REPORT OF THE WEEKLY MEETING OF THE BATTLE CREEK V. M. SOCIETY.
By D. E. F.
HELD AT THE TABERNACLE, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DEC. 3, 1884, AT 7 P. M.
After singing and a season of earnest, fervent prayer, in which several joined, letters were read of an unusually interesting character, calling forth remarks from several. One remarkable feature in them was the fact of their coming from so many different parts of the field, there being read at this meeting letters from Maine, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Russia, and Syria. Another remarkable feature was the fact that of all the letters read at this meeting not one was of a discouraging nature. All were pleased with the reading matter, were desirous of reading more, and in nearly every case the reading matter sent was distributed among others.
A physician from Georgia sends money for books sent him. He says: “I can truly say that to me you are a wonderful people. Under the light of your expositions, to my mind, the Scriptures have unfolded beautifully. They cleared up the subjects of the sanctuary, the unconscious state of the dead, and the annihilation of the wicked. These, to me, are new doctrines.”
A gentleman from Kennedy, N. Y., who has been working among the people with the Swedish Harold, reports that as the result of his efforts, twelve have commenced the observance of the Sabbath.
The reading of letters was followed by general remarks. Bro. Miller, of Jackson, in a few stirring remarks, stated that a few years ago, much was said among us about the shaking time, and asked the question, “Do we believe that we are right on the verge of this time?” He then spoke of the joy and peace he had experienced in laboring personally for his fellow-men.
A lady in Massachusetts writes: “I have received the papers, for which I am deeply grateful, and shall take pleasure in placing any which you may send me in the reading-rooms of the Y. M. C. A.”
A lady in Maine writes: “I want to thank you for those papers which you send me, for I like them very much. I read them all, and then I send them to my friends to read. May God bless you in your work for him.”
A lady in New Jersey says that she is interested in the Signs, and that after reading them she sends them to her friends with the request that, after reading, they would send them to others.
The following is a translation of letters and cards received at the Stimme office during the past few days, and read at the missionary meeting:—
Four or five cards have been received, of which this is a sample: “Pray send me some copies of your paper, because I would like to read it.” Most of these cards were from a College in a Western State, which is a Lutheran institution. One was a Lutheran pastor.
———, Russia, Oct. 23, 1884.
“Dear Stimme: A few days ago I was with Bro. ——, a colporter for the Bible Society here, with whom I saw some of your publications. I read them with the greatest of interest, and would entreat you to send me one or more of each kind of all your works in German; also a specimen copy of your semi-monthly. I wish with all my heart that God would give me, too, an understanding of the truth, and would lead me to keep the right Sabbath soon. To the doctrine of the unconscious state of man after death, I cannot reconcile the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and would therefore ask for more light on this point; also upon the point that sinners are not to suffer eternal pain. Here in Ehstland, in the cities of Hapsal and Reval on the Baltic, a deep religious movement has been going on for the last five years, the principal feature being the belief that Christ is very soon coming, some even stating as soon as next spring.
“I will send money, if the Lord will, as soon as I am assured that I have the right address.
“With heartfelt greetings, I remain most respectfully yours,
“——— ——.”
“——— ——, Colporter of the Bible Society.
The following letter is from the man mentioned in the preceding one. Bro. —— had written once before to the Office, and had received about 50 cents worth of tracts and some papers:—
Russia, Oct. 28, 1884.
“Dear Stimme der Wahrheit: In love I report that I have received the twenty-seven tracts long ago, and have read them faithfully and with deep interest, in company with my brother. I must confess that I am convinced of the truthfulness of all they contain. But I am all in the dark on the subject of man’s state after death. I do not understand it; for there are the words of our Saviour to the thief on the cross, that he should THAT DAY be with him in paradise; also the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. . . . How can all this be if there is no paradise or hell to which men go after death? Please send me some reading matter explaining this. I love your publications very much. I would have written long ago and sent some money, but as I went with 5 rubles [about $3.65] to the post-office I was told that I must pay 10 rubles if you were to have 5. [The reason for this is that Russian money is at a discount of 50 per cent in all countries outside of Russian territory]. Please find out how I can escape paying double, if it can be done. I would like the good semi-monthly on the prophecies [Stimme]. I send you three addresses to whom please send all the tracts you sent me. Send the bill to me. You may also send me some more. As I travel much in Russia I can scatter them.
