Earlier text: SEARCH THE SCRIPTURESLESSON XXIII.—PHARAOH'S DREAM.
1. Who gave Joseph favor with the keeper of the prison? Gen. 39:21. 2. How did the keeper manifest his confidence in Joseph? Verse 22. 3. What two men were finally cast into prison? Gen. 40:1-4. 4. What did the chief butler dream? Verses 9-11. 5. What was Joseph's interpretation of the dream? Verses 12, 13. 6. What was the chief baker's dream? Verses 16, 17. 7. What was its interpretation? 8. Who interpreted these dreams? 9. Did he claim to do it by his own wisdom? 10. What request did Joseph make of the chief butler? Verse 14. 11. On what grounds did he claim the right to be released? Verse 15. 12. How was Joseph's interpretation of the dreams fulfilled? 13. What remarkable dream had Pharaoh about two years after this? Gen. 41:1-7. 14. Who interpreted this dream? 15. Where was Joseph when Pharaoh had this dream? 16. How did Pharaoh learn of Joseph? 17. Why did he send for Joseph to come and interpret his dream? Verse 8. 18. What did Joseph say when called on to interpret Pharaoh's dream? Verse 16. 19. What interpretation did the Lord give him? 20. What advice did Joseph give Pharaoh? Verses 33-36. 21. How did Pharaoh regard this advice? Verses 37, 38. 22. Whom did Pharaoh set over the land of Egypt? 23. What power did Pharaoh give him? Verse 40. 24. What did Pharaoh put upon Joseph to show that such power had been given him? 25. In what other ways did Pharaoh honor Joseph? Joseph was not long kept chained in a dungeon; for the Lord gave the keeper of the prison such confidence in him that he was released from confinement, and appointed to take charge of the other prisoners. After a time, two of the king's officers, the chief butler and the chief baker, were cast into prison. While there, they each had a strange dream. Feeling very anxious about the meaning of these dreams, they told them to Joseph. He told them what the dreams meant, and three days afterward they were both fulfilled according to Joseph's interpretation. The chief butler was restored to his office, but he forgot to ask the king to release Joseph from prison, as Joseph had requested him to do. Two years afterward, Pharaoh, the king, had a dream which troubled him, and none of the wise men of his kingdom could interpret it. Then the chief butler remembered Joseph, and he was taken from prison and brought before Pharaoh to interpret this dream. Joseph did not take any honor to himself, but said, “It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” After Pharaoh had related his dream, Joseph told him what it meant. He said that there were to be seven years of great plenty in the land, and that these years of plenty were to be followed by seven years of grievous famine. Joseph advised that officers be appointed, who should take up a fifth part of the produce of the land during the seven plenteous years, and lay it up in store in the cities; so that there might be food during the years of famine. “And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, ‘Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?’” “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, ‘Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than thou.’” “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, ‘See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.’ And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, ‘Bow the knee’; and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.’” RELATION TO THE CHURCH
By C.
SABBATH-SCHOOL HINTS.—NO. 1.
The Sabbath-school work is one of great importance; and though much has already been said and written on the subject, a few words may not be out of place here; especially as our people have a growing interest in the spiritual welfare of the children, and are waking up to the importance of the Sabbath-school in its That the Sabbath-school, when properly conducted, is a valuable accessory to the church, its past history has fully attested. It has shown as well, that when carried on carelessly or without any particular object in view, the tendency has been not only to discourage the young in the work of the Sabbath-school, but to lessen their interest in religious services generally, and make the Sabbath a dull and tiresome day. As a result, they soon become wayward, and are finally lost to the cause. This result, however, is not necessary. Children are very much like grown people. That which is not made attractive, soon ceases to interest them. Truth should be made plain and interesting to the children, and then it is food for them the same as it is to us; the Bible and Sabbath-school become attractive, and the Sabbath itself the best day of the seven, to which they will continually look forward with delight. There is one other consideration which yields consolation here and the promise of joy hereafter. Children that have been well trained in the Sabbath-school almost invariably at the proper age present themselves for baptism, and become valuable members of the church. A prominent Baptist minister once said that during a pastorate of twenty years over one church, he baptized two hundred and twenty-eight pupils from its Sabbath-school, of whom only seventeen had been disfellowshiped. Corresponding steadfastness would no doubt be seen among young converts in all churches were Sabbath-schools faithfully sustained in their midst. Some may say, “What can I do to bring about such a state of things? I have no gift, no talent to do anything in that direction. I only wish I had.” My brother, my sister, there is much that you can do. First, be sure to attend the school regularly, and do not excuse yourself from taking an active part in the exercises because you are “too old” or “too dull” to learn the lessons. Of course you “don’t know the lesson” if you have not looked at it during the week. Study it at home, and help the children to understand it. They may have learned the answers to the questions, and still may not fully understand them. Sit down and “go over” the lesson with them, asking questions and making suggestions that will lead their minds through a wider range, and stimulate a more thorough research. Be punctual to a minute. Have a zeal that the frost of winter will not blight, the heat of summer wilt, nor the prospect of rain dissolve. Talk of the school in the prayer-meetings, and pray for it. Consider the Sabbath-school in the business meetings, and take measures to aid it. This course on the part of every member of the church, cannot fail to produce a “live” Sabbath-school, one the influence of which will be felt continually in the spiritual advancement of the church itself. THE TEACHERS AND OFFICERS.
