p. 71 | Review and Herald, Vol. 44, No. 9. (8/18/1874)

Earlier text: What Thirty Years Have Proved

THEY DENY SIN AND ACCOUNTABILITY

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Modern Spiritualism.—No. 4.

THEY DENY SIN AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

The denial of the existence of sin, and of man’s accountability for his actions, tends directly to destroy conscientiousness and to remove all feeling of just restraint. Under such teachings, people become reckless and immoral, as certainly as any effect can follow its cause. But this has been the prevailing theory of spiritualism since its rise. We quote briefly from prominent spiritualists. A work published by N. P. Tallmadge says that God does not condemn any one. It also says:—

“Unto God there is no error; all is comparative good.”

And of an inspired teacher it says:—

“He vieweth error as God vieweth it, as undeveloped good.”

A. J. Davis says:—

“Sin, indeed, in the common acceptation of that term, does not really exist.”—Nat. Div. Rev., p. 521.

“The innate divineness of the spirit prohibits the possibility of spiritual wickedness, or unrighteousness.”—Id., p. 413.

And he says again:—

“In the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures it is affirmed that sin is the transgression of the law. But by an examination of nature, the true and only Bible, it will be seen that this statement is erroneous. It gives a wrong idea both of man and law. . . . It will be found impossible for man to transgress a law of God.”

The above is from a lecture on the “Philosophy of Reform,” given in New York city; but if this is true, there is neither need nor chance for reform, unless it is God’s will that needs reforming! But he goes further, and says:—

“Reformers need to understand that war is as natural to one stage of human development as peace is natural to another. My brother has the spirit of revenge. Shall I call him a demon? Is not his spirit natural to his condition? War is not evil or repulsive, except to a man of peace. Who made the warrior? Who made the non-resistant? Polygamy is as natural to one stage of development as oranges are natural to the South. Shall I grow indignant, and, because I am a monogamist, condemn my kinsman of yore? Who made him? Who made me? We both came up under the confluence of social and political circumstances; and we both represent our conditions and our teachers. The doctrine of blame and praise is natural only to an unphilosophical condition of mind. The spirit of complaint—of attributing ‘evil’ to this and that plane of society—is natural; but is natural only to undeveloped minds. It is a profanation—a sort of atheism of which I would not be guilty. And all our religions, all our schemes of reformation, operating on this superficial plane, need the very elements which are necessary to reform.”

So revenge, war, polygamy, and every violation of the principles of morality, may not be blamed. According to “the true and only Bible,” it is impossible to do wrong! To call murder and adultery evil is “a sort of atheism.” When this lecture was given, in 1857, we said they might go further in practice than they had then gone, but in the theory of lawlessness they were fully developed. This declaration of Davis, who is the chief apostle of spiritualism, will sanction every abomination which has since been manifested among them.

A. P. McCombs, a spiritualist, in a tract entitled, “Whatever is, is Right, Vindicated,” says:—

“I will not contend about how Pope or anybody else viewed the axiom, or into what departments of God’s universe they give it entrance; I believe that ‘whatever is, is right,’ in its fullest and broadest sense, covering every act in the past, present, and future.”

More testimony to this point will be given when we come to speak of the immoral tendencies of the system, and the practices of its adherents.

It is well known that they teach that the spirits obtain entire control of the mediums, and that passive yielding to their influence is necessary to development as good mediums. Any prudent person would wish to know the nature of the spirits to which he had so passively to yield, and avoid the influence, unless he could fully identify them. But so reckless are spiritualists that they court the influence and control of the spirits, while they confess that they cannot identify them. We will prove this by quotations from the very best spiritualist authorities.

A Mr. Hobart, of St. Joseph Co., Mich., in 1857, in a discussion on spiritualism, said:—

“The spirit sometimes assumes the name of an individual belonging to the same church, to induce them to hear. This is necessary with some who are so bigoted they would not believe unless a name was assumed which they respected.”

