Review and Herald, Vol. 38, No. 2.
The Breadth of the Earth; or, the East and the WestPage 1
Earlier text: The Breadth of the Earth; or, the East and the WestOutward Services.
By George Ide Butler
In religious duty, as set forth in the Bible, there are two classes of service which are obligatory upon all who acknowledge its authority. Let us consider their relation to each other, and the relative importance of each, and the object to be accomplished by them respectively. One of these classes I designate outward services, the other is the effort to attain that condition of character which is acceptable to God and in harmony with his law. In the former we include, under the old dispensation, the sacrificial system and all those positive institutions contained in the law of Moses, and the outward acts of worship; and in the new dispensation, those ordinances pointing back to Christ, such as the Lord’s supper and baptism, attending and taking part in religious meetings, and the outward performance of devotion, and other things. In the latter is comprehended the heart service which results in love to God and man, and the development of the principles of justice, mercy, and truth, in our souls. It is perhaps needless to say that the latter is that which is acceptable to God, and the object of the former in God’s economy is merely as a means to the attainment of the latter, and that when this is lacking, the former is utterly worthless and even an abomination in the sight of Heaven. This may seem strong language, but it is fully warranted by the Scriptures. “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6: 6–8. “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.” Hosea 6: 6. “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord. I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear [margin, to be seen] before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands [evidently to pray], I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear.” Why does the Lord thus express himself to the house of Israel? Every one of these things he here speaks of were specially commanded by him in the law, and at times the Lord complains that this very kind of service was not rendered by them. Why then did the Lord complain when these services were so freely rendered? Why was he not willing to hear their prayers? Does not God desire his people to pray? Let the prophet answer: “Your hands are filled with blood. Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isa. 1: 11–17. The first class of services were abhorrent to God unless the great principles of mercy, justice, and truth, were found in the heart. Our Saviour says, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matt. 23: 23. Both were obligatory, and the neglect of paying tithes is even declared by the prophet Malachi to be robbing God. Yet these outward services are not acceptable without the great principles of righteousness and mercy are in the heart. Nay, they are utterly useless, and even serve as a blind to those who are inquiring the way to God, by leading them to think this is sufficient when it is not. I have been thus particular in giving these plain testimonies of Scripture because there is such a disposition in the human heart to accept this service as being all that is required. Satan tries to hinder us first from making any effort to serve God at all. If he fails in this, then his effort is to misdirect the mind to those things which are wholly insufficient to bring us to a condition to be saved. What multitudes has he deceived in this manner! The pagans who have forgotten the true God have faculties that lead them to worship something. The gods they worship represent their standard of excellence; and it is of such a character as we should suppose Satan would be pleased to have man aim at, many times combining murder, adultery, and kindred abominations. Attached to their worship are seen many ceremonies of a gorgeous character to entice the popular mind, and very many painful, sanguinary rites. It is wonderful what zeal is manifested in their worship in contrast with the apathy of many in the service of a holy God. Men make the most painful pilgrimages, sometimes rolling over the ground doubled like a hoop, at other times stretching themselves on the earth repeatedly measuring hundreds of miles in this manner, at others holding the arm in some painful position for such a length of time that it grows fast and cannot be changed, and perhaps destroying themselves at last by being crushed beneath the idol car or burned upon the funeral pile. What zeal the devil inspires in the hearts of his votaries. But it will be noticed that his worship never leads to such graces as humility, meekness, mercy, and purity. Those fruits never grow on that tree. When we come to those systems of religion which have apostatized from the Christian, we see the same principle. In the Catholic and Greek churches what an endless round of ceremonies! Ordinances are thought to possess a saving power. Every one familiar with church history knows to what an extent bodily mortifications and the observance