DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: I have often felt like casting in my mite with the many testimonies that have been given in favor of truth through the Review. Although one of the unworthy ones in the Lord's service, I rejoice that the way of salvation is so free. I am glad that my feet have been directed in the pathway of truth and righteousness while in the days of my youth. Oh, can I be thankful enough to God for the glorious light that I behold in his word; that which brought me from the ways of sin and wickedness and started me in the way that leads to immortality! Through the mercy of God, and by his assisting grace, I am striving to overcome and be ready to be counted a jewel in the great day when Jesus comes with all his holy angels. When I think of the great prize that lies at the end of the journey, my heart seems to cry out, I must possess it! It must be mine! Yes, I feel that when the earth is robed in Eden's glory, I must be there. I long to see the faces of God's remnant people in that better country.
Brethren and sisters, let us awake. It is high time that we arouse from our slumbers. Let us watch and be sober. Christ's coming is even at the door; the time of the saints' redemption is very near. Eternity's morning will soon dawn, and then if we are faithful Jesus will take us to the beautiful mansions of endless rest.
Yours, striving for victory.
S. H. KINSEY.
Tonawanda, Erie Co., N. Y.
ALMON BISBEE
From Bro. Bisbee.
[THE following letter Bro. Frisbie sends to the Office.]
BRO. FRISBIE: I have been thinking some time of writing a line to you to inform you of my feelings, &c. It is now two years since I embraced the third angel's message, as I heard it from you, and Bro. Strong. I feel to thank God always that I ever heard his word preached, though I have often heard preaching, but never the truth before,—that the last message of mercy has been sounded in my ears, and that I have ever been called from darkness into light. May God help me that I may improve these blessings. I cannot find words to express my feelings on the subject.
My heart overflows, and my eyes are filled with tears to think that I have trampled God's law underfoot so long. Truly he is a merciful and loving God. My prayer to him is, that I may be counted worthy to be one of his children, and to be ready to meet my blessed Saviour when he comes.
I find it no pleasant thing to live so far from the brethren of like precious faith. We, myself and wife, are alone in this part now. Sister Tolhurst has been living in the city, but has now gone into the country. But our trust is in God, and if God be for us who can be against us.
I long to be with the brethren where we can have sweet seasons of worship on the Sabbath. But we spend the day in prayer and reading the word of God and the Review. There is a school-house in my neighborhood where meetings are sometimes held on Sunday. Perhaps I can get the use of it next fall to hold meetings in for a season, provided some messenger would come here. Could you or Bro. Strong, or both, come here for a few weeks, I think we could get some hearers. Please inform me on the subject. I live six miles from the city of Cleveland, in the town of East Cleveland. If you could make arrangements to come about the first of September, I will see what I can do for a house.
Yours hoping for eternal life.
ALMON BISBEE
East Cleveland, Ohio.
The Brink of Every Lie
EVERY lie, great or small, is the brink of a precipice, the depth of which nothing but Omniscience can fathom.
Obituary Notices.
DIED, in Shelby, March 26th, Sr. Lydia Palmenter, aged 69 years, 1 month, and 11 days. She heard the truth when the tent was in Shelby eleven years ago. She has maintained her profession of present truth amid strong opposition, and died in hope of a part in the first resurrection. Funeral services by Eld. Cannon. Text, 1 Cor. xv, 22, 23.
R. J. LAWRENCE.
DIED, in Peterborough, N. H., March 11, 1866, Elder Albert H. Huntley, aged 49 years.
In his death the family have lost an affectionate and loving husband and father, and the church a kind and faithful elder. We mourn our loss, yet not as those without hope, believing that even as Jesus died and rose again, so also them that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.
L. W. HASTINGS.
DIED, at West Milton, Aug. 3, 1865, with consumption, Joseph Carlin, in the 67th year of his age. Bro. C. rejoiced in the Advent truths before the light on the third message was given. He commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Bible in the year 1859, and in all the points of present truth was a firm believer. He leaves a companion and family to mourn, in hope.
C. O. TAYLOR.
Died, in Washington, N. H., March 8, 1866, sister Abigail Stowell, wife of Bro. John Stowell, aged 61 years.
