Review and Herald, Vol. 38, No. 2.
The Breadth of the Earth; or, the East and the WestPage 1
Earlier text: Outward ServicesAbhorrence of the Jews.
By Uriah Smith
A FEW days since, we met an individual who claimed to be a minister of the gospel, who also said that he was an Adventist, but not a Seventh-day Adventist; for he had such an abhorrence of everything that pertained to the Jews that he could have nothing to do with the seventh day. This remark revealed a misapprehension which exists very extensively at the present day, on two points; namely, first, that everything with which the Jews ever had to do, is to be rejected with scorn and detestation; and, secondly, that the seventh-day Sabbath, had its origin with that people, or was ever peculiarly a Jewish institution. What are the facts in the case? Why should Christians abhor those institutions which existed in the former dispensation, even those which were peculiarly Jewish? What is there in them to excite in us either hatred or disgust? These were the queries suggested by that remark. The Bible furnishes a clear answer to these questions; and any one who professes to be a teacher in Israel should read his Bible to better purpose than ever to be guilty of such a remark. 1. There is nothing to excite in us bitterness and hatred against the Jews in the reasons which led at first to their being set apart as the people of God. Abraham was chosen and made the father of the faithful, because he was found true and righteous in the midst of a generation of apostates from God. So Israel became the people of God, set apart and distinguished from the nations around them, because they alone among them all were found worthy to become the depositaries of divine truth and the guardians of the knowledge of God and his will in the earth. Let us honor their fidelity to God, at a time when all others had enlisted in the ranks of the devil. 2. It is nothing against them that God committed unto them his lively oracles, revealed to them his truth, and committed its care to their hands, chose from their tribes men to be the amanuenses of his written word, and proclaimed himself to be their God. All these were surpassing honors, which, though they might cause us to envy, should not lead us to abuse them. 3. It is nothing against the truths of God's word, the knowledge of himself, and his moral law, the lively oracles, that they were for a time committed to the only people who were worthy to have charge of them. 4. It is nothing against the Jews that God chose them as the people with whom to make both the covenants, under the second of which the Gentiles come in to share in the blessings of God's grace, and under which we now live. But some may ask, Was the new covenant made with the Jews? Listen to Paul: “To whom pertaineth the adoption,” says he, speaking of the Jews, “and the glory and the covenants [plural] and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever.” Rom. 9: 4, 5. And Paul, in writing to the Gentile Ephesians, says, 2: 12, 13, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants [plural again] of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” That is, those Gentiles, so long as they remained in their Gentile state, without an interest in the blood of Christ, were strangers from the covenants of promise, those covenants having been made with Israel and Judah. And this is in accordance with the promise of the new covenant; for God said that he would make it, not with the Gentiles, but with Israel and Judah. See Jer. 31: 31, and Heb. 8: 8. 5. It is nothing against the Jews, that the truth of God has come down through them to us. Stephen said, speaking as a Christian, that the Jews received the lively oracles to give unto us (Christians). Acts 7: 38. 6. It is nothing against the Jews, that they constitute the root and fatness of the olive tree into which God condescends to permit us, Gentiles, to be grafted. See Paul's beautiful illustration of this subject in Rom. 11: 17–24. Some of the branches of the good olive tree were broken off through unbelief, and branches from the wild olive tree, the Gentiles, were grafted in. Paul tells such not to boast against the branches, for thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. They were broken off, by unbelief, and thou standest by faith, says Paul; and if the Jew abides not in unbelief, he can come in again. That is, the Gentile comes in by believing, and the Jew can come in in the same way; and if God spared not the natural branches because of their unbelief, much less will he spare the ingrafted Gentile branches, if they indulge in the same sin. The Gentile in this matter has no privilege above the Jew; and Paul says in verse 25, that he wants them to understand that mystery, lest they be wise in their own conceits. But how many do become wise in their own conceits over this