On the 19th of June six persons united with the church at Cleveland, Ohio.
At the recent camp-meeting at Madison, Wis., fifty-nine persons were baptized.
Elder H. W. Cottrell has been elected president of New England Conference.
The Texas general camp-meeting and conference will be held at Fort Worth July 30 to August 9.
At Battle Creek, Mich., June 12, twelve persons were baptized and fifteen were added to the church.
Elders Knox, McClure, Andross, and Courter are attending the local camp-meeting in Eureka, Cal.
Elder C. P. Frederickson reports that seven adults have taken their stand for the truth at Monte Vista, Colo.
Our missionaries in the Fiji Islands now have a small boat for their work amongst the eighty inhabited islands of that group.
Colorado Conference now has five tents in the field. At present they are located at Eaton, Durango, Cripple Creek, Idaho Springs, and Denver.
Elder J. B. Ashcraft reports that four families have embraced the Sabbath of the Lord at Elk, Ark. Twenty members were added to the Sabbath-school.
From May 14 to 18 Elders Wm. Covert and J. C. Mikkelsen organized a church of twelve members at Amery, Wis., and another of twenty-one members at Clear Lake.
On June 19 four persons who had attended the Scandinavian meetings in Brooklyn, N. Y., were baptized. A short time previously five had followed the Lord in this ordinance.
Schoolhouse work, conducted by Elder J. C. Harris, in the vicinity of Spring Arbor, Mich., has resulted in a Sabbath-school of over thirty members, and in the 12th ult. five persons were baptized in Grand River.
The Industrial School near Huntsville, Ala., has on its farm 75 acres of corn, 50 of cotton, 20 of millet, 23 of wheat, 15 of oats, 3 of sorghum, 3 of peanuts, 4 of potatoes, and a large garden. Besides this, 35 acres are rented out.
The following officers have been elected by the Pennsylvania Tract Society: President, I. N. Williams; vice-president, J. G. Excell; secretary and treasurer, W. M. Lee; corresponding secretary, Thomas D. Gibson; State agent, Morris Lukens.
One by one the old pioneers in the message are falling asleep. One of the latest to lie down is Brother Ransom Lockwood, of Valley Springs, Cal. He was in the ’44 movement; was brother-in-law to Elder G. I. Butler. His age was seventy-three.
A threshing-machine, manned by a Seventh-day Adventist crew, is at work in Solano County, Cal., and have organized a Sabbath-school of their own with a dozen members. So, wherever they may be at work during the season, they have their Sabbath-school with them.
At the recent local camp-meeting near Jamestown, N. Dakota, eleven candidates were baptized. There were forty family tents on the ground, most of the people having come with teams, many of them driving over 100 miles. Services were conducted in both German and English.
At the Pennsylvania camp-meeting held at Altoona in the forepart of June, twenty persons were baptized, and it was decided to continue tent-meetings in the place on account of the interest manifested by the people. Elders K. C. Russell and L. S. Wheeler were left in charge of the work.
At last reports from our school at Arondale, Cooranbong, New South Wales, there were thirty in attendance of the brightest youth in Australasia. The teachers are Prof. and Mrs. C. B. Hughes, Prof. and Mrs. H. C. Lacey, and Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell. The school was prospering and enjoying much of the blessing of the Lord.
Elder D. C. Babcock, president of Virginia Conference, reports the organization of a church of thirty members at Danville. This company has also purchased a house of worship, and through the missionary efforts of some of the members another company of Sabbath-keepers has been gathered at Halifax. The church at Hebron is also erecting a house of worship.
We have had our “self-denial week,” as we call it, and in this connection it is well to think of the self-denial that some of our laborers are willing to endure every week. We quote from a letter to the Review, by Brother S. M. Jacobs, of Huntsville, Ala.—
“I have just been down into the center of the State to visit one of our workers (a young lady from the north) who is laboring wholly for the colored people. I sat down at the table with her (by the way, she boards with a colored family); I did not ask her how much she had to pay for board, but I suppose not much, as everything we had to eat was one corn-meal pone each and a dish of blackberries. This pone was made of corn-meal and water, and was about two-thirds as large as my hand, and not as thick. Brethren, this was a blessing to me. I wish some of you could have the privilege of enjoying the same blessing. This sister is teaching school and doing Bible work. It means something to come down here and work for the colored people. Our courage is good, and we really enjoy the work.”