These should be chosen with reference to their adaptability to the work, rather than to their position in the church or society. A superintendent is needed. Who shall fill the place? Well, there is Bro. A.; he is an influential citizen, besides he is one of our oldest members. His good standing in the community and long connection with the church certainly entitle him to our consideration. And there is Bro. B.; he is well acquainted with the truth, as is well attested by his many victories, when “contending for the faith” on the street-corners and in other public places. Then there is Bro. C., who once thought he had a call to preach, but his sermons were so long and so dull that his congregation all left him and never came back again. A superintendent must do a great deal of talking anyway, and why would not this be just the place for Bro. C. to exercise his gift? The children could not run away till school was out, for you know it would not be allowed. Such men are not the ones for the place. There are other things to be considered besides age, learning, or fluency; and in the absence of these qualifications, place one in the position of superintendent (if he can be found) who has the peculiar faculty of teaching and of attracting all, old, young, and little children, and making them feel that they are working with, rather than under, him. Old or young, rich or poor, it matters not; if devoted, let him take the place because he is qualified to fill it. LESSONS FOR BIBLE CLASSES.
By G. H. Bell
LESSON XXIII.—MINISTRATION IN THE FIRST APARTMENT OF THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY.
- Of what did the work in the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary chiefly consist?
- What is offered in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary? Rev. 8:3, 4; Heb. 9:12; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19; Eph. 1:7.
- Who presents these offerings?
- What does the blood denote?
- When the priest offered the blood of the victim, what did he typically present?
- What corresponding work is really done by Christ?
- What does Christ do when the penitent sinner seeks forgiveness?
- How are the sins of penitent believers transferred to the heavenly sanctuary?
- How were the sins of the people borne in the type?
- How in the antitype? 1 Pet. 2:24.
- How may we know that Christ enters upon the closing work of his ministration when he enters the second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary?
- How often was the typical round of service repeated?
- Will the round of service ever be repeated in the heavenly sanctuary?
- What will end with the ministration in that sanctuary?
- Why will probation close at that time?
- What do we read in Dan. 8:14?
- When did that prophetic period end?
- Then when did the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary begin?
- To what sanctuary must this cleansing refer?
- How long, then, has our great High Priest been ministering in the most holy place?
- How long will this work continue?
- What reason have we for supposing that it will be brief, when compared with the ministration in the first apartment?
- How long since the ministration commenced in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary?
- How long since it commenced in the second apartment?