matter, and boast against the branches as though they were a race detested of God, and one that ought to be abused and detested of men; and as though the Gentiles had so commended themselves to God by their unparalleled virtue as to become the especial favorites of Heaven! Abhor, forsooth, that with which the Jews have ever had anything to do! Men would do better to abhor their own blindness. What have we of any good thing that has not come down to us through them? We enter into the new covenant made with them and share in its gracious provisions. We are engrafted into their olive tree. We bring no addition or blessing by coming in, but come in as helpless and undone beggars, to share in their blessings. Through them, we receive the law; of them, as concerning the flesh, Christ came; and salvation itself, said our Lord, is of the Jews. Yet men have an abhorrence of everything with which the Jews ever had to do. Can misconception, and may we not add, ignorance and bigotry, go farther than this? Their unbelief and rejection of Christ, we deplore. All that was typical in13 their system, pointing forward to Christ, has ceased because the antitype is come, and is no longer practiced. But the knowledge of God, the revelations of his word, and the principles of his moral law, are in no wise tarnished or weakened by coming through their hands. But the Sabbath was not an institution that originated with the Jewish dispensation any more than any other of the commandments of the moral law in which it is incorporated. This, with all the other parts of divine truth, was for a time committed to their hands for safe keeping. Faithfully they guarded their trust. And having received the lively oracles to give unto us, they have given them to us in the writings of the New Testament. The moral law, Sabbath and all, is the basis of the new covenant, as it was of the old, and it is the same law that is written upon the hearts of the disciples in this dispensation; and it will be written upon the hearts of all who enter in through the gates into the city, each gate of which is inscribed with the name of one of the tribes of the children of Israel. Let us honor the Jews for the good they have done, for the part they acted in the divine economy so long as they remained faithful. Let us receive with thankfulness and humility the blessings that have come to us through them. And let us pray that many of them may turn from their unbelief and share in the blessings of that covenant, in the benefits of which God would still be pleased to have them partakers. Practical Thoughts.
By John Nevins Andrews
TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.
This is the proper disposition of all our troubles. This, in short, is the grand secret of the Christian life. Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ might be ours continually, and no troubles of life would be sufficient to mar our abiding peace if we would but take every sorrow to the Son of God in prayer. In fact, these sorrows are all suffered for the very purpose of leading us to seek God. Alas! that we so often make our sorrows an occasion of rebellion and murmuring against him. Let us try the other method. Take it to the Lord in prayer. If you will do this, you will never fail of his help, and you will find peace and joy spring up in the bitterest sorrow. To be right in the sight of God is the great business of life, or rather the grand object which we hope to attain unto as our ultimate end. We shall be saved or lost according as we succeed, or as we fail in this work. Courage and patience are the grand elements of final success. God does not forsake those who faithfully serve him. Let us wait upon the Lord. God will help those who seek him with all the heart. The sacrifice of the spirit in giving up our own wills and our own ways is greater than that of money. God is our present help in every trouble. Therefore let us seek counsel and support from him who can help us in every season of distress, even those which are the most painful to bear. Fear not them which are able to destroy only the present life. Fear God alone. Never be weary of well-doing. Faith and patience must hold out. Life is swiftly hastening to its close. The great day of God is now very near at hand, and it hasteneth greatly. Now let us seek God, and with our whole hearts submit to him. If we do this, there is hope in God for us. Every day counts to the Christian in the heavenward journey. No matter whether it be pleasant or stormy, it brings us nearer to our final home. We have no days to lose. We have no time to spend in discouragement. Give every day to duty, and every day will count. Every night will bring us nearer the heavenly city than ever we were before. Still urge onward the weary journey, and we shall ere long lay down our heavy burden and enter rest. A LESSON FROM CHRIST’S EXAMPLE.
