p. 38 | Review and Herald, Vol. 53, No. 5. (1/30/1879)

WHO WILL EXPLAIN ?

Chicago, it will be remembered, has enjoyed a large share of the labors of Mr. Moody, and has been the recipient, as much probably as any city, of the benefits to be conferred by the influence of the Y. M. C. A. and the modern revivals. And yet the Chicago Inter-Ocean of Jan. 25, 1879 says :—

“A few months ago the fact was made painfully evident that our city churches are, as a rule, only about one-fourth full during Sunday services. A fact equally painful was disclosed in the tables that were published, giving the list of churches embellished with that unscriptural appendage called a mortgage. The list was startling in its inclusiveness; and since it was printed, a number of the churches mentioned have been surrendered to the mortgage-owner, while others have, by the most strenuous efforts, succeeded in raising the money to pay the debt, or, by paying the interest, to postpone the day of evil. One of our leading Congregational churches lately became so embarrassed that it was obliged to cut heavily into its pastor’s salary, and adopted other heroic measures of retrenchment. Two of our leading Baptist churches have been for some time so involved in debt that their existence as independent organizations was imperiled; and the pastors of both have felt constrained to resign their positions. Last Sunday the rector of one of the most prominent Episcopal churches tendered his resignation, because of the unsatisfactory condition and prospects of his society. Occurrences like these, when they become thus frequent, are almost startling.”

In reference to this matter one of the retiring pastors, Dr. Sullivan, of Trinity P. E. Church, says:—

“Why is this? How comes it to pass that substantially the only benefit reaped from the presence of Christian churches, built and supported at incredible expense, is one service held in each on Sunday morning, attended by its own congregation, at the best, very irregularly, the building being abandoned to dust and silence for the remainder of the week? What theory others have to offer I know not. To my mind it is clear that one cause adequately solves the problem. It is the result of an intense soul-absorbing, all-pervading mammonism, which is honey-combing the religion of this people through and through, and which, while not openly denying God’s existence, or the duty of obeying and worshiping him, reduces that worship to the lowest possible minimum consistent with a maintenance of the tokens of outward decent respect. This is the radical cause of the evil we deplore.”

“The spirit of an intense worldliness has so completely possessed and impregnated the public mind that the man who, if given his choice between the Kingdom of Heaven and a well-secured fortune, should choose the former, would be almost universally regarded as a lunatic. Religion, as compared with the making of money, has well-nigh ceased to have any practical value, and so its duties are by many crowded into a corner—by many more thrust altogether out of sight.”

THY WILL BE DONE.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Selfishness and self-will are very nearly related to each other, each sin is of the same family. Selfishness covets that which is not its own, and leads to theft and murder and almost every variety of crime. Self-will seeks to have its own way, and its natural fruit is injustice and hatred. It exalts itself and will not yield; and if it cannot rule, it will seek to ruin.

Christ came from Heaven to earth to save men from their sins. He set an example for us to follow. He laid aside his glory, and took the form of a servant. He was with his disciples as one that served. He came not to do his own will, but the will of Him that sent him; and in his deepest trial and sorest temptation, when his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death, he could say, “Thy will be done.” Not as I will, but as thou wilt.

The great lesson for the disciples of Christ to learn is to follow him. “Learn of me,” he says, “for I am meek and lowly of heart.”

He gave himself for us. We owe our all to him, and we should willingly give him all. He was a servant to us; we should cheerfully serve him. And to serve him is to serve those for whom he died. He bids us work in his vineyard. He yielded his will, and drank the bitter cup. It is those who renounce and subdue self-will that will have a part in his inheritance. When we say, I will, and I will not, we do not follow Christ, nor exemplify his meekness and gentleness. The apostle Paul followed Christ. Said he, “I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.” When we have the same spirit, we shall be able to follow such advice. Let all be of this mind.

R. F. COTTRELL.

TO THE BRETHREN IN OHIO.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

I came home Jan. 21, intending to remain only one week; but I find my wife so very low that I cannot leave her. Evidently, she can live but a few weeks at most.

