p. 159 | Review and Herald, Vol. 37, No. 20. (5/2/1871)

Excellent Advice Concerning Giving.

By John Nevins Andrews

The following is from the Apocrypha: “If thou hast abundance, give alms accordingly: if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little; for thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity.” Tobit 4: 8, 9.

This seems to me to be admirable instruction. If you have abundance, give according to that abundance. But how often do we hear men who have much means at their command excuse themselves for giving a trifling sum, by saying that this time only, the widow’s mite must be expected from them. They forget that small as was the sum which the widow gave, it was her earthly all. The widow’s mite is the greatest offering of earthly substance that can be made. Perhaps there has not been since the days of Christ, on an average, one rich man in a hundred years who has come up to the poor widow’s standard of giving. We cannot insist that they should; but we do say that if they have abundance, they should give abundantly, and we enter solemn protest when such persons give in the cause of Christ some trifling amount, and call it the widow’s mite.

There is sound advice also to the poor. Be not afraid to give of thy little. Many think that poverty excuses them from giving at all. Give something. Keep the spirit of sacrifice alive. God measures the gift according to the ability and the heart. 2 Cor. 8:12. The poor may lay up treasure in Heaven, as well as the rich. Do what you can. The day of God will show what every one could have done, and what they have done.

J. N. ANDREWS.

Do Not Shun Repentance.

By John Nevins Andrews

“THERE is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid that shall not be known.” Luke 12:2. What a fearful declaration is this! What an impossible thing to cover our sins! It is that abominable thing which God hates. The universe is not vast enough in all its infinite extent, to hide in its remotest corner one wicked act. All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Justice and mercy are alike infinite in him. Mercy has the field first. And yet mercy pays justice such a price as shows that if it were not infinite, we should have been utterly passed by. Mercy offers pardon upon terms that honor justice and mercy alike. Many slight this offer, thinking they can hide their sins. It is painful to confess them, and they run the risk of having them opened before the assembled universe. The time of mercy will not last always. Then justice has the fearful account to settle. Then it will be found that our sins which we chose rather to cover than to correct by repentance, will all stand revealed; and that our wrongs which we ventured to hide rather than to confess and put away, will all be known by men and angels. Shame and everlasting contempt shall be our just portion. Why not wash our hands of this terrible stain? Why not abandon this ruinous business of hiding sins? Why not avail ourselves of mercy’s hour to correct all our ways? Why not have a clean record in the books above, where true repentance will cause all our sins to be blotted out? Remember that if sin stands against you in the judgment, it is because you chose to conceal and carry it rather than to confess and correct it. We never can be too much in earnest in putting away our sins.

J. N. ANDREWS.

Men and Things.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

CHURCH UNION.

The work moves on. Both the church and the world are preparing for the final conflict of the great day. “Confederacy” (Isa. 8) is now the order of the day among the different churches. They well understand that they must all unite upon some basis before they can bring their forces to bear upon politics and the laws of the land. Hence the following from the Cincinnati Times explains itself:

“Proposed Union of Evangelical Societies.—Washington, March 21.—More than one hundred clergymen and prominent laymen of several Evangelical Christian denominations of this city and District, met together at breakfast, this morning, at the Arlington, by invitation of Dr. Cather of England, to discuss the question of Christian moral science as proposed by the English Society of which the doctor is the secretary. The Hon. H. D. Cooke presided, and Senators Buckingham and Logan, the Hon. Montgomery Blair, Major Emory, the Rev. Drs. Samson, Newman, Mitchell, and other clergymen and public men, were present. After a bountiful repast, the reading of appropriate Scripture, and the singing of hymns, the doctor explained the object of his Society to be the union of all the Evangelical churches in catholic work, with careful preservation of all the distinctive features of the various sects. Drs. Cameron, Cuthbert, McKine, and other speakers, warmly advocated the project. It is proposed to form a Council of 500 members, to meet at New Haven or New York at an early day, before Dr. Cather’s return to England.”

A NOBLE WOMAN.

