Review and Herald, Vol. 52, No. 25.
ADDRESS AND APPEAL, SETTING FORTH THE IMPORTANCE OF MISSIONARY WORKPage 1
Earlier text: ADDRESS AND APPEAL, SETTING FORTH THE IMPORTANCE OF MISSIONARY WORKSabbath School Department.
By G. H. Bell
LESSONS FOR BIBLE CLASSES.
LESSON XLVI.—THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST.
1. What offices did Christ fill? 2. What office did he fill when upon earth? 3. In what office has he been acting since his ascension? 4. In what office will he come to earth the second time? 5. What proof can you give that he will come as a king? 6. What is his last work as priest? 7. What will he do when this work is completed? 8. To whom has this coronation scene been presented in vision? 9. Where may we find a brief description of it? 10. For what purpose does Christ come to the earth the second time? 11. Into what state will those be brought who are accounted worthy of this change? 13. Could it be possible that such blessings would be conferred upon men before their sins were blotted out? 14. When are their sins to be blotted out? Acts 3:19. 15. What great event takes place immediately after this time of refreshing? 16. Then which comes first in the point of time, the blotting out of sins, or the second advent of Christ? 17. The blotting out of sins is a part of what work? 18. To what does the cleansing of the sanctuary pertain? 19. Then does the investigative Judgment come before or after the second coming of Christ? 20. What scripture furnishes further proof of this fact? 21. Who are to have part in the first resurrection? 22. Can they be accounted worthy before their account has been examined, and decision rendered in their cases? 23. To what work does this examination and decision belong? 24. Then to what conclusion must we come? 25. When did the cleansing of the sanctuary begin? 26. When did the investigative Judgment commence? 27. In what does the cleansing of the sanctuary consist? 28. What does Christ do after this work is completed? 29. What will he do immediately after his coronation? 30. What proofs can you give that the investigative Judgment will precede the second coming of Christ? Christ is a prophet, priest, and king. When he was upon the earth he was a teacher, or prophet; since his ascension, he has acted as High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary; but when he comes again, he will come as King of kings, and Lord of lords, as may be seen by reading Rev. 19:11, and onward. The cleansing of the sanctuary and laying the sins of his people upon Satan is his last work as priest. He then comes before his Father to be crowned king. This coronation scene was presented to Daniel in vision, and is briefly described in Dan. 7:13, 14. When Christ comes to earth, he comes to give a resurrection to the righteous dead, and translation to the righteous living. See 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. Those who are accounted worthy of this change will then be made immortal. Luke 20:35, 36. These are they of whom it is said, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Rev. 20:6. Now it is certain that such blessings will not be conferred upon men until their sins have been blotted out. It would be mockery to call them to account for their sins after they had been made immortal, had become like the angels, and had reigned with Christ a thousand years. But their sins are to be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, as will be seen from Acts 3:19, 20. Immediately after this, Christ is to come. Acts 3:20, 21. We see, then, that the sins of God’s people are to be blotted out before Christ comes to the earth to gather his jewels. But the blotting out of sins is a part of the work of cleansing the sanctuary, and pertains to the investigative Judgment. Thus we see that the cleansing of the sanctuary and the investigative Judgment precede the second advent of our Lord to this earth. This is further proved by Luke 20:35, 36, which speaks of some who are accounted worthy of a part in the first resurrection. Now they cannot be accounted worthy till their account has been examined, and decision rendered in their cases. But this examination of accounts and decision of cases is the work of the Judgment, and so that work must take place before the first resurrection, and also before the second coming of Christ; for that resurrection takes place at the time of his coming. PINE MEADOWS.—I held meetings with the brethren here Nov. 6 to 9. Reviewed a sermon on the Sabbath question, and a good impression was left in the community in favor of the truth. GOODENOUGH DISTRICT.—Have spent two Sabbaths with the friends here since Nov. 1. Our director, Bro. Wm. H. Brown, accompanied me, and at our last meeting, Dec. 7, we were greatly encouraged at the progress which these brethren and sisters are making. They are leaving off tobacco, tea, coffee, and pork, and are learning that Christian temperance is an element in Christian character. The Lord is blessing them in these moves. When the tract work was set before them, they took hold of it with alacrity, and a society of nine members was formed; and we obtained three subscribers for the REVIEW, one for the SIGNS, and sold three volumes of “Spirit of Prophecy.” There is some outside interest here, and if these friends are humble and walk in the light they have received, others will be added to their number. M. H. BROWN. PENNSYLVANIA
By H. E. Robinson; J. E. Robinson
We began meetings at Oswayo, Nov. 26, and continued them until last night. On account of unfavorable weather and bad roads, the attendance was not large; but the friends here seemed to be strengthened and encouraged, and several others, we think, will soon begin to keep the Sabbath. We shall soon commence meetings in a school-house about three miles from this place. DAKOTA TERRITORY.