I feel very anxious about the work in Ohio, that the plans which have been laid may be carried out. The only hope of success is for each minister and each officer to faithfully and energetically fill his own place. Every dollar of S. B., or the tithe, which can possibly be raised in the State will be needed to meet our expenses this year. Indeed, we shall fall short the best we can do. Again we urge every one who observes the Sabbath to faithfully lay by the tithe, and either pay it to the treasurer of the church or send it to me. There are fourteen men to-day preaching the message in Ohio, and a half dozen more will join them in a few weeks. These men must have something for the support of their families.

We need the money pledged at our last camp-meeting to purchase tents for next summer. These tents are now being made, as it can be done cheaper than next summer when work is crowding. Let each one pay a part of his pledge, if no more. Do not send it to Battle Creek, but pay it to your librarian or lay it by till we come.

The Lord is blessing the work of our ministers in the Conference. Four new churches have been raised up since last camp-meeting, a good number have been added to several of the churches, so that about one hundred have come into the Sabbath. This is good; but we expect double that number in the next six months. Please write me at Battle Creek, that we may counsel about the work. D. M. Canright.

EDITORS IN TROUBLE.

By Editor

The Sunday question seems destined to involve all classes. Editors are now coming in for their share of perplexity over this institution. A little item headed, “Editors as Sabbath-breakers,” from the Boston Advertiser, has been sent us, reading as follows:—

“The newspaper men of this city who are members of churches in ‘good and regular standing’ are disposed to take issue with the action of the Young Men’s Christian Association this week on the subject of Sunday observance; and they will have a great deal of public sympathy. The incident which led to the discussion was this: A gentleman prominently connected with one of the daily papers, having moved from the neighborhood of the church to which he belonged, took a letter to a church of the same denomination, and asked to be admitted. The standing committee refused his application on the ground of ‘Sabbath-breaking’—his business requiring him to spend a portion of each Sunday in preparing matter for his Monday’s paper. There has been a difference of opinion in the church as to the propriety of this action; and one hesitating brother, who raised the question at the meeting of the associations above named, was advised to ‘vote no every time’ on such applications for church-fellowship. The church-going journalists who dissent from this action are asking, with much natural feeling, if the church wants the sympathy and influence of the secular press, and yet none of its brotherhood. Will the church ‘harness the devil as the Lord’s beast of burden,’ and yet proclaim its consistency? It is an issue, they say, that concerns not only the active Christian workers who are employed upon the daily press of Boston, but a host of others, who are being prayed for, that they may be drawn into ‘the household of faith.’ The hearty applause with which the vote above mentioned was received showed the radical temper of the meeting, and opens up a suggestive field of inquiry for those ministers and congregations who like to have their Sunday services reported, and demand all the daily news at Monday’s breakfast.”

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

By A. Smith

The language of the apostle to husbands and wives as recorded in Eph. 5:22, 23 was addressed to a Christian church, of which they were all supposed to be members. It is just as applicable at the present day as at any past time. The institution of marriage, when based on pure principles, is a sacred one, and calculated to promote the highest social good of families, communities, and nations. Domestic felicity may exist in families that do not claim to be Christian; but it is the imperative duty of those belonging to the “household of faith,” to establish and maintain the conditions of such felicity. “Husbands, love your wives,” and “let the wife see that she reverence her husband,” is the command of Holy Writ, and, therefore, the imperative duty of the Christian.

Where there is a lack of reciprocal love and respect between husband and wife, it will dampen their religious ardor, and exert a baneful influence over their ever-observing children, and, indirectly, upon the church of which they may compose a part. If this infelicity exists to a great extent among the membership, it will nearly ruin any church. The root of neighborhood and church difficulties could, doubtless, in many instances, be traced to this source, and reform must begin here, if improvement in the condition of the church or neighborhood is contemplated.

The intuitive perception of children is sometimes wonderful, as evinced by the fidelity with which, in play, they will reproduce the customs of the domestic circle, and scandals of neighborhood gossip. Anxiety for the salvation of the children, and prayer for their conversion, though a duty, is not an equivalent for a neglect of the little courtesies, the expressed appreciation of little acts of kindness, between the parents, and between parents and children.

The pure angels must look with sadness on domestic discord among those who claim to be the followers of Jesus, and the salvation of either parents or children, under such circumstances, is very doubtful. Where this unhappy state of things exists, reform can best be effected by studying the conditions, and acting upon the principles, that promote peace and love at home.