She rests in hope. Her last days were her best days. All through her sickness her sufferings were great. We feel to sympathize with our dear brother in his affliction.
C. K. FARNSWORTH.
Question.
I wish to be informed through the Review, by the highest authority, what proportion of the members of a church at a Quarterly Meeting, or any meeting called for that purpose, are sufficient to exclude a member of said church from fellowship. S. PIERCE.
RESPONSE.
In regard to the above question we would state, that, withdrawing from a member must require just the reverse course to that followed in receiving a member. The reception of members requires a unanimous vote, unless opposition to their reception comes from those who are subjects of labor, or under the censure of the church. It must be the reverse of this to expel a member. That is, it shall be a unanimous vote, unless the opposition comes from those who are subjects of labor, under the censure of the church, or especially implicated or connected with the matter of trial.
In withdrawing from a member, it is proper also to have the matter, if possible, attended to where the church is located to which said member belongs. The meeting for the purpose of dealing with such member should be thoroughly notified to the church. Those assembling in response to such notice, are sufficient to constitute a quorum to act. Those notified who can, and yet do not attend, are considered as virtually acquiescing with the doings of the members assembled. GEN. CONF. COM.
Meeting of the S. D. A. Publishing Association.
The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will hold its sixth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, May 18, 1866, at 9 o'clock, A. M., to deliberate for the general interests of the Association, elect officers, and transact any other business that may come before the meeting.
By order of the Trustees,
J. M. ALDRICH, Secretary.
A Good Example.
By J. M. A.
For some months past, we have received regularly each week, from one of our brethren in Portland, Me., one or more new subscribers for the Review at full rates,—the money accompanying each name.
How many of our brethren will follow the good example of Bro. E. Lobdell? Twenty-five, fifty, or one hundred such, would materially help our subscription list.
J. M. A.
The Work at Norridgewock.
By John Nevins Andrews
I AM happy to report some progress in the work of the Lord in this place. Between seventy and eighty in this vicinity are now observing the Bible Sabbath, and quite a large number of others seem almost decided to obey this great truth. Many of those who began to observe the Sabbath, were not professors of religion, and it has seemed imperatively necessary that the work should be continued in this place until these persons became truly converted to the Lord. Besides the usual Sabbath and first-day meetings, the most of the days have been spent in visiting from house to house, and in pleading earnestly with each person that they should seek the Saviour, and a great part of the evenings have been devoted to such meeting as seemed best adapted to the existing circumstances. Quite a number have found the Saviour. Others are still seeking him.
We have a pleasant house of worship capable of accommodating a State conference. We have also a prosperous Sabbath-School which has been attended during the winter by some forty children.
It has seemed to be clearly duty to continue our labors during the winter as we have mainly in this vicinity. Bro. Cornell has now returned to Michigan, being much in need of rest. I trust he will return in due time. How much longer I shall remain I cannot now say. But I wish to see the work so established that it shall not be readily overthrown by Satan.
Brethren pray for us in this place.
J. N. ANDREWS.
Norridgewock, Me.
The Approaching Fast
The churches and scattered brethren will remember the approaching Fast, May 9-12.
How Sad the Fact
By R. F. Cottrell
THAT all do not readily receive the truth. The truth was presented to a considerable number in French Creek, Chautauque Co., some three years since. Many were deeply interested and some almost persuaded to obey. Professors of religion were convicted of duty, but were not quite ready to obey. But there was one, a young lady that had never made a public confession of faith in Christ. She not only saw the truth, but readily resolved to obey. I learn that she persevered in keeping the commandments alone in her father's family to the close of her life; for she has fallen asleep, "Asleep in Jesus soon to rise!"
Why not all receive the truth as readily? Ah! the deceitfulness of sin. Professors and non-professors have the truth brought plainly and forcibly to their minds; but they postpone and still delay, and very frequently finally reject. How sad the thought! Why not all receive the message from Heaven and be saved?
