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Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 19.

AN APPEAL TO MINISTERS
Earlier text: AN APPEAL TO MINISTERS

SHALL ALL MEN VOTE?

By B. F. Purdham

BY ELD. B. F. PURDHAM.
It seems that this is becoming a very important question in the minds of some people, and doubtless it will become more so as we near the great conflict just before us. It very often occurs that when we present our views in regard to the Sunday movement, persons will answer us something like this: “If that question is ever put to a vote, I shall not vote at all,” or, “If I don’t vote for the true Sabbath, I shall not cast any vote,” etc. But we have reason to believe all will vote on one side or the other when the question is once brought fully to the front; but how the matter will be brought about, is a point not yet so clearly settled. It is evident that those who shall contend for the true Sabbath of the Lord, will do so from a sense of duty. But those who vote for the enforcement of a different day from that which God has set apart, will do so for various reasons. Some, perhaps, because they have really a sacred regard for the day, others because their friends vote that way, and still others to be popular, or for other selfish interests. It now appears reasonable that a law may be enacted, compelling every man to cast his vote in some way.
The following paragraph from the Page Courier of Jan. 22, 1885, published in Luray, Va., seems to have considerable bearing upon this point, and may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW:— “The returns from the late presidential election show that nearly 3,000,000 voters did not go to the polls. In Pennsylvania nearly 200,000 men did not vote. In New York the number reached almost 250,000. In a popular form of government voting is a duty, not a privilege. The payment of taxes is made a qualification of voting—men must pay to vote. Ought it not rather to be treated as a duty, and the man who fails to vote be made to pay for his failure? Why not, therefore, impose a poll tax to be collected if the individual does not vote, and to be remitted if he does? Such a tax would bring many more voters to the polls. We would have a fuller expression of opinion, and become ‘a government of the people.’ If all the people do not join in voting, why not restrict the number at once? If restriction is good, why not carry it to its fullest extent, and place the elective franchise in the hands of but one individual? If all should vote, make them do it or pay for the failure.”
Notice the expression in quotation marks,—“a government of the people.” This agrees exactly with the words found in Rev. 13:14: “Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” It seems that everything is preparing for the fulfillment of the prophetic word, and every movement points, as fingerboards, to that one great object, namely, the enforcement of “the mark of the beast.”
While those who oppose the truth of God are so zealous, devising every means they can for the accomplishment of their purposes, may the Lord help us to be more earnest and faithful in our duties, and do all we can to get the warning message before the world, in order that all the honest hearted may hear and obey it. Let us work “while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4.
Sands, Page Co., Va.

HOW HE UNDERSTOOD IT.

By R. J. Carr

BY R. J. CARR.
About two miles from the school-house I held Bible readings during the winter. A minister of a prominent denomination came in one evening, but would not take an interest in the lesson, though he listened very attentively. If my memory serves me right, the lesson was on the subject of the two laws. A day or two after this meeting, some of those that were already convinced, and had begun keeping the Sabbath, reported to me that Eld. — said he could prove by no less than eight texts in the New Testament that Sunday was the Sabbath. I was anxious to know where the scripture was for Sunday observance, that one afternoon I called at his home. We had a very pleasant visit, talking over several points of our faith without much difference of opinion. We had not said anything on the Sabbath question. As I put my Bible into the satchel, ready to go, I remarked, “We have not said anything on the Sabbath question, and as I have no time to argue the question with you, will you give me one of your strongest proofs for your day Sabbath?” “Oh, yes; I will do that.” He then began to quote 1 Cor. 16:1, 2. He read like this: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, so do ye. Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings upon the first day of the week when I come.” “How is that?” I said. “My Bible doesn’t read like that.” “Oh,” he replied. I took the Bible and read the text to him. He straightened up in his chair, and said, “That’s the way I understand it, anyhow.” I closed my satchel, bade him good evening, and left him to understand it as he quoted it; but I was wiser than before on the Sunday Sabbath question.

