Sister Mary Judson writes from Homer, Mich.: I wish to give my testimony in favor of this last message of mercy, which is being preached to dying man. It seems plainer every day, that we cannot live as we should for one day, no, not for one hour, without God's grace in our hearts. This world's history is fast drawing to a close, and soon we shall see our Saviour coming in the clouds of heaven. Even now it seems very near, for we see the signs fast fulfilling. Soon His voice will be heard saying, "He that is filthy, let him be filthy still; he that is holy, let him be holy still." I am determined to overcome and be numbered with God's people, that I may escape the coming storm of wrath.
I remember with pleasure many happy Sabbaths spent among Sabbath-keepers. These are bright spots, which point to that eternal rest that awaits every humble child of God. May the glad day soon come, when we shall hear the summons,
"Child your Father calls, come home."
Sister Rogers writes from Mauston, Wis. : I would say to all the dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad that I still love the truth. I love the Review, laden with precious truths from week to week; just such truths as the remnant need.
I have been trying to draw nearer to God. The language of my heart has been, "Nearer my God to thee." I made up my mind to pray more, and blessed be God, and let the Rock of my salvation be praised, he deigns to hear the feeble voice of my supplication, and Jesus has revealed himself to me, the "chiefest among ten thousand, the one altogether lovely."
"Jesus, dear name, how sweet the sound,
'Tis music to my ear."
He is indeed a present help in every time of need. Peter says, to those who believe he is precious. Oh how precious is Jesus! He is a refuge; he is a shadow of a great rock in a weary land; he is a fortress, he is a high tower into which the righteous flee and are safe. He is the best friend man ever had. He laid aside the glory he had with the Father before the world was, and came down into this wicked world and became a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; he hungered and thirsted, and at last laid down his life for a race of rebels. Oh the matchless depths of a Saviour's love!
"Precious is thy name, sweet Jesus,
Sweeter than an angel's dream,
More melodious than the music
Swelling from a seraph's hymn,
Precious is thy love that brought thee
From thy Father's throne above,
To redeem a world in ruin,
Bid its heavy curse remove."
Dear brethren and sisters let us gird anew the gospel armor. If faithful a little longer we shall see the King in his beauty. There is rest for the weary, even in this life, when we can cast all our cares on Jesus, knowing that he careth for us. Amid the cares and trials of this life how sweet it is to trust in God!
Oh glorious hope of the Christian; how it buoys the sinking spirits up, when the body is racked with pain, and disease is preying on the system! How comforting the thought that we shall ere long become citizens of that country where the inhabitants shall never say "I am sick." By the assisting grace of God I am determined to meet you on Mount Zion.
Yours, striving to overcome.
Charlotte McNeil writes from Hinsdale, N. H. : It cheers and comforts my heart to hear from the lone ones that are scattered up and down the earth, and I can but exclaim, Surely the Lord is preparing a people to meet him when he comes. May I be one of that number who shall be all ready to meet him in peace, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. I have been striving for an entire consecration and dedication of myself to God, and the Lord has manifested himself to me in a mysterious way, by placing me in the furnace, and I would say, Thy will, not mine be done, and with the poet exclaim—
"Nearer my God to thee
Nearer to thee;
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me."
When we get so near the Lord that we have the assurance he hears our cries, and sweet answers of peace fill our waiting hearts, then we can rejoice in tribulation, knowing we have a great "High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, who was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin." He can save all that come unto him. Blessed thought! He can save us from all sin. He died to redeem us, and whosoever will come, may come and partake of the waters of life freely.
Quarterly Meetings in Vermont.
By H. Bingham
YESTERDAY, the churches from Stowe, Wolcott, and Johnson, met at my house on Quarterly occasion. Bro. Stone gave us two interesting discourses in the forenoon, from Rom. viii, 12, showing how necessary it is for us to be possessed of God's Spirit, that we walk under its influence, in order to be saved from the works of the flesh or natural mind, then contrasted the works of the natural mind, and the lead of the Spirit and its fruits. The church were much interested, and I trust strengthened to try to believe and obey, so that they may constantly feel its divine and saving influence.
In the afternoon, he gave another discourse from Mal. iii, 2, calling us to stand before the gospel glass, and see if we were willing to stay in the crucible until the dross is all gone, and we are made pure, and stand in perfect obedience to the law and the doctrine of Jesus, or faith, so that we can hope for protection when there will be no Mediator.
The brethren and sisters then enjoyed the privilege of confessing their faith, and exhorting each other to more interest and self-sacrifice, that through our Saviour's merits, they may be overcomers and inherit the new kingdom. This seemed to me to be a profitable meeting.
