DELEGATE FROM THE S. D. BAPTISTS TO THE LAST GEN. CONF. OF S. D. ADVENTISTS.
Your delegate appointed to attend the last annual session of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference desires to submit the following report:—
The sessions of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, and also of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, were held at Battle Creek, Mich., within the week commencing March 11, 1873.
The General Conference is made up of delegates from the several State Conferences, and is the only body authorized to speak and act in behalf of the denomination, and is everywhere recognized as their highest denominational authority. It represents a constituency of some fourteen State Conferences, 239 churches, 5,875 members, 51 ministers, and 83 licentiates. To these are claimed, in order to an approximate estimate of their full strength, the addition of the considerable but unknown number of scattered brethren and sisters so located as to be without membership in their organized churches, and yet are essentially with them, taking their papers, purchasing and circulating their books, and contributing to their funds. The committee annually appointed and known as the General Conference Committee exercises a general supervision and control over their missionary and general work.
Their system of organization is compact, giving unity of action and efficiency in operation. Their method of raising funds, or Systematic Benevolence, is quite efficient and satisfactory in its results, as would appear from the fact that their gifts or pledges for the year amounted to something over thirty thousand dollars. As the result of the system adopted, they are able to report themselves as free from embarrassment from the want of funds for the prosecution of their work.
The Publishing Association is a compact body, having for its object the publication of periodicals, tracts, and books, for the wider dissemination of their views and doctrines. These publications are largely relied upon as important agencies for the successful prosecution of their work. The Association possesses a property of about seventy thousand dollars or upward, about one-half of which has been added from the proceeds of the business.
The sessions of the Conference and Association were characterized by general harmony of feeling and action, and the manifestation of an active interest on the part of the people. The reports of the laborers from the various fields were of a very encouraging character, and such as to indicate steady progress in the work to which they are committed as a people. They are learning by experience what every really earnest Christian people must learn, that the more they do, the broader will the field open before them, and the more numerous and imperative will come the calls for labor.
They have in our own country a prosperous mission among the Danes and Swedes, and one of considerable promise among the French, and also a foreign mission numbering about seventy-four converts among the Swiss.
They recognize, as their present greatest need in order to efficiency, more men, qualified to do efficient work as preachers and lecturers. To prepare their young people for future usefulness under circumstances in which they can control the moral influences which surround them, they have opened at Battle Creek, the past year, a school, and are now maturing the plans to make it a permanent denominational school. With the view to harmony of doctrine and Biblical interpretation, and in the way of preparation for their distinctive work, they have developed a plan for the delivery of several courses of theological lectures, at several points, during the year. These are designed mainly for the young men who have entered, or anticipate, the work of the ministry. Others, who desire, may, however, avail themselves of the privileges they afford. They are, as a people, very much in earnest, and are disposed to employ the most direct means to given ends.
The reception of your delegate was cordial and frank, and the desire was voluntarily expressed by their representative men, that, as Sabbath-keeping bodies, the Seventh-day Adventists and Seventh-day Baptists may live in peace with each other, and co-operate so far as the circumstances may admit. They are also disposed to discountenance in any of their preachers or lecturers the habit or disposition to press upon our people those doctrines which have been the occasion of trouble among some of our feebler churches in the past. The appointment of a delegate from that body to this meeting was referred to their General Conference Committee.
STEPHEN BURDICK, Delegate.
Are You in the Faith?
By R. F. Cottrell
“EXAMINE yourselves,” says an apostle, “whether ye be in the faith.” Faith is essential to salvation; without it, we cannot please God.
Have you faith in present truth? Is this message which we have heard, claiming to be that which was promised in prophecy (Rev. 14: 9-12), genuine? Is this movement, which has brought a few thousand to the observance of the down-trodden Sabbath of the Lord, from Heaven, or of men?