Our Lord wrought no miracles to gratify idle curiosity, or to satisfy the demands of those who would put him to the test. Satan first attempted to get our Lord to work miracles to prove his Messiahship to him. Luke 4. He did not succeed in the temptation. Afterward the Pharisees made a similar impudent demand, and with the like success. Matt. 12: 38–40. And when our Lord was upon trial for life, and stood before Herod, the same thing was demanded again. Luke 23: 8, 9. Our Lord’s steadfast refusal teaches us a great lesson. When scoffers demand that we prove to them that we are the people of God, we may not be under obligation to notice what they require. We are to give to every man that asketh us (in any proper manner) a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. 1 Pet. 3: 15. But our Lord has plainly forbidden us to cast pearls before swine. Matt. 7: 6. It is sometimes, at least, the wiser course to refrain from speaking. And when we encounter those who are nothing but scoffers, this is generally the case. It is better to accept reproof than to shield ourselves from it by excusing our faults. It is better to submit to God than to have our own way. We shall find God to be good, and Christ to be precious, if we only acquaint ourselves with them in the manner ordained in the Bible. And this knowledge is of infinite value to us. We should make no rash promises; yet it is right to vow, thoughtfully, discreetly, and advisedly, and then we should not fail to pay our vows. Eccl. 5: 1–5; Ps. 76: 11. Who is really on the Lord’s side? Those who prove true in the hour of trial. If we would be found thus, we must act with reference to it in everything each day of our lives. The truth of God is of priceless worth. Not merely that it instructs the mind in that which is excellent and lovely and of good report, but it points the way to the kingdom of God and teaches us how to walk therein. It warns us of every danger, and makes known to us our whole duty toward God, and toward our fellow-man. But truth which presents nothing for us to obey, cannot accomplish God’s purpose concerning us. For he designs to test our love and our fidelity. Therefore in his truth there come to us duties requiring active obedience and sacrifice on our part. Let us see that we fail not in these things. But if we would learn the truth, we must possess a teachable spirit, and we must have a heart willing to follow the Lord fully, though it cost us all. “If the prophet had bidden thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it?” 2 Kings 5: 13. Undoubtedly he would. And in this respect Naaman the Syrian represents mankind in general. We are all ready to obey if some great thing is to be performed. And like him we are quite averse to doing that which is only calculated to humble ourselves. What folly is this! It is the mercy of God no less than his wisdom that offers salvation in that way only, that causes this proud spirit in us to die. And before we can have a place in the kingdom of God, it must die so effectually that not one particle of it remains. We smile at the folly of pride in a man who had the loathsome leprosy. We think it strange that such a man could have so much dignity, that if he could not get rid of his disease in some great act, he did not want to get rid of it at all. Yet reader, Naaman the Syrian is but another name for yourself. You have a worse disease than that which he besought the prophet to heal. Sin is the dreadful leprosy prefigured in the Mosaic law. How proud are our hearts even when we come to be healed of sin. How anxious are we that sin shall be taken from us without self having to die. How we dread the humbling of the old man! And yet until we can receive the kingdom of God as a little child, we shall never enter therein. We have just one thing to do. It is to put off the old man, and to put on the new. When this is done, the lowest place will suit us best. And until that spirit really exists in us, we may be sure that we need converting to God. Venerable Words.
