Earlier text: The Coming of Christ—No. 5Hygienic Book Fund.
By James White
On the occasion of the S. D. A. General Conference, which held its annual session in this city, December 30, 1871, a delegation from the several States of the earnest friends of the cause of health reform were invited to make the Institute their home during the period of their stay in the city, which was from one to two weeks. Ample provisions were made by the Directors for the accommodation of all, and it seemed to be the highest pleasure of Physicians and Helpers to make all feel at home, and to make the occasion a happy one. The opportunity for interchange of thought by those who had intelligently and conscientiously adopted the principles of the great health reformation was excellent, and each seemed to be delighted with the important facts in each other's experience. And thus the time happily and profitably passed away. New Year's, by appointment, the ample Institute Hall was crowded with visitors and citizens, who listened to brief remarks relative to the origin and design of the Health Reform Institute, when the following platform was read, unanimously adopted, and the paper signed by more than one hundred friends of the cause. “1. God, in the creation of man, established laws pertaining to both his moral and physical natures, which, had he always obeyed them, would have given him immunity from sickness, and would have perpetuated life. Sickness and suffering had their origin in the violation of these laws. “2. As man cannot have eternal life without strict obedience to moral law, so he cannot have deliverance from the terrible bondage of sickness and premature death in this world without strict observance of physical law. “3. The moral and physical natures of man are so intimately related that it is impossible to live in violation of either of these laws without doing violence to the other. Physical law, therefore, in its sphere, is as sacred and binding upon man as moral law. “4. The gospel teaches that man should live healthfully as well as righteously. “5. We recognize in nature the power to restore to health without the aid of medicines. The true Physician supplies conditions: Nature cures. “6. Our materia medica: Good food, pure air, pure soft water, light, heat, exercise, proper clothing, rest, sleep, moral and social influences. “7. Our motto: Temperance in all things. Not only in eating, drinking, and in labor, but in everything that tends to exhaust the vitality of the system. “8. It has been well said: ‘A contented mind is a continual feast.’ A well-founded trust in God is the best and surest promoter of cheerfulness of mind; and without this all other means may fail.” With the extremes of those who are capable of taking no other than a narrow view of important subjects on the one hand, and the cry of “radicalism” by those who bend to popular practice, custom, and the indulgence of appetite, on the other hand, the friends and supporters of the HEALTH REFORMER and our Health Institute take their stand upon the above platform. And while they gratefully acknowledge, and accept, the doctrine of Christian temperance, clearly set forth in the Sacred Scriptures, they recognize the providence of God in the scientific demonstrations of this great subject in the able writings of Graham, Trall, and others who have proved true to the principles they have espoused and taught. The visiting friends, wishing to give a definite expression of their gratitude and confidence, presented the following paper, which was also signed by more than forty visiting friends who were present at that meeting: “By the kindness of the Directors and managers of the Health Institute, we have enjoyed its hospitalities for a number of days, which has given us an opportunity of observing the good order, the quiet, and the neatness of this institution; the care manifested on the part of the Superintendent, Physicians, and Helpers, to have everything harmonious and right in every respect, the bountiful supply of purely hygienic food and good water, thorough ventilation of rooms, cheerful and pleasant surroundings, with its marked religious influence, and the entire absence of all frivolous, unseemly deportment, which is so often manifested where so many of all ages and both sexes are congregated. “We heartily commend this Institution to all those who are in need of the recovery of their health, as a place to which they may safely resort, with the reasonable hope of receiving the best care and most skillful treatment; where they will not be imposed upon by exorbitant prices, or by being treated with neglect; where they will be sure to find all and everything pleasant and cheerful, and