Those attentions and courtesies that won the hand and heart of the youthful maiden, may, if repeated by the husband, awaken a response in the heart of the wife, even though age may have silvered her locks for the tomb; and the wife, in her turn, by a cheerful demeanor, and a loving attention to home duties, may make home, wife, and mother the nuclei around which her husband’s fondest regards and his best efforts in business will center, and around which the dearest memories of her children will twine in after years. A. SMITH.

Hope and Fear Shape Perception

OBJECTS imperfectly discerned take forms from the hope or fear of the beholder,

OHIO

State Quarterly Meeting at Clyde.—We have just closed our State quarterly meeting. The attendance from abroad was quite small, as we did not make much of an effort to get the brethren out. We have decided to have a grand rally of all the leading brethren and officers in the State at our State quarterly meeting in April, and hence I did not deem it best to make a special effort to get them out this time. The brethren of the Clyde church attended well, and we had some good meetings. Twice as much work was done this quarter as during the previous one, and some encouraging reports were presented.

Our ministers have had some success in the different parts of Ohio. Upwards of seventy-five have embraced the Sabbath during the fall and winter. The brethren are coming up on their S. B. in the churches visited. The most promising fields are now opening all over the State. Several young men are already entering the field. We are preparing seven tents to be used next spring, and hope by that time to start out in the work with a strong hand. We ask our brethren to be prompt in paying their tithes and other pledges made at the last camp-meeting, that we may have means to keep up the work. D. M. CANRIGHT.

Corsica, Jan. 21.—During the week just past, as many as twelve have decided to obey the truth here, making about twenty-five in less than two weeks. More than half of these are heads of families. All the churches were closed against us, and although the school-house had been used for everything, we could not have it in which to preach “heresy.” Hence we were compelled to go three miles into the country, and here a good Granger opened his hall and furnished wood and lights and made us welcome at his home. Our congregations are so largely composed of those from the village that it seemed necessary to find some place in the town, and through the influence of this same “good old Granger,” the I. O. O. F. have taken up their carpet and seated their hall. Last evening at our first meeting, the hall was well filled. A Baptist has provided a fine organ, and among those who have espoused our cause are a plenty of good singers. All are greatly pleased with the pieces in the “Song Anchor.” Every effort against the truth, thus far, has served to increase the interest. We acknowledge the hand of God in this work, and pray for his blessing to continue with us. A. O. BURRILL. A. M. MANN.

CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.

By John G. Matteson

The interest in this place is deepening and widening. I have held twelve meetings the past week. We have sold books for 50 Kröner the last two weeks, and obtained over thirty subscribers for the Tidende this month in the city.

More than eighty persons met with us last Sabbath, and about half of that number are keeping the Sabbath, while new ones are continually becoming interested.

The life and death question has caused a great commotion. Upwards of one thousand people crowded into the hall last night to hear our closing lecture on this subject, and many more came, but could not get in. This is a most tender point with these Northmen. That the devil is to be destroyed causes great wrath among those who have largely imbibed his spirit. Priests, professors, and students met, besides a number of preachers.

But the testimony became too strait for them. Toward the close of the sermon a preacher broke in upon me. Hundreds expressed aloud their disapproval, but others were determined to sustain him. They hallooed Amen, and made very noisy demonstrations, being led on by one of the popular preachers. About one-fourth of the congregation favored the move actively; but hundreds of voices would try to hush them, thus causing great excitement and disturbance. There was a commotion among the multitude like that of the waves of the sea.

I felt sorry, and was loth to have the meeting end in this way. Then a strong voice was suddenly heard, ringing out above the noisy clamor, demanding immediate quiet; and as by a sudden impulse all obeyed, and I finished the sermon and closed in the usual way. Then I sold books as fast as I could make change for quite a while. Most of the people did not like to go. Four policemen pressed slowly through the crowd, and came to me. They asked if there was any trouble. I told them all was well. Then they left. The people finally left the house, but many groups were formed here and there, eagerly discussing the subject of the discourse. To-day it has been a general topic of discourse throughout the city.