This was an admission that we did not then suppose any intelligent spiritualist would make. We had not before known that they had so little confidence in these communications, but investigation proves the fact. Yet it is an obvious fact that all spiritualists have changed in their faith and lives under the influence of the spirits. This is a point worthy of careful consideration, that they are continually being molded and fashioned by an influence in which they dare not publicly avow the least confidence.

Joel Tiffany was an able speaker and publisher among them. In a discussion with Pres. Mahan, in Cleveland, he said:—

“Persons have supposed that when they get correct answers they get tests. But when we come to understand that the spirit can come into rapport with the mind in the circle, we then discover that he can perceive his thoughts and get the answer as well as the question from his mind, and then being in communication with the medium can answer all his questions, and give him perfect answers, as to identity, at the same time that he is a far different spirit from what he purports to be.”

Judge Edmonds, in “Spiritual Tracts,” No. 7, page 4, says:—

“One day while I was at West Roxbury, there came to me through Laura as the medium, the spirit of one with whom I had been well acquainted, but from whom I had been separated some fifteen years. His was a very peculiar character—one unlike that of any other man whom I ever knew, and so strongly marked that it was not easy to mistake his identity.

“I had not seen him in several years; he was not at all in my mind at the time, and he was unknown to the medium. Yet he identified himself unmistakably, not only by his peculiar characteristics, but by referring to matters known only to him and me.

“I took it for granted he was dead, and was surprised afterward to learn that he was not. He is yet living.

“I cannot, on this occasion, go into all the particulars of an interview which lasted more than an hour. I was certain there was no delusion about it, and as certain that it was just as much of a spirit manifestation as any I ever witnessed or heard of.”

But the credulity of spiritualists knows no bounds. With all the evidence before him, and the well-known admissions of spiritualists that lying spirits personate our friends so well as to defy detection, the Judge yet thinks it was the spirit of his friend yet living!

The following experience of a circle of “six ladies and gentlemen” is taken from the Boston Bee. The spirit of a dog first identified itself. The paper states:—

“Several satisfactory answers were given relative to its name, that of its late master, time of its decease, &c. . . . The next spirit was that of a cat, who revealed the secret that it had been drowned while at a very tender age, in a cistern, by a young lady who was present. The answers in this instance were correct and satisfactory.”

“After this, a gentleman (who was a medium) asked if the spirit of a favorite horse was present. The raps were in the affirmative. The raps then gave the name of the horse by the alphabet, its age, the number of years it had been dead, the name of the place where it had been struck by lightning, &c.”

These were as “satisfactory tests” as have ever been obtained.

A. J. Davis, in answer to a question concerning the appearance of spirits, said:—

“These appearances are intended merely as reminders and as tests of identity. All intelligent spirits are great artists. They can psychologize a medium to see them, and to describe them, in the style which would produce the greatest impression on the receiver. . . . They can easily represent themselves as being old or young, as in worldly dress or in flowing robes, as is deemed best suited to accomplish the ends of the visitation. They substitute pantomime and appearance for oral explanations.”

In the Spiritual Telegraph of July 11, 1857, the leading editorial is entitled, “On the Identification of Spirits.” The following is the commencement of the article:—

“The question is continually being asked, especially by novitiates in spiritual investigations, How shall we know that the spirits who communicate with us are really the ones whom they purport to be? and for want of a satisfactory answer many minds are thrown into perplexity, and even doubt, as to whether the so-called spiritual manifestations are really such. In giving the results of our own experience and observation upon this subject, we would premise that spirits unquestionably can, and often do, personate other spirits, and that, too, often with such perfection as, for the time being, to defy every effort to detect the deception. Not only can they represent the leading personal characteristics of the spirits whom they purport to be, but they can relate such facts in the history of said spirits, as may be known to the inquirer, or to some one else with whom the communicating spirit is or has been en rapport. And this, in our opinion, is done so often as to very materially diminish the value of any specific tests that may be designedly instituted by the inquirer for the purpose of proving identity; and that if direct tests are demanded at all, we would recommend that they be asked for the purpose of proving that the manifesting influence is that of a spirit, rather than to prove what particular spirit is the agent of its production.”

