p. 814 | The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 51 (Tuesday, December 23, 1884)

THE YEAR 1884.

By Editor

This year, now drawing to its close, will happily crush with its ponderous weight some of the follies of a few prophetic cranks who have assigned great events, even the coming of the Lord himself, to this year. This is one of the satisfactions to be derived from the rapid flight of time, whose course we would almost fain arrest at times to give us longer opportunities for the work we have in hand. And if the men referred to would only learn from their failures to desist from their senseless work, the satisfaction would be greater still.

TWO NEW PAPERS.

By Editor

While two monthly papers are discontinued at the close of this year, two others are started, so that the number of periodicals in the field is still kept good.

The first of these is an educational sheet entitled the Students’ Workshop, published by the Healdsburg College, Healdsburg, California. It will be devoted to the interests of that institution in particular, and educational work among our people in general. The first number, which has come to our table, is an interesting number, and in form and style of workmanship makes a very creditable appearance. We wish it success commensurate with the prosperity of the flourishing institution with the interests of which it is identified.

The second paper is entitled the Sabbath-School Worker, published by the General S. S. Association, Battle Creek, Mich. It is a two-column 16-page journal, to be issued quarterly in the interests of Sabbath-school work, containing the quarterly S. S. reports, and other important matter for both scholars and teachers, for which the Youths’ Instructor can hardly give the space. There is a want which this publication is well adapted to meet. In typographical appearance it is very neat.

It will be noticed that in the names of both these publications the idea of “work” is made prominent; and that is well; for to the success of any cause, this is a fundamental necessity; and with a suitable amount of this commodity well applied, any object can be gained. The ancients understood this when they gave utterance to the old adage, “Labor omnia vincit.”

IMPORTANT MEETING FOR ILLINOIS.

By B. F. Merritt

The meeting appointed by Eld. R. F. Andrews for Ridot, Jan. 23–25 will be a very important one. The State quarterly meeting will be held in connection with it. Also at this meeting the Sabbath-school work will receive attention. We expect that Eld. Tait, President of the S. S. Association, will have arranged model classes, blackboard and object lessons, etc., and will superintend that branch of the work. We also expect that Bro. Wm. Hibben, President of the Health and Temperance Society, will be present, and that this branch of the work will receive due attention.

As this is probably the last State meeting our beloved Bro. Andrews will be able to attend with us before going as a missionary to Europe, we trust it will be a very profitable one, and that all who reasonably can, will attend. The meetings will commence Wednesday evening, Jan. 21, and we expect the time will be wholly taken up in earnest work for the furtherance of the cause in this State.

Let all our directors that can, be present. Those who cannot, will be expected to report. Now let each director endeavor to so arrange matters in his district that he may report it free from debt and the cause advancing under his charge. Also let all our agents see that their dues to the society are settled; and let all our brethren throughout the State, who justly owe a thank offering to the Lord for the health, good crops, and prosperity with which we have been favored, remember the missionary work within our borders, and send

such donations to the cause as they may purpose in their hearts, by their director or some agent or by mail to Lizzie S. Campbell, Belvidere, Ill.

Let our directors talk up this matter, and as our brethren begin the new year, let donations from all parts of the State flow into the treasury, like little rills into a river; and God will send forth the waters of salvation, and revive and save many who are perishing. Let us begin the year right, and labor to the end that great prosperity may attend the cause of God the coming year.

Let all those come to the meeting who wish to learn more fully how to work in the cause. Bring some bedding, and ample provision will be made for the comfort of all who come. Let all with one heart ask God's special blessing upon this meeting.

B. F. MERRITT.

AN EXTRA NUMBER.

By Editor

We give in this volume of the REVIEW, fifty-one numbers instead of the usual quota of fifty. This becomes necessary to make the date of the new volume come on the first Tuesday in the new year. The reader will certainly not object to this extra link in volume 61.

NO PAPER NEXT WEEK.

By Editor

IN accordance with our usual custom, we omit a number of the paper during the holidays. There will consequently be no paper next week. The date of the next paper will be January 6, 1885.

BEWILDERED

“If the year 1884 passes, and the Lord does not come, I shall not know where we are.” Such substantially were the words used not long since by an Adventist time-setter. And that is just the trouble with these men. They have not known for years where they are. The sanctuary subject is the great prophetic light-house for this time; and whoever turns his back on that, is simply propelling his boat out upon a trackless sea of darkness and bewilderment.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS.

By Editor

AS THIS is the last number of the paper through which we can address the reader previous to the coming of those points in the yearly cycle—Christmas and New Year's—noted as seasons of good will and wishes, we extend to all the friends of the REVIEW the cordial greetings of the season—a Christmas, merry, not with the empty vanities and low pleasures in which so many love to revel, but with the consciousness of good deeds done, and the joy of anticipated good which the coming of the Saviour of men into this world, has made sure to his people; and a New Year, happy, because of a nature brought into harmony with His will who is the source of all happiness and blessing.

