I have had a great desire to come back here and labor; but the General Conference has thought best that I should labor in other States for a time. If I do that, I shall not therefore be here very much; and I feel it a great disappointment. Of course, the brethren here know more or less of my relation to the cause during the past twenty-five years. Having been a preacher among our people, most of our brethren know me in some way, in almost every State in the Union, from Maine to California.
It seems to me, dear brethren, that my whole soul is now bound up in this present truth. I have told my brethren that if the world were before me, the truth is so clear that I know I could make them see it. I have also said that I do not believe any man takes as much pleasure in worldly pursuits as I do in this. I have tried to analyze my feelings, and I have reached some conclusions. Sometimes an individual gets started on a wrong train of reasoning, and he sees it when he is far away. Then he finds it hard to get back again. This was my case, exactly. I did not see as the brethren did, and so I concluded I would leave the work for the time being. So I went to farming. I have tried to keep my trials to myself; that I think you all know. I have not seen a day when I did not love my brethren. The most painful thing I had to think of was that my course had been a stone of stumbling to others, and that I had perhaps caused some one to be lost. I have great charity for brethren who are in trouble. I myself wanted to know what was right; and they may say, Why did you not do right? I am satisfied that man's wisdom is not always reliable. He must have the Spirit of God to guide him, or he will go wrong.
Now I want to say that I have been changed right around in my feelings and convictions. I do not say I am fully satisfied in everything; but I believe the truth as I used to believe it. I think a man's experience in his own heart is a good deal; it is worth something, at least. At our Jackson camp-meeting Bro. Butler helped me. He kept praying all the time that I might be willing to give up everything to God. I thought I had done that; but I found, brethren, that I had not,—that if the Lord should make it plain to me that it was my duty to leave my family, I did not feel that I could do it. I did not love the people as I used to; that was another thing. There was a time when I would have gone through rain and mud,—anywhere, to save the people; but I had lost that out of my heart. This love for souls had gone from me,—I saw that very plainly. When I came to the point where I was willing to give up everything, then that good feeling came back to me again. I had felt that I would give anything if it would come back; and now I feel that I have hold of the right thing to lead me, that to stand right before God is to give up all. The way grows brighter and brighter every day.
I have observed this, brethren: that you may get up any question in the world that a man can get up, and you can make out two sides to it. To illustrate this, and show how easy it is for the mind to be wrong: Some of the brethren thought it would be a good idea to debate the question of the non-resurrection of the dead, and they did so. They chose sides, some of them right against their own convictions; but of course they tried to uphold their own side, and they studied hard to make their points, until after a time, notwithstanding the fact that they had said, “We don't believe it,” they found themselves really holding it as a truth, which was afterward a great injury to them. A man's mind is a wonderful thing; and he must be humble, and walk carefully with God, or he will fall. Some say, “If God is almighty, why does he not make everything so plain that a man cannot doubt?” That is the way many of us feel,—why does not God make it plainer? One thing is very certain, brethren,—you know it, and so do I,—that God has given to every man light enough, if he would receive it, to save him. If only faithful to what light is given, he will go through. Take the case of Moses. I think there is mighty force in that. God used him as a leader, and sent him back from Midian into Egypt. The people had enough evidence that God had sent him. There were the ten plagues; there was the opening of the sea,—every man, woman, and child had seen these things. There was the cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, which they saw every day and every night. There was the water bursting out of the flinty rock; and yet for all this they were tempted, and said, “Is God among us? Come, let us make us gods to lead us back into Egypt.” Do you not suppose these people were honest in their convictions? It seems to me I can see them in little knots, saying one to another, How can you understand this? and how can you understand that? How do you explain this? and how do you explain that? Now I believe they felt that very way. They would say, “Here we have been in this place twenty-five, thirty, forty years, and we have not seen what we thought we should. If we had known that we were going to remain in this place so long, we would not have left our homes in Egypt.” But God was in it, was he not?
I remember the case of Korah and his company. They thought they were right. They did not believe that they were all wrong and Moses was all right; but when God spoke they all went down, and Moses remained. But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “Ye have killed the people of the Lord.” Their delusion seemed to be complete. They rose up against the Lord, and fourteen thousand and seven hundred perished in the plague which the Lord brought upon them, besides those the earth swallowed up. I believe that, like these men, a person may come to be in such a condition of mind that he thinks he is right and everybody else is wrong.