But vain our regrets. Sin has entered into the world. The fair inheritance given to man has been forfeited. And though again offered through our Lord Jesus Christ, few are ready with joy to accept it. Oh! how blind. Loving darkness rather than light. Loving the praise of men more than the praise of God. Why not believe God, trust him, obey him, and be saved? Ah! how low we are fallen. Is it not rather a wonder that any of such a race, so fallen, should be saved. But some will be saved, even by the last message of mercy. Thank the Lord! who is still waiting to be gracious. O spare thy people, Lord!
R. F. C.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
Articles Declined. France and the Papacy. We see no reason to change from the common view that the seat of the beast is the city of Rome. To apply it to France would make confusion in Rev. xiii, 2.
Articles Accepted. Change in the Sabbath Anticipated.—Commendable Recantations.—Spare Moments.—Bear ye one Another's Burdens, the heading of which we change to The Afflictions of the people of God.—Are You reconciled to God?—Dying, Dying, Dead.
Appointments.
By Uriah Smith
General Conference.
THE fourth session of the General Conference of S. D. Adventists, will be held in Battle Creek, Mich., Wednesday, May 16, 1866, at 9 o'clock, A. M. The different State Conference Committees will see that their delegates are duly appointed and furnished with credentials. In those localities where there is no State Conference yet organized, brethren can represent themselves by delegate or letter, at their discretion. Let all parts of the field be well represented by delegates or letters. Ministers will remember the amendment of the constitution passed at the last meeting, that all those in the employ of the Conference, make a written report of each week's labor during the Conference year.
By order of the Gen. Conf. Com.
U. SMITH, Secretary.
Mich. State Conference.
The Michigan State Conference of S. D. Adventists, will hold its sixth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 17, 1866, at 9 o'clock A. M. Let there be a faithful representation by delegates or letters from all the churches. Churches who wish to join the Conference, should also make their wishes known at this meeting. Let all delegates and ministers come prepared to make the various reports to the Conference that the constitution requires.
By order of the Committee,
I. D. VAN HORN, Secretary.
Next Monthly Meeting at Parma
By I. D. Van Horn
THE next Monthly Meeting of the scattered brethren of Parma, Jackson, Tompkins and Leslie, will be held at Parma the first Sabbath in May.
Nothing preventing, I will be present.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Minnesota Quarterly Meetings
THE next series of Quarterly Meetings for the Conference of S. D. Adventists in Minnesota will be held as follows:
Enterprise, May 5, 6.
Pleasant Grove, " 12, 13.
Oronoco, " 19, 20.
Deerfield, " 26, 27.
It is requested that all the brethren and sisters will attend at their respective churches and settle up all their accounts as the cause demands it. Bro. Stephen Pierce will attend each meeting if Providence permit.
WM. MERRY, } Minn. Conf.
H. F. LASHIER, } Com.
Business Department.
Business Notes.
Nathaniel Keyser. Where is your Review NOW sent?
CHANGE OF ADDRESS. The P. O. address of R. F. Cottrell is Ridgeway, Orleans Co., N. Y.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
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Subscriptions at the Rate of $3.00 per year.
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Review to Poor.
A Friend 1,00.
For Shares in the Publishing Association
Bro P E Ruiter 50,00, Sr C Ruiter 50,00.
Donations to Publishing Association.
E G Doud 1,00, A True 1,00, H H Bramhall and family s b 2, 87, Wm Edgar 4,85.
Cash Received on Account.
A J Richmond 6,00, J W Landes 2,00.
Books Sent By Mail.
W J Cook 1,25, R T Paine 1,00, S H Kinsey 13c, C B Preston 2,75, T H Starbuck 4,00, I F Fraunfelder 13c, J Taylor 13c, S P Nichols 1,00, R Keck 13c, M A Ballard 12c, B G Allen 50c, G Sweet 1,25, Henry Main 75c, Mrs W D Ludington 1,37, S B Gowell 16c, L Urquhart 35c, A D Shepard 28c.
Gen. Conf. Missionary Fund.
A J Richmond and family s b 4,00.
Michigan Conference Fund,
Ch at Tompkins 9,00, Ch at Jackson 30,00, A J Richmond and family s b 3,00.