So it appears that all their talk about “tests” and “test mediums” is entitled to no credit whatever. The “experience and observation” of the editor of the Telegraph entitles his testimony to as much credit as that of any spiritualist in the country. According to his view we can only assure ourselves “that the manifesting influence is that of a spirit,” which we would not deny, but we cannot ascertain “what particular spirit” is communicating, as they “personate with such perfection as to defy every effort to detect the deception.” This is all that we have ever claimed, or could claim, in regard to this great system of falsehood. The following from the same article is equally expressive of their characters and actions:—

“From much experience and observation, however, we are satisfied that if, after having received, in all good faith, such messages directly from the spirit friend whom it purports to be, we proceed to inquiries about matters of theological faith or speculative philosophy, or even about such practical concerns of human life as may involve the ambition, conceits, or prejudices of other spirits than the one with whom up to that moment we have been talking, then other spirits who may be more nearly related to, or who may have more perfect control over, the mediums, will most probably assume instantly the name and position of our friend, pushing the latter aside, and will set forth his own theories, fancies, and probably falsities, using the name of our friend and all the confidence we may have gained in the latter’s identity, by way of enforcing what he would have us believe. And we receive the communication perhaps with the utmost surprise that our friend, in passing into the spirit world, should have so soon changed his opinion on that particular subject!”

A. J. Davis makes a statement similar to the above. If only the main points of the spiritual theory were true, we could not be surprised if all changed their minds in many respects when they enter the “spheres.” But what a confession is this! How completely are all their tests of identity and claims of reliability swept away.

Mr. Tiffany has also given pointed evidence on this subject:—

“When communications are received through public mediums, the probabilities are that the communicators belong to a very low plane of development, and that the communications cannot be relied upon, whatever may be the professions of the communicator. There is almost always an influence which belongs peculiarly to each medium—an influence which seems to be a presiding spirit, which that medium will usually recognize, answering to the name of ‘Jim,’ or ‘John.’ It is generally the case that this spirit will be found on hand first, and is the one to do whatever is to be done, and he becomes the father, mother, brother, sister, or friend of everybody. . . . The circumstances of a public circle are exceedingly unfavorable to getting communications from spirits of a high degree of refinement. The most that can be obtained under such conditions is some external evidence of spiritual existence. The point to which I wish to call your attention is the almost universal fact that mediums devoted to external manifestations, while under the influence of this presiding spirit, are under an influence to deceive, to cheat, which is almost irresistible. It does not matter particularly how good manifestations they get. I have seen this deceptive disposition manifested in mediums who could get very remarkable manifestations, such as the movement, in the open light, of a table with several men standing upon it.”—Lect., pp. 122, 123.

These are quite sufficient to prove the point. And such being the facts, all can see that deception and delusion are unavoidable in the practical workings of spiritualism. We propose now to offer proof from their own writings, that it is not a mild or innocent deception, but a very dangerous one.

J. H. WAGGONER.

How a Pope Died.

It is said of Pope Pius V. that, when he was dying, he cried out in despair: “When I was in low condition, I had some hopes of salvation; when I advanced to be a cardinal, I greatly doubted it; but since I came to the popedom, I have no hope at all.”

Christian Profession Must Be Open and Public

A Christian profession must be open and public. Christ made no secret of his love to us.

Good-Will Toward Men Expressed Awkwardly

No manners are so fine as the most awkward manifestations of good-will toward men.

Obituary Notices.

By Charles Stratton

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”

Died, at Athens, Me., June 11, 1874, sister Sally Giles, aged eighty-five years. She professed religion early in life. In her seventy-seventh year she embraced present truth with gladness. Her life was one of unusual self-denial, simple trust in God, and earnest desires to know duty and do it. Her family and also the church with which she was connected, have great reason to cherish her memory with sacredness. CHARLES STRATTON.

The New England Camp-Meeting

Appointments.