Counsel on Honest Speech and Avoiding Flattery

By J. Taylor

—Use no stratagems and devices to get some use to inquire into the faults of their actions or discourses, on purpose to hear if it was well done or spoken, and without flattery. J. Taylor.

DISTRESS OF NATIONS.

By George Thompson

BY GEORGE THOMPSON.
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity.” Luke 21:25. That these words of our Saviour are having complete fulfillment at the present time, there is no doubt. Russia, England, France, China, Canada, Italy, Turkey, India, Australia, Africa, feeling the effects of war, and are perplexed by dynamite, Nihilism, and Socialism, with their breath, are causing “distress” and “perplexity” throughout the world. The spark of war, once kindled, will bring a rapid fulfillment of Joel 3:2. Is not the Saviour at the door? Jesus said that when we see these things come to pass, we might know that he was at the door. Luke 21:31; Mark 13:26; Matt. 24:33.
It may be objected that there has always been distress upon the earth. Such perhaps has been the case. But the distress of which our Saviour speaks was to occur after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, the last of which had its fulfillment on Nov. 13, 1833. Hence we must look for the fulfillment of the rest this side of that. If, then, we find the nations distressed and perplexed at the present day, it is the time of which he spoke.
The perils of the last days are right upon us. The warning notes of the third angel’s message will soon be hushed. The Son of God will appear, and, with a voice that will rend the tomb, will call the righteous dead from their dusty beds. Then those who have faithfully warned the world of their coming doom will be permitted to share the resplendent glory of the earth made new.

ISAIAH’S PROPHECY STILL UNFULFILLED.

A CLERGYMAN of this city, preaching about Christianity and war, last Sunday, was forced to come to the conclusion that the day is still far off when, as Isaiah prophesied, the nations would beat their swords into plowshares and learn war no more.
Christian France has only just come to peace with heathen China after the useless slaughter of thousands of human beings. Christian England is still fighting the Mohammedans of the Soudan. In Central America hostilities which may more and more involve this country are now going on. In Canada the Riel rebellion of Christianized Indians against those who had converted them, is to-day in progress, and the war may be long and bloody. France makes threatening demonstrations against Egypt. Ireland is pervaded by a spirit of bitter animosity against England, which would delight to express itself in a bloody conflict. All Europe is armed to the teeth, and the military preparations of the powers are on a scale of magnitude never before equalled. Finally, England and Russia, two great Christian nations, make ready for a probable war, induced by the greed of conquest of the one and the determination of the other to hold fast conquests made long ago.
The prophecy of Isaiah, therefore, is not likely to be fulfilled in the nineteenth century, and war has been and still is about as much the business of Christians as it was of the pagans before the day when Christ preached the brotherhood of man and celebrated the virtues of meekness and humility.
A few years ago people were flattering themselves that so stupid a method of settling differences between nations was about to give place to peaceful arbitration, and that the time was near at hand when two countries would no more think of resorting to arms against each other than two great merchants would propose to engage in a slugging match to settle a dispute about accounts.
Yet since that time the European armaments have been extended to an unprecedented degree, and wars have been in continual progress. Krupp’s gun foundry has become the greatest industrial establishment in Germany, and the most active inventive and scientific minds the civilized world over are devoting themselves to the perfection of the engines of warfare, so that they shall be more destructive. To-day the busiest industries in this country are the manufactories of munitions of war, and they are turning out cartridges by the hundred million to be used in killing human beings. Russia is ready to fall on English commerce in case of war, hoping to drive thousands of peaceful ships from the seas. She is planting torpedoes in her harbors to blow up the great vessels of her enemy and destroy the lives of their crews, and in the dock-yards and gun shops of the empire the hours of labor upon the engines of war are lengthened by the use of the electric light which Christian civilization has introduced. Night and day the workers are ceaselessly at their toil completing all sorts of infernal machines. Like preparations for wholesale slaughter are going on in England, where the government has thousands of men at work to get ready ships and munitions of war, and is giving orders for the building of great numbers of other vessels, more guns, more torpedoes, and more shot and shell. Hospitals for multitudes of wounded men are going up on the borders of Afghanistan, ambulances are manufactured by the thousand, lint is scraped, and surgeons are sharpening their knives.
All these horrible preparations for coming slaughter are going on in the sight of the civilized and Christian world, and they are made by nations which daily send up their prayers to the Lord of peace and righteousness. They are made not only in contravention of the teachings of Christ, but even in contemptuous disregard of them; and yet Christendom is not shocked, is not surprised any more than we are surprised to see two bulldogs snap at each other in the street. Christendom rather stands by wondering that the fight has not already begun, and ready to visit with its derision either power which refrains from war because it would avoid bloodshed. We hear, at least, of no general assembling of the Christians of Europe and America to protest against the awful struggle as a crime against the religion of Christ. A few advocates of peace on principle have begged the English government to desist, but they are laughed at as cranky visionaries even by the clergy, who declare that it is craven for an Englishman to obey the precepts of Christianity and not retaliate for a blow.
All this may seem very commonplace, but why is it commonplace? Is it not because such a thing as genuine Christianity has almost no existence in the world? People do not expect to see the teachings of the sermon on the mount obeyed, but treat them as impracticable, as beautiful poetry merely. In their individual dealings they do not pretend to be governed by them, and collectively they disregard them as a matter of course.—New York Sun, April 28, 1885.

