The camp-meeting season is upon us, with all its responsibilities, perplexities, and burden of wearing labor. Meetings are already appointed for Kansas, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Canada, and Northern Maine. Most of these are annual meetings, where all the business of the Conference, Tract Society, and the Sabbath-school Association for a whole year to come, will be transacted. Such meetings must be of great importance to each Conference. Not only are all matters of business relating to each of these organizations to be considered at these annual meetings, but the spiritual wants of the cause are to receive much attention. The hearts of the people are to be inspired; the wants of the cause to be considered; plans of action are to be formed; and the best arrangements possible which the circumstances of the case will admit, are to be perfected.
Our people everywhere know all this; and it seems almost unnecessary to urge them to attend such meetings as these. We are, however, receiving letters from presidents of Conferences, asking that we do all we can to urge the people to come out to their camp-meetings. They fear many who ought to be there will fail to come, and that they will thus deprive themselves of a great blessing. If many do this, there is a loss to themselves, and in the aggregate a great loss to the Conference.
It is safe to say that if we had no annual meetings the cause would run down, and great loss would result. Of course, if but few attend, the larger portion receive no benefit. The more general the attendance, therefore, the greater the good to the cause and the Conference. Our people are scattered. Many have very little opportunity to hear stirring and heart-searching preaching, which would enable them to see the vast importance of the work of God for this time. Many of our larger churches hear but few discourses in a year. At these general gatherings, experienced laborers,—the best available talent at the command of the General Conference at the time,—are sent to assist these State Conferences by counsel and earnest labor. How can people who really love the cause of God, treat such meetings as these with indifference and contempt? Persons cannot do it, who feel a real interest. Our best brethren and sisters make a practice of attending all such meetings. They find it very beneficial. They feel that they suffer a great loss if any unforeseen circumstance deprives them of this privilege. They are blessed themselves by attending, and their families also are blessed. Many have the inestimable happiness of having all their children with them in the truth, because they have taken pains to take them to these important meetings. Possibly these would have been lost to the cause, lost eternally if they had not done so.
What a feeling of poignant sorrow and anguish will fill the hearts of some world-loving Sabbath-keepers in the great day, when they see that it was their worldliness, their fear of expense, their desire to make money, which kept them at home and deprived their children of these precious means of grace! And their children will be lost forever, because their parents loved the world so well that they would not take them where agencies were provided to save them from ruin. At great expense and labor, just the kind of help provided which they needed; but they kept away for some worldly reason. They could save a few dollars; they could make a little money; but in so doing their children were lost to the cause, having gone into the world, with no love for sacred things. May God help those who think of staying away from camp-meetings to see the danger of this course.
Every revolving year brings us nearer to the great day, closer to the final fearful struggle with the powers of darkness. It seems to us that the spirit that has hold of thousands and millions is unsettling. There was never such a need of earnest laborers in the cause as now. The work for God’s true servants is to cry aloud and spare not; to lift up the voice like a trumpet, and show God’s people their sins. We must not settle down in carelessness now. The truth is spreading to earth’s remotest bounds. Rays of light already reach around the world. The truth is going, and people are embracing the Sabbath, in distant parts of the earth. Toil-worn laborers are crossing the broad ocean going to the most distant islands of the sea to establish important missions. Ships go from the most important seaports of the globe to every land and every clime are being supplied with the precious truth of God. The leading languages of the earth are being used as channels through which to convey the light of truth.
There is an ear to hear the glorious truths of God. The minds of men are astir. They want something better than the old, misty, contradictory notions of the past dark, apostate ages. They want the pure light as it came forth from Christ and the apostles. Satan means to put us all to sleep if possible. The benumbing influences which he brings to bear are being felt all around us; but God has light and truth for us. Will you have it, brethren and sisters, or will you shut yourselves up in your worldly schemes, and deprive the servants of the Lord of the privilege of talking to you of these soul-inspiring themes?
We want you to come out to the camp-meetings. We will all do the best we can to inspire you with the blessed spirit of this work. We have no dullness, no discouragements, no unbelief to talk to you. The light was never clearer, the prospect never more hopeful as now. The period of questioning, of doubt and uncertainty, is in the past. Those who look forward instead of backward, see plenty of light. It is dawning and shining, brethren and sisters, and if you will only look for it you can have it.
