Earlier text: LeadershipOur Duty in Meeting.
By M. J. Bahler
We heed the injunction, “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together,” but the remainder of the text we seem to have forgotten. I think it says something about speaking to each other in regard to our hope of the approaching day of triumph and deliverance, or exhorting one another. Please get your Bible, and study Heb. 10:25. Some of us seem to think that, when we have taken the trouble to get to meeting and taken our seat among the worshipers, our duty is done; and so the meeting progresses, and some timid, shrinking ones make our silence an excuse for them to sit still, and the meeting drags, and the Spirit of the Lord is grieved, and our souls become more barren than they were before, and we go to our homes with less strength to meet the perplexities and temptations of life. And our brethren go home saddened because of our silence. Couldn’t do any good if you did speak? How do you know? Satan told you that; he knew you would be weaker and fall an easier prey to him if you kept silent in the assembly of the saints. He knows that those who express a determination to serve the Lord are strengthened by that expression, provided it comes from the heart; and he knew, too, that your testimony would cheer others, if you said only, “I am striving to be a child of God.” And he knows, too, that so long as he can keep your tongue silent from God’s service, you are pretty surely in his power for the eternity beyond. Satan knows that angels are saddened and God’s work hindered by your silence. You cannot see how you hinder God’s work? No! you will not be apt to see it until you break away and speak for the Lord, whether you feel like it or not. I do not care if you cannot think of one word to say that you think would encourage, rise up, and the Lord will give you something to say. Perhaps you will say as I did once, that you are determined not to act from feeling, but from principle, and then experience such a sweet blessing from the Lord that you will want to rise again and tell how the Lord has encouraged your heart, and taken away your dark feelings and thoughts because you did not yield to feeling, and sit still, and as you go from such an experience you will see how, by yielding to such feelings, you have hindered the work of God in your own heart if nowhere else. Instead of going away from meeting with a shadow on your heart and brow, to cast the same over all you meet, you will go with sunlight flooding your entire being, the sweet sunlight that comes from a sense of duty done; and all you meet will be made the happier by your happiness, and then you will grow in grace, and wisdom, and patience, and by-and-by you will be a perfect overcomer. But so long as you yield to Satan in this, speak no word for the Saviour, your influence is deadening, and discouraging to others, and you gain no strength. The victories you gain are so few that you sit down completely discouraged, overcome. Remember that your duty at the house of God remains undone, and you are, consequently, an unfaithful servant, so long as you speak not for the Master. M. J. BAHLER. Immortality and Heathenism: Debating the Future Life
By John Norton Loughborough
When people fail in fair reasoning, they sometimes resort to calling hard names, which, of course, with candid, reflecting minds, is but a poor substitute for argument. A sister in this place a few days since, being requested to state her views of the future life, was showing that she had no hope of life except through Christ and the resurrection; and as none but those who had faith in Christ and obeyed God were to have eternal life, therefore the wicked, when raised, could not live eternally. A third party, the wife of a minister, said, “That is heathenish doctrine; you don’t believe that.” The sister remarked, that it was Bible doctrine, and she must believe the Bible, if people did call it heathenism. But, candidly, what is heathenism upon this question? Sometimes it is the immortality of the soul, and an eternal existence for all, and sometimes it is nonentity, and blank silence after death to all men, to all eternity. Mr. McClay, who was twelve years a missionary to China, says, “The far greater part of the Chinese believe in no future state of existence whatever.” If we judge of the