Review and Herald, Vol. 22, No. 19.
Tobacco,Page 1
Earlier text: Tobacco,TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IN BEHALF OF NEW ENGLAND.
Dear Brethren: We regard the New England States as an important field of labor at the present time, for the following reasons:— 1. These States were the especial field of the great Advent movement in 1843 and 1844, and although distracting influences have since prostrated the cause, there are thousands in these States who have sunken down under these influences, and have laid down the cross, whom we doubt not would revive under the proclamation of the third message by discreet and faithful men. 2. The people of New England are generally thorough-going and will promptly co-operate with laborers sent among them, and make this field a comparatively easy one, if the cause can be kept free from fanaticism. And nothing but organization and order, and cheerful submission to those who have charge of the work, can do this. The great temptation for a while with the restless ones will doubtless be to bolt and throw off the very restraint they need to keep them where they should be. But, dear brethren, the cause in the East has suffered under many embarrassments. While our most efficient laborers have been breaking and cultivating new ground in the West, the more feeble, and some of them of poor judgment, and tending to fanaticism, have occupied this field. And while organization, spiritual gifts, and systematic benevolence, have proved a perfect success in Michigan, a large portion of New England has dreadfully suffered for want of judicious men to hold these things before the people in a proper light. 3. The evidence that "the angel of mercy is hovering over the East," and that efforts should be made to "strengthen the things that remain, and proclaim the message to those who have not heard it," makes this field one of deep interest to those who believe. Elder Loughborough feels that this is his field of labor at present, if you so decide. He is just the man to have charge of the work in the East. His mild, kind manner, and his refined sense of propriety in a minister's public and social and private life, not only save him from wounding the cause he labors to build up, but these excellent qualifications enable him to make a good impression wherever he goes. His firm and persevering efforts on organization, systematic benevolence, &c., added to his preaching talent, and the qualifications before mentioned, make him, with the blessing of God, the man to build up churches, and have the especial oversight of the work in the East. But this is a wide field, and we think there should be another efficient laborer from the West in this field. Bro. Hull would be just the man, could he labor under the influence and care of Bro. Loughborough. Bro. Cornell would be an excellent man to enter new places in the East, if Bro. Loughborough could follow and build up churches, and take the general oversight of the work. And, if it be your decision, we are ready to labor in the East (or wherever you may appoint,) six months, one year, or until our work be done. Mrs. W. has been pleading for the East for more than six months, and now that we are here, with our children, we unitedly feel that this is our more especial field of labor at present. To leave our good home and brethren at Battle Creek, the Office with all its activity, and the cheerful faces in its several departments, and our very dear and faithful brethren in Michigan who have ever stood by us in the hottest of the fight, and the noble span of God's creatures which have so cheerfully and speedily taken us over long roads to our appointments in that good State, is no small sacrifice. But we cheerfully make the sacrifice at the call of duty. If this be duty, and we pilgrims here strike out by faith, in one sense homeless, God will raise us up a hundred fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, with whom we shall find a hundred welcome homes. But it should be borne in mind that the friends of the cause in New England, with the exception of Vermont, are very few and poor. These however can give laborers good homes when they come among them, and something more. But at present it will be the privilege of brethren in New York, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and the West to do much to support this mission. The few friends in New England sent the message West, and in doing so some of them sacrificed considerable of their property. For example, one brother gave Bro. Bates $50 to bear his expenses on his first trip to Indiana and Michigan, when the Jackson brethren received the Sabbath. The first trip we made to New York, we earned the money to pay traveling expenses in the hayfield, in feeble health. By such sacrifices, and such exertions, has the truth been planted in the West. Now is a chance for western brethren of their abundance to return the compliment. Michigan alone can put $2000 into the treasury of the General Conference fund, this present autumn, and not feel it. To hand out means to individuals rashly, in the absence of organization, is expensive folly. But with our present organization, and faithful General Conference Committee, which controls missionary labor, and the General Conference fund designed to sustain missionary labor, those who withhold from this treasury, fearing somebody will be personally benefited, are far gone with that spirit of tight-fisted stinginess which borders hard on insanity. But, thank God, organization is a success; the General Conference is a success; and the Publishing Association is a perfect success. It cures the jealous ones to see the leaders in the cause urging organization, so that the publishing department, and themselves also, are put into the hands of trustees and committees whom they can help elect annually. And the stingy ones are either leaving, or getting cured of their malady. Speculation! The Devil himself would be ashamed to repeat the word under the present circumstances of the cause. Mrs. W. and self put $35 into the General Conference fund last June; but we now increase it to $100. And would it not be well to say to our brethren who are laying up treasures on earth, that it is a fearful thing for them to withhold of their abundance the little which the cause of truth demands? Systematic benevolence is a light draft on their liberality. This is not a twentieth part of the annual increase of the property of many. Will they pack down the green-backs with a miserly hand at this late hour, and let missionaries feel that they must narrow up their efforts for want of means? These men want books and tracts to give where they cannot sell. The steam-press should run six days in every week, and those who want our publications, and cannot buy them at present low rates, should have them free. We would suggest that the trustees of the Association appropriate two or three hundred dollars' worth of publications to the eastern mission, if in your judgment the mission be right. The grand object of the Association was to be a mighty engine to propel the cause of truth. We say, let it be an active, energetic institution. Give it wood and water, and let it steam away. Let the green-backs come in, and the packages, bundles, and boxes of books roll out to give light to the world. Dear brethren, we shall be glad to hear from you in reference to this hasty appeal for New England as soon as possible. Time is flying, and if a strong effort is to be made for the East, arrangements for the winter's campaign should be made as soon as possible. Topsham, Me., Sept. 24, 1863. P. S. Who will have $100 in the General Conference fund during 1863? Who $50? Who $25? Who $10? to be paid before Jan. 1st, 1864? J. & E. G. White, $100
Fall in, brethren! REMARKS. We are happy to lay before the readers of the Review the above Appeal from Bro. White. We feel the greatest interest in the New England mission, and heartily approve of the suggestions above made. It is universally conceded, we believe, that those who are already occupying any missionary field, best understand the wants of that field. The committee, therefore, feel disposed to acquiesce in any decisions that Brn. White and Loughborough may make in regard to labor in that section. It will be in accordance with the mind of the committee that Bro. Cornell labor in the East as suggested, and that Brn. White and Loughborough continue there as long as they feel it duty so to do. We would also urge upon every lover of the cause, to remember this mission in their liberalities that it be not crippled for lack of means. The trustees of the Association also fully coincide with the Appeal in relation to tracts, and cheerfully appropriate as below. JOHN BYINGTON,
J. N. ANDREWS,
G. W. AMADON,
} General Conference
Committee. For the object above set forth,
S. D. A. Publishing Association (in tracts) $250,00
Elder John Byington, 50,00
Robert Sawyer (Office hand), 25,00
Other laborers in the Office, 25,00
Church at Battle Creek (s. b.), 25,00
Church at Jackson, (s. b.), 25,00
Church at Tompkins (s. b.), 5,00 Lessons for Bible Students.
The Vision of Daniel, Chapter viii.
(PROPHECY OF DANIEL, PP, 27-33.) 1. WHAT beast did Daniel first behold in his vision of chapter viii ? 2. What is said of the horns of this ram ? 3. In what directions did the ram push his conquests ? 4. What beast did Daniel next behold ? 5. From what direction did he come ? 6. What had he between his eyes ? 7. How did he regard the ram, and what did he do to him ? 8. When the goat had waxed very great, what happened to his notable horn ? 9. What came up in its stead ? 10. In what direction did these horns arise ? 11. What came forth from one of them ? 12. In what directions did this horn wax great ? 13. Against whom did he magnify himself ? 14. What did he further do ? 15. At this point in the vision, what did Daniel hear ? 16. What question was put by one of those heavenly beings to the other ? 17. What was the answer ? 18. Did Daniel understand this vision ? 19. When he sought for the meaning, what did he see, and what command did he hear given ? 20. What did the angel tell Daniel was symbolized by the ram ? 21. What was denoted by his two horns ? 22. The prophecy says that the higher of the two horns came up last ; how was this fulfilled ? [Ans. In the Persian element of the empire, which arose last, and became the leading division.] 23. With what, then, does this vision commence ? 24. What was the symbol of the goat explained to mean ? 25. What was denoted by the horn between his eyes ? 26. What, by the four horns that arose after it was broken ? 27. When did Grecia succeed Persia in the dominion of the world ? 28. In what direction was Grecia from Persia ? 29. Who was the great horn, or the first king of Grecia ? 30. To what do the four horns of the goat in this vision correspond in the vision of chapter vii ? 31. Name the four kingdoms that arose out of the Grecian empire, on the death of Alexander ? 32. When did they originate ? 33. In explaining the symbol of the little horn, what language did the angel use ? 34. What have Papists done to avoid the application of this prophecy to themselves ? 35. Of what country was Antiochus, king ? [Pronounced An-ti-o-chus.] 36. Was the little horn a symbol of Antiochus ? 37. What is the first reason to prove that he was not ? 38. What is the second ?149 39. What is the Medo-Persian empire simply called in reference to its power and extent ? 40. Over how many provinces did it extend ? 41. What is the Grecian power called in comparison with the Persian ? 42. What is the power that comes next in order, called ? 43. Was Antiochus exceeding great when compared with Alexander, the conqueror of the world ? 44. Was he exceeding great when compared with the Romans to whom he was compelled to pay tribute ? 45. This power was to wax great toward the east, south, and pleasant land ; in what directions were the conquests of Rome ? 46. Where were Antiochus' conquests ? 47. This power was to stand up against the Prince of princes ; who is meant by the Prince of princes ? 48. Could Antiochus fulfill this part of the prophecy, and why not ? 49. From what was this power to come forth ? 