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Review and Herald, Vol. 52, No. 16.

SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTS
Earlier text: SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTS

Your Reputation Rests on Your Own Conduct

YOUR reputation can never be materially harmed, except by your own acts. If any one speaks evil of you, let your life be such that none will believe him.

LESSONS FOR BIBLE CLASSES.

By G. H. Bell

LESSON XVIII.—THE DATE OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS AND THE 2300 DAYS.

QUESTIONS.

  1. From what event was the period of seventy weeks to be reckoned? Dan. 9:25.
  2. How does the angel speak of this commandment?
  3. What means had Daniel of knowing that such a commandment was to be given?
  4. Where is the promise of it found?
  5. What reason had Daniel for expecting that this commandment would soon be issued? Jer. 29:10.
  6. For what had he been so earnestly pleading when the angel appeared to him? Dan. 9:1–19.
  7. Did he receive any assurance that the commandment should go forth?
  8. Did Gabriel tell him when the commandment should be issued?
  9. How does he mention it?
  10. What did the angel show to Daniel instead of telling him when the commandment should go forth?
  11. For what was Daniel particularly anxious?
  12. To what did the angel direct Daniel’s attention? Dan. 8:14.
  13. How far were the seventy weeks to reach?
  14. To what was the whole period of 2300 days to reach?
  15. What was thus shown to Daniel?
  16. What do we learn from Ezra 1:1–3?
  17. What does the commandment referred to in Dan. 9:25 include?
  18. To what does the work of restoration have reference?
  19. How many of the Jewish people availed themselves of the permission granted them by Cyrus?
  20. How was the work of building the temple interrupted?
  21. What enabled the Jews to resume the work?
  22. Who issued this decree?
  23. When?
  24. What did it afford them?
  25. Did it make any provision for the restoration of the Jewish laws?
  26. When was a decree issued that granted full powers to complete the work of restoring and building Jerusalem?
  27. By whom was it issued?
  28. How is this commandment mentioned in Ezra 6:14?
  29. What does this show?
  30. When was this commandment complete?
  31. When did the seventy weeks and the 2300 days begin?

SYNOPSIS.

In Dan. 9:25, the angel speaks of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem as something already understood by the prophet. He undoubtedly did understand it; for in Isa. 44:28, God promises that such a commandment should be issued. In Jer. 29:10, the period of the captivity of Daniel’s people is fixed at seventy years. See also 2 Chron. 36:21. As this time had nearly expired, Daniel must have been expecting that this commandment promised in Isa. 44:28 would soon go forth; indeed it was for this he was so earnestly praying when the angel appeared to him. See Dan. 9:19 and preceding verses.
The angel, instead of telling Daniel when the commandment should go forth, merely mentioned it as the starting point, or date, of the seventy weeks and the 2300 days, showing him when the promised Messiah would begin his ministry upon the earth, and how long it would continue. Daniel was very anxious about the worldly sanctuary which was then lying in ruins at Jerusalem. The angel assures him that this worldly sanctuary should be restored, and points him forward to the ministration in that heavenly sanctuary of which the worldly was but a type.
The seventy weeks were to reach a little beyond the close of the ministration in the earthly sanctuary and the beginning of the ministration in the heavenly. The whole period of 2300 days was to reach to the closing work in the heavenly sanctuary. See Dan. 8:14. Thus Daniel was shown the grand outline of the work to be performed for the salvation of men.
In Ezra 1:1–3, we learn that Cyrus issued a decree, granting permission to the Jews then in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. But the commandment referred to in Dan. 9:25 includes the building not only of the temple but of the city. It also included a work of restoration, which must have reference to the re-establishment of Jewish laws and customs,—the restoration of the civil government.
Availing themselves of the permission granted them by Cyrus, nearly fifty thousand of the Jewish people left Babylon, went up to Jerusalem, and began to rebuild the temple. About fourteen years later they were so hindered by their enemies as to be obliged to give up the work; but in B. C. 519, Darius Hystaspes issued a decree which afforded them protection and assistance in the work which Cyrus had given them to do. This decree, however, made no provision for the restoration of the Jewish laws.
At length, in B. C. 457, Artaxerxes Longimanus, the Ahasuerus of the Book of Esther, issued a decree granting Ezra full power to complete the work of restoring and building Jerusalem.
In Ezra 6:14, this commandment is mentioned first as the commandment of the God of Israel, and then as the commandment of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, thus showing that the decrees of these Persian kings, all taken together, constituted but the one commandment which the God of Israel had long before decreed in Isa. 44:28. The commandment was not complete till the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus was issued B. C. 457, and the seventy weeks and the 2300 days commenced with the autumn of this year, when Ezra began the work which the decree authorized him to do. G. H. BELL.

FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE S. D. ADVENTIST EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY.

By James White; Uriah Smith

Stockholders in the Educational Society assembled in response to the call of the Trustees, on the Battle Creek campground, Oct. 7, 1878, and were called to order by the president, Eld. James White, who made the opening prayer.
The meeting was then organized by calling the roll to ascertain the number of stockholders present and the number of shares represented. It was ascertained that there were present one hundred shareholders, holding eight hundred and six shares.
Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
The auditor’s report not being quite ready, on motion the chair appointed the following brethren as a nominating committee: S. N. Haskell, D. M. Canright, and R. F. Andrews.
Adjourned to call of the chair.
Second meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 5 P. M. Prayer by J. Fargo. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
The treasurer’s report was then presented, reading as follows:—

TREASURER’S REPORT.

A. B. Owen in account with the S. D. A. Educational Society for the year ending Oct. 7, 1878.
Dr.
Entry Amount
To amount rec’d on pledges, $3758.50
To amount rec’d on tuitions, 4375.78
To amount rec’d on real estate and rent, 2082.87
To amount rec’d on College Record, book sales and other sales, 282.74
Total $10,499.89
Cr.
Entry Amount
By amount paid on deposits, $865.00
By amount paid on salaries, 3042.59
By amount paid on janitor’s wages, 364.62
By amount paid on indebtedness, 4502.75
By amount paid on incidentals, 992.06
Cash on hand, 732.37
Total $10,499.89

INVENTORY.

The S. D. A. Educational Society holds property valued as follows:
Property Value
Real estate, College grounds, $12,155.00
Real estate, buildings, 23,323.32
Real estate, detached lots, 8,150.00
Real estate, 3 new cottages, 4,014.34
Due on notes, 3,884.76
Cash on hand, Oct. 7, 1878, 732.37
Total $52,259.79
The Society owes as follows:—
Liability Amount
On book account, 6,327.51
On notes, 1,350.00
Total 7,677.51
Assets after all debts are paid, $44,582.28
A. B. Owen, Treasurer.
This report was accepted.
The nominating committee nominated the following persons to act as trustees for the ensuing year: James White, W. B. Sprague, W. C. White, W. C. Sisley, U. Smith, J. H. Kellogg, and S. Brownsberger. The balloting showed 410 votes cast; necessary for a choice, 206. The persons nominated received 370 vs. 40 scattering, and were accordingly declared elected.
Oct. 9, a general meeting was held in the interests of this society. Prayer by Eld. Loughborough. The chairman called upon Prof. Brownsberger, who responded with stirring remarks in behalf of the College. W. C. White and Mrs. E. G. White followed with instructive words on the subject of the school and the cause of education among us.
The following resolution was presented by Eld. White:—
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the Michigan Conference Committee select fifty young men who should become students at the Battle Creek College to prepare for the ministry, and assist those who need help by loaning them money without interest, to be refunded by them at the earliest period they shall be able to pay the principal; which shall be kept as a reserve fund under the management of the Conference Committee.
This resolution was spoken to by J. N. Andrews, S. Brownsberger, J. H. Waggoner, James White, and Mrs. E. G. White.
The resolution was so amended as to provide for the raising of the money independently of the Conference fund by loan from individuals. As amended it was adopted.
Resolved, That the sum to be raised be $5,000.
A like resolution in behalf of fifty young women who may desire to attend school a year or more to fit themselves to engage more efficiently in the missionary work, was offered and adopted. A pledge paper was then circulated, reading as follows:—
We, the undersigned, agree to pay the sums set to our names to raise a reserve fund of five thousand dollars, to be loaned to those young men who, in the opinion of the Michigan Conference Committee, should attend the Battle Creek College for one year or more to prepare for the ministry, according to the resolution on the subject adopted by this meeting; the said sums to be paid quarterly as follows: 1. On or before Nov. 1, 1878; 2. On or before Feb. 1, 1879; 3. On or before May 1, 1879; 4. On or before Aug. 1, 1879.
A similar pledge paper was circulated in behalf of the young women.
On these papers the following sums were subscribed:—
Name Sum Name Sum
James White $200 Mrs. E. G. White $100
J. Fargo 100 J. H. Kellogg 100
S. H. King 50 E. R. Jones 50
E. S. Griggs 50 S. L. Rhodes 25
D. A. Owen 25 S. P. Eckert 20
A. B. Lockwood 10 R. J. Lawrence 20
J. S. Day 10 F. T. Wales 20
Sarah Beach 10 Calvin Green 20
Cynthia Bacheller 5 J. W. Horner 10
M. D. Amadon 5 J. K. Gilbert 10
Frank Starr 5 Moses Knoltz 5
H. H. Bramhall 5 Alph H. Wood 5
E. P. Mansell 4 S. M. Steward 5
R. T. Payne 4 Anna Rasmussen 5
H. F. Sprague 5 Wm. Gifford 5
Adjourned sine die.
James White, Pres. U. Smith, Sec.