The work in the first apartment of the sanctuary on earth, consisted chiefly in the offering of incense, and the blood of sin-offerings. In the first apartment of the sanctuary in Heaven, our great High Priest offers the prayers of saints and his own blood. Rev. 8:3, 4; Heb. 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Eph. 1:7. The blood denotes the life, and when the priest offered the blood of the victim, he presented its life to meet the demands of the broken law; so Christ presents his own blood,—his life, in the sanctuary in Heaven. When the penitent sinner seeks forgiveness, through the merits of a crucified Redeemer, Christ takes the guilt upon himself, presenting his own blood in behalf of the sinner, and in this way sins are transferred to the sanctuary in Heaven. The innocent victims offered in the earthly ministration bore the sins of the people in a figure, but Christ has really borne them on the cross. 1 Peter 2:24. On the cross he shed his blood; there he gave up his life; and that sacrifice is accepted in behalf of guilty men. Since the ministration in the second apartment was the closing work in the worldly sanctuary, so it must be in the heavenly. The typical round of service was repeated every year, but the round of service in the heavenly sanctuary will never be repeated. That sanctuary will be cleansed but once, and when that work of cleansing is completed, our probation will be over; for there will then be no more offering for sin. In Dan. 8:14 we read these words: “Unto 2300 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” We have seen that this prophetic period ended in 1844; so the cleansing of the sanctuary must have begun at that time. This cleansing must be that of the heavenly sanctuary, for no other sanctuary was in existence at that time. Since 1844, then, our great High Priest has been ministering in the most holy place. How long this work will go on we cannot tell; but since the corresponding work in the earthly ministration occupied only one day in the entire yearly round of service, it seems probable that the closing work in the heavenly sanctuary will be comparatively brief. G. H. BELL. Satan's Agents Serve the Cause of Truth
SATAN himself can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth; and his agents on earth are unwilling auxiliaries to the cause of God. He turns their curses into blessings. 1. Does Lev. 7:23 apply under the new covenant? 2. Are the garden of Eden, paradise, and the third Heaven all one place? E. H. How many days of the week are kept as a Sabbath, and by whom? J. W. L. ANS. Besides the first day kept by Christians, and the seventh day kept by Jews and Christians, Friday, or the sixth day, is kept by the Mohammedans; but they can hardly be said to keep it as a Sabbath, the chief difference between this day and others being that on this day the people must say their prayers at the mosque. No other days that we are aware of are kept in any manner as a Sabbath by any people. J. WATT: For an explanation of 2 Kings 2:13 and John 3:13, see REVIEW, Vol. 51, No. 19, Answers to Correspondents. Do the words “resurrection of damnation,” John 5:29, mean in the original “resurrection to eternal sin”? I heard a minister assert that they did. N. J. B. ANS. There is not a shadow of truth in the assertion. The words are, eis anastasin kriseos; and kriseos, the genitive of krisis, means of condemnation, punishment, calamity, suffering. There isn’t even an implied allusion to the continuance of sin. Do not all, or nearly all, Methodist authors who write upon the subject, agree in identifying the papacy as the power represented by the little horn of the fourth beast of Dan. 7? W. S. ANS. So far as we know, they do. Thus Watson’s Dictionary, art. Horn, Dr. Clarke on Dan. 7:24, 25, and John Wesley in his Notes on Rev. 13, agree in making this application. ANSWERED BY LETTER. H. H. Brunsteter, P. H. Clark, J. G. C., E. P. Daniels, Edward Lee, H. Wren, J. S. Osborn, M. F. Welch, W. G. Smith, E. A. McOmber, Geo. Perkins. THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.