By C. L. B. Aurner
The church at Swan Lake is still striving in the face of many difficulties to walk in obedience to divine commands. We have a beautiful little church in which we meet each Sabbath except the second one of each month, when services are held in a school-house a few miles east, for the benefit of those living in that locality. Among our fifty-five members there are many earnest ones, anxious to do something to help extend the knowledge of the truth. E. A. Pullen, a young brother who came from Minnesota last summer, a few weeks since packed a lot of German and American tracts, and, on foot, started for the Dakota River some fifty miles from his home. At the little village of Olivet he gave some tracts to a family; as the result two families, four persons, have commenced the observance of the Sabbath. He also visited the Russian settlements, and distributed German tracts. At last accounts, twenty-five Russians were keeping the Sabbath. This is a “start.” Eld. Hanson was with us ten days, preaching constantly. It was good to have him with us once more. He is always welcome. We should never cease to remember the labors of this pioneer, who has built up the most of the work in this territory. He is a fluent, enthusiastic speaker, and fine singer. Next Sabbath there will be baptism. We are looking for Eld. Whitney’s arrival, and wish to aid him to the extent of our ability. C. L. B. AURNER. [Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.] North Pacific Conference.
Since the 30th of July, Bro. Van Horn has been laboring at Walla Walla, Milton, and Dayton. Bro. W. L. Raymond has assisted in these meetings. The Dayton church has been fully organized, three have been disfellowshipped, and two received by baptism. The church now numbers nineteen, and is in a prosperous condition. At a new place thirty miles from Dayton, ten commenced to keep the Sabbath. Five united with the church at Milton, two by baptism and three by letter. This is a strong church, numbering thirty-four members. Bro. M. C. Israel held meetings in the interest of the tract and missionary society with the churches at San Jose and Gilroy. The brethren and sisters took hold heartily. At Pacheco and Lafayette Bro. E. R. Gillett held meetings for the same purpose, with very encouraging results. Although the churches in these places are small, forty-nine copies of the SIGNS are taken for missionary work. QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS
By C.
SABBATH-SCHOOL HINTS.—NO. 4.
QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.