How sad to see so many young women who might be of use in society, throwing themselves away in folly, in dress, in pleasure, and in idleness! The mass of them simply live to see and be seen, to appear the doll and act the belle or the coquette. They die, and in a moment are forgotten. Their life has been all a vanity. How cheering then to find here and there a noble exception, a young woman who gives her life to God and to suffering humanity. Such will have their reward in the world to come. Read the following:—

“Dr. Chalmers’ daughter.—In one of the alleys running off from Fountain Bridge, Edinburgh, a street crowded with drunkenness and pollution, is the low-roofed building in which this good woman is spending her life to help unfortunates out of their miseries. Her chief work is with drunkards, their wives and daughters. Some of the poor women of the neighborhood who have sober husbands complain against her, saying: Why do you pass us? Because our husbands are good, you do not care for us. If we had married some worthless sot, you would then have taken care of us in our poverty!”

“In the winter, when the nights are long and cold, you may see Helen Chalmers, with her lantern, going through the lanes of the city, hunting up the depraved, and bringing them out to her reform meetings. Insult her, do they? Never! They would as soon think of pelting an angel of God. Fearless and strong in the righteousness of her work, she goes up to a group of intoxicated men, shakes hands with them, and takes them along to hear the Thursday night speech on Temperance.

“One night as she was standing in a low tenement, talking with the intemperate father, and persuading him to a better life, a man kept walking up and down the room, as though interested in what was said; but finally in his intoxication, he staggered up to her, and remarked: ‘I shall get to Heaven as easy as you will; do you not think so?’ Helen answered not a word, but opened her Bible and pointed to the passage: ‘No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God.’ The arrow struck between the joints of the harness, and that little piece of Christian strategy ended in that man’s reformation.”—Rev. T. De Witt Talmage.

A GOOD WORD FOR THE BIBLE.

The following excellent words in favor of the good old family Bible are to be credited to the Christian Union:—

“Neither Ritualism nor Ecclesiasticism finds any support in the New Testament. These vagaries, in all their forms, did not begin till after the New Testament books had all been written by their divinely-inspired authors. In fact Ritualists and Ecclesiastics never trust their cause to the Bible. They always appeal to church traditions as an authority of equal value with the Scriptures themselves, and claim that the Bible must be interpreted by church tradition. The very best safeguard against the modern tendencies to Ritualism and Romanism is a good understanding of the Bible itself.

“The Bible, in its simplicity and plainness, brings the soul in direct contact with God. In this respect, there is no literature of any age or nation to be compared with it. No repetition of study can exhaust its treasures of this kind. The old Christian, who has been in the habit of reading the Bible every day for seventy years, finds it just as fresh and new to-day as when he first opened its pages. It never grows stale, but he relishes it more and more with every new perusal. This is a universal fact, well known and quite surprising to the unbeliever. The believer can never get tired of the Bible just because he can never get tired of God.

“The world is full of calamity and suffering; it always has been, and seems likely to be for many generations to come. In all the sufferings of men in all public calamities, in all private sorrows, the Bible is the great consoler. It brings a balm for every wound, and turns even anguish into joy.” D. M. CANRIGHT.

The Sabbath on a Round World and Pitcairn’s Island.

By John Norton Loughborough

As there has been of late some agitation on the subject of the round world and Sabbath-keeping, I would say, I consider Bro. Andrews’ tract a most successful explanation of the matter. In this tract, some reference was made to Pitcairn’s Island. I read about the same time the accompanying account of the settlement of that island from the San Francisco Chronicle of Feb. 19, 1871.

It seems it was not settled by a Christian community, but that the men tried to reform when they had probably lost track of most everything of a sacred character.

The article explains itself.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

NEWS FROM AN OCEAN ISLAND.

Recollection of the romance of Pitcairn’s Island and the descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty, has been revived by the receipt of the following letter; addressed to any paper:

PITCAIRN’S ISLAND, Oct. 6, 1870.