H. BINGHAM.
Appointments.
General Convocation Meeting in Iowa.
PURSUANT to the vote of the Iowa State Conference, "That the Seventh-day Adventists of Iowa hold a General Convocation Meeting of several days, at some central point," Providence permitting, meeting will be held in the Iowa tent, near the S. D. Adventist meeting-house, at Pilot Grove, Washington Co., Iowa, commencing on Wednesday, August 29, 1866, and continuing over Sabbath and first-day, Sep. 1st, and 2nd.
It is expected that there will be a general attendance of the brethren and sisters in this State. Those also that can come from adjoining States, are cordially invited to attend. Come with provision and bedding, prepared to take care of yourselves, that the church at Pilot Grove may enjoy the benefit of the meeting with you.
There will be preaching only once each day, except Sabbath and first-day. Much of the time will be spent in prayer and social meetings, in which all the brethren and sisters will be expected to take a part. Let us remember that the object of this will be our mutual religious interest, and advancement in holiness; and may we pray for God's blessing to rest upon this Convocation Meeting.
A. C. BOURDEAU,
D. T. BOURDEAU.
We design to hold meetings as follows:
Hartland, Me., or where Eld. Goodrich may appoint, Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 4 and 5; Brewer, Me., or where the brethren may appoint, Aug. 11 and 12; the following week one of us will remain to hold meetings in that vicinity, if duty seems to demand it, the other will return to spend Sabbath and first-day in Norridgewock; and Aug. 25 and 26 we will both meet the brethren in Portland, or where they may appoint.
The interest in this region to hear upon the present truth is still very great. We have used our time and strength to the best advantage that we were capable, since coming this way. The good work is certainly making some progress. Hereafter we hope to labor much of the time elsewhere.
J. N. ANDREWS.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren, as follows:
At Monthly Meeting in Jackson, Aug. 4.
At Greenbush, at 2 P. M., " 8.
At Ithaca, " 11.
At Alma and Seville, " 18.
At Windsor, Monthly Meeting, " 25.
JOHN BYINGTON.
The Michigan Conference.
By Editor
As the first quarter of the Conference year is about expiring, it becomes time to arrange labor in the Conference for the coming quarter. We would therefore appoint Bro. Byington to the Eastern District, and Bro. Bates to the Southern, during the second quarter of the year.
MICH. CONF. COMMITTEE.
Note from Bro. Fuller.
By N. Fuller
BRO. WHITE: According to appointment, Bro. Taylor reached our part of the State the last of June. We have held meetings together three Sabbaths and first-days. The burden of Bro. Taylor's preaching has been the Laodicean message, and health reform. It has been meat in due season to the churches, and his testimony has been well received. May the Lord still bless his labors.
Our monthly meeting has just closed. We repaired to the water where seven youth (children of Sabbath-keepers) put on Christ by baptism. Most of them gave their hearts to God about the time of the fast. May these tender lambs be conducted safely to the heavenly fold. Nine others united with the church, mostly those who have moved from the Ulysses church. I think the work may and will go forward when we cut loose from all influences that are not in harmony with the third angel's message.
How long shall Satan rejoice to see the cause crippled by a dividing influence? Shall not those who would see the cause of truth triumph, make every interest bend to the advancement of the great work of saving the honest, by the last warning to the world?
Yours hoping to overcome,
N. FULLER.
Nile, N. Y., July, 17, 1866.
Meetings in Allegan.
By P. Strong
BRO. WHITE: We had a very good time at our Monthly Meeting in Allegan. There was a misunderstanding in giving the appointment to Otsego, and therefore it was not as well attended as usual. But the Lord never disappoints those who gather together in accordance with his word. Heb. x, 25.
The Spirit was there to cheer us, and our hearts were made to rejoice with our brethren, as the fire of God's love passed from heart to heart, and the cheering testimonies were given.
One has embraced the Sabbath in this place, since our last gathering, and there is more of a friendly spirit manifested than in former days.
As a church we are made to feel sad in parting with our dear Bro. Lay. We need his encouraging testimony, and experience. He has stood by us in all our trials, and felt to rejoice in all our rejoicing. And we feel to say as a people, May the blessing of God go with him, and his, in his new undertaking.
Our next Monthly Meeting, will be in Otsego, at the school-house near Bro. Hadden's the first Sabbath in August.
P. STRONG.
Confession from D. W. Hull.
By D. W. Hull
BRO. WHITE: I have just come out of a two weeks' crusade against the cause of the Lord, and as I have been very active during that time, I feel that a confession is due from me.