This work now is more a matter of sight than of faith. Once, when the pioneers started out, there was but a mere handful of believers, it was a matter of faith. Now, with the rays of light shining all over the globe, the development of Satan’s power already inaugurated, Spiritualism in kings’ courts, appearing all over the earth in its last seductive phase, and with the party already formed for pushing through the Sunday law, the agitation of the subject we now see, and all the other vast array of evidence plainly open to our minds, it becomes more a matter of sight.
Shall we, then, arouse and take hold anew of the work of God? Shall we every one come out to the important meetings to get freshly imbued with the spirit of the work? We cannot write an appeal to every Conference. It would be but a repetition. In every Conference there ought to be a planning of the work, a preparation of heart for these meetings. Put away your trials, brethren, and seek God. Come together for a pentecostal blessing, and you will be disappointed.
GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres. Gen. Conf.
Contentment in Simple Living
—That state of life is the most happy where superfluities are not required and where necessities are not wanting.—Plutarch.
Guarding the Tender Mind of Childhood
—The mind of childhood is the tenderest, holiest thing on earth. Let parents stand as watchers at the temple lest any unclean thing should enter.
DANGER OF WORLDLY POLICY IN THE CHURCH.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Satan has a thousand ways of attacking God’s cause. When he fails in one way, he tries another; his tactics are constantly changing. As soon as the Church has defeated him in one field, he abandons the ground, and attacks it from another quarter. The first battle the Christian Church had was with Judaism, a system of formal legalism; then its fierce conflict with paganism; after that rationalism; now the most threatening danger is the friendship of the world. Christianity has become a recognized power in the earth; the world speaks well of it, rich men seek it, and all classes treat it with respect. Persecution is laid aside, and the hand of friendship is extended with the offer of peace. Really this is the most dangerous ground on which the Church has ever been. Upon this subject Howard Crosby, in his Yale Lectures, pp. 80–82, solemnly warns the Church against this danger.
“False doctrine and corrupt morals have often had their rise in the mistaken zeal of godly men who have sought a new and better plan than Scripture gave them of advancing the truth. And when conservative men have lifted up a warning voice against such new departures, their faithfulness has been greeted with derision, and often with impugning of their motive and denunciation of their spiritual coldness and worldliness. Many, conscious of the error, have feared such an opposition from active and prominent minds in the Church and from a public opinion which such minds guided, and have, therefore, rushed into the new idea with the multitude, salving their consciences with, ‘Oh, it’s a little matter!’ and thus establishing a false principle to work its evil in the Church for generations. That which greatly strengthens such false movements in the Church is the support of the better elements of the world. The evil principles adopted are generally such as are in use in the world’s affairs, and the Church unconsciously leans upon the worldly judgment which it hears expressed on all sides. It is so easy to leave the divine oracles for human wisdom. It is, perhaps, easier in this day than ever before, when the world has put on a friendly and sociable air toward the Church, and its newspapers act the part of patrons and critics of the Church’s life. It is very natural to yield to this alliance on the score of liberality and humanity, and yet this yielding is the poisoning of the sources of the Church’s strength.”
“Instead of the Church’s being guided in its conduct by the word of God and its ministers, a crowd of Godless Bohemians break into its sacred inclosure, and not only defile everything with their pens, but influence votes and decisions, which should be made only in the fear of the Lord, and in a prayerful and unworldly spirit. The Church’s position toward the world should not be different from what it was in Christ’s day. The world hated him, and he assured his disciples that the world would hate them. The church that is loved by the world has lost Christ.”
“The love of the world by the Church, on the other hand, should be only the love of compassion and godly desire for its redemption. Where it is the love of complacency, then, again we have a Christless, Godless Church. He that loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Now, we cannot deny that the Church’s present danger lies in this tendency to make up all differences with the world, to kiss and make friends. By this misalliance distinctive Christianity is in danger of becoming merged in a species of naturalism, and all that is supernatural and divinely authoritative is to give way to schemes and systems of human wisdom. Again and again we assert that there is no remedy for this fearful evil but a faithful, humble, persistent, and exclusive return to the inspired word; the honoring of which will exalt and purify and advance the Church, which will appear before the world only as its instructor and guide, and never as its companion and partner.”