Mr. Editor: As many ships pass this island on the route to and from San Francisco, but at too great a distance to board them in a canoe, it is our opinion that they do not know the island to be inhabited. There are no dangers of rocks or shoals, and if they come within a mile, they would most always get a supply of fruit, etc. We number sixty or seventy persons, and we always like to show hospitality to strangers, and to hear the news. This is the third day we have seen ships pass, and this day one is standing in, by which we send this. The landing is on the north side of the island.

If, dear sir, you would have the kindness to give this a place in your valuable paper, you would greatly oblige your humble servants.

COMMUNITY ON PITCAIRN’S ISLAND.

This letter was forwarded by John Purdy, master of the ship Whittington, which vessel touched at Pitcairn on her recent voyage from this city to Liverpool. In this letter, Captain Purdy says: “I found some seventy persons on the island—a healthy and moral people—and obtained several hundred oranges and limes by giving them a little medicine and clothing. The latter they stand much in need of, the women particularly being very short. Some charitably disposed persons coming that way with a stock of women’s and men’s second-hand clothing would confer an everlasting favor upon them. There are plenty of goats, and wild pigs, and water.”

The romantic history of the colony and of the settling of the island has been well-nigh forgotten, so little communication has been had with the inhabitants during the last few years. Late in the last century, a ship was sent from England to the Society Islands for the purpose of procuring bread fruit and other tropical trees and plants, it being desired to introduce them into Great Britain, where an attempt would be made to acclimatize them. The Bounty remained some months at Tahiti, having arrived at a wrong season of the year for transplanting plants. She sailed in April, 1789, and had been out but a few days when the crew mutinied, overpowered the officers, and took possession of the ship. Captain Bligh and such as were not willing to join the mutineers, were set adrift in open boats, and the Bounty was headed for Tahiti. The ringleader, one Christian, succeeded in inducing nine Kanakas and as many native women to come on board. With these and eight companions (the others having landed), the Bounty sailed.

For nearly twenty years, nothing was heard of the vessel, and it was supposed that she had foundered or run into some coral reef and become a wreck; but at last, an American vessel on a sealing voyage touched at Pitcairn and found that it was peopled. Half-casts came alongside the ship, and conversed in good English—they were descendants of the mutineers and the Tahitian women who had accompanied them. When the mutineers left Tahiti, they sailed directly for Pitcairn’s Island. The ship was beached, and after having been stripped of everything desired, was burned. Christian and his companions took the women as wives and made slaves of the men. Houses were built, land cultivated, and for a time everything progressed favorably. But there were elements in the little community which could but occasion trouble.

The slaves rebelled and attempted the destruction of their masters. A long and bloody fight ensued between the whites and the Kanakas, which resulted in three of the former being killed and the extermination of the latter. Christian was one of the victims of the tragedy. One of the survivors committed suicide, another became violently deranged and was knocked on the head with an ax by his companions. Others died natural deaths, but not till two of them had done much to destroy what little comfort was yet left by their disorderly and licentious mode of life. At last, but two of the original mutineers were left of the nine who arrived at the island—Young and John Adams (whose real name is supposed to have been Alexander Smith), the latter being one of the most reckless and desperate of the Bounty’s crew. The two now growing old, and age bringing habits of reflection, talked over their past life, and decided that a reform was necessary. They were near their death, perhaps; a growing community of young people was around them, the members of which needed instruction and example to make them good men and women. By some strange chance a prayer-book of the Church of England had been saved from the Bounty’s wreck, and with this for a guide the two repentant mutineers commenced the work of reform. They taught the doctrines laid down in the prayer-book, and instilled the principles of Christianity into the minds of the younger members of the colony.