By Uriah Smith
The following extract we take from a work entitled, “The Morality of the Fourth Commandment,” issued in A. D. 1652. The date at which these thoughts were published, entitles them to the appellation of Venerable Words. But they state a truth which is more venerable still, even as old as the world itself. Long custom and old tradition—with what chains they bind the minds of men! Custom—how it arrays itself in the garb of conscience and passes itself off as that monitor of men’s hearts. And these two are almost invariably arrayed against the truth, and cause error to be received for truth. If ever there was an age of the world in which these facts should be borne in mind, and men should guard themselves against suffering their reason to be controlled by these influences, it is the present. We need not remark further. The reader will be interested in the extract, and will be able to make the application for himself: “Long custom and old tradition, strengthened with the wit and learning of men, doth so far prevail as to give credit and authority to error to be generally received for truth; and the tenure that most hold their practices in religion by, is not so much Scripture, the rule and guide of conscience, as custom and example, so as custom is oft turned into, and pleaded for as conscience. We should not wonder at the prejudices men take at truth; the greatest professors of it, have sometimes been the greatest opposers and most ignorant of it. Who studied the Messias more in prophecies, seemed more to long for his coming than the learned scribes and Pharisees with the high priests and Rabbins? Yet when he comes, they despise him, see no form nor beauty in him; account him a deceiver of the people; one possessed with the devil; hate him, persecute him, crucify him, imbrue their hearts and hands in his blood. One would have thought, of all others, they would have been most unlike to have acted that tragedy. Certain devout persons, Acts 13:50, were the greatest enemies to Paul. The greatest pretenders formerly to church discipline and reformation were the greatest enemies to it.” The same writer seems to look into the future with almost prophetic foresight. Truly glorious times have come for the discovery of truth since then, and distinguishing truths have been developed to try the obedience, love, and patience, of the saints, and to test the world. And with what keen discernment he lays open the design and work of the enemy at such times, to flood the world with error just as some new truth of God is coming forth, and so bewilder the minds of men that they shall either not discern the truth, or be afraid to receive it. Verily the effort of the enemy to now deceive the world with innumerable and unwonted errors, means something. The writer says:— “Experience tells us that to every age God hath designed some distinguishing truth to try the obedience, love, and patience, of his saints, and for the world to stumble at. We are now upon the border of the most glorious times, for discovery of truth, and for the pouring out of the Spirit; we had need have our eyes about us and be circumspect and watchful against rejecting truth, as well as embracing error; that Satan invents such varieties of errors in these days, it argues some truths are near the birth, which he would deal withal, as Pharaoh and Herod with the Hebrew children, endeavoring to stifle them in the birth, many being so astonished and amused that they sit down with what the most profess, fearing all beyond that to be heresy; we should be equally as free to truth as fearful of error. To be hide-bound to truth is as bad, if not worse, than to be catching of error. Let every truth have its full value and place.”—Id., p. 5. “Look not what truth is of most note in the world, but what is owned by Scripture; what agrees not with it, omnibus numeris [in all particulars], is false and crooked. The Scripture is God’s oracle, truth’s chair of state; there we must consult her, and nowhere else. And how infinitely are we beholden to the mercy and grace of God that when there is but one only certain rule in all the world, God doth so far condescend to our weakness as to make it plain and easy in all practical points.”—Id., p. 6. This is a point calculated to excite our highest admiration and gratitude. There is no doctrine of the word of God touching our practice, but is so plain, that there is scarcely room to err therein. Men often work hard to get around the truth, but that is their own fault; and their labor is caused by their unwillingness to yield to the plain requirements of the word. And on no such point can the most presumptuous skeptic show, with all his claims of errors and adulterations in the Holy Scriptures, that the word of God has been changed so as to affect in the least degree our practice. “The Hebrew root for seven, signifies fullness, perfection; and the Jews held many mysteries to be in the number seven: So John in his Apocalypse useth much that number. As, seven churches, seven stars, seven spirits, seven candlesticks, seven angels, seven seals, seven trumpets; and we no sooner meet with a seventh day, but it is blessed; no sooner with a seventh man Enoch, but he is translated.”—Id., p. 9. We have often met with remarks on the use of the number seven, in the Scriptures, but do not remember to have ever met with anything more pointed and concise than the above, carrying it out to the seventh day and the seventh man. It Is no Time to Falter.