I have had very little time to write, for people have been coming and going all day. This evening there were as many as eight at once, all desiring to converse, and to learn about this doctrine. They are all friendly, and seem to be Christian people. I trust the Lord has many people in this city. Pray for us, dear brethren, that the Lord may give wisdom and strength, and means to carry on this good work for the glory of his own great name, and the salvation of many souls.

JOHN G. MATTESON.

Osterhaugaden 12, Christiania, Dec. 30, 1878.

VIRGINIA

By I. Sanborn

Page Co.—I have now held six meetings here. The congregations have been large and attentive, and have increased in numbers notwithstanding the muddy roads and dark nights. The interest is also increasing. Forty attended our meeting last Sabbath, only twelve of whom were Sabbath-keepers. Our average congregation is about two hundred. I desire the earnest prayers of all interested for the salvation of the perishing. My address, until further notice, will be Marksville, Page county, Va., care of George W. Good. I. SANBORN.

Meetings and Sabbath School at Tehama

By A. J. Cudney

Tehama, Burt Co., Jan. 20.—Our meetings in the Thompson school-house closed last Sabbath. We had opposition from five different ministers. After I had reviewed one discourse, about sixty voted in favor of the Sabbath, and only five in favor of Sunday. Twelve, all heads of families, have signed the covenant.

A Sabbath-school of fifty-three members has been organized; the school is provided with Lesson Leaves. I obtained six subscribers for our periodicals, and sold some books. Total receipts, $21.50.

I now commence meetings in a place three miles west. A. J. CUDNEY.

NORTH-WESTERN KANSAS.

By Smith Sharp

There are about three hundred Sabbath-keepers living in what we generally term North-western Kansas. There are nine organized churches here, but no ordained minister living

nearer than two or three hundred miles from the most of them. As they had had no preaching for almost a year, it was decided that I should visit them this winter; and since the middle of last November this has been my work. I have held nine meetings a week since that time on an average. Six have been baptized, quite a number have made a start in the cause of God, about a hundred copies of the Signs have been taken in clubs, and twenty-five or thirty have joined the tract society. I think that if all come up on S. B. to the pledges they have made, there will be twice as much paid in 1879 as was in 1878. The Sabbath-school work has also received some attention, and in most of the churches the schools are in a prosperous condition.

There are excellent fields of labor in this part of the Conference. The people are generally poor. Having but lately come to Kansas, they have expended what means they had in opening their farms. This is proving to be an excellent country, and thousands are constantly moving in from Eastern States, and among them are many good, responsible Sabbath-keepers. Smith county enough have lately settled to form a church. There are several lecturing in different places, and our tract workers are meeting with good success here. There is no part of our Conference where our people are more ready to sustain our different enterprises than they are here. In the most of the churches pledges have been made for our missions, and the churches at B. C. and Oakland.

New Year's day was very cold. I was at Bethany, where we kept the fast; almost all present pledged $1.20 each for the church at Oakland. Their elder and deacon were ordained.

The greatest lack I have seen in this section is the failure of our people to live out the health reform. There may be some excuse in a new country like this for a limited use of meat; but I can see no excuse for the use of tea and coffee; and when old Sabbath-keepers indulge in their use they injure the cause. I spoke several times on this subject, and I hope there will be an improvement. SMITH SHARP.

Tabor, Jan. 17, 1879.

HOME

By P. Alderman

O home of love! home of the ransomed ones! Within the mansions of the sinless land; Our pilgrim feet may weary with the march, Our souls are buoyant as we near the strand.

O home of love, of pure, unending bliss, Where angels wait to welcome those who come; Perchance they linger 'neath the tree of life, Their harps already tuned to "welcome home."

O home of love, of more than Eden bloom, Of joy we ne'er conceived, of peace and rest! Oh! rest so sweet inside the heavenly gates— My soul would thither hasten, and be blest.

O home of love, let me thy glory see; Let earth grow dim—its beauties fade for aye, But let me gain that true and noble life That waits us in the land of endless day.

Dear home of love, I'll sing thy praise below, Though scorn await the singer and the song; If this be sweet, what rapture will it be To join the singing of the angel throng! P. ALDERMAN.