How It Comes Out.

You will remember the “Cardiff Giant” excitement of a few years ago, and the amount of glee that was indulged in over what was supposed to be a demonstration of the incorrectness of the Mosaic record. The “giant” turns out to have been a manufactured affair, iron rods being used to hold its arms and legs in place. Will skeptics who made so much of it now hang their heads a little for shame?—Not at all. They hold their heads as high as ever, wag their tongues as loudly as before on every other unexplained hypothesis, and be just as ready for the “bell,” when it makes its appearance. For specimens of sublime credulity, “simon-pure,” and wholly undefiled, commend us to skeptics. The Religious Intelligencer (New Brunswick) of April 3, has the following:—
“The ‘Cardiff Giant’ furor of a few years ago is probably remembered by many of our readers. It was claimed by the enemies of the Bible that Bible chronology was destroyed, and that the Bible story and teaching went with it. The giant was burned recently, and this is the way an American paper sets off the whole affair: About twenty years ago, the so-called petrifaction giant known as the ‘Cardiff Giant,’ was a big hit in this country for showmen. This giant lived ages before the creation of man, according to Biblical chronology. This petrifaction was overwhelming proof of the falsity of the idea our earth is not more than six or eight thousand years old. It was covered with certificates to that effect from the most prominent of our Christian scientists. Many of them minutely studied the petrifying process, and the time it took, just as minutely as they tell us how this giant was made, and the time required for its making. The recent destruction of this petrifaction by fire, at Huron, Dakota, where it was on exhibition, revealed the astonishing anatomical fact, that, in the age when this giant lived, people were born with iron rods running from their hips to their feet, and from their shoulders into their heads, to hold their legs and arms together, and that these rods grew just as fast as the body grew! This gives us a wonderful amount of light something!

SUN STORMS.

THE dissolution of our earth by fire should not seem so impossible an event, in view of what is even now taking place only about ninety-five millions of miles away. One of our recent exchanges gives the following:—
“SUN STORMS.—How can we, who are bewildered and appalled by the fury of our planet’s cyclones and volcanic eruptions, form a conception of the terrible energy of natural operations on the sun? Prof. Newcomb suggests that if we call the solar chromosphere an ocean of fire, we must remember that it is an ocean hotter than the fiercest furnace, and as deep as the Atlantic is broad. If we call its movements hurricanes, we must remember that our hurricanes blow only about a hundred miles an hour, while those of the chromosphere blow as far in a single second. They are such hurricanes as, coming down upon us from the north, would, in thirty seconds after they had crossed the St. Lawrence, be in the Gulf of Mexico, carrying with them the whole surface of the continent in a mass, not simply of rain, but of glowing vapor, in which the vapors arising from the dissolution of the materials composing the cities of Boston, New York, and Chicago, would be mixed in a single indistinguishable cloud. When we speak of eruptions we call to mind Vesuvius burying the surrounding cities in lava; but the solar eruptions, thrown fifty thousand miles high, would engulf the whole earth, and dissolve every organized being on its surface in a moment.”