Knowledge is indispensable in teaching, as it is impossible to teach that which we do not know ourselves. Neither can we teach that well which we understand but imperfectly; hence the first and most essential thing for a teacher is, to become thoroughly acquainted with the subject to be taught. To do this, every teacher should keep for reference a supply of publications covering the entire ground of the subjects he expects to teach. Another important point and one quite as essential is to be able, after becoming acquainted with a lesson, to impress its truths upon the hearts and consciences of others as vividly as they appear to his own mind. To accomplish this, the subject must be illustrated in the clearest and most simple style, in language adapted to the capacity of the pupil. Otherwise, he not only will not understand it, but he will lose all interest in the lesson and become restless, and impatient for the close of school. The habit of reading the lesson in the class is a pernicious one, and should never be indulged, because it tends to indolence and slackness in preparing the lessons. All teachers know this very well; and the only successful way to provide against it is for the teacher to set a good example by committing each lesson to memory himself. This he can never effectually do who utterly neglects his lesson all the week, and on Sabbath morning, the last thing before going to the class, sits down and hurriedly reads it over once or twice. How painful to listen to the minister who is unacquainted with his subject as he struggles along, blundering here, making a wrong quotation there, or frequently repeating certain portions of his subject in vain attempts to conceal his confusion arising from a lack of well-prepared matter, when all this might have been prevented by a little study and forethought. “John,” said a minister rather boastingly after service, “did you know that I never thought of that sermon before entering the desk?” “Well,” said John, “that’s just what Mr. Brown and I said while you were preaching.” Children are no less slow to set a just estimate on those who attempt to instruct them; and the teacher who habitually goes to his class without preparation will soon be made to see—if not entirely devoid of judgment—that he has committed a serious error. He who would secure the respect of his pupils, and thus have an influence over them for good, must avail himself of the ample provisions afforded him for qualifying himself for his work; the lesson and class-work must be made subjects of close thought and earnest prayer. Then, though he should ever feel that his “sufficiency is of God,” he will manifest a degree of confidence that will enliven and animate his class in a corresponding manner. A Sabbath-school teacher, of all others, should be provided with the very best helps that can be procured. After studying those works treating on the subject matter of the lessons, articles especially devoted to the wants of teachers, offering suggestions from Sabbath-school workers from all parts of the country, such as will appear from time to time in the REVIEW and INSTRUCTOR, and such as are frequently found in the best Sunday-school papers, could be read with much profit. But with all the methods, helps, and expedients that can be devised, there is one requisite without which success cannot be expected. Each one connected with this work must love God fervently, and have an earnest desire for the salvation of perishing souls. A constant nearness to Christ, an unwearying activity in his service, will keep the fire of love aglow. Sowing the seed faithfully, with earnest prayer, will bring the desired result, and “we shall reap if we faint not.” C. LANCASTER T. AND M. INSTITUTE.
By S. N. Haskell; John Norton Loughborough
This Institute, which opened at South Lancaster, Mass., Dec. 3, 1878, has just closed. It continued five days, holding each day two meetings of two hours each. The first meeting was occupied in organizing and setting forth the objects of the Institute and the manner in which it was to be conducted. Eld. S. N. Haskell was chosen president, and Eld. J. N. Loughborough secretary. D. A. Robinson, M. Wood, and Eliza Thayer were appointed a committee on supplies. On opening the first meeting Bro. Haskell said, “There are persons here and elsewhere197 whom God will use in a special manner in his cause if they will only come into such a position that he can use them. All should prepare themselves for usefulness. The object of holding these T. and M. Institutes from State to State is to give our people an opportunity of learning how to do missionary work in a systematic manner. From this commencement of T. and M. Institutes, I think the time will come when there will be a department in the Battle Creek College devoted to instructions in the proper manner of doing missionary work.” A call being made, fifty joined the class. These were arranged into four churches and two missionary districts. Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Sisters A. M. Loughborough and E. Thayer were appointed by the president as a committee to examine business letters, quarterly reports, balance sheets, etc., making corrections and suggestions on these documents and returning them to the students. These criticisms, with the oral instructions given by Bro. Haskell in connection with the lesson sheets he prepared and passed out to the students, made the school an occasion full of interest. Our time was well occupied, and we deeply regretted that we could not have three weeks for the Institute instead of five days. Some of the class had home cares demanding a part of their time, yet the average attendance was forty-eight out of the fifty. At the close of the last meeting the following resolutions were unanimously passed:— Whereas, In the providence of God, Bro. S. N. Haskell has been moved out to hold in South Lancaster a T. and M. Institute which has been profitably conducted, therefore Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude for the efforts of Bro. Haskell in this Institute, and that he has been enabled to make it a success. (Adopted by a rising vote.) Whereas, In the providence of God, Eld. J. N. Loughborough and wife have been with us and assisted in our T. and M. Institute, therefore Resolved, That we express our gratitude for their presence and assistance. Resolved, That we who have been attending this Institute from other places express our thanks to the South Lancaster church for the courtesies extended to us, and their care for our comfort during our stay among them. On the passage of this last resolution, the following was immediately presented and adopted by the members of the South Lancaster church: Resolved, by the South Lancaster church, That we express our gratitude for the privilege we have had of entertaining our brethren and sisters from other places during this T. and M. Institute. Realizing that words simply are but a slight compensation for Bro. Haskell’s arduous toil night and day during this Institute, a purse of $14.50 was raised, and presented to him, after reading a testimonial to which was attached the names of the donors. Thus closed this the first T. and M. Institute among S. D. Adventists, with the Spirit of God manifestly approving what had been done. So. Lancaster, Mass., Dec. 8. EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-NINE.
