DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel greatly encouraged by the cheering testimonies of others, and have often felt impressed with the duty of contributing mine. The past year has been one of a sad, yet I trust a profitable, experience with me, and God be praised for it. While I have been endeavoring to prepare for the glorious coming of our Lord, he has taught me the blessedness of living near to him.
Although I am sadly afflicted in various ways, my afflictions serve to wean me from the world, and help me to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” trusting God for the addition of all else. I daily lament my unworthiness, and pray for requisite grace to purify my soul, and fortify it against the many temptations which come in so unawares. How blessed the assurance of the apostle, that “tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5: 3-5.
However, there is a volume of instruction in the counsel of the apostle to “hold fast the profession of our faith;” and I am daily seeking to put away sin, and draw near to God. Praise him for the blessed hope. It is of more value than aught of this world's perishable treasures. May God help us all to keep our eyes upon “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3: 14.
Pray for us; and God help me and mine to appreciate your many acts of kindness in our behalf.
Yours in the blessed hope, J. G. CHEAL.
Battle Creek, Mich., Sept. 13, 1870
Quarterly Meeting in Licking County
By J. B. T. Nichols
BRO. J. B. T. NICHOLS writes from Licking Co., Ohio: Our last quarterly meeting for the present Conference year closed Aug. 28, 1870. We had no preaching brethren with us, yet we had an interesting time. Heart-felt confessions were made, and we got near the Lord. In the evening of the 27th, we attended the ordinances of the Lord's house. This was a solemn season.
On first-day, the 28th, we repaired to a stream some two miles distant, where six were buried with the Lord in baptism. Others will go forward soon. Two were added to our number. This is encouraging. May the Lord help them to walk in newness of life. We also made an agreement, most of us, to attend the camp-meeting. Come up, brethren and lonely ones. Get more acquainted with the people of the Lord and his ways. Don't let Satan deceive you by making you think that you cannot leave your worldly affairs, and so cause you to miss the blessing of the Lord.
Let us make this meeting one of the most successful meetings ever held in Ohio.
Help What You Can.
—No matter what our condition or circumstances, there will always be some ways in which we can help giving aid and comfort to the cause of the enemy, and we gain a great moral victory when we improve them. The following is a case in point:
“A master cooper called upon a black man in Ohio, and wished to purchase some timber. The black man asked for what purpose he wanted the timber, and received for answer:
‘I have a contract for a thousand whisky-barrels.’
‘Well, sir,’ was the prompt reply, ‘I have the timber for sale, and want the money; but no man shall buy a slave from me for that purpose.’
The cooper was indignant to meet with such stern reproof from a black man, and called him a ‘nigger.’
‘That is very true,’ mildly replied the other. ‘It is my misfortune to be a negro. I can’t help that; but I can help selling my timber to make whisky barrels, and I mean to do it.”
Beyond Commonplace Christianity
“Oh, dear sir,” says Brainard in writing to a friend, “do not think it enough to live at the rate of common-place Christianity.”
Faithful Parents, Fewer Unconverted Adults
If parents were really faithful to their children, there would be fewer unconverted adults.
Quarterly Meetings in Minnesota.
By H. F. Phelps
A FEW words may not be amiss concerning some of these meetings. I suppose all or nearly all were held without a preacher. We had the privilege of attending two of them, and have heard from one more. So far they were a success. Brethren came together to work. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to be present. Confessions were made.
A desire seemed to be manifested to try to get into the work. The moistened eye evinced the feelings of some. We have no sympathy for the tears of those who cry simply to get sympathy. But as brethren are giving in their testimonies, the falling tear then seems to show some feeling for one's own condition. And when people confess their sins and backslidings, with many tears, it seems to show that the meetings were not a failure at least. We hope those who formed resolutions at these meetings, to remove every stumbling block, will be wholly successful in their attempts.
And now, brethren, suffer a word of exhortation. Time is short. And if you are asleep, depend upon it the adversary is not. It becomes us to live as though we believed these things. Great responsibilities are resting upon us. Words of truth, of eternal interest, and the most solemn, are committed to our trust, and many, very many, of us are asleep. Even ministers, who should be wholly engaged in this work, are some of them overcharged with cares of this life. May the Lord help all to awake to the great responsibilities that are resting upon us, and strive to prepare for the final scenes of this world's history.