VERMONT

By A. S. Hutchins

Cabot, Jan. 20.—A meeting of three days just closed here; S. B. and a church were organized, also a business association. A vote was taken to build a house of worship next summer if the means can be raised. Bro. H. Peebles, president of the S. S. Association, was present to speak in behalf of Sabbath-schools. We leave these dear friends in good courage. A. S. HUTCHINS.

ILLINOIS

By Dennis Morrison

Du Quoin, Jan. 19.—I held three meetings here Jan. 18, 19. The brethren seem to be prospering spiritually. Several await baptism. They have secured the use of the Lutheran house of worship for $50.00 a year. The house is new and well furnished; it is much better than the hall, and $25.00 less per year. DENNIS MORRISON.

NEW YORK.

By E. W. Whitney

Fabius, Jan. 21.—Commenced meetings in this place Dec. 14. There has been very strong secret opposition and much prejudice. These influences, together with the very unpleasant weather, have made the attendance quite small. However, they have decided to keep the Sabbath. E. W. WHITNEY.

MINNESOTA

By GEO. M. DIMMICK; J. M. HOPKINS

Pine Island, Jan. 19.—We have just closed two weeks' labor at the Sterling school-house, three miles south of Pine Island. Five commenced to keep the Sabbath. Last Sunday we organized a church of twenty-four members. An elder and deacon were ordained, and all pledged to give God a tithe of their increase. We organized a Sabbath-school of about forty scholars. Others are interested. We go from here to Farm Hill. GEO. M. DIMMICK. J. M. HOPKINS.

Meetings at Maple Plain

By D. P. Curtis; Warren Walker

Maple Plain, Hennepin Co., Jan. 22.—We commenced meetings here the 13th inst. Maple Plain is a small railroad station. The interest has not been as we hoped it would be. Prejudice is very strong. Congregations vary from twenty-five to fifty. We commence on the law to-night. Eld. Fassett, Adventist, advertises to speak against us on the law and the Sabbath next Sunday, one mile from here. D. P. CURTIS. WARREN WALKER.

Golden Gate.

By C. Nelson

The brethren here have too much neglected their duties in the prayer and social meeting, and the common result has followed. They promised to do better in the future. One brother was very sick. We prayed for him, and the Lord seemed to hear. When I left, he was quite well.

I reached home Dec. 27, and found my family well; but our house was gone. It burned down the day before, and nothing was saved but the thin clothes worn by my wife and children, so we are left destitute in the cold Minnesota winter. We look for a better home above, and ask the people of God to pray for us. I may be kept from the field for a short time.

C. NELSON.

Meetings at Medford, Cleveland, Round Grove, and Home

By H. Grant; L. H. Ells

Medford, Cleveland, Round Grove, and Home, Jan. 17.—After spending a short time at Mansfield, where Bro. Van Kirk was laboring as reported in Review of Jan. 16, we came to Medford. Here we spent Sabbath and Sunday with our families and the church.

New Year's day we were with the little church at Cleveland. The Spirit of God rested upon us as we tried to draw near to him.

Jan. 4. We commenced meetings at Round Grove. The brethren here were much discouraged; but the Spirit of God worked wonderfully. Confessions were made, and wrongs put away; then the spirit of love came in, and we celebrated the ordinances.

Jan. 10 we commenced meetings with the Home church, which has had very little help since its organization. One commenced to keep the Sabbath and united with the church, and others are very much interested. While we were celebrating the ordinances, some rowdies in the street spent the time in destroying property and filling the air with wild screams, telling what they would like to inflict on the people of God. We are now at the Lower Sioux Agency, to remain as long as duty demands.

H. GRANT. L. H. ELLS.

NEBRASKA

By Chas. L. Boyd

Seward, Jan. 21.—I have been holding meetings at this place during the past two weeks. The church have been encouraged by seeing some take hold of the Sabbath and attendant truths. CHAS. L. BOYD.

Meetings at Scott

By H. A. Jenkins

Scott, Webster Co., Jan. 20.—I commenced meetings at this place last Friday. A few came out the first evening; last evening the house was nearly full. The best of attention is given to the word spoken, and the people are hospitable. H. A. JENKINS.

Blessings of a Ten Days’ Meeting

By GEO. B. STARR.

