THE apostle Peter testifies of Christ, that he was “put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing.” 1 Pet. 3:18-20.
Many suppose that Christ preached to these spirits while he laid in the tomb. The following considerations show, that this supposition is wrong:—
1. The word preach is used many times in the Scriptures. It always refers to proclamation of the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:19. And after the resurrection of Christ it refers specially to the proclamation of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Those that preach, “bring glad tidings of good things.” Rom. 10:15. The sum of Paul’s preaching was, that Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day. 1 Cor. 15:3-5. This he calls the gospel or the glad tidings. Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection. Acts 17:18. He preached that Christ had risen from the dead. 1 Cor. 15:12. But Christ could not preach the glad tidings of his resurrection from the dead while he still lay in the tomb. He had to burst the gates of hades before he could bring others out with him.
Those who came out with Christ from hades were not rebellious sinners from the days of Noah. They were saints. Matt. 27:52. And they were no doubt the same saints, that ascended with him, when he returned to his Father. Eph. 4:8.
2. Christ preached to the spirits while they were disobedient and in prison. There was no need of preaching to them or keeping them in prison when they were no longer disobedient or had become reconciled to God. Perhaps you suppose that they were also disobedient after the days of Noah? But the Scriptures do not say so. Therefore you do not know anything about it. They were disobedient in the days of Noah. And a preaching for reformation must necessarily occur while the people are disobedient.
3. There is no instance in the Holy Scriptures showing that the gospel is preached when the longsuffering of God is past. But the text states plainly that “the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah.” When the flood came, the time of grace had passed for those who hardened their hearts against the warning preaching of God through Noah.
4. Sheol is translated “grave” in Eccl. 9:10. The same word is many times translated “hell” in the Old Testament. None can deny that this sheol is the “hell” in which Christ remained while he was in the tomb. Acts 2:27, 31. But in this sheol or realm of the dead “there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom.” Eccl. 9:10.
5. Christ did not preach personally to these disobedient people, but by his Spirit. 1 Pet. 3:19. This was the Spirit that quickened him. Verse 18. None can deny that this is the same Holy Spirit which strove with the disobedient spirits or people in the days of Noah. Gen. 6:3. “The Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.” If the Lord has once declared, that his Spirit should not strive with these disobedient persons any longer than until the flood, then the Spirit, of Christ, which is the same as the Spirit of God, could not afterward strive with them again in direct contradiction to the word of God. This point cannot easily be contradicted.
Then how and when did Christ preach to these spirits?
He preached by his Spirit through Noah, who was a “preacher of righteousness.” 2 Pet. 2:5. This was done while the spirits were disobedient, while the longsuffering of God waited, while the Spirit of God strove with man, in the days of Noah. The wicked were then in prison or reserved unto the judgment of the flood. In the same manner the wicked who now live are “reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Pet. 3:7.
JOHN G. MATTESON.
THE DEVIL’S IRON WEDGE.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Satan is no fool; he is a good mechanic. Long experience has taught him just what kind of tools to use. A small, sharp, iron wedge is a great favorite with him.
Probably most of our readers know how to split rails. It is a trade like anything else. An experienced man can split the toughest log, one which the green hand would pronounce a hard case, impossible to split. I have split a great many rails in Western New York. Let me describe how it is done. Here lies a white oak log, ten feet long, two feet through, gnarled, winding, and tough. It looks like a hopeless job to lay that out into rails. Nevertheless, it can be done. The old log lies there, and laughs in your face, and says, “Touch me if you dare; take the rails out of here if you can.” And the rails say, “See how united we are, see how we stick together, see how we love each other. Divide us? no, never. We are not at all afraid of that.” But the old rail-splitter walks around it, looks it all over, and deliberately lays his plans, and goes at it.