By Editor
Before the readers of the REVIEW receive the first number of the new volume, a new year will have dawned upon us. We wish to say a word in regard to the campaign for 1879. The cause of present truth was never growing more rapidly than at the present time. And every advance step and every new development in the way of growth gives many new items of interest to report, and adds new interest and importance to the REVIEW. Our columns are already overcrowded with matter. To fitly represent the growth of the work and the stirring interests connected with the proclamation of the message, four more pages are needed for the REVIEW each week, making the number of pages twelve, instead of eight as now. This lack is partially supplied by the Supplements which have been, and are to be, issued in connection with the REVIEW. The regular quarterly Supplements in behalf of the T. and M. work are already assured, and the press of other matter will probably make it necessary to issue others from time to time. During the past year the quarterly Supplements have been issued, and four others in addition, making in reality fifty-four papers for the year. When the change in the postal laws made it necessary for publishers to pre-pay the postage on their papers, the price of the REVIEW was not increased. And now, considering the amount of reading matter we give our subscribers, the REVIEW is as cheap a paper as is anywhere published. The larger papers devote a great share of their space to advertisements, which are not only of no interest or advantage to the general reader, but are a source of immense profit to the publisher, giving such papers a great advantage over papers which, like the REVIEW, give reading matter only, and entirely new matter every week. No pains will be spared to make the REVIEW the coming year better than ever before. The truth is clearer. Every year is adding to the experience and wisdom of the pioneers in this work. Prophecy is fulfilling. Startling events are transpiring. And as the mercury shrinks at the footfalls of coming winter, so all nature seems to give evidence of its fearful forebodings of the coming day. These are no times for sloth or indifference. The powers of darkness and the agents of evil are all astir, and they find, alas! strong allies in some of the popular religious teachers and papers of our day. If any class should be awake and filled with unwonted activity and zeal, it is those who have the great truths for this time to proclaim. Shall not the REVIEW list rise at once to from ten to fifteen thousand subscribers, the number that it ought to contain? Something has been done in this direction the past year, for which we are very glad. Our subscription list has been increased over one thousand. But we want to see much more done. May we not look for prompt renewals from all? and shall we not see avenues opened to thousands of new homes for its weekly visits? The REVIEW, we believe we can safely say, will be of special interest the coming volume and coming year, to those who love the truth, and be so conducted we trust, as to create a love for the truth in many hearts which as yet have it not. Contributors have done well, for which, one and all, they have our thanks. They have waited patiently for the appearance of their contributions, and some are waiting still. We shall relieve their patience as soon as possible. But now for a grand and general rally for 1879. Time is short. The little remnant left is daily growing less, and what is not done soon, will not be done at all. Beware, lest in this critical time some neglect occur which will result in eternal loss. A FALSE CRITICISM.
