Earlier text: AS THE TWIG IS BENT, THE TREE INCLINESA FALSE CHARGE EXPOSED.
By John Nevins Andrews
A FRIEND has just placed in my hand a small pamphlet entitled, “The Sabbath Question,” written by F. Walden, and has called my attention to the reference made by this writer on pages 41–43 to my History of the Sabbath. Mr. Walden undertakes to show that I have falsified the testimony of Neander. He does not give the words which I quote from Neander, nor does he even fairly state their purport. But his charge of dishonesty could hardly have been made by a candid man. He says that he has Neander’s Church History in five volumes (this is Torrey’s translation), and he does not find the words as I quote them. Also he has Neander’s “Planting and Training of the Christian Church,” and he does not find my quotation in that book. Thereupon, he charges me with dishonesty. But the quotation from Neander on page 230 of my History of the Sabbath is expressly said to be taken from Neander’s Church History, translated by H. J. Rose. This translator is a clergyman of the Church of England, and his translation is by no means a rare book. Mr. Walden cannot excuse himself for overlooking the fact that his translation by Torrey is not the translation from which I quoted, because I did on that very page refer to quote from both translations. I will not say that the gentleman did not honestly blunder in this gross manner, but certainly he must, as a Christian, retract his bitter words when they are shown to be without foundation in fact. The gentleman takes on trust the usual quotations from the Fathers in behalf of Sunday. Thus on page 47 he quotes a testimony of this kind from Theophilus, bishop of Antioch A. D. 162, and yet not one word of his quotation can be found in Theophilus! I will not charge him with dishonesty, as he has charged me, but I will say that he can only be excused from that charge in this case by the charitable supposition that he has never seen the author whom he thus quotes. Duty to Support the Lord’s Ministers.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
One of the most sacred duties of a Christian, as enjoined in the word of God, is that of aiding in the support of the Lord’s faithful servants who go out in the name of Christ to preach the truth to an unbelieving world. The Lord has been very explicit upon this point. Thus Jesus says, “The laborer is worthy of his hire,” Luke 10: 7. And the apostle, arguing to the same effect, quotes this text thus: “And the laborer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Tim. 5: 18. The Lord, if he chose, could have his truth promulgated by heavenly angels, without the assistance of men; but he has not so ordained. He has committed this sacred work to the hands of mortal men. To be successful, they must give it their whole attention; and in the majority of cases their work requires them to leave their homes, their families, and all the comforts and conveniences of life, and spend most, if not all, of their time among strangers and in new fields. Now, these men have to eat, and drink, and wear clothing, as other men. Besides, their wives and children must be supported, the same as those of other men. But how shall this be done? They cannot be at home to look after their own affairs, and manage some kind of business. You ask that farmer, that mechanic or tradesman, how much it costs him to live, and support his family, and most of them will tell you that they have a hard time to get through the year, and make the two ends meet; and these men have the six working days to themselves, to labor and plan, and save, and manage their own affairs. Yet they say it is about all they can do to keep their heads above water. Well, my brethren, how do you suppose those are to live who have families as large as your own, yet have no means of supporting them except the charities of the people? They cannot plant crops and raise them; they cannot earn money with their hands nor prosecute a trade; neither can they be at home to save in various ways, as you can; yet their families must live. From what source is this living to come? God has settled this matter. He has made it the sacred duty of his people to look after the necessary wants of his devoted servants, and to faithfully supply them. If they neglect to do their duty in this direction, it is a positive sin against God. The Holy Spirit thus argues this question in 1 Cor. 9: “Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges?” This is a pointed question. During the Rebellion, many of you went into the army. Did Uncle Sam require you to furnish your own clothing, your own arms and ammunition, and pay for this yourself? No, indeed. The government justly met all these expenses, and paid you good wages with which to support your families at home. Again he says, “Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof?” This is another forcible illustration. Who would not be grieved, if, after he had toiled with care for years in planting an orchard, in pruning it, in caring for it, he should then be refused the privilege of eating of its fruits? Or if, when he does eat of it, he is obliged to eat as though it were grudged him? The Lord takes another illustration: “Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” Would it not be mean to refuse a cup of milk to the servant who has given all his time to milking the cows, and caring for the herd? So the Lord says in the case of his servants who go out and labor wholly in the vineyard of the Lord. And