Reader, how do you suppose he commences? Does he begin with a large, clumsy, wooden wedge, trying to drive that in first? He might try forever without success. There lies an iron wedge; he takes that up. How does he use it? Does he commence by trying to drive it in the largest end first? Oh! no; he would not succeed very well that way. No, sir; the first thing he does, is to take his little, light, sharp-edged ax, and strike a few blows marking out where he wants the log to split. The ax does not penetrate an inch deep, and bounds out quickly; and the old log sneers at the futile attempt. But the woodman knows that he has made a beginning. Now he looks around, and finds his smallest, brightest, and sharpest little iron wedge. He places the sharp point of this in one of the little gashes made by the still sharper ax. The rails however lie there very quietly and unconcerned. They say, “What does that little thing amount to. Suppose, Mr. Woodman, you get that little wedge clear in, it won’t amount to much, that will never split this great log, and divide us, and get us separated.” But the rail-splitter views the matter differently. So he lifts his maul, and lays on blow after blow till the little wedge is entirely buried in the end. Not much of an opening has been made, just a little crack, a few inches deep. But that is a beginning. He follows this up now with a larger iron wedge placed in the opening made by the little sharp-edged tool. Again he lifts the maul—listen! crack, snap, go the splinters, and soon you have an opening of an inch and a half wide and perhaps two feet deep or more.
Now the old log begins to groan. It did not care anything about the strokes of the little ax, nor the work of the small wedge; but this larger wedge troubles it some. But the work does not end there. The rail-splitter now brings forward a large wooden wedge. He inserts the blunt end of this clumsy tool into the opening made by the smaller wedges. Whew! Listen now—crack, snap, twing—see how rapidly that rent grows in the old log! It creeps along down the sides and into the heart, while every splinter cries out in alarm, “What shall be done? Let us out with that big wedge or we are ruined.” But it is too late now. A still larger wedge follows each preceding one, till finally twenty rails lie there each one separate from the other.
Now let us transfer this to the church. The devil’s work is to separate the members one from the other, as a man separates a log into rails. But how is this to be done? Look at that little church just brought out into the truth. They are all rejoicing in the light, and happy in the Lord and in each other’s confidence. They love to associate together, to pray and talk and sing together. It is the delight of their lives. They are perfectly united. They feel as though nothing could ever separate them. But the devil has succeeded so many times that he never despairs of even the most united church. But where shall he commence? How shall he get his wedge in? He knows it is useless to commence with some great affair. It would be impossible for him to get those brethren or sisters into a real hand to hand fight. No; they would be frightened at the very idea. He could not get one of them to steal from another. They would never think of it. He knows that he must commence with some small matter. Like the rail-splitter, he must begin with his smallest and brightest iron wedge.
The devil looks the church all over, and studies each member carefully. Pretty soon he finds his tool. Quite generally it is that little, smooth-tongued, talkative sister. He watches. Now he prompts her to commence tattling a little, or surmising or magnifying some small thing. Then he finds another tool in some silly one who will run and carry this to another member. There! the work has begun. The devil has got his little iron wedge in; but now it must not be left there. It must be driven clear in. So he induces every member that comes along to take up the maul and hit it a blow. At every stroke it enters deeper. The work is now encouragingly begun. Now the devil is ready for something larger. He soon finds occasion to follow up this little opening with a more grave matter. A larger wedge is put in.
Now the members forget the other affair, and turn their attention to pounding this wedge, and in it goes deeper and deeper. Now the church is in trouble. It begins to groan and sigh and shed tears, while the devil laughs. But he does not let it rest there. He must keep following it up. By this time he has managed to provoke some one to say some very harsh thing of another. All right, this is just what he wanted. This is his big wooden wedge. He puts that in the rent, and now sets every one lustily to mauling this, when the work is done. Like the old oak log, the church now lies split right in two. The balance of the work is easy. It is a small matter now to split them up into factions.
My brother, my sister, is your church in trial? How did it come about? The devil did it of course, but who was his tool? He could not have done it without his little iron wedge. Where did he find that? Have you unwittingly submitted yourself to do this work of Satan? Are you the devil’s iron wedge?