of rites have been carried. Outward worship of the most pompous and dazzling character is ever seen; but when we inquire for meekness, love, mercy, and justice, we are answered by the cries of martyrs stretched upon racks, and the crackling flames of the stake, consuming the confessors of Jesus. The national, established churches called Protestant, are fast following in the steps of the “mother church.” The movement of the ritualists of the Episcopal church is but an evidence of the truth on this point. They are trying to ingraft upon their former practice all the rites of the Catholic church. And is it not a fact that in the great mass of Protestant churches to-day the service of God is principally seen in attending meeting, listening to preaching, and such forms and ceremonies as are thought to be obligatory upon Christians. And to bring the matter closer to us, I fear the same principle is seen manifested to an alarming extent among us. How many there are who seem to be satisfied with the mere form of outward service, and comparatively little of that. The truth is, there is a strong disposition of heart in humanity to be satisfied with this kind of service—an alarming danger on our part of resting easy while going the round of outward forms. If we have been baptized, if we have partaken regularly of the Lord’s supper, if we have attended meeting and outwardly kept the Sabbath, if we make our morning and evening prayer, if we have adopted the health reform, we then are pretty certain to consider ourselves Christians, all prepared for translation. On the contrary, those things in themselves never will make us Christians at all. To be a Christian, is to be a follower of Christ, to be actuated by the same principles, to possess the same traits of character, to love the same things he loved. He says, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” The will of God he was ever ready to do, whether pleasant for the time being or otherwise. He was not mainly intent on caring for his own interests, but felt specially interested for others. If we are his followers, we shall do as he did. The character of Christ was just such a one as the law of God, carried out, would perfect in us. “He was the end [object aimed at] of the law,” a living exemplification of its principles. These principles must be wrought in our hearts in indelible characters. Without this work is going on, all outward service is worthless, utterly worthless. But the very object of these outward services is to aid us to accomplish this work. Baptism and the Lord’s supper point vividly back to those great events in the life of our divine Example upon which our salvation turns. He died for us, was buried, and rose again. How important for us to realize and keep in memory these facts, if we are going to imitate his life. Attending meeting is a great assistance in the attainment of the principles of holiness referred to, as the importance of them and the objects to be gained by their attainment are there impressed upon the mind. Without prayer we never could gain strength to carry out these principles. By wrong habits of living we may bring our bodies and minds into such a condition that we should find great difficulty in perceiving or appreciating the truth, or carrying it out if we did perceive it. The health reform may be a mighty help to us in many ways in that transformation of character required of us in the Scriptures. But eating and drinking, and in and of themselves alone considered, will never commend us to God. It is a character fitted for Heaven that will be admitted into Heaven. That transformation must be wrought in this world. Justice, mercy, and humbly walking with God, love for others, a meek and quiet spirit, a faithfulness in all the little acts of life, reverence for God, submission to his will, love of obedience, strict integrity of character as though we saw God’s eye upon us every moment, these, and such as these are the principles in which God will be well pleased, and without them all the outward services in the world are utterly valueless. Knoxville, Iowa, May 29, 1871. Brother, you may work for Jesus;
God has given you a place
In some portion of his vineyard,
And will give sustaining grace.
He has bidden you to labor,
And has promised a reward—
Even joy and life eternal
In the kingdom of your Lord. Brother, you may pray for Jesus,
In your closet and at home,
In the village, in the city,
Or wherever you may roam;
Pray that he would send the Spirit
Into some dear sinner’s heart,
And that in his soul’s salvation
You may bear some humble part. Brother, you may sing for Jesus;
Oh! how precious is his love!
Praise him for his boundless blessings,
Ever coming from above;
Sing how Jesus died to save you,
How your sin and guilt he bore;
How his blood hath sealed your pardon,
Sing for Jesus evermore. Brother, you may live for Jesus,
Him who died that you might live;
O, then all your ransomed powers
To his service freely give;
Thus for Jesus you may labor,
And for Jesus sing and pray;
Consecrate your life to Jesus—
Love and serve him every day.
—Sel. Is it Egotism?