Brethren, is this the work of God, or is it a delusion? We need to have the question settled. It is either of God, or it is a delusion. If it is a delusion, it is of the devil, the father of lies; and the sooner we escape from it the better. But is the devil really engaged to build up that which we know to be the truth of God? The thought is preposterous. We know better. This work is not of the devil—it is not a delusion; then it is of God—it is genuine; and if it is of God, it is what it claims to be—it is the fulfillment of that which God promised.
If we obey the voice of the Saviour, we shall decide the question one way or the other. Said he, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit.” There is no neutral ground. A decision is demanded. To remain undecided and wavering is certainly not to be in the faith. Far from it. Faith is confidence, decided conviction, and not wavering. On a question like this, a question involving God’s word and providence, a decision is demanded for or against. Not to be decided is not of faith.
Suppose we decide against it. Then it is a delusion; and if it is a delusion, it is not of God, but belongs to the father of lies. Satan then has started a delusion the effect of which has been the conversion of some fifteen thousand, scattered in almost every State in the Union, the Canadas, in Switzerland, Italy, and other countries, to the entire law of God, the ten commandments, and also to the faith of the gospel of Christ as written in the New Testament. By this delusion, an office of publication has been established with a capital of over $70,000, for the purpose of publishing papers, books, and tracts, devoted to the advocacy of every commandment of the holy decalogue and every precept of the gospel of Christ! Say you, Satan has not done any such thing? You are right; he has not. Then the Lord has done it. The work is good; therefore it is of God. And if it is of God, it is what it professes to be—the proclamation of the last warning to mankind, as promised of God in prophecy. This is the unavoidable conclusion. To my mind, there is no other reasonable conclusion possible. The doctrine of chance has no place in the working out of the plan of God as foretold in his word. A failure is impossible; for he that promised is fully able to perform.
Brethren, we have accepted this faith. Do we believe it? It is possible that some who have been called out by this message do not believe. “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” Jude 5. This Advent movement—the preaching of this message—has brought us out where we are. Are you in the faith that it is of God? If so, we are agreed. But if it is of God, it will not stop in its present state of development; but will go on and increase till the world are thoroughly warned. Thousands upon thousands of good honest souls, in the churches and out, have never heard of it. If God has brought this work so far, he will carry it farther. If the third angel’s message has gathered up a few thousands who accept it, it is destined to go on till it gathers the remnant, that is, what remains, of the believing and true-hearted, to “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus;” so that the last effort of the dragon, in persecuting the church before their translation, will be directed against that people only who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Is this our faith? And have we a proper view of the magnitude of the work? Corresponding action is the best proof of it.
R. F. COTTRELL.
“The Form of Godliness.”
There can be no doubt that “the form of godliness” must be looked for with those who profess godliness, and a denial of “the power thereof” indicates a declension of piety among professors of Christianity. The Scriptures show that this characteristic will be general in “the last days.” But so fast have the churches degenerated of late that in many cases the form of godliness is scarcely seen. On Sunday morning they meet, and prayers are said, and a religious essay is read, but in almost everything else that is called “religious,” there is but little of the “form” of godliness. And yet, when we point to their “fall” as a fulfillment of prophecy, we are charged with a lack of “charity.” But true charity “rejoiceth in the truth,” and “not in iniquity.”
The “religious papers” of the land are falling under the pressure of worldly influence. Most of them have their “serial” stories, or novelettes, which are a half-way between the “Sunday-school library” story and the sensational novel. Advertisements of all kinds find their way into many of these “religious” papers, while Bible truth and pure morality are at a heavy discount.