H. F. PHELPS.
TWO HUNDRED MEN WANTED
By James White
Wanted.
TWO HUNDRED MEN WANTED.
No people can read history to better advantage than Seventh-day Adventists. As Adventists, one important part of our work is to compare prophecy with history, and show the comparative nearness of the end. And, as observers of the ancient, and only, weekly Sabbath of Jehovah, we should become acquainted with its history, especially the means by which men have changed from the seventh to the first day of the week.
What we want at present is a revised edition of Eld. J. N. Andrews' History of the Sabbath. To accomplish this it is proposed that Bro. Andrews shall immediately devote himself to the work, when other pressing duties shall be done. He will probably spend the autumn and much of the winter near Boston, where he can speak to the congregation at Bro. Stratton's new hall once, or at the most twice, each week, and devote his entire time and energies, with this exception, to the preparation of his History. Should this be the case, we shall expect our friends in, and near, Boston to assist Bro. Andrews in every way they can, and not call his mind from the work of the History to the local interests of the cause there, only to speak to the people as above suggested.
To furnish the History of the Sabbath is not only a work of great importance, but is one that calls for a vast amount of labor. Bro. Andrews succeeded wonderfully well with the means he had at his command, at the time of the preparation of the History of the Sabbath. But the work then in his hands suffered for want of books; but he was too poor to purchase those books which he could not get access to in any other way.
Two hundred men are wanted, each to donate ten dollars for the purchase of such a library as above suggested. We will call ten dollars a share, and those who wish to take from one to ten shares can do so immediately.
Now we propose to raise a fund to purchase historical and expository works for a good library, at present to be controlled by the Trustees of the S. D. A. Publishing Association. General Conference, at its next annual session, can make suitable provision for the management of the library. Bro. Andrews is immediately to furnish himself with the books he needs in his History work. When this is completed, the entire library is to be located at the Review Office, to be controlled by the Trustees till General Conference shall provide for its management.
At our late camp-meeting in Michigan, there were enlistments in this company of two hundred men, to the number of twenty-six. Six of these paid. We would say to all, in each of the several States, we hope you will respond to this call for liberal men, with promptness. Send in your names, and your money, as soon as possible. JAMES WHITE.
Kansas Camp-Meeting Postponed
By James White
We have finally decided that the Kansas Camp-meeting will have to be postponed till next May. That would be a good point to commence next season. By that time our friends in the West can get an ample supply of tents ready, and be fully prepared for a very general gathering. We are now too much worn to do justice to such a meeting.
JAMES WHITE.
Camp-Meeting Reports Requested
By James White
We design to publish a work on camp-meetings, and make the request that our friends furnish us a copy of each of the public journals, west and east, which have noticed our camp-meetings the present season. Address Eld. James White, Battle Creek, Mich. JAMES WHITE.
Business Matters Omitted
By Editor
On account of the camp-meeting, business matters have been omitted the past week, at this Office. Those who have sent remittances will therefore understand why they are not receipted.
Camp-Ground Office Business Notice
Those who transacted business on the Camp-ground pertaining to the Office, will find it noticed in next week's REVIEW.
Communications Deferred Until Next Week
By Editor
On account of the Camp-meeting, we are obliged to defer quite a number of interesting communications till next week.
To Correspondents.
W. H. WILD: Your letter was received. But when it reached this Office, it had all the appearance of having been soaked in water, which had blurred the writing and rendered much of it illegible.
W. H. SNOOK: As Bro. Butler has appointed to be at your place, Oct. 8 and 9, we presume you would wish to defer the appointment you sent for Sept. 24, to that time.
D. AYERS: The articles on the Judgment, are not yet issued in pamphlet form. A person to be able to teach the present truth, should carefully study all the works on present truth, in connection with the Bible.
To the churches in the Vermont Conference.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I AM requested by the Executive Committee to remind the churches of this Conference of the importance of their being prompt in seeing that their dues on S. B. up to October 1, 1870, are paid to the Conference Treasurer, W. J. Cross, Bordoville, Vt. The arrearages should be squared up.