ANGELS Their Nature and Ministry.
Revised by the late J.H. Waggoner. In two parts. Part Two considers some hints on the Origin, History and Destiny of Satan, as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students’ Library No. 83. 140 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. New York City, N. Y. Kansas City, Mo.
FROM JAMAICA, WEST INDIES.
Elder C. A. Hall, writing from Waterloo, June 24, says: “We can find work within sight of where I now sit to last us until the Lord comes. Some girls have been leading a crowd that would gather behind our tent during service and disturb the meetings. Now their names are on the covenant, and we are teaching them to read. Last night an old hard drinker walked up to the table and wrote his name, and to-day he is leading a company of men in clearing off a place on which to erect a chapel. The wonder of the neighborhood is that such a movement could be possible. Even the crowds that pass along the roads morning and evening, going and coming from the distant mountain fields, can be heard singing hymns instead of yelling fiercely as was their wont a month ago. The fame of the work has gone out a long distance, and people come many miles to inquire concerning the message. One man walked sixteen miles last Friday to spend the Sabbath and Sunday with us. His brother said he would attend regularly, coming ten miles to do so. To-day we begin work on the chapel, 18x40 feet. We have a company here of forty-two in all. People stay and talk until 10:30 and 11 o’clock at night, and I am so exhausted that sleep does not refresh as it should; yet to see the eagerness with which some drink in the truth, and their joy at receiving it, is more than pain and exhaustion.”
BIBLE HEADQUARTERS.
The Pacific Press Publishing Company and its branches carry a full line of all the well-bound Bibles published by the Oxford University Press. We have had years of experience, and can suit you. Catalogs free. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 39 Bond Street, 14-18 West 5th Street, New York City. Kansas City, Mo.
LITERATURE WANTED.
Miss JENNIE LARKIN, Millston, Wis., desires copies of the SIGNS, Instructor, Our Little Friend, and tracts, for missionary work. Please send post-paid to her address.
Publications on the Sabbath
THE LORD'S DAY, THE TEST OF THE AGES
Presents in the briefest, simplest manner a part of the Bible evidence concerning both sides of the Sabbath question. The subject is treated in a new and interesting way. Fully illustrated with diagrams and original illustrations. 128 pages, paper covers, just out, price 15 cents.
ABIDING SABBATH AND LORD'S DAY
A pointed review of two of the best recent productions for the defense of the Sunday sabbath. The best arguments in support of Sunday are undoubtedly presented in this book. 173 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.
CHANGE OF THE SABBATH
A brief treatise answering the question so often asked, “Who Changed the Sabbath?” 218 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.
NATURE AND OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
A candid and thoroughly scriptural treatise on this important question. 96 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents.
THE SABBATH AND THE LAW
This work covers the Sabbath institution from Eden created to Eden restored, and its arguments are clear and forcible and convincing. 192 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.
THE HISTORY OF THE SABBATH
An exhaustive treatise on the Sabbath question, in which every passage in the Bible which has any connection with the Sabbath, either in the Old or New Testament, is examined at length. It is a veritable mine of information, both Biblical and Historical, on this subject. Three volumes, paper covers. Price $1.00 per set.
... Send for Catalogue containing Price List of other ... Publications on this Subject.
Pacific Press Publishing Co.
Oakland, Cal.
Kansas City, Mo. N. Y. City, N. Y.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE
By Alonzo T. Jones
Or Civil Government and Religion
BY ALONZO T. JONES
An Up-to-Date Pamphlet on the Principles of Religious Liberty.
“THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE” contains fifteen chapters, the following being a portion of the chapter headings:— Christianity and the Roman Empire—What Is Due to God and What to Cæsar—The Powers That Be—How the United States Became a Nation—What Is the Nation?—Who Made the Nation?—Religious Right in the United States—Religious Rights Invaded—The People’s Right of Appeal—National Precedent on Right of Appeal—Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century and Its Parallel in the Nineteenth—Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights?—Religious Rights in the States.
In the four appendixes to the book are given the Declaration of Independence—The Constitution of the United States—The Dred Scott Decision, and the “Christian Nation” Decision.
This is a book of permanent value for reference and study, and one that all should possess. It contains 384 pages, with several illustrations, is issued as No. 33 of the Religious Liberty Library, and is bound in paper covers. Price 40 Cents.
A FINER EDITION on laid paper is also ready. It is neatly bound in cloth. Price One Dollar.
13 “Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we can not deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: for we can not but speak the things which we saw and heard.
21 And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.
23 “And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them. And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say,
“Why did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together,
Against the Lord, and against his Anointed;”
27 For of a truth in this city against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel foreordained to come to pass. And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy servant Jesus.”
QUESTIONS.
1. State the immediate result of the healing of the lame man; (a) to the people; (b) to the apostles.
2. How did the apostles talk before the council?
3. What caused the members of the council to marvel? What did they learn about the apostles?
4. When they saw the man that was healed standing before them, what were they unable to do?
5. What course did they take?
6. When the members of the council were alone, what question did they ask themselves? What were they forced to acknowledge?
7. Yet what did they wish to prevent? To this end what did they propose to do?
8. What charge did they give the apostles when they were called in?
9. How did the apostles reply?
10. What did they say they were obliged to do?
11. What did the council still further do? Why did the council not punish the apostles?
12. What made the miracle seem more wonderful, thereby adding to the glory of God?
13. When the disciples were released, what did they do?
14. What did the company of believers do when they heard the report? What power did they recognize as that by which the work was being carried on?
15. From what psalm did they quote?
16. Repeat what they quoted. From whose mouth did these words come?
17. Yet who was the real speaker?
18. What does the word “Christ” mean? See John 1:41 and margin.
19. Then who is the Lord’s Anointed, spoken of in Ps. 2:2?
20. Who were gathered together against the Lord’s Christ?
21. But what do all these imaginings of the people amount to? Whose counsel alone was carried out?
22. What does God do with the plans of the ungodly? Isa. 44:25.
23. Since those who think to overthrow the Lord imagine only vanity, how is it when they think to overthrow the Lord’s servants? Isa. 44:26.
24. Therefore, what petition did the disciples present to the Lord?
25. How were this boldness and confidence to be given? See also Heb. 2:3, 4.
26. What took place when the disciples had prayed?
NOTES.
The Sunday School
International Series.
LESSON VI.—SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 1897.
WORKING AND WAITING FOR CHRIST.
NOTE.—Read 1 Thessalonians, chapters 4 and 5, and commit verses 16–18 of the lesson scripture. Read the story of the founding of the church at Thessalonica, as recorded in Acts 17:1–9. In connection with this it will be well to review lesson 3, which deals particularly with events in that connection. Two themes are presented in this lesson: the conduct of Christians toward one another, and the personal appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Paul was driven from Thessalonica before he had finished his work, and being unable to return, this letter is written to the church there. What might seem an untoward circumstance gives to us the truth which this epistle contains.