“In the hope of a very speedy answer, I remain your humble servant in the work,
“——— ——.”
The Office sent five complete sets to these four addresses and that of the other letter, making twenty-five packages, averaging from 200 to 300 pages each. May God bless.
D. E. F., Sec.
Our Tract Societies.
By Lizzie A. Stone
“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.”—Isa. 32. 20.
VERMONT TRACT SOCIETY.
Report for QuarterEndingSept. 30, 1884.
No. of members, 242
“ “ reports returned, 52
“ “ missionary visits, 212
“ “ letters written, 271
“ “ Signs taken in clubs, 78
“ “ periodicals distributed, 1,967
“ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, 26,757
“ “ new subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 2
“ “ “ “ “ “ Signs, 360
“ “ “ “ “ “ Good Health, 20
“ “ “ “ “ “ Instructor, 19
Received on T. and M. fund, $217.36; on periodicals, $304.07; on reserve fund, $153.50.
LIZZIE A. STONE, Sec.
A WORD FOR THE COLUMBUS MISSION.
By E. J. Van Horn
I WOULD request all who became acquainted with persons at the Ohio camp-meeting, held at Columbus, to please send the Signs to those who live in the city, and correspond with them. Brethren and sisters, this will do you good, and may help those into the light for whom you labor. Several precious souls have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and we feel of good courage in the work. But there is more work than we can do. We cannot get time to visit those who are interested as often as we should. So we ask you to help us by doing all you can to keep the truth before them. Ask God to bless the matter sent.
18th St., Columbus, O. E. J. Van Horn.
Our Tract Societies.—Summary of Labor for the Year Ending Oct. 1, 1884.
Societies
Number of Church Members
Number of T. and M. Members
Per cent of T. and M. Members Reporting
Number of Members Dismissed
Number of Members Added
Number of Missionary Visits
Number of Letters Written
Number of Subscribers Obtained for Periodicals
Short-term Subscribers
Number of Signs Taken in Clubs
Average No. of Signs taken per member
Average No. of REVIEW taken per member
Average No. of Good Health taken per member
Average No. of Sentinel taken per member
Average No. of Foreign Periodicals taken by members
Average No. of other Periodicals taken per member
Number of Pages of Publications Distributed
Number of Periodicals Distributed
Bible Readings held with Unbelievers
No. of Colporters Employed
Wholesale Value of Publications sold by Agents
California
1339
821
38
109
231
8422
5934
2341
871
2030
1 80
14
21
2 55
18
1 14
1071170
153906
…
18
$4451 00
Iowa
1460
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
408
40
25
15
59
28
79
…
…
…
…
…
New England
532
396
50
11
21
3956
1411
110
250
2026
4 11
61
84
8 90
31
2 44
354487
71020
480
5
942 84
New York
731
336
40
20
23
6302
1147
2158
3545
2452
2 59
…
…
c 4 19
c 25
c 1 59
436237
24484
…
9
…
Michigan
3622
1953
31
77
230
12364
8365
4226
2035
1760
54
46
22
3 07
18
1 55
1288150
1287372
…
5
3993 46
Wisconsin
1475
700
42
32
46
7997
2590
750
2729
705
54
45
14
2 14
49
84
616153
23066
…
6
2133 57
Minnesota
1345
448
26
5
54
1249
1287
444
…
755
63
23
08
2 48
55
86
243666
28905
…
…
…
Illinois
642
347
47
56
20
2267
3042
586
560
425
89
43
39
2 00
1 29
86
196102
15724
…
7
…
Ohio
831
497
34
10
42
1160
1217
1505
1516
733
1 06
40
30
2 19
07
1 80
282468
17967
…
6
…
Kansas
931
348
18
24
14
905
342
778
338
577
87
48
14
3 99
32
96
206931
6662