The following we copy from the correspondence of the Golden Censer, a small paper, of unpretending appearance, but uncompromising in its opposition to formality in religion, printed in Rockford, Ill.:—
“On the fourth of July last, there was in this place a Methodist church festival. The pastor of the church, prior to the event, frequently urged the members of his congregation to participate in the coming festival. Great efforts were made to obtain the necessary provisions for the occasion, and a large committee was chosen to go from house to house, to solicit the desired funds, who scrupled not to call on the poor, some of whom are deprived of the comforts of life. But what seemed the most remarkable was this: One of the brethren afterwards remarked in class-meeting, that ‘he had prayed that it would stop raining on the evening of the festival, and that he had also heard that the minister had prayed for the same thing.’ Their talk amounted to this: ‘that their prayers had been answered.’”
“Now let us observe for a moment the relations, and see the inconsistency. This brother had prayed, according to his own words, many times for a revival of religion, and we all know that his prayers have not been answered, as the revival has not yet come. How strange that the Lord should answer prayers to let the people, professors and sinners, have a good time to gormandize, and indulge in sensualities for the avowed purpose of obtaining money to buy silver cups and other extravagances for the church, and not answer the prayer for the revival of the work of his kingdom, and save precious souls!”
“At this so-called pious feast, they sold indulgences in the shape of cigars, and took in, I think it was said, for peanuts alone, fifty dollars in one half of an hour.”
“The silly stuff which was published in the papers concerning this festival is sickening. I will give a specimen. A young man, Mr. ———, went from house to house to urge the people to prepare provisions and other necessaries for the festival, telling them that in so doing they were giving it to the Lord. Now what makes this an impious jest is, this young man is ungodly, is addicted to profanity, and indulges in the use of cigars. Another expression: In referring to the amount of money they netted for peanuts, the paper says, Mr. ———, whose truth and veracity none will question, said that it was not a good day for peanuts either. This Mr. ——— is also a profane and an ungodly man. Are not the church and the world amalgamated?”
We find in one of our exchanges the following announcement which is copied from the Elmira Advertiser:—
Attention, Members of the N. Y. & Pa. T. & M. Society.
By P. Z. Kinne
I wish to call the attention of each member of this society, and especially the directors, to Bro. Haskell’s article in the last REVIEW, addressed to the Tract and Missionary Societies. The fruit of zealous, self-sacrificing labor put forth in the past by some of our directors and members, and for the time being without any apparent good results, is now being developed. Since camp-meeting, we hear of a revival going on in one district (not a protracted meeting, but) the revival spirit seems to have taken hold of the members of the society, and the brethren and sisters are holding occasional meetings in different parts of the district, and several conversions are already reported. Oh! that all the officers and members of this society may seek a nearness to God and thus be prepared to engage in this great and final work of the third angel. From another district, we hear that those who embraced the truth during the past year are being confirmed in the truth, and the influence extended by the labors of its director.
But these are not the principal points I wish to bring before your minds. The importance of immediate action in extending the circulation of our periodicals is what I desire to impress upon the minds of all. Now is the best season of the year to do it. A liberal offer is made by the Publishing Association, and who will take hold of the work and move it forward to the glory of God?
Who can tell what might be the result of obtaining even but one new subscriber? The Judgment alone will reveal the amount of good accomplished by such efforts. Then again, what a suitable method of introducing our publications to strangers. For instance, let a person take a quantity of tracts and specimen copies of REVIEW, Reformer, and Instructor, go out into a new field, enter a family that you are unacquainted with, solicit subscriptions for the periodicals. How naturally that would lead to the discussion of different points of our faith; then how appropriate to hand out suitable tracts to meet the points under consideration, and thus in your effort accomplish a two-fold work.
Again, I inquire, Who will engage in this laudable work. Let all the directors encourage it in their respective districts, both by precept and example. Those wishing specimen copies of the periodicals for the campaign will please apply to the directors of their districts, who will be supplied on application to the secretary. Hand in your names and money to the librarian for the church of which you are a member, who will forward the names to the State Secretary, and he will see that they are properly credited. Do not let us be satisfied with the number of names and the amount proposed by Bro. Haskell for this State, but let the reports for this and the next quarter show that the work has been carried forward successfully.
P. Z. KINNE.
Kirkville, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1873.