where they may expect to meet the blessing of God. “We shall carry away from this Institute the most pleasant remembrances; and with this expression of our gratitude we leave the assurance that all who labor here in this blessed work shall have our encouragement, our sympathy, and our prayers.” It was at this meeting that we introduced the matter of Hygienic Book Fund, passed round a paper for pledges, which not only met with success in promises of future payment, but several hundred dollars were then and there paid. And, although no general call has been made for donations to this fund, it has, without any effort of the kind, reached the sum of $1,489.00. With this good beginning we start off with courage and full expectation of raising the Twenty Thousand Dollars. We here give the names of twelve who have helped make up the $1,489.00. Let others file in: White & wife, James, — $200.00
Abbey, Ira, — 100.00
Hare, Jacob, — 100.00
Kellogg, H. W., — 100.00
Root, E. H., — 100.00
Palmer, D. R., — 75.00
Abbey, Samuel I., — 50.00
Butler, E. P., — 50.00
Glascock, Eli, — 50.00
Grant, Newel, — 50.00
Landon, Betsey (tea & coffee money), — 50.00
Ward, Bro., — 50.00 We here take pleasure in calling especial attention to the liberal donation of sister Betsey Landon (tea and coffee money), which she wished understood was a sum saved during a certain period by abstaining from the unnecessary and hurtful use of these slow poisons. Should all our people follow her example, and put into this fund only what they save each month in abstaining from tea, coffee, chewing, smoking and snuffing tobacco, with all such appurtenances as pipes, tobacco-boxes, and snuff-boxes, the sum annually that would come pouring into this Book Fund in behalf of health, and reform, would be at least five times the entire sum suggested. We appeal in the name of reason and religion, and in behalf of besotted humanity, Let us follow sister Landon's example, and let the thank-offerings come pouring in from all directions, as tributes of true gratitude in view of our happy emancipation from the slavery of these poisons. A large edition of the most important work from the pen of Dr. Trall is in print. His essay on tobacco-using is a work for the time, and as a duty we owe to the chewing, smoking, snuffing thousands in each State of the Union, ten thousand copies of this work should be distributed in our country alone, each quarter. And then we have a large edition ready of the doctor's most brilliant effort in his scientific exposition of the Hygienic System, in contrast with the iniquitous practices of drugging. We regard his late work, entitled, “The Hygienic System,” peculiarly adapted to the general reading public at this time, and well calculated to shake confidence in the several schools of drug practice, and thus prepare the way for the reception of further light. God has given us as a people the great subject of health reform, not that we should treat it in a manner to disgust the people, but that it may be a sort of John Baptist to prepare the way for the greater light of the last message of mercy. Among the inferior benefits of change from the common habits of life to those conducive to health and happiness, is money saved. The Health Reformer now (Aug. 1872,) makes its monthly visits to more than six thousand families. And we safely conclude that four thousand of these, at least, are true reformers. These four thousand families have left the use of tobacco, tea, and coffee, the annual expense of which, in cash paid out, would be from ten to sixty dollars a family. But we will put the average cost at twenty-five dollars to each family. The money saved, then, by four thousand families of reformers, in abstaining from tobacco, tea, and coffee alone, would be the handsome sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars. But this is not all the money saved by those who carry out the principles of health reform. The amount annually paid out to the doctors by those who adhere to old habits, is nearly as large as that paid out for tobacco, tea, and coffee. Then add to this the sum paid out for patent medicines, and the total would not be less than twenty-five dollars to a family. This, too, is saved by true health reformers, amounting, in four thousand families, to not less than a second One Hundred Thousand Dollars. And, again, this is not all that is saved by the reform. The vegetarian diet, consisting of the grains, vegetables, and fruits, which is indeed the fat of the land, is far less expensive than the food usually eaten of flesh, butter, sweet cake, and pies, lard, saleratus, pepper, vinegar, pickles, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, &c. When