Take the case of Elijah after God had been with him on Mount Carmel. He ran away into the wilderness, lay down, and said to the Lord, “Let me die.” Discouraged, his mind had undergone a change. But the Lord did not forsake his servant when he was going where he did not send him. “And, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” But this was not so; for the Lord showed him his mistake. The Lord said, “I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”
There was John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. He knew the Lord had been with him; he saw the Son of God, and baptized him; he saw the Holy Spirit resting upon him in the form of a dove. John is cast into prison, and now he queries whether this is really the Christ. If he is, why am I left here in this place? You remember the case of the Saviour himself. He worked a wonderful miracle,—that of feeding a multitude of people. They were going to take him right up by force and make him a king. They thought that was the way, but they were disappointed. Yet he was Christ, and his work was of heaven.
And now, here we have a meeting, and all the people say, “I know this is the work of God;” yet it will be but a little time, as Sr. White said in her discourse, when men will turn right against you and this work. Many of Christ's disciples turned away and walked no more with him. I do not believe these people were without feeling in the matter. When he healed the young man who was blind, they were ready to say, This must be the Christ; but when they began to reason out their doubts, there was room enough for doubting. They had known him from childhood; they knew him when he was a little boy; they had seen him at work in the field, or walking by the brook; they had seen him carrying his father's tools; they knew his father and mother, his brothers and sisters; he had walked among them as an ordinary man; and now he stands up all at once, and proclaims himself the only Son of the living God in heaven.
I have had a talk with Bro. Butler about some things that it did not seem to me I could believe; but my mind has wonderfully changed, and I know how to sympathize with those people when Jesus said to them, “Except ye believe upon me, and eat of my flesh and drink of my blood, ye can never enter into the kingdom of heaven.” There were a good many such questions that stood in their way; but the cause of God went forward just the same, right past all these doubters. God gives evidence enough, if men will only take it. Christ showed that they rejected him, because they were not baptized of John. I think I can make you see it. They heard John preach, and saw that he was more than an ordinary person; but how did they know his mission was of heaven? They said to John, “Work a miracle, if you are sent from God.” John did not work a miracle. Now let us see how it will be when they come up to the Judgment. The Pharisees will be there upon the left hand. They will say, “We have been honest,”—but stop! There will rise up on the right hand some poor brother or sister who never had any learning, and say, “I was there, and heard what was said at that time; it was clear enough for me.” Don't you think that will be convincing? Some will say, “If it had only been clear enough!” I think we ought to be careful not to ask God to give us more evidence than is necessary. Brethren, be very careful; faith grows by exercise.
I believe it makes a difference whether we go after men with an argument, or with the Spirit of Christ. I remember a little incident related of Mr. Moody. A man came to him, and wanted to argue with him. But Mr. Moody said to him, Let us get down and pray. They did so, and that man gave his heart to God. I tell you, my dear friends, the truth will go to the heart when the Spirit of God works.
There is a point that has bothered me a little, and I want to speak of it. In the twenty-five years I have been with our people, I have traveled from Maine to California, and I have never known one man who has drawn back and begun to tell doubts who did not begin to separate from God. I have never known one who through such a764course has become more spiritual or more anxious to do something to save his fellow-men. I have never known one man to do that, and I do not believe I ever shall. When I left off preaching, I vowed to myself and to my God, that I would go right along laboring as I had done, be faithful in the church, and do my duty every time. Well, brethren, after I had gone that way for a time, I found that I had lost my hold upon God. I lost my spirituality. Now there must be something wrong about such a course; for if it is right it seems to me that a man would certainly prosper in that way.