Discussion at Milton, Maine.

By J. B. Goodrich

I attended the discussion on the Sabbath question held at Milton Plantation, Sept. 17, 18, between Eld. R. S. Webber, of Richmond, Me., S. D. Adventist, and Benj. Davis, of Woodstock, Me. It was very evident that Mr. D. was not well informed in regard to our position upon the question, and not so familiar with the opposition arguments as some. No new ideas were brought out. The first day of the debate, Mr. D. said that he believed in the law of God, and that he would give his hearers all the law they wanted before he got through; and the second day he said the ten commandments were the old covenant and were abolished at the cross; so he left them without any Sabbath, as he did not claim that any new one was given in the New Testament.
Error cannot walk in a straight path, and it is strange that any person will contradict himself so soon, and not see it.
J. B. Goodrich.
PRAYER, in its fullest exercise and most intimate approach to God, is the pouring out of the desires of a wholly consecrated heart. Such pray in the Holy Ghost. They have power with God and over men, in prayer. Through this instrumentality many are brought to Christ; and the intimate connection between the prayers of devoted Christians and revivals of religion, if not known here in every case, will be clearly shown in the light of eternity.
Commit yourself to him; cast your care upon him, and he will care for you. Let Christ be your scope and mark to aim at; let him be your pattern to work by; let him be your ensample to follow; give him, as your heart, so your hand—as your mind, so your tongue—as your faith, so your feet; and let his word be your candle to go before you. He that gathereth not with Christ scattereth abroad.—Bradford.

THE KANSAS CAMP-MEETING.

By Smith Sharp

In a very few days more, the general camp-meeting for Kansas will convene, and I write this as a last appeal to try to induce my brethren and sisters in this State to attend. There are some that we always expect to see at a meeting like this. They make their arrangements to go just as much as they do to plant the seed for their crops; and after some observation I fail to see that this class do not get along as well in this world as that class that say, “I can’t go; I would like to go, but I can’t; I must make a living.”
There were whole churches that hardly had a representative at our Neosho Falls meeting last spring, and I find that those that could not take time to go to that meeting could hardly take time to attend meetings when held at their own church. The fact is, many are so far in the world that they have lost sight of the importance of these things. Come, brethren, the condition of things in our Conference is such that the presence of every lover of present truth is demanded at this meeting. We need you there, and you need to be there. The very help that we need will be there from the General Conference; and you cannot afford to lose this excellent opportunity.
You know that it requires much trouble and expense to prepare to entertain so large a meeting as we hope this will be, at so late a season of the year. Now the Richland church have gone to this trouble, and your staying away will not lessen it. They hope to be repaid by seeing a large gathering of our people there.
They will furnish hay and straw free. Grain and provisions are so very low that it will cost you very little to enjoy this meeting. An effort will be made to get the usual reduction for those who come on the cars.
My brethren, let us be there ready to begin the meeting Wednesday evening, Oct. 23. Should the weather be a little cool, we can make such preparations as will enable us to be more comfortable than if the weather were exceedingly hot. Let us say, “I am going,” and then let nothing but impossibilities hinder us.
SMITH SHARP.