MORE INCONSISTENCY.

By H. E. Robinson

THE various contradictory assertions made and positions taken by the leaders of the National Reform Association, make it not a little perplexing to know just what they mean by what they say.
1. How can this movement be the dawn of the millennium, the era of peace, when they acknowledge that it opens an “irrepressible conflict,” and a reign of terror is now impending?
2. How can this be called a “Christian nation,” when they tell us that “lawlessness is so prevalent and fast increasing”?
3. How is it that they will not interfere with the rights of any, when they tell us that it is “impossible to proceed without touching the question of religion”?
4. Why do they propose to use force, if necessary, to secure the nation’s allegiance to Christ, when he has said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight”?
5. Why are they moved with such a vehement desire to enforce Sunday observance, which God has never commanded?
6. Why do they studiously avoid reading that part of the commandment which says, “The seventh day is the Sabbath,” when they appeal to it to show the “national sin of Sabbath-breaking”?
7. Why do they desire the Bible to be recognized as the source of ultimate appeal, while they disregard its plainest precepts?
8. Why do they make the commandments of God of none effect by their tradition?
Must we not conclude that the only safe way is given by the Saviour? “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.” H. E. ROBINSON.

Humanity's Possibilities Within the Individual

—All the possibilities of humanity are wrapped up in the individual.
—The hottest furnace makes the finest gold; the brightest lightning comes from the blackest cloud; the purest faith from the severest trials.

“GOOD ENOUGH FOR ORDINARY WEAR.”

Utterly reckless and high-handed extravagance, which is begotten by the sudden and undeserved wealth which so many find themselves in possession of in these last days, has a striking illustration in the following incident. If such persons as are here mentioned would indulge in a little rational foresight, they would see that a time of reckoning must come at last for all such folly; it might lower their insane pride a little to know that, although they are now too precious to wear a $100,000 necklace, they may come to an end as ignominious as that of the Roman mentioned last week, whom a poor washerwoman finally made up into soap-grease:—
A story is told of Mrs. Flood, wife of the California millionaire, who, when in New York comparatively recently, visited Tiffany’s and asked to be shown the choicest and most expensive necklace in the premises. The most superb of the Tiffany necklaces failed to satisfy her, and the firm offered to cable to Paris and import the handsomest necklace to be found in the city. Mrs. Flood had returned to California by the time the gorgeous ornament arrived, and the necklace followed her to her Pacific home. She refused to accept it, declaring that it was not good enough to encircle her queenly neck and suggested that it should be offered to Mrs. Stanford, wife of the governor. Mrs. Stanford was not so difficult to please as Mrs. Flood, and purchased the necklace, but only, as she was good enough to let Mr. Tiffany know, for “breakfast,” it not being expensive enough to do for more formal occasions. The cost of the jewel was over $100,000.”—N. Y. Cor. Savannah.

SELF-SUSTAINING MISSIONS.

The wisdom of making missions self-sustaining from the earliest possible moment, according to the policy which our workers have tried to maintain, is coming to be widely recognized. The Globe Democrat is quoted as saying:—
“The mistake [the too free use of money] is at the bottom of much of the backsliding which, to the grief of the missionaries, so often follows quickly upon their absence. The system is in fact largely one of coddling, both of converts and of missionaries. . . . The missionaries have come to believe themselves the special wards of the church, and the converts are catching the same spirit. They will retain it, as long as the system of petting continues, and until missionaries and converts are taught self-reliance.”
To this the Missionary Review responds:—
“There is much of truth here; but our neighbor needs to know more in detail that very many missionaries go from Christendom to this work among the heathen wholly at their own charges, supporting themselves and their work; and some native workers are doing the same. Unsalaried missionaries may now be reckoned by the hundreds.”