we first left these, and purchased for our family only such articles as flour, meal, vegetables, and fruits, we were surprised to see how little it cost to live. The change was so great that we really felt embarrassed over the fact that our grocery bills were almost next to nothing, and we begged of Mrs. W. to make out a memorandum of eatables for us to purchase in town, that we might have the pleasure of paying out some money to live. In our own family, ranging from ten to fifteen persons, we have saved annually, by adopting the reform diet, not less than one hundred and fifty dollars. But we will put the average saving in the four thousand families of health reformers, in consequence of changing to a more healthful diet, at twenty-five dollars to each family, making the third sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars. The total amount saved, in money only, by those subscribers of the Health Reformer who have fully adopted the reform, is the very handsome sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars annually. But all this talk about money saved is hardly worthy to be put in print compared with physical, mental, moral, and spiritual benefits, derived from correct habits of life. Health is man's capital, the value of which cannot be computed in dollars and cents. And self-denial of hurtful indulgences strengthens and elevates the moral powers while the mental and spiritual become clearer with an improved physical condition. The real health reformer who is true to the principles he adopts, enjoys a comparative freedom from pain, a clearness of thought, a calmness of nerve and temper, a release from dark forebodings and the horrors of a diseased conscience, which constitute, in a very great degree, the pleasure of existence. His senses are clear and keen, and he enjoys the glories of nature wherever his eye meets them, and the delights of a restored taste in the proper use of healthful food. Such an one finds himself, as it were, in a second Eden, almost in the enjoyment of the natural blessings of the first, when “out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food.” True, we are not really in Paradise restored to its Eden glory; but having it in full prospect, soon to be given to the pure, we really do not see the need of passing an imaginary and self-made purgatory in reaching the heavenly plains. Thousands of our readers know, by happy experience, the things of which we speak. To those who do not, we would say, Change from your gross habits of life; wash up; and cheer up. God lives and reigns, and wills that you may be well and happy, and make the best of the ills of this mortal life; and, if true to God and yourself, he will, ere long, give you life eternal. Health reform, with the money saved, and all its inestimable blessings, is a Godsend. We appeal especially to our friends who rejoice in the reform: What shall we render to the Lord for these benefits? Shall we covetously invest the money saved, in lands, houses, horses, carriages, furniture, fine clothing, and the like? Or, shall we consecrate it to the cause of health reform as a thank-offering to God for the good we have received? Those who love self supremely will do the former. Those who love God and humanity, the latter. We are making arrangements to publish largely on the health question. We shall issue tracts, pamphlets, and books, upon the subject in such numbers, and at such prices, as to encourage their active and extensive circulation. We design immediately to raise a fund of twenty thousand dollars, in donations from the friends of the reform, that we and our friends, and the tract societies in different parts of the country, may have health publications to give to those who do not choose to purchase. Twenty thousand dollars may be regarded as a large sum for this object. But it is only one-fifteenth part of the amount annually saved by the reform, according to the foregoing computations. Does the reader say that our figures are too large? Then we will take off one-third, leaving the amount saved by our people by adopting health reform, only two hundred thousand dollars annually. And if it be regarded by any still too large, we will reduce it to only one hundred thousand dollars saved. This would be a handsome sum to divide between our Health Institute and a Health Tract Fund. Now shall we come right up to the work, and show to the world that our benevolence can be reached by facts and figures which present a clear duty to our fellow-men, and that we can be moved by principle, and through love to our fellows, instead of through the debased avenue of morbid appetite as in the case of church festivals? Genealogies.