9 “But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another; 10 for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more; 11 and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; 12 that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing. 13 “But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in nowise precede them that are fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be 18 with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 5:1 “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
Golden Text.—“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Concerning what did the Thessalonians not need special instruction? Verse 9. (2) Why was not such instruction necessary from Paul? Same verse. Note 1. (3) Toward whom outside of their own church was this love shown? Verse 10. Note 2. (4) What exhortation did he have for them? Same verse. (5) What did he admonish them to do? Verse 11. Note 3. (6) In this admonition what was Paul repeating? Same verse. (7) What was Paul’s object in insisting upon their performance of these duties? Verse 12. Note 4. (8) In what regard did Paul desire that they should be well informed? Verse 13. (9) What distinction would this make between their sorrow when death came among them and the sorrow of others for their dead? Same verse. Note 5. (10) What was their belief in regard to the Saviour? Verse 14. Note 6. (11) That being true, what must also be true? Same verse. Note 7. (12) What authoritative declaration does Paul make in regard to those who are translated at Christ’s coming without experiencing death? Verse 15. Note 8. (13) With what manifestations will the second coming of Christ be attended? Verse 16. (14) Who will be raised from the dead at this time? Same verse. Note 9. (15) What will be the experience of the righteous who are alive at the time of Christ’s coming? Verse 17. Note 10. (16) What will be the happy condition of those who meet the Lord in the air at his coming? Same verse. (17) Knowing this, what was it the Christian’s duty to do? Verse 18. (18) Concerning what did they need no information? Chapter 5, verse 1. (19) What did they know in regard to the Lord’s coming? Verse 2.
NOTES.
1. Taught of God to love one another.—In all the vast field of pagan philosophies there was nothing to compare with the Christian teachings of brotherly love. There was no expression or conception of that doctrine in all pagan literature. The Thessalonians had been truly converted, and thus God himself was teaching them. True, they had some misconceptions of the work of God, but their heart was given to him, was teachable, and therefore they were taught.
2. Toward all the brethren.—It was against the teachings of the philosophers of those times to have special regard for those with whom they were not particularly connected, especially those of another nation. Thus is shown the superiority of Christianity over the teachings with which it came in contact. But even this virtue must grow, or it would become inactive. “The room for improvement is the largest room in the world.”
3. Study to be quiet.—Another rendering is, “Be ambitious to be quiet.” “Storms purify the air, but plants grow best in peace.” They were not to have a bustling ambition for the highest places or to become noted, or to possess great things. The quiet, teachable spirit is of great worth in the sight of God.
4. That ye may walk honestly.—Another translation is, “That ye may walk honorably.” They were to let their lives tell the beauties of the profession they made. A dishonorable walk may cast reproach upon the cause we wish to advocate. It was Paul’s desire that no occasion for just reproach might be found against the followers of Christ.
5. That ye sorrow not.—The keen edge of the sorrow which comes with the death of dear ones is dulled by the knowledge that they are asleep in Jesus. The death preceding the first resurrection is spoken of as a sleep, because there is to be an awakening from it. All are to come out from under its influence as the sleeper awakens from his slumbers. In this it differs from the second death, for from that there will be no awakening. Those who are not asleep in Jesus will suffer this second death, the death without hope. For such there is occasion for genuine sorrow on the part of those who have held them dear. It would seem from the context and from 2 Thess. 2:2 that some had obtained the idea that Christ was coming in their day and that those who died before his coming were without hope of eternal life. The apostle desires to correct this idea.
6. For if we believe.—This does not mean to imply that there is any doubt about it, but rather asserts it as a positive fact, and that this being true, the other must be equally true.
7. Bring with him.—That is, bring with Christ, not from heaven, but from the dead; for it was from the dead that God brought Christ. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.” Heb. 13:20. “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.” 2 Cor. 4:14.
8. Shall in nowise precede them.—Paul does not give this as his opinion, or his hope, but he had been shown it by the Lord himself, and therefore speaks with divine authority. Those who are alive when Christ comes will be taken to heaven in company with those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. This will be the time spoken of in Isa. 26:19.
9. Shall rise first.—Altho the resurrection here spoken of is the first resurrection, yet the word “first” does not refer to that event. It is to be taken in connection with the word “then” in the following verse: “The dead in Christ shall be raised before the righteous living are ‘caught up.’” “First the dead in Christ shall be raised and then we shall be caught up together with them.” But this is the resurrection to which John the revelator refers in Rev. 20:5, 6.
10. So shall we ever be with the Lord.—Not in heaven forever, for the earth is to be the home of the saints after the “thousand years” are finished. See Rev. 20 and 21:1, 2. “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5. See also 2 Peter 3:13; Ps. 37:11.
THE ATONEMENT.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
AN EXAMINATION OF
A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
This work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. 368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.