Elder Snook came here and preached about a week, and talked with me considerable during that time, and I was finally induced to go out to hear him, and after the second discourse I rashly yielded up this truth, which has so often rejoiced my heart. I immediately became a changed man. I exercised all my powers to induce my brethren to follow me in my mad career. Oh, the stigma of those two weeks will cling to my conscience as long as I shall live. What shall I do? what can I do? Oh that I had those two weeks to live over again!
During this time I do not believe I was myself. As I did not stop to think of the result of my course, I wrote some articles for the Hope of Israel, which I would give much to have back; but alas! the enemy has them under his control!
But the Lord in his mercy sent the Brn. Bourdeau this way, whose kind and patient entreaties I resisted for a week. How I wonder at this! I ask their forgiveness. I ask your prayers. If any should ever think of going into rebellion, I wish they would just write to me before they take the step. I want to tell them some of my experience whilst connected with it. I think they would be cured of any further desire to fight against this truth. I am again happy, but remorse and shame fill my soul.
Your brother in behalf of the truth.
D. W. HULL.
Fairfield, Iowa, July, 1866.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
Wm. Carpenter. Received.
H. C. Winslow. L. W. Shaw's Review has been mailed regularly every week.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the condition should then be given.
Mrs J C Dopkins 29-8, W C Millard 29-1, A Pierce 28-1, W Bryant 29-1, M Dustin 30-9, W A Geer 28--18, Mrs P D Lawrence 29-1, each $1.00.
L Day 30-8, P C Truman 30-14, W Coats 28-12, A L Woodruff 30-1, S M Holly 30-11, O F Brockway 30-3, D B Welch 29-10, J Spangler 29-1, M J Hill 30-8, M M Nelson 30-5, W Morton 30-6, J Young 29-14, Geo C Cochran 30-9, B Graham 30-1, M A Chamberlain 30-9, M McAvoy 30-1, A Damon 28-11, A C Webster 29-21, A Kirstine 30-12, G W Holly 29-14, G Parsons 30-11, I Warner 31-11, J M Sealey 30-1, J Griffin 30-1, A F Fowler 30-1, E Doty 30-7, A Woodruff 30-14, each $2.00.
D Oviatt 1.50 30-7, L Wait 3.00 29-1, W Chinneck 2.50 30-1, M Annis 50c, 29-9, H Reynolds 50c, 29-9.
Subscriptions at the Rate of $3.00 per year.
B M Osgood 3.00 32-1, S A Rowland 3.00 30-1, A B Pearsall 3.00 29-1.
Review and Publication Fund.
L Day 2.00, H Bingham 1.00.
Donations to Publishing Association.
"Some one" $50.00.
Books Sent By Mail.
R Bisbee 55c, P Robinson 25c, L E Millne 25c, H Bingham $3.00, J L Locke $2.00 G W Reynolds 25c, H Gibbs 1.00, G C Cochran 1.00, Mrs M Palmer 20c, W Bryant 1.00, S W Rhodes 50c, I D Cramer 28c, A K Rasmussen 1.00, H Mikkelson 7.50, W Chinneck 90c, M E Reynolds 24c, I Warner 55c, L Locke 5c.
Books sent by Express.
S H King, Ionia, Mich. 10.00.
Cash Received on Account.
J L Locke 5.00, T Paton 5.00.
To Raise the sum of $500, for Bro. Cottrell.
Previously received 173.16, H Bingham $25.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Ch at Hanover 20.00.
To Raise the Sum of $700, for Bro. M. E. Cornell.
Previously received 390.16, H Bingham 25.00, H Phillips 5.00, D Nye 5.00, L A Gurney 5.00, C A Gurney 5.00, O B Jones 10.00, N N Lunt 10.00.
For the Western Health-Reform Institute.
J G Whipple 50.00, A C Hudson 25.00, S M Holly 25.00, E Rice 25.00, E Wick 50.00, O Terpenny 25.00, R Baker 25.00, E Lawton 25.00, B F Bradbury 25.00, Mrs C Manly 100.00, Mrs M M Nelson 25.00, T Brown 50.00 L R Chappell 25.00, Wm Treadwell 25.00, L Drake 25.00, A Ross 50.00, H Edson 25.00, B Judd 50.00.
Article on the Sabbath Question
By Editor
We publish this week an article from Bro. Cottrell on the Sabbath question, written and sent in May last to the Earnest Christian, of Rochester, N. Y. As neither the article nor any allusion to it has yet appeared in that publication, we conclude it is not to find a place in its columns, and so give it in the Review.