Mockery in Prayer.
THE most eloquent prayer “ever addressed to a Boston audience” has become historical and proverbial. It has its fit successor, is even eclipsed by the following recent utterance before the Massachusetts House of Representatives, by the Rev. W. H. Cudworth, chaplain of that body. It is said to have been “inspired” by a railroad bill then under discussion. It certainly lacked inspiration of any higher kind. We quote:
All Thy works praise thee, Architect Divine, in all places of thy dominion. We rejoice before thee to-day, that, although fire and water mingled produce antagonism, from that antagonism we derive power and progress most promotive of human welfare; and we pray, amid the fire and water of opposing convictions touching a great common interest under consideration, that the throttle valve of circumstances may start a power among us which shall force the driving wheel of opportunity along the broad highway of human good, until that grand democratic terminus is reached—the greatest good of the greatest number. Amen!—Cincinnati Gazette.
No wonder that among so many prayers made to order, also some poor ones are turned out; the factory of itself is not very perfect, and must be repeatedly oiled; how should it turn out perfect productions all the time? The fact is, that all those prayers are superfluous, useless, and in many instances hypocritical. We cannot see the use of it, or the right of any State to pay for chaplains.—Exchange.
Bunyan on Heaven: Live Holily and See
JOHN BUNYAN was once asked a question about Heaven, which he could not answer, because the matter was not revealed in the Scriptures; and he thereupon advised the inquirer to live a holy life and go and see.
OUR own heart, and not other men’s opinions, forms our true honor.
Graces Grow Slowly Through Discipline and Patience
MEN plant prayers and endeavors, and go the next day to see if they have borne graces. Now God does not send graces as he sends light and rain, but they are wrought in us through long days of discipline and growth. Acorns and graces sprout quickly, but grow long before ripening.
I CAN never give God all the glory, till I see that in myself dwelleth no good thing.
Ohio Conference of S. D. Adventists.
By O. F. Guilford; A. A. Hutchins
THE Ohio State Conference held its eleventh annual session on the camp-ground, Lexington, Ohio, Sept. 11, 1873, at 4 P. M. Meeting was called to order by the President, and opened with prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler.
The number of the delegates to the Conference was thirteen, representing eleven churches. One church was not represented.
On motion, Elds. Butler and Haskell, also all brethren in good standing, were invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
The minutes of the last meeting were called for, read and approved.
Voted, That the churches at Mendon and Troy be admitted into the Conference.
By order of the Conference, the President appointed the following committees:— On Nominations, J. Mears, A. M. Mann, L. T. Dysert. Auditing Committee, O. Mears, J. Mears, Geo. Smith, A. M. Mann, J. Q. A. Haughey, W. T. Carson. On Resolutions, O. Mears, Jos. Clarke, W. T. Carson. On Licenses, J. Mears, E. W. Hutchins, Geo. Smith.
Adjourned to call of the President.
SECOND SESSION.
The Treasurer’s report called for, and read, showing, money received in full for the Conference year from Sept. 12, 1872, to Sept. 11, 1873, to be, $1,627.63. Amount on hand from last year, 51.77. Total, $1,679.40. Amount paid out during the year, $362.87. Balance in treasury, $1,316.53.
It was then voted that $500.00 of the S. B. funds of this Conference be donated to the use of the General Conference.
The Committee on Nominations reported the following Officers for the ensuing year:— President, O. Mears; Secretary, A. A. Hutchins; Treasurer, J. Mears. Conference Committee, O. Mears, Wm. Chinnock, E. C. Penn. Camp-meeting Committee, J. B. Gregory, I. Edgerton, Geo. Bisel. The report was accepted and the nominees were elected by vote. The report from Committee on Licenses was accepted. Credentials were given to H. A. St. John, and the following brethren were voted licenses for the coming year:— O. Mears, A. A. Hutchins, Wm. Cottrell.