By Roswell F. Cottrell
THE cause of God calls for devotion and sacrifice. The people need to be aroused to take part in the work. The number of believers is increasing, and many need to learn how the proclamation of the third angel's message has worked its way to its present position; how it has been sustained by arduous labor, self-denial, and sacrifice, in order to understand their duty to engage in bearing the burdens of the work. God has called Bro. and sister White to take the most leading part in the work. Satan hates the cause of God, and directs his assaults particularly against those at the head of the work. He raises false accusations against them, in order to keep people from embracing the truth that will save them. He stirs up jealousies against them, in order to divide those who believe, and thus hinder the work. Hence it becomes necessary that the moral character and course of these servants of God should be vindicated from these vile aspersions, for the advancement of the cause and the salvation of men. God chooses those to lead in his work whose character and conduct are above reproach. And if Satan can make it appear that our leaders are vile and selfish persons, it is his strongest argument against the truth of God which we hold and advocate. Therefore their true character must be known, and the course they have pursued understood. And all lovers of the truth must and should feel a deep interest to have them vindicated from defamation, and to have their exemplary labors and sacrifices known, so that their zeal may provoke others to follow their example. 2 Cor. 9:2. Is it egotism for them to speak of these things, stating the facts themselves? Perhaps others are at fault that they are compelled to do so. But they know the facts better than any one individual, and therefore can state them best. Was Paul to blame for commending himself when he was compelled to it for the good of the cause? 2 Cor. 12:11. Was he wrong to refer to his abundant labors, his stripes, imprisonments, perils, and sacrifices, in the cause of Christ? Chap. 11:23–28. Was it egotistical for the prophet Samuel to demand of the people: “Whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?” 1 Sam. 12:3. Was it wrong for Moses to vindicate himself in his administration as a leader in Israel? Num. 16:15. No. Let those who love the prosperity of the cause of God stand by those whom he has chosen to lead in his work. And, for the sake of the truth and the salvation of men, defend them from calumny, and thus wrest from Satan his strongest argument against the truth. The Lord has said, “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord,” and such he chooses for his work. God will certainly honor those who stand up for his chosen servants, and repel the attacks of those who would traduce them.
R. F. COTTRELL. Trials and Temptations.
By John Matteson
Do not marvel, dear reader, if you find many hard trials and temptations in your pathway. These all work for our good when borne with patience and resignation. And, by the grace of God, we can be victorious, having our loins girt about with truth, covering ourselves with the shield of faith, wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6. Such a warfare is very useful to us. It exercises and strengthens our faith. The precious gold is tried and purified by fire. So likewise is our faith proved and strengthened by temptations. Sometimes we are overcome on account of our ignorance or weakness. This is pitiful and shameful; yet it should not cause us to give up or cease the struggle. “If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2. Jesus will kindly receive us when we come unto him, even though we have been wanderers or backsliders. The lukewarm he will spew out of his mouth in the great and final day; but still sweet mercy lingers. His counsel to such is to be zealous, and repent. Rev. 3. Let us then come to Jesus, even if we have to come all covered with shame. Let the heart be broken. Let anguish pain the soul. Such shame and pain are very small compared to the shame and torment which will be ours in the great day if we are found wanting. What incalculable loss and infinite misfortune then to get a place assigned unto us outside of the city in the lake of fire; but how sweet the words will sound: “Come, ye blessed of my Father.” Dear reader, the desire of my soul is, that we may together be saved. Think how small our sacrifices, self-denial, and tribulations, are, compared with the exceeding glory, which will soon be revealed. Let us then not pray to God for easy times; for that is not the way of salvation; nor let us ask to be free from trials and tribulations, for only through these can we be purified and prepared for the kingdom; neither let us murmur under distressing circumstances, on the dark and dreary days. Let us rather say: Lord, thou knowest best what is for my real good. May the Lord give us patience and longsuffering, and willing and submissive hearts; then we can say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” 1 Sam. 3:9. “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21. Then will we learn to understand that the greatest happiness and sweetest peace on earth are not to be found in temporal enjoyments or luxuries, nor in gratifying our fleshly desires and having our own way; but they are to be found in communion with God, and in sweet submission to his holy will. “Not as I will, but as thou wilt,” were the humble, submissive words of our blessed Saviour, in that hour of deep anguish when his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Matt. 26. Such submission gives sweet and true peace in the soul, and strength in the hour of temptation. Many earthly things and enjoyments make fair promises, but they have all a bitter sting, which is full of poison. Often deceived by the allurements of the world and the flesh, we do not perceive the terrible danger, before it is very difficult to return to the Lord. The yoke of Jesus alone is easy and his burden is the only burden that is truly light. Sweet yoke of Christ! may we all learn to wear it willingly and joyfully. Then the heavenly joys and pure enjoyments of the world to come will be sweeter to our taste. Then we will long to be with Christ. May this heavenly desire increase until we shall become tired of this old, sin-cursed earth, and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory at the revelation of our blessed Saviour. We Should not Be Ruled by our Feelings.