Now about our cause for a few moments. I have said to our brethren that our cause was going down. I really came to believe in my heart that this work was growing smaller. I went to the last Conference, and I saw that instead of decreasing, everything was growing stronger and stronger. I saw some of our young preachers there who used to think they could not preach when I was present; and now I find them head and shoulders above me. I said that our churches were getting proud and formal like the other churches around us, and that in eight or ten years more, they would be stiff and cold. Now I am thankful that it is not so. Our leading brethren were never more simple and humble than they are to-day. I never heard better sermons; they came so near to my heart. I said, I will go home, and when my brethren say to me, What are you going to do with this or that? I will say to them, What are you going to do with these things I have mentioned? I have always believed with the rest of the brethren that the time would come when the work of God would go as it did in the old apostolic days, and I say that I never saw anything that looked one-hundredth part as much like it as I have seen in this last General Conference. I believe the Spirit of God is moving upon the hearts of our people in this very way. I have had a good long time to observe the workings of our cause. I have been in close attendance at the Conference from half-past five in the morning until night, and every moment was filled full. I must confess that I was dumbfounded to see by the reports that came in that the work was growing larger and larger every day.
I want right here to make a confession. Two years ago Bro. Gage was here at our ministers' meeting; and at that time I expressed myself to him that I had not very much confidence in the missionary work. I verily thought that we ought to go out and preach the gospel, and let the missionary work go. Now I see that if they had carried out my views, the cause of God would have suffered by it. I can say that now I love this present truth in all its parts. I want to come right where I will believe the testimonies with all my heart. If this message is the truth and all right,—as I believe in my soul it is,—I will do anything, I will suffer anything, for it; and this brings joy to my heart to-day.
There are one or two thoughts more; I want to be very careful how I state them. My dear brethren, if I get the right idea of the work of God, he has a message of truth in the world. He has to use mortal creatures to carry on that work; these men will make mistakes. Peter did this. I have sometimes forgotten these facts. When Bro. Butler, White, Andrews, Haskell, or others have said something that wounded my feelings, I have let that destroy my confidence in the truth. I know I have had a mind to do God's will. I have gone to the place of worship, and have felt that I was willing to do anything if I could only save some one to the truth. I have spoken at times harshly; and some have gone away offended, and I am afraid they will be lost. But be that as it may, it is God's truth just the same; and I see this, that if I had to have allowance made for me, I must make allowance for others. All may speak too sharply and too quickly. Now I have made a vow before God, that if my brethren do anything to make me feel hurt, I will let it pass. I will leave it with God; he will make it all right sometime. This is not Bro. Butler's work nor Bro. Haskell's work; it is God's work. I have felt profoundly sensible of this fact, that my labors have not been personal enough. I failed to come right to the brethren and labor personally with them, to take them away alone and talk with them and pray with them,—it almost kills me. I have not talked with the brethren personally; but I have made up my mind I will change in this particular. I feel that I will take them by the hand, and talk with them. Brethren, I will say this: So far as I am concerned, I will start right here; and all that I have, all that I am, I will put into this work, and take my risk of everything. I will never do this backing up any more; and I believe that if I ever go back from this I am lost. All I have I will give to this cause. I believe there is in this truth that which will save men. I have seen drunkards saved by it, and the wickedest of men saved by it; and may God help us to triumph with it when Jesus comes.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
THE SIGNS AND SUNSHINE CANVASS.
By G. I. B.
The attention of our people is being extensively called to the plans laid at the General Conference to increase the circulation of the Signs of the Times by connecting it with the popular work, “Sunshine at Home.” Our leading brethren at the Conference felt that the time had come to make a special effort to spread the light of truth more rapidly than ever before.
The Signs of the Times is our pioneer paper, and it contains truths that the people need at the present epoch. Strong efforts have been made in the past to circulate it extensively, and with excellent results. Its subscription list has greatly increased, till many tens of thousands have become familiar with it. But there is no halt in this work till the consummation is reached. Our efforts every year will be more and more extensive to spread the truth and light of the third angel’s message. The difficulty in the past has been that it has cost so much to send out the agent to canvass for short-termed subscriptions. Great good has been done by the methods already tried, and we would not discourage any effort to accomplish so important an object; but it was thought some plan could be devised to save this expense to our people, while more good might result.