The Committee on Resolutions report the following, which was adopted by the Conference:—
Resolved, 1. That we will do all in our power to forward the various enterprises entered upon by our people: the Denominational School, the T. and M. Society, Health Institute, &c.
2. That we thank the General Conference for remembering us, in providing for us ministerial aid; and we here assure them that we shall gladly welcome Bro. E. B. Lane to this State, or any one whom they may send to this destitute field.
3. That we tender our thanks to the ministers, committees, and all who have labored so faithfully to make this meeting a success.
4. That we praise the Lord for the gifts he has placed in the church, and we pledge to all our faithful ministers, especially to Bro. and sister White, our candid sympathy and fervent prayers, and our hearty support.
5. That the Conference year commence the first of January. The following resolutions were presented by Bro. Butler, and adopted by the Conference:—
Resolved, That this Conference recommend to all S. B. Treasurers that they pay their S. B. funds belonging to the Conference to the Conference Treasurer, and that all money paid out of the treasury should be by order of the Executive Committee.
Resolved, That this Conference consider it the duty of all persons laboring in their employ, to consult with the Executive Committee in regard to their place of labor, and that it is expected of all who labor in this Conference that they labor in new fields, unless directed by the Executive Committee to labor in the churches, and in settling with laborers at the close of the Conference year, such settlement will be in harmony with the above principle.
Resolved, That this Conference recommend that Bro. O. Mears should labor among the churches according to the best of his judgment as the providence of God may seem to direct.
Adjourned sine die.
O. F. GUILFORD, Pres.
A. A. HUTCHINS, Sec.
Litchfield, Minnesota.
By Charles Lee
The cause of God is progressing in this place. Both friend and fiend have aroused from their slumber. The priest that I referred to in my last report was finally brought to our meetings by the authority of his own church members. And he—for safety’s sake—had with him two gentlemen (or one, for the other was not very gentle) of the clergy. Our meeting, the first evening he was with us, we held in a farmer’s large frame-house, the farmer being the next neighbor of the priest. Quite a large number of people congregated that evening, and while I was speaking, they gave good attention. The priest, however, did not make his appearance in the room where the people were assembled, but allowed himself to be placed in a corner of the kitchen. When I got through speaking, and gave the congregation to understand that if any one had anything to say, their time had come, the priest entered the room, and in a stuttering voice, said: “I am the priest of this congregation, and I would like to know what authority you have to crowd yourself among us without my consent.”
The answer to his question had already been given that evening, as I read at the opening of our meeting the 10th chapter of Matthew, which relates to us how Christ sent his disciples unto the world to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and we had now only to refer to it. A discussion was called for by the people, and this was continued until after one o’clock at night. After a few days, I met with the priest at his meeting (for he began to hold meetings so as to hinder the people from going to our meetings), and then we had another discussion. The results of these discussions have been good for the cause of God. Our congregation has continued to increase since, and several have become convinced of the truth.
With the assurance from the priest that he would never debate with us again, we continued as heretofore, thinking that no one would disturb us any more. But hardly a week had passed when one morning, as we were to meet with our friends, the first one that met with us at the place of our gathering was the priest of this place, and he joyfully declared that he had found another priest that wanted to have a debate with me that evening. I told him they were entirely welcome. At the hour for our meeting to begin, the meeting-house was crowded with people, and with them, the priest spoken of. I spoke to the congregation when our discussion opened. A great many of the people who rejoiced in thinking they had found a learned and smart man, who would be able to settle all uneasiness caused by “Adventism” in this place, expressed the groundlessness of their expectations. Others spoke out their astonishment over the friendship (similar to that of Herod and Pilate) that now existed between the two priests and some of the people. The priests did not belong to the same synod, and had, previously, worked hard against each other. Said one man: “I am astonished to find these two priests so intimate friends just now, as they have heretofore done all in their power to crowd each other out.” Others said that the truth was plain on our side. The priest of this place finally said: “If we even should send for the most learned professor of Norway, he would not be able to change their minds.” I told him that the pope of Rome himself would not be able to affect us in the least with a wrong theory, so long as we chose the word of God for our guide. They all left us very quietly, which is something uncommon for the majority of that class of people. These two years that I have been out proclaiming the “present truth,” I have been called upon to debate with Baptist, Methodist, and Lutheran, preachers, and I can say, to the credit of the Lutherans, that I have found their preachers, in general, more civil and better educated than the former.