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

Services in Chicago, every Sabbath (seventh day), at 269 West Erie St. All Sabbath-keepers spending a Sabbath in Chicago are invited to attend.

The New England Camp-Meeting.

THIS meeting will be held according to the appointment, Aug. 27-31. It will be upon the old ground near South Lancaster village. The cars on Thursday and Friday, except the evening train, are expected to stop at the ground. Those coming over the Boston, Clinton, and Fitchburg road will stop at Clinton which is about a mile and a half from the camp-ground. Considering the success that has thus far attended the western camp-meetings this year, the important advance steps that are being taken in this work, which will be considered at this meeting, and the presence of Bro. and sister White, we look for the most important meeting ever held in New England, and we expect a larger attendance than at any previous camp-meeting in this Conference. Especially do we invite all scattered members, who have not the privilege of weekly meetings with those of like precious faith, to attend this meeting. We have reached an important crisis in this work. There are many who are embracing the Sabbath by the efforts of the Tract Society. All such should be encouraged to attend the meeting. Unconverted children of Sabbath-keepers, your friends and neighbors who are favorably impressed with the truth, should be encouraged to attend. Then let the church come prepared to labor for their salvation.

Those wishing tents should order immediately, stating what size, and whether they wish to buy or to rent. Order of H. B. Stratton, 65 Dorchester Street, South Boston, Mass. Prices will probably range about the same as heretofore.

H. B. Stratton, } N. E. Camp-Meeting J. C. Tucker, } Committee. S. Martin, }

The New England Conference

WILL hold its next annual session in connection with the camp-meeting which is to be held at South Lancaster, commencing Aug. 27. Each church should see that its delegates are appointed and on the ground the first day of the meeting. Let the church officers of each church see that their reports are sent at once to the secretary, M. Wood, Corner of K and Emerson Streets, South Boston, Mass. Also let each S. B. treasurer see that the S. B. pledges are paid in each church as far as convenient, so that the money may be paid in to the Conference treasurer on, or before, the time of the camp-meeting.

S. N. Haskell, } N. E. H. B. Stratton, } Conf. A. W. Smith, } Com.

Maine Camp-meeting and Conference.

THE Maine Conference will hold its next annual session in connection with the camp-meeting at Skowhegan, one mile above Pishon's Ferry, where it was held last year, commencing Sept. 3, 1874, and holding over the 7th.

Let all of our churches and companies where S. B. is organized send their delegates to this Conference, and let all see that their S. B. is paid up to the last quarter. Let the S. B. treasurers see that their quarterly reports are sent to the State Conference secretary, Timothy Bryant, North Jay, Me., in season, so that we may have a correct report of the financial standing of the Conference. We want to see a general gathering of the brethren and sisters on the old camp-ground this fall. Let no one stay at home that possibly can attend.

J. B. Goodrich, } Maine. G. W. Barker, } Conf. Wm. Morton, } Com.

THE Maine T. & M. Society will hold its next annual meeting on the camp-ground in Skowhegan, Sept. 3-7. Dist. No. 1 will hold its next quarterly meeting in connection with the annual meeting. Let all see that their reports are sent in in season, so that a full report can be made of all that has been done for the last quarter. District Nos. 2 and 3 should hold their quarterly meetings at least two weeks previous, and their reports be sent to the State secretary.

J. B. Goodrich, Pres.

N. Y. Conference.

THE N. Y. and Pa. Conference will hold its next annual session in connection with the camp-meeting at Kirkville, N. Y., Sept. 10-14, 1874.

Systematic Benevolence should be re-arranged and delegates appointed for the Conference in season so that they may all be on the ground the first day of the meeting.

There should be a special effort made to have each church in the Conference represented either by delegate or letter, as the Conference records will probably be revised and churches standing on the records and failing to report at this meeting may be dropped. We hope to see a general attendance at this meeting in accordance with the suggestions of Bro. Butler.

Let not home cares unnecessarily detain any. Make a sacrifice, if need be, to be present, and then expect to meet the Lord there.

