Earlier text: HEAR HIMTHOUGHTS ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL.
VERSE 1. Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the Province of Babylon. It has been conjectured that this image had some reference to the dream of the king as described in the previous chapter, a short time subsequent to which it is supposed to have been erected. In that dream the head was of gold, representing Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. That was succeeded by metals of inferior quality, denoting a succession of kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar was doubtless quite gratified that his kingdom should be represented by the gold; but that it should ever be succeeded by another kingdom was not so pleasing. Hence instead of having simply the head of his image of gold, he made it all of gold, to denote that the gold of the head should extend through the entire image; or, in other words, that his kingdom should not give way to another kingdom, but be perpetual. It is probable that the height here mentioned, 90 feet at the lowest estimate, was not the height of the image proper, but included the pedestal also. Nor is it probable that any more than the image proper, if even that, was of solid gold. It could have been overlaid with thin plates, nicely joined, at a much less expense, without detracting at all from its external appearance. VERSE 2. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4. Then a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 5, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; 6; and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 7. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. The dedication of this image was made a great occasion. The chief men of all the kingdom were gathered together. So much pains and expense will men undergo in sustaining idolatrous and heathen systems of worship. So it is, and ever has been. Alas! that those who have the true religion should be so far outdone in these respects by the upholders of the false and counterfeit. The worship was accompanied with music; and whoso should fail to participate therein, was threatened with a fiery furnace. Such are ever the strongest motives to impel men in any direction, pleasure on the one hand, pain on the other. In verse 6 is the first mention we have in the Bible of the division of time into hours. It was probably the invention of the Chaldeans. VERSE 8. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. 9. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. 10. Then, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; 11; and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee; they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. These Chaldeans who accused the Jews were probably the sect of philosophers who went by that name, and who were still smarting under the chagrin of their ignominious failure in respect to their interpretation of the king's dream of chapter ii. They were eager to seize upon any pretext to accuse the Jews before the king, and either disgrace or destroy them. They work upon the king's prejudice by strong intimations of their ingratitude: Thou hast set them over the affairs of Babylon, and yet they have disregarded thee. Where Daniel was upon this occasion, is not known. He was probably absent on some business of the empire, the importance of which demanded his presence. But why should Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, since they knew they could not worship the image, be present on the occasion? It was because they were willing to comply with the king's requirements as far as they could without compromising their religion. The king required them to be present. With this they could comply, and did. He required them to worship the image. This their religion forbade, and this they therefore refused. VERSE 13. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego? do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15. Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. The forbearance of the king is shown in his granting Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, another trial, after their first failure to comply with his requirements. Doubtless the matter was thoroughly understood. They could not plead ignorance. They knew just what the king wanted, and their failure to do it was an intentional and deliberate refusal to obey him. With most kings this would have been enough to seal their fate. But no, says Nebuchadnezzar, I will overlook this, if upon a second trial they comply with the law. But they informed the king that he need not trouble himself to repeat the farce. We are not careful, said they, to answer thee in this matter. That is, you need not be at any further trouble to give us another trial, our mind is made up. We can answer just as well now as at any future time; and our answer is, We will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Our God can deliver if he will; but if not, it is just the same. We know his will, and to that we shall render unconditional obedience. Their answer was both honest and decisive. MINISTERS SHOULD STUDY THE BIBLE.
By John Nevins Andrews
The duty of examining the Scriptures with prayerful diligence, is one of very great importance. It is not indeed to crowd out other duties, as visiting from house to house, secret prayer, self-examination, the over-sight of the flock, and in short, no duty of the minister's life. But it is to have its proper share of time, and then it will be a most invaluable assistant to every part of the work. No one can teach others who does not constantly learn himself. We must not be merely repeating that which all our hearers understand already. We must grow in the knowledge of divine truth, and then we can lead them forward also. "Every scribe," says our Lord, "which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." Matt. xiii, 52. A man, like Timothy, favored with intimate personal instruction from Paul, might be supposed to need no such exertion. Yet Paul exhorts him in the most earnest manner not to neglect this important work. Thus he says, 1 Tim. iv, 13-16; "Till I come, give attendance to reading; to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 2 Tim. ii, 15. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Here is the case of a man who possessed gifts almost apostolic, who might well excuse himself from earnest laborious study, because of the great gifts of the Spirit with which he was endowed, who is nevertheless solemnly admonished to give himself wholly to this business. Surely if this was enjoined upon Timothy, the necessity for it, in our cases, is still more urgent and imperative. FORBIDDEN GROUND.