These words of warning are much needed at the present time. Careful study of the Scriptures, and a close adherence to the Bible standard, are our only safety.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
STILL ONWARD.
By George I. Butler
Two companies of our missionaries were to go to ports on opposite sides of this continent, to aid in disseminating the present truth in distant parts of the world. Eld. S. H. Lane and wife, and J. N. Andrews, and other friends from Boston, go to labor in the British Isles, while Elds. S. N. Haskell, J. O. Corliss, and M. C. Israel, with others from San Francisco, Cal., go to start the work in Australia.
These are important moves. We shall feel deeply the loss of these dear brethren from the work in the field. They are old and tried laborers, thoroughly rooted and grounded in the truth. The two brethren have long been presidents of the Conferences of Indiana and Illinois. Many friends will greatly miss them. Eld. Corliss has labored extensively in camp-meetings and in various parts of the field with good acceptance. Eld. Israel has served on the California Conference Committee. We need not speak of the labors of Eld. Israel, and how much we shall miss him in every present season. I can but express a deep sense of personal loss which I individually sustain in the absence of his counsel and assistance in the important moves being made in this country. We shall greatly miss him; but we hope that after months' absence he may return invigorated and benefited by his journey and the enforced rest which absence from the work will oblige him to take. I should never have consented to his going but for a strong desire to see the work planted in distant lands. We feel that the continent of Australia is entered. “Our field is the world.” This is “to enlighten the earth with its glory.” All who stop and consider, can see whether these moves imply a drying up—a contraction of the work, or a spreading of it to earth's remotest bounds. Our prayers ascend to God for the safety and success of these, our dear fellow-laborers.
G. I. B.
ORDERS FOR THE EARLY CAMP-MEETINGS.
By George I. Butler
We have received a number of inquiries concerning this, and will briefly reply that we expect Eld. Waggoner will attend with us all the camp-meetings in New England held during the early summer. Canright will also attend with us the Pennsylvania camp-meeting. The wish has been expressed by presidents of several western Conferences, that Canright attend their meetings. We also desire this, but it will not be consistent for him to do so. Haskell’s going to Australia was upon the condition that able help be sent to New England to take charge during his absence. Elds. Canright and Waggoner are now there laboring to carry out this arrangement. This will deprive the western camp-meetings of their labors, which we greatly regret. The importance of establishing the work in Australia makes this necessary. New England has been neglected in the past, and it must have help during Haskell’s absence. We trust this will be a sufficient explanation.
We had hoped Sr. White might be able to attend one of the early camp-meetings, and our people much desired this. But her ardent labors last year left her quite feeble, and we are not prepared to say whether she can do so or not. This is as far as we are able to speak on this subject at present. G. I. B.
“SAVE HIS SOUL ALIVE.”
By R. F. Cottrell
“WHEN a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.” Eze. 18: 26, 27.
If man has an immortal entity, called the soul, dwelling within him, the expression, “his soul,” in the text doubtless refers to that immortal entity. But how absurd to say of a soul that is destined to live to eternity, that by obedience “he shall save his soul alive”? R. F. COTTRELL.
SIGN THE PLEDGE.
By R. F. Cottrell
I HAVE observed the course of those who dabbled occasionally with articles of food or drink which, to say the least, were of doubtful propriety in their own minds. The more they indulged in these things, the less were their convictions of their evil tendency, till they became slaves to a habit which once might have been easily overcome by a strict adherence to principle. The moral sense seems to have been blunted by repeated indulgence, till that which they once would have admitted to be wrong, they will now advocate as right. All should know that a single departure from principle weakens the sense of right and the abhorrence of wrong. Such facts as these suggest the use of a pledge which puts occasional indulgences out of the question, strengthens us to act upon principle every time, and secures us from the wide departures which we often see. Sign the pledge. R. F. COTTRELL.
A DREAM.