belief of others of the Chinese, the followers of Confucius’ doctrine in this country by their actions, we shall find it nearer spiritualism than it is to the Adventist’s doctrine of life only through Christ. Within the past year, a noted Chinaman by the name of Ah Quong was brutally assaulted in the streets of Sacramento, was carried into a police station-house, and died there. His brother, a wealthy Chinaman, made a great funeral, employing (according to the report in a Sacramento daily) a large portion of the hacks of Sacramento, to carry the invited guests to the funeral. When the long procession was passing with the corpse of the murdered Chinaman through the streets, the brother ordered a halt in front of the station-house where his brother died. He went up to the keeper of the station-house, accosting him in these words: “Mr. Fred, I want see my brudder.” It was difficult for the man to know what was wanted. Perceiving, however, from the Chinaman’s looks and actions that he wished to go into the station-house, the keeper let him in. There he went through various prayers, gestures, incantations, and invitations to some imaginary being. Finally, with a smile of satisfaction, he went out to join the procession. Being interrogated as to the meaning of all this, he informed them that he had been to invite the spirit of his murdered brother to attend the funeral, and witness the proceedings and display. Chinamen constitute over one quarter of the human race, and are perhaps a fair specimen of the heathenism of the world, but, if the far greater portion of the Chinese believe in “no future state,” and the rest believe in existence while dead, and a species of spiritualism, as shown above, it does not look much like the Adventist’s doctrine of “life only through Christ.” In Siam they believe in a thousand years of suffering only to the worst of men, and that then all will be saved, so that is not the heathenism that agrees with Advent faith. Where is it? Where is the heathen nation or sect that believes in “life only through Christ;” that all will be raised from the dead, and that the wicked, after receiving an amount of suffering adequate to their guilt, will be cut off, while the righteous shall receive the gift of eternal life, and the whole universe of God shall be clear from sin and sinners? The simple facts are, that no such class or nation of heathens is to be found. If there is such a class, we would like to know where they live, and to know more of their peculiar doctrines; for, certainly, if they hold the sentiments of Seventh day Adventists on this question, there would be great hope that such a nation of heathens, acknowledging God’s Son as the only source of hope of eternal life, might be brought more easily to truly worshiping him than those who bow to stocks and stones. Till this proof concerning such a heathen nation is presented, let none be turned from the doctrine of the Bible by slurs, such as, “Your doctrine is heathenism.” Oakland, Cal., Oct., 1873. If we knew when walking thoughtless
Through the crowded, noisy way,
That some pearl of wondrous whiteness
Close beside our pathway lay;
We would pause when now we hasten,
We would often look around,
Lest our careless feet should trample
Some rare jewel in the ground. If we knew what forms were fainting
For the shade that we should fling,
If we knew what lips were parching
For the water we should bring,
We should haste with eager footsteps,
We would work with willing hands,
Bearing cups of cooling water,
Planting rows of shading palms. If we knew when friends around us
Closely press to say, Good-by,
Which among the lips that kiss us,
First should 'neath the daisies lie,
We would clasp our arms around them,
Looking on them through our tears,
Tender words of love eternal
We would whisper in their ears. If we knew what lives were darkened
By some thoughtless word of ours,
Which had ever lain among them
Like the frost among the flowers;
Oh! with what sincere repentings,
With what anguish of regret,
While our eyes were overflowing,
Would we cry—Forgive,—forget. If we knew—alas, and do we
Ever care or seek to know,
Whether bitter herbs or roses
In our neighbor's gardens grow?
God forgive us, lest hereafter,
Our hearts break to hear Him say,
Careless child, I never knew you,
From my presence flee away. The Seen and the Unseen.