By John Matteson
Our first parents were placed on probation. Of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they must not eat. One spot on the earth was to them forbidden ground. Only one spot. Throughout the lovely Paradise they could linger, without danger, in every place except one. They could freely eat the luxurious fruit of an abundant variety of trees, shrubs and plants. They could breathe the purest air; drink the crystal water, fresh from the hand of God; inhale the sweetest fragrance, and feast their eyes on the loveliest flowers. There were not temptations hidden behind a thousand trees and flowers, or perils and dangers in a thousand shapes and places. There was only one spot that was forbidden ground—only one spot. Why did they seek that very place? and when found, why did they not flee away quickly? Oh! why linger so long on forbidden ground? But they did linger long enough to sin; long enough to bring reproach, and misery, and death, upon themselves, long enough to give an inheritance to us, their offspring, of grief and sin and sorrow and corruption. This inheritance of a sinful nature has cost me many bitter tears. Still I look back to Paradise, lovely Paradise, with feelings of sorrow, as though I had myself been driven out of that place. And since we, as a race, have been driven out of Paradise, the floodgates of temptation have been opened upon us. How fruitful that one sin was; fruitful in begetting a thousand other forms of sin; fruitful in opening a thousand doors of temptation. What a terrible thing sin is. It is still of the same nature as it was from the beginning. Yet how many sins each one of us has committed. What a fearful barrier between us and a holy God. How much we are in perishing need of Jesus, the Saviour from sin. But each sin of ours has opened to us many gates for temptation. And our sins have been numerous. Look at those thousands of doors of temptation round about you. Behind every one appears the form of an evil angel. He has an arrow on his bow. He is ready to send his fiery dart, with terrible power, into your poor, trembling heart. Have you on the whole armor of God? Are you on your watch continually? Will you yield again to the siren voice, and multiply the snares of temptation? Flee to Jesus! Come to Jesus! Lean on Jesus! Watch and pray! fervently—constantly. The one spot of forbidden ground is now changed into a thousand spots. Wherever I roam, invitations present themselves to make me linger on forbidden ground. I fear and tremble. I am discouraged. Is there no spot in this world where I can find rest and safety? Is there no ground that I can tread upon and find shelter from that hail of fiery darts. A heavenly voice whispers, Yes; come to Jesus. Come with me to Calvary. Behold the Lamb of God. Behold the Man of sorrows. Come, linger here. This125 is not forbidden ground. Seat yourself in the shade of the cross. It is cooling here from the burning rays of conviction. See those stripes. See the blood streaming freely. Sin-sick soul, with his stripes we are healed. Look at that holy head, bowing in the last anguish of soul and body. Hear that piercing cry as dark despair came over Him who never did sin, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.” He was punished for our transgressions. Can you believe it? Do you believe it? Will you give yourself up, as a blood-bought soul to Jesus? Will you be his, and no longer your own? Serve him, and no longer fashion, and self? Behold, how he loved you! Will you love him again? Follow Jesus to the grave. See him arise from the dead. Behold that wondering and happy throng of five hundred witnesses who beheld their resurrected Redeemer. Follow his ascension to the throne of the Majesty of Heaven. Now pass, by faith, through the opened door into the heavenly sanctuary. This is not forbidden ground. Here you can linger with impunity. Even the veil of the most holy place is lifted, and there is seen in the temple the ark of the covenant. Here we will linger. Jesus is there, finishing his heavenly ministration. While mercy lingers, we will linger, too, around the mercy-seat. We will worship, with our faces toward the heavenly Jerusalem, as Daniel worshiped toward the old Jerusalem. Jesus, dear Saviour, we long for thine appearing. But we desire to get ready. Send, in much mercy, precious rays of light from thy glorious countenance, that we may have light, step by step, till thy glorious appearing. Then there shall be no more forbidden ground. Then we will hail thee, blessed Paradise, without fear of stepping upon even one forbidden spot. Dear reader, do you tread on forbidden ground? MISCELLANEOUS.