By H. A. St. John
I SAW a large company of persons seated around a long table, waiting to be fed. Upon myself, together with a number of others, seemed to devolve the duty of furnishing this hungry company with food. A very large kettle stood near the table, full of the provisions we had prepared. We at once began with alacrity to pass out the food, which seemed to be received with a keen relish by the people. I very soon noticed that the food we were dealing out consisted mainly of large billets of wood, with here and there a very little pudding attached. There was an abundance in bulk, but so little real food that it seemed impossible to ever satisfy the hungry multitude. Almost with a feeling of despair, I exclaimed, “It is of no use; we can never satisfy them so that they will go away and do anything; besides, we will starve ourselves.” At this remark my associates laughed heartily, and I awoke. At first it seemed but a little, foolish dream; but presently there flashed upon my mind an—
APPLICATION.—The company at the table represent congregations of believers hungering for the word of life. Those dealing out the food represent the ministers whose business it is to break the bread of life to the people. The large pieces, like billets of wood with so little food attached, represent the sermons so filled with self and inappropriate matter, and so nearly destitute of that which the people really need to promote spiritual life and growth, that the people hear and hear and hear, with an aching void in the heart, an emptiness of soul, a hungering never satisfied, and go forth in the world utterly incompetent to bring forth fruit unto everlasting life.
Not all ministers feed the flock such unsatisfying food; had all done so, the poor flock would have famished long ago. Some there are whose souls, imbued with the love of God, are constrained thereby to give to the household of faith meat in due season, and in due proportion. Let us whose duty it is to feed the flock of God, so break the bread of life that we may be reckoned among this number when the Master comes to take account of his servants. Truly happy will all such be when invited by Jesus to enter into the joys of their Lord.
H. A. St. John,
Courage and Nobility of Heart
—Be courageous and noble-minded; our own heart, and not other men's opinions of us, form our true honor.—Schiller.
TO LAZY MINISTERS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Are there really any lazy, indolent ministers? Alas! yes, plenty of them. It is easier for a minister to fall into indolent habits than for a person in any other calling. Others have to work hard or starve; be prompt and put in full time or lose their place; work with all their might and tact or fail. But the minister is left more to his own ways; to arise when he gets ready, to put in his appointments thick or thin, to read or write, to visit much or little, just as he feels. If little is accomplished, it is easy to lay it to the Devil, to hard hearts, to the unpopular truth, etc.; but the judgment will show that it was his own indolence that was the trouble.
Bishop Simpson well said: “The approbation of Christ on human efforts was given in the words, ‘She hath done what she could;’ and when a minister does all he can,—when he brings his all of strength, and study, and skill, and tact, and prayer,—when he has exhausted all the resources which God hath put in him, then divine power accomplishes the rest. But if the preacher expects divine power to supplement his indolence in the study, his waste of time in frivolous conversation, his hours spent in amusements, his waste of opportunities and energies, no wonder that he shall be disappointed. To him the divine voice is: ‘Cursed is he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully.’ He is Ananias holding back part of the price.”—Lectures on Preaching, pp. 212, 213.
Of all men who should be on fire with zeal and energy in his work, the minister, who has eternal destinies in his hands, should be first.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
KANSAS
EMPORIA.—I am still laboring here, and expect to remain until the 18th. Precious souls are embracing the truth every week. Our workers have invited me to visit now, where a short time ago there was much prejudice that people would hardly read our publications. Although we have labored here seven months, there appears no reason for discontinuing the work, as the prospect for good results is more encouraging now than at any time before. I hold preaching service Sabbaths and first days, and do colporting during the week. GEO. H. SMITH.
CHARD, MOUND CITY, AND CENTERVILLE.—11, 12, we held three meetings with the friends at Chard. Found them still maintaining their meetings and Sabbath-school. The enemy had been busying to tear down the work there, and as a result they were faltering; but courage was restored, and we believe the vine planted there will yet bear fruit to the glory of God.
April 18, 19, held seven meetings at Mound City. As the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated, the Spirit of the Master seemed near, and all felt to rejoice in the privilege. Sunday, one young man was baptized, and admitted into church fellowship.
April 25, 26, I was at Centerville. This is the oldest church in the State. Although the truth has been preached here a long time, there is still quite an interest to hear. The attendance at our meetings was large. This shows what can be done when people are circumspect. The Lord gave freedom in speaking, and we took courage in sowing the seed, for we believed some was falling on good ground. T. H. GRAY.
Wisconsin Church Meetings: Victory, Macford, Plainfield, Spring Lake
Wisconsin.
VICTORY AND MACFORD.—I held four meetings with the church at Victory, in Vernon Co., the Sabbath and first day in April. I found all of good courage in the Lord, and left them with increased faith. The nature of our work was presented to them, many ways pointed out in which we can work for the Lord to advance his cause, especially by bringing all the tithes, which they all agreed to do faithfully.
