite large, and very good attention has been paid to the word spoken. A deep interest has been awakened in many minds. A goodly number have acknowledged the truth as it has been presented, and a few have commenced to keep the Lord’s Sabbath.
Bro. D. P. Curtis was with us a few days at the beginning of our labor, but was called away to another field. We closed our meetings here for a time, to attend the general T. and M. meeting at Medford, Feb. 15-17; but we expect to return after a few days. Brethren, pray for us.
L. H. ELLS.
E. A. CURTIS.
Miltona, Douglas Co., Feb. 27.
This field of labor was good and the interest also. Two signed the covenant, and thirteen embraced the Sabbath. We had some opposition from a Baptist elder.
JOHN E. MORE.
F. M. PRETTYMAN.
ILLINOIS
Rutland, Feb. 21.
As I came southward to meet Bro. Bliss, I stopped at Rutland one day. Held one meeting, baptized two, and left all feeling well; and, as I trust, comparatively firm in the truth. G. W. Colcord.
Kappa, Feb. 22.
Bro. Colcord left me at Mackinaw, Feb. 11. The interest here continued till the close of the meetings. Two were baptized, two united with the church, and one arose for prayers.
Feb. 15, visited the Gridley church. This church is badly scattered, and the roads are almost impassable. People can travel only on horseback. Monday I spoke to a full house at the home of Bro. Sloan, after which I baptized his daughter. We close here to night, and in company with Bro. Colcord go to Leroy. C. H. Bliss.
Rockford.
On Friday, Feb. 15, I met Bro. G. W. Colcord at his home in this city. He had returned to Northern Illinois to transact several matters of business. He brought a report from each field where he had lately labored; and, listening to the same, we were all made to rejoice.
I was also made glad by what I saw and heard among our young brethren and sisters at this place. I trust a good work was begun here last summer, by the tent-workers. Remained over Sunday. Three sermons were delivered, and we enjoyed one social meeting. At the business meeting on first-day, the covenant to which the friends had thus far subscribed was supplanted by another, which brought a number of these dear souls together in the capacity of a church. When all will have united, I think twenty names will be enrolled; and then the work will be but just commenced. The S. B. is expected very soon to aggregate $125.00 per year. May the Lord bless the friends at Rockford.
Yesterday I came into Central Illinois, seeking another field of labor. J. F. Ballenger.
Watson, Feb. 25.
We commenced a course of lectures at a school-house three miles east of this place on Jan. 30. The people have manifested a desire to come out and hear. Ten have promised to keep the Sabbath.
The people in the adjoining neighborhoods are continually asking us, When are you coming over to preach to us? They have offered us a hall, lights furnished, and board, if we will come to Watson.
The Lord has given much freedom in speaking, and is blessing us. To him be all the praise. Dennis Morrison. G. F. Shonk.
WISCONSIN
Maple Works, Feb. 25.
FEB. 22 and 23 I spent with the Maple Works church. The Lord blessed much. This church is making headway. At a business meeting on first-day they decided to build a meeting-house. A building committee was chosen and quite a sum pledged. They are taking hold in earnest. Several subscribed for the REVIEW. H. W. DECKER.
Shawanaw Co., Feb. 21.
AFTER our general meeting at Oakland I went to Shawanaw Co., and held meetings from Feb. 5 to 20. The Lord blessed. I found one individual keeping the Sabbath, who had embraced it from reading. As a result of the meetings here six families united in the truth; others also promised to obey the Lord. Five subscribed for the ADVENT TIDENDE, and a number of publications were taken. Sabbath and weekly prayer-meetings were established.
Sabbath, the 16th, the Spirit of God came with great power into our meeting, and every heart was melted by its influence. It was such a season as I have seldom witnessed, and it was a source of great encouragement to us all. O. A. OLSEN.
Bay View, Bailey’s Harbor, Fish Creek.
WE commenced meetings at Bay View, but were soon obliged to leave for want of a house.
Began a course of lectures at Bailey’s Harbor. The congregations were good. The Congregational minister of the place opposed from the first; but his arguments only made the truth appear clearer and brighter, and even his own congregation refused to listen to him. As a result of our labor, several have commenced to keep the commandments of God, and others are investigating the truth.
Held meetings with the Fish Creek church, which seemed to be a source of encouragement and profit to all.
Our address, for the present, will be Poy Sippi, Waushara Co., Wis. A. D. OLSEN.
Eau Galle, Feb. 25.