…
17
1790 92
Pennsylvania
539
386
…
…
34
2394
1378
…
…
…
1 29
15
17
…
…
…
530847
16990
…
6
12317 31
Nebraska
600
388
25
19
41
16228
1265
851
998
626
1 20
40
31
2 81
61
1 15
772004
16011
300
12
3000 00
Vermont
388
252
18
8
5
5757
571
166
1113
105
40
52
18
30
…
41
172893
9860
15
…
75 00
Maine
375
232
43
…
7
1440
455
960
487
28
20
40
7
23
10
29
72374
6178
…
…
…
Indiana
828
286
60
10
49
693
627
1076
500
404
60
31
18
1 35
2
66
578878
20786
…
3
…
Missouri
407
184
42
8
19
1688
761
304
320
315
87
46
82
1 93
12
87
259699
7572
100
5
725 00
Texas
253
170
32
15
22
167
249
72
10
85
55
48
21
5 77
5
1 58
98665
5273
…
2
424 17
North Pacific
160
141
42
12
32
4488
1297
278
520
d 729
d 3 59
d 24
d 62
d 1 34
d 28
d 1 32
683989
13032
…
4
…
Upper Columbia
188
151
47
3
31
2136
1119
390
…
347
…
…
…
…
…
…
140473
7368
…
…
…
Dakota
449
249
50
15
71
2075
1346
1000
359
104
35
32
11
2 94
72
97
165571
9563
…
2
723 94
Kentucky
143
67
18
…
22
552
97
42
138
…
29
42
10
61
…
40
16037
1265
60
…
…
Canada
113
56
24
…
3
405
374
51
214
…
…
33
59
…
5
…
42015
7928
3
…
28 00
Virginia
102
44
51
1
16
100
95
44
20
10
21
14
14
1 23
6
51
15500
1200
5
…
…
Colorado
160
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
340
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Tennessee
87
39
60
1
24
366
217
25
102
12
26
44
16
1 26
…
51
76751
2564
20
3
168 00
Alabama
33
18
…
…
…
…
…
16
1
…
…
8
…
48
…
…
1064
…
…
…
…
Total in America
17751
7509
41
426
1057
83111
35186
19160
16626
g 16275
…
…
…
…
60 88
…
8822124
1743596
…
80
30768 21
Scandinavian Society
367
…
…
…
…
1897
305
2243
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
1888722
910
…
…
…
British “
66
38
…
6
20
16578
32594
292
352
2 5
3 48
…
…
…
1 48
…
512136
83632
…
4
511 85
Swiss “
202
106
…
3
20
1920
803
6035
581
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
44260
93782
…
…
…
Grand Total
18386
7653
…
435
1097
103506
36398
27130
17559
16480
g 18780
g 7188
g 4832
g 49464
g 6236
…
11267243
1921920
983
84
$31204 56
Societies
No. of Libraries containing our Bound books
No. Reading Rooms supplied with the Signs
No. Reading Rooms supplied with Good Health
No. of Book Canvassers employed
No. of Periodical Canvassers employed
Received on T. and M. Fund
Received on Periodical Fund
Received on T. and M. Reserve Fund
Excess of Resources over Liabilities in State T. and M. Societies
Amt. of Unpaid Pledges to T. and M. Reserve Fund
Amt. of Unpaid Pledges to International Society
Total Amount Due on Last Year's Pledges
Total Amount Pledged to Various Enterprises This Year
Total Amount Due on This Year's Pledges
Titles
Average amount of titles to each member
Due Signs of the Times, Oct. 28, 1884
Due Review and Herald, Nov. 1, 1884
California
23
34
30
8
7
$1991 05
$3435 32
$51 70
$4470 43
$1864 00
$220 00
$10437 20
$5453 50
$5231 21
$16851 31
11 16
$1205 88
$258 42
Iowa
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
10422 47
7 13
607 41
60 92
New England
93
50
34
3
1
3753 54
3409 24
25 00
3626 17
…
193 00
640 50
1893 77
1057 31
4208 50
8 21
1957 02
3226 92
New York
35
20
20
4
21
1866 50
1658 91
…
4686 57
…
271 45
1135 70
20000 00
14659 55
3826 93
5 23
932 05
1182 38
Michigan
27
5
6
10
1 35
4313 77
3099 96
2785 04
1893 59
6675 00
1908 75
14544 35
21083 50
20777 75
15179 94
4 19
1348 13
…
Wisconsin
…
6
…
16
10
1895 46
1432 66
1713 25
1500 00
1533 00
264 50
836 25
16334 25
14521 00
6051 81
4 10
815 81
420 13
Minnesota
…
…
…
…
…
765 89
1097 83