Sabbath School Department.

Bible Lessons for Youth.

Lesson XVIII.—The Birthright.

Questions.

How long had Isaac and Rebekah been married when Jacob and Esau were born? Gen.
When these sons had grown to be men, what occupation did each prefer?
One day as Esau was returning from the field with hunger, what did he ask of Jacob? Gen. 25:29, 30.
What did Jacob say? Verse 31.
What reply did Esau make?
Why did Esau come to be in possession of the birthright?
What did it secure to him?
What do we learn from Heb. 12:16, 17?
When did he have these feelings? Gen. 27:38.
What mistake did Esau make that is common at the present time?
How have many destroyed their prospects in this life, and perhaps for the life to come?
What caused Isaac to go to Gerar? Gen.
What did the Lord renew to him there?
What instruction did he give him?
How was Isaac prospered in that land?
Why did the Philistines wish to drive him from the land? Gen. 26:16.
What trouble did he have with them about the wells that he dug?
Where did he finally settle?
What may be learned from Isaac’s experience in this land?

Synopsis.

Isaac and Rebekah had no children till they had been married twenty years. They then had twin sons, Jacob and Esau. When these sons came to manhood, Jacob, like Abel, delighted in caring for his flocks, but Esau was a cunning hunter. One day when Esau had been out hunting and had taken nothing, he became very hungry, and, returning, he came to Jacob’s tent, and asked for some pottage which Jacob had cooking. Now Esau was older than Jacob,

BIBLE LESSONS FOR YOUTH.

LESSON XVIII.—THE BIRTHRIGHT.

QUESTIONS.

1. How long had Isaac and Rebekah been married when Jacob and Esau were born? Gen. 25:20, 26.
2. When these sons had grown to be men, what occupation did each prefer?
3. One day as Esau was returning from the field, faint with hunger, what did he ask of Jacob? Gen. 25:29, 30.
3. What did Jacob say? Verse 31.
5. What reply did Esau make?
6. How did Esau come to be in possession of the birthright?
7. What did it secure to him?
8. What do we learn from Heb. 12:16, 17?
9. When did he have these feelings? Gen. 27:34, 36, 38.
10. What mistake did Esau make that is made by many at the present time?
11. How have many destroyed their prospects for this life, and perhaps for the life to come?
12. What caused Isaac to go to Gerar? Gen. 26:1.
13. What did the Lord renew to him there?
14. What instruction did he give him?
15. How was Isaac prospered in that land?
16. Why did the Philistines wish to drive Isaac from the land? Gen. 26:16.
17. What trouble did he have with them about the wells that he dug?
18. Where did he finally settle?
19. What may be learned from Isaac’s experience in this land?

SYNOPSIS.

Isaac and Rebekah had no children till they had been married twenty years. They then had two sons, Jacob and Esau. When these sons came to manhood, Jacob, like Abel, delighted in tending his flocks, but Esau was a cunning hunter.
One day when Esau had been out hunting and had taken nothing, he became very hungry. As he was returning, he came to Jacob’s tent, and asked for some pottage which Jacob had been cooking. Now Esau was older than Jacob, and was therefore entitled to the birthright, which secured to him some very important privileges, such as the highest place of honor in the family, and the largest share of his father’s property.
Jacob told Esau that if he would sell him his birthright, he would give him the food which he so much desired. Esau readily consented, saying, “Behold I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” So Esau despised his birthright.
From Heb. 12:16, 17; Gen. 27:34, 36, 38, we learn that he was afterward very anxious to obtain these blessings, but found it impossible.
Esau preferred present enjoyment to future good, and how many make the same mistake.
How many, by yielding to a momentary indulgence of appetite, passion, or love of the world, have destroyed their prospects for this life, and perhaps for the life to come.
There was a great famine in the land of Canaan, and Isaac went to Gerar. The Lord appeared to Isaac in Gerar, and renewed to him the promises that he had made to Abraham his father. He told him not to go to Egypt, but to remain in that land, and he would be with him, and bless him.
So Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundred-fold. And the Lord blessed him, and he became very great, so that the people of the land feared him, and tried to drive him out of it. They drove him from place to place, claiming the wells which he had dug, till finally he came to Beersheba, where he was permitted to dwell in peace.
From this we may learn that, although God will be with his people, and bless them, he often allows them to be troubled by the wicked people around them.