P. Z. Kinne, } N. Y. B. L. Whitney, } Conf. S. N. Walsworth, } Com.

The annual meeting of the N. Y. and Pa. T. & M. Society will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Kirkville, Sept. 10-14, 1874.

P. Z. Kinne, Pres.

Ohio Camp-Meeting.

THIS meeting will be held on the farm of Mahlon Meeker, two and a half miles north of Bowling Green and five miles east of Tontogany, Sept. 17-21. Tontogany is on the D. & M. R. R. twenty miles south-west of Toledo. All persons coming by R. R. will stop off at Tontogany, where teams will meet all trains to convey passengers and their baggage to the camp-ground and back to the train free. The committee will see that the grounds are fitted in a proper manner. Provision and horse feed will be furnished on the grounds at a reasonable price. Straw for bedding will be furnished free. We hope our brethren and sisters will all make an earnest effort to come to this meeting and to work for God, for yourselves, and for others. May the blessing of God attend these our yearly gatherings. Come, dear friends, and bring your children and friends with you. Be on the ground with your tents up on Wednesday, prepared to stay until the close of the meeting. We extend a hearty invitation to Bro. and sister White to meet with us in our camp-meeting.

OHIO CAMP-MEETING COMMITTEE.

The Ohio Conference.

THE Ohio Conference will hold its next annual session in connection with the camp-meeting near Bowling Green, commencing Sept. 17, 1874. Let the church officers make their reports in season. We hope the friends of the cause will make a special effort to attend this meeting, to be on the ground with their delegates when the meeting commences, and stay to its close, prepared to work for the Lord that we may obtain his blessing!

O. Mears, } Ohio Wm. Chinnock, } Conf. E. C. Penn, } Com.

THE Ohio T. & M. Society will hold its next annual session in connection with the camp-meeting. The district directors will hold their district quarterly meetings that reports may be sent to the secretary in time for this meeting. O. Mears.

Indiana Camp-meeting and Conference.

THE second annual session of the Conference of S. D. Adventists of Indiana will be held in connection with the camp-meeting to be held at Rail's Grove, four and one-half miles west of Kokomo, Howard Co., Ind., Sept. 24-29, 1874.

IND. CONF. COM.

Quarterly Meetings in Minnesota.

Litchfield, Aug. 29, 30. Grove Lake, Sept. 5, 6. West Union, “ 12, 13. Osakis, “ 19, 20. Chisago, “ 26, 27. River Falls, Wis., Oct. 3, 4. Harrison Grant.

QUARTERLY meeting of the Ohio T. & M. Society, Dist. No. 4, at Clyde, Aug. 29, 30. All the members are requested to report. O. F. Guilford, Director.

QUARTERLY meeting for Mt. Hope church, Grant Co., Wis., Aug. 29, 30, 1874. Brethren and sisters from other churches are cordially invited to attend. We hope Bro. Sanborn will be with us. Wm. Proctor.

QUARTERLY meeting of the S. D. Adventists of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and vicinity at East Otto, the fourth Sabbath and first-day in August. B. B. Warren.

QUARTERLY meeting for the Fish Lake church, Wis., in the school-house near W. Farrar's, Aug. 29 and 30. We desire all who can to come to this meeting. P. S. Thurston.

Quarterly meeting of Iowa and Nebraska T. & M. Society, Dist. No. 1, at Waukon, Iowa, Aug. 22 and 23. Let librarians and members make a special effort to have a full report. T. H. Chapman, Director.

QUARTERLY meeting of the T. & M. Society for Dist. No. 8 of the Missouri and Kansas Conference, at Lincoln school-house, Johnson Co., Mo., Aug. 29 and 30, 1874. A general attendance of friends is expected. J. A. O'Bryan, Director.

ANAMOSA, Iowa, Sept. 12 and 13, 1874. A two days' meeting. All are cordially invited. In behalf of the church. Jesse Dorcas.