INDIANA TRACT SOCIETY.

By W. A. Young

Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 1885.
No. of members ........................................ 291 “ ” reports returned .................................... 222 “ ” members added ....................................... 13 “ ” “ dismissed ......................................... 10 “ ” missionary visits ................................... 276 “ ” letters written ..................................... 188 “ ” Signs taken in clubs ................................. 114 “ ” new subscriptions obtained .......................... 211 “ ” trial “ for Signs .................................... 368 “ ” pages tracts and pamphlets distributed ........ 127,190 “ ” periodicals distributed ............................ 6,624
Cash received on membership and donations, $43.97; on sales, $46.63; on periodicals, $115.64; on other funds, $29.85. W. A. YOUNG, Sec.

COLORADO TRACT SOCIETY.

By N. H. Drullard

Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 1885.
No. of members ........................................ 150 " " reports returned ................................... 70 " " members added ....................................... 11 " " " dismissed .......................................... 6 " " missionary visits ................................... 167 " " " letters written .................................... 410 " " pages tracts and pamphlets loaned ................ 17,523 " " " " " given away ................................. 31,245 " " " " " sold ........................................ 16,393 " " periodicals distributed ............................ 7,489 " " new subscriptions obtained .......................... 100
Cash received on membership and donations, $25; on pledges, $5; on periodicals, $50; on sales, $250.
N. H. DRULLARD, Sec.

DAKOTA TRACT SOCIETY.

By Alice H. Beaumont

Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 1885.
No. of members 290
“ “ reports returned 247
“ “ members added 77
“ “ “ dismissed 3
“ “ missionary visits 1,032
“ “ letters written 542
“ “ Signs taken in clubs 122
“ “ Stimme taken in clubs 72
“ “ Harold taken in clubs 20
“ “ Tidende taken in clubs 25
“ “ new subscriptions obtained 204
“ “ trial subscriptions obtained 483
“ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed 150,109
“ “ periodicals distributed 3,836
“ “ Annuals distributed 7
Cash received on membership and donations, $54.53; on book sales, $254.16; on general sales, $55; on periodicals, $260.52; on ten-thousand-dollar fund, $645; on reserve fund, $20; on tent fund, $81.50; on other funds, $23.
ALICE H. BEAUMONT, Sec.

OUR WORK IN BUFFALO.

By H. E. Robinson

The winter campaign is now over, and busy preparations are being made for the summer's work. Sabbath meetings and Sunday lectures have been the only public services, but these have been supplemented by canvassing, visiting, and Bible readings. We find some honest, conscientious persons, of good influence and ability, ready to receive the present truth, and it is cheering to see the zeal and enthusiasm with which they try to interest others. It seems so plain and good to them that they wonder that so many are unwilling even to hear it explained. Others are in the “valley of decision.” Twenty-four have commenced to keep the Sabbath since the mission was opened, who, so far as we know, are faithfully holding on. A few of these have moved away; but those remaining, with others who were already in the truth, make a company of about thirty persons.
The Sunday lectures are well attended, and some prominent men are very favorable to the cause. The city newspapers give a good report of the lectures nearly every week.
Eld. R. F. Cottrell is now stopping with us. We are glad of his help, and with him I intend to hold a few meetings with scattered Sabbath-keepers outside of the city. Bro. H. W. Carr is helping in the canvassing work, who, with Bro. Gleason and myself, constitute our outside working force.
H. E. ROBINSON.

ILLINOIS TRACT AND MISSIONARY MEETING.