May 2, 3, I was with the Macford church in Lake county, where I was pleased to find the spiritual condition much better than it was last fall. The meetings were excellent. Several not of our faith were much interested. This church promised faithfully in tithing. I. SANBORN.
March 22, closed meetings at Spring Lake, and few accepted the present truth. Sabbath, March 28, met with the believers at Leach school-house, about three miles from Spring Lake, where are held regular Sabbath meetings and Sabbath-school. First, March 29, held a meeting two and one-half miles from Wild Rose, in the Christian church of which we offered the free use. The house was well filled. March 30, 31, I held two evening meetings three miles north of Wautoma, where is one Sabbath-keeping family. On the evening of April 1 I met with the brethren at Leach school-house.
April 3, was with the Plainfield church at their quarterly meeting; remained over Monday. God’s blessing was signally felt through the meetings. This church is growing in spiritual strength. During the week I called on some of the scattered believers. April 12, was with the church at Stearns Point, and the quarterly meeting with them. Some here felt they had not been faithful in paying tithes, and promised they would give the Lord his due. April 13, 14, I held two evening meetings at Almond. April 16, went to Pilot Knob, and on the next evening held a meeting.
Sabbath morning, April 18, went to Adams church. Was very much pleased to see nearly all the brethren and sisters, with their children, at the meeting, without notice of my coming. I found that there was such a good interest in the Sabbath-school, with old and young. I remained over two Sabbaths. The effort here was much blessed. A deacon was chosen and ordained. Every family responded heartily that they believed that tithing was a Bible and systematic plan for the support of the laborer, and that they would practice what they believed. Six joined the church, one by baptism and three by vote. Family prayer and weekly prayer-meetings have been established. I left this church rejoicing in the Lord. H. R. JOHNSON.
—Not a single faithful word is ever uttered, but it does not repeat itself in echoes till it reaches the throne of God. Not a noble deed is ever done, however obscurely, that is not chronicled in heaven.
INDIANA
Plymouth and Bourbon.—I visited the little company at Plymouth April 28, and found them all of good courage in the Lord. I endeavored to set before them the importance of keeping God’s commandments, and forsaking the pleasures of this world. The Lord came very near by his Holy Spirit.
Was with the Bourbon company Sabbath, May 2, and took part in their Sabbath-school, after which I gave them a short discourse on the need of consecration to the Lord. R. J. STUREMAN.
May 3.
Among the Churches.—Beginning March 19 at Forest Chapel, I continued to labor among the churches in Dist. No. 5 until April 20, at which time I left that field to attend the State meeting at Rochester.
I held nine meetings at Forest Chapel; then went to Northfield and held ten meetings in connection with their quarterly services and tract and missionary meeting; thence to Noblesville, where ten services were held. Three persons were baptized and added to the church. A good missionary interest is manifest in this church; and the best report of the society since its organization was secured at that meeting. From Noblesville I went to Mechanicsburg, Eld. Rees joining me on the way there. We held nine services. Four were baptized and added to the church, three of them having made a start when Eld. Lane and the writer held a series of meetings there in the winter. At Noblesville and Mechanicsburg Vigilant Missionary societies were organized, which will meet every week. The subject of tithing was thoroughly set before the friends at the three places last mentioned, and unanimously indorsed.
From Mechanicsburg I returned to Forest Chapel, in company with Bro. Rees, where we held six meetings, and baptized ten persons who had previously started in the way of obedience. These, with the six who had preceded them in the truth, and the four or five others who have requested baptism when we return late in May, are soon to be organized into a church. They have a growing Sabbath-school of over thirty members. Wm. COVERT.
TEXAS
By R. M. Kilgore
APRIL 12, the meetings in Delta county closed with a good interest, and several keeping the Sabbath. Future meetings were appointed, which were left in charge of one of the brethren. April 14, was at Arkada, Fannin Co. I have recently baptized three more willing souls at that place. April 18, 19, I met with the friends at Ferris, and organized a church of eight members. Twenty-two adults are keeping the Sabbath, and their Sabbath-school numbers thirty-one.