D. M. CANRIGHT.
“THE LAW FOR SUNDAY.”
By R. F. Cottrell
Under this title Bro. U. S. has clearly shown that the facts and circumstances of the first-day meeting at Troas, Acts 20:7, instead of making that day the Sabbath, prove the very reverse, showing clearly that Paul and his companions did not so regard it. It may be objected that they were only passengers on the ship, and were obliged to do as we do now, when making a long voyage, that is, they must go when the master of the ship was ready to sail. But it is evident from the narrative that the disciples, and Paul especially, controlled the sailing of the ship, the places of stopping, and the length of time they should tarry at any given place. Read the following language in proof.
“And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for SO HAD HE APPOINTED, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.” And the next day we came to Miletus; for PAUL HAD DETERMINED to sail BY Ephesus, (that is, pass it without stopping,) because he would not spend the time in Asia; for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.”
Thus it is clear that Paul controlled the time of sailing, the places of stopping as they were coasting along, and the length of their stay at any place; and this strengthens the inference that adverse winds had prevented their arrival at Troas before the preceding Sabbath, and though they were in haste and had no time to spare, yet Paul judged it important to remain and spend one Sabbath with them, the Sabbath that he might otherwise have spent at Ephesus, and start early on first-day, and pass by Ephesus without stopping. And the miraculous work done at Troas, and the very interesting meeting they enjoyed, justified the apostle’s judgment, showing that he was directed by the Spirit of God. R. F. COTTRELL.
“WHAT IF THEY ARE?”
By R. F. Cottrell
Such was the language of a venerable preacher, in reply to the acknowledgment of another, that the 2300 days of Dan 8:14 are ended. It is astonishing with what indifference professed believers can look upon the word of God. Although the great God would reveal to men a set time, far in the future, for a certain work to take place, in the great plan of human salvation, and it be of no importance to us to know when the appointed time is come, or what the work is that is then to be done. The Lord does not trifle with men, nor speak words that are of no importance and non-essential. These words were not thus revealed to man by the ministration of angels, for us to treat with indifference; they were not put into the Bible to make it a large book; but for men to be interested in, and understand; and we may be sure, not only that it will be known when the days are ended, but that a momentous work will succeed their termination, a work in which we are all deeply interested. When a time is appointed for the session of a county court, all who have causes to be tried are interested; and shall the appointed time come for eternal decisions, and the “hour of God’s Judgment is come” be proclaimed to the inhabitants of the earth, and we feel no interest in it?
“Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” These are the words of the great God, given for our instruction and salvation. “Shall a trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”
I beseech the reader who is not informed on the subject of this text, to procure our advertised works, and search out the truth; for it is a matter in which all should feel that they have an interest. R. F. COTTRELL.
The Delight of Personal Industry
By Wilberforce
God has made the mind of man so that a peculiar deliciousness resides in the fruits of personal industry.—Wilberforce.
Pure Heart as Safeguard of the Intellect
By C. C. Bonney
THE history of the world teaches no lesson with more impressive solemnity than this: that the only safeguard of a great intellect, is a pure heart: that evil no sooner takes possession of the heart, than folly commences the conquest of the mind.—C. C. Bonney.
Faith and Works in Salvation
By Bethune
WE are not saved by faith without works, for there is no such faith in Christ. Nor are we saved by works without faith, for no works but those that flow from faith are acceptable to God.—Bethune.
SOUTHERN FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Since moving to the city of Valence, I have visited all the Protestant preachers in Valence, and have labored to get the good will of the authorities. My object in visiting the preachers was to correct false impressions they had received about us through our enemies, to give them an opportunity to investigate our views on prophecy and to invite us to preach to their congregations. I explained much of the chart, prayed with them, and invited them to visit us. The way was then opened to visit in families and get subscribers for LES SIGNES DES TEMPS. The preachers could not take advantage of us by saying that we took a secretive and underhanded course, and I was prepared to meet the oft-repeated interrogation, “Have you seen our pastor?”