In 1825, when Captain Beechey of the British Navy arrived at Pitcairn with his ship, Adams alone survived of the mutineers. He came on board the vessel and gave details of the colony’s history, which were spread through the world. Great interest was taken in the island and its inhabitants by civilized lands; the mutineers and their reformation were the subjects of sermons, tracts, and newspaper articles; and the people the objects of charitable contributions. During later years they have been neglected. The churches have been too busy sending missionaries to China and aiding the project of bleaching Africans (as told by the elderhood) to pay any attention to the descendants of the original settlers of Pitcairn. Curiosity having been satisfied, ships rarely touch at the island, and the little community, deprived of means of communication with civilization and without manufactories, is in a destitute condition, so far as the products of the loom are concerned. The religious sensation has died out, and the helpless Pitcairnians are neglected. No better field for Christian charity than this lone isle in the South Pacific exists, and we hope that the generous-minded of our community may not forget in the midst of their many other charities that this little congregation of worshipers needs assistance.

An interesting point in this connection will be the fact that for nearly fifty years the community has not decreased in numbers. In 1825 there were about seventy inhabitants on the island, and the same number now exist. It is generally supposed that the half-casts, or progeny of white fathers and South Sea mothers, are neither long lived nor possessed of sufficient vitality to perpetuate a hybrid race. As the half-casts of Pitcairn have held their own in numbers, during two generations, this assumption would seem to be disproved, but the data are too meager to warrant any conclusion. The matter is worthy the investigation of ethnologists.

It Is Too Bad.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

It is bad to make a common debt with a neighbor and fail to pay it on time. It is worse to contract a debt with a person at a distance, as a publisher, and fail to be prompt in paying. To take a secular paper and not pay for it, is dishonorable. To take a religious paper indicates a religious interest, and makes a failure in pay look worse on that account. But to take an interest in the last message of probation and receive the paper that bears this message, and calls for a preparation to pass the test of the Judgment, and neglect to pay for it, when able, is too bad to be thought of or mentioned. It certainly should not be mentioned as becoming to saints.

The poor should have the REVIEW free. But some may excuse themselves on the ground of poverty, who are able to labor; and therefore with industry may have the means to pay. Again, if there is no lack of industry, there may be a lack of Christian economy. Some earn enough, but spend it in hurtful indulgences or pride in dress. Retrenchment and reform would make them abundantly able to pay for the papers that advocate the reforms that are so much needed at the present time to prepare a people for translation at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is too bad to be behind in this work of the Lord. Let all who love the Lord and his truth, act as though they loved them. R. F. COTTRELL.

The Value of Conciliatory Manners

The experience of every man furnishes, if he will recall the past, frequent instances where conciliatory manners have made the fortunes of physicians, lawyers, politicians, merchants, and indeed, individuals of other pursuits. To men, civility is what beauty is to women, it is a general passport to favor—a letter of introduction, written in a language that every one understands.

The Ark: Unseen Helmsman Amid the Waters

Noah’s ark was to the outward sight a mere speck driven hither and thither in the fearful eddies; to the inward sight, an unseen helmsman holds fast to an unseen helm; and that frail two-inch plank is as far from the waters as the green earth will be from the central fires when the old man plants his vine. It is because man finds in his own soul this conviction, that in all great events the eternal underlies the temporal, and God holds them both in his hand.

Good Character Above All Things

Good character is above all things else.

Meetings in Michigan.

By Joseph Bates

My last report was from Matherton. Evening of April 14, was with Bro. H. M. Kenyon, at the Bell school-house in Jamestown, where for the last fortnight he has been giving a course of lectures to an intelligent audience with increasing interest.

April 15 and 16, attended the quarterly meeting in Blendon. A good representation from the Allendale church were present and united in celebrating the ordinances. There has been some discouragements on account of removals, sickness, and death; but the brethren are still encouraged to press onward, to be found among the patient waiting saints.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, April 18, 1871.

Report of Labor.

By E. B. Lane

MICHIGAN.

SINCE the General Conference, I have labored with churches in Johnstown, Convis, and Coldwater, Mich.

The brethren in Johnstown seem actively engaged in the cause, while some interest is awakening with others to hear.

With the church in Convis we enjoyed some excellent meetings. Their Sabbath-school and Bible-class are well sustained, and seem a great blessing to them. The blessing of God was with them, and large congregations showed an interest on the part of people without to hear.