“Sunshine at Home” has proved to be a book easily sold, and many thousand copies have been disposed of the present year. The publishers of the REVIEW AND HERALD have been willing to give the pecuniary profits which might be derived from the sale of this book, largely to accomplish the object of circulating the truth by means of the Signs of the Times. This book sold easily and rapidly at $1.50 wherever it was introduced. The proposed plan is to furnish the book at the same price, with a three months’ subscription to the Signs of the Times thrown in, the profits to go to the canvassers to sustain them in their noble work of introducing the truth throughout the country.
We expect to see many thousand copies sold, and subscriptions for the Signs obtained by this means in the near future. The holidays are just upon us, and an excellent time to avail ourselves of the desire to obtain suitable presents, and thus circulate the truth.
May God bless the workers in this Signs and “Sunshine” canvass. G. I. B.
The Value of a Smile and Kind Word
—A smile and kind word are too cheap to be stingily hoarded as they are by many so-called Christians in this world of sorrowful hearts.
KEEP THE WORK MOVING.
By R. A. Underwood
To the Workers in Ohio and West Virginia: Nothing is so well calculated to quicken the pulsation of the heart, and lift the soul above all discouragements, as to see the message of mercy that is to ripen the harvest of souls for the coming of the Lord extending to all parts of the earth. The moves made by the late General Conference, and those of the past few months are most encouraging. Cheering reports come from different parts of our own State. Bro. Anglebarger reports that ten have united with the church at Springfield, and others are deeply interested. Bro. Van Horn reports from Columbus that six have taken their stand fully with us, while others are deeply interested. Several of the old churches have received additions to their numbers. Four new church buildings are nearly completed and will soon be ready for dedication.
What can I do more than I am doing to extend the truth in our own borders? is a question we all should consider prayerfully. The destiny of some soul may be balancing on the personal efforts we put forth in their behalf. The present offer of the Signs for three months with “Sunshine at Home” at $1.50, with 40 per cent commission to the agent, is a splendid opening for many to engage in a work that will bring a fair support, and the reward of seeing souls saved in the kingdom of God. Those who are unable to canvass their town or city may be able to provide a home for some one who can, and thus the way may be prepared for future labor. Those who can help forward the work in this way, or any who have an opening for a series of meetings, should correspond with me at once. To those asking help in their churches, I would say, We hope to assist you soon. R. A. Underwood.
Judging Men by Their Use of Qualifications
—We ought not to judge men's merits by their qualifications, but by the use they make of them. —Charron.
BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE ITEMS.
By W. H. Littlejohn
THE CONFERENCE.
The General Conference has been a source of blessing to the College by giving the students an opportunity to become acquainted with the wants of the general field and the methods employed in carrying on our work. Besides, they have had the privilege of listening to many discourses, of both a practical and doctrinal nature, which have been well calculated to create confidence in the message that we are giving to the world, and to lead to increased consecration of heart. The labors of Sr. White especially, have been appreciated, and have been the means of leading a number to make a start to serve the Lord.
PRAYER MEETINGS.
Prayer and social meetings are held regularly by the students on Friday evenings and Sabbath afternoons. On Friday evenings the meeting is a general one, but on Sabbath afternoons the students are divided into three companies, all of which carry on meetings at the same hour in as many College recitation rooms. By adopting this method every student has an opportunity to participate actively in religious services under circumstances as favorable as possible.
PRESENTATIONS.
The College has recently received a donation of one thousand dollars from a Southern friend, to whom it is indebted for other favors. Elds. J. H. Waggoner, G. D. Ballou, and R. M. Kilgore have also contributed some fine specimens of petrified wood and other curious formations to the College cabinet. The petrified wood was brought by Elds. Waggoner and Ballou from Arizona, while the specimens presented by Eld. Kilgore were brought from Texas. W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
Employ the Gift Thou Hast
—Employ the gift thou hast,
Whate'er it be, with true and earnest care,
And this endeavor shall not be the last,
Each good performed another shall prepare.
CIRCLES ON THE SAND.
By Samuel W. Duffield
NEAR to the margin of the sea,
There clings a little plant,
With trailing leaves to one poor root,
And fashion hard and scant.
The wind that blows across the sand,
Has tossed it here and there;
But still it grows, and keeps its place,
Though all the beach is bare.
And with its flying fingers still
It marks upon the shore
Curve upon curve of graceful lines,
Repeated o’er and o’er.