By Albert Stone
Since Adam and Eve were expelled from the lovely bowers of Eden, the only divinely authorized religion has been the religion of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The plan of redemption, based on the free-will offering of Christ upon the sacrificial altar, was made known to Adam immediately after the fall. The saved of every age, from Adam to the end of the world, will be those, and only those, who believe in the Saviour promised to Adam as the seed of the woman who should bruise the serpent’s head. They will have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Blood in figure, pointing forward to the literal shedding of the blood of Christ on the cross, characterized the entire period before the crucifixion. Blood in figure, pointing backward to the cross, characterizes the period from the cross to the second coming of Christ. The blood of animal offerings before the cross, and the consecrated wine of the eucharist since the crucifixion, are the divinely appointed figures for these purposes respectively. The object of the divine plan in both dispensations was the same, namely, to call the attention of mankind to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. The relations of the law and the gospel to each other and to mankind are unchanged by the change of dispensation. The crucifixion of Christ did not disannul the law, or create the gospel. Both existed before and after the death of Christ the same, and man’s relation to either differed not from what it was fifty years before or fifty years after that event. If the death of Christ did away the law and gave power to the gospel as a saving institution, if the one steps in to supersede the other, why did not the law take its exit when the gospel began to have power to save? In the purpose of God, Christ was a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and the purpose of God in this respect gave power to the gospel to sanctify and save men in the patriarchal the same as in the apostolic age. The whole gospel plan was devised and executed in the purpose of God from the foundation of the world, and so the gospel has been the power of God, and the wisdom of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, whether he lived in the days of the patriarchs or in those of the martyrs. But why talk about the law of God as being done away at any point of time? The principles of the law are the effect of the existence of God. The law is the radiance of the divine character and perfections. God bears the same relation to the law as the sun bears to the rays of light which it reflects. It would be manifestly inconsistent to eulogize the sun, and at the same time despise its legitimate office of dispensing light and heat. And would it not be most incongruous to praise God, and reject his law with the same breath? Is it not reasonable to conclude that those who love the spiritual worship of God will also love the law of God, which Inspiration says is holy, just, and good? Can one be a loyal subject of a government whose laws he rejects? Can any inherit the kingdom of God in whose heart the law is not written? It should be considered that the gospel has no office more important than to indemnify the law for damage sustained on account of man’s sin. In the very act of giving his life, the Saviour yielded to the just claims of the law in man’s behalf. He did not therefore by his death destroy the law, but paid to it the highest reverence of which the Son of God was capable. THE BAPTISM OF FIRE.
By G. W. A.
In Matt. 3:11, John the Baptist says to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me [Christ, the Messiah] is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” The view is held by not a few critics, that this baptism of fire does not refer to the sanctifying fire of the Holy Spirit, such as fell on the apostles at Pentecost, Acts 2:3, but rather to the fire which will baptize the wicked at the time of the awful second death. See Rev. 20:9, 10, 14. Accordingly, in the late Prof. Whiting’s excellent translation of the New Testament, we find this phrase rendered, “He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit, or in fire.” This is wholly in agreement with the seventh and twelfth verses, where the expressions “the wrath to come” and “unquenchable fire” evidently refer to the destruction of the wicked in the fires of the last day. It is pleasant to find the same view advanced in so popular a commentary as that of J. P. Lange, D. D., of Germany, although his translator, the Rev. Philip Schaff, has sought to controvert the view in a foot-note. Mr. Lange’s notes on this clause are as follows: “He will either entirely immerse you in the Holy Ghost, as penitents, or, if impenitent, he will overwhelm you with the fire of judgment (and at last with hell-fire). This interpretation of the expression ‘fire’ has been propounded by many of the Fathers, . . . and among modern expositors, by Kuinoel, Schott, Neander, De Wette, and Meyer. But some commentators [the names are omitted] apply the expression to the kindling, sanctifying fire of the Holy Ghost. The warning tone of the passage, and the expression UNQUENCHABLE FIRE, in verse 12, are against this interpretation.” The above thoughts seem to be quite in harmony with both reason and Scripture. It might also be observed that if the baptism by fire meant the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then the passage would simply mean, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with the Holy Ghost,” which is a tautology not to be tolerated. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
By S. N. Haskell