50. From what division of Alexander's empire did Rome come forth ? 51. How can it be said to come forth from one of those kingdoms ? 52. How did Rome fulfill the prophecy in regard to its waxing exceeding great toward the south, east, and pleasant land ? 53. Did Rome cast down of the host and of the stars to the ground, and what is meant by this expression ? 54. Did Rome answer to the description of a king of fierce countenance ? 56. By what has Rome shown itself to be a power that did destroy wonderfully ? 57. How many of the saints have been put to death by this power ? 58. How did Rome stand up against the Prince of princes ? 59. What is to be the fate of this power ? 60. To what is clear reference here made ? 61. When, then, does the destruction of this power take place ? 62. Of what are all these facts conclusive proof ? 63. What, then, is the field of vision in Dan. viii ? Annual Report of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
ACCORDING to resolution and previous notice, the third annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was held in the city of Battle Creek, Michigan, commencing sixth-day, Oct. 2, 1863, at 9 o'clock A. M. President absent. Vice President in the chair. Meeting opened with prayer by Eld. John Byington. The roll was then called. Adjourned to meet again at 2 o'clock P. M. Afternoon session. Meeting opened with prayer by Eld. Joseph Bates. The roll was again called, after which the Auditor presented the following report: THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDITOR OF THE S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.
This is to certify that I have examined the books of the Association, and find the accounts correctly kept, showing the following results: Received for shares in Association, $1859.00. " donations to Association, 1010.54. " " Mich. Conf. Fund, 1862.96. " " Missionary Fund, 411.59. " " Mich. Tent Fund, 74.50. " " Book sales for cash at Office and by mail, 1392.98. " " Book account, 2546,56. " " Interest on notes, 11,82. The Association has paid as follows: For work in the Office, $3468.63. " Material and sundries, 6742,33. On deposits and outstanding notes, 6911,59. " Missionary Fund, 452,95. " Mich. Conf. Fund, 1350,30. " Mich. Tent Fund, 30,56. Excess of receipts over expenditures, $1149,48. Estimated nett value of the assets of the Association, $19649,41. The Association has present liabilities to the amount of $4877,53. Leaving a balance free from all incumbrances of $15271,88. The general business of the Association was then introduced by the Secretary, in a written statement of the business to come before the meeting, viz.: 1. Consider the proposed changes in the by-laws as given with the notice of the meeting. 4. Salaries of President, Editors, Secretary, and Treasurer. 5. Compensation of Auditor. The business was then called up, item by item, for discussion and action, by written resolution. The proposed changes in the by-laws being first in order were called up separately by written resolutions offered by Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Eld. John Byington, Henry Lyon, and Eld. Joseph Bates, all of which were unanimously adopted. The amended sections and additions now read as follows: Art. ix. Sec. 2. All voting for the election of officers shall be done by printed ballots, on which shall be the words "Yes" and "Nay," printed in such a manner that tearing off one end of the vote shall destroy the word "Yes," but shall leave the word "Nay" upon it, and tearing off the other end shall destroy the word "Nay," and leave the word "Yes" upon it, thus: All other voting to be done as the President may direct. Art. II. Sec. 1. The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Committee of three on Publication, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and an Auditor, who together shall constitute a board of trustees, and shall be elected every year at such time and place as may be determined by the last meeting of the Association, or announced in the call for the meeting. And all officers shall hold their office until three weeks after their successors are elected. Art. II. Sec. 13. The Association shall elect its Editors at each yearly meeting, whose term of office shall continue until three weeks after their successors are elected. Art. v. Sec. 2. There shall be a yearly meeting of this Association at such time and place as shall be designated at the previous annual meeting, or announced in the call for said meeting, which meeting shall be held at least three weeks previous to the expiration of the term of office of the several officers; at which meeting the annual election of officers shall take place. Art. xi. Sec. 2. No money paid to the Association for shares or donations, nor interest or profits arising therefrom, shall be subject to withdrawal, but shall be, and forever remain, a part of its funds, to be used in accordance with Sec. 1 of this Article. The election of officers being next in order, the officers of last year were unanimously nominated, viz.: Eld. James White, President; Geo. W. Amadon, Vice President; Eld. J. N. Loughborough, and Wm. Hall, Committee on Publication, E. S. Walker, Secretary, Uriah Smith, Treasurer, and I. D. Van Horn, Auditor. Eld. J. H. Waggoner then offered the following Resolution, which was voted upon by ballot, and passed by a unanimous vote: Resolved, That the officers of last year be elected for the following year, according to our nomination. On motion of Elder John Byington, Elder James White was unanimously chosen Editor of the Review. On motion of Elder J. B. Frisbie, George W. Amadon was unanimously chosen Editor of the Instructor. The fixing of the salaries of officers being next called up, the following resolution was offered by Eld. J. H. Waggoner, and adopted: Resolved, That the President, Editors, Secretary and Treasurer receive the sum of $9 per week for their services during the current year. The compensation of Auditor being next in order, the following resolution was offered and adopted: Resolved, That the Auditor receive $20.00 for his services the present year. GEO. W. AMADON, Vice President.