By R. F. Cottrell
GOD has been faithful. Not one of his promises has failed. His word of prophecy is nearly all fulfilled, and he will surely fulfill that which remains. In a little while the overcomers will be crowned; to the faithful it will be said, Well done; and the workers will receive their reward and enter into their rest. The last message is doing its work, and it is almost done. Soon, very soon, will our accounts be sealed and our destiny fixed. The decree will be passed, the filthy shall remain so, and the righteous shall be preserved in holiness. Who shall stand acquitted in that day? Those who struggle in earnest for victory now? Is this a time to draw back? a time to grow worldly and let our religion die out? a time to turn back? a time to grow weary and lay down our oars? God forbid! Now is the time to be awake and watching unto prayer; a time to gird on the armor; a time to struggle; a time to labor; a time to fight. Shall we cease to run when in sight of the prize? We need not fail. We have been warned of our danger; faithfully warned by the Spirit of God. Shall we heed the friendly warning and be saved, or will we disregard it and be lost? We need not fail, but what we want is conversion. Shall we make the mighty effort? Many will be lost, not because they could not be saved, but because they would not give up the world, die to self, be crucified to the world, its affections, and lusts. My brother, my sister, my friend, will you seek God while he may be found? A broken and a contrite heart he will not reject. He will hear your prayer, if you heed his admonitions. Do not longer neglect so great salvation. Seek God to-day, and in his appointed way. Heed the testimonies of his Spirit and live. A Life of Full Employment
A LIFE of full and constant employment is the only safe and happy one. Temptations.
By D. T. Bourdeau
The Scriptures represent Satan, and not God, as the being that tempts us to evil. Yet temptations come to us in such a way that we are in danger of thinking it is God who tempts. Though Satan is compared to a roaring lion, yet he does not always roar; if he did we would avoid him, and would not yield to his temptations. He approaches us slyly, and sugar-coats the evil he wishes us to perform; so that looking at it in the light of present enjoyment and selfish satisfaction, it appears to be a virtue, and not an evil. He insinuates that it is God who moves upon us to do some good and wonderful thing, which will bring us some temporal advantages, and perhaps enable us to do more for the Lord. But we should never do evil that good may come; for though evil be clothed ever so beautifully, it is evil still, and will bring forth death in the end. The reason why men so easily yield to temptations is because the root of evil is in them, and they choose sin because they love it. Says James, “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust.” James 1: 14. In our fallen state we have inclinations to sin, evil traits unsubdued. There are traitors in the citadel of our hearts who will conquer us if they are not overcome. They sympathize with Satan, and he knows it; and when he approaches us, he does it through these internal foes, who fully manifest themselves at his approach, as did traitors in the North at the approach and success of the Southern army during her late rebellion. We could not so easily know our weak points if Satan were not suffered to tempt us at times, neither would we be as successful in overcoming. In tempting us, he aims to weaken us spiritually; but if we flee to the Lord for help to subdue our evil traits and build up our weak points, every temptation will leave us stronger, and Satan’s object will be thwarted. Now that God has undertaken the glorious work of restoring the truth in these last days, and developing a holy people on earth to meet the Lord without spot at his coming, Satan has come down in wrath to oppose this work with various temptations as he did in “the day of temptation in the wilderness.” But if we resist him, his temptations will only hasten our victory. We should, therefore, as we are exhorted by James, “count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trial of our faith worketh patience. But we should let patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1: 2-4; and so of the rest of the Christian graces, for we are to be tempted on every point. The carnal heart naturally desires to be delivered from temptations before they have done their work, and when in the hour of trial, darkness presses in upon us, we are often perplexed to know what course to pursue. But right here James says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1: 5. We should not, then, lean upon our own wisdom alone, for Satan is wiser than men; neither should we move rashly or parley with the enemy, entering into temptation, as it were, tempting the devil to tempt us. If we do this, we shall certainly be overcome. When we are in heaviness through manifold temptations, we are apt to think that our temptations are greater than those of others. But Paul says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.” And he adds: “But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10: 13. Blessed promise! But it is understood that there are conditions to be complied with in order to have it verified to us. We must watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation, and earnestly strive to overcome, remembering that not only has Christ been tempted in all points, but that, having all power in Heaven and earth at his command, he is also able to succor those who are tempted. And to sum up the whole question, Paul says, “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” Verse 14. He had been speaking of those things that happened unto the Israelites in the wilderness for examples or types, and which had been “written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.” We are not now in danger of bowing to and playing before a golden calf, yet we are in danger of yielding to spiritual idolatry, which is the worst type of idolatry. We have idols to overcome, before which we are inclined to exult as the Israelites did before the golden calf. Now if we overcome these idols, and give God our best affections, we may safely expect that he will work deliverance for us. The promises to those who endure temptations are encouraging. Says James, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.” James 1: 12. And Christ says, “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations; and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22: 28-30. Surely here is enough to induce us to turn away from the allurements of sin. A GUILTY conscience is like a whirlpool, drawing in all to itself which would otherwise pass by. Business Proceedings of the Iowa Conference.