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
6189 66
4 60
1158 24
6090 05
Illinois
22
6
…
5
5
700 54
972 08
105 00
531 00
2548 00
148 50
3795 15
7430 00
708 00
2514 23
3 91
242 22
894 20
Ohio
30
20
19
…
6
272 16
667 28
1644 90
…
…
…
…
…
4000 00
5195 59
6 25
834 33
1011 98
Kansas
6
…
…
16
1
2753 94
1162 62
927 10
1038 98
20250 70
…
20250 70
19024 00
18974 00
5777 68
6 20
343 79
4398 74
Pennsylvania
…
8
2
35
40
502 65
1381 44
1000 00
3853 44
1000 00
…
…
…
…
3456 76
6 41
660 76
1630 81
Nebraska
10
2
…
6
6
1379 11
1379 11
3067 80
3835 12
14063 00
1280 00
1893 00
16917 00
15000 00
5300 00
8 68
585 73
6505 04
Vermont
…
…
…
…
…
258 98
337 42
218 05
761 32
…
148 00
341 00
1713 25
1662 00
1918 41
4 94
53 96
49 49
Maine
30
…
…
…
4
328 01
626 53
71 41
287 59
…
103 25
341 00
1713 25
1662 00
1756 78
4 68
22 68
72 64
Indiana
17
2
2
…
…
194 76
549 90
…
1 50
…
…
…
7375 0
7293 50
3150 00
3 88
440 70
785 47
Missouri
22
14
…
2
5
1251 40
551 89
566 46
1231 06
1164 00
250 00
701 75
20459 75
20459 75
1663 57
4 08
136 90
1913 23
Texas
4
1
…
12
12
526 14
226 84
502 97
1859 30
722 00
161 00
863 53
2089 00
1365 09
1929 58
7 62
196 54
2519 16
North Pacific
4
5
…
3
1
361 57
633 06
325 34
1324 62
132 00
…
132 00
5000 00
3351 00
1407 00
6 86
1547 93
266 18
Upper Columbia
…
…
…
…
…
447 37
306 58
147 00
…
…
…
…
…
…
1407 20
7 48
762 75
120 23
Dakota
2
…
…
1
6
1303 01
675 34
670 65
1157 35
219 00
98 75
535 15
5710 30
9750 01
2134 14
4 73
389 66
1144 49
Kentucky
16
…
…
…
…
242 65
88 40
…
120 00
…
26 00
…
…
…
424 19
4 19
12 74
872 81
Canada
3
3
1
…
2
147 50
100 00
…
216 21
412 00
…
…
8412 05
3370 00
314 03
2 79
18 30
11 42
Virginia
3
…
…
1
…
55 00
53 94
302 90
…
273 00
…
…
398 11
117 82
400 00
3 91
11 38
106 38
Colorado
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
950 00
5 93
433 72
241 05
Tennessee
3
1
…
…
…
…
…
109 00
166 30
2200 00
…
131 00
1000 00
1005 00
382 68
4 15
45 85
139 87
Alabama
1
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
15 00
10 00
…
…
…
…
75 00
2 27
…
…
Total in America
351
177
114
…
…
24811 00
24346 55
14233 57
32376 52
53055 70
5073 20
56765 28
163673 34
152282 60
102887 46
h 6 25
14964 48
33922 02
Scandinavian Society
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
British “
65
6
36
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
330 16
5 00
…
…
Swiss “
…
10
…
…
6
176 27
299 56
…
170 40
…
…
…
…
…
875 00
4 33
…
…
Grand Total
416
193
150
122
168
24987 27
24647 11
14233 57
32546 92
53055 70
5073 20
56765 28
163673 34
152282 68
104092 62
…
14264 48
33922 02
a Stime, Tidende and Harold considered as one paper.
b REVIEW, Signs, Good Health, Sentinel, Instructor, and foreign periodicals considered as five different papers.
c New York and Pennsylvania combined.
d North Pacific, and Upper Columbia combined.
e No report, owing to the illness of the secretary.
f A credit of $2271.24.
g Total number as per mailing list.
h Average per cent.
i A portion of the time.
THE CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.
By Editor
We give this week the index of volume sixty-one, to which these words from the epistle to the Hebrews may well be applied: “Of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum.” It will well repay the reader to look it over to remind himself of the many good things which have been served out to him during the past year, the multitude of which, as they have come to him gradually from week to week, he may not have realized.