The few Sabbath-keepers near Coldwater were in a discouraged condition from need of help. Their prayer-meetings were given up, while some had come to the conclusion that there was but little use in going farther. We held meetings day and evening with them, the evening meetings being quite well attended from without. On the Sabbath, the Spirit of God came into our midst in a wonderful manner. We all felt our cup of joy full to overflowing. It was a time long to be remembered by all present. Confessions of coldness and indifference were fully made, until discouragement passed away, and all wept for joy that God had returned to us again, and that we were not utterly cast off. We felt that we were strengthened to endure future trials and press on till we should be saved when Jesus comes.

TENNESSEE.

After a few days preparation, I came to this place, Edgefield Junction, near Nashville, Tennessee. Here are a few keeping the Sabbath who desire baptism. They embraced the truth from reading publications, having never heard a discourse from one of our ministers.

There is but one church (Catholic) in the place, and, as the school-house was small, we accepted an invitation to occupy the station and telegraph rooms in the depot building, the white people occupying one room, and the colored the other. These, however, soon became insufficient to accommodate the people. Accordingly the freight room was prepared, and the platform outside also seated before all could be comfortably entertained.

I have now given thirteen discourses which have brought me to the Sabbath question, which seems to be received without unusual opposition, and I look for some to embrace and keep it, with all God's commands. I will before long give my views in another article of the South as a field of labor.

Yours striving for eternal life.

E. B. LANE.

Extracts from Letters.

SISTER E. E. STURGES writes from Fairfield Co., Ct.: I acknowledge with the deepest humility that for the past year I have been wandering from the Lord. With shame do I confess that my neglect of secret prayer, self-examination, and watchfulness, gave Satan a chance to work; and he did work with a will. I was easily led captive, for I had lain down my armor, and he knew how little power I had to resist temptation.

I flattered myself that because I kept the Sabbath and adopted the reforms, I was safe. Oh! what a miserable mistake I made. Thus I lived along for nearly a year. All this time Satan was artfully and with the most cunning skill laying a snare for my feet; and as I was blinded by the powers of darkness, I was easily drawn into it.

I did not see that I was in any danger, but kept gradually moving backward into the world and downward to destruction till the Lord in mercy showed me my wicked and rebellious course.

Some three weeks ago, my sister was twice warned in a dream of my condition. She became alarmed at once, and told me of her dreams, and that they were warnings from the Lord. She urged me to return and seek a full consecration to the Lord, at the same time assuring me that she had this evidence that the Lord had not entirely forsaken us. I became fully roused, and we could neither of us sleep that night. The next day we fasted, wept, and prayed, covenanting anew to seek and serve God. The next day, in our sadness and distress, Bro. Haskell unexpectedly came to see us. We knew the Lord had sent his servant in the time of our greatest need. His words of counsel and encouragement cheered our hearts, and I resolved to cut loose from everything that hindered me from consecrating myself entirely to the Lord.

With deep sorrow of heart I reviewed my past course, spending days and nights in self-examination, prayers, and tears. For two weeks I could not raise my head above the clouds. I felt if I could only wipe out the sins of the past how gladly would I do it. But no, the wrong influence had gone out, precious opportunities had been lost, and I must give an account.

I cried in the bitterness of my soul, Is there no hope? Have I sinned against so much light and knowledge that there is no mercy?

But the Lord heard me in my distress, and he has given me an evidence that he accepts the sacrifice of a broken and a contrite heart.

I cannot express the joy and gratitude that fills my heart for all God’s goodness to me. I can appreciate the precious promise in Hosea 14:4, as I never did before.

And now, dear brethren and sisters, I am resolved to redeem the time. I will try in the strength of my Master to keep humble, and work for Jesus. I expect conflicts with the enemy; but I know if I am in the place where God can work through me, he will send his angels to help carry on the work.

I am in earnest. I intend that the past year’s experience shall be of no advantage to the enemy, but shall be the means of my salvation; and may the Lord get glory to himself.

I feel a burden of the work, and by the help of the Lord I shall put forth every effort to save precious souls. Brethren and sisters, forgive and aid us by your counsel and prayers.