E. S. WALKER, Secretary. Man as Created.
By J. H. W.
A QUESTION has been introduced in connection with the subject of the atonement, and of the necessity for an atonement arising out of man's nature, which, though of no practical importance, has yet troubled many minds, and led to confusion and error. J. M. Stephenson in his work on the atonement, avers that man was created neither mortal nor immortal; that is to say, neither subject to death nor exempt from it: which is a manifest absurdity. The reason he gives is the following: "Now if Adam was mortal, he must, from his very nature, die, whether he obeyed or disobeyed; but that he was not mortal is evident from the fact that he had the privilege of eating of the tree of life, and living forever. That he was not immortal is evident, 1. from the fact, that the penalty for disobedience was death, which could not have been executed had man been immortal; for every definition of immortality excludes the possibility of death." p. 20. The reason here given to show that man was not mortal, viz. that he had the privilege of eating of the tree of life and living forever, seems to me rather to be evidence that he was mortal. For the privilege of eating and living forever was a conditional prospective grant of immortality, proving that he had it not then. But if he had not immortality then, he was mortal, for these terms express opposite states, as life and death are opposites; and there is no intermediate ground. The reason given that man was not immortal, to wit: that if he was immortal, sentence of death could not be executed upon him, is not conclusive; for that is to say that God could not inflict death upon an immortal being. But if he was immortal it was by the power and gift of God; and it will be readily conceded that God could have made him immortal; so we should thence conclude that God could confer a nature on man of which he could not deprive him, that he could make a creature beyond the reach of his own power! But Mr. Stephenson has abundantly disproved his own position in the same work. I quote a few passages in relation to the Son of God. "In reference to his nature, it has been shown to be divine, and being such it must have been immortal. Indeed this proposition is self-evident, for he who is divine must be immortal." p. 127. "We may reasonably suppose that he became flesh; that the Divine nature was made human. . . . He must have been Divine and immortal as a whole being, and human and mortal as a whole being." p. 135. That is, the Divine, immortal, became human, mortal. "Then the exalted being brought to view in verse 6, [Phil. ii], actually became a mortal man and died." p. 138. "But how could he change his nature and yet retain his personality? Ans. Just as easily as our nature can be changed from mortal to immortality; from flesh to spirit, without losing our personal identity. Just reverse the process of making a mortal being immortal, and it would make an immortal being mortal. God can just as easily do one as the other." pp. 142-3. Thus it appears that he thinks God could inflict the penalty of death upon an immortal being. I do not notice this because I think Adam was immortal; for I do not think he was. But I quote to show to those who have been misled, the fallacy of his position. Indeed, we can only suppose that he believed it himself by supposing that while writing one part of his work he did not know what he had written in another part. I am led by Paul's words to believe that man was created mortal. My mind was called to this fact by Bro. B. F. S., of Iowa. Said the apostle "The first150 man is of the earth, earthy." 1 Cor. xv, 47. χοικός, (choikos,) here translated earthy, Greenfield defines thus: "of dust, earthy, terrestrial, and by imp. corruptible, frail, mortal." From the connection I must believe that Paul used the word in this sense, i. e., that the first man is of the earth, corruptible, frail, mortal; because he says we have borne the image of the earthy, and shall bear the image of the heavenly; And this he refers for fulfillment to the resurrection, (which is the subject of his argument), when this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruptible shall put on incorruption. The mortal corruptible nature we inherit from the first Adam who was made of the earth, mortal, corruptible: but the immortal, incorruptible, we get in the resurrection, from the second Adam, who is a life-giving spirit. Thus, the nature in which Adam was made is contrasted with that which the saints put on in the resurrection. This seems to be decisive on this subject.