By Nellie F. Heald
INSPIRATION tells us that the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. If we look only at the things which are seen, it is not strange that our spirits droop in sadness, that even faith’s bright wings trail in the dust, as with tearful eyes we question, Why all this suffering and sorrow? Why are our hopes so often crushed—our aspirations unfulfilled? Does not our life at times appear a failure? Why is it given only to flourish its little hour, so brief, and then cut off like a delicate flower, swept by some chilling blast? When death has stilled the beating of some loving heart, silenced the voice heard only in tones of affection and kindly counsel, and a friend, lovely and beloved, is laid low in dreamless slumber, then the bereaved and bleeding heart questions, Why was it permitted? With our short vision, we oftimes fail to penetrate the cloud that hides from us our pitying Lord, who “doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men.” Oh! who does not long to have these things which now seem so dark and mysterious made clear in the light of the unseen and eternal? Sickness, suffering, and sorrow, meet us on every hand. No position, however exalted, is exempt; no pathway but has its thorns; no household so carefully guarded but sorrow and death may enter its charmed inclosure; no heart so happy but it has its bitterness. All that is seen, is smitten with the curse, marred by imperfection. The clearest mind sees only through a glass darkly; the purest heart is not without spot; the fairest and loveliest things of earth are doomed to decay. Passing away is written upon all things earthly. But amid the passing away of that which is seen, we may rejoice in the assurance that the unseen is eternal. Treasures in Heaven and joys immortal shall never pass away. In those heavenly gardens where angels walk, no flowers shall fade. All is perfect and eternal there. But nothing here is sure. Do we enjoy the sweet blessings of Heaven to-day? We may to-morrow struggle with the powers of darkness. Are we happy in the love of friends to-day? To-morrow we may weep over the lifeless form. Does that which is seen satisfy us? Ah, no! If that which is seen is all upon which we can build our hopes, then life is indeed a failure and our hopes a mockery. But we know there is a foundation infinitely better and more exalted than the transient things of earth upon which to build our hopes. We know there is reality in the unseen. We need not be of a doubtful mind. Evidence sufficient has been given both in the book of nature and revelation to satisfy the intelligent mind. And what consolation, what dignity and elevation of mind, what incentives to purity of life, does he lose who doubts the reality of the unseen? And more than this, he is in danger of losing an eternity of blessedness. But how many are vainly seeking satisfaction in that which is seen, building upon the sandy foundation of earthly things. By their actions, if not by words, they signify their indifference to the unseen and their preference for that which passes away. Oh! that they might see their sad mistake ere it is too late. As Christians, we look too much at the things which are seen. We are too deeply absorbed in things temporal, and our eyes are blinded to the glories of the unseen and eternal. We must strive more earnestly to set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for “the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” NELLIE F. HEALD. Increase of Pernicious Literature.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
ONE unmistakable sign of the growing corruption of this generation is the wonderful and increasing demand for vile and trashy reading. On this subject, a prominent paper says:— “WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?” “That is, about Pernicious Literature. Its very existence is unknown to many of our readers; its extent is hardly dreamed of by any. There lies before us, as we write, a letter from one of the leading railroad men of this country. And this is what he says about it:— “I cannot use too strong language to express the mortification I feel at the fact that upon every road that I happen to be connected with, unless perhaps the C. & P., not only the vilest trash is sold as reading matter, but also positively licentious and infamous illustrated papers and books are thrust upon passengers, young and old, male and female. I am perfectly aware that the R. R. authorities take what they regard to be the best plan to control the character of reading matter sold by authorized agencies on their cars—but I am equally aware that, come about as it may, the fact remains that the worst possible stuff continues to be sold in spite of all the rules, regulations, schedules of works on sale, and general orders to the contrary.” “This does not in the least exaggerate this monstrous evil, albeit upon certain railroads, since this letter was written, something considerable has been done effectually to check it. But for the most part, this indescribable literature is omnipresent. It is flaunted in our faces on the street corners, thrust under our eyes in the rail-cars, insidiously offered to our innocent children by companions less guileless than themselves, brought into our houses wrapped round packages from the shoemakers, the tailors, the grocers. It is like the miasma in a miasmatic country—there is no building of the house tight enough to exclude it. It is like the poison that lurks in the air in cholera times; we imbibe it, our children imbibe it, and the first intimation we have of its presence is the disease it generates. In milder, subtler, but not less dangerous forms it creeps into books that bear the imprint of respectable publishers, and journals whose name gives them unsuspected currency everywhere. It is sometimes mawkish, sometimes morbid, sometimes sensational, sometimes covertly, sometimes openly vicious. It distorts life, depraves the imagination, portrays passion for love, paints hideous crime in fascinating if not attractive garb, and in its very mildest form destroys all desire for healthful food by creating an appetite for the intoxication