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

Earlier text: Excellent Advice Concerning Giving

Light Not Lived Out.

By C. Lawton

WHILE reflecting on the clear evidences we are having, following each other in swift succession, that the time of trouble is just before us, and the work of our great High Priest is nearly closed up in the inner sanctuary, I felt my heart oppressed with grief in view of the state of many in the church who have but little, if any, sense of the dangerous position they occupy. I thought, Will not God soon give another testimony that will more effectually arouse the church? But while again looking over Testimony No. 18, I read part of the appeal given to the church, October, 1868. Here I saw were light, close, searching, startling truths, that never have been fully heeded, or lived out by many, yes, a great majority, in the church; and can we reasonably expect more light direct to be given on this point until what we have is lived out? But during these two years and a half, the work has been steadily advancing, and those who have kept pace with the work, have been rising with it; and is not this one feature enough to cause alarm and consternation to rest upon those on the background? Are we not living in the very time which was seen and pointed out by sister White, in Vol. 1, Spiritual Gifts, of those who did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading? “They seemed,” she says, “indifferent and careless.” They were not resisting the darkness around them; and it shut them in like a thick cloud, and the angels of God left them, and went to the aid of those earnest, praying ones, and she lost sight of them.

And again she says in Testimony No. 18, “I have said startling things, I have stated according to what I saw, but few of the Seventh-day Adventists would be saved, not because they could not be, but because they would not be in God’s appointed way.” God in love and mercy gives these testimonies to the church, to point out their wrongs, stir them to action, that they may overcome, and be ready to receive the refreshing and be fitted for translation; but what more can be said than has been already? Oh! my heart yearns over the lukewarm, and those who are at ease in Zion. O brethren and sisters, have you no feelings on the subject? So much the more reason to be alarmed! If you have any feeling, cherish it as you would your life. Oh! for strength to get free from the snares of Satan! Life, eternal life, is just before us. Oh! will we not put forth a mightier effort to obtain it? A few more struggles, a little more earnest, faithful laboring, and we enter our glorious reward.

C. LAWTON.

“The Letter.”

It was a time of spiritual awakening in a small manufacturing town. The foreman in a department of one of the factories became anxious about his soul. He was directed to Christ as the sinner’s only refuge, by many, and by his own master among the rest, but it seemed to be without result. At last his master thought of reaching his mind and bringing him to see the sincerity of God in the gospel by writing a note, asking him to come and see him at six o’clock, after he left “the work.”

He came promptly, with the letter in his hand. When ushered into his room, his master inquired, “Do you wish to see me, James?” James was confounded, and holding up the note requesting him to come, said, “The letter! the letter!” “Oh!” said his master, “I see you believed that I wanted to see you; and when I sent you the message, you came at once.”

“Surely, sir! Surely, sir!” replied James.

“Well, see here is another letter sending for you by one equally in earnest,” said his master, holding up a slip of paper with some texts of Scripture written on it.

James took the paper, and began to read slowly, “Come—unto—me—all—ye—that—labor,” &c. His lips quivered; his eyes filled with tears; and, like to choke with emotion, he thrust his hand into his jacket pocket, grasped his large red handkerchief, with which he covered his face, and there he stood for a few moments not knowing what to do. At length he inquired:

“Am I to believe that in just the same way I believed your letter?”

“Just in the same way,” rejoined the master. “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.” This expedient was owned of God in setting James at liberty. He was a happy believer that very night, and has continued to go on his way rejoicing in God his Saviour, to point others to Calvary, and walk in the narrow way.

Reader, if anxious about your salvation, be persuaded to believe God when he speaks to you in his word, in the same way you would credit the word of an honorable man, and you will obtain peace through the precious blood of Christ. “HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF.”—Sel.

Roman Catholic Inquisition.