By Jos. Clarke
THERE is a prevalent mania for hunting out the history and genealogy of families; and much time and expense are expended upon enterprises of this kind. If this occupation were prompted by real love for our ancestors, such efforts might be approved of; but the motive is generally to foster a sort of family pride, and to minister to vanity. If the record of the sins of our ancestors were all exposed to our view, the sight would cause us to sicken at the idea of giving to their memories too great praise. As an amusement, this business of investigating old records, and counting the dead and living limbs upon the family tree, may be as innocent as any; but the real condition of things forbids those who have an understanding of the times to meddle much with these things. You receive letters from relatives, as to this or that branch of the family, and your attention is diverted from useful employments, to find records, to write out facts, historic and traditional; and your time, strength, and mental ability, are heavily taxed—for what? To what does it amount, if your ancestor was a native of Scotland, or France, of England, or Ireland, of Russia, or Norway, if you are only one of the family of Christ, a co-heir with Christ, of that heavenly inheritance? It is right, to a certain extent, to record the noble deeds of our progenitors. It is right to feel that good men went before us in the battle of life, and laid the superstructure of our prosperity; that in war and statesmanship there were Alfreds and Washingtons; in morals there were Luthers and Wesleys; but let us use moderation in these matters, and reserve our love and zeal for the work of bringing back our world, as far as possible, to its Creator, whom nearly all have forgotten in their pursuit of trifles. GOD purifies the world by gentle zephyrs as well as by north winds. Flushing, Mich.
By I. D. Van Horn; S. H. Lane
The meetings at this point have been of an interesting nature. Since our last report, which appeared in REVIEW of July 23, we have sent one, recording the progress of our meetings; but for some unknown cause it failed to reach its destination. We have continued our meetings in the tent and in three different school-houses, also in a grove about eight miles distant. The school-houses have been crowded to their utmost capacity; and upon two occasions the people could not all get in, and consequently were obliged to return home. At the grove meetings, from one hundred and fifty to three hundred have been present each time. The best of attention has been given to the word spoken. Meanwhile the congregations at the tent have been large. Our hearts are cheered and we are much encouraged to labor on as we see men and women deciding in favor of the truth. Sabbath, July 20, we held our third Sabbath meeting. About fifty were present. The Spirit of the Lord was present to aid in the preaching and social meeting. Several testified, for the first time, their determination to obey the truth. At the close of the meeting a vote was taken and some twenty-five arose, expressing their determination to keep the Sabbath. The next day, Sunday, the Methodist minister made another attempt to sustain the Sunday institution by the common so-called arguments they use from the New Testament. We reviewed his discourse in the evening before a congregation of four hundred. After the discourse, a vote was taken requesting all that were convinced that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of the Bible to arise. Quite a large part of the congregation arose. When the vote was reversed, not one arose in favor of the Sunday institution. Sabbath, the 27th of July, we enjoyed another good meeting. About sixty were present. After a discourse, we had a precious social season. We presented, on this occasion, a covenant for those to sign who had made up their minds to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, as brought to view under the third angel’s message of Rev. 14. Thirty-eight signed this covenant. Last Sabbath, Aug. 3, we enjoyed the fifth Sabbath meeting. In the forenoon, a discourse and social meeting. About seventy-five present. In the afternoon, a Bible-class was instituted, which upon this occasion proved a success. Monday morning, Aug. 5, we took down the tent in order to pitch it six miles west of this point. This gives us an opportunity to follow up the interest in and about Flushing, and to maintain the interest at this point which has been awakened by the preaching in the school-houses and grove; and also to reach many who have not as yet had an opportunity to hear. The tent is now nicely located six miles west of Flushing. This evening, Aug. 7, while this is being written, the truth is being spoken to a deeply interested congregation of about two hundred and fifty. This is our first tent meeting in the country. We have been in this vicinity about seven weeks. Have given seventy-five discourses. The interest to hear is still good. As near as we can judge, about fifty have commenced to keep the Sabbath. We have sold about $35.00 worth of books, and have obtained a few subscribers for our periodicals. We wish to follow up the interest until all who will embrace the truth shall take a decided stand in its favor. We wish to give to the Lord all the praise, and work in his cause in such a manner that at last it may be said to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” I. D. Van Horn,