By Joseph Bates
JACKSON, Sunday morning, March 6, having no appointments for meetings, started early to attend church service with the Michigan State prisoners, thinking that a few hours would not be misspent in company with some six or seven hundred convicts locked up and hid away from all earthly society. I was disappointed when told there was no meeting in the prison as usual, and no privilege to see any of the convicts unless they were my relatives. On returning from the prison I was solicited to go and hear what the people called a sailor preacher. His text was Matt. xxv, 14–30. His exposition of the text was very good, and easy to be understood. At a later hour I gained an introduction to him in his study. His name is Wright, a minister of long standing in the M. E. Church, living near Coldwater, Mich. For many years he followed the sea. Some of his voyages were from New Bedford, Mass. and vicinity. As this was formerly my place of residence, and where I ended my last voyage, we were soon acquainted. After speaking of his sermon, I presented him with the REVIEW for March 2, 1869, saying, Here is a printed one on the same subject, which agrees so well with your views I should be pleased to have you read it. The author has an older brother who is a presiding elder in the M. E. church in Ohio. Said he, I know him, and expressed his desire to read the sermon, and also tracts on the “Sufferings of Christ,” and “Law and Gospel.” While conversing on the second coming of our Saviour, he said he was partially acquainted with the doctrine. I said, We have a book written by the same author, on the history of the past Advent movement, would you like to read it? He said he would, as soon as he was relieved from his engagement and returned home. Subsequently he thankfully accepted the book. I spent the evening very pleasantly with my former pastor, Elder David Millard, of the Christian connection, very recently removed from York State. I told him I had taken the liberty to use his name in my Autobiography, showing how highly he regarded the Advent movement, by his public letters, and associating his name with fifteen others in a call for the first Second Advent Conference ever convened. See pp. 245, 247. Also the honorable position he then occupied as one of its Vice-presidents. I observed that we now had the history of this great movement carefully written out, and if he would read it, I would present him with a copy of the work. He seemed much pleased, and said he should like to read it. His companion on receiving the book, expressed her desire to read it, and also the tracts I left with them. Mingling with fellow-passengers on the highway, plank and rail roads, I find many who gladly receive and read the interesting tracts presented to them. And thus with railroad speed these little flying messengers in the hand of some of the travelling community, are passing throughout our vast continent, and crossing the trackless oceans to other kindred, nations, and people, in the space of a few days. O Lord, in Jesus’ name, be pleased to inspire thy people to engage in this, and every good work for the salvation and redemption of their fellow-men, that it may be said to them by their loving Master, Well done. Monterey, Mich., March 29, 1869. SOCIAL GATHERINGS.
By Adolphus Smith
Of all social gatherings on earth, the prayer and conference meeting, may, perhaps, be regarded as the most important; and it should by no means be esteemed the least desirable. Yet, if we were to judge from the somber aspect of the apartments where many of these meetings are held, the dull lights, the bowed forms, and gloomy, cheerless, countenances of the worshipers, going through their stated duties with sighs and groans, as if it were an irksome task, we should conclude it one of the dullest places in the world. Such worshipers often wonder that sinners cannot see a beauty in the truth, that friends should manifest indifference, and even children turn away with evident distaste from the tedious sameness of their formal testimonies. Such persons are to the assembly of the saints, as icebergs to the ocean, befogging themselves and all around, endangering the safety of many a heavenly mariner, and sometimes resulting in disastrous shipwreck. Such persons remind me of a Methodist lady, who, from week to week, bore about the same testimony, always expressing her unworthiness, and want of consecration, to the no small annoyance of the leader of the class, who, at length resolved to test the truthfulness of her words. Accordingly at the conclusion of one of her usual testimonies, “I am unworthy, I am not what I ought to be;” &c., he replied, “So all your neighbors say.” Said she, “I’m just as good as they are, or you either.” The cause of this insipid devotion, is evidently want of consecration to God; absence of secret piety. Making all allowance for ill health, and inclement weather, much of the dullness of social meetings may be attributed to want of taste in the room where they are held, and in the costume and attitude of the worshipers. Let a few persons assemble for worship in a large and dimly-lighted church, and their exercises will afford as little cheer to the earth-worn, heaven-bound pilgrim as would a few drops of water in a great grimy bucket to the thirsty traveler. The full crystal goblet would afford greater refreshment. Better to build vestry rooms, with walls of virgin whiteness, amply lighted, than to allow the expansion of a great church to rarify the moral and social atmosphere of an audience meeting with the King of kings. Better for a large church to divide up into bands, with an appointed leader, to meet at different times and places, than that, in general assemblies, many should take no part in the exercises, or cease to attend at all, thus hanging as heavy clogs upon the skirts of those who are trying to be “good and faithful servants” of their Lord. When people call evenings upon their neighbors, some slight change of costume is usually made, the guests are invited to the best room, which is usually amply lighted, and good cheer is maintained throughout. And yet the evening prayer-meeting is sometimes almost the reverse of this, except as to the time of its being held. Ought these things to be so? Can God be pleased with less respect than we show toward our neighbors and friends? It is not that we should never be “in heaviness because of manifold temptation.” Not that we should never speak of trials. But these should be exceptions and not the general rule. We should speak of battles won, of victories gained, and not reiterate the story of self-condemnation. “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” ADOLPHUS SMITH. MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.