I have obtained about forty names for LES SIGNES in fifteen different communes, villages, and cities in France, Switzerland and Germany. Thus far I have secured fourteen paying subscribers. This week has been one of great labor and marked success. Sunday morning I went to a meeting of Friends or Darbyists in the city of Valence. At the close of this meeting the speaker came to me, showing friendly feelings. I handed him two printed sheets, one on my character and my desire to preach to the people of France, and the other giving my leading subjects. I was at once invited to preach at 3 P. M. I was on hand, and spoke on the most striking signs of the coming of Christ. The hall was well filled. At the close of my discourse, I opened my chart, made a few remarks on its leading symbols, then introduced LES SIGNES as the organ explaining these symbols. I handed out several sample numbers, and took the names and residences of those who accepted them, promising to call on them.
Monday and Tuesday, I visited in Valence and in two communes near Valence, and obtained eight paying subscribers. Monday night it seemed as though I had labored to the full extent of my strength, and that I could not go any farther without endangering my life. My vocal organs refused to act. Just then the speaker who had invited me to speak, called on me with several of his most influential friends, and attacked me on the Sabbath question. They came determined to conquer or surrender. They spoke half an hour, and I replied. The conversation lasted till past 11. God gave strength and a glorious victory. All acknowledged that I had the truth, and thanked me for the light. Tuesday I met with these friends, and spoke all the forenoon, and started for this place to consult with Bro. Andrews on important matters. I shall return to Valence next week. I left the friends in that city reading on the Sabbath question. Mrs. Bourdeau will visit among them till my return.
On my way to this place, I called on an English minister at Lausanne, Switzerland, who had been taking LES SIGNES, and with whom I had held a correspondence. I staid with him nearly two days, speaking with him and a bitter opponent on the prophecy and on the Sabbath, etc. He treated me after a godly sort, and gave me names for LES SIGNES.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Neuchâtel, Switzerland, March 16, 1877.
NEW YORK.
Cattaraugus Co.
We came to East Otto, Friday, March 30. Roads exceedingly bad. This is a hilly country,—very rough. Sugar-making and dairying are the occupations. Many of the people are quite wealthy. The brethren in the county are very much scattered, so that it is difficult holding meetings anywhere. There are from one to eight or ten, here and there, many miles apart. About thirty came together at this meeting. Some came sixty miles. Many of the neighbors came in Sabbath evening, and I preached. Sabbath morning Bro. Reynolds spoke. Then we made an effort for those who needed to seek the Lord. Nine young persons came forward, and all spoke. Then we had a good social season. I spoke at the village in the evening to a good house, and Bro. R. the next night to a still larger audience. I believe here is a good opening.
Sunday we organized a church,—a work which ought to have been done years ago. Eighteen united. About three churches will be organized in the county. Bro. King was chosen elder; Bro. Winkley, deacon; and Sr. Torrance, clerk. Then we organized s. B., amounting, for the whole church, to $245, and voted the one-third for the T. and M. work. Regular weekly meetings will now be held here. Family prayers were established where they had never had them before, and other good steps were taken. I formed a high opinion of the good character and moral worth of these families. If they do their duty, by the help of God they can build up a strong influence around East Otto. They should build a house there soon.
Monday, I came twelve miles to Great Valley. Ten Sabbath-keepers live here. These unite with the East Otto church, but have a branch society here. Bro. Fitch was chosen and ordained deacon, and will lead this branch of the church. They pledged liberally on s. B. and for the T. and M. Society. The Baptists were holding a revival meeting here. They invited me to preach to them. I spoke upon the sufferings of Christ. They were greatly pleased. Some have lately embraced the Sabbath here. Proper labor would bring out enough more to form a good church. Such an effort should be made soon. Bro. Cottrell has done most of the work in this county.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
St. Lawrence Co.