of sentimentalism. Even the Sabbath-school library is not free from this form of it, and many a pupil is taught to read the dime novel by the dollar and a quarter novelette that his Sabbath school furnishes him for his Sunday reading.” But what makes the case worse and more hopeless is the astonishing fact that popular ministers and prominent religious editors are giving their influence in favor of novel reading. H. W. Beecher, in introducing a novel in his own paper, defends it thus:— “We notice that serial fictions are coming greatly into vogue among religious papers, though not without considerable protest. No doubt there is a danger of mere sensationalism from which such newspapers are by no means exempt. But it should be remembered that the day is long past when fiction could be treated as an intruder or an inferior in comparison with other kinds of literature. A story, as such, has as good a right to be, and as legitimate a work to do, as a sermon or a poem. Indeed, it seems as if the novel were the most characteristic literary type of our time, just as the Drama was in Shakespeare’s, and the Essay, in Addison’s. Anybody is at liberty to lament the fact, if he feels inclined to, but it is best not to ignore it. There is an idea that religious papers ought to stick to more serious lines of work. But the first condition of success in book or paper is that it shall be read. It may be as wise as Solomon and as pious as all the saints in the calendar, but if people will not read it, it might as well be a mummy. Now, the religious newspaper ought to reach, not only the learned, the literary, the theological—but a great mass of people who are wholly incapable of much abstract thought. They must be provided for. And if the minister, for example, wishes the space given to stories were bestowed on doctrinal discussion or church news, let him remember that if his favorite elements only were furnished, two-thirds of the paper’s readers would be wholly unprovided for. A newspaper is like a hotel table—there should be provision for every taste, with the single restriction that nothing positively hurtful be offered. So, if one man likes nothing but solid roasts, he should not object to the presence of lighter dishes for other folks.” The folly of such reasoning is apparent. It would justify the use of any means, good or evil, to increase the circulation of a paper. The people want the novels and the priest wants the money, and so they are happily agreed. Noah, a Preacher of Righteousness
By L. D. Van Horn
This good man lived in an eventful period of the world's history. God made known to him his determination to destroy the ungodly inhabitants of the earth by a flood. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and he walked with God. Gen. 6:8, 9. The prophet Ezekiel mentions him with Daniel and Job as the three men that might deliver their own souls by reason of their righteousness, when God should bring his sore judgments upon the house of Israel because of their many sins. Eze. 14. Paul gives him a place in his list of the faithful of past ages. Heb. 11. And Peter gives us the record of his employment, “a preacher of righteousness.” 2 Peter. 2:5. Did God determine to destroy the inhabitants of the old world because they were righteous and holy? Did he do it because they were his faithful servants, doing that which was pure, just, and good? Every one at all acquainted with the facts in the case, must answer, No! It was their sins (transgressions of the law of God), their ungodly deeds, and the evils of their corrupt hearts, that brought this terrible calamity upon them. Gen. 6. But Noah stood among them “a preacher of righteousness.” The inspired definition of righteousness is given by David in these words: “My tongue shall speak of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteousness.” Ps. 119:172. And the Lord by Isaiah says: “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law.” Chap. 51:7. Righteousness consists in keeping the moral law of God. Noah and his family kept this law, and were saved in the ark. And as Noah was a preacher of righteousness, we must conclude that in his preaching he advocated, and kept constantly before that ungodly generation, the claims of God's moral law. This furnishes clear evidence that the principles of the ten commandments were known and observed by the righteous previous to the flood. These facts forever do away the idea that this divine law was not known nor binding upon the human family before the days of Moses. In our Lord's prophetic discourse relating to the signs of his second advent, Matt. 24, he refers to the time of the flood, and says: “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” In this, the Saviour draws a parallel, and would have us know that the character and actions of the people of the old world at the time of the deluge would be acted over again in the generation that should live to witness his second advent. The gross and corrupt things of earth will take their attention, while their reverence for God and his holy law will become less and less. But there will be men of God standing here, as Noah stood among the people in his day, “giving meat in due season,” faithfully warning the people of their great danger in the coming crisis, and, at the same time, holding up before them the claims of the moral law. The prophetic word and the signs of the times show unmistakably that we are in the last days, the closing moments of this world's history. The proclamation of the coming of the Lord has been sounding in the earth for more than thirty years. Closely connected with this three-fold warning is the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” May the work speed on, and may we, like faithful Noah, act our part nobly and share in the final triumph. L. D. VAN HORN. The bird that soars on highest wing
Builds on the ground her lowly nest;
And she that doth most sweetly sing,
Sings in the shade, when all things rest;
In lark and nightingale we see
What honor hath humility. When Mary chose the “better part,”
She meekly sat at Jesus’ feet;
And Lydia’s gently-opened heart
Was made for God’s own temple meet.