By B. F. Merritt

This meeting was held at Martinsville, and three days were devoted to a consideration of the work, embracing many matters of importance. There was not that number of directors present that we had hoped to see; however, the ministers and members present took hold with good will to work. Some of the topics of interest considered were, the best means of getting good religious reading into the homes of the people, the suppression of pernicious literature, the worker with whom God can work, means for the prosecution of our work, the Sabbath-school and its aims, health and temperance.
It was thought best that work be done immediately in El Paso, Peoria, Galva, and Mt. Carmel. It was urged that all our colporters who accept a license should feel themselves under moral obligation to devote their time to the work; and that they should lose no time, but enter the field at once. Sr. S. M. Shearer and Bro. Wm. R. Strader were recommended for colporters’ licenses. Vol. IV. of “Great Controversy” and “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” were recommended to our agents as first in importance for circulation. The Signs canvass with “Sunshine at Home” as a premium was recommended. Some good thoughts were presented on economy and industry, and on donating to the tract and missionary work. A personal donation was recommended to be sent in with every individual report. All members of the tract society were desired to report in accordance with the provisions of our constitution. A resolution was read as follows:—
Whereas, The reading of pernicious literature leads the mind away from God, and evil results have come from it, physically, mentally, and morally; and—
Whereas, It is one of the main obstacles in the way of circulating good, substantial reading; therefore—
Resolved, That we will use every laudable means to suppress it.
Fields of labor were recommended for a number of our workers, and a readiness to act in harmony with such recommendations was manifested. Harmony prevailed throughout the meeting, and it seemed that all felt it was good to be there.
B. F. MERRITT.

Hear Prayerfully, Pray Trustingly, Act Obediently

—Hear prayerfully, pray trustingly, and act obediently.

OHIO TRACT AND MISSIONARY PLEDGES

By E. H. G.

Of the large number of pledges made by State depository and city mission funds, few have been paid, though nearly all are due. According to the resolutions passed by our brethren at the last State meeting, we are about to open a mission in Cleveland, and have already opened a State depository in Columbus. These enterprises call for means. We hope those who have pledges will make a special effort to pay them in part or in full. We also ask our agents who are indebted to the State society, to pay up as soon as possible. Don't settle all other debts before paying this. If we could get in what is due the society, we could cancel all our indebtedness of our publishing offices, and have a good fund on hand. Brethren, make a special effort to pay your pledges.
E. H. G.

MISSIONARY WORK AT ROCHESTER, INDIANA.

[The following is written by a deaf mute twenty-two years of age, who embraced the truth about nine years ago. From that time to the present she has felt a deep interest in the spread of the message; but being in poor health she was not able to distribute much reading matter outside her family circle. But when the “racks” were introduced she felt very anxious that her friend, Dr. Wm. Hill, should place one of them in each of the two depots in the city, that she might have reading matter in them. She not only keeps racks well filled, but pays for the reading matter from her own purse, sparing for that purpose every dollar she can. By the sign language she bears her testimony in nearly every social meeting she attends, which often affects to tears the entire congregation. Some are rejoicing in the truth through her efforts. May the Lord bless this earnest missionary worker. S. H. L.
For the past fifteen months we have had a missionary rack in the Chicago and Atlantic depot, containing a “bird’s-eye view of the great prophecy;” also for the past year we have had one in the Wabash depot, containing the picture, “Christ the way of life,” and a penny in the left hand corner, in which three dollars have been deposited the past year. During the fifteen months there have been placed in the racks 975 periodicals—Signs, Sentinels, Instructor, Good Health—and 23,153 pages of tracts. There were ten copies of the Signs of the Times disposed of every week. The tracts embraced all points of present truth, including health and temperance. Periodicals and tracts were both largely taken and read by the traveling public, and some of the city and country people. Many have had their minds drawn to the great truths of the Bible this time by this means, and some have been interested. One traveler was so interested that he took papers and tracts from the racks and sent them to friends in Canada. One young man, a telegraphic operator, became interested, and improved his spare time in reading through the long hours of the night between telegraphic dispatches and the shrill whistle of the engines. Passing trains would sometimes be from six to ten hours late, on account of snow blockades, which would almost always increase the reading from missionary racks. The depots would fill up with people waiting for the trains, and many would thus embrace the opportunity to read, some taking tracts and papers with them to read on their journey. Sometimes it would be necessary to fill racks two or three times per week, in the cold weather.
Other incidents which I have not space to mention might be related. Total expenses up to present time for racks, papers, and tracts, less receipts, $3; with papers and tracts enough on hand to supply the racks for six months to come, including ten copies of the Signs. I think depots can be supplied with tracts and papers about $30 per year, and this will include ten copies of the Signs of the Times to fill the racks weekly. May the Lord bless the seed sown, that it may bring forth some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred fold. OLIVE H. GENT