I came to this county March 23, more especially to labor to get our brethren more fully interested in the circulation of the SIGNS, and REFORMER. March 24 and 25, I was with the church at Norfolk; March 30, at Buck’s Bridge; and March 31 and April 1, at Pierrepont.
The brethren in these localities feel the hard times even more than in some other parts of the State, and some felt as though our proportion of the SIGNS should be paid for from the one-third voted to the Tract Society; but when we laid before them the fact, that were we to do this in the present condition of the Society, we should have no means with which to provide for other departments of the tract work, they readily came forward and subscribed for 45 copies of the SIGNS to be paid for on the monthly installment plan. We hope to see this number considerably increased before we leave the county, and expect that those brethren in these churches who were not present at our meetings will also take hold and do their proportion in this enterprise when their attention is called to it. Several copies of the REVIEW and REFORMER were also subscribed for, and we have furnished several with premiums, who will canvass for the SIGNS and REFORMER.
March 27 and 28, I visited Sciota, Clinton Co., where Bro. J. E. Morin has been laboring for several weeks past among the French. There are fifteen or sixteen keeping the Sabbath. I spoke to them Tuesday evening, after which we had a good social meeting, in which nearly all took part giving testimonies in both French and English. We hope to see a good society of French Sabbath-keepers established in this locality.
B. L. WHITNEY.
Parma.
THE cause here is progressing finely. The Baptist revivalist is helping us materially. The course pursued by him in their meetings is such as to make our old friends all the firmer and give us new ones.
Last Sabbath meeting was a sweet season. Some who have never professed religion, with deep emotion expressed their determination, not only to keep the Sabbath, but to enter heartily into the work of the Lord. The attendance during the past week has not been as large as usual on account of extremely bad weather and roads, but the interest is constantly deepening.
We have obtained about fifteen names for our papers, and expect to get a good many more. The other day we received a substantial token of appreciation of our labors from the community in the form of a purse of twenty-two and a half dollars in cash.
S. B. WHITNEY.
IOWA
Sigourney.
Our general quarterly meeting at this place, March 24 and 25, was an interesting occasion. Considering the unfavorable going there was a good attendance. There were five directors present, and all the other general officers of the Society. The finances of the Society are improving, and we trust that it will get fully out of debt the present year, though times are harder in this State than for twenty years. The secretary’s report will show, in some respects, quite an increase in labor, but in others a great deficiency. It is exceedingly hard finding paying subscribers for the SIGNS this year, and it has been to me a source of deep regret that we have made such a failure in this respect, for this excellent paper is worthy of most extensive circulation. The Society strongly recommends the proposed plan of clubbing the SIGNS, and we hope this will be generally adopted by all our churches.
The encouraging part is not so much the things we have seen done as tokens of an increase of interest on the part of many. Our people begin evidently to feel they want to get into a better place and do more for God. They are not so well satisfied as they were; and some are making the effort, and the flame begins to kindle. This omens good for the cause. The Lord is at work here and there in our Conference. We were all made glad by the presence of Bro. Hollenbeck and Starr at our meeting. The former has been totally blind from infancy. He was educated at the State Asylum for the blind at Vinton, Iowa. For four years he has been preaching as a revivalist whenever he has a call, and laboring for the salvation of his fellow-men. He goes out without salary and sometimes without attendant, and the Lord has blessed his labors to the conversion of many. He first learned of this people from a sister in Bradford, Ia., three years ago. Since that time, he has been gradually changing his views, embracing first the Advent doctrine, then the truth on the state of the dead, and a few weeks back the Sabbath of the Lord, the messages, and sanctuary. His heart is full of love to the Lord and his truth. His experience was most interesting. He has a mind to appreciate it.