“WE SEEK A BETTER COUNTRY.” HEB. 11:14.

By Charles P. Whitford

Press on! the country thou seekest to win, Is unclouded by sorrow, unsullied by sin; Press onward through trial, while yet there is day, While light is around thee to point out the way. Bright seraphs and martyrs, when victory is won, Will welcome thee home, when thy work here is done. The sands of the desert may gather in might, And sweep from thy pathway all beauty and light, But fear not to climb the perilous steep; For angels are with thee to guide and to keep. Then onward and upward, so shalt thou at last Enter the mansions prepared for the blest.

Press bravely on! thou seekest to win A country unclouded by sorrow and sin, Where, free from the trials that here are now borne, We all shall be happy in Eden’s fair home. Oh! who does not long for a resting-place there, In that beautiful country so bright and so fair, Where Jesus and angels, with harps of pure gold, Together with prophets and martyrs of old, Will make all the heavenly arches to ring In the song of redemption; for joy will they sing. Then onward, press onward, through sorrow and care, Remembering that Jesus will hear every prayer. And angels from glory, commissioned, will come, To aid and encourage toward Eden, thy home.

Charles P. Whitford.

Berkshire Center, Vt., April 17, 1871.

Montcalm Co., Mich.

By C. Jenson

April 1, 1871, I met with my Danish brethren in Montcalm Co., Mich., for quarterly meeting, and was greatly surprised to see every member of the church present, though some had been sick previously, and thought they could not endure the meeting. I made a few remarks on the necessity of exercising living faith combined with Christian charity. We then had a social meeting in which all took an active part, and we all felt that our spiritual strength was renewed.

Met again in the afternoon, and had the ordinances of the Lord’s house. We had such a heavenly blessing that even the most feeble ones expressed their gratitude to God for his gracious refreshment. I think the blessed and gracious institution of the Lord’s supper should be appreciated more. God knows that we need the ordinances, and he gives us them for our spiritual welfare. Why should not his children esteem it a privilege and a necessity to use his gracious gifts and institutions?

In my judgment, the church here has in a measure grown in grace, unity, and knowledge. One thing has been a burden on my mind for a long time; that is, that we as a people should remember that we who in time past were far off, have been made nigh by the blood of Christ, and are now under the fashioning hand of God. These remarks are more especially to my Scandinavian brethren and sisters. We should remember the multitudes of our countrymen, who, though professing to be Christians, are at the present, the most of them, without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world; and only one man has fully given himself to proclaim the last message of mercy to the perishing people.

We are admonished from the word of our Saviour, that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers; and I will here suggest that we from this time and hence reverently and continually make it an important subject in our prayers. Let us believe that we have a prayer hearing and prayer answering God. Praise his holy name!

C. JENSON.

Montcalm Co., Mich.

Report of Meetings.

By John Lindsay; S. A. H. Lindsay

Jan. 6-8, attended five meetings with the Allegany Co., N. Y., church. There are a few here who are striving in the midst of many trials to gain the approbation of God. Though tears are their portion in this world, yet they are able to look beyond the darkness and gloom of this wilderness state to those heavenly hills,

“where Christ is gone To plead for all his saints, Presenting at his Father’s throne, Our songs and our complaints.”

Jan. 10, returned to Ulysses. Having been requested to hold no more meetings in one school-house, we thought it best to try an adjoining district, where we held one meeting. It appears that the school director mentioned in our last report suddenly changed his mind, as we received word from him this evening that he had now no objections to our holding meetings in their school-house. On the 11th, we returned; but the roads began to break up, and became so muddy that we decided not to hold meetings oftener than three times a week. In this place, strong men have been powerfully wrought upon by the Spirit of God, as was manifest by the falling tears; but the work appears to them so great that they fear to take hold of it. May the Lord pity and strengthen them, give them faith, courage, and willing hearts, to obey the truth.

Sabbath, Feb. 4, met the friends of Willing, Allegany Co., N. Y., at the house of Mr. Jared Stillman. This kind-hearted man has long been favorable to our religious views, though he does not yet see it duty to unite with the people of God. His wife and eldest daughter are worthy members of the church. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” Ps. 110: 3. May the Lord hasten the day.