By John Nevins Andrews
Some time since a Methodist clergyman found, as he supposed, a contradiction in the History of the Sabbath, and he published this discovery in the columns of his denominational paper. Yesterday a friend informed me of this fact and requested me to give him an explanation of the matter. The supposed contradiction is found by comparing pages 217, 273, with page 295 of my History of the Sabbath. In the first two references it is said that the term Lord’s day is never found in the works of Irenæus nor in any sentence written by him found in any other author. But in the last of these references there is a quotation from what is called the “Lost Writings of Irenæus” in which the term “Lord’s day” is found. This appears to be a contradiction, and it is paraded before the public as such. The facts in the case are that the quotation from the “Lost Writings of Irenæus” is not the language of Irenæus himself, but a statement of some unknown writer concerning him. The quotation, as given in full in the “Testimony of the Fathers,” p. 49, is as follows:— “This [custom] of not bending the knee upon Sunday is a symbol of the resurrection, through which we have been set free, by the grace of Christ, from sins, and from death, which has been put to death under him. Now this custom took its rise from apostolic times, as the blessed Irenæus, the martyr and bishop of Lyons, declares in his treatise On Easter, in which he makes mention of Pentecost also; upon which [feast] we do not bend the knee, because it is of equal significance with the Lord’s day, for the reason already alleged concerning it.” The reader will see at once that this is not the language of Irenæus himself, but of some one concerning him. This is so fully set forth in the remarks following this extract in the work above referred to, that I here append a portion of them:— “This is something very remarkable. It is not what Irenæus said, after all, but is what an unknown writer, in a work entitled Quæs. et Resp. ad Orthod., says of him. And all that this writer says of Irenæus is that he declares the custom of not kneeling upon Sunday ‘took its rise from apostolic times’! It does not even appear that Irenæus ever used the term Lord’s day as a title for the first day of the week. Its use in the present quotation is by the unknown writer to whom we are indebted for the statement here given respecting Irenæus. And this writer, whoever he be, is of the opinion that Pentecost is of equal importance with the so-called Lord’s day.” During the same time that the revised edition of the History of the Sabbath was being issued, I published the “Testimony of the Fathers,” from which the foregoing extract and explanation are given, and hence closed up the history with the impression that this was in the history, which would fully explain the extract on p. 295. On page 273 of the History I make this statement: “It appears, however, from several statements in ancient writers, that he did mention the day, though no sentence of his in which it is mentioned is in existence.” And on this page and p. 217, I refer to the “Testimony of the Fathers” for the full testimony on this point. And this is not contradicted by the extract on p. 295; for I do not there say that the extract is the language of Irenæus himself. It thus appears that the statements in the History of the Sabbath are true to the letter, and the criticism of the Methodist clergyman wholly unfounded. Those who wish to look the matter up for themselves will find the testimony in the Ante-nicene Christian Library, Vol. ix. p. 162. This library can be found at any of the larger bookstores. It contains all the extant writings of all the fathers previous to the Council of Nicæa, A. D. 325. A foot-note by the editor, on the page above referred to, justifies the statement I have made. If that Methodist clergyman had looked the matter up for himself, he would have seen that there was no cause for criticism. J. N. A. THE CAUSE IN MASSACHUSETTS.