So let thy life, though trampled down,
And scant and wan with care,
Trace on thy lot those lines of grace
Which save it from despair.
For thus the circle grew before
The eyes of ancient men;
And thus the curves of ancient art
Were drawn by nature’s pen.
And thus, if on the hardest task
And narrowest of our lives,
We carve such purpose, tides may sweep,
But perfect thought survives.
—Rev. Samuel W. Duffield, in S. S. Times.
M. G. HUFFMAN
By M. G. Huffman
Indiana.
Rochester.—After our good camp-meeting at Logansport I visited the little company north of Rochester. I found them growing in grace. They have a very interesting Sabbath-school. The outside interest is good notwithstanding the great opposition there has been against the truth in this place. May God bless these dear souls, and may they walk so humbly before him that others, seeing their good works, may be constrained to glorify him.
Wednesday, Oct. 22, I visited the Ligonier church, and I can truly say that we had some good meetings. There are some good active workers in this church. Sunday, the 26th, the ordinances were celebrated. Eld. J. S. Shrock was with us, and administered them. The Lord came very near by his Holy Spirit, for which we feel to praise his name.
Wednesday, the 29th, I left for Battle Creek to attend the General Conference. All who attended this annual gathering were greatly blessed. As I see the plans that have been laid for the spread of the truth to all nations and tongues, I feel like consecrating myself to God and his work. I am now attending the College for a few months; and it may not be out of place for me to say that if there are those who feel as though they ought to be fitting up for the great work there is before us, they should avail themselves of the many privileges they would gain at this College. Certainly the hand of God is here. My address for the present is Battle Creek College, Battle Creek, Mich.
M. G. HUFFMAN
Nov. 28.
FRANCE
By D. T. Bourdeau
BASTIA, CORSICA.—God has sustained me in returning to this city. I have labored three more days for the new converts here. A Sabbath-school has been started, and a church of eleven members organized. All will have their names attached to a covenant to pay the tithe for the support of the closing work of the gospel in France and Italy. I start this day for Ajaccio, whence I purpose, the Lord willing, to set sail for Italy. Dear brethren, pray for me, as duty calls me to Naples, the very seat of the cholera plague. Nov. 9. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Missouri Meeting at Center School-House Near Kirkville
By H. Wren
Missouri
KIRKVILLE.—I have just held a meeting at Center school-house seven miles east of Kirkville. There was a fair interest. Three persons began to observe the Sabbath, and others are likely to before long. Shall spend the winter preaching if circumstances favor. H. WREN. Nov. 21.
MAINE
By J. B. Goodrich
DANFORTH.—We had an excellent meeting here last Sabbath, Nov. 22. Some new ones began to serve the Lord, which brought light into our meeting. The Lord came near to his people, and it was good to be there.
The most of those who embraced the truth here last summer voted to adopt a tithing system, and thus help to spread the truth and carry forward the work. We expect to see others accept the truth here yet. J. B. GOODRICH. Nov. 24.
VERMONT
By A. O. Burrill; C. L. Kellogg; H. J. Farman
KEELER'S BAY AND SOUTH HERO.—Our work here is still encouraging. There are twelve, all adults, keeping the Sabbath, and others are in the valley of decision. The interest at the former place is as good as at any time. Opposition is being manifested in a quiet way. Books are selling quite well. Last week our sales amounted to about $20.
One canvasser writes: “I have taken twenty orders for ‘Sunshine at Home,’ besides doing other work. If all in Vermont who can would take hold, we might sell several hundred copies by the first of January. If we hear the Saviour say, ‘Well done,’ we shall have to do something.”
A. O. BURRILL.
C. L. KELLOGG.
H. J. FARMAN.
IOWA
By John Wilson
MARSHALLTOWN AND KELLOGG.—
After our camp-meeting, I remained in Marshalltown, where there are some 600 Scandinavians, to follow up the interest created by the labors of Bro. M. Larsen and the camp-meeting. When I went away to attend the Algona camp-meeting, three had commenced to observe the Sabbath. On returning from Algona, four more commenced to obey God. I hope others may follow the good example. From the 14th to the 19th, I visited the friends at Kellogg, Jasper Co. Five willing souls followed their Lord in baptism. The Lord blessed as we broke bread, and I received $30, as a first-fruit of their tithes and offerings. The interest at Marshalltown is still good. May the Lord bless his cause here.