JOHN LINDSAY. S. A. H. LINDSAY. Ulysses, Pa.

South Windham, Me.

By J. B. Goodrich

This is the place where I labored some last summer, and five embraced the truth. During my absence, the enemy had been very busy at work to prejudice the minds of the people against the truth; and when I arrived in the place, Feb. 14, some were surprised; for the report had gone out that I never should be seen back there again. I found prayer-meetings appointed ahead, and I could not have the house until Sunday. Things looked very discouraging; but I finally decided to stop and occupy the house when I could get it. Some of the professors began to oppose, and one said to me, You can do no good to preach the Sabbath in this place any more; but I hear Paul saying, “Preach the word.” 2 Tim. 4:2; Gal. 1:10.

A Methodist minister held a protracted meeting near by, and in defining what a Christian was, he said, “A man cannot be a Christian unless he keeps the commandments of God,” and said, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,” etc. If he lives out what he preached, he will be a seventh-day Sabbath-keeper.

I have been hindered by other meetings, but some have embraced the truth, and others are convinced that we have the truth. May the Lord help them to obey. I have obtained five subscribers for the REVIEW, and two for the Instructor.

The roads have been bad all the time, and but few could get out to hear; and the course some have taken reminded me of Matt. 23:13. May the Lord help them to see the truth, and keep all “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Pray for me, J. B. Goodrich.

Portland, Me., April 20, 1871.

Sister Morse Reports Interest from Martin County Meetings

By M. A. Morse

SISTER M. A. MORSE writes from Martin Co., Minn.: I praise the Lord's holy name that Bro. Van Horn came this way to preach to us the way of salvation from sin and death. We have very interesting meetings, and those who came in to hear are all very much interested to hear more from him. I hope the time may soon come when he will make us another visit, and stay longer. I think that his visit to this place has resulted in good to our little church. I, for one, feel encouraged to press my way onward and upward. I am determined to be an overcomer, the Lord being my helper, and to live so that all around me can see that I am a follower of Jesus. I believe that time is short, and what we do must be done quickly.

Let us strive harder than ever to gain the prize which is at the end of the race. It will not be long before we shall see our Lord coming in the clouds of heaven to gather his faithful ones home. May we be of that happy number.

Sister A. R. Kelsey on Faith and Grace

SISTER A. R. Kelsey writes from Faribault Co., Minn.:

Years ago, I left the Freewill Baptist church, and have endeavored to live up to the light as it has shone upon my pathway. My ability is not so great as some of my more worthy friends to see all or much of the mystery of God; but oh! for a deeper work of grace in my heart, that I may stand and endure all things in this life, that I may have some humble place with you when the fifth and everlasting kingdom is set up.

Report from Bro. Byington.

By J. Byington

I was sorry to disappoint our brethren at Parkville, March 19. The 25th and 26th, I was with the church in Alajedon, it being their quarterly meeting. This was a good meeting. I visited most of the families, had the ordinances, and one received baptism. The 27th, we had an evening meeting in Leslie. A brother here who for several years had been hindered by his tobacco has now laid it aside and is acting his part in their meetings.

April 1, I met with a few brethren in Johnstown, and visited some who are neglecting duty. There are a few faithful ones here. Some were absent.

The 8th and 9th, I was at Cedar Springs. Here I organized a church of eighteen members. The names of six children and youth were taken by their consent, they promising to seek the Lord. May the church and their parents help them to Christ. Bro. I. A. Olmstead was chosen elder, after which we had the ordinances. Brethren here have given up their tobacco, and are learning health reform. By a vote of the church, they request that the tent may be with them this season. The people in this village are anxious to hear, but we have no church to hold them. They say, Come over and help us. The 11th, a stormy day, I rode with my own team, facing a chilly wind, to Bro. Buck’s in Chester, and attended prayer-meeting in the evening. The next day, I came to Wright, and remained with this church one week. They complain of a want of spirituality, but I think most of them are willing to receive help.