We have now organized a church of twenty members, known as the church of Litchfield, Minn. There are still three of our friends who could not meet with us at the time we organized the church. And there are several that are convinced of the truth, but have not made a decision yet. May God strengthen the friends to walk out in the truth of God! The church has pledged $61 to the Minnesota Conference for this year, and desire to be taken under the watchcare of the Conference. The friends here are a people that have a good name and influence among their neighbors; and if our enemies did say, the last time I labored in Meeker Co., that the outcasts of the community came out on our side, they will have to admit, this time, that the poorest ones are left, and the best ones came out on the side of the truth. May God help our friends to be strong and faithful! Nearly all the members of this church can understand the English language; and we hope that our American brethren will visit them if convenient.
CHARLES LEE.
Litchfield, Meeker Co., Minn.
WAITING
How long, O Lord! My fainting soul grows weary
Beneath its weight of earthly care each day,
And sometimes all around seems cold and dreary,
And threatening clouds o'erhang my toilsome way;
With heart and hand o'erburdened, shall I dare
To mingle low complaining with my prayer?
Oh, let me now thy wondrous peace inherit!
Dispel the darkness—crush the tempter's power;
Unbind these chains that hold my struggling spirit,
Reveal Heaven's glorious light one blessed hour,
And from the boundless treasuries of grace
Help me to end the conflict, win the race.
Presumptuous prayer! O weak and stubborn mortal!
Behold the cross, the scourge, the thorny crown,
The shadow dark'ning even Heaven's portal,
Then cast the vain imagination down;
Thou canst not gain the victory but through strife;
Only through sufferings deep we enter life.
Enough. Here in my weakness lowly bending;
Each fond desire, each vain regret be still—
Dear Lord, once more in pity condescending,
Low in the dust lay my rebellious will;
The day will not be long if thou art near,
Nor will the darkest night awaken fear.
Thou who didst make the hard, cold earth thy pillow,
Teach me in patience still my watch to keep;
In midnight darkness on the foaming billow,
Or where still waters in green pastures sleep;
Through fire by night, or stormy cloud by day,
Still let me keep thine own appointed way.
—Sel.
Chicago, Illinois.
By John Matteson
CIRCUMSTANCES demanded my immediate presence in Chicago after my return from Minnesota. One of the brethren had gone into spiritualism and was laboring hard to draw others with him. Two others had backslidden, and a feeling of discouragement had come over most of the members. I labored among them five weeks, three of these laboring also, part of the time in Evanston. Evanston is the most beautiful town I have seen. Neatness, order, temperance, and healthfulness combined make it a desirable place. No saloons or disorderly noise at all are allowed. It is mostly inhabited by wealthy people who do business in Chicago. The place is eminent for learning. Here is a Methodist University, Seminary, Academy, and a great many other extensive buildings for education. The place has also become proverbial for its great piety. Nevertheless they appeared to me to be idolaters, worshiping the great gods: money, popularity, and fashion. I was favored with a sermon from the honored President of the University, one Sunday forenoon, to a very fashionable congregation. I had not for a long time attended a popular church and was perfectly astounded. Had the man professed to be a spiritualist, then I should not have wondered. The main part of his sermon was devoted to Darwinism. Yet he went back of the oysters, commencing the formation of man with the roughest kind of stone, which, through millions on millions of ages, developed and progressed until at last a brain came forth—small front, large back-brain. Millions of ages rolled on. Behold, about even back and front brain, yet balanced on a bird’s neck, not very steady in its motions. At last came forth large front, small backbrain balanced beautifully on a human neck.