At the General Conference, a resolution was passed in reference to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. (See No. 17, present volume.) The resolution embraced four points, as follows:— 1. Our brethren who take the SIGNS for their own use should pay the regular price, two dollars per year. 2. Ministers and agents are authorized to furnish it to new subscribers, on trial, at one dollar fifty cents per year, or four months for fifty cents. 3. Churches and individuals subscribing for a club of not less than ten copies, to be used for missionary purposes, should pay at the rate of one dollar twenty cents per year. 4. When smaller clubs are taken, the price to be paid is to be referred to the tract society officers. Two points should ever be kept before the brethren by the tract society officers and workers: 1. The cause must be sustained; 2. Every advantage possible should be given to the missionary workers. Should thousands of dollars' worth of publications and periodicals be ordered which could not be paid for, even were they judiciously distributed, it would be bad policy; for it would very soon so involve the publishing interests as to greatly embarrass the cause. When our brethren subscribe for the SIGNS at two dollars, they assist in sustaining the office in furnishing the SIGNS for missionary work at one dollar twenty cents per year. We believe our brethren will not only take an interest to subscribe for the SIGNS themselves at the regular price, but to see that clubs are taken wherever it is practicable at one dollar twenty cents per year. One dollar per month will pay for a club of ten copies. We do not believe there are any churches so poor that they cannot do this much in the missionary work during 1879. There are more than one thousand of our brethren who could pay this sum during the year and never5 feel it. This would pay for ten thousand copies of the SIGNS. We now have eighteen Conferences. Were each Conference to take five hundred and sixty copies of the SIGNS, or fifty-six clubs of ten copies each, it would amount to more than ten thousand copies. There may be two, or at most three Conferences that would not feel able to pay for this number, namely, Texas, Kentucky, and Maine, but all the others can do more than this. Such Conferences as Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and New York should take from three to five times that number. There are churches that have disciplined themselves in this work, having organized V. M. societies, that could alone manage five hundred copies each, providing they could pay for them. We mention Battle Creek, Mich., and South Lancaster, Mass. There are many other churches that would gladly use from one hundred to three hundred copies. Every church or company of S. D. Adventists in the country can and should be obtaining an experience in this work. A great work is just before us, and we want thousands of conscientious young men and women to gain an experience in this kind of labor. Also a field of labor is hereby opened to many who are confined at home by their household duties, but whose influence might yet be extensively felt in behalf of the cause of God. Societies can arrange so that they can take a club of not less than five copies at the same price. This would cost but fifty cents a month, or six dollars a year. Those not connected with any church can do their business directly with district officers or the State secretary. If there are brethren who cannot use the SIGNS themselves, they should pay their money to the State secretary with a statement of what it is for, and he will add to those clubs that are in greatest need of more copies. We appeal to our missionary workers everywhere. If you are taking a number of copies, can you not enlarge the number you are now receiving? Those who have never taken hold of this work, will you not commence now? Ascertain how many can be paid for in monthly installments by your church, and order at once through the proper officers. The next volume of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES should commence with a list of not less than ten thousand subscribers east of the Rocky Mountains. AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
By James White
The following confession and statement shows the force of prejudice, and also the work of the Lord in opening the heart and mind so that truth may take the place of error. Dr. H. J. Marshall, of Wood county, Wisconsin, addresses Mrs. W., Nov. 4, 1878, thus:— “Mrs. E. G. White, Dear Madam: I saw you over twenty-five years since. You were in Boston, Mass., and had recently embraced the Sabbath, and you seemed to me to be in the wrong. I was one of the disappointed ones who expected to behold Jesus in the clouds of heaven in 1844. I could not then understand how you should be chosen to have a view of new truths in vision, such as I was told that God had given you to see. “I was greatly prejudiced against you, and thought in my heart I was doing God service when I spoke evil of you. “About one year ago I came to this place to preach what I thought were Bible truths; and I spoke evil of you in my visits in my church. In my zeal for Sunday, about the middle of April I held a controversy with Bro. S. S. Smith, of Loyal, Wis., to show that Sunday was now the true Sabbath instead of the seventh day. In searching the Bible to find arguments to overthrow the seventh-day theory, new light beamed upon my mind; and as I prayed that God would make me know the truth, the Spirit seemed to open to me a new view of the fourth commandment, and I beheld it as enjoining the true Sabbath of the Lord our God; and a halo of light and glory clustered around this glorious truth which was newly revealed to me! “I am now rooted and grounded in the seventh-day truth, believing it to be the only Sabbath which men are