THE CONFERENCE.

The largest gathering of Christian Sabbath-keepers ever assembled in this country, and we may also say, in any other country, so far as we are in possession of any historical records, has just met in Battle Creek. There were not as many tents on the ground as at Lansing last year; and two causes for this were very apparent: first, one camp-meeting had already been held in the Eastern part of the State, which of course reduced the attendance from that section; and, secondly, the members of the large church at Battle Creek, the students, and others occupied here, mostly lodged at their homes. Yet there were one hundred and thirty-five tents pitched, and on Sabbath, Oct. 5, at least twenty-five hundred Sabbath-keepers were together.
More than forty ministers were present. Twenty-seven regular discourses were given during the meeting, which held over to the 14th. But this hardly gives an idea of the meeting in this respect; for talks and addresses about as good as sermons were sandwiched into almost every business session.
The presence of our missionaries from Europe, and brethren from distant parts of our own land, as Oregon, California, Texas, Alabama, Virginia, and almost every Northern State from Maine to Nebraska, gave the greatest interest to the occasion—as good an illustration as we may perhaps ever expect to see this side the reality, of that time when the servants of God shall come from the East and the West, the North and the South, and shall sit down together in the kingdom of their Father.
The mammoth Sabbath-school, at 9 A. M., Sabbath, Oct. 5, at which there were present fifteen hundred scholars, and sixty teachers, the largest Sabbath-school (we do not say Sunday-school), probably ever assembled in the world, was a thrilling scene and a soul-inspiring occasion.
At times during the meeting, the Spirit of God moved with power upon the congregation. On several occasions from two hundred to three hundred were forward for prayers. Hearts were not only convicted but converted. Infidelity and tobacco were among the things openly abandoned and denounced on these occasions by some who had been their slaves. In the good work thus wrought in the direction of seeking the Lord, the zealous and untiring labors of Bro. and Sr. White were chiefly instrumental.
We are happy to be able to state that Bro. White was so far recovered in health as to have strength to take hold with his usual energy in behalf of the meeting, giving six of the regular discourses, besides all his labors in revival meetings, business sessions, and committee work. When it was thought that at the last camp-meeting he was unable to preach at all, or to take any special part in business proceedings, the contrast was a matter of very great gratitude with the brethren and sisters.
Eld. N. Wardner, the delegate from the Seventh-day Baptists, arrived Monday, Oct. 7, and was cordially received. By request, he favored us with a discourse Tuesday evening, speaking from John 15:14. His sermon was one of masterly logic and power, and such as few could listen to without being benefited. We regretted that he could not have been with us at the commencement of the meeting, and that he could not remain till its close.
At noon, Tuesday, the 8th, seventy-three were baptized by Bro. White, Lamson, Miller, and Jones. A more lively and impressive baptismal scene we never witnessed. At times the four administrators, each with two candidates, would be in the water together, performing the solemn service of burying these candidates in the likeness of their Lord’s death, in quick succession, yet without unseemly haste, without interference with one another, or any confusion. The entire number were baptized in a little over a half an hour. It was a solemn and interesting scene.
There was another baptism on Sunday, the 13th, at which thirty-six went forward, making one hundred and nine in all.
The ordination of Bro. W. H. Littlejohn, at the conclusion of the forenoon service, Sabbath, Oct. 12, was a season of great interest. Bro. White preached the ordination sermon. Bro. White, Andrews, Waggoner, Longborough, and Haskell, engaged in the laying on of hands. Prayer, charge, and right hand of fellowship, by Bro. Andrews.
Eight different organizations held their yearly business sessions at this meeting. A large amount of business was transacted, as the reader will see by the reports to which he is referred. The utmost harmony prevailed throughout. Some of the reports are very encouraging. From the General Conference report, it appears that we have 68 more who are preaching the truth, 71 more churches, and 1,369 more members now than one year ago, with some increase of systematic benevolence. The S. B. figures would be largely increased by more full returns. The Publishing Association has transacted business to the amount of over fifty thousand dollars more than last year, which is a pretty good showing for these hard times; and the $15,000 gain at the Institute, and $18,056.53 at the Publishing Association, shows that these institutions have been managed in an unselfish and economical manner.
The singing was conducted by Bro. J. E. White, in attendance at the Conference from California, who introduced the new music book he has just published, entitled, “The Song Anchor.” With Bro. Stone at the organ, the choir rendered some of the beautiful pieces of this collection in a manner to please all lovers of good music and good singing.
Sr. B. L. Whitney, from New York, performed an important part in connection with the meeting, in furnishing full and faithful reports to the leading papers of the State.
The work of the Conference for this session, except what is left in the hands of the committee, is now closed; and once more the brethren separate for their respective homes, knowing that we are one year nearer the grand consummation than at our last meeting, and greatly confirmed in the faith that that consummation is indeed at the door.