WE closed our labors at this place to-day. Thirty-one have signed the covenant. They have a weekly prayer-meeting and a good Sabbath-school. Forty-two attended last Sabbath. Others are convinced of the truth, and seem favorable; we trust they may have courage to obey. The minister who opposed us has since acknowledged that we have the truth on the Sabbath question. Obtained two subscribers for the REVIEW, two for the REFORMER with the Household Manual, and three for the SIGNS. Sold seven dollars’ worth of books.
We leave for the present, hoping to visit them in a few weeks, and trusting they may be kept from falling and preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. SAMUEL FULTON.
YORKTOWN, INDIANA.
By W. W. Sharp
THE work is onward here. The interest is better than at any time before. Several, I do not know how many, are keeping the Sabbath. The opposition is bitter and of that secret kind which is hard to meet.
W. W. SHARP.
Alabama: Sabbath Interest Grows at Bladen Springs
Alabama.
Bladen Springs, Feb. 18.
The past week has been a good one for the cause here. On Wednesday evening, a minister, who, we are told, is the best informed minister in this county, came to hear us upon the Sabbath question. He bought the “History of the Sabbath,” and said he wanted the law chart for his family. He admitted that the pope changed the Sabbath, and said he wanted to prove “all things,” but could not do it unless he investigated.
We arranged S. B. yesterday. The people are willing to do all they can. The tobacco and coffee used by these Sabbath-keepers cost them about $475 per year. These articles have nearly disappeared. I never have seen such a willingness to hear in any community. The Sabbath and day-schools are proving a success. We are in good health, and full of courage in the Lord’s work. A. O. Burrill.
A subsequent report from Bro. Burrill says:—
This has been a very interesting week to all the friends of the cause in this State. Two Baptist ministers have become quite interested and anxious to investigate our views. One is quite fully satisfied upon the Sabbath and some other points of present truth. I sold the other the prophetic chart and more than 1,300 pages of reading matter. I think I never met a more candid man.
The latter part of the week and Sunday we held meetings at Bro. Z. Rogers’. The Lord greatly blessed the effort. A church of eleven was formed. Systematic benevolence was pledged to upwards of $80.00 per year and the one-third added. All came into the T. and M. Society. Bro. Z. Rogers was chosen elder and will be ordained next Sabbath.
Never have we seen such a willingness to read by any people. If our brethren North could realize what they can accomplish they would all be very willing to send the SIGNS South more freely. It appears to us as though God was fitting the people here for the last message. This is a very promising field for T. and M. workers, and our offer is still good to furnish readers for any who want to send the SIGNS.
PACIFIC COAST.
(Abridged from the Signs of the Times.)
Bro. J. N. Loughborough is still holding meetings at St. Clair, Nevada. Some of those who had embraced the Sabbath under Bro. J. Ferguson’s labors desire baptism.
At the Butte school-house, about six miles from Beaverton, Oregon, where Bro. A. T. Jones has been laboring, eleven have taken their stand on the side of present truth.
Bro. B. A. Stephens is now laboring at Lodi, San Joaquin Co., Cal. He has an average attendance of about seventy interested hearers.
Regular attendance and good interest are reported at Farmersville, Cal., where Bro. J. D. Rice is holding meetings.
MINNESOTA T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By H. Grant; A. H. Van Kirk
The general quarterly meeting of this society was held, according to appointment, at Medford, Minn., Feb. 15–17.
The first business session convened first-day, Feb. 17, at 8 o’clock A. M. Meeting opened in the usual manner, the president in the chair.
After remarks from Eld. Haskell showing the influence of the T. and M. work, the report of labor for the quarter was read, as follows:—
No. of families visited, 81; letters written, 116. No. of subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 4; REFORMER, 23; INSTRUCTOR, 42. No. of periodicals given away, 1,148; No. of Annuals distributed, 40; pages tracts and pamphlets, 43,102.
Rec’d for memberships, $23.00
By donation, 55.95
From book sales, 24.11
From new subscribers, 33.50
Total, $136.56
Eld. Grant, being empowered to appoint a committee, on “ways and means” to confer with the directors, appointed L. H. Ells, Jas. Pease, and W. I. Gibson. The directors present were J. H. Warren, Dist. No. 1; H. Rasmussen, Dist. No. 8; C. Kelsey, Dist. No. 2; J. Olive, Dist. No. 5.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
This session convened at 3:30 P. M. The Committee on Ways and Means reported the following:—
Resolved, 1. That we recommend the president to fill all vacancies in the office of director occurring by death or removal; also to remove any director from office who fails to perform the duties of his office, and to fill such occurring vacancy.
2. That at our next annual meeting the new constitution be adopted, with such amendments as may, in the meantime, be suggested by those having its preparation in hand.
3. That we recommend to all the churches in this Conference, the new S. B. and Church Record Books.
4. That we recommend the tithing system, as proposed by the General Conference Committee, to all the brethren in this Conference.