JOHN WILSON.
Oct. 30.
ILLINOIS
By G. F. Shonk
AMONG THE CHURCHES.—I left home Oct. 10. From that date to the 15th I held meetings and visited among the brethren at West Salem. We had some excellent meetings. From the 16th to the 22d I spent with the friends at Keenville. The friends here are building a house of worship. They have it ready to plaster. I next spent a few days with the friends at Fitzgerrell. There are three families of Sabbath-keepers here. Two of them seem to be trying to keep pace with the message.
From Oct. 27 to Nov. 5, I was with the friends at Webber Grove. The Spirit of the Lord was present to bless. Five were baptized, and six were added to the church. From the 7th to the 12th I was at Du Quoin, holding Bible-readings, preaching, and visiting. One was added to their number. Nov. 13-15, I held meetings at a place called Gracey, nine miles south-east of Carbondale. I preached five times. There is one family of Sabbath-keepers there, and they were very much encouraged. G. F. SHONK.
MICHIGAN
By D. M. Carright
OTSEGO.—We have just closed a most excellent meeting at this place. Brethren and sisters came in from all directions, many from long distances, till we had the largest meeting ever held here. Our house was crowded at every service. Sr. White and Eld. Daniels came Friday. Bro. Daniels preached with good freedom, and the Lord blessed the word to the good of many.
Sr. White, besides speaking to the Sabbath-school and several times in social meetings, preached three times with great force and liberty. When she called them forward Sabbath afternoon, a large number responded, and some good testimonies were given. The Congregationalist minister very courteously offered to withdraw his appointment for Sunday evening, inviting Sr. White to speak in their house, as it was larger than ours. Though the evening was very stormy, yet the house was crowded. Sr. White spoke as only she could speak, in her most happy and forcible manner. No Christian could possibly take exception to anything she said, and yet it was very close, often cutting square across the habits of the common church member. Some of us would have given offense had we undertaken to express the same ideas. I am impressed that it is a safe plan for all to follow, to preach the truth plainly, and yet to use such language and manifest such a spirit as will give no just occasion for offense. Harsh, spiteful words do no good to any one.
We esteemed it a privilege and a blessing to have the presence of Sr. White in our family. We are fully satisfied that the blessing of God goes with her and her work. We feel that our hearts and sympathies are now united in the same good work, and we hope it may continue so till the end.
D. M. CARRIGHT.
VIRGINIA
By G. A. Stillwell; R. D. Hottel
TWYMAN'S MILL, MADISON CO.—Some three weeks ago we commenced meetings in a school-house about three miles from here. Have presented the truth of God to them, and as the result four have signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We worked under some disadvantages, as some have opposed us secretly.
Sunday, Nov. 16, we came to this place, lecturing Sunday and Monday nights. At first it was the wish of the people that we should hold a series of meetings; but the Sabbath question began to be discussed by the citizens before we reached the place, which resulted in closing the school-house against us. Tuesday and Wednesday nights it rained, and we could not hold meetings. We improved the time in visiting families, however, and last night the doors were closed. We stopped with one family all night. A few of the neighbors came in, and we explained to them God's claim upon his holy day and other points of doctrine, and before we separated five added their names to the covenant to observe God's commandments. To-day another one has added her name, making in all six at this place. So the devil made a great mistake by turning us out of the house, for in doing so we have gained many friends. One man said he would give us the ground on which to build a church, and ten days' work and four dollars and a half was added by subscription—all last night's work. May God bless in the presentation of his word in that part of the State. There are many difficulties to labor under, but we trust in God and desire the prayers of his people that his truth may reach the hearts of the honest.
Nov. 21.
G. A. STILLWELL.
R. D. HOTTEL.
Prayer as a Monition of Duty
By Jeremy Taylor
—When we pray for any virtue, we should cultivate the virtue as well as pray for it; the form of your prayers should be the rule of your life; every petition to God is a precept to man. Look not, therefore, upon your prayers as a short method of duty and salvation only, but as a perpetual monition of duty. By what we require of God, we see what he requires of us.—Jeremy Taylor.