By JOS. CLARKE.
A VERY devoted and godly minister who had been the means of the conversion of many souls, was often oppressed by a sense of his own unworthiness; and sometimes he felt this most deeply when about to preach. He observed that after such experiences, his labors in the work of God were crowned with more success than at other times. Now suppose that when he was about to preach, feeling, as he describes, such a sense of his unworthiness and weakness as sometimes almost to overcome his physical strength, he had given way to this feeling, and had made known this irresolution and weakness to his congregation, which being composed of various classes of minds, might have come to as various conclusions. None of them would have been benefited or pleased by such a self-dissection, in a promiscuous assembly, and would have returned as unaffected and hardened as before. Instead of this, this minister forgot his own condition in his ardent desire to save his flock; and determined that whatever his own chances were for eternal life, he would adapt his discourse to the condition and wants of his hearers. As he proceeded, light filled his soul, and his words entered the hearts of his people. Saints were strengthened, and sinners were alarmed, convicted, and in time converted. So should we study what is duty and never run from it, because of discouragement; but go on in the fear and love of God; so shall light arise and darkness shall flee away. Thus will Satan be foiled in his plans, and victories will crown the labor of the just. JOS. CLARKE. We often lack nothing to be joyous but a little more simplicity in Christ. Western Tour.
By James White
We were very sad not to be able to attend the Illinois Camp-meeting. It would have given us great pleasure to meet old friends of that State in annual convocation, had we been in a condition to enjoy such a meeting, and to contribute to its general interest. But Mrs. W. was ill with severe cold, and we were hoarse from too much speaking at the Knoxville Camp-meeting. In this condition we decided to rest one week at Washington, Iowa, and be in better condition to labor at the La Porte Camp-meeting. June 15, we reached La Porte, and found a much larger meeting than we expected. Beside the large congregation tent, the speakers' stand, and the provision tent, there were fifteen family tents. The ground was fine, and well prepared. The people of the village treated our meeting with great respect. We spoke in the evening of the 15th to a large congregation of very attentive hearers. We were told that the business places of the town were closed at 8 P. M. by consent, and that La Porte was out to hear. We spoke once on the 16th, and became very hoarse. Evidences of failing health led to painful reflections as to what might be the result of struggling through the amount of labor thrown upon us by our people. Certainly, while trying to accomplish so much, dividing our time and strength into so many departments, we can do nothing well, and will be sure in a short time to break down entirely. If we are able to speak to the people, it will be a pleasure to attend the camp-meetings. But in order for this, contributors to our several periodicals should give them especial attention in our absence from the Office. On sixth-day, near the commencement of the Sabbath, at a special appointment, we spoke freely to our people in reference to these matters, stating that unless relief should immediately come, we should be compelled to leave the work entirely. We spoke of the inefficiency of a very large portion of the church at Battle Creek, which made our labors more difficult and wearying, of the importance of having picked men in the church at the head of the work, and how very difficult it was to induce such as were needed to take up their residence in, or near, Battle Creek. For a time the introduction of these matters had a depressing influence upon the meeting. But Sabbath was a good day. The rain had laid the dust and cooled the atmosphere. Social meetings were good, and our congregations numbered not far from one thousand, who listened to the word spoken with marked attention. About forty came forward for prayers, and the brethren and sisters seemed moved to deeper interest in the work. On Sunday, the congregation was probably as large as at any of our camp-meetings in the West. And what seemed wonderful in such a vast assembly, all, without a single exception, as far as we were able to judge, conducted themselves in a manner which showed that they had respect for themselves and for the services of the occasion. La Porte City is a pleasant town on the Burlington, Cedar Falls, and Minnesota Railroad, twelve miles from Waterloo, the seat of Blackhawk County. Around La Porte is a most rich and beautiful farming country. There is much of the New England element in