April 20 I met with the church at Dallas; ordained an elder, and left the brethren in union and harmony. On the receipt of important letters, we were compelled to take up the appointment for Decatur, and get ready for our journey to the North by the 26th. At Navasota, Texas, we found the waters high, and wash-outs prevented our train from advancing. Here we were delayed from Tuesday till the following Saturday. While waiting, the citizens, learning that we were among the passengers, invited me to speak to them in the Opera hall. I spoke four times, twice on the advent, and twice on the Sabbath question, to large and appreciative audiences. This closes our labor in Texas, we having been here just eight years and two days. Letters addressed to us at Battle Creek, Mich., will be received most easily for the present.
R. M. KILGORE.
SWITZERLAND
By D. T. Bourdeau
GENEVA, APRIL 21.—Since closing my last report, I have spent one Sabbath at Bâle and one at Chaux-de-Fonds, and am now located in this city. At Bâle I spoke once in English and once in French, and enjoyed a precious season in celebrating the ordinances. God drew especially near to his people by his Spirit. The presence and good words of our dear Bro. Kellogg and Coggeshall from America, added to the interest, and called to our remembrance many interesting scenes and events in the history of this cause for more than a quarter of a century. Such interviews make us long for the grand reunion of the saints at Christ's coming.
At Chaux-de-Fonds seventeen persons decided to be immersed at their earliest opportunity. Others who were absent intend also to move forward. From this point Bro. Albert Vuilleumier went to the valleys of Piedmont, Italy, to engage in the work of colporting. Bro. Ademar Vuilleumier helps in the same kind of work in this city. D. T. BOURDEAU.
OHIO
By D. E. Lindsey
I BEGAN meetings at the home of Bro. Irwin, near Fredericktown, April 29, and closed last evening. Our meetings were deeply interesting, and last Sunday I baptized five converts. Since our meeting here in January, the “dragonic spirit” has been manifested in closing the township hall against us. Two subscriptions for REVIEW AND HERALD have been taken during this meeting. D. E. LINDSEY.
MAINE
By A. O. Burrell
HARTLAND, APRIL 28.—We spent eighteen days with this church, and held thirty-one meetings and several Bible readings; and although it has been in the “breaking up time,” the attendance was good. Our brethren and sisters were faithful in being present at the meetings. Five embraced the Sabbath, and as many more were reclaimed from a backslidden state. Three were added to the church, and a general awakening took place. We hope God’s Spirit has wrought a permanent work for this people. Vol. IV., “Great Controversy,” has been exerting a good influence here, as it is sure to do everywhere it is placed. About twenty-five dollars’ worth of our books were sold, most of which were the writings of Sr. White. Bro. Goodrich filled our appointment at Conville and greatly assisted in the meetings here. This church agreed to pay their tithes into the Conference treasury. While we hope for better days for this church, we take new courage in the work.
A. O. BURRELL.
NORTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE.
By Chas. L. Boyd
Soon after my last report, I spent a little time with Bro. Ward near West Chehalem, Or., where he has been laboring for some time. We organized a tract society, and a church of ten members, and hope others will soon be added to their number.
April 17 I went to Clarke Co., W. T., and held a few meetings where Bro. Reed labored last winter. One family at that time took a decided stand. Others are undecided still. One man walked ten miles, and another fourteen miles, to attend my meetings, and they were present at all or nearly all the discourses. I visited their families, and five who had never before kept the Sabbath signed the covenant. We here saw signal evidence of the work of the Spirit of God. Another man who has recently commenced to keep the Sabbath from reading, attended these meetings. I hope that a church may yet be organized.
CHAS. L. BOYD.
MINNESOTA
By D. P. Curtis
FAIRMONT, MAY 4.—Bro. Merrell and myself commenced meetings, April 14, at the Centennial school-house, eight miles from Fairmont. Considering that it was in seeding time, we had a good attendance, and the attention was excellent until we came to canvass the testing question, when the way became too strait for quite a number, and they staid away. A local minister threw in a sermon on Sunday as an opiate, though without mentioning the Sabbath; another preacher gave a sermon with a like design the next Sunday. We gave sixteen discourses in all, visited some fourteen families, distributed reading matter, and obtained one subscription for the REVIEW. Three candid, intelligent persons commenced to serve and obey God, two of whom had never made a public profession of faith in Christ until after hearing our preaching. The brethren within reach gave commendable help by their presents, and Bro. Grant was with us at three meetings. We closed yesterday, but Bro. Merrell will continue to labor in the vicinity for a time. D. P. CURTIS.