bound to keep. I am keeping it together with my family; and now I am happy in this belief. “I also see many other truths which were before hidden from my understanding. I have of late been reading some of your writings; and by the Holy Spirit that must have led you to write of the themes, and the divine love that seems to actuate you, I now see I have been speaking evil of you wrongfully. “I am sorry for it in the sight of God; and I humbly ask you to forgive me. “Nor is this all; I want you and Elder White to pray for me that God will forgive me this great wrong to you and his cause. Please publish this, and also your forgiveness to me, and ask the elders who have the faith of Jesus to pray for me. I am looking for Jesus very soon. “I am too poor to pay for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, but I wish to have it in my family. Will you ask some one to furnish it to me; and such other helps as will give me further light, and strength to do God’s holy will?” Mrs. W. and the writer cheerfully forgive our erring brother, and pray God to forgive and bless him. We refer the matter of the paper and books to Bro. Smith, whose name is mentioned by Bro. M. We recommend the REVIEW in all such cases. [Thinking that the following article clipped from Review, Vol. 40, No. 16, might be republished with profit to believers in present truth, I inclose it for that purpose. Theo. F. Kendall.] A correspondent asks if we consider that the Scriptures forbid the wearing of gold. We do. Hear Paul: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” 1 Tim. 2: 9. And Peter: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel.” 1 Pet. 3: 3. Both these texts, it is true, are spoken in reference to women; but no one will claim that extravagance and folly are not just as bad, and just as much to be condemned, in men as in women. We therefore consider these as general rules, having a common application to both men and women in the church of Christ. But may it not be that the apostle simply condemns an undue display of these golden articles and ornaments, and not gold in itself considered? If this question can be answered in the affirmative, then we ask, What other sin cannot be excused on the same ground? But for what are articles of gold worn if not for display? since the same articles made of less costly material would be equally serviceable. We believe in the letter of the Scriptures as well as in their spirit. And they expressly mention gold among the prohibited articles of personal apparel or adornment. We can therefore come to no other conclusion than that those who wear it do so contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures. There is good reason in the rule the apostles lay down on this point; for we are aware of no practical use for which gold is worn where a less expensive material would not answer equally well. But, says one, these articles that I wear are not gold, but only gold-washed; therefore they are not expensive. Why, then, do you procure these articles that are gold-washed? Oh! to have something that looks like gold. Then you really do not like to wear gold, but only to seem to do so, that is, you wish people to think you wear it; and you would fain persuade your conscience into a belief that a sham service of Satan is not just as bad as a real one would be, and tenfold more contemptible. And how would this excuse sound at the bar of Judgment? “Lord, I did not really violate your word by wearing things forbidden therein, I only pretended to do so; I only took a course by which I should appear to the world to be transgressing your requirements; but it was all a sham.” As Bro. Waggoner justly remarked in the Review a few months since, “Pretending to serve God, while you do not mean to serve him in fact, is considered a bad thing; but pretending to serve Satan, while in heart you do not mean to serve him, is worse, if possible.” Let us at once abandon his service, both in reality and in pretense also. LABORS IN MISSOURI.
By George I. Butler
I held meetings with the Lincoln church just a week, commencing Nov. 9. I was happy to meet quite a number from Index on the Sabbath. The Lincoln church has been the second church in the State in numbers and in financial strength, but in the past it has been greatly weakened by trials, which at one time threatened its dissolution. But things have been looking more encouraging for a year past. At one time they were in so low a state for many months as scarcely to have a prayer and social meeting. They have had these constantly of late, and quite an interesting Sabbath-school. We had an investigation of the difficulties existing; one member was disfellowshiped, and other matters were settled up. I have strong hopes that this church will see better days in the future; that others will unite with them; and that the standard of piety will be raised higher. I met with the friends at Sedalia, Sabbath, Nov. 16. Spoke to them twice. We had a most excellent social meeting after the preaching, in which nearly all took part, many of them for the first time. The Spirit of God was present, and hearts were melted in tenderness. Surely God is good to give us an occasional oasis in this desert of toil and sorrow. There are good souls in S., who give promise of future usefulness. I spoke three times in Green Ridge, where Bro. Wood has recently given a course of lectures. We had a full house Sunday night, and the best of attention was paid. We hope for a little church, at least, in this place; and others we trust will come in to swell their numbers. I return to Iowa for a short time, to attend to important business matters, and to labor some at the request of the Conference Committee. THE DIME TABERNACLE.—THE FACTS AND FIGURES.