By John Norton Loughborough
TWENTY years ago, in the month of November, in company with Bro. and Sr. White, I first visited Massachusetts. We held a meeting at Clinton, two miles from South Lancaster, where I first saw Bro. S. N. Haskell. At that time there were but few Sabbath-keepers in New England, yet a goodly company met in this two-days’ meeting which was held in a private house. Sectarian bands were strong, and prejudice ran high against present truth; few would listen, and New England was considered a “hard field.” My second visit to the State was in the spring of 1863, when, by the General Conference of S. D. Adventists, I was sent to New England to take charge of a mission in the five New England States, excepting Vermont, as that had a State Conference already organized. For two years these five States were my field of labor. My work was organizing churches and s. b. among those already in the faith and getting our views before those not in the faith. A part of the time Eld. Stephen Pierce of Vermont was with me, and assisted much in the work among the churches. For eighteen months Eld. M. E. Cornell and myself labored to raise up a number of new churches. During the winter of 1863-4, a church was organized at South Lancaster consisting of eight members. Two others who were then keeping the Sabbath joined soon after, making the original Lancaster church of ten members. After an absence of thirteen years I am again permitted to hold a few meetings in Massachusetts. Nov. 22-24, I was with the church in Danvers. Thirteen years ago, and even two years ago, there were none in this place keeping the Lord’s Sabbath; now there is a large company, who have a neat and commodious house of worship. It was stormy most of the time of this meeting, so that few came in from Haverhill, Ipswich, and Newburyport. I was informed that had it been fair weather we would have had a full house of Sabbath-keepers. I spoke seven times with freedom, although suffering from the effects of a severe cold contracted at the close of the Rome, N. Y., meeting. Sunday afternoon and evening the citizens came in so that all seats were filled, and they gave the best of attention to the word spoken. If the church in Danvers are faithful to duty, their light will lead others to the truth. This seems to me to be an important point, being a central place for the churches above mentioned. With their house to accommodate general meetings, the church at Danvers is destined to become a nucleus to our cause in that part of the State. May the Lord bless his people in Danvers, and may they ever be a burden-bearing and sacrificing church; then they will maintain their life and strength. Nov. 25, I came to South Lancaster, where we have spent the time to this date (Dec. 10), attending the New England Conference, yearly tract and missionary meeting, and for the last week the first T. and M. Institute ever held among Seventh-day Adventists. South Lancaster sustains about the same relation to the cause in New England that Oakland does to the cause on the Pacific coast, or Battle Creek to the cause all over the world,—it is the center. Of the original church of ten members none ever apostatized. Three are dead, seven are still living here firm in the truth, and the South Lancaster church now numbers nearly one hundred members. This church commenced to hold meetings in a private house. One chapel has been outgrown, and they have erected a much larger building, which is a credit to the architect and the mechanics who constructed it. The old chapel is to be used as a book depository for the six New England States. Here the tract and missionary society among S. D. Adventists first originated. Here the Lord has led out the mind of Bro. Haskell, step by step, in the T. and M. work, and here eleven years ago, the first vigilant missionary society was formed. The T. M. society had its origin in a weekly prayer-meeting of the sisters, in which they especially sought God for his blessing upon his ministers. The quarterly meeting, reported in another column, was an interesting occasion. Here I had the privilege of meeting many old friends of the cause from different parts of New England, who were in the truth fourteen years ago, and it was also cheering to see so many who have more recently embraced the truth. Eld. Hutchins, president of the Vermont Conference, and Eld. Isaac Sanborn, with whom I spent one season in tent labor in Illinois and Wisconsin, were present. Bro. Sanborn expects soon to go to Virginia to labor there. One interesting feature of the quarterly meeting was the consideration of life memberships to the General T. and M. Society. It was indeed cheering to see the eagerness with which these friends, though not rich, pledged their ten dollars each to this society. Up to this date, fifty have pledged to become life members, and a goodly number of these have already paid. In looking over the list of names of members, I find it embraces the name of every one of the seven living members of the original South Lancaster church. Sabbath, Nov. 30, was a good day in Lancaster. After the second discourse, a call was made for the unconverted, the backslidden, and those who wished a greater consecration to God, to come forward. Seat after seat was vacated to make room for those who came forward, weeping, until all the body slips were thus filled. The move took in nearly all who were in the house, and among them were several who were seeking God for the first time. The Lord blessed as prayer was offered, and we all entered into a covenant to serve him with all our mind, might, and strength. The Missionary Institute, reported in this paper, was successful beyond our most sanguine expectations, both as to the numbers present and the unflagging interest, from first to last, of the students who attended it. Bro. Haskell labored night and day in the interest of the Institute, both in giving instructions, and in preparing lessons that should, as far as possible, illustrate the principles involved in properly transacting the business of the tract societies. We saw, in this Institute, as never before, the importance of having our people properly instructed in “how to do the T. and M. business.” My companion and myself are very grateful for the privilege we have had of attending this T. and M. Institute before embarking for our foreign mission. As these institutes may be held from State to State, I hope our people will make it a point to attend them. A curse is pronounced upon those who do the work of the Lord “negligently.” We are also commanded to “let all things be done decently and in order.” We shall be without excuse if we do not learn to do this part of the work properly, when such opportunities are given for improvement and information. J. N. Loughborough. HUMILIATION, FASTING, CONFESSION OF SINS, AND PRAYER.