First-day morning, I went to the river to cross for Blend’n; but the boat being gone, I returned to Cooperville; and learning there was to be a few miles north of this a sermon by a Methodist circuit preacher on the subject of the Christian Sabbath, I thought I would hear him. He made the following propositions:

We must begin to reckon time from Adam’s first day, which was the seventh day of creation, therefore the first day of the week was, is, and ever should be, the Sabbath.
A seventh part of time answered all the claims of the Sabbath law.
The Sabbath was typical of Christ, therefore the type must end when Christ came.
Christ and his apostles changed the Sabbath; they had no opposition in doing it; it was called the Lord’s day, and the Son of Man was Lord of the Sabbath-day.
The laws of our country required us to keep the first day; therefore, though we kept every other, we must keep the first.

I gave notice that I would have meeting in the evening. There was a good congregation and good attention while, after showing his contradictory positions, I made brief remarks on each point. J. Byington.

The Fatal Error of Unnoticed Alcohol Use

THERE is no more fatal error than that which the man commits, who thinks the constant use of alcohol is not injuring him, because he never staggers under it.

An end must surely come to the card-built houses of carnal merriment, their bowing wall must lie level with the dust, their tottering fence must come down to the ground.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

Died, in Fosterburg, Ill., April 13, 1871, Minerva, wife of Pinckney Cummings, aged 48 years. She leaves a husband and six children. She was a member of the Christian church for a number of years, but kept the Sabbath from the time Bro. Colcord lectured here last January. We believe she will have a part in the first resurrection. D. B. HUNT.

Died, April 17, 1871, in Richfield, Ohio, of a short, but painful, illness of typhoid pneumonia, my eldest daughter, Mary Ordillia, wife of David K. Bowker, aged nearly 22 years and 8 months. She bore her intense sufferings with Christian resignation; earnestly exhorting her friends, and all present, and making them promise to faithfully and continually strive to meet her in that “bright world to come, blessed and pure.” And she was enabled in the midst of her severest afflictions to sing with emphasis and power, “There is a happy land not far away;” and also, “Oh! that bright world to come, blessed and pure.” A. H. ENNES.

An Explanation.

By W. Russell

IN a previous issue of this paper, a statement appeared, showing that my prejudices and opposition to Seventh-day Advent people had ceased, and that I was exceedingly sorry that my unfortunate course had injured in any way the cause of God.

No one who may have read that statement, or may read this, can realize the struggles my mind has undergone during the interval of my separation from this people, and the struggles necessary to overcome the power of the enemy in trying to return and confess my wrongs. I now wish to say that I was compelled to return to God and his people or sink in despair. I feel that eternal life is of too much value to lose, simply to gratify a selfish desire to hide my faults and please a few who would glory in the downfall of the people of God. While alienated from this people, I have had no liberty in the worship of God, and there has been a continual unrest of mind and gloominess of feeling that has made me very unhappy. When I have determined in my mind to confess my wrongs and return to God and his people, light has dawned upon me and joy has sprung up in my soul. But when I would take up my pen to express my feelings, a voice seemingly would say, “What will your friends say?” I mean those who sympathized with me in my unhappy course. You will be looked upon as a hypocrite or something similar; and thus through the fear of man, and a desire for the approbation of the world, which is natural to the human heart, I was deterred from taking my stand again with my dear brethren and sisters. But becoming alarmed in regard to my condition, I determined in my mind to no longer confer with flesh and blood, to no longer query as to what friends will say, but what will please my Heavenly Father, and insure eternal life for myself and family. And though all men may heap contempt upon me, I am fully determined, come life or death, to follow the convictions of duty, and take my stand again with the people of God, and spend the remainder of my days in his service, praying that he may pardon my transgressions and enable me by a consistent life to undo the wrongs I may have done in the past.

To this end, I ask the dear people of God who may read this to pray that strength may be given me to do the will of God and to stand ready with you to meet the “coming One” and share in the final reward of the faithful. W. RUSSELL.

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