this community. And for real enterprise, inquiring minds, and candor, they are hardly excelled by any community. On the 19th, twenty-five were immersed by Eld. Butler, in the Cedar river, in the presence of a large and candid congregation. In the evening, Mrs. W. spoke to a very attentive audience on the subject of health reform. And on the morning of the 20th, the brethren took down their tents, and left for their homes, all feeling that they had enjoyed a good meeting. The editors of the “La Porte City Progress,” who attended our meeting, more or less, being desirous of getting facts relative to our people, our camp-meetings, and other matters, we helped them to the leading items in the following liberal and candid report, which appeared in their issue of June 21, 1871: The Seventh-day Adventists have just closed their camp-meeting, held near this village, commencing on the 15th and closing on the 19th. Having held a much larger meeting of this kind, in connection with their annual State Conference in Marion County, June 1 to 5, this meeting was not as large as their usual annual camp-meetings. These meetings are regarded as very important by them to the building up of their cause, and are annual occasions of a general rally from all parts of the several States where they are held. The present season they hold them in Missouri, twice in Iowa, once in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. These meetings call immense crowds, especially on Sunday. It has been estimated that La Porte and vicinity turned out on last Sunday, not far from four thousand people. Such a vast turnout of people on an occasion like this speaks well for the piety and morality of the place. The grounds are selected with a design to secure ample shade, good water, a central and accessible point for themselves, and for the assembling of the people. Their grounds are prepared and seated with a becoming taste, which gives them an inviting appearance. Their family tents are generally made of duck, and are sufficiently heavy to shelter them in a violent storm. They also have at their camp-meetings one or more large congregation tents, used to lodge strangers, and in which to hold service in case of rain. The meetings are characterized with earnestness on the part of the speakers, and great freedom in their social services, all the brethren and sisters taking part, and at the same time seem free from that confusion and meaningless noise which have too often been witnessed at meetings of the kind. The managers design to treat all with kindness and true Christian courtesy, which is ever reciprocated by the intelligent and candid. Good order is thus secured and the best of feelings preserved. Their church organization is simply as follows: They have an annual General Conference which takes the entire oversight of their cause everywhere, composed of delegates from their State Conferences. Their State Conferences are made up of delegates from their churches. They have no settled pastors. Their preaching elders are all evangelists, laboring from place to place, under the general supervision of a conference committee of three. Each church has local elders, deacons, and other officers usual to other denominations. The ministry, as well as the cause generally among them, is sustained by a plan which is called by them “Systematic Benevolence.” It is drawn up somewhat like the ancient “tithing” system of the Jews, designed to secure a tenth of the annual increase from all their members. This system does not touch the principal; while it leaves nine-tenths of the increase also untouched, it calls for one-tenth of the increase. Acting upon the plan that all property, like money at interest, is worth ten per cent per annum, a “tithe” would be one per cent annually. Their system then calls for one dollar annually from each and every one hundred dollars held by the members. The equity of their system is apparent. It draws very lightly upon those in limited circumstances, while the greater drafts are upon those who do not feel them. This system, however, differs from the legal taxation to support the civil government, in that it is purely benevolent. While all their members are taught the importance of entertaining this system, it is not made a condition of membership. Believing that all gifts to sustain the cause should be free-will offerings, they are not anxious to obtain members whose gifts might be regarded as systematic compulsion. Their members generally enter this arrangement from a choice worthy of the name—“Systematic Benevolence.” They have at Battle Creek, Mich., a legally organized publishing association, with a capital of $50,000, which publishes a weekly paper entitled THE ADVENT REVIEW; also a semi-monthly sheet, The Youth’s Instructor, and a monthly magazine entitled The Health Reformer. Besides