WE, the committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, appoint Jan. 1, 1879, as a day of humiliation, confession of sins, fasting, and prayer. We have abundant cause as a people to humble ourselves before God in view of his manifest forbearance, love, and great goodness toward us. Notwithstanding our unfaithfulness, he has, for his truth's sake, in a good degree prospered our institutions, and also our more general work in the advancement and growth of the cause. While we have cause for devout gratitude that our Lord still loves us and sends from Heaven warning and rebukes, we see cause for confession of our sins before him, humiliation, and prayer for pardon for the past and grace to help in time to come. “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa. 59:1, 2. Seventh-day Adventists throughout the length and breadth of the land are requested to assemble at their usual places of worship, Jan. 1, 1879, at 10:30 A. M., for the special worship of God. At 1:30 of that day let there be a business meeting. One of the duties of that meeting will be the consideration of heavy debts upon the houses of worship at both Oakland, Cal., and Battle Creek, Mich., and the plans to lift them set forth in the Supplement which accompanies this week's issue of the REVIEW. May God look down upon our efforts to return to him, and may his Spirit impress all with a deep sense of their duty to act their part in lifting the debts from these two houses of worship, and thus “Hold the Fort.” TO CORRESPONDENTS.
By Editor
Please harmonize the article “Law of God,” in Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, with the statement that Christ spoke the law from Sinai. R. Ans. A person is often said to do what is really performed by his special agent. We know not why the same principle may not hold in the matter of the giving of the law. D. Glunt: The historian who enumerates the ten kingdoms into which the Roman Empire was divided is Machiavel, in his History of Florence, book i. And this division is approved by Bishop Newton, Faber, and Dr. Hales. Answered by Letter. Paul E. Gros, J. H. Agy, E. Lanphear, G. W. Morse, Seth N. Allen, J. W. Heath, J. Doty, L. A. Kellogg, J. L. Lewis, F. Nugent, J. F. Bahler, N. Dewey, O. M. Olds. WHAT SHALL WE DO IN OHIO?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Dear Brethren: This week you will receive a paper with the above heading, in which we make an earnest appeal to every Sabbath-keeper in Ohio. We request you to read this paper very carefully. Read it aloud in your families. Then we request that the elder or leader of each church read it publicly to his church on Sabbath, Dec. 28. Preserve it for future reference. See that every Sabbath-keeper in all your region has a copy, lest some, by mistake, should be overlooked. We must arouse to the work of the Lord in this Conference. The more I become acquainted, the more I am satisfied that it is one of the richest and best fields in the world. We must all take hold together. I recommend particularly that each director visit personally every Sabbath-keeper in his district during this winter. He can take with him such ministering brethren living in his district as he may choose. I recommend further that each minister labor wholly in the district where he lives. Instead of entering entirely new fields, hunt up scattered brethren, and endeavor to build up a church around them. Ohio is dotted all over with lone Sabbath-keepers who are dying out or doing next to nothing. I think the work to be done for the next six months is not to raise up churches in new fields; but to gather up these brands, get them together, build around them, and thus revive the work of God in the State. We ask these scattered brethren to send in invitations for labor. The Lord is blessing us. Several new companies have already been raised up this fall. DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND.