Fairest and best adorned is she
Whose clothing is humility. The one that wears Heaven’s brightest crown,
In deepest adoration bends;
The weight of glory bows him down,
Then most, when most his soul ascends.
Nearest the throne itself must be
The footstool of humility. Earth and Heaven.
By A. Smith
To the devout Christian mind, every spire of grass, and every leaf and flower, speaks volumes of silent inspiration. In the delicacy and perfection of their texture, and in their bloom and fragrance, they reveal the existence of a God, and breathe of Heaven. Who has not admired the beauty of the cherry tree when in full bloom, its dense white blossoms embosomed in a foliage of dark green leaves; or the apple, with its pink and white blossoms, or the rose, and the lily, and many other beautiful flowers, while the breath of spring was burdened with their aroma, and did not rejoice in their evanescent beauty? These are starlights in the rifted clouds of earth’s moral night; mementoes of the treasure lost by sin; glimpses of the glories of the world to come. Human art is not worthy of comparison with the perfection of the Creator’s work. “Solomon,” said Christ, alluding to the lilies of the field, “in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” But “the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth.” Thus, these beauties of the field and forest witness to the curse that presses so heavily upon the earth. What Christian that has witnessed these scenes of evanescent growth and decay, but has longed for the land of perennial beauty, untouched by the curse of sin. But some minds have no sense of the beautiful. To such, corn tassels and potato blossoms, inasmuch as in them are seen visions of future plenty, have greater charms than the lily or the rose. Some are not pleased with harmony of sounds; and Heaven, in their minds, is associated with holiday costume, and endless formal singing; and they turn for relief to the freedom of competent toil. But Heaven, associated as it is with a renewed earth, offers material good to all. Those who love toil may plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them, build houses and inhabit them, and long enjoy the work of their hands. Those who love song may go up to the jasper-walled city, that hath no need of the sun to light up its gold-paved streets, its mansions of glory, and gates of pearl, and, with those who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and with sinless angels, join in the symphonies of Heaven. Those who love the beauties of nature may tread the new earth and witness at every step the fulfillment of the prophetic declaration, “The wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.” The beauties of a golden sunset, and the soft, mellow light of evening, penciling earth and heaven with gorgeous hues, will, doubtless, find more than a counterpart in the land where the light of the moon shall be as the sun, and that of the sun sevenfold its present volume. The associations of that heavenly land subdue the grief of those who mourn the loss of friends. God will restore to us our loved and lost ones who have gone down to the grave in good hope of a resurrection to eternal life. “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.” A. SMITH. Reflections on Death, Reputation, and Covetousness
To be well spoken of, you must die. Even a pauper, when dead, is mentioned without asperity, and that is as much as any pauper can expect. THE only gratification a covetous man gives his neighbors is to let them see that he himself is no better for what he has than they are. The Golden Age for June 7 has the following pointed article on this subject. We commend it to the perusal of those who reject the present truth because so few believe it. “What says the majority of mankind as to the various religions in vogue among them? Which of the creeds, and sects, and churches, is sanctioned by the vox populi, vox Dei? If the judgment of the majority—aye, and of the overwhelming majority of the present race of men on the earth—is worth anything as to right or wrong of any particular religion, what is that judgment? Let us take an accurate measurement of the whole world's opinion, on all the great religions. Borrowing a suggestion from Mr. Armour's table, we rearrange it so as to appeal to the eye in a gradual progression as follows:— POPULATIONS AND RELIGIONS OF THE GLOBE.