Contentment in Humble Work: Lines by Mrs. Browning
By Mrs. Browning
—Let us be content in work,
To do the thing we can, and not presume
To fret because it's little, 'Twill employ
Seven men, they say, to make a perfect pin.
Who makes the head, consents to miss the point;
Who makes the point, agrees to miss the head;
And if a man should cry, “I want a pin,
And I must make it straightway, head and point,”
His wisdom is not worth the pin he wants.
—Mrs. Browning.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”—Rev. 14:13.
Atkin.—Died at South Mound, Kan., Nov. 1, 1884, the infant daughter of John and Mary Atkin. They sorrow not as those who have no hope; for they expect to clasp their darling again when the Life-giver comes. Remarks by the writer from Rev. 20:6. L. D. Santee.
Dunbar.—Died in Brooklyn Village, O., my mother, P. M. Dunbar, wife of R. A. Dunbar, aged 66 years and 7 months. She was a member of the M. E. church forty-five years, and of the Adventist church ten years. She said at the last that the Lord was with her. As there was no Adventist minister here, Rev. Mr. Gould (Methodist) preached the funeral sermon. O. M. Dunbar.
Morrison.—Died of typhoid fever, in South Boston, Mass., Oct. 8, 1884, Tina, daughter of Sr. C. Morrison, aged 15 years and 10 months. She sleeps in Mount Hope cemetery to await the Life-giver’s voice. Words of comfort by the writer. On the morning of Tina’s death a telegram was received bringing the sad news that another daughter in Utah had died a few hours before. Thus Sr. Morrison’s bereavement is a peculiarly sad one. But she has learned to say, “He doeth all things well.” A. T. Robinson.
Butler.—Died near Mendon, Mich., Nov. 4, 1884, the infant son of Amos and Libbie Butler, aged 6 months and 7 days. They deeply mourn the loss of their little one, but not as those that have no hope. This is the second one of their children that they have laid away. The funeral was at the Osgood school-house, and was well attended by sympathizing friends and neighbors. I. A. Olmstead.
Crumb.—Died of heart disease Nov. 16, 1884, at the home of Bro. C. H. Barrows, Port Allegany, McKean Co., Pa., Bro. Henry C. Crumb, in the 79th year of his age. Bro. Crumb retired at night usually well, and was found dead in his bed in the morning. Discourse by the writer from Ps. 8:4. D. A. Ball.
Huitt.—Died, Oct. 16, 1884, our infant daughter, aged 3 months and 11 days. Little Clara had been a sufferer from her birth; but now her spirit has gone to God who gave it, and her body lies in the grave, awaiting the return of the Life-giver. We mourn not as those who have no hope, knowing that if faithful we shall meet our darling in the everlasting kingdom of God. In the absence of any of our ministers, words of comfort were spoken by the Rev. George Merriam (Baptist). W. J. and O. J. Huitt.
Rumery.—Died of paralysis, at Monterey, Allegan Co., Mich., Aug. 22, 1884, Sylsbre Rumery, aged 64 years. The deceased was converted when twenty years of age, and joined the M. E. church. In 1857, under the labors of Eld. Joseph Bates, he embraced the views of Seventh-day Adventists, and united with the church at Monterey, of which he was a member for a number of years. He made no profession of religion at the time of his death, yet he cherished a love for the truths held by this people. Mr. Rumery was a public-spirited man, a kind father, and ready to help relieve the wants of the needy. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn their loss. The funeral was held at the S. D. A. house of worship Aug. 24. Discourse by the writer, assisted by the pastor of the M. E. church, from Num. 22:10. H. M. Kenyon.
Thorp.—Died of typhoid fever and congestion of the brain, at Concordia, Kan., Sept. 27, 1884, our little daughter, Jessie Pearl, aged 3 years, 11 months and 29 days. We deeply feel the loss of our only child, but we sorrow not as those who have no hope; for we expect to meet our loved one where unions will never be broken. Words of comfort by Bro. Chas. Flaiz, from Isa. 25:8. J. S. Thorp.