MOTLEY’S History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic contains the following interesting facts respecting the murderous policy of the Roman Catholic Church:

“The number of Netherlanders, who were burned, strangled, beheaded, or buried alive, for the offense of reading the Scriptures, and looking askance at a graven image, or of ridiculing the actual presence of the body and blood of Christ in a wafer, has been placed as high as one hundred, by distinguished authors, and have never been put at a lower mark than fifty, thousand.” Vol. I., p. 114.

“In the eighteen years of Torquemada’s administration (of the Inquisition in Spain), ten thousand two hundred and twenty individuals were burned alive, and ninety-seven thousand three hundred and twenty-one punished with infamy, confiscation of property, or perpetual imprisonment, so that the total number of families destroyed by this one Friar alone amounted to one hundred and fourteen thousand four hundred and one.”—Ibid, p. 322.

“A sheriff was once met by Littleman, the inquisitor, and wonderingly asked him, ‘How can you venture to go about alone, or at most, with an attendant or two, arresting people on every side, whilst I dare not attempt to execute my office except at the head of a strong force armed in proof, and then only at the peril of my life?’”

“‘Ah, Redrod,’ answered Peter, jocosely, ‘you deal with bad people, I have nothing to fear; for I seize only the innocent and virtuous, who make no resistance, and let themselves be taken like lambs.’”—Ibid I., p. 332.

“Upon the 16th of February, 1568, a sentence of the Holy Office condemned all the inhabitants of the Netherlands to death as heretics. From this universal doom only a few persons, especially named, were excepted.”—Ibid I., p. 158.

Settling Toward Sodom: The Peril of Worldly Ambition

By Dr. Hall

Lot chose a bad location—“toward Sodom,” and it is easy and common to follow the bad example. A bright young fellow, from a Christian family, is looking out for a position. It must be a good one; that is, it must yield large profits, and bid fair to give him a “rapid fortune.” Something offers—is examined and is accepted. True it brings him in contact with the unprincipled, the reckless, and the most devout worshipers of mammon. It associates him, possibly, most closely with the openly godless. It throws him upon them for society and countenance. It renders him a minority of one in a company of practical idolaters. Surely he is settling “toward Sodom.”—Dr. Hall.

KEEP your own secrets, if you have any.

Read and Consider.

By A. S. Hutchins

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105. How much bitter anguish of heart and painful regret for long years, would many have escaped, had they always carefully and prayerfully consulted the word of God, and walked agreeably thereunto, especially where God, in love and mercy to his people, has given clear counsel.

Important instruction may be received and timely warning taken by some now, by reading and prayerfully considering and cheerfully obeying the following scriptures: Deut. 7:3; Josh. 23:12, 13; Judges 3:5-8; Ezra 9:2-12; Neh. 13; Ezra 10; to which we may add but one from Paul: “The wife is bound by the law as long as the husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 7:39. Mark, “Only in the Lord.” Saith an old author, “Study the duties of marriage before you enter into it.” For want of this, result the frequent disappointments of that honorable estate. Hence that repentance which is at once too soon, and too late.”

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Holiness: The Necessity of a Pure Heart

By I. D. Van Horn

Holiness.

“WITHOUT holiness no man shall see the Lord.” Heaven is a pure and holy place. No person, impure or unclean, will ever be permitted to enter into the mansions of the Father's house. Jesus is preparing a place there for none but the righteous. Nothing short of holiness will permit us to enter into the presence of the Lord.

“It is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Is this demand of the Lord too great for man to comply with? Does he require of us more than we are able to perform? Certainly not, when he has been so kind as to mark out the way, and to offer us his help.

The Lord is merciful, and if we confess and forsake our sins, he will abundantly pardon. With what earnestness then we should engage in this work. It should be, yea, it must be, the chief object of our lives to become pure in heart. Those that do this will succeed and overcome. Press into the work all you that would see the King in his beauty. There never was a more solemn time than now. The last days, with their perils, are upon us. But there is a glorious triumph just ahead. We can share in it if we will. Let the purifying work go on till the victory is gained. “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” I. D. VAN HORN.

A Memorial.