By I. Sanborn
AFTER holding meetings here with the Sand Prairie church three weeks, I closed one week ago last Thursday, in order that I might attend the Baptist protracted meeting which commenced the next evening in their meeting-house, about 20 rods from the Advent meeting-house. In their seventh meeting, after the minister had spoken on Rom. viii, 4, and to show that the ten commandments, which, he admitted, were holy, were also dead, and that Christians are now married to Christ; and that Jesus had come to save his people from their sins, there being an opportunity offered for remarks after he got through, I was deeply impressed by the Spirit of God to make the following remarks, which brought the congregation to a breathless silence. As I arose, I quoted Matt. i, 21. “And the angel said to Joseph, Thou shalt call his name Jesus; and he shall save his people from their sins.” And when he commenced preaching, he said, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” God has told us what repentance is by saying, “When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord.” Eze. xviii, 27. This is Bible repentance. Peter on the day of Pentecost said to such penitents, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts ii, 38, 39. Those who have thus repented, and have been baptized,126 are in a proper condition to show their love to God; and John says to them, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John v, 2, 3. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John ii, 3, 4. What! a man love God and be wedded to Jesus, living in idolatry, in blasphemy, lying, stealing, killing, adultery, covetousness, and SABBATH-BREAKING? Never, while the Lord lets the sun shine on the earth. Oh, come, sinner, repent, and turn to the Lord, and be saved. I took my seat, and waited for the almost breathless silence to be broken by some one; but as no one spoke, I struck in and sung, “Alas! and did my Saviour bleed.” Many sung with me. When we got through, the minister, Eld. Ross, got up perfectly excited, and said I had insulted and abused them in their own house, and wanted to know if they could not have meetings in their own house without being interrupted, comparing me to a barking dog, &c. One of the leading members of the church then followed him with the same spirit, and they have kept it up, till last night their meetings closed, leaving a greater interest among the people to hear the truth, than ever. So I resume my meetings again this evening with a fair prospect of much good. Pray that the Lord may help me much. Sand Prairie, March 8, 1869. CARE OF THE SOUL.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” These questions, put forth by the Son of God, should arouse us to a consideration of the vast importance of the salvation of the soul. And also to the fact, that the loss would be inconceivably great to the man who shall lose his soul, even though he might gain the whole world. Yet, oh! how painfully true it is, that many a man, will lose his soul for a small handful of this world's goods. All the bright glories, endless joy, and durable riches of the kingdom of God, are eclipsed by the perishable riches, worthless honor, and fame of this world. Oh! that men would care for their souls as they care for the things of this world, then would they be useful, and happy, bright Jewels in the church of God, and finally be crowned with life and immortality in the world to come. Then would they know that the fruit of obedience is better than gold, yea than “fine gold” and “choice silver.” They would gather precious ones to Christ, to shine in brightness forever and ever. Dear reader, do you give unmistakable evidence to your fellow-men, that you are caring for your soul? Or are you seeking a treasure here, and neglecting the soul? Long since, a pious writer said: “The care of the soul will influence the whole conduct of a believer; he cannot live at large as other men do. The fear of the Lord is in his soul. The love of God is shed abroad in his heart. The commandments of God are written upon his mind. Sin therefore becomes his aversion, holiness his delight, religion his element, the people of God his companions, and Heaven the prize at which he aims.” CHRISTIAN CARNIVALS.