these, they publish and circulate by sales and gratuitously, sixty different theoretical and practical works, varying from a tract of a few pages up to several volumes of 400 pages each. Large editions of these are reprinted on their steam press, and are circulated with great activity. The rapid increase of their publishing work makes it necessary for them to put up a second building this season, at a cost of $10,000. The grand principle of interpretation with them is simply to accept the Bible as meaning what it says, excepting where the text and the context clearly show that a parable or figure is used. With this rule they regard the declarations of Scripture relative to the second coming of Christ, as meaning just what they say: “If I go away, I will come again.”—JESUS. “The Lord himself shall descend from Heaven.”—PAUL. While they regard the event as near at hand, they hold that the definite time is purposely hidden from man. With this rule governing them in their relation to truth and duty, they accept the moral code of the ten commandments as it reads, and thus they are led to observe the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath of the Lord. They hold that if that moral code has been revised, and if the fourth precept has been changed, the Scriptures will distinctly teach how and when this was done; and until a revised copy of the original can be shown, they decide it to be the safer part to observe that grand old document just as it reads. The above, or a large portion of it, was handed us by Eld. White, for which he will please accept our thanks. Eld. White is President of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, and editor of their denominational paper. We were desirous to publish something of the kind, and had no other way of gaining the desired information. We have attended many large congregations of people, and never before in our lives did we observe so much good order and becoming behavior on the part of every one. This speaks volumes of praise, both for those who were conducting the exercises on the ground, and the citizens who repaired thither to hear what the strangers among us had to say. Besides the large tent, the commissary storehouse, and the speakers’ stand, we noticed tents from Washington, State Center, Marshall, Waterloo, three from La Porte City, West Union, Anamosa, Tama City, Waukon, Marion, Lisbon, Tipton, Pilot Grove, all in this State. There were many more items we intended to notice, such in part as the manner of conducting their exercises, the perfect method in doing everything, &c., &c., but our space will not permit it this week. On the morning of the 20th, as they were about to leave the ground, Eld. White offered the following resolution, which was unanimously passed: “Resolved. That with pleasure we express sincere thanks to the citizens of La Porte City for the liberal interest they have taken in our camp-meeting, the assistance they have given, and for the candor and respect manifested by the people who have assembled at our encampment.”
In reply to the above resolution, we have this to say in behalf of this community: That no difference of what religious faith our brother may be that comes to sojourn, for a season among us, nor how much we may differ with him in his religious sentiments, if he is a Christian at heart, it’s all we ask to insure kind treatment at our hands. For two days after the close of the camp-meeting, we found an excellent resting place at the home of Bro. and sister Ings. Here we rested weary brain and limbs, and enjoyed freedom of spirit. We visited several sick people, some of whom seem to have but a slight hold of this, and of the next, life. We felt the deepest sympathy for them; but for want of strength and time could do but little for them. Mrs. W. spoke in the large tent in the village the 21st, on the subject of health. Would that the people would learn how to live so as to enjoy life here; and that they would also lay hold of eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ, so as to have a strong hold on both worlds. On the 22d, we left La Porte, for the Wisconsin Camp-meeting. At Waterloo, Bro. and sister Barbee showed us many kindnesses, in helping us on our way, after a godly sort. We reached Freeport, at midnight, and at 7 A. M., took a freight train fifty miles to Clinton, and reached the ground sixth-day, the 23d, at 3 P. M. Mrs. W. is very weary, and stern necessity alone urges our weary pencil to give this imperfect sketch, ready to mail before the Sabbath. This encampment is truly beautiful. There is a good turnout of our people. Bro. Canright has left to join Bro. Butler in a course of lectures at La Porte. Here we are glad to meet brethren Littlejohn, Matteson, Sanborn, and others. After resting, we hope on the morrow to be able to join in the exercises of the meeting.