By H. A. St. John

The angel of the Lord once appeared to a devout man, Cornelius by name, and addressed him in the following language: “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” Acts 10:4. Not content with praying always, this good man gave much alms to the people. This memorial that came up before God, constituted the basis of the great blessing afterward received by him and all his household. This blessing was the gift of the Holy Ghost. “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” Verse 44.

Brother, sister, you are expecting the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” the “latter rain,” the “refreshing from on high.” Are you sending up a memorial of prayers and alms deeds? If not, may you not be sadly disappointed? We have need to pray more. Excellent opportunities are before us to lay up treasures in Heaven, by using our means in the cause of God. The time for us to work is rapidly closing up. When shall we awake to the importance, solemnity, and sacredness, of the third angel’s message? Oh! let our prayers and alms go up before God as a memorial. Then shall we be remembered by Heaven, in the day of deep distress. H. A. St. John.

Bowling Green, Ohio.

Knowledge of the World.

By Beecher

I do not believe in bringing up the young to know life, as it is said. I should just as soon think of bringing up a child by cutting some of the cords of his body, and lacerating his nerves, and scarring and tattooing him, and making an Indian of him outright, as an element of beauty, as I should think of developing his manhood by bringing him up to see life—to see its abominable lusts; to see its hideous incarnations of wit; to see its infernal wickedness; to see its extravagant and degrading scenes; to see its miserable carnalities; to see its imaginations set on fire of hell; to see all those temptations and delusions which lead to perdition. Nobody gets over the sight of these things. They who see them always carry scars. They are burned. And though they live, they live as men that have been burned. The scar remains. And to let the young go out where the glozing courtesan appears; to let them go where the lustful frequenter of dens of iniquity can come within their reach; to let them go where the young gather to cheer with bad wit; to let them go where they will be exposed to such temptations—why, a parent is insane who will do it. To say, “A child must be hardened; he has got to get tough somehow, and you may as well put him in the vat and let him tan”—is that family education? Is that Christian nurture? Is that bringing a child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?—Beecher.

Meekness: The Mark of a Christian

MEEKNESS is a virtue by which a man may know a Christian better than by his name.

Excitement.

The Rev. Dr. Arnot having been charged with “excitement” when speaking on total abstinence, has replied:

“People need not tell me that I am excited on these questions. I know that I am. I should be ashamed before God and man if I were not. There is more in the public houses of Glasgow to stir the spirit of a minister than all that Paul saw at Athens. In my ministry I meet the horrid fruits of these whisky shops. I see men and women perishing in these pitfalls. The number of the victims is so great that it overwhelms me. My brain is burning, my heart is breaking. The church is asleep, and the world, too, and they are hugging each other. I am weary with holding in. I must cry. I would rather be counted singular in the judgment of men than be unfaithful in the judgment of God.”

The Sins of Youth.

The late Dr. Spencer said that when he was a lad, his father gave him a little tree that had just been grafted. One day, in his father's absence, he let the colt into the garden, and the young animal broke off the graft. It was mended, however, the following day, and continued to grow finely. Years passed, and young Spencer became a man and a minister. Some time after he became a pastor, he made a visit to the old homestead where he spent his boyhood. His little sapling had become a large tree, and was loaded with apples. During the night after his arrival at the homestead, there was a violent thunder shower, and the wind blew fearfully. He rose early in the morning, and on going out, found his tree lying prostrate upon the ground. The wind had twisted it off just where the colt broke it when it was a sapling. Probably the storm would not have broken it at all, if it had not been broken when it was small. It will usually be found that those who are grossly vicious in manhood, dropped a seed of vice in the morning of life; that the fallen youth who was religiously trained, and has become corrupt, broke off his connection with virtuous ways just where he did a very wicked thing in boyhood. Here is a fact to be pondered. The oldest man in the prison could not say that childhood and youth had no connection with his present condition. Perhaps he could point to the very day and hour when he decided his present character.