shall they not have their food of it? Once more he illustrates: “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?” Verse 9. Anciently grain was threshed by laying it upon the threshing-floor, and driving oxen over it. This I have done frequently in former years. It is a very wearisome day’s work for a horse or ox to tread all day long over the light straw, to shell out the grain. Now, some men are so mean and stingy toward these animals that they will put a muzzle upon their mouth, so that they cannot eat a mouthful of grain all day. God, from Heaven, said that the ox that treads out the grain shall not be muzzled. It is but just and right that he should have what he wishes to eat; for he works hard all day. Now the Lord applies this to the case of ministers. He says that just so those who labor in gathering in souls, are workers in the Lord’s harvest field, should have their living from the labor which they perform. The apostle asks this question, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing that we reap your carnal things?” Here is a minister who comes into a place, enters your church, and labors there perhaps from a week to a month. He goes from house to house, reading, praying, and exhorting. In the church he labors day and night to build up the cause of Christ, and give you light, and instruct you in the things of God, to save your own souls. Now, says the apostle, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” Some seem to think it is; that after the minister of Christ has toiled, and studied, and spent anxious days and weeks to benefit them, he has no right to ask anything in return. If they keep him all night, give him a meal of victuals, hand him a dollar, or make a donation of a few simple garments, or something of this kind, they seem to think that this is all gratis, and that the minister should humbly accept it with profound gratitude, as though it was all a free donation without any obligation on the part of the giver. But the Lord does not so teach. He says positively that the laborer is worthy of his hire, and the apostle says that just as no man goes to war at his own charges, and as no one tills the vineyard and eats not of its fruit, nor tends the flock without drinking the milk,—just so it is proper and right that the minister who labors in spiritual things should be supported with the temporal things of the people for whom he ministers, and God requires them to pay him. Even stronger he says, “Even so hath he ordained that they which preach the gospel shall live by the gospel.” Yes, this is an ordinance of God. The Lord has ordained that the minister should obtain his living by the gospel which he preaches. The lawyer expects his living from those who are benefited by his labor. The physician looks to the sick, to whom he has rendered aid, for his pay. The farmer looks to his fields for his reward; but the minister neither pleads law, nor doctors the sick, nor plows the field, and hence cannot expect his living from any of these sources. Where must he obtain it? God has settled this question. It is to come from those to whom he has ministered in spiritual things. Dear brethren and sisters, I fear that many of you do not realize your duty in this matter as God has set it forth in his word; hence we wish to call your attention to your sacred obligation. Look at our ministers! Who labors harder than they? Who practises more self-denial? Do they not love their wives, and their children, and their homes, and the conveniences and comforts of life as well as you do? and yet most of these they have to forego. It is only occasionally, and then for short periods of time, that they can be with their wives and families. They are out constantly, going from town to town and from house to house, sleeping in one bed one night and in another the next night, putting up with whatever is set before them, and taking things as they come. They are always expected to be cheerful and pleasant, willing to labor under any and all circumstances, and to take what they get without complaint. If they say anything to their brethren about supporting them, it is called begging. I believe that it is a burning shame for our brethren to feel and talk in that manner. Place yourselves in their circumstances, and see if you would not feel some interest, about your temporal support, and the care of your families. I think you would. There is one reason why our people take less care and less responsibility in providing for their ministers than any other class of religious people. Most all other churches have their ministers located in their midst, where all the church can plainly see their circumstances, and become familiar with their wants. If the family is in poor circumstances, everybody knows it. If they have but little in their house, everybody sees it. The minister is there every week to remind them, by his presence and his words, of their duty in this respect. This being the case, the churches look after these ministers and their wants. They go to the parsonage with little gifts and donations. Once or twice a year they get up a donation party, and carry in various articles for the use of the minister’s family, and in other ways constantly look after his wants. But it is not so with our ministers. Not one church in ten has one of our ministers living in their midst. “Out of sight out of mind,” is an old proverb, and thoroughly true in this case. Only two or three times a year do most of our people see a minister, and it is but for a day