By M. W. Howard
I LIKE the spirit of a late pastoral letter of an Episcopal Bishop. He says he will not henceforth “knowingly lay hands in confirmation upon any one who will not renounce ‘the world, the flesh, and the Devil’ in the vain amusements of life.” His church organization has heretofore been more lax than other denominations in these matters, and perhaps now they have grown ashamed of it by seeing the inconsistency held up to their view by other churches. One, whose official position caused him to be looked upon as authority, once said to the writer, “In principle, I am quite as strict as yourself; but in practice, we have to yield some of those things; for the young people will otherwise go to other churches less rigid.” Well, the concessions were made—not in expressed words, but in that subtle way, that somehow gets disseminated without expression, and dancing and masquerading young persons were received into the church. But I am sure that wherever these amusements are enjoyed, all spirituality, if indeed there ever was any, dies out. The form may remain, but the life is gone; for the mind is kept in such a tumult of excitement, that it is unfitted for all serious considerations. I once read of a young lady who went from a female prayer-meeting, which she had led, to a party where she danced all night. It was not mentioned in justification of the practice, for all must feel a revolt at the course, even if they admitted that she could better dance after praying, than pray after the night of dancing; even though she were acting upon a principle which I once heard a lecturer hold forth. He would have children taught at home, and elsewhere, to perform whatever they might in life be called upon to do, even to asking a blessing at table. All right, to be sure, if the motive and spirit be right; but that was not taken into consideration at all in his recommendation. REPORT FROM BRO. RODMAN.
By P. C. Rodman
SINCE the last report from this place I have given ten discourses, held three social meetings; two that embraced the truth have moved to Ohio, one who commenced to keep God's Sabbath has stopped by the way for want of courage to persevere in the midst of the opposition. God pity her and those that influenced her not to obey what they confess is the truth. One more has left the place, being only a transient resident here. Hope he will hold on to the truth and obey the Lord. One more who said he should keep the Sabbath, still waits for a more favorable opening to obey the Lord. How dangerous to neglect to obey God and peril our eternal interests. May the goodness of God lead him to obey his commandments at once, with gratitude that the Lord has borne so long with him, prolonging his life and granting him so many comforts, that he may be a help to his wife in walking the narrow way. Three others hold on and are growing in the truth and grace of Christ. There are others who evidently are more or less convicted of the truth, and my prayer is that they may heartily embrace it and receive the blessing of God's approval in the midst of trials here, and be found among those that shall have right to the tree of life, entering in through the gates of pearl, to dwell forevermore. Rev. xxii, 14. We have stayed most of the time with Bro. Samuel Martin. He and family have made us as comfortable as we could wish to be temporarily, for which we are grateful. May they be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Others have been very kind. The Lord bless them. How to Choose a Wife.
By Henry Ward Beecher
Jacob’s father forbade him to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Why? Because he knew that with the wife he would take the religion; that had he brought into his house the fairest and discreetest of wives he would have brought in the cause of a long train of miseries with her. It is an old proverb, that a man is what his wife will let him be; and old Isaac was a wise man when he said, “Don’t go among the Canaanites to get a wife.” Canaan now-a-days is everywhere. It is every house where there has been no family prayer, where mammon is God; wherever there is a godless household, there is the land of Canaan.127 A man that marries a good wife has very little more to ask of the Lord till he dies. A good wife is a blessing from the Lord, and there are very few blessings that he gives now or hereafter that are comparable to it. And marriage is a thing not heedlessly to be rushed into, but slowly, discreetly. It is anything but a fancy or a calculation. It is a matter of moral judgment and duty as high as any duty that lifts itself between you and the face of God. As for Ishmael, he gets married out of spite. There have been a good many men who have married out of a rebound of passion, of whom this is a typical instance. It is not the first time that a man has forsworn his own good out of spite to somebody else.—Henry Ward Beecher. REPORT FROM BRO. STONE.
By Albert Stone
Jan. 1st, to the middle of February, I spent in laboring with the churches in northern Vermont and Canada. At E. Richford, I gave fourteen discourses, mostly on practical subjects. The brethren and sisters were strengthened and encouraged. Quite a number of outsiders attended and heard with marked interest. Some confessed that we have the truth, but did not move out. Others confessed that we have the truth on the Sabbath question. The brethren here have, in the past, borne with each others infirmities, for their mutual benefit and the good of the cause. May they still strive in all their labors and duties to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. I spent two Sabbaths with the few brethren scattered in several townships in the interior of Canada; they appreciated the privilege and were encouraged. Since my return I have spent four Sabbaths with the church in Stowe, Vt. This church are striving to live out the truth. Our meetings are characterized by freedom and encouragement. The Quarterly Meeting at Wolcott, last Sabbath, was thinly attended. It is to be hoped that those members of the church who did not attend, had a reasonable excuse. In the evening a few brethren and sisters met at the house of Bro. S. H. Peck. At the opening of the meeting Bro. A. S. Hutchins made some touching remarks in regard to certain duties in which it was thought some had been remiss, which were well received, and will, we trust, result in good. We then had a free time in observing the ordinances. LABORS AT TANHASSEN, MINN.