The Steamship and the Sailing Vessel: Principle Versus Policy

By Spurgeon

The man who lives by policy is like a sailor in a gusty day, or who has a foul wind against him, and must tack about to reach first this point and then the other, and makes but slow progress after all in the direction which he really wishes to pursue. But the man who has the life of God, and follows the way of truth, is like the steam-vessel which ploughs its road straight on, wind or tide notwithstanding. Why needs it to tack? It bears its force within itself, and is not dependent upon the extraneous circumstances of winds and waves. Happy is that man who is in this condition! If he be poor, he may cheerfully pursue the way of truth, and find his poverty a blessing. If he be rich, the same immortal principles which guided him in poverty will suffice him now that he has come to the possession of wealth. If he were elected to a kingdom, such a man, having the law of God in his heart, would know how to walk and how to behave himself right royally. His way is everlasting, because he has not to stop every morning and inquire, “How am I to behave to-day? What is the new rule by which I shall shape my course?”—Spurgeon.

Prayer Breaking a Bad Habit.

A minister once prayed in the pulpit that the Lord would bless the congregation assembled, and that portion of it which was on the way to the church, and those who were at home getting ready to come, and that in his infinite patience he would grant the benefit of the benediction to those who reached the house of God just in time for that. The clergyman succeeded in breaking up a bad habit which had resisted all legitimate appeals.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. 12:11.

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City and Country in France.

THE immediate occasion of the Paris insurrection was evidently the alarm of the Reds at seeing the National authority in the hands of an Assembly whose disposition, in comparison with their own, was moderate and conservative. From the day when the Assembly was elected, it was evident that Jacobinism had little strength among its members. The substitution of the practical statesman, Thiers, for the hot-headed Gambetta, as chief of the State, fitly expressed the character of the change in the government. The only chance for the Red element to obtain control, was to assert itself by arms before the new authority should have time to grow strong. This it did with characteristic audacity and unscrupulousness, and without the shadow of a decent pretext.

Several impulses combine to animate the Parisians in their struggle; or, we should rather say, one general impulse exists under several forms. The wild theories of communism, in the proper sense of the word, have struck deep root—theories of abundant wages and social equality, secured to all men by a political juggle. Quite in keeping with these theories was the demand of the populace, organized as the National Guard, to receive continued pay from the government when their services were no longer needed. And for the realization of the golden future to which wages without work was the first step, it was essential that enlightened Paris should emancipate herself from the control of a benighted “rural” Assembly.

This last point, the antagonism between Paris and the provinces, is worthy of special attention. Its manifestations may be traced through many years. When Louis Napoleon established the empire, to go no farther back,—he subdued Paris only by violence and terror. Throughout his reign, the city showed itself at every election steadily hostile to him. So did the larger provincial cities. But the country voters, from the very first, gave such overwhelming majorities in his favor, that from the entire vote he was able to claim an endorsement of the coup d'etat, and of each important step in his subsequent course. Only last May, he was sustained on an appeal to the nation by a majority of five or six millions.

After the disaster of Sedan, it was the populace of Paris that overthrew the empire. Holding the capital, and with the Emperor a disgraced captive, they found no resistance anywhere to the revolution they had achieved. But the Provisional Government, installed by favor of the city populace, though calling itself Republican, never ventured to submit its authority to the verdict of the nation. When from absolute necessity, the people were called on to choose an Assembly, their choice at once revealed the old repugnance of the great majority to Jacobinism. The disgraceful fall of the empire, and the brief sway of the men of “the left,” had not reconciled the rural population to the ideas of Gambetta and Rochefort. It was uncertain whether the Assembly would set up a republic, or a constitutional monarchy; but it was clear that whatever the form, there would be strong safe-guards to authority, and strong restraints on the mob; and that no radical changes as to property, the church, etc., were to be looked for from this source. Then Paris rose, under the red flag.