In accordance with resolution No. 1, the president appointed Bro. W. I. Gibson to take the place of Bro. O. H. Pratt, of Dist. No. 4.
Adjourned to Monday, Feb. 18, at 8 o’clock A. M.
THIRD SESSION.
Convened as per adjournment. Opened with prayer by Bro. Ellis.
Bro. Haskell read some letters showing the interest in the public mind on the subject of present truth. Those present then pledged about $146 for the SIGNS.
Adjourned sine die.
H. GRANT, Pres.
A. H. VAN KIRK, Sec.
Avoiding Loose and Idle Conversation
NEVER listen to a loose or idle conversation.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
DIED of pneumonia, in Oakland, Wis., Feb. 3, 1878, sister Sarah Ann, wife of Bro. Sern Serns, in the forty-seventh year of her age. She was among the first of the Scandinavians who embraced the views of Seventh-day Adventists about twenty-five years ago, and remained a devoted, faithful worker in the church, until she fell under the power of the last enemy. Her death is a sad loss to the church. She leaves a husband and six children, and a large circle of friends, to mourn her departure; but none mourn without hope. Funeral on the 5th, attended by the writer. Text I Cor. 15:26. T. M. STEWARD.
DIED, in Freeport, Me., Jan. 6, 1878, Bro. Henry Morang. He had kept the Sabbath for many years, and died in hope. Funeral discourse by the writer, from Acts 15:32. R. S. WEBBER.
DIED of typhoid pneumonia, at his residence in Commerce, Mich., Jan. 14, 1878, H. C. S. Carus, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He had been an observer of the Lord’s Sabbath for over twenty years; and he left good evidence that his peace was made with God. Funeral discourse by a Baptist minister. MARIA CARUS.
FELL asleep in Jesus, Jan. 6, 1878, at Clinton, Steele Co., Minn., Elthere, daughter of H. N. and Ellen M. Morse, aged 1 year and 6 days. This lovely babe was the only child of her lately widowed mother. “They shall come again from the land of the enemy.” H. I. FARNUM.
Famine in China and the Prospect of Chinese Immigration
It is not impossible that the famine in China may produce a profound effect upon the destinies of America. It is reported, upon apparently unquestionable authority, that 70,000,000 of human beings are now on the verge of starvation in the famine-stricken provinces of North China. And there is some reason to believe that the Chinamen, fleeing from this terrible scourge along the pathway which a few emigrants have opened, will come, in numbers immensely greater than any we have yet dreamed of, to our shores. No legislation could possibly check or divert such a stream if once its flow were to begin. It would be easier to dam the waters of the Mississippi with an Act of Congress. “The Chinese difficulty,” says the London Times, commenting on this possibility, “may fairly become a greater menace to the future of the United States than the negro difficulty was at its worst; for the negro emigration was never voluntary, and closed with the abolition of the slave-trade, while if the Chinese tide once begins to flow in force it is difficult to see where and when it will stop.”—Christian Union.
Secular Items.
A GOOD farm for sale, containing 160 acres, well situated, in Marshall Co., Kan. For particulars, address, J. H. Rogers, Hamilton, Mo.
A SABBATH-KEEPER wishes to take a farm in Northern Michigan, to work on shares, and have team, tools, and seed furnished. Would like it near a church of S. D. Adventists. For particulars, address George Fox, Waltz Station, Wayne Co., Mich.
A YOUNG married man, with his wife, would like a situation among Sabbath-keepers, to work on a farm, his wife to assist in the house. Address, William Holland, Fond du Lac, Wis.
A SITUATION wanted with a Sabbath-keeper, within three hours' ride of this city, to run a flour or grist mill; can also run a circular board mill. Address, D. A. Goff, 113 Beacon St., Providence, R. I.
FOR sale or rent, a farm of 160 acres, 5 miles south of Eureka, the county seat of Greenwood Co., Kansas. Fifty acres under cultivation; an abundance of fruit of different varieties; good water, also good school and church privileges. For particulars, apply to or address J. C. Tomlinson, Battle Creek, Mich., College.
APPOINTMENTS
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
We will hold meetings with the brethren at Leighton, Allegan Co., Mich., on Sabbath and Sunday, March 9 and 10. W. H. Littlejohn. M. S. Burnham.
I will meet with the church at Marshall, Mich., Sabbath and first-day, March 9, 10. Please invite in your neighbors. We invite the friends from Convis and Newton. E. R. Jones.
No providence preventing, I shall be at Carson’s Corner, Athens, Me., seven miles from Hartland village, on the Athens road, March 10. J. B. Goodrich.
Quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 1, Mo. T. and M. Society, at Hamilton, Caldwell Co., Mo., April 13 and 14, 1878. Let each church in the district be represented at this meeting. We desire the lonely and scattered ones to send their reports to sister H. M. Vanslyke, Hamilton, Caldwell Co., Mo., in time for this meeting. Would like to have Bro. Butler or Bro. Chaffee with us. Send your reports to the secretary of Dist. No. 1, H. M. Vanslyke, and your money to me. Those that pledged for tent and camp-meeting purposes will remember the 1st of April is the time those pledges are due. Those living in this district can send their money to me at Gallatin, Daviess Co., Mo. John Snyder, Director.
According to present arrangements I will meet with the friends at Buck’s Bridge, N. Y., March 9 and 10, and will remain over the following Monday. We expect to see a general attendance at this meeting. Will hold a general meeting with the brethren at Norridgewock, Maine, March 16 and 17. Will also spend the two following weeks where Bro. Goodrich may arrange, one of the two weeks in Aroostook county. S. N. Haskell.
We will meet with the church at Osceola, Iowa, March 16 and 17. This meeting will commence Thursday eve, the 14th. We want to see a general gathering of all our brethren who live in the vicinity of this meeting. Matters of great importance will be brought before them. State Center, March 23–25. D. M. Canright. E. W. Farnsworth.
As Bro. Haskell will fill my appointment with Bro. Hall at Buck’s Bridge, I will meet with the brethren at Lancaster, Erie Co., N. Y., March 9, 10. B. L. Whitney.
West Liberty, Jackson Co., Mich., March 9. Will Bro. McGraw meet me Friday, March 8, at Jackson? M. B. Miller.
Humboldt, Coles Co., Ill., March 12–13. Oakland, Coles Co., Ill., March 15–17. Wm. Bitner’s neighborhood, March 18. Campbell, Coles Co., Ill., March 19. Wm. Doyal appoint. Greenup, Cumberland Co., Ill., March 20–22. Martinsville, Clark Co., Ill., March 23–24. Bro. J. Hiestand’s neighborhood, Crawford Co., Ill., March 26. Keenville, Wayne Co., Ill., March 29–31. Webber Grove school-house, Jefferson Co., Ill., April 1, 2. Mt. Vernon, Ill., April 3–7. Woodburn, Macoupin Co., Ill., April 11–14. Princeville, Ill., April 19–21. Address us at the above points. Meetings at each point to commence on the evening of the first date. G. W. Colcord. C. H. Bliss.
The Review and Herald.
By Editor
Battle Creek, Mich., Fifth-Day, March 7, 1878.
We are happy to call attention to a new edition of Bible Adventism by Bro. White, the notice of which will be found in another paragraph. It is written in the form of sermons, thus bringing the important subjects presented into a concise and compact form by themselves. To those who have assisted in the circulation of the first edition of eleven thousand copies, we need not speak further of its merits.
Bible Adventism.
By James White
This is a work of 190 pages, put up in paper cover, and contains the reasons of our faith and hope relative to the second coming of Christ. This work is the same as that which has had a wide circulation, entitled Our Faith and Hope, with this difference only, the last sermon has been revised and enlarged. Price, postage paid, 25 cents a copy. Eleven thousand of the first edition have been sold, and we are very glad to offer six thousand copies more at this time when the first edition is exhausted.
JAMES WHITE.
The Biblical Institute in New York.
It is now expected that this Institute, to commence at Rome, N. Y., March 19, will, during a portion of the time, have the presence and assistance of Eld. S. N. Haskell. This will add to the interest and efficiency of the Institute, and is an additional reason why all should avail themselves of the present privilege who can possibly do so.
Please Do.
By A. S. Hutchins
WILL our tract and missionary workers please do their tract and missionary work with the Review Office through our State secretary, T. H. Purdon, New Haven Mills, Vt.? 1. You will save time in so doing. 2. You will save perplexity in the Office. See here. A card came to the Office from a canvasser ordering periodicals charged to T. and M. Society. There was no signature on the card, and it was forwarded to the secretary, and by him sent to my home, and from there to me. I guessed who it was from.
Quickly on comes another which none of us can understand. Now we do wish all such business sent to the secretary. But do not leave him to guess what you mean. Please distinctly state your business, clearly writing the address for periodicals, how long you wish them sent, what shall be charged for them, and what district the business is from. If you used premiums in obtaining subscribers, please state this. A. S. Hutchins.
To Our Brethren in Iowa.