By George Ide Butler; L. McCoy
The ninth annual Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Iowa, was held near Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa, in connection with the camp-meeting, June 1–5, 1871. Conference convened June 2, at 9 A. M. Eld. Geo. I. Butler, President, in the chair. Prayer by Eld. Littlejohn of Michigan. On examination of the credentials of delegates, all the churches in the State, twenty-four in number, were found to be represented, with the exception of one. Voted, That Eld. James White and Eld. W. H. Littlejohn, and all members present of good standing in our churches, be invited to take part in the deliberations of this Conference. Minutes of last session of Conference were called for, read, and approved. On motion, the chair appointed the following Committees: Auditing Committee: Brn. B. Auten, Daniel Andre, Jacob Hare, J. T. Mitchell, C. E. Moser, W. P. Andrews, and S. J. Hart. Committee on Resolutions: Brn. W. H. Littlejohn, D. M. Canright, and J. H. Morrison. Committee on Nominations: Eld. James White, Eld. W. H. Littlejohn, and Bro. Jacob Hare. Credentials from newly organized churches were received as follows: Church at Adel, E. R. Payne, delegate; church at Woodburn, Thompson Lowry, and Jacob Shively, delegates; church at Onawa, Jefferson Bartlett, delegate. On motion, these several churches were received into the Conference with their delegates present. On motion, the company of Sabbath-keepers at Peru were received under the watchcare of the Conference, and their delegate present. Bro. Gifford was invited to act as their representative. On motion, the church organization at Talleyrand was, at their request, discontinued, and their members granted the privilege of uniting with the church at Richland. Urgent requests for labor from different parts of the State were then made. No action taken in regard to them. Adjourned to call of Chair. Conference met at the call of the President, June 4, 8 A. M. Eld. Butler made a report of his labors in Nebraska, and presented a statement and petition from brethren there to this Conference, asking admission; and, On motion, the State of Nebraska was added to this Conference, under the name and style of the Iowa and Nebraska Conference of S. D. A. On motion, the church at Decatur City, Neb., was received into the Conference. The Committee on Nominations made their report recommending the present incumbents in office as the officers for ensuing year. Report adopted; and, On motion, the following were elected officers for the present year: President, Geo. I. Butler; Secretary, L. McCoy; Treasurer, R. M. Kilgore; Conference Committee, Henry Nicola and J. T. Mitchell. Auditing Committee made report showing settlement with ministering brethren and Conference Treasury. Adjourned, to meet on call of Chair. Conference convened at call of Chair, June 5, 9 A. M. On motion, credentials were granted to Eld. D. M. Canright, Geo. I. Butler, and J. H. Morrison. On motion, license was granted to Brn. Jefferson Bartlett, Henry Nicola, J. T. Mitchell, R. M. Kilgore, Squire Osborn, and C. A. Washburn. The question of granting license to Bro. R. H. Johnson, was referred to the Conference Committee. On motion, the Iowa City church organization was discontinued at their request. On motion, a committee was appointed to arrange the churches in districts for the purpose of holding quarterly meetings. Committee made the following report: First District, composed of churches at Waukon and West Union, to have meetings each quarter. Bro. C. A. Washburn is to attend. Second District, composed of churches at Marion, Lisbon, and Anamosa, to have meetings every two months. Bro. Mitchell is to attend. Third District, composed of churches at Pilot