Under the empire, the rural population seemed to most American observers the upholders of an oppressive despotism. At present they have a claim to be recognized as the supporters of order against anarchy. Nor is it to be supposed that their adherence to the emperor was merely the result of ignorance or of subservience. Ignorant the French peasants undoubtedly are, and doubtless they are largely under the control of the priesthood and the local magistrates. But certain ideas they hold with the utmost tenacity, and express in very effective ways. Their respect for the rights of property—rooted largely in their own real or possible status as land-holders—is intense. United with this are a regard for social order, a belief in the church, and a dread of innovation in almost any form. It was no mistaken instinct which taught them that Louis Napoleon’s government, whatever else it did or left undone, maintained for the most part the rights of property and of person; and the established church—things of great concern to their minds; while for political rights they knew little and cared less.

The present attitude of the French peasantry is in striking contrast with that which they presented at the outbreak of the first Revolution. Then country vied with city in ardor against the oppressor. Paris was as always the head, but the body was in full sympathy with it. But one cause can be assigned, why the class who eighty years ago were ready for revolt have now become cautious and conservative. It is the vast improvement in their condition. Then they were the serfs of an oppressive nobility, crushed by hopeless poverty, exposed to the worst personal abuse. Now they are to a great extent owners of land; some degree of comfort is within their reach; and their personal rights are under the effectual guard of the law. We speak of what has been for many years. In the present wretchedness of France, and before a future so uncertain, it is encouraging to remember that she has gained something in the past; that within the last eighty years the great body of her people have risen so far in the scale of comfort and security, that their instinct is to be content with the present state of things rather than take the risks of change.

As to the issue of the present conflict, we make no attempt to prophesy. Unhappy France may be compared to a dilapidated house, in which a part of the tenants oppose all attempts at repairs; while another part make short work by setting the whole edifice on fire.—Chris. Union.

GEN. CONF. COM

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

PROVIDENCE permitting, the western camp-meetings will be held as follows:— Daviess Co., Missouri, 8 miles west of Gallatin, and 9 miles north of Kidder, May 25–29. Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa, June 1–5. Illinois, “ 8–12. Minnesota, “ 15–19. Wisconsin, “ 22–26.

GEN. CONF. COM

Missouri Camp-meeting.

PROVIDENCE permitting there will be a camp-meeting on the land of J. H. Mallory, eight miles west of Gallatin, and nine miles north of Kidder, a station on the Hannibal and St. Joseph rail road. The meeting will be held May 25–29.

The session of the Kansas and Missouri Conference will be held during the camp-meeting. It will be expected that each church in the conference, and each little unorganized body of Sabbath-keepers in the far West, will be represented at the Conference either by delegate or by letter. Scattered brethren, also, are invited to report themselves by letter. All letters should be addressed in season to J. H. Rogers, Altovista, Daviess Co., Mo.

GEN. CONF. COM.

Iowa State Conference.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Iowa State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will hold its next annual session in connection with the Southern Iowa camp-meeting, to be held near Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa, June 1–5, 1871. It is expected that all our churches in the State, so far as practicable, shall elect delegates to represent them according to the following ratio: Twenty members or under, one delegate; and one delegate for every additional fifteen members. It is expected that every church shall send to the Conference a written report of their standing, their losses and additions during the year, and the yearly amount of their Systematic Benevolence fund.

GEO. I. BUTLER, J. T. MITCHELL, H. NICOLA. } Iowa State Conference Committee.

Appointment Postponed.

The appointment for quarterly meeting at Alma, Mich., May 13 and 14, is postponed for one week, to accommodate the Methodists. It will be held the 20th and 21st. F. NELSON.

QUARTERLY meeting at Parkville, May 20 and 21. Colon church is invited. JOHN BYINGTON.

The Newton church will meet for their Sabbath meeting in the school-house near sister Kelsey's in Leroy, Mich., May 13. JOHN BYINGTON.