THE RELIGIOUS DRIFT.

In the strife and struggle of civil and political interests, the ecclesiastical situation must not be entirely overlooked. It is long since we had a genuine religious war, but there are certain signs and tokens which indicate that such a conflict may not be far distant. When Indian tribes which have been long at variance cease their petty raids upon each other and meet around one council fire to concentrate their forces against a common foe, experience teaches us to be prepared to hear the savage war-cry break forth at any time; and when the assailants and the assailed are nearly equal in numbers and resources, we naturally expect the contest to be a long and bitter one.
Dr. J. P. Thompson, formerly of New York, but now of Berlin, a shrewd and careful student of public affairs, says that there are now in Europe, as with us, some threatening perils, owing to the fact that the current of religious thought there, as here, exhibits everywhere two marked and opposing tendencies, the one strong drift being toward ecclesiastical ritualism and superstition, the other a reaction from it, equally strong, of skeptical rationalism and infidelity. “These two tendencies,” he says, “superstition and skepticism, divide in almost equal proportions the masses of European society.” That the same antagonistic tendencies are plainly observable in this country, no one can doubt; and that, especially within the last quarter of a century, the drift toward rationalism has greatly increased and strengthened, until it is now nearly, if not quite, equal in breadth and force to the counter current, is generally admitted. The relatively small attendance on church services, the largely increased sale of scientific and polemic works of a skeptical tone, and the great popularity of certain rationalistic preachers and lecturers, indicate this in a most unmistakable manner. The fact that Jefferson, Adams, and others of the most eminent and honored names in our national history, were decided freethinkers, and the correlated fact that our national organic law is free from religious favoritism and protects the rationalist and the dogmatist alike, have greatly aided the development of this skeptical tendency. The influence of great names is always potent with the people, and a complete or proximate exemption from civil penalties and disabilities on account of skeptical opinions has ever had the apparent effect of stimulating their growth.
Alarmed at the drift matters have been taking of late, the Protestant Evangelical sects some years ago united in an “Alliance” which has already displayed no small degree of that strength which comes from union and earnestness. There has also been formed within a few years in this country a league, or association, which proposes to amend our national Constitution so as to give a quasi establishment to Christianity; and this association numbers among the members of its many branches in different States, governors, senators and judges, as well as bishops, and embraces influential men of sects called “liberal” as well as those styled “evangelical.”
On the other side, there have been formed in many of our larger cities and towns organizations called “Liberal Leagues,” composed chiefly of rationalists and persons of a skeptical turn, whose avowed object is to resist the Christianizing of the Constitution, and make our civil government and our schools completely secular. The time will come before long when these forces, thus marshaling, will be drawn up in battle array on some vital, practical issue, and then will come the tug of a fierce conflict. But the most recent and significant fact bearing on this issue is that of a large meeting of the clergy and laity of the Anglican Church, held in Oxford last month, for the purpose of securing the co-operation of Roman Catholic prelates and priests in promoting the unity of Christendom. The Bishop of Bombay presided, and on the platform were several priests of the Catholic Church. The spirit of the meeting may be judged from the passage of the following resolution:—
“Resolved, That the advance of the infidel movement throughout Europe, and the actual or threatened dissolution of the relations of Church and State, constitute a fresh call on all sincere believers to pray and labor earnestly for the reunion of Christians in one faith and one fold.”
Canon Ridgway, in seconding the resolution, maintained that there was “not so great or so vital a difference between the churches”—Catholic and Protestant—“as was once supposed;” and several clergymen expressed the conviction that the accession of Pope Leo XIII was favorable to their designs, and that Cardinal Manning and other leading theologians of that church, realizing the common danger, would be glad to meet and discuss a possible basis of reunion. What this new movement may ultimate in remains to be seen; but nothing can be plainer than that the lines between Christianity and Rationalism, between Ecclesiasticism and Secularism, are being drawn, and that ere long a vigorous and perhaps decisive conflict of the opposing armies may be anticipated. The ultimate result, it may be confidently predicted, will be in favor of the progressive and not the reactionary forces.—San Francisco Sunday Chronicle, June 16, 1878.