Bro. Starr is a young man, converted a year since, but he has been constantly engaged in working for the Lord in company with others since, and recently in company with Bro. H. He stated at the meeting that “he too was a victim to the Tract and Missionary Society.” We hope for many such “victims.” May God bless these dear brethren. And in this connection I must mention another case which has caused great joy among us recently. We learn it from a recent letter from Bro. E. W. Farnsworth, who is laboring in Dakota Ter. He found a company of eleven Swedes keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, who had never seen a S. D. Adventist minister. Among these was one who had been a Baptist minister of influence with the Swedish Baptists. His mind had been troubled for years on the Sabbath question; but a few years since he found a copy of the TIDENDE at a friend’s house, in which he learned of the HAROLD, our Swedish paper, and sent for it. He commenced keeping the Sabbath, and ten others with him; and they were all turned out of the Baptist church on this account.
How evidently the Lord is working upon the hearts of men, and affecting their hearts favorably toward his truth! Here are three earnest Christian laborers brought to the knowledge of the truth without hearing a sermon, by the circulation of our reading matter. If they are faithful to God, who can tell how many they may bring to the Lord? Our meeting was one of real interest. The house was well filled, and Sunday night it was packed full of interested listeners. I would gladly have staid longer had it not been for other appointments and other duties. I think I have never been so urged in my life to go to so many places to preach as this winter and spring. At almost every place where I go, from one to half a dozen will plead with me to go here and there. “Can’t you go and preach one sermon? We will get a large house for you,” etc., etc.
There is work, work, everywhere, and all of it seems necessary to be done. And there are men in the State who ought to be consecrated to it, who are not. There were some evidences at our meeting that individuals who are capable, were thinking of this more seriously than ever before. This caused our hearts to be glad. We presented the subject of S. B. before the church Monday. It was well received, and the church voted to accept the plan set before us by the General Conference, giving the one-third to the T. and M. work. Altogether the meeting was a good one. We hope to see the cause brighten up a good deal in Iowa before long, and to see our people taking hold of the work of the Lord with earnest zeal. May God grant this, and bless our Conference as well as other parts of the field. GEO. I. BUTLER.
Hook’s Point.
I commenced meetings here about five weeks ago. After holding a few meetings, a protracted meeting was thrown in upon us, and we withdrew to a place five miles away in the country. We had been there only a few days when the same minister followed us. He also sent to Ft. Dodge for their presiding elder, who came to his help.
Their efforts served to ripen our work and bring the people to a decision. Over twenty have taken their stand to keep the Sabbath, and eleven have joined the church. We hope for others. May the Lord help this dear people. J. H. MORRISON.
THE PACIFIC COAST.
(Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.)
Salem, Or.
During Bro. Van Horn’s labors here, five started to live the truth, and seven united with the church, making the number nineteen. Others were preparing to join. He baptized five. He was to start about Mar. 10 for Walla Walla, to labor for a while. He writes that his family are again well.
Mendocino Co., Cal.
At Christine, Anderson Valley, Bro. Healey began lectures Feb. 22, and preached twenty-two sermons. It was a rainy time, but the audience increased from forty to over one hundred. He organized a church of twenty-six, and S. B. for 1877 to the amount of $350, which he considered quite liberal for that place, as they are generally poor, and those who have been keeping the Sabbath in the county have already paid over119$100, making nearly $500 paid and pledged on S. B. for 1877. He found a general willingness to leave the use of tobacco, pork, etc.
Fairview.
At the general quarterly meeting, Mar. 17, 18, four were added to the church, two requested to sign the covenant, and one was baptized.
Napa, San Jose, and Oakland.
QUARTERLY meetings have recently been held in these places. Bro. Loughborough says, the result is an increasing interest to hear the truth. In these places, he noticed many strangers in the congregation. These, he found, were persons who were reading the extra copies of the SIGNS distributed by the missionary workers. He was introduced to some who had recently embraced the truth by reading, and were present to hear for the first time a sermon by an Adventist.