By E. W. Farnsworth
It will be seen by this week's paper that Bro. Canright is coming to our Conference. He will labor with us about four weeks. It is needless for me to say one word about the importance of these meetings. It cannot be over-estimated, and we most heartily urge all our brethren and sisters to take great pains to attend. It is a privilege that may not be enjoyed by us again for a long time. The instructions we shall receive will be of great value to us; and none can afford to lose them. These meetings will be of a general character, and we want to see a general attendance.
Much good instruction concerning the standing of our institutions and missions, and their present needs and prospects, may be expected; and this is just what our Conference needs. We have been impressed with this thought more and more as we have passed from church to church of late. Come, brethren, one and all, and pray God to bless us greatly.
More next week. E. W. FARNSWORTH.
Russia's Peace Terms and Turkey's Crushing Indemnity
According to the latest version of the peace conditions, Turkey, besides her territorial losses, the surrender of a few iron-clads, the repairs of the mouth of the Danube, the reimbursement of Russian capital invested in Turkish securities, the indemnity to Russian subjects in Constantinople for war losses, and the maintenance of about 100,000 prisoners of war, will have to pay to Russia in round figures a sum equivalent to about $552,000,000 in our money. The unestimated items will easily increase this to six hundred millions. With her taxable territory reduced almost to poverty-stricken Asia Minor, and with her finances at present in a condition of absolute chaos, it is difficult to see where she is going to get the money, however ready her present rulers may be to sign the contract.
It is true the indemnity is partly secured by the present Egyptian, and the proposed Bulgarian, tribute, and by the present revenues of certain rich mines; but these are no more than a drop in the bucket, while the poor Bulgarians, who have to pay dearly for their independence, may not be able to do their part in the contract at all, the tribute being placed at a figure equal to the whole expenses of their own administration. The proposition amounts to giving the Czar a permanent mortgage on the whole empire, and contains an implied threat that he may foreclose at any time, by the seizure of the remainder of European Turkey. In this last aspect, all Europe has a vital interest in the matter, and particularly England, even if the conditions were not in themselves calculated to drive English creditors crazy, by destroying their last hope of ever getting a cent of their large investments in Turkish bonds. It makes Russia a preferred creditor of the bankrupt Porte, with the additional advantage of being assignee in possession, leaving creditors with prior claims out in the cold.—Detroit Evening News, Feb. 20.
V. M. Society Items.
By Eliza H. Morton
The following extracts from letters received by the V. M. Society at Allen’s Corner, Me., tend to show the interest awakened. A gentleman from South Monmouth, Me., writes: “The Signs of the Times brings the truth to us.” A lady from East Bowdoinham, Me., says, “I am much interested in the paper.” A gentleman writing from Yarmouth, Me., says, “I want to take that paper; what is the price?” A lady in Limerick, Me., says, “The paper is good. I lend it far and near, and every one seems pleased to read it.” A lady from Massachusetts writes: “I never met with but one person who believed in the second advent doctrine. I received much light from him in regard to the state of the dead.”
We receive many letters similar to the above, and the people seem eager to know the truth.
Dear sisters, work on, pray on, and press on. “What you do, you know not now,” but the record is kept. Angels of light bear upward a faithful account of each day’s labor, and the smallest deed, if performed in the spirit of meekness, may glitter on the pages of the books above.
“Ofttimes when faint and weary,
You may think your toil all vain;
Faint not, yours will be richer
Than sheaves of golden grain.”
ELIZA H. MORTON.
Notices: Church Record and Sabbath School Books for Sale
Notices.
I HAVE a supply of S. B. and Church Record Books on hand, and those who wish them can now get them of me. See price-list in REVIEW No. 7. A. H. Van Kirk. Concord, Minn.
CHURCHES in Wisconsin that have not ordered the new Church Record and S. B. Books will please order of our State secretary, Mattie A. Kerr, Monroe, Wis. Please state the size of your church. H. W. Decker.
Grace Answering to Grace
By Spurgeon
The expression, “grace for grace,” may mean, grace answering to grace—grace which was in accordance with the grace already given; grace preparatory to what is yet to come. Has not the Father given you such grace as you had capacity to receive? If there had been more room, you would have had more; if you had exercised more faith, he would have given you more joy; if you had possessed more hope, you would have had more realization. He has always come up to, and even gone beyond, the measure of our expectancy.—Spurgeon.
Friends of Truth.
By Editor
FEELING the importance of circulating Mrs. White’s writings, we give the following sums for that purpose, and invite three others to give one hundred dollars each for the same.
James White, $100
R. G. Lockwood, 100
J. Q. A. Haughey and wife, 100
U. Smith, 100
W. H. Hall and wife, 100
E. Lobdell, 100
Mrs. E. G. White, 100