S. H. Lane. Northern Illinois Tent.
By T. M. Steward; R. F. Andrews
OUR camp-meeting broke up June 4. We pitched our tent the same day in Aledo, and commenced meetings the following evening. We continued till the 17th, preached seventeen discourses and held three prayer and social meetings. We did not expect to stay a great while in Aledo when we went. Our reasons for going were, First, The weather was so unfavorable on Sabbath and first-day of our camp-meeting, that but few from Aledo could attend, and it was understood that quite a number were anxious to hear our views, especially on the Sabbath question. Secondly. The sects were determined if possible that we should have no opportunity of presenting our views to the people; and now, inasmuch as we had our portable meeting-house on the spot, it was thought best to erect it and see what could be done. We did not see all accomplished that we desired; but we feel to thank God for what has been done. Bro. Whitham and sister Reed of Aledo have been keeping the Sabbath alone in their respective families for about three and a half years. Their companions are now heart and soul with them in keeping all the commandments of God. There were, besides, two young ladies who took their stand with us. This we feel more than pays for the effort put forth. In justice to the servants of God who so faithfully labored at our camp-meeting, and especially to sister White, we would state that God greatly blessed their labors to the good of sister Whitham, effectually removing prejudice, and placing her where she could candidly hear and weigh evidence. The thinking and unbiased all acknowledge that we have the truth, and we have hope that a few will yet be led to obey it. As we were undecided as to where to pitch our tent, and realizing that the good impressions made and resolutions formed by the young at our camp and tent meetings should be strengthened and nourished, we decided to hold meetings in the large school-house in the neighborhood where our brethren reside, over another Sabbath and first-day. We are happy to report that ten of the youth have taken a noble stand for God and his truth. On first-day, June 23, nine willing souls followed their Lord in baptism, and on Sabbath, July 20, four more, making in all thirteen added to their number. It is the fervent desire of our hearts that these dear souls may all prove faithful, and reap a rich reward in the kingdom of God. If the church here will make an earnest effort to live out the principles taught by our blessed Saviour, they will have a powerful influence for good in this section of country. God grant that they may, and that the smiles of the Good Shepherd may ever rest upon them and they feel secure under his tender watchcare. June 27, brethren Greer, Douglass and Ditto, brought our tent, stakes and lumber, to this place, and kindly aided us in pitching it. May the Lord reward these dear brethren, and the entire church at Aledo, for the interest they have manifested in the cause, and for their willingness to bear burdens, and work for the prosperity of the truth, and the good of souls. It is our earnest desire that the spirit of sacrifice may never die out of their hearts. We have been at Pleasant Green over five weeks; have preached fifty-one discourses. Many of the people are convinced, but it is difficult to get them to act. The United Presbyterians predominate, consequently the people are greatly opposed to changing. Many talk and act as though it would be much more honorable to stick to error, than to turn to truth, and “thus show a vacillating mind”(?) The hurry of haying and harvesting has been somewhat against us. A few have taken their stand with us, and we have strong hopes that the seeds of truth that have been sown will find good soil in many hearts and bring forth fruit unto eternal life. We remain yet another week. Brethren, pray for us.
T. M. STEWARD,
R. F. ANDREWS.
Pleasant Green, Ill., Aug. 5, 1872. Bushnell, Mich.