Grove, Brighton, Washington, Richland, and Sigourney, to hold meetings every two months. Brn. Nicola and McCoy are to attend. Fourth District, composed of churches at Monroe, Knoxville, and Sandyville, to hold meetings every two months. Fifth District, composed of churches at Afton, Woodburn, Peru, and Adel, to hold meetings every two months. Brn. Bartlett, Johnson, and Washburn, to attend. Sixth District, composed of churches at Onawa, Iowa, and Decatur City, Neb., to hold meetings each month. Bro. Bartlett, to attend. The following is camp-meeting committee: Brn. Benn Auten, Daniel Andre, and L. McCoy. The Conference was greatly aided and encouraged by the presence and timely remarks by Brn. White and Littlejohn, and the business much facilitated by their counsel. A spirit of union and forbearance characterized the entire proceedings. An appeal was made by Bro. White to sacrifice for the “Publishing Association,” and the “Health Institute,” which was well received and liberally responded to. The financial condition of the Conference is good, the Treasurer’s report, showing a sum of $1814.00 received during the year on Systematic Benevolence fund, and a balance in the treasury of $309.00, after settling with the ministers and paying into the General Conference fund $475.00. There is also on hand a camp-meeting fund of nearly $300.00. Financial and church reports were not full, and some had been wholly neglected. From reports received and estimates made, the following aggregate report may be relied upon as very nearly correct. No. of churches at the beginning of year, 19
No. at present, 24
No. of members at beginning of year, 455
No. received by baptism, 185
No. received by letter, 40
No. of losses by death, 5
No. of losses by apostasy, 20
No. of losses by removal, 21
No. of members at present, 640
No. of Sabbath-school scholars, 300
No. paying Systematic Benevolence, 450
Amount of Systematic Benevolence pledged for the year, $3200.00. The following report of Committee on Resolutions was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we discover in the present prosperity of the Health Institute, occasion for the most profound gratitude to God; and that we express an increasing confidence in the wisdom and economy with which it is at present conducted, as well as in the ability of the health reform, as a means of advancing the physical and spiritual interests of the people of God. Resolved, That we will assume the responsibility of collecting for the Publishing Association all arrears on the subscriptions to the Review, Health Reformer, and Instructor, within the limits of our Conference. Resolved, That we recognize the obligation under which we are placed to the General Conference, on account of labor which it has hitherto bestowed on our State; and that we donate to it from our funds, the sum of $400.00. Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt thanks to Bro. and sister White and Bro. Littlejohn for their visit to our State at this time and for the unwearied efforts put forth in this camp-meeting for our spiritual welfare. The following offered by Bro. Mitchell was adopted: Resolved, That all S. D. Adventists applying for charitable aid at our Health Institute, shall do so through their respective churches to which they belong. And that each church should bear, at least one half the charity asked for its members and others under its watchcare. Resolved, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the Review. Several liberal propositions were made by persons at different places asking for the location of the next camp-meeting, all of which were referred to the Camp-meeting Committee. Adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair. Report from Bro. D. T. Bourdeau.