These things he called undisputable facts establishing the great principle of progression, on which he proceeded into the higher spheres. Soon, said he, the real man would develop, and break this mortal shell; then he would look up into Heaven through the cracks, and take hold of the Omnipotent. Ascending up out of the shell, there would be a never-ending progression and development throughout eternity. To gather riches and walk in the bright light of human applause and honor was the sure way of going forward in this great work of progression.
Such sermons are applauded and highly spoken of by so-called Christian professors. Truly, Babylon is fallen, is fallen!
A few Scandinavian brethren and sisters are living here. One beloved sister (sister Johnson, who had embraced the truth by reading Advent Tidende) died in the blessed hope while I was here. She was very sickly; had thought of going to the Institute, but never reached it. Was very zealous in advocating the truth after she had embraced it. She went to a Swedish settlement in Iowa, where her brother lives, before her death. We hear now from there that the Baptist minister is keeping the Sabbath, is laboring to spread the truth, and that others are taking hold with him.
Three more embraced the commandments in Evanston. By the blessing of the Lord, the brethren in Chicago were encouraged and helped forward. One brother was excluded. His spiritualistic influence is cut off with the exception of one or two with whom we have labored, but there is still danger of their falling away. Five new members united with the church, three of whom were baptized. We enjoyed sweet peace and union celebrating the ordinances of the Lord. This church has stronger influences to contend with than any other among the Scandinavians, yet the Lord has helped hitherto, and we trust in him unto the end. I have been with the church in Oakland two weeks, and go to Raymond next week, the Lord willing. JOHN MATTESON.
Wisconsin Tent Report.
By David Downer
SINCE my last report, I have been doing what I could alone. There are now about twenty-five professing to keep the Sabbath. Last Sunday was a good day for us. Six happy souls were buried with Christ in baptism. Opposition is strong yet, but is growing less. I have been laboring in schoolhouses of late, the weather being so cold I could not preach in the tent.
There is much to be done for those here yet. May God direct. Bro. Atkinson has just arrived; his help is very acceptable now. I earnestly crave the prayers of all. My address, till further notice, will be Modena, Buffalo Co., Wis.
DAVID DOWNER.
Sept. 18, 1873.
Indiana State Conference.
THE Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists held its first annual meeting at Raile’s Grove, Howard Co., Sept. 19, 1873. The President in the chair.
Meeting opened with prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. Four churches were represented by delegates, and one by letter. The Secretary being absent, S. H. Lane was chosen to act in his place.
It was voted that all the brethren in good standing be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
The minutes of the last meeting, in which the Conference was organized, were read and accepted.
On motion, the President appointed the following committees:—
On Nominations, S. H. Lane, John Richards, J. M. Rees. On Resolutions, Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, E. R. Jones. On Licenses, S. H. Lane, Wm. R. Carpenter, Gabriel Lloyd. Auditing Committee, Chas. Seaward, I. A. Olmstead, N. Carahoof, Isaac Zirkle, Geo. Shortridge, and Geo. White, assisted by Brn. Butler and Haskell.
Adjourned to the call of the President.
SECOND SESSION.
Prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. The Treasurer’s report of S. B. funds was read and accepted.
TREASURER’S REPORT.
Received during the year, $929.86
Paid out, 545.80
Balance in Treasury, 384.06
Isaac Zirkle, Treasurer.
The Committee on Nominations reported the following-named persons for officers for the Conference the ensuing year:— President, Wm. Covert; Secretary, Wm. R. Carpenter; Treasurer, Isaac Zirkle. Conference Committee, Wm. Covert, James Harvey, Noah Carahoof. The report was accepted, and these brethren were unanimously elected.