By Elam Van Deusen
Our quarterly meeting at Bushnell will not soon be forgotten. By ten o'clock Sabbath morning, a goodly number of brethren and sisters were assembled in a beautiful grove for worship. Brethren were present from Orange, Orleans, Greenville, Vergennes, a few from Matherton, two from near Marshall, and two from Gaines, near Grand Rapids. The meeting commenced by prayer, with but a few; but soon load after load came in, and in a short time the seats were filled. Twenty-nine gave in their testimonies in quick succession. After a few moments' intermission, Bro. S. H. Lane called our attention to Heb. 3:12, 13, which impressed us that modern Israel were in danger of “departing from the living God,” as did ancient Israel, by “unbelief.” Social meeting again at 3 P. M. After a season of prayer, sixty-four testimonies were given in a manner and spirit that showed that the truth of God has a place in the hearts of these friends. At nine A. M. on first-day, spent three quarters of an hour in social meeting. Forty-three bore testimony. After this a short time was occupied in hearing reports from visiting brethren, or those who had been appointed to visit sister churches, according to the plan reported by Bro. King. At 10:30 A. M., an interesting discourse by Bro. Lane from Acts 3:19. At 2:30 P. M., Bro. Lane preached the funeral discourse of Bro. Martin Bingham’s wife. This brought it forcibly to our mind that we are in an enemy’s land; but another thought to cheer us is that a time is coming when the last enemy, death, “shall be destroyed.” Thank God for his word and promises. “Roll swift around ye wheels of time, and bring the welcome day!” All seemed to feel that we had had a good meeting. How necessary that we use these means of grace, as it is our privilege, that we may be strengthened for the last great conflict. S. T. CHAMBERLAIN
By S. T. Chamberlain
MEETING at Cross Township, in Bro. Thos. Porter's neighborhood. There was a good representation present from Anamosa and Marion. Bro. Shireman spoke of the dangers of being79 overcharged with the cares of this life. This was meat in due season, a word timely given. After a few words on the subject of watching and praying, opportunity was given for social meeting. The interest of the meeting continued, and there appeared to be a disposition to work. There has been no meeting here since Bro. Jesse Dorcas spoke to the people; and as Bro. Porter has been distributing tracts, and trying to live out the truth, an outside interest has sprung up. Bro. D. T. Shireman spoke in the afternoon, reading from the word and showing our faith, stirring up our minds to follow on to know the Lord. The interest was good. Anamosa, Iowa, July, 1872. TOILING and watching and waiting,
Oh! how the heart is oppressed;
Would there could be an abating,
And rest be appointed, love's rest.
Oh! it is sweet, and I wish it were meet,
To sigh for a season of rest. With hoping and longing and fearing,
Our hearts are all throbbing to-day;
But life's shining portals are nearing,
They scatter the darkness away.
I wish it were meet, I know it is sweet,
To long for the coming of day. Brightly the waters are flowing
From the throne of our Father above,
Greenly the tree of life, growing,
Kept by the same Father's love.
Oh! it is sweet, and I'm sure it is meet,
To hope for a rest in his love. Cease then, my heart, thy repining,
Hope will be turned into joy,
Toiling to rest, I'm opining,
Pure and without an alloy.
Sure it is meet, and oh! it is sweet,
To rest where there's fullness of joy. Watching and waiting still longer,
Fears have departed my breast,
Loving has made my heart stronger,
For rest is appointed, love's rest.
Oh! yes, it is meet, and surpassingly sweet,
To find in his bosom a rest. S. E. SUTHERLAND
By S. E. SUTHERLAND
JULY 10, left home, by invitation, to join Bro. Downer with the tent at Mt. Hope. Have tried to assist in the work here. Quite a number have already decided to keep the Sabbath, and many more are very much interested. I desire to live before the Lord in that way that I can have his approbation from day to day, and know that I am his, and that he accepts of me. Oh! the responsibilities that rest upon the servants of the Lord that are called to proclaim these solemn truths of the last message of mercy to the world! How much we need the presence of the Lord, and how little we can do without it! One wrong act or word may drive some soul away from the truth. I desire to do what the Lord has for me to do with an eye single to his glory. Mt. Hope, Wis., Aug. 9, 1872. Glencoe, Minn.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
WE are having some little encouragement here, though not much. Our congregation (now in the midst of harvest) has been about forty on an average. Sunday night, about two hundred. Last night we took a vote on the Sabbath question. About seventy-five voted in favor of the seventh day; but not one for first-day. Then six voted to keep the Sabbath. We have some hopes of enough more to make a company of ten or a dozen. There are quite a number who are friendly to us. We introduced the Reformer one evening, and obtained thirteen subscribers for it. Have sold a few books. As usual, the Methodist minister boasts great things as to what he can do, and will do when we are gone. But he is very unpopular, and hence amounts to but little. For the benefit of those who are running leaky tents, we would say, that a tent will shed rain much better wrong side out than it will right side out. That is, put the rope out. This I have proved several times. Our Minnesota tent is only 8oz. ducking, and when put up right side out, leaks like a sieve. We took it down and put it up with the ropes out, and though we have had heavy, driving rains upon it, it does not leak at all. Next week we go to Hutchinson, sixteen miles north-west, a little village of about three hundred inhabitants. Quarterly Meetings.