MONTHLY meeting at Canaan, Me., Sabbath and first-day, May 13 and 14, commencing Friday evening at 6:30 o'clock. By order of committee, GEORGE W. BARKER.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will preach in Burns Valley, LaCrosse Co., Wis., May 27 and 28, where Bro. Lamphere may appoint; and Dell Prairie, June 3 and 4, as Bro. George Tenney may arrange. I. SANBORN.

ELD. JOHN BYINGTON will meet with the church in Genoa, Mich., at their quarterly meeting the first Sabbath in May. Will some one meet him at Dexter, on Friday P. M., the 5th? MICH. CONF. COM.

NO PROVIDENCE preventing, I will meet with the brethren at Maiden Rock, Wis., on Sabbath and Sunday, May 13, 14. And at Concord, Dodge Co., Minn., Sabbath and Sunday, May 20, 21. The object of this meeting is to organize a church. Let all the members of the Pine Island church, who possibly can, attend this meeting, and all who cannot, report themselves by letter. We wish to see as many from other churches as can come. We hope the way may be prepared to celebrate the ordinances. I. D. VAN HORN.

Spiritualists challenge for debate

By Editor

Spiritualism.

BRO. Cornell has just given in this place, two interesting and powerful discourses against Spiritualism; the first, Sunday evening, April 23, the second, last evening the 30th. Our house of worship has never before been so filled with people. On both occasions hundreds were obliged to retire, not being able to find even standing room in the body of the house, the hall or the gallery.

Spiritualists challenge for debate.

Debate was proper when the system was new, and its claims and character little understood. But now we are to treat it according to its present state of development; and it has shown itself to be a system so iniquitous and corrupting, that it has placed itself beyond the pale of honorable controversy. An article, for which we have not room in this number, will appear next week, showing why we cannot enter into personal joint debate with Spiritualists.

They challenge us to cast out the devil; just as their father, the devil himself, challenged Christ to transform the stones into bread to appease his hunger, and to cast himself from the pinnacle of the temple to show that he was the Son of God; and he backed up his challenge with scripture just as appropriate to that case, namely, that God would give his angels charge over him, to bear him up, lest he should dash his foot against a stone, as the one which the Spiritualists now quote about these signs, following those that believe. God does not propose to work miracles for strife or debate, or to put his power on exhibition for the amusement of the beholder or to gratify curiosity. Our Lord himself did not cast out a demon from any one who did not wish him cast out. Such a challenge is a piece of ridiculous effrontery.

Bro. Cornell showed from their own writings,

That Spiritualists deny and blaspheme God.
That they ridicule and blackguard our Lord Jesus Christ.
That they deny the inspiration and credibility of the sacred Scriptures.
That they break down all distinction between right and wrong, proposing to give full scope to every evil and lustful desire of the carnal heart.
That they war against the marriage institution which is the foundation of society itself, and against all moral and legal restraint, which is the foundation of all order and civil government.

And all these damnable features of their system, they admit, and in them make their boast, being as the Scriptures declare, “past feeling” and “glorying in their shame.”

In regard to such a system our only duty is, not to come down upon a level with it, to discuss these points which outrage all common sense and decency, but to expose it and warn the people against it, as we shall endeavor faithfully to do.

Let us Respond.

By John Nevins Andrews

In the last REVIEW is a statement of the amount due on subscription for the REVIEW in each Conference. My earnest advice, is that each Conference take this matter in hand, to make good what is due in its own territory. To do this, let each church ascertain how the account stands with all in its vicinity, and either induce each delinquent to pay up, or if this is impossible, see that it is paid up so that this heavy burden shall not rest upon the Office. Then at each State Conference, let the entire remaining account be squared. We ought to do this each year. And with proper care in doing it, it need not require a very heavy outlay of funds; for we can collect the greater part. Shall we do it? J. N. ANDREWS.

News and Miscellany.

“Can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

Paris, April 25.—Evening—All movements have been suspended to-day, in consequence of the armistice. The belligerents have been engaged in building and repairing barricades. Many placards, urging conciliation, have been posted up.