PATIENT WAITING.
Courage, O soul! In meekness wait,
Narrow the way, straight be the gate;
Press on! For is there not reward
To him who waiteth on the Lord?
What blesses every cup of care?
Sweet patience bravely to endure.
What charms the woe of careless pain?
The patient valor to sustain.
Wouldst thou go work the Master's field?
Do earth-built bars refuse to yield?
Patience! Unto thy God is known
When the whole world is open thrown.
Do foes assail with treacherous lies?
Does thy heart-anguish pierce the skies?
Patience! Behold thy bitter tears
Are bottled by the God who hears.
Oh! art thou weary fighting through?
Is victory far off to view?
Do heart and tongue make sad complaint?
Are faith and hope so weak and faint?
In dust and ashes art thou bowed?
Is there no rainbow in the cloud?
Does the unreal real seem?
Is life a sob, a sigh, a dream?
Patience, O soul! Look upward higher;
Who bears thee on shall never tire;
To patient waiting shall be given
Full entrance through the gates of Heaven.
—Illustrated Christian Weekly.
WISCONSIN
By I. Sanborn
We commenced meetings at Nasonville, Wood Co., March 21, and continued until April 2, having a good hearing. Here was a company of ten Sabbath-keepers when our meetings commenced. We found them ready to assist in laboring for their friends and neighbors. How much more easily the servant of God gains access to the hearts of unconverted people living under the influence of such Sabbath-keepers!
The Presbyterian minister, with whom we had the discussion at Maple Works, met us here also, at our first meeting, determined to oppose the work. I gave him the privilege of preaching the next evening, which he improved. The next evening I spoke on the nature of the promises of God, the minister being present to hear. I did not mention his name, nor make any reference to him; but presented many plain texts of Scripture proving that the faith and hope of Seventh-day Adventists are in perfect harmony with the holy word of God. From that time to the close of our meetings the interest continued to rise; and the result is twelve were converted to the Sabbath of the Lord. Fifteen signed the covenant making twenty-five who are now keeping the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. We have promised them another visit in the month of June from Eld. Decker or myself, for the purpose of administering the ordinance of baptism and organizing a church.
Our address, till further notice, will be Mindoro, La Crosse Co. Wis. I. SANBORN.
TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY.
By S. Osborn
After the close of the meeting at Coopertown, Tenn., March 11, I went with Bro. G. K. Owen to Sycamore Mills, to assist him in commencing a course of lectures; after which we separated, after having labored very pleasantly together for some weeks. God bless him in his work. From there I went to the Ridge church in Cheatham Co. Attended to some important business of the church, including the ordination of an elder and deacon. Here two more commenced to keep the Sabbath. From there we went to Edgefield Junction to attend the quarterly meeting, which was held Mar. 23, 24. Sabbath I baptized three. In attending the ordinances, the solemnity of the occasion rested upon us. Bro. Soule was with us, and aided much. At a business meeting, their s. b. was raised from $28.90 to $40.30, and one-third more was added for missionary purposes. Well done.
Mar. 31 and Apr. 1, I met the church at Elizabethtown, Ky. God blessed us much. On the Sabbath, I baptized three, one of whom was my mute daughter. At a business meeting on Sunday it was voted (if it pleases the General Conference) to have a camp-meeting this year in connection with the Conference at Bear Wallow, four miles from the R. R., at Horse Cave, commencing May 16, at eve., and continuing over Sunday.
I will now visit the churches before tent season. My P. O. address is Elizabethtown, Harden Co., Ky.
S. OSBORN.
Essex and Bridgeville
Michigan.
Essex and Bridgeville.
I commenced meetings in Essex, Clinton Co., Dec. 11. After I had presented the law and Sabbath questions, Eld. E. Mudge, Christian, told his hearers that he would set the Sabbath question all right in about ten days. This quieted the minds of those interested, and I could do no more than hold the people. His arguments were very weak. I reviewed him with good liberty. His people closed the house against me. Four took their stand for the truth; others were convinced, but have not yet obeyed.