Now the fount is open;
Sinner, why delay?
Though your sins are crimson,
Wash them all away.
Soon will end probation,
Fires of wrath will burn;
Risk not your salvation.
Will you Jesus spurn?
CHORUS:—Then turn, oh! turn
From all your evil ways;
Heed the Saviour’s welcome
While for you he prays.
Christ is now your refuge—
Quickly to him hie;
If your sins o’ertake you,
For them you must die.
Soon the gates of mercy
Will be shut for aye;
Would you find an entrance,
Come without delay.
CHORUS:
Christ is interceding
By his Father’s throne;
Now for you he’s pleading—
Will you Jesus own?
Love, adore, obey him
Who for sinners bled,
Lest the sword of vengeance
Smite your guilty head.
CHORUS:
GENERAL MEETING FOR DAKOTA.
By A. D. Olsen
THERE will be a general meeting of the Dakota Tract Society, at Iroquois, May 22-25. We hope our brethren will make a special effort to attend this meeting. The time of our camp-meeting is drawing near, and there are some things for which we should plan at once. The Sabbath-school work will receive special attention. The tent will be pitched in which to hold the meetings, and ample accommodations will be furnished for all who attend. Come to this meeting praying for and expecting God's blessing. The times demand greater earnestness and zeal than ever before. A. D. OLSEN, Pres.
Indiana Quarterly Meeting.
By S. H. Lane; W. A. Young
The meeting was held at Rochester, Ind., April. There was quite a general attendance of our members from various parts of the State. The wants of the cause in this State were freely discussed, and it was decided to locate one tent at Marion, one in Madison Co., one in the south-eastern, one in the north-western, and one in the north-eastern part of the State.
It was voted that the Conference Committee be instructed to secure some suitable person, as soon as possible, to take charge of the canvassing work, and the Committee also encourage persons to engage in colporting who are qualified for that work. The field of city missions was considered, and Bro. [illegible] and Randolph were chosen to assist Eld. Bartlett and [illegible] in the Indianapolis mission. Much interest was created by Eld. Bartlett's statement of experiences in the work in Indianapolis. It is desired that our brethren and sisters be more liberal in donations for the mission than they have been. It was suggested that “mission gardens” be planted, the entire profits of which may go to the sustenance of mission work.
The report of tract and missionary labor during last quarter was read by districts, much interest being developed by a blackboard exercise showing the relative amount of labor done per member reporting.
The directors reported an increasing interest in the work in their respective districts.
The following resolution was offered, and adopted unanimously:—
Whereas, The REVIEW AND HERALD has made very liberal offers to new subscribers, in giving a dictionary as a premium to such; therefore—
Resolved, That we appreciate its offers, and will use our efforts to give this valuable paper a deservedly wide circulation.
It was decided to hold our annual camp-meeting at Logansport. It was thought best to assess each district a given amount, in order to meet the expense of supplying the Indianapolis mission with tracts, etc. It was also decided to try to get a missionary rack placed in the Union depot at Indianapolis, and one hundred dollars was pledged to support such a rack.
The office of president being rendered vacant by Eld. Lane's departure for England, Eld. Wm. Covert was by a unanimous vote elected to fill that position for the remainder of the term. Remarks were made by Eld. Lane, upon the progress of the cause in this Conference. Eld. Henderson then offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote:—
Resolved, That it is the feeling of this Conference that Eld. S. H. Lane has served them faithfully and successfully for a period of above eight years as president of this Conference, and that it is with feelings of the deepest regret we are called upon to part with him; and that our love, prayers, and sympathy shall follow him to whatever field of labor he may be called.
Eld. J. P. Henderson was selected to act as vice-president of the tract society. The work of the Signs and “Sunshine” canvass was considered at some length. The following preamble and resolution were adopted:—
Whereas, The Signs of the Times is an excellent missionary paper, and should have a wide circulation throughout the field, and thus aid in giving the warning of the third angel’s message; therefore—
Resolved, That we deem it the duty of all our churches to take clubs for use in missionary work.
This meeting was characterized throughout by brotherly love and tenderness of feeling. The work must not, cannot, will not fail; for it is the Lord’s.