By S. N. Haskell
The Dime Tabernacle is progressing finely. This morning we had the privilege of passing through it. It is plain but spacious, and is everywhere marked with neatness and taste. Already the masons are at work plastering. The steam apparatus for heating it is all arranged. The platform on which the pulpit is to stand is erected. As we stood upon it and viewed every part of the seating room in the building, which will accommodate three thousand people, we rejoiced to think that God has so blessed his truth that it has become necessary to erect such a tabernacle to accommodate those who are interested in the truth, and who may yet become interested in the warning of the third angel. We also felt solemn to think that such a building, under the circumstances which made its erection necessary, was an evidence of the nearness of the second coming of Christ. This building is not for the Battle Creek church merely, but to accommodate men and women who may chance to come here from all parts of the world, and especially the patrons of our College and Sanitarium, and those who may be called here having a special connection with the cause of present truth. It will doubtless stand until the war is over, and Christ comes seated upon the great white cloud. The query arises, How many of those who are now interested in this work will have contributed of their means toward its erection, and showed their sympathy by their prayers? That all might thus help, and none feel burdened by the assistance rendered, the plan of raising means by monthly donations during the year of ten cents each from all our people was adopted. Were this plan fully carried out, taking for a basis the membership of our Conferences, the sum raised would fall short many thousand dollars of defraying the expense of building the Tabernacle; but at present our brethren come far short of doing even this, as the following table will show. In this table we have taken for a basis our membership as reported to the last session of the General Conference. It also shows what each Conference would do did each member donate ten cents a month, one dollar twenty cents per year; but adding the children and others who are interested in the work, but not members, these figures would be largely increased. It will be seen how much each Conference has done during each of the last four months, and the total amount paid. | Conferences |
No. of Members |
Amount to be paid Monthly |
Amount paid in July |
Amount paid in August |
Amount paid in September |
Amount paid in October |
Total |
What should be paid during the year |
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| Maine |
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| Vermont |
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| New England |
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| New York |
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| Ohio |
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| Michigan |
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| Indiana |
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Total amount received, $3,100.19.
Total amount which should be received during the year, $15,692.40. From the above the following facts appear: One-third of the year is already past, and only $3,100.19 has been paid during that time. Again, one thousand five hundred and fourteen have each paid $1.20 or more, amounting to $2,088.74 during the four months. This shows that many of our brethren have not as yet taken hold of the matter at all, and very many have only paid ten cents. Many of our Conferences are sadly behind. For instance: Maine has three hundred and twelve members. If each paid ten cents per month the amount received monthly would be $31.20; but during the entire four months it has only paid $32.10. The receipts show that four from this State have paid $1.20 for the year. Michigan, outside of Battle Creek, should pay $325.80 per month. The entire receipts for four months amount to $770.38, whereas they should be $1,103.20. Besides this the Battle Creek church has pledged $6,000, of which about $2,000 has been paid up to the present time. Many other Conferences present the same deficiency to a greater or less extent. A few have more than paid their proportion. These things ought not so to be. Were this the work of man there would not be that wrong about it, but being the work of God it appears sinful indeed. No doubt this deficiency is owing to the fact that many have not seen the pledge paper, and others have paid ten cents, and thought no more about it. The Publishing Association has advanced over $6,000, and nearly $8,000 more is due for material, and to this must be added two or three thousand to complete the building. It is now designed to have the house dedicated in January, 1879. Therefore $15,000 more is needed immediately. This can be raised easily without burdening any one in particular, if, first, all our ministers and tract society officers will interest themselves in it, and call the attention of our brethren to it, and see that all who have not paid anything do so immediately. Let each pay for six months, which will reach to January, 1879. Second, as many as can do so pay the entire $1.20 without delay. Third, make a thank offering to the Lord of five, ten, twenty, fifty, or one hundred dollars or more. There is no time to lose. We all have much to be thankful for. Anciently the children of Israel were to appear before the Lord three times a year. The third time was when they had gathered in their autumnal harvest. The command was: “None shall appear before me empty.” See Ex. 23: 14, 15. Shall we not have a response from every church and every individual immediately? Let your thank-offerings come in, brethren, that this house may be dedicated free from any incumbrance whatever. Do not put this off a single day, but let the same feeling exist that existed when the sanctuary was first built. “The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.” Ex. 35: 29. So freely were these offerings brought that those having charge of the work spoke unto Moses saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work.” “And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.” One of the times of greatest rejoicing with David and the people of God of which we have a record in the Scriptures was when the people offered willingly with a perfect heart to the Lord for the temple which Solomon built. “They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord.” See 1 Chron. 29. May God grant that this may be the case with those who believe in present truth when the present tabernacle is completed.