Albion, Boone Co., Jan. 17.—Since parting with Bro. Nettleton, each to labor separately, I have held a ten days' meeting in a private-house west of town, and feel that God has blessed the work in establishing some of the company here in the love of the truth. One sister says, “For three years I have prayed for light and truth, and now God has sent it to my own home.” Family altars have been erected, and God's word is the one theme of conversation. Have obtained four more subscribers for our periodicals. GEO. B. STARR.

MICHIGAN

By William H. Littlejohn

Spring Arbor.—From Jan. 2 to Jan. 6, we were with the church at Spring Arbor. Eld. J. Fargo being present, it was deemed expedient to attend to some matters which had long perplexed the church. The providence of God seemed to open the way for this purpose, and action was taken which, we think, must result in permanent good. Among other important business transactions, Bro. James Roberts was ordained elder, and Bro. Eber Weed deacon of the church. We see no reason why the church at Spring Arbor may not, with the blessing of God, become a church of large usefulness. They have recently dedicated a new house of worship, and they are located in a region where there seems to be a manifest desire to listen to the truth. W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

S. WOODHULL, Director

By S. WOODHULL

Dist. No. 10, Jan. 20.—I held a district quarterly meeting with the church at Flint, Jan. 11, 12. This church took eight additional copies of the Signs, and the Lapeer church ordered five copies to be sent to Shelbyville, Tenn. The Thetford church added two copies to their club of the Signs, and took ten copies of the weekly Instructor.

Jan. 18, 19, I was at Holly. These dear brethren and sisters are earnest workers. I believe God will bless their efforts, and I shall be disappointed if the April reports do not show them equal in missionary work to any church of the same size in the State. They took twenty-seven copies of the Signs. We organized a V. M. society and a Sabbath-school, and a vote was taken in favor of the tithing system.

S. WOODHULL, Director

Work in Grand Rapids and Sparta

By G. A. Carlstedt

Grand Rapids, and Sparta, Kent Co., Jan. 20.—I held fourteen meetings at Grand Rapids, and also visited the Swedish families in the city, and some of other nationalities, and distributed about a thousand pages of tracts, besides pamphlets and papers. Obtained one more subscriber to the Herald, with premium. Several acknowledged the Sabbath, but have not yet, to my knowledge, commenced to keep it.

I came to Sparta the tenth. There is a Swedish settlement here of about one hundred families, most of whom belong to the Lutheran church. Their minister is our sworn enemy.

Yesterday I held two meetings, one in Swedish and the other in English, with fair congregations. On both occasions they voted to have the meetings continue. G. A. CARLSTEDT.

Partello, Olivet, and Charlotte.

By E. B. Lane; J. F. Carman

We had five very interesting and encouraging meetings with the small church at Partello, Jan. 11, 12. The few T. and M. members are taking their first club of ten copies of the Signs. They now pay S. B. on the tithing plan, and are active in all branches of the T. and M. work. There is an excellent outside interest here.

During the week we held three meetings with the small unorganized company near Olivet. The outside interest was excellent, and we think a course of lectures could be given here with profit.

We had six excellent meetings at Charlotte. This church numbers twenty members, the tract society fourteen members, and the Sabbath-school nineteen scholars. They hold their meetings in a dwelling-house. They increased their club of Signs from ten to fifteen copies, and came up nobly on the tithing system. They also continue to pay on the Dime Tabernacle, and take an active interest in all other T. and M. business.

At our Sabbath meetings, God came very near and blessed us to the great encouragement of all. E. B. LANE.

J. F. CARMAN, Director.

IOWA

By John F. Hanson

Spencer, Emmittsburg, Buffalo Grove.— I labored with the Spencer church about a week. The friends here are growing in grace, and brotherly love prevails. They have a good Sabbath-school.

New Year's day I was with the church at Emmittsburg. The Lord was very near, as we humbled ourselves before him. These brethren have always shown themselves willing to help support the cause. They adopted the tithing system, as the church at Spencer had done. At each of these places an elder was ordained.

At Buffalo Grove and Forest City, where I labored a little more than a week, some had given up the truth. One of these persons returned anew unto the Lord, and others who attended our meetings are under deep conviction. I think that at least fifteen of the Scandinavians in this place are growing stronger in the truth. One brother who had used tobacco forty-five years has given it up, after devoting at least $450 to the tobacco god.