Advancing in Life: A Quotation from Ruskin

—He only is advancing in life whose heart is getting softer, whose blood warmer, whose brain quicker, whose spirit is entering into living peace. —Ruskin.

Foes of the Heart.

By S. O. James

BY S. O. JAMES.
'Tis not the Lord's will that we should stand still, And be making no progress from day unto day; But we rather should fight for the truth and the right, And conquer each foe that we find in the way.
'Tis no hand-to-hand strife, this battle for life, As soldiers have seen on the grim battle field; But against wicked spirits and fleshly dominion We valiantly wrestle, and never should yield.
But of all the dread foes that arise to oppose, And keep us in grief from our Saviour apart, ’Mid the strife and the loss, we have found to our cost There is none like the foes that we find in the heart.
'Tis no wonder we shrink sometimes when we think Of the danger and pain that attend the good way; “But he giveth more grace” for the heavenly race, And we'll trust in the dark till we see the bright day.
Logan, Joan.

STRETCHING THINGS.

“I'm almost dead! It is as hot as fire, and I've run more than a dozen miles after that colt!”
He threw himself at full length on the ground and wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
“Where did you go?” inquired the father.
“I went over to Briggs's corner and back by the road.”
“It is a little less than a mile and a half. Is it warm, Andy? It seems quite cool here.”
“It's not so dreadful, I suppose, if I'd take it easy; but I ran like lightning, and got heated.”
“You started about five o'clock, my son, and now it's a quarter of six,” said the father, consulting his watch.
“Why, just three quarters of an hour,” answered Andrew, innocently.
“Does it take lightning forty-five minutes to go a mile and a half?”
“I didn't mean exactly that, father; but I ran away, because I expected the whole town here to-night to see my new velocipede,” said Andrew, reluctantly.
“Whom did you expect, Andy? I wasn't aware that such a crowd would be here. What will you do with them all?”
“Eddie, and Tim told me they'd be 'round soon, and I wouldn't wonder if Ike came, too, after all.”
“The population of the town is five thousand, and I expect three persons. Well, as you are here, I am glad no more are coming. You can play with them all.”
“What!” cried Andrew, springing to his feet; “did I say I was sick?”
“Andrew, you said you were almost dead. Does that mean very sick?”
“You are so particular, father, about my talking. I don't mean exactly what I say, of course. I was nearly dead, to be sure; but I did some running, you bet. There were more than fifty dogs after me, and I don't go much on dogs.”
“A band of them! Where did they all come from?”
“There were Mr. Wheeler's sheep-dog, and a store dog, and two or three more; and they came at me, and so I ran as fast as I could.”
“At the most, and not fifty, Andrew.”
“He looked to be fifty, anyway,” answered Andrew, somewhat impatiently. “Carter's ten-acre lot was full of dogs just making for me; and you'd have thought that there were fifty if you'd seen me.”
“Ten acres of dogs would be a great many thousands. Have you any idea how many?”
Andrew did not like to calculate, for it occurred to him what a small space ten or fifteen thousand sheep would occupy when camping, and ten acres of dogs would be past calculation.
“But,” his father continued, “I know of no better way to break you of the foolish habit of exaggeration than to tell the children of the trouble you had in going after the colt. You ran like lightning, encountered ten acres of dogs, which would be hundreds of thousands, traveled more than a dozen miles to get one and a half miles in a straight line, expected to find five thousand people here to examine your new velocipede, and when you reached home you were nearly dead!”
“Please don't, father; the boys and girls will all laugh themselves to death; and I won't exaggerate any more, if I live to be as old as Methuselah!”
“Laugh themselves to death at a simple story like this? I hope not, but rather hope it will set them to watching their own manner of telling stories, so as to be sure they do not greatly overstate things. Habit, my son, grows with years, and becomes in time so deeply rooted that it will be impossible for you, when you become a man, to relate plain, unvarnished facts, unless you check the foolish habit in which you indulge every day of stretching simple incidents into the most marvelous tales.”
—Christian Neighbor.