or126 so at a time. They know but little of the wants and conditions of his family, or of his own financial circumstances. Their own wants and necessities are ever before them, and consequently these servants of God are entirely forgotten. Their clothing, their food, their household affairs, their debts,—these are what they think of, while the faithful servant of Christ is forgotten and uncared for. If he takes occasion to preach one sermon touching their duty to give to the minister, they hang their heads, scowl their faces, and go home wishing that he would preach on something else. My brethren, have you done your duty to these ambassadors for Christ? Christ once said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” This will be true wherever we have neglected the humblest child of God. But how much more true will it be where we have neglected the ambassadors of the Lord Jesus himself, and the very ones who are devoted to his sacred service! But say our people, “We pay systematic benevolence!” The ministers are paid from that, and hence it is not expected that we shall look after them further.” Yes, if this were only true; but there are many of you who do not even do this. You run along quarter after quarter, and some of you year after year, without paying one cent to aid the ministers of Christ. You have lived, but you have used up all your means for yourself. You have physical strength, but you devote it all to your selfish wants. You have farms, and shops, and various ways of earning means; but you use all this for your own wants, and leave the servants of Christ unprovided for, so far as you are concerned. You give nothing in donations, nothing in freewill gifts, little in any manner. Will not God hold you guilty for this course? Are not many of you suffering spiritual death on this very account now? Many of our brethren live alone, where they do not see a minister once a year, and very often these brethren do nothing at all, or at least very little, in aiding the Lord’s servants in their work. Because they do not see these men, they do not appreciate what they are doing. Most of our ministers spend all their time in wholly new fields, away from any of the people of God. They expect no support where they labor, neither do they get any. Now if our own brethren do not take hold of this, who will do it? We call your attention to this subject, hoping that the Lord will send it home to your hearts, and help you to wake up, and do your duty as men of God.
D. M. CANRIGHT. Wherever God Has a Church
By Henry
WHEREVER God has a church, the devil builds a temple by the side of it.—Henry. Report of Meetings.—Feb. 23 to March 9. I held meetings in the Texas church. Some promised to keep the Sabbath, and two or three await baptism. The truth is working here like leaven. March 25, I visited Harvel, and held one meeting. All are holding on here. March 26 to April 1, I was at Woodburn. The brethren have just finished repairing their church. It presents a very neat appearance. The brethren here all seem to be doing well, except in finances. Hope they may improve in this. Remember, brethren, God blesses the liberal soul. Only a part voted to adopt the tithing system in full. I am now at home, sick. C. H. Bliss. St. Anne, April 6.—With Bro. R. F. Andrews to push forward the work among the Americans at Pittwood and in the vicinity, I have been enabled to successfully close up my work in this section for the present. I have visited and held meetings at eight different points. Twenty-seven persons have been baptized, eighteen of whom are French. Seventeen French members have been added to the St. Anne church. Thirty-five persons, at least, have embraced the Sabbath, besides some who have decided to obey under Bro. Andrews's successful efforts near Pittwood. Were it not that five families are moving away, we should have quite a large company to meet together on the Sabbath. But we expect that some, at least, of those who leave will help in raising up believers where they go. One week ago yesterday, Sabbath, we celebrated the ordinances with many of the new converts, and an elder was ordained for the St. Anne church. Yesterday, after an interesting baptism, I had an important interview with the leading French brethren, organized systematic labor and arranged to have other Roman Catholic fields entered at once. If the St. Anne church labor patiently as they have done in the past, they certainly will gain souls to the truth. I have also made special efforts to furnish names to vigilant societies for our French paper. My P. O. address, for the coming week, will be Sheridan, La Salle Co., Ill. D. T. Bourdeau. Kankakee, April 7.—By invitation, I came to Kankakee, April 4. We had good Sabbath meetings, and a business meeting on Sunday. Two who had given up the Sabbath were disfellowshiped, and one was received into the church. At five o'clock P. M. we met to celebrate the ordinances. This was a good season. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and every one gave a good testimony. We all renewed our covenant with the Lord, and promised to serve him more faithfully. To-day I go to Kempton, to see those who have lately embraced the truth there. I ask the prayers of the children of God. Lewis Johnson. McCord, Martinville, and Greenup.