I obtained three subscribers to the Tidende and one for the Review. One brother donated $30.00 to the cause, and I received $7.00 as a personal gift. I am now seeking a new field. JOHN F. HANSON.

DAKOTA

By S. B. Whitney

Elk Point, Jan. 20.—I came to this place last Thursday in company with Brn. Olsen and Fredrickson. Found the brethren in need of help, and very ready to receive it. Their numbers have been reduced by removals, and, having had no ministerial help for some time, they had become somewhat discouraged; but as we tried to exhort to greater faith and diligence, the word was gladly received, and they seemed greatly encouraged. The T. and M. society was reorganized with an addition of five new members, and a club of fourteen Signs subscribed for, also a club of ten weekly Instructors for the Sabbath-school.

Since my report from Swan Lake, the church there have taken a club of eleven weekly Instructors, and on our way to this place we stopped one night at Sunny Side, where a club of ten was also taken.

We intend to visit Big Springs this week, and I shall return here to spend next Sabbath.

JAN. 21.—There seems to be a good outside interest here, as for the last two evenings the school-house has been crowded.

S. B. WHITNEY.

KANSAS

By J. H. Cook

Spring Valley, McPherson Co., Jan. 21.— I am now in the midst of the Sabbath investigation at this place. For miles around people are stirred. The house is well filled, and the congregations are attentive; but when meeting is over, such a Babel of voices I think I never before heard; and almost all in a bitter strain against us. Protestants and Catholics unite in covering up the bloody past, and in defending Sunday sacredness. My trust is in God, and in this confidence I go forward, though confusion reigns all around. I rejoice that I can have a part in this last work, and that the battle will soon be over and the victory gained. Courage, brethren, courage in the Lord.

Sabbath, the 18th, in company with Brn. Enoch and Barton, I attended the Elivon meeting. The ordinances were celebrated for the first time, only six weeks from the time they first heard Bro. Bourdeau on these subjects. This was a good beginning for a new church. As the meeting progressed, the Spirit of God came in, and one testimony after another was borne, praising God for this good meeting. Some said it was the happiest day of their lives. Some came in darkness, but went away rejoicing in the light. Five more were added to the church, all new converts. Their local elder will baptize them next Sabbath.

Bro. Enoch is holding meetings near Elivon. He also teaches a day school among the French.

J. H. COOK.

Notes of News.

The cotton crop for 1878, in round numbers, is 5,197,000 bales,—450 pounds to a bale.

It is feared that a general commercial collapse is imminent in Sweden.

The Southern war claim is eliciting warm discussion in the House of Representatives.

Another wonderful cave has recently been discovered near Glasgow Junction, Ky.

Severe cold weather, and suffering from destitution, continue in Great Britain.

The investigation of election frauds in Florida is bringing to light some barefaced and astounding frauds.

Violent snowstorms block the Russian railways. 7,000 laborers are opening communications between Moscow and Sebastopol.

India now exports 40,000,000 pounds of tea; previous to 1840 no tea was exported from that country.

The Bible has been translated complete into the Turkish language. There are 28,000,000 people in Turkey.

According to a Glasgow paper, over 3,300 of the 6,400 men belonging to the various building trades in that city, are out of employment.

A writer in the Republique Francaise claims that the publishing house of Hachette & Co., at Paris, is the largest in the world.

The pope is about to fill the vacancies in the Sacred College by the appointment of twelve new cardinals.

There are rumors, apparently well-founded, that Queen Victoria is seriously thinking of abdicating the throne of Great Britain in favor of the Prince of Wales.

There are over 25,000 flour mills in this country, in which over 60,000 men are employed at annual wages of over $20,000,000; these mills turn out yearly about 50,000,000 barrels of flour.

The normal amount of arrearage in benevolent society receipts seems to be $30,000. The Home Missionary Society has hovered about this sum for two or three years.

The Board of Indian Commissioners estimate the number of Indians in the United States at 250,000, and report that of this number 127,458 wear citizen’s dress.

It is said that Shere Ali will remain in Tash-kend. The Golos, of St. Petersburg, says that England now has control of Afghanistan, and has every chance for carrying out her plans in Asiatic Turkey.