THE FIRST GREAT LIE.
ITS ORIGIN AND FRUITS.
(Read from Bottom to Top.)
He will find that a great variety of subjects has been presented. The main features of our faith,—law, gospel, and prophecy,—have been fully canvassed. Matters theoretical and practical, historical and experimental, pertaining to the signs of the times, the progress of our cause, the fulfillments of prophecy, and the course of events in the world in general, have been presented in one unceasing panorama upon its pages. Those who have read them must have had their faith strengthened, their spirits revived, and their hope and courage greatly increased.
There has never been a more encouraging period in the history of our cause than that covered by the past volume; and the Review has been the depository in which the record of all the encouraging items, facts, incidents, and movements has been gathered. The two thousand nine hundred and eighty-four conversions which have been reported, the good accomplished by the tent-meetings, the success of the long series of camp-meetings, the blessing which has attended the labors of Sr. White at these meetings, the fifty-seven millions of pages of books which have been printed, the two and a quarter million copies of periodicals which have been issued, the sixty-three thousand dollars’ worth of books sold, the eight new papers started, the older foreign missions enlarged and new ones opened, the city missions established, the growth of the tract and missionary work, the liberal donations of funds to sustain this latter work, domestic and foreign, and the earnest endeavors in many places on the part of both ministers and people to reach a higher state of practical godliness and devotion to the work—all these features have been calculated to inspire every heart with good cheer, fresh courage, and gratitude to God.
And the outlook for the future is no less encouraging. For the evidence is daily accumulating that these truths which constitute the specialty of the work of Seventh-day Adventists, are the crowning truths of God’s providence and revelation in the world. If so, the hand of Heaven is in this message, and the full design of the Lord in its promulgation, will be accomplished.
The testimony of the faithful and true Witness is that he has set before this work “an open door and no man can shut it.” The temple in heaven has been opened, and there is seen therein the ark of his testament. Rev. 11:19. This view is not to be obscured. Men cannot hide the heavenly temple nor cover the ark from view. This cause has come to stay, and this truth is to be promulgated, till that supreme moment is reached when we pass the dividing line between the dispensations, and the glories of the heavenly state shall burst upon our vision.
Then strengthen the feeble knees, and lift up the hands that hang down. Who can lose heart in sight of the prize? And as the angels said to Lot on the eve of Sodom’s destruction, “Hast thou here any besides?” so the question may now be asked of every believer, Hast thou here any besides? Have you friends or neighbors to whom a knowledge of these things should come? Call their attention to the REVIEW. Secure their subscription for it. Induce them to read.
As the times and the work become more and more interesting, so the REVIEW will become a more and more important factor in the work. It will seek to be a true reflection of this cause, to warn sinners, arouse the careless, and strengthen believers. It is such a paper as should go everywhere. No pains will be spared to make the coming volume more valuable than any of its predecessors. And we ask the co-operation of all its friends.
MAN’S NATURE AND DESTINY.
The foregoing illustration has been designed and prepared expressly for the new edition of the work “Man’s Nature and Destiny,” and is printed as the frontispiece in that book. As the reader will perceive at a glance, it contains a sermon in itself. It presents, as in a nutshell, the whole hideous outgrowth from that first falsehood uttered by the serpent in Eden, “Ye shall not surely die.” The great foresight and the deep-seated malignity of the tempter is shown in the fact that no sentence could have been uttered which would have produced such a baleful outgrowth of superstition and error as this. Like the ostrich which imagines if he can get his head under a leaf that his whole body is hidden, so the serpent peers out slyly from under the bush, as if he would keep himself in the background, and conceal his presence
as much as possible. But there is not enough of it to hide his form, which is plainly discernible.
From the announcement then so insinuatingly made, “Ye shall not surely die,” in opposition to the express denunciation of God, “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die,” has grown up among men a doctrine comprehensively expressed by the terms “Immortality of the Soul.” This is therefore affixed to the body of the tree growing up from the coils of the serpent. The tempter’s words were the first enunciation of that doctrine, and the foundation upon which it rests.
Two fundamental conclusions at once spring from this doctrine. For if the soul is immortal, the dead are conscious, and an unending state of conscious suffering awaits the incorrigibly impenitent. On the two main branches of the tree we therefore have “Conscious State of the Dead,” and “Eternal Misery.”