By S. H. King
WE gave up our monthly meetings, as they destroyed the interest in our Sabbath-school. Our present mode of meetings is this: We have quarterly meetings, and the churches generally meet. Then we appoint two brethren to meet each church once in each quarter, one to be an elder and the other a lay member. At these meetings the ordinances are attended. So each church has the ordinances once in three months. We think this arrangement will result in much good. At each quarterly meeting we have a report from each laborer. They give the results of their visits. S. H. KING. West China, Mich.
By A. WEEKS
The meetings at West China are discontinued till after harvest. One lady of ability, both natural and acquired, has accepted the truth from the ranks of the world. By invitation, I am now with the tent company at Holly. Michigan T. and M. Society.
By J. F. Carman
QUARTERLY REPORT FROM DISTRICT NO. 5.
Number of members, 75. Amount of money received, $53.00. Number of pages of tracts given away, 3693. Number of pages of pamphlets given away, 218. Total number of pages given, 3911. Number of pages of books loaned, 6585. Number of families visited, 55. Number of subscribers for the Health Reformer, 5. Potterville, Mich., Aug. 12, 1872. Wisconsin Tent.
By D. Downer
We are laboring on. God is blessing our feeble labors. We are now through with the prophecies, state of the dead, and the Sabbath, and have cleared up objections. We have just tested the people. There are about fifty who have testified to the truth of our positions and are keeping the Sabbath. One of this number has come eight miles afoot, then walked home after meeting. Many others are favorable, and will keep the commandments. I wish to notice our dear Bro. Williams in this place, who has done very much for the cause and our comfort. He is a merchant at Mount Hope. When we came here, he felt opposed. He now shuts up his store on the Sabbath, and is thoroughly established in the present truth. May God bless him and his family. Many others have been just as ready to aid us, for which they have our thanks. Tears fill our eyes as we pen these lines. God bless the dear friends at this place. Popular theories had driven many here into infidelity. Most of these are now believers in the truth. We held our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath. We had a glorious meeting. Twenty-two warm testimonies were given. I believe I am not alone in saying we have never seen greater manifestations of God's Spirit than here. Four men have offered five hundred dollars toward building a meeting-house. But we must get organized before we can build a church. I am soon to organize a tract society here. Ministers are our only real opposers, with few exceptions. We are in good spirits, not exalted, but more humble as we see more fruits of our labors. We are trembling under our burden. Are you holding us up, brethren, in your prayers? If you could be here and see hungry souls come, three, four, and five hundred at a time, to hear this truth, you would weep for joy. They go away, saying, That is what sinners need. Oh! that we had more men to go forth weeping, and come bearing in sheaves to the Lord. We have always had a falling away when we came to the fall of Babylon, pride in churches, testing on the Sabbath, &c., but here, the more we preach cutting truth the closer hungry souls seem to cling. Brethren, don't forget us. How many long and sleepless nights we spend thinking and praying for help. Oh! we must not, we will not, fail. We intend to stay here till the work is established. We have left our work too soon heretofore, and Satan has destroyed the lambs in our absence. We may stay all summer here if interest continues to increase. We are glad to hear of our dear sister Sanborn's hopeful condition. She is recovering. God is with us. Brethren, go on. D. DOWNER & TENT COMPANY. JOHN MATTESON
By John Matteson