By F. W. Morse
ABOUT the 1st of Jan. I began a series of meetings at Tanhassen, Martin Co., and have continued the effort to the present time with a growing interest, and encouraging results. Ten families have taken a decided stand upon present truth, and still others are moving out. The truth works out its purifying effects upon the people, and they are at work in the direction of reform. Our Sabbath meetings are very interesting. We have a crowded house of active worshipers. We have had some difficulties to labor against, in the form of sickness, and ministerial opposition; but the Lord did not forsake us. Bro. Dimmick, who has been laboring in concert with Eld. Pierce, responded to my request and met with me, rendering timely assistance. He remains a week or ten days to help in the work here, also in an adjoining neighborhood. The calls are many. The county attorney has made a special request that I should come to the county seat and hold meetings there. From three other different points the calls are equally urgent. But we shall be careful to try to hold things together here. We have organized a Bible Class, and shall try to meet with them every Sabbath. We earnestly desire the help and watchcare of the experienced ministers of our Conference. There are not less than twenty or twenty-five who desire baptism, and still others of whom we have strong hopes. We hope to have the labors of our Conference Committee soon. Pray for us. F. W. MORSE. REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
My labor in Alaiedon is finished for the present. I stayed there eleven weeks. It is with feelings of deep gratitude to God that I look back upon those many tokens of mercy and blessings which I have received from our compassionate Saviour during that time. The truth has been victorious, not only in demolishing the outward fortifications of the enemy, but in leading souls from the love and vanities of the world, to love and to serve Jesus. There were six Sabbath-keepers there when I came, there are now above fifty-three persons observing the Sabbath of the Lord. Yet some of these still need conversion. Thirty-two brothers and sisters have covenanted together to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I have had many precious seasons meeting with them. A number of them have never before made any profession. Our meetings have been characterized with deep solemnity and much feeling. The Holy Spirit has indeed been with us to convince sinners of sin, and righteousness, and a Judgment to come. Sixteen have been buried with Christ in baptism. The Lord favored us with a mild, spring day for the administration of this blessed ordinance. We were much blessed. Although the roads were extremely muddy, yet a large crowd was assembled. Some were convinced that we had the truth, and that the Lord was with us. Others were indifferent, and again others were bitter and scornful. There is a good prospect here of many more embracing the truth if the brethren are faithful. We have formed a legal corporation, known as the first Seventh-day-Adventist Society of Alaiedon, to hold church property, and commenced the building of a meeting-house 30x47. The brethren have taken hold of this work nobly, and we trust they will continue faithful, that the Lord may be honored, and they much blessed in return. The camp is being cleared pretty well from idols, and the great question deeply impressed upon most is: How can we live in such a way as to gain the approbation of God, and when Jesus comes, eternal life. They will meet every Sabbath forenoon, at 10 o'clock, in the Button school-house, also prayer-meetings Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the houses. The Lord willing, I will meet again with the brethren at Alaiedon, Sabbath, May first. Will attend to baptism, Friday, May 7. I give this notice for the benefit of those living at a distance. I will then continue to labor there until the Conference. The roads here are almost impassable. I walked to Mason this morning, and missed the train. I intend to labor about two weeks in Montcalm, and then two weeks in Stanton. After the Conference it appears to me that my labor in Michigan will be ended, although the way seems to be open for me to labor another year; but my health is not good. The climate of this State does not agree with me. I think I can labor to more advantage in other places, where the atmosphere is more favorable to a bilious condition of body. I pray and hope that the Lord may direct in this important work until our pilgrimage be ended, and we all “meet beyond the river, where the surges cease to roll; where through all the bright forever, sorrow no'er shall press the soul.” Mason, Ingham Co., Mich., April 1, 1869.