Our Conference being small, with heavy expenses, any backwardness here will be sensibly felt. This will also apply to the future. Let the churches be punctual in meeting their pledges for the coming year, and the Treasurers in forwarding the means to the Conference Treasurer and in making their reports to the Conference Secretary, at the close of each quarter, viz., January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, that order may be carried out. It will be borne in mind that this year, by virtue of an action of our late Conference, the means are to be paid to the Conference Treasurer and appropriated from the treasury by order of the committee, instead of being paid to preachers or to the Treasurer. It is also the duty of the preachers laboring with the churches to help them on these points.
D. T. BOURDEAU, Conference Secretary.
Bordoville, Vt., Sept. 9, 1870.
H. F. PHELPS
By H. F. Phelps
Notice.
To the S. B. Treasurers in Minnesota. The first quarter will close Sept. 30. Be ready and send in your reports promptly this year, and save me the unpleasant task of sending your names to the REVIEW, as it was made my duty to do. Unless all are more prompt, I shall be obliged to do so this year. If any need blanks, or have not received those I sent, they can have them by sending me word. Before the quarter closes, send all money, in a registered letter, to W. I. Gibson, Rochester, Minn., and reports to the undersigned.
H. F. PHELPS
Pine Island, Minn.
Indulgences for Sins in New York
INDULGENCES for sins can now be secured in New York. Father Hecker has just returned from Rome, bringing with him a special indulgence granted by the pope to the Society of Christian Doctrine in St. Paul's church, New York. This is a society to distribute tracts, convert Protestants, and educate your children. Father Hecker announces that all who join the society shall have a plenary indulgence of all their sins, and three hundred days' indulgence for every work of Christian charity, which indulgences may be transferred to souls in purgatory.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
THE next Quarterly Meeting of the Gridley, Ill., church, will be at the Gregory school-house, Oct. 1 and 2. Meeting will commence with the Sabbath. We hope to meet the friends from Lexington, Iroquois, and Ford counties. Come, brethren, in the name of the Lord. Those coming by railroad from the east or west, will find teams at Gridley, sixth-day. Those coming from the north we will meet at Chenoah.
WM. H. SLOWN.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church of Albion, Mich., in Quarterly Meeting, September 24, 25.
JOHN MATTESON.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren in Genoa, Mich., Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 1 and 2. Parkville, 8 and 9.
JOHN BYINGTON.
THE next Monthly Meeting for Southern Wisconsin, will be held at Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Oct. 1 and 2. We hope to see a good number of the friends of present truth at this meeting. Will Eld. Sanborn meet with us.
C. W. OLDS.
THE next Monthly Meeting of the Lisbon, Marion, and Anamosa, churches, will be held at Lisbon, Iowa, Nov. 8 and 9, 1870. We hope all will come to this meeting prepared to engage in the solemn worship of God.
J. T. MITCHELL.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meeting at Beaver Dam, in the house of C. M. Shepard, or where she may arrange with the brethren and sisters of that vicinity, Oct. 1, 1870. Come, brethren, to this meeting, prepared to work for the Lord.
RUFUS BAKER.
Mackford, Green Lake Co., Wis.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the friends at Sandyville, Iowa, Sabbath and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9, and at Bro. Neal's neighborhood, near Osceola, the 15th and 16th. Meetings to commence on Tuesday evening, Oct. 11, at the latter place. We expect there will be an opportunity for baptism at these meetings. We hope for a general attendance of the friends in the vicinity. We hope Bro. Morrison will be with us. Come, brethren and sisters. It may be many months before another opportunity for such a meeting will present itself.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
CALLS FOR PREACHING.
We have received calls for preaching from the following places, which we publish for the benefit of those who may be seeking fields of labor: Nasonville, Wood Co., Wis., Grant's Hill, Mo., Edgefield Junction, Tenn., Grass Lake, Mich., Meeme, Manitowoc Co., Wis., Akron, Tuscola Co., Mich., Plano, Ill., Delta, Eaton Co., Mich., Afton, Iowa, Memphis, Mich., Skinner, Bay Co., Mich., Ford's Corners, McLean Co., Ill.
Hospitality for Sabbath-Keepers
Sabbath-keepers passing between Burr Oak and Drummer Grove, Ill., will find at Ford's Corners, McLean Co., on Dr. Sudduth's farm, those of like faith, who would be pleased to have them call.