QUARTERLY meeting of the T. & M. Society of Wisconsin, Dist. No. 5, in connection with the church quarterly meeting at Liberty Pole, on the first Sabbath and first-day in September, 1874. Eld. O. A. Olson is expected. Eli Osborn, Director.

MONTHLY meeting of the churches of Raymond, Oakland, Johnstown, and Little Prairie, will be held at Little Prairie, Wis., the first Sabbath and first-day in September. Will the members of the last-named church please come prepared to settle their S. B. dues? H. Hunter, Clerk.

QUARTERLY meeting of the T. & M. Society of Missouri and Kansas, Dist. No. 7, at Nevada, Vernon Co., Mo., Sept. 4-6. We earnestly desire all who can to come to this meeting. We expect Eld. J. H. Rogers to be with us. We would also invite all the scattered brethren who wish to take a part in this great work to meet with us. J. F. Klostermyer, Director.

GENERAL quarterly meeting of the Iowa and Nebraska T. and M. Society at Knoxville, Iowa, August 29 and 30. Let each director see that his district is properly represented. Hope there will be a general rally at this meeting, and that the blessing of God may attend it. H. Nicola.

Mother Shipton’s Prophecy.

By Uriah Smith

A PIECE of very imperfect poetry, under this title, has been going the rounds of the papers, and has a number of times been sent to this Office for publication. It purports to have been written in 1041, and to be a prophecy of some remarkable event to transpire between that time and the end. Some passages would seem to refer quite distinctly to the wonders of steam and electricity and the discovery of gold. But the last two lines fix the time and name the year for the Lord to come; and that spoils it all; for we have no confidence in any such assertion. We once published all but the last two lines of this prophecy. We did not insert them because some would perhaps fix upon the time, and above all, the impression would very likely obtain that we were time-setters; an impression which we shall be very careful to give no one any occasion to entertain. U. S.

Michigan Camp-Meeting.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

ALTHOUGH the lateness of the hour will not permit any extended notice of the meeting at this time, I cannot forbear saying a few words.

Having contracted the ague in Indiana, I came to the meeting afflicted in body, as well as greatly depressed in mind. Sixth day, the 7th inst., I was very sick all the day long, and it was with difficulty that I was up and on the ground at any time during the first five days of the meeting.

For several months past I had been passing through severe trials of mind; in self-examination I had not been idle, and I became exceedingly dissatisfied with my religious experience, and my standing before God. In humbling myself, and in my confessions of my short-comings before the Lord I was permitted to see my weakness, my lukewarmness, and my danger. But the Lord did not leave me thus. He gave me the evidences of his loving kindness, and of the greatness of his grace, in his willingness to reach down the strong arms of his love to take us up in our lost condition and elevate us to be partakers of his divine nature and of his joy.

On Wednesday, the 12th, having retired to the grove to have a visit with Bro. White, after some conversation in regard to my feelings and to my condition, as Bro. White raised his voice in prayer the glory of the Lord shone round about us, and our hearts were filled with sacred joy. Together we wept, and while sweet peace filled my mind, new life seemed to be imparted to my feeble frame, and all traces of disease were driven away. Since that time, I have had richer views of the love of God than ever before, and my bodily health has not been so good in many years.

In my feeble and desponding state it seemed as if I could not possibly labor in public much longer. I thought the period of my efficiency was about closed, and that other and younger laborers must occupy my place. But I now believe it is God’s will that, as the message rises in strength and power, his servants should rise with it. Work, which seemed so difficult, now seems a pleasure. My hope is stronger than it has been at any time before for years, and my heart beats in perfect union with God’s faithful servants who have so long, and under so many discouragements, “borne the heat and burden of the day.”

The cause and work of the third angel’s message is of God; his Spirit is in it, and it must succeed. It is rising, and we will praise him for his presence with us, while we strive to do his will.

May the Lord help us all to realize the greatness of the work before us, to warn the world of impending destruction, and to prepare to stand in that terrible yet joyful day when his Son shall be revealed from Heaven.

J. H. Waggoner.

Post Office Address of Elder E. B. Lane

THE P. O. address of Eld. E. B. Lane is Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio.