Jew, 6,000,000
Protestants, 59,000,000
Greek Church and branches, 62,000,000
Mahometans, 96,000,000
Brahmanists, 120,000,000
Romanists, 139,000,000
Buddhists, 320,000,000
All others: Confucius, Sintism, Mythological Naturalism, Manikism, Fetichism, 468,000,000
Total, 1,270,000,000 “The Protestants are about one in twenty-one and a half of the population; Romanists one in nine; Protestants, Romanists, and Greeks together, one in five. “As for ourselves, the above table confirms an old conviction of ours, that the judgment of the majority on any great subject of human concern is generally wrong. Whatever great movements are undertaken for the benefit of humanity (as all history will testify), are uniformly begun by a brave and finally martyred few, and opposed by the ignorant and stubborn many. And, furthermore, when any great idea, thus originated, finally gets possession of great masses and millions of men, the race has generally, in the meantime, so far advanced, that even this idea also has been steadily outgrown, and needs to give place to some new and struggling reform, needing crusaders, and prophets, and victims, and martyrs. The above table is spread before our readers as containing rich food for thought, which the thoughtful will digest for themselves.” A man may leave a patrimony to his son; but how soon it may be mortgaged! He may leave him money; but how soon it may be squandered! When he gives him a sound constitution, an unblemished reputation, a good education, and an inward abhorrence of vice, in any shape or form, these cannot be wrested from him, and are better than thousands of gold and silver. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand ** Services in Chicago, every Sabbath (seventh day), at 296 West Erie St. All Sabbath-keepers spending a Sabbath in Chicago, are invited to attend. Quarterly meeting at Greenville, for District No. 6, Tract and Missionary Society, Nov. 29, 30, in connection with church quarterly meeting. It is hoped that all who have pledges unpaid will come prepared to pay up. J. Fargo, Director. Orange, Sabbath, Dec. 6; Vergennes, Sabbath, Dec. 13. A. S. Hutchins. There will be a quarterly meeting of the churches and T. and M. Society in districts as follows:— No. 5, at Wright, Nov. 29, 30. No. 11, at Alaiedon, Dec. 6, 7. No. 2, at Potterville, Dec. 6, 7. Bro. Haskell is expected at Wright. General quarterly meeting at Battle Creek, Dec. 13, 14. An attendance of the directors is expected, and reports from their respective districts according to the constitution; also the names of the worthy poor. E. H. Root, Pres. Quarterly meeting for the Greenvale and McConnell’s Grove church, Ill., will be held Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 29, 30, 1873, at Winslow. There will be a Tract and Missionary meeting on first-day. Brethren and sisters, come prepared to report, and work in this good cause. We cordially invite the brethren and sisters of adjoining churches to meet with us. Bring along bedding. We very much desire Eld. R. F. Andrews to be present. Thomas Brown. Quarterly meetings of the N. Y. and Pa. T. and M. Society will be held as follows:— Dist. No. 4, Buck’s Bridge, St. Lawrence Co., Nov. 22, 23. Dist. No. 5, Keene, Essex Co., Nov. 29, 30. Dist. No. 6, in Warren Co., where Brn. Tyrel and Whitney may appoint, Dec. 6, 7, 1873. The general quarterly meeting will be held in connection with the last named district meeting. We desire to see a general attendance of the friends in that section of the Conference, and as many from other parts as can consistently attend. P. Z. Kinne, Pres. No Providence preventing there will be a monthly meeting held with the church in Cornville, Maine, commencing 6 30 Friday evening, and holding over Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 20, 21. We hope all will make an effort to attend. J. B. Goodrich. In connection with a general quarterly meeting with the church of Alto, Indiana, Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 22, 23, 1873. Wm. Covert. There will be a quarterly meeting of the T. and M. Society for the 10th Michigan District held in connection with the church quarterly meeting to be held at Memphis, Nov. 22 and 23. There is important business to come before this meeting. Let the churches in this district be well represented; also, be prepared to send their quarterly reports to me, at least one week before this meeting, to Memphis, Mich. I will meet