I then went to Bridgeville, Gratiot Co. None obeyed here, but the truth gained many friends.
I next went three miles north. Here Eld. Pratt, Congregationalist, spoke against the Sabbath. His arguments were so weak that they only strengthened the honest. Seven took hold of the Sabbath, and two others, who were keeping the Sabbath before, made a start for the first time to serve God.
By invitation I again commenced meetings six miles north, with a good congregation and good interest. I held six meetings, when the roads became so bad that it was thought best to close for the present. The influence of the meetings upon the people was good. The Lord has helped to present his truth.
Lucius A. Kellogg.
Matherton, Ionia Co., Mich.
Quarterly Report of State T. and M. Society.
The second State quarterly meeting of the Michigan Tract Society for the present Conference year was held at Lapeer, April 1. Meeting opened in the usual manner.
The traveling being exceedingly bad, the attendance was not large. A good degree of interest was manifested by those present. After the reading of the report of the preceding quarterly meeting, the report of labor during the past quarter was read. It is evident there is an increasing interest in the missionary work, at least in some portions of the State. Eleven districts were represented by reports; five, by directors.
The reports showed labor performed as follows: No. of pages of tracts distributed, 379,961; almanacs distributed, 9,040; over 1500 families visited; 572 letters written; periodicals distributed, 5,102. New subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 37; REFORMER, 320; INSTRUCTOR, 235; TIDENDE, 4; HAROLD, 27.
Rec’d for memberships, $90.00
“ by donations, 173.20
“ “ book sales, 121.89
“ from new subscribers, 297.47
Total, $682.56.
The reports showed that less than 1000 copies of the SIGNS had been taken, and these principally by those churches where they had formed clubs. The president of the Conference had previously apportioned to each district the number of copies of the SIGNS which it was expected to furnish to interested readers. This apportionment was based upon the membership of the Society. Each church in Dist. No. 13 has formed a club for the SIGNS, varying from 8 to 30 copies. The apportionment for the district was 101; but reports showed that 168 paying subscribers had been obtained for the REFORMER, and 125 copies of the SIGNS had been taken.
Previous to last fall, Dist. No. 10, of which No. 13 forms a part, performed the least amount of labor of any in the State, in proportion to its size; and that portion which constitutes No. 13 manifested the least interest in missionary work. This shows what can be done throughout the State, if each district will manifest the same interest. In a number of instances the brethren found that they could use more than first ordered, and have increased their number from four to ten copies.
The following resolution was passed by the directors:—
Whereas, There has been a failure in obtaining the requisite number of subscribers for the SIGNS by canvassing, as was at first proposed, and
Whereas, Those districts which have more fully adopted the plan of clubbing for the SIGNS have been the most successful in obtaining interested readers and filling their respective proportions, therefore,
Resolved, That we urge a response from each church in this Conference to the repeated calls which have been made to form clubs of not less than eight copies, and as many more as can be used by such a company or church; also individuals living alone we recommend to take eight or more copies; and further
Resolved, That, as the one-third is not sufficient to pay for the apportionment of the SIGNS and for other purposes set forth in the resolution passed at the extra session of the General Conference, Nov. 12, 1876, we recommend that our brethren, when they are able to do so, pay for the SIGNS thus taken all, or in part, by monthly installments.
Eld. Haskell related instances showing that the Lord blessed efforts in missionary labor, when there is an anxiety on the part of persons to engage in it. He also spoke of the magnitude of the work.
Eld. Lamson remarked that the work to be done was almost incomprehensible and expressed his interest in the missionary work.
The directors also spoke in reference to the vastness of the work, and their determination never to give up until their part was accomplished.
It was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting at Battle Creek, June 30 and July 1.