MANNER OF CONDUCTING THE ELECTION OF S. S. OFFICERS.

By C. C. L.

In response to a number of inquiries concerning the manner in which the election of officers is conducted in the Battle Creek Sabbath-school, the following plan is presented, which has been in use for several years, and has given good satisfaction:—
At our teachers’ meeting, upon the second Tuesday evening before the time for the election of officers, a committee of five is chosen by the teachers present. During the week this committee holds a meeting, and makes out a list of nominations for officers. Their report is presented at the next teachers’ meeting, where it is ratified by the teachers after being amended if they so desire. Upon the next Sabbath the election is held. This is conducted as follows: The list of nominations having been printed upon a sufficient number of ballots to supply the entire school, these are distributed by the secretaries among the teachers, who give one to each member of their classes. The scholar signifies his approval of the ticket, or makes such changes as he may desire; the vote in each class is recorded by the teacher; and the secretaries, again passing through the school, collect these results. While the general exercises are going on, the secretaries canvass the entire vote; and at the close of the school they are ready to announce the result of the election. Thus in a large school of over four hundred members, the election of officers is conducted without interfering at all with the regular work of the school.
Of course this plan would have to be modified for use in schools where no teachers’ meetings are held; neither would it be possible or desirable to have ballots printed for use in small schools. Let us see, then, how this plan may be adapted to the circumstances of the average Sabbath-school. Two Sabbaths before the time of election, a committee of three might be appointed by the school at the close of the exercises. This committee should take time to consider the wants of the school, and to talk with the leading members of the church. On the day of election, at the close of the exercises, let the committee make a report, both orally and by writing the nominations upon the blackboard. Blank slips of paper may then be passed, and the members may signify their approval of the entire nomination by writing simply the word “yes” upon the ballots; or if they wish to make any changes, they may do so by writing the names of those whom they prefer for the respective offices. If the committee work has been done faithfully, there will seldom be an occasion for a change of this kind. The ballots may then be collected and the result ascertained in a few minutes.
The above is merely a suggestion; but it does not seem necessary each quarter to use a large share of the time allotted to the exercises of the Sabbath-school, in the election of officers, as is done in some schools. C. C. L.

CLOSE QUESTIONS.

By Bishop Foster

Your tempers—how are they? Do you become impatient under trial? fretful, when chided or crossed? angry, revengeful, when injured? vain, when flattered? proud, when prospered? complaining, when chastened? unbelieving, when seemingly forsaken? unkind, when neglected? Are you subject to discontent, to ambition, to selfishness? Are you worldly? covetous of riches, of vain pomp and parade, of indulgences, of honor or ease? Are you unfeeling, contemptuous of others, seeking your own, boasters, proud, lovers of your own selves? Beware! These are the sediments of the old nature. Nay, if they exist in you, in however small a degree, they are demonstrative that the old man of sin is not dead. It will be a sad mistake if you detect these evils within, and yet close your eyes to them and continue to make professions of holiness. These are not infirmities; they are indications of want of grace.—Bishop Foster.
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