with the church at Almont, Dec. 6, 7, to organize a T. and M. Society in that church. R. McConnell, Director. Quarterly meeting for Sand Prairie Church, Wis., Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 29 and 30. Sister churches are invited. Thomas Demmon, Clerk. Quarterly meeting at Appleton, Licking Co., Ohio, Nov. 29, 1873. Wm. F. Crous, Elder. There will be a quarterly meeting of the T. and M. Society for District No. 9, Michigan, held at Vassar, Tuscola Co., Nov. 23, at 11 A. M. All members are requested to report. J. L. Miller, Director. The next quarterly meeting for Allegan Co., Mich., will be held at Otsego, Dec. 6 and 7. The quarterly meeting of the T. and M. Society, Dist. No. 4, will be held in connection with this meeting. J. L. Rumery, Director. This work is enlarged to 528 pages of our usual book size. Great pains and much labor have been bestowed on its preparation, and it is needless to say that its value cannot be estimated. Its numerous quotations and references, make it as reliable as it is interesting and useful; but these have considerably increased the labor of its execution. In its enlarged size, it is well worth $1.50, and probably would not be sold for less than that by any other publishing house in the country; but the trustees have decided to sell it for $1.25. In fixing the price thus low, the Association have had in view the benefit to result from a wide circulation of the book, rather than to receive a large profit on the work. Each buyer will really receive a donation from the Association of a part of the sale value. And great inducements are offered to the friends of the cause to circulate it among their friends and neighbors. Send in your orders, and they will be filled immediately. Price, post-paid, $1.25. To those who think that rapid growth is confined to the “Far West,” it may be interesting to learn that a map of Michigan recently issued by Silas Farmer and Co., Detroit, shows 62 towns, 132 new villages, one new county, and seven changes in county lines, not shown in previous editions of their map of Michigan. This is a map of great interest and value to the newspaper publisher and citizen of this State. The following is from the Detroit Post of Nov. 14. The action on the part of the Cuban authorities has caused some stir in the United States navy yards, orders being given to fit up some vessels for immediate service. Spain has promised Minister Sickles to take proper steps to repudiate the action of Cuba, and a rupture will thus probably be avoided:— “The ‘Cuban Junta,’ which sits in safety and ease in New York, and plots violations of international laws, sent the only men under its rule who have pluck enough to fight upon their dangerous mission without proper supplies for the vessel. It risked and lost their lives in order to save a little money. The Virginius was caught by the Spanish steamer Tornado without coal, and under sail only. On being chased, the Virginius burned her provisions, oil, and furniture; but, though she is a fast boat when properly coaled—having been built expressly for blockade-running—she could not keep up steam, and was overhauled and captured. It appears that, when first seen, she was on the high seas, not being then within the jurisdiction of Spain, but being more than one marine league from the coast of Cuba. The entire chase was upon the high seas. The capture was either upon the high seas, according to the Spanish account, or else in British waters, near the Jamaica coast, according to the account first received. The capture under these circumstances, was, probably, illegal. The ship is said to have had the United States flag flying, which a Spanish officer hauled down, and to have had regular papers. The capture was followed by plainly illegal proceedings. The Spanish commandant detained a telegraph dispatch sent by the United States Consul to our Consul General. He also detained dispatches sent to the Captain General of Cuba. He also ordered an immediate trial and execution, for the purpose of forestalling any interference by either the Spanish government or foreign nations.” The crew, and some reports say, the passengers also, were executed on short notice, the authorities even preventing the telegraph from sending information of their proceedings lest they should be interfered with by the Spanish government or by other nations. The excitement produced is very great. THE WOODMAN AND THE SANDAL-TREE.