The bones of St. Francis Xavier are deposited at Goa, India, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church in that country; 300 bishops and 100,000 more of the faithful are organizing for a pilgrimage to view the bones.

More than half of all the letters mailed in the world are written in English. The 100,000,000 who speak the English language have far more books and newspapers than all the other 1,200,000,000 of the earth.

The different nations of Europe are discussing the propriety of taking measures to prevent the spread of the plague that recently broke out in Russia. Germany and Austria have resolved to send physicians to watch the epidemic.

Yakoub Bey’s old kingdom of Kashghar is again in a state of turmoil. It was recently conquered by the Chinese; but according to Russian reports, the Mohammedan rebels outnumber the Chinese army of occupation. This is the army that was to cross the mountains into Russian territory.

Owing to the influx of Northern people and capital, the prospects of continued and increasing prosperity in Georgia were never more encouraging than now. The annual product of the gold mines has increased from $40,000 a year 4 years ago to $500,000. The turpentine, lumber, and other interests have also increased.

The land in Great Britain is owned by comparatively few persons. Of the 37,243,857 acres in England and Wales, 280 persons own 5,425,764, or about one-seventh. In Ireland, 744 persons own 9,612,728 acres, or nearly half of its 20,150,678 acres. In Scotland, 24 persons own more than a fourth of the whole area, and 70 own 9,400,000 acres, or about half of its 18,946,694 acres. One man owns 1,358,548 acres, and five others own each, from 306,000 to 431,000 acres.

A two month’s preaching in Perlepe, near Monastir, European Turkey, has set the whole city by the ears. “Your work is of the devil!” exclaimed an excited man. “Why?” asked the missionary. “Ten weeks ago,” he replied, “we in this city were united, and were of one faith and mind; but now half are for your faith and half for the orthodox (Greek) faith, and we are just this way!” (at the same time striking his fists together). Jesus said, “I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

The Euphrates railway is very much needed, and somehow England has got to build it; but the statement that England offers to guarantee to the Turkish Government a loan of $125,000,000 in return for a concession by which England gains the right to build the railway and to hold five acres of land on every mile of the railway, and to establish on land granted for the purpose a colony of 100,000 Europeans, and also to hold the revenues of Bassora, Bagdad, and Damascus, to guarantee the loan, is startling. Should the Porte agree to this offer, we should be having British influence predominant indeed in Asiatic Turkey, and responsible for its good order.

“The engineering projects of modern times,” says the Christian Weekly, “are often startling by their originality and boldness. Not the least in these respects is the one which proposes to avert future visitations of yellow fever from New Orleans by turning that city into another Venice, removing the dykes which prevent the Mississippi from overflowing it, and letting the water from the river flow through its streets. Of course, the city would have to be lifted bodily, as Chicago was, but it is contended that its health would be assured.”

“It is an understood fact,” says the London Christian World, “that the blood spilt and the treasure expended in this Afghan war are due to England’s being governed by a most fanciful novelist, and India being administered by a flighty poet. To those two men,—more to Lord Lytton than to Lord Beaconsfield, yet essentially to both,—must we impute it that, on the edge of an Afghan winter, British troops are posted on high hills, with the thermometer 7° above zero, and that wild highlanders,—men, women, children—of the Suleiman range, see their villages gloriously laid in ashes by an English army.”

The attempt to force by starvation and freezing the Cheyenne Indians, prisoners at Fort Robinson, Neb., to consent to go to the Indian Territory, was a miserable failure, as it deserved to be. The freezing and starvation argument was applied to women and children. The Indians, stung by the sense of the wrong, became desperate, overcame the guards, killing and wounding several, and escaped. The soldiers overtook them and killed twenty, twelve of whom were women and children. At latest accounts forty Indians had been killed, fifteen wounded, and fifty recaptured. Four soldiers were killed and four wounded. Fifty Indians are still at large. A relative of Red Cloud was killed and a sister of one of his chiefs was wounded, and, as the escaped Indians are likely to take refuge in Red Cloud’s or Spotted Tail’s camp, it is more than probable that they will stir up bad blood among those Indians. The whole matter affords a striking commentary on the way in which Indian affairs may be expected to be managed by the military—if put entirely under the control of the army.—The Advance.

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