Shortly after our good camp-meeting in Wisconsin, I went to Minnesota. Here is great need of labor among the Scandinavians, and a large field. Arrived at Albert Lea August 12. Spent the Sabbath with the Danish brethren at Riceland, ten miles from Albert Lea. Returned and preached two sermons in the tent to the Norwegians. Over thirty of them requested to have meetings continued among them. The court-house was offered to me to hold meetings in as soon as repaired. I promised to return as soon as circumstances would permit. I had a pleasant and profitable interview with Bro. Canright. Helped to pack up the tent on Monday, and then returned to Riceland. I have held meetings here three weeks in two school-houses, seven miles apart, alternately. We are now in the midst of harvest, yet the results, prospect, and interest, are far better than I dared to hope for when I considered circumstances, prejudice, and former bad influence from some Sabbath-keepers. Some brethren have moved away from the place, and there were only fourteen members of the church in this vicinity. The second Sabbath we enjoyed a blessed season as three willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism. Four have united with the church, and seventeen others have commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Some see new light and beauty in those very doctrines which they formerly shunned; others are aroused from their sinful slumber; and others start out for the first time in their life to serve the Lord. I have obtained six subscribers for Advent Tidende. In this place, Clark's Grove, I am in the midst of a large Baptist church. I have not presented the Sabbath question here yet. One of their preachers is much interested, and Mr. L. Jorgensen, who for many years has been a missionary among the Scandinavians, attends regularly. With the blessing of God I hope that more souls here may be brought into the truth. Clark's Grove, Freeborn Co., Minn., Aug. 4, 1872. The duty of prayer cannot be too faithfully performed. A few reasons in favor of private and family prayer are given by Paley, in his Philosophy. He says:— “Private wants cannot always be made the subject of public prayer; but whatever reason there is for praying at all, there is the same for making the sore and grief of each man’s own heart the business of his application to God. This must be the office of private exercises of devotion, being imperfectly, if at all, practicable in any other. “Private prayer is generally more devout and earnest than the share we are capable of taking in joint acts of worship; because it affords leisure and opportunity for the circumstantial recollection of those personal wants, by the remembrance and ideas of which the warmth and earnestness of prayer are chiefly excited. “Private prayer, in proportion as it is usually accompanied with more actual thought and reflection of the petitioner’s own, has a greater tendency than other modes of devotion to revive and fasten upon the mind the general impressions of religion. Solitude powerfully assists this effect. When a man finds himself alone in communication with his Creator, his imagination becomes filled with a conflux of awful ideas concerning the universal agency and invisible presence of that Being; concerning what is likely to become of himself; and of the superlative importance of providing for the happiness of his future existence, by endeavors to please Him who is the arbiter of his destiny: reflections which, whenever they gain admittance, for a season overwhelm all others; and leave, when they depart, a solemnity upon the thought that will seldom fail, in some degree, to affect the conduct of life. “Private prayer, thus recommended by its own propriety, and by advantages not attainable in any form of religious communion, receives a superior sanction from the authority and example of Christ: ‘When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.’ ‘And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray.’ Matt. 6: 6; 14: 23. “The peculiar use of family piety consists in its influence upon servants, and the young members of a family, who lack sufficient seriousness and reflection to retire of their own accord to the exercise of private devotion, and whose attention you cannot easily command in public worship. The example also and authority of a father and master act in this way with the greatest force; for his private prayers, to which his children and servants are not witnesses, act not at all upon them as examples; and his attendance upon public worship they will readily impute to fashion, to a care to preserve appearances, to a concern for decency and character, and to many motives besides a sense of duty to God. Add to this, that forms of public worship, in proportion as they are more comprehensive, are always less interesting than family prayers; and that the ardor of devotion is better supported, and the sympathy is more easily propagated, through a small assembly, connected by the affections of domestic society, than in the presence of a mixed congregation.”