By W. C. Bryant
Beside a sandal-tree a woodman stood
And swung the axe, and, as the strokes were laid
Upon the fragrant trunk, the generous wood
With its own sweets perfumed the cruel blade.
Go, then, and do the like; a soul endued
With light from Heaven, a nature pure and great,
Will place its highest bliss in doing good,
And good for evil give, and love for hate.
—From the Spanish, by W. C. Bryant. Alfred Cookman's Testimony.
WALKING one day with a friend, they passed two distinguished ministers, one of whom was smoking. Brother Cookman remarked, “I can understand how that brother enjoys that cigar. I used to enjoy it as he does. I was very fond of it, especially after the day's work was over. It was so quieting to my nervous system to rest in my easy chair with my cigar for my companion. And I gave it up for Jesus' sake. I remember I told Jesus how soothing to me this delicate narcotic was; and that it had occurred to me that it was a doubtful indulgence. And yet I did not know but I needed it. Jesus told me in that hour he would supply all my need; that he would soothe me, and quiet me, and rest me after my labor. And I gave up the indulgence that hour. And since that time, never can I tell what Jesus has been to me, as I have sat in my arm-chair to rest, when wearied and alone with him. He has been my rest.” PROVIDENCE, Nov. 6.—A large meeting of the creditors of the A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company, and A. & W. Sprague, was held at 11 o'clock this forenoon in the Horse Guards' Hall. William J. King called the meeting to order, and the Hon. Amos C. Barstow was chosen Chairman, and Jeffrey Hazard, Secretary. Mr. Thurston, attorney for the house of the Spragues, presented, through the Chairman, the following communication:— The A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company and A. & W. Sprague regret that they are obliged to announce to their creditors that they find themselves unable to meet their maturing obligations. The recent examination into their affairs, made by a committee appointed at a meeting of bank officers in Providence, shows that they have a surplus over just debts of at least eight millions of property, and they confidently believe that if an extension of a reasonable length is granted to them, they can pay in full all their liabilities and preserve their print works and a considerable portion of their mill property. They respectfully invite their creditors to designate from their number a committee, with whom they can have a free and full conference, for the purpose of devising the best plan for securing the large property in their hands to their creditors, and enabling all claims against them to be satisfied in the shortest possible space of time. The A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company pledge to their creditors their utmost efforts to co-operate with the creditors in the means to the above end, which may upon conference be devised. (Signed)
A. & W. SPRAGUE
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
per AMASA SPRAGUE, President. Claflin & Co. Granted Extension by Creditors
The extensive house of Claflin & Co. has been granted an extension of time by its creditors, which enables it to continue business, and eventually, to meet its liabilities. Bishop Browne on Religion and the Poor
Dr. Harold Browne, the new Bishop of Winchester and successor of Bishop Wilberforce, has spoken out in behalf of the poor. At his last conference he told his clergy that he was afraid that in all Protestant countries, not the church only, but religion, was losing its hold upon the poor. In the Church of England, at all events, this would be a great calamity; for “of the two, it had better lose the rich.” “The minister of God,” he said, “is the defender of the poor, and he had better err by defending him too much than by deserting him when he needs defense. It is admitted that in many parts of England the laborer has had wrongs.” The fact that this speech was received by the poor with a surprised enthusiasm is in itself a melancholy phenomenon. What else should the poor expect to hear from a Christian minister? The matter of hazing at the Syracuse University is to be tested in the civil courts. Two freshmen were assaulted by a company of sophomores for wearing interdicted hats; their hats were stolen, and the young men left to go home hatless. The freshmen properly entered complaint at the police court, and the sophomores are under arrest. The charges for which the smart sophomores are arrested are, “assault and battery and petit larceny”—the same as would be brought against a party of common rowdies and thieves.