The Hygienic Cook Book.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

EVERY family should have one. It will be a great help to those who wish to adopt the most healthful diet. And who does not? It is more than folly to choose to live upon a diet that is constantly undermining health and preparing the system to suddenly fall under the power of disease. It is better to deny perverted appetite, and learn to relish the most healthful food. While folly follows the fashion, wisdom finds a better way.

The Cook Book recommends the most healthy food, and gives instructions how to prepare it. It should not be necessary to advise people to “choose the best,” yet they are slow to make such a choice. And for the benefit of those who are beginners in the health reform, and should make a gradual change, the “progressive” department is added, embracing some articles of food that are not strictly hygienic—not the best. It is not intended that they should always remain in this department; but that they should progress till they attain to the best. Yet many who have been supposed to be staunch reformers for years show a decided preference still for this part of the book. They pass by that which has the first place as the very best, and mark their progress as we used to in the spelling book of olden time, by getting over “beyond the pictures.” If this is a mark of progress, would it not be better in the future editions of the book to put the progressive department in the forepart of the book?

Those who would adopt the reform should have the book. If you would abandon unhealthy articles of food, and, at the same time, not suffer for the want of something to supply their place, get the book, and learn to provide a great variety of the most delicious, as well as most healthful, food. R. F. COTTRELL.

Special Notice.

By S. N. Haskell

Those coming to the New England Camp-meeting who come over the Worcester and Nashua R. R. must purchase Camp-meeting tickets at Worcester and Nashua, as no return tickets will be given to those places. But return tickets will be given to other points on the road. Those coming from Boston will do well to take the cars from Boston and Worcester depot for Clinton, Mass., instead of Boston and Fitchburg depot. Clinton is about a mile from the camp-ground. Arrangements will be made to convey those passengers who are unable to walk that distance from Clinton to the camp-ground.

S. N. Haskell.

Vermont Camp-Meeting Travel Arrangements and Free Return Tickets

By L. Bean

Notice.

THOSE coming to the Vermont Camp-meeting over the Vermont Central R. R. will take stage at Waterbury for Morrisville. To make connection, they should get on the train that arrives at Waterbury 8½ A. M. Free return tickets to those coming over Vt. R. R., on the ground. Those coming over P. & O. R. R. will call for camp-meeting tickets at the station. L. BEAN.

Free Return Tickets.

By C. O. Taylor

ARRANGEMENTS have been made with the R. W. & O. and Syracuse Northern Railroad for free return tickets to all attending the camp-meeting at Kirkville, commencing Sept. 10, 1874.

C. O. TAYLOR.

To the Churches in Ohio.

By O. Mears

As our Conference will hold its next annual meeting in connection with the camp-meeting, it is necessary that the clerk of each church furnish the secretary with a financial and church report. The treasurers should also send in their S. S. quarterly reports. Quite a number have not been heard from this year. Let the reports be sent in two weeks before the meetings. Address A. A. Hutchins, Fremont, Ohio.

O. MEARS.

M. WOOD

By M. Wood

Notice.

WILL the brethren who have received blank reports from the secretary of the New England Conference please fill out the same, and forward immediately to M. Wood, South Boston, Mass.? There is still time for the secretary to make up his books before camp-meeting if those whose duty it is to fill out these blanks will but heed the admonition of Paul found in Rom. 12:11.

M. WOOD

Quarterly Meetings in Minnesota.

By Stephen Pierce

Place	Date
At Medford,	Aug. 22, 23.
Wasioja or Concord,	" 29, 30.
(Where Bro. Vankirk may appoint.)
Kenyon,	Sept. 5, 6.
Pine Island,	" 12, 13.
Greenwood Prairie,	" 19, 20.
Maiden Rock, Wis.,	" 26, 27.

Providence permitting, I will be present. STEPHEN PIERCE.

Letting Grievances Pass Without Reply

LEAVE your grievances as Napoleon did his letters, unopened for three weeks, and it is astonishing how few of them by that time will require answering.