Over the central body of the tree we have “Heathenism,” as the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is the source of most of the darkness and superstition of all the pagan world. But out of the manifold forms of error there existing, three distinct systems are specified, one of which, the bloody system of “Druidism,” has happily passed away, but two of which “Brahminism” and “Hinduism” are still current, and all of which were expressly founded upon the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. (See the recent work entitled “Error’s Chains, how Forged and Broken,” by Frank S. Dobbins, of Japan.)
Ascending the tree we come to fruit which this doctrine has borne in the Christian world,—“Saint Worship, Reward at Death, Purgatory, and Infidelity.” Of these the first three could not exist a moment aside from the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. And the latter, “Infidelity,” is placed as one of the fruits of this doctrine; for it is largely owing to this. This is placed on the “eternal misery” side of the tree; for this latter doctrine, so contrary to every conception of justice, and the common emotions of humanity, has probably made more infidels than any other doctrine whatever.
We next have the “Invocation of Saints” and the “Mariolatry” (worship of Mary) of the Papal Church, and the “Prayers for the Dead,” and “Baptism for the Dead,” of the Mormons and some other sects, none of which could exist were it not for the doctrine of the immortality of the soul.
Three great contradictions of Bible subjects next appear as the fruit of this doctrine; namely, “No Personal Coming of Christ,” “No General Resurrection,” and “No Future General Judgment.” For if men are judged individually, as they die, as they must be if they are conscious in death and enter at that time upon their rewards and punishments, there is no necessity for a future general Judgment when all will be judged together; and there is no possibility of such a scene. It is a libel upon God to suppose it. This is probably what led a prominent clergyman in Battle Creek to exclaim in his pulpit last summer, “No one will ever see any worse day of Judgment than this beautiful June day.” Yet if the Bible teaches any doctrines whatever, one of them is a future general Judgment; hence that doctrine that contradicts it is a dangerous error. Again, if all the dead are alive in the spirit world, there is no need of a general resurrection, as the Bible teaches. Hence that doctrine has largely fallen out of the creeds of Christendom. And then, if men are already judged, and, being alive, do not need to be raised from the dead, what need is there of any personal second coming of Christ, since the Bible represents that coming to be for the express purpose807
of raising the dead and giving immortality to his people? There would be no necessity of it, and hence this doctrine is spiritualized away in almost every orthodox pulpit in the land. Oh that men would candidly and conscientiously consider the many and grievous errors that grow out of the anti-scriptural dogma of the immortality of the soul!
As a Christian revolt from the doctrine of eternal misery, there have sprung up the two forms of belief which next appear as “Restorationism” and “Universalism,”—forms of error which could present no claims for adoption, if the doctrine of the immortality of the soul were taken out of the way.
And finally the tree tops out with “Spiritualism,” Satan’s last crowning imposition upon the credulity of men,—a system in which spirits of evil palm themselves off as invisible embodiments of our dead friends, conscious and active and anxious to communicate with us, whereas they are all unconscious, quietly resting in the grave till the resurrection. This whole system of deception rests solely on the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. To strike that down is to demolish at one blow the whole superstructure.
Thus we have at one view the origin of this evil tree, and the baleful fruit it bears; and at one glance the relation is seen which the doctrine of the immortality of the soul sustains to the dark devices of heathenism, and the errors and superstitions of Christian lands. What a libel is it upon the word of God to charge upon it the teaching of such a doctrine! and how zealously ought we to labor to disabuse the minds of men of so gross an error.
This work, “Man’s Nature and Destiny,” claims to be a more comprehensive examination of this question from the specific standpoint of the Scriptures than any other work now before the public. Every text usually appealed to in controversies on this point is examined. In the new edition recently issued, two new chapters entire are added, besides many additions in other parts of the work, swelling the volume to 444 pages. The pages are of a pleasing size and form, the type new, open, and easily read, and the stock of fine quality. It is nicely bound in muslin, stamped in gilt and black, with as unique and striking a gilt side title as was probably ever designed for a book. It is sure to attract attention.
The world is ripe for the agitation of this question, and multitudes are ready to embrace the truth upon it. Some of our canvassers, judging from remarks which they frequently hear, conclude they could do well with it as a subscription book, and wish to make an effort in that direction. For this purpose prospectuses have been prepared, and vigorous efforts to circulate it in this way will doubtless meet with good success, and accomplish great good.