THE SABBATH SENTINEL.

The last number of the Sentinel, which has been due since the first of the month, is now in the hands of the printers, and will soon be ready for the mails. The delay has been owing largely to the same cause which has embarrassed its progress through the year, and now leads to its discontinuance; namely, a lack of help to give it adequate attention. Its friends will have patience with the delay under the circumstances, and the last number will be forthcoming in due time.

EVEN UP, PLEASE.

By Editor

WHEN the reader looks over the “General Summary of Labor” of the T. and M. societies, given in this number, he will see some figures which will, or ought to, throw him into profound thought; and if in some cases the perspiration should start a little it would not perhaps be out of place. We refer to those columns which show the average number of periodicals taken to each member in the different Conferences.

Please look at the column where the poor REVIEW comes in for its share, and note the fact that there are only two Conferences where over half a REVIEW is taken to each member; that is, in those Conferences which are doing the best by this paper, there are about two members to every copy of the REVIEW which comes within their boundaries; and in some Conferences there is less than one-seventh of a REVIEW to each member; or in other words, there is one REVIEW to about seven members; whereas of other periodicals there are in some instances several copies to each member. The reader can compare the figures for himself. We do not say that the number of other papers taken should be any less; but we venture to ask if that of the REVIEW should not be more.

WHY IS IT?

By S. N. Haskell

We have received a number of letters from Vermont respecting the holding of the coming general meeting in that State. We are glad to get these letters; for they show a living interest in the work, also that the brethren there appreciate general meetings. The general meeting held in that State last spring was a profitable one, and one that left a good influence on the cause. Were there more of this interest manifested by our brethren generally, there would be more of an attendance at some places where meetings are held.

We regret that circumstances are such that it seems impracticable to comply with the request of our Vermont brethren at this time. The meeting will be one of interest to all of the N. E. States, and especially so to the N. E. Conference. It is understood in view of my going to Australia next spring, that Elds. Canright and Farnsworth are coming to labor in the N. E. Conference for a season. To better understand the wants of the cause in this Conference, it seems highly proper that the meeting be held here. South Lancaster is the most central point for all of the N. E. States, Maine in particular. These are some of the reasons why the meeting was appointed to be held here. Also the arrangements were made before I received the requests. I take this means of replying to the letters received. We hope to meet many of our Vermont friends, and to have the special blessing of God at this gathering of God’s people.

S. N. HASKELL.

Editor's Forthcoming Sermon on the Ten Virgins

Nothing preventing, a sermon by the editor on the Parable of the Ten Virgins may be looked for in the next number.

Tract and Missionary Department Annual Work Summary

By Editor

Our T. and M. Department this week is largely taken up with the interesting table showing the summary of work done during the past year. It is a very encouraging report, and the brethren will find it profitable to make the lesson which its facts and figures contain a matter of study. An organization by which over eleven million pages of reading matter have been distributed the past year, is certainly an important factor in this work.

IMPORTANT MEETINGS.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

If nothing in the providence of God prevent, there will be a general meeting held at the mission rooms in Portland, Me., Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 20, 21. This will be a meeting of importance, as it will be a time of consultation in regard to future labor in Maine; also regarding the propriety of moving the depository, consequently the headquarters of the Tract and Missionary Society, to Portland. We therefore hope to see as many laborers and leading brethren as is consistent at this gathering.

Also Sabbath, Sunday, and Monday, Jan. 10, 11, and 12, 1885, a general quarterly meeting of the N. E. Tract and Missionary Society will be held at South Lancaster, Mass. It is expected that Elds. D. M. Canright and E. W. Farnsworth will be present at this meeting. As they are coming east to labor for the present, the interests of the cause for the six N. E. States will be considered.

We therefore cordially invite not only the brethren from all parts of this Conference, but from Maine and Vermont, to attend this meeting. It is especially necessary that the leading brethren from each of these Conferences should be present. Evidently the time has come for the work to move forward as never before in New England. The encouragement we have in the interest manifested in Boston and Worcester should be sufficient evidence to all that the time has come for us to put forth extra efforts to advance in the cause of God.

S. N. HASKELL.

[We follow copy in giving the above appointments, but call attention to the fact that the date given for the Portland meeting, Dec. 20, 21, must be a mistake, as that date is already in the past. The letter containing the appointments was mailed the 17th, and received the 19th; so the date of the meeting cannot consistently be Dec. 20, 21. It was probably designed to be Dec. 27, 28.—Ed.]