The Committee on Licenses recommended that Brn. Wm. Covert, and W. W. Sharp be licensed by the Conference. After some very interesting and instructive remarks by Bro. Butler in reference to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, the Conference granted a license to each of the above-named brethren.
The Committee on Resolutions offered the following, which were unanimously adopted by the Conference:—
Resolved, That we deeply deplore our condition spiritually, and feel anxious to rise and occupy that position where we may have more of a lively interest in every department of this work, and that we will seek that spirit of sacrifice that will be acceptable to God.
Resolved, That this Conference consider it the duty of all S. B. Treasurers to pay all means in their hands belonging to the Conference into the hands of the Conference Treasurer; and that when such funds are to be paid out, it must be by the order of the Executive Committee.
Moved, That this Conference donate to the General Conference $250.00. Carried. The following-named brethren were elected as a Camp-meeting Committee:— J. M. Rees, Geo. White, Jesse Edwards, and N. Carahoof.
Voted, That the minutes of this Conference be published in REVIEW.
Adjourned sine die.
Wm. Covert, Pres.
S. H. Lane, Sec. pro. tem.
D. M. CANRIGHT
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Colorado.
I HAVE been here something over three weeks. The interest is small. Have spoken sixteen times, and five or six have embraced the Sabbath. Sold $34.00 worth of books, and obtained ten subscribers for the Review.
D. M. CANRIGHT
Sept. 22, 1873.
Courage, Piety, and Humility
TRUE courage is unassuming; true piety, serious and humble.
MEN willingly believe what they wish to be true.
Two Bricks to Begin With.
In a city renowned for its crowded churches, there is one called, by way of eminence, the brick church. It was the first church built of brick in this city. Its congregation had increased so that the church could not well accommodate the crowd. It was old-fashioned, and behind the times.
At length, it was resolved to build a new church. Meeting after meeting was held, but the prospects for a new church grew more and more discouraging, until the most hopeful became disheartened and were ready to give it up. One morning, after a discouraging meeting had been held, the pastor’s door-bell rang very early. On opening the door, the servant found a small boy, who inquired for Dr. S——. The servant told him he had not come down, and demanded what he wanted. “I want to see Dr. S——,” answered the boy. Presently Dr. S—— came to the door, and found a small boy with a wheelbarrow three times as large as himself holding two bricks, which he said he “had brought to build the new church with!”
The doctor put on his hat and walked out into the street, saying to every man he met, “The church will be built; the first load of brick is on the ground.” And it was built—a large church, a convenient church, a beautiful church.
Who shall despise the day of small things?—Good News.
Obituary Notices.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
Died, at Newark, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1873, our father, Pinkham Crommett, aged 84 years and 14 days. He joined the Methodist church some fifty years ago. Was ever an active, earnest worker in the cause of religion. He was brought to see and embrace the truth of the third angel’s message some four years since, by reading the Review and publications sent to him by his son-in-law, J. W. Cassidy, of Petaluma, California. He rejoiced in, and lived out, the truth till his death. He kept up a correspondence with his relatives in California, expressing the strongest desires to hear the living preacher of these truths, and see some of like faith. He died strong in the faith of having a part in the first resurrection. He sleeps in Jesus. May we, his children, meet him where parting will be no more. J. W. Cassidy & Wife.
Died, in San Francisco, Cal., Sept. 10, 1873, William Jerome Wilkins, of Red Bluff, Tehama Co., Cal., formerly from Baltimore, Md., aged 27 years. Bro. Wilkins embraced present truth and was baptized by the writer, April 23, 1873, in the Sacramento river near Red Bluff. He was an upright infidel until he heard present truth. When he saw the harmony of the Bible, he gladly moved out to obey the truth and made rapid progress in the attainment of the Christian graces. His end was peaceful and happy. He leaves a mother, companion, and three children; but they have the consolation that he sleeps in Jesus. J. N. Loughborough.