THE NEW SANITARIUM.
DEDICATORY SERVICES.
The large new building added to the Sanitarium was formally opened for patients by appropriate services, Thursday, Dec. 18, 1884.
Many invitations were sent out to old friends, former patients, and prominent citizens of this city, which resulted in the gathering together of a company of some seven hundred to partake of the bounteous bill of fare which constituted the dinner, prepared in such a manner as to show the capabilities of the hygienic system to meet the utmost requirements of any reasonable taste.
The large new dining hall, which will regularly seat some five hundred, was filled, and the remainder were seated at tables in the adjoining gymnasium. This part of the exercises passed off pleasantly, and was pronounced by all a marked success.
After dinner the gymnasium was rapidly seated, and thither the company repaired, filling the large hall to its utmost capacity. A company of able singers, Prof. E. Barnes presiding at the piano, rendered excellent music for the occasion. Prayer was offered by Eld. D. H. Lamson, and by invitation a few dedicatory remarks were made by the writer. Dr. Kellogg followed with an instructive exposition of the principles which the institution seeks to inculcate, and interesting statements concerning its present workings and the degree of prosperity it has now reached, as compared with its small beginning eighteen years ago.
A general call was then made for remarks, which was responded to by patients, citizens, and visitors, in some instances very happily, eliciting the applause of the audience.
The Sanitarium, known at first as the Health Institute, was opened for patients Sept. 5, 1866. A house which had up to that time been a private dwelling, with a little building and a cottage or two, sufficed to meet its wants for twelve years, to April 10, 1878, when the large building was made ready for occupancy, to meet the growing patronage. A little over six years have elapsed since then; and such has been the growth of the work that the present large addition, which will nearly double the capacity of the institution, has been for months imperatively demanded.
For some years previous to the erection of the first large building, the services of the present physician-in chief, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, were secured. By concentrated and earnest study he labored to bring to the institution, and the cause of health reform in general, a higher degree of medical skill and culture, and his efforts have been faithful and untiring to build up the interests of the Sanitarium, and give it a standing which would entitle it to the confidence and patronage of all the country.
To these efforts, seconded by those of other faithful workers, the present degree of prosperity is largely owing; and some of the speakers, in alluding to the growth of the institution, and what we see to-day, thought it not inconsistent, on the scriptural principle of “honor to whom honor is due,” to recognize the value of these services. To this the Doctor demurred, claiming that the progress was owing, and the credit was due, not so much to individuals as to the fact that the principles underlying the hygienic system are true principles; and like all true principles they gather to themselves strength; and in this case the result is what we see here to-day.
On the other hand, his friends still insist that while it is necessary to have true principles, and what he says concerning them is all true, there yet remains a necessity that some one take up these principles, advocate them, put them in practice, and give them some tangible and practical form, or they will lie unknown and inactive, as these have lain for centuries in the past; and they feel that it is their privilege to extend to the efforts of those who do this work, a candid and grateful recognition.
After the meeting an opportunity was given the company to go through the building and examine the substantial character and safety of the structure, the convenience and completeness of all its appointments, and the perfection of all its facilities for the work it has to do. The emotions of those who availed themselves of this privilege, seemed to be about equally divided between astonishment and pleasure.
In the evening, Mrs. Dr. Kellogg gave an entertainment entitled “A Trip through Europe,” consisting of a series of views of the most noted places in Europe, thrown upon a large screen by the stereopticon, accompanied with brief geographical and historical descriptions. It was entertaining and instructive, the next thing to an actual trip to the places, without its annoyances.
The faithful workers at the Sanitarium are entitled to all praise for the cheerfulness with which they undertook and carried through the great labor necessary to such an occasion, and for the perfection of the arrangements by which an entertainment involving such multitudinous details was made to pass off without jar or confusion.
The board, the physicians, the helpers, and all, have reason to congratulate themselves on the completion of this new building; and that we now have an institution devoted to the interests of true hygienic reform, which in its magnitude, the completeness of its appointments, and the efficiency of its treatment, surpasses every other institution of its kind in the new world or the old, must be a matter of profound congratulation to every friend of the cause. We have spoken here principally of the dedication and reunion, which was throughout, an enjoyable occasion. Nothing preventing, we design to speak in the next number more particularly of the building itself.