By D. T. Bourdeau
SINCE writing my last report, I have spent one Sabbath at Bro. Bingham's, Morristown, two with the church at home, and one in connection with the Vermont tent, which is pitched at West Bolton, eight miles south of Jericho Corners. Our meetings at Bro. Bingham's were excellent, and quite large for the place. I spoke twice, and I think every brother and sister present took part in the social meeting. I had not met with the brethren in this section for seven years. Week before last, I spent five days in search of a place to pitch the tent, and canvassing for a camp-ground, traveling one hundred and fifty miles with my team, and having a pleasant interview in Montgomery with first-day Adventist brethren, who still fondly cling to the advent hope. We found no camp-ground on the Vermont Central from Waterbury to Georgia. The committee will inform the brethren on this subject in due time. My brother's help in starting the work here is appreciated. May God grant us to reap some fruit here to his glory. The place is not large, but the attendance is good and the interest fair. We have held six meetings. West Bolton, June 12, 1871. Dixon, Missouri.
By L. D. Santee
For the past few weeks, I have been laboring in this place, speaking as I have had opportunity in the cause of present truth. When I spoke on the claims of the Sabbath and of Sunday, the house was crowded; and in compliance with an invitation, many pencils noted the scriptures in both Testaments referring to the Sabbath. There is a good degree of interest on the Sabbath question; and many acknowledge that they believe the observance of Sunday to be without divine authority. Of course, this order of things was not pleasant to those that adhere to the observance of the first day of the week, and an aged Baptist minister proposed to pour oil on the troubled waters by speaking on the Sabbath question, April 30, at 11 A. M. He had informed us that he was posted on that subject; and we had expected to hear an able advocate for Sunday observance, but were doomed to disappointment. It is unnecessary to repeat his arguments, as they were substantially the same as those used by Eld. Evans in his discussion with Bro. Canright, reported in REVIEW, No. 17. One assertion, however, we must notice on account of its novelty. He read Lev. 23, and said that the 24th verse was a type showing that the gospel trumpet would be blown on the first day of the week during the Christian age. I reviewed him in the afternoon of the same day; and the Lord gave good liberty. I trust that good was done. Three more have commenced keeping the Sabbath, making in all thirteen in this place. June 4, I baptized three. Many others are investigating, and we hope some more will join us. May the Lord's blessing rest upon the church here, and enable them to exert an influence in favor of the truth; and may he add to their numbers such as shall be saved. L. D. SANTEE. Vermont.
By A. S. Hutchins
I WAS at Jericho, May 19 and 20, and preached the funeral sermon of Bro. I. Bugbee's companion. The funeral was attended in the Methodist meeting-house. A good audience was present, who attentively listened to a discourse on the resurrection of the dead. Eld. Estes, Baptist minister of the place, and Eld. Mark Atwood, Freewill Baptist, were in the congregation. I also held two interesting meetings with the few brethren and sisters. May these dear friends continue to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth. May 28 and 29, I filled the appointment of Bro. A. C. Bourdeau at Charleston. Though the members of this church are scattered, and separated quite a distance from each other, all were together in good season on Sabbath morning, which, to say the least, is always a favorable index of the meeting. They had a mind to work. I spoke to them twice. The Holy Spirit was present to assist, to unite hearts, to raise our minds up to God, rendering the never-failing promises of his sacred word more precious than gold, yea, than much fine gold. On first-day morning, there was a commendable promptness in the payment of Systematic Benevolence, for the first six months of this year. After the business meeting, I spoke to a very attentive audience, in a crowded school-house, from Acts 17:11. I seldom speak with greater freedom. May this people, like the noble Bereans, be blessed with a mind to “search the Scriptures daily,” to see whether God has not more light and truth for them to receive and walk in. I was at Wolcott, June 3 and 4, and on Sabbath spoke to the church. On first-day, at five P. M., I spoke in the Methodist meeting-house, in this village, on spiritualism. The notice was short. Not many out. But the Methodist minister and his leading members were present, all of whom seemed quite interested. The minister wishes to read on this subject. I admire his friendly feeling and Christian spirit. I do deeply feel that my life in all respects should be in the strictest conformity15 with the teachings of the holy Bible, especially before those who will watch for a manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit in our midst. Oh! for that meekness which will secure the guidance of the Most High in judgment. Ps. 25: 9. Worcester, Vt., June 13, 1870.