By John Norton Loughborough
Yesterday, in company with Bro. Haskell, I went to Boston to negotiate for a passage to Great Britain. We visited the office of the Warren line of steamships, found them very kind and obliging and willing to do all they could to help us. While their regular fare to Liverpool is about $75 a passenger, they offer to carry myself and wife for $55 each, and will ticket us to Southampton (via Liverpool, by railroad from Liverpool to Southampton) for $65.50 each. The very steamer, “Minnesota,” on which, one year ago, Bro. Ings and company sailed to England arrives to-day, and is to set sail Monday, Dec. 16. I have made choice of a state room, and have the refusal of it until the day of sailing, even without making a deposit. This is a rare circumstance with any steamship company. We shall probably sail on that ship, at the above-mentioned date. Our P. O. address, until further notice, is Grove Terrace, Freemantal, Southampton, England, care of Henry Covall. Brethren, pray for us that God may bring us safely to our journey’s end, and make us of service in his cause. South Lancaster, Mass., Dec. 10. Sabbath-School Blank Books.
By M. H. Brown
EVERY Sabbath-school in the New York Conference should have both the Sabbath-school Record and the Class Record, in order to secure efficiency and uniformity in our schools, and to enable the secretary properly to fill out her blank report to the State secretary. Order a set at once, either from the REVIEW Office or of our State secretary, and with the penny boxes in every school to meet all incidental expenses, let us commence the new year with new life and earnestness in this good work. M. H. BROWN, Pres. N. Y. S. S. A. FUTURE LABOR IN MISSOURI AND KANSAS.
By George J. Butler
Since the action of the General Conference in recommending me to labor the present year in Missouri and Kansas, some may have felt an interest to know what plans I have formed in reference to the matter. Indeed, I have received several communications from esteemed friends in regard to this subject. Up to the present time, I have not been so situated that I could make any extended plans concerning future labors in these States; but I hope soon to be able to give my whole time and strength to the work. In my recent visit to Battle Creek I counseled with Bro. Ayers, the president of the Kansas Conference, who is taking treatment at the Sanitarium, and whose feeble health makes it necessary for him to lay aside all responsibility and care for the present. I have also had letters from the other members of the Kansas Conference Committee in regard to the cause in the State. I have traveled in Missouri much the past year, and think I realize something of the condition of things there. I earnestly desire to labor where I can accomplish most for the cause and where I am needed most. It has been a matter of great anxiety and perplexity to me how to divide my labor between the two States. My brethren in Kansas are urging me to labor among the churches and take special responsibilities. But, on the other hand, I have been elected president of the Missouri Conference, and there is great need of labor there, and but very few who are preaching, not nearly as many as in Kansas. Hence I feel a special responsibility to do what I can in Missouri. Kansas has recently had the benefit of three general meetings which were probably attended by the majority of the Sabbath-keepers in that State. At these meetings instruction was imparted by those who have the very best gifts among our people. It would hardly seem best for the present to appoint more general meetings. Should I take time to visit all the little companies in the Conference, I should find no time to do anything else, and could not visit near all of them. After counseling with those I have mentioned, and after much thought and prayer, I conclude to constantly communicate with the two remaining members of the Kansas Conference Committee (Brn. Stevens and Cook) in reference to matters in the State; and when exigencies arise in which they think my labor would benefit the cause specially, I will go and do what I can. I would recommend that the ministers, licentiates, and members who have matters of interest to communicate, or know of openings for labor, or have other business which needs attention, write to them (perhaps to Bro. C. F. Stevens, Ottawa, Kan., as he will be detained at home most of the time), as they are familiar with all parts of the Conference, and we can counsel together and act as duty seems to require. As to Missouri, I expect soon to send appointments for several general meetings at central points, at which I hope to meet brethren within a reasonable distance, and do what I can to stir up the minds of all to renewed diligence in the Master's cause. I hope also to lecture at several important points, and do something to bring souls into the truth. I shall be glad to hear from any brethren or sisters who know of good openings in their vicinity. We shall give the preference, in laboring, to those places where expenses will be met, as our funds are very low. We cannot pay expensive hall rents when openings can be found without. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Dec. 18.