London, April 26.—A dispatch from Brussels says the Northern Railway Company has notified all its station masters that the blockade of Paris commences at once, and that provisions destined for the French capital must be re-transmitted to their senders.

Florence, April 26.—A discussion of the Papal guarantees continues in the Italian Senate. The Minister of justice has announced to the Chamber of Deputies the approaching introduction of a bill for the separation of church and State.

A News special from Versailles says that Thiers has resolved to bombard Paris when the forts east and north of the city are delivered up by the Prussians.

Versailles, April 25.—Thiers has issued a circular bearing date of the 25th, in which he says: “The last few days have been employed in engineering works and concentrating our troops. New corps have been formed at Cherbourg, Cambray and Auxerre, composed of the heroes of Gravelotte. Generals Donai and Clinebart will command them. The late engagements at Bagneaux were successes for our troops, who captured a red flag from the enemy. The great operation will soon commence.”

New York, April 25.—A dispatch from New Orleans, at a late hour last night, says the whole city is filled with rumors of crevasses and probable inundations. Careful inquiry and personal investigation reduce the number of crevasses from which imminent danger is anticipated to four, at Poverty Point, Wallace plantation, and Bonet Carre above the city, and Moraro plantation below. To-night three of these are reported under control, leaving the break at Bonet Carre alone to be combated. Here the danger is great and imminent. The waters of the great river are rushing through an opening 700 feet wide with a rushing, roaring sound, audible for miles, plowing a channel 50 feet deep far into the vacant lands, while the levee rapidly crumbles into its boiling waters. Piles four feet deep, driven 20 feet into the ground and packed with sand bags are swept away like reeds. No efforts can now close the crevasse, and as soon as the flood has cut its way into the lake, the latter will overflow the whole rear portion of the city of New Orleans.

Later—The latest news is that the Bonet Carre crevasse is still widening, and that 12 miles of the Jackson Railroad has been swept away. Two other crevasses, one at Point Manoir, west of Baton Rouge, and one on the McDonough estate, below the city, are reported.

Versailles, April 27.—via London 28.—Thiers, in a speech to the Assembly to-day, tells the country that the situation is painful. French blood is still flowing, but it is consoling to know that the denouement is near. All are doing their duty, especially the army, to which he alluded in terms of high eulogy. The investment of the works of Paris has been commenced, and active operations are expected. Fort Issy has been silenced, and Moulineaux captured. “We (continued the speaker) are not assailants. We are the defenders of law and order. We wish conciliation, but we also wish to save liberty from despotism and from unbridled license.” After eloquently defending Republicanism in the Assembly, Thiers concluded as follows: “The insurgents are isolated; and all France is with the government and the Assembly, in our efforts to combine unity with liberty.”

Western Camp-Meetings.

By James White

We shall probably be deprived the pleasure of attending the western camp-meetings, at least the earliest of them. For want of suitable help in Battle Creek, we have been compelled to do two men's work since our return from Missouri last fall. And for the same reason, and being much worn, we cannot leave important duties here, and expose ourselves to the wearing labors thrown upon us at camp-meetings. No, we will wait here till God and his people open the way for us to labor abroad.

Much has been said upon the subject of urging responsible, active men to move to Battle Creek, to share our many cares and labors. But the men to sacrifice in order for this have not yet been found. Still we wait.

We regret to make further changes of appointments of camp-meetings; but having abandoned the idea of attending them this season, we throw off all responsibility relative to them, only to arrange timely appointments as best we can. JAMES WHITE.

JAMES WHITE

By James White

We call the special attention of western brethren to appointments of western camp-meetings, and western Conferences, as given in this number. We shall from this time give appointments as requested; and make changes only at the request of brethren.

JAMES WHITE

By James White

We have more than a thousand extra copies of the April number of the Reformer on hand. These we will send, post paid, as specimen copies to free-will agents, who will cheerfully canvass for subscribers for the Reformer. Our ministers in particular are urgently invited to engage in this good work.

JAMES WHITE

The Review and Herald.

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