HOW IS THIS?

By Editor

In the World’s Crisis, of July 10, 1878, Mr. C. E. Barnes, secretary of the A. C. Publication Society of Boston, in reply to some remarks of the Boston Traveler, says:—
“I am secretary of the Massachusetts Advent Christian Conference, and also of the Advent Christian Publication Society, the largest publishing house connected with the Adventist body.”
We have italicized this last phrase, as it is to this statement we wish to call attention. The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association is prepared to contest with the A. C. P. S., the claim of being the largest publishing house, not boastfully, but for the sake of the facts in the case.
In the Crisis of Sept. 11, 1878, is given a report of the A. C. P. Society for the past year. In the present number of the REVIEW is given the report of the S. D. A. P. Association for the same time. A comparison of some of the figures will show which is the larger publishing house. C. will stand for the report of the Crisis publishing house, and R. for the report of the REVIEW publishing house, as given in this number:—
C. Total receipts for year, .................. $ 21,068 75 R. “ “ “ “ ............................... 229,435 17 Difference ................................... $208,366 42
If we throw out funds for which we do the business as Michigan and General Conference funds, and also receipts on shares, donations, and legacies, and also receipts on accounts and deposits, taking in simply receipts on REVIEW, INSTRUCTOR, REFORMER, job work, and book sales, we still have $76,156.01. Our job work alone, footing up $32,147.46, exceeds the entire receipts of the Crisis office by $11,078.71.
C. Total receipts for books, etc., sold, ...... $ 5,204 70 R. “ “ “ “ “ ................................. 29,457 65 Difference ................................... $24,252 95
C. Total pages issued during year, ............ 1,944,382 R. “ “ to Oct. 1, ¾ of year, ................. 16,948,560 Difference ................................... $15,004,178
C. Issues as periodicals, the World’s Crisis and Young Pilgrim, with an aggregate monthly circulation of 35,158. R. Issues the REVIEW, INSTRUCTOR, REFORMER, TIDENDE (Danish), and HAROLD (Swedish), with an aggregate monthly circulation 37,676; and if we take in the papers published in our California and Swiss publishing houses, we have a monthly circulation of 67,676.
C. Total assets, ................................ $11,194 69 R. “ “ free from incumbrance, ................. 99,112 63 Difference ..................................... $87,917 94
Yet Mr. B. claims that the A. C. P. S. is “the largest publishing house connected with the Adventist body.” He evidently does not know what it takes to constitute the largest publishing house, or he does not know what is going on out here in the West, or he does not recognize Seventh-day Adventists as belonging to the Adventist body.
It matters not to us. But we can attribute his absurd statements only to the fact that he is confining himself too closely to his office at the Hub, and running insensibly into the feeling so prevalent in that vicinity, that that is about all there is of this world. He should go abroad, and learn what is going on elsewhere.
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