—At McCord we found prejudice, but had a fair hearing until the roads became almost impassable. A failure in crops for several years has brought many to destitution. It is reported that forty families in this township have applied to the county for aid. The work here is not finished. Four promise to keep the Sabbath. The field being a new one, it has proven to be, truly, a “battle ground.” Our current expenses, above donations, will not exceed one dollar. Bro. Strader and wife have assisted much. I met Bro. Colcord at Martinville. Spoke twice. Was encouraged to see the interest manifested; some came thirty miles through mud and storm. The church here is a model of neatness. I aided Bro. C. at Greenup. The brethren and friends, by their zeal in coming to meeting, showed that their souls were hungry for the word of life. The Lord blessed, and I trust all were fed. I met with this church in their quarterly meeting, April 4–6. We enjoyed the presence of the Spirit from the first, and were made to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” It was all of the Lord. I remain here for a few days, as there is some interest. This being my first year in the field, I have had much to learn. I have heeded, and intend in the future to heed, Jas. 1:5. My courage is good. I trust I have a connection with the true Vine. Pray for me. A. A. John. Dunkirk and Bellville.—April 2-9 I spent in Ohio. Held a meeting at Dunkirk, and found this company growing in numbers and in faith in the message. Their number has nearly doubled since they were first raised up. This is because they have been visited regularly at least once a month, instead of being left to themselves, as has often been the case. No young church can prosper if left to itself. Hence every minister in Ohio is specially directed not to leave any company he has raised up longer than one month without visiting them. Bro. Rupert has done this, and the fruit is what we might expect. Spent Sabbath and Sunday at Bellville with Brn. Burrill and Mann. They have an excellent interest. Their little house was crowded to overflowing. About half a dozen had already taken a stand for the truth. We confidently expect several more. Four united with the church, and two were baptized. We celebrated the ordinances, and transacted all the business of the quarterly meeting. Sunday the friends raised about $30 for the Sabbath-school and a set of Sister White's works. This supplies them with all they need for the Sabbath-school, and leaves several dollars over. This is right. It had been feared that this little church would go down, but now we hope to see it stronger than ever. Visited Cleveland and Bowling Green on business. Received over $1300 on various branches of the cause. Last year the whole amount of this received was a little over $1400. Only two quarters of this year have passed, and we have received over $1300. This is because the brethren are adopting the tithing system. I have not found a man in Ohio who opposes it, and why should they? as it is the Bible plan. We now have six good tents ready to run, and are expecting a glorious campaign this summer. D. M. CANRIGHT. Wakeman.—Our meetings in Wakeman have closed for the present. Most of those who have embraced the truth live in the country. We held several meetings in two different school-houses in the vicinity. About twelve dollars' worth of books were sold. We think that upwards of fifteen have accepted the present truth as the result of these meetings. In a few weeks we hope to organize a church of twenty-five or thirty members in Wakeman. Bro. J. C. Bartlett, of Oberlin, who once believed and obeyed the truth, but gave it up during the war, has returned heartily to the path of obedience since the Wakeman meeting. He is now with me, and is good help. I hope he may become an efficient workman. His family are with him in the truth. They move to Milan this week. I am at East Norwalk now for two or three evenings. One more has commenced to obey since we were here before. April 7. H. A. ST. JOHN. Van Wert and Hamler.—I was at Van Wert, March 29, 30. Bro. Rupert was with us. We had interesting meetings, and a fair outside attendance. April 4-6, I held meetings at Hamler. Four were received into the church, three by baptism, and one from the “Church of God.” Six others are keeping the Sabbath here. About $350 was raised toward building a meeting-house; as much more can be raised without much trouble. A. A. BIGELOW. Emerald Station.—Commenced meetings at Emerald Station on the Wabash railroad, seven miles from Paulding Center, March 13. Many said we had the truth, and some who had not read the Bible for years, and had become skeptical, took down their dusty Bibles and commenced to read, and still others who had no Bibles procured them. I closed my meetings on account of bad roads. I am now at home, and have held a few meetings, having a good attendance. I rejoice in God for his plain truth. I want to humble myself, and so live that the Lord can use me to his glory. Brethren, pray that I may be successful in the work of the Lord. April 3. A. L. HUSSEY. Denison, April 10.—I came here two weeks ago, and found about a dozen Swedish families. I visited from house to house among them, and also visited some German families and distributed a few hundred pages of tracts among them. Some are interested in these tracts, and two have ordered the “Way of Life.” Had we a German paper, I think several would subscribe. Last Sabbath, I attended the quarterly meeting at Dow City, where I met the brethren from Denison and Dunlap. The ordinances were administered. Addressed the people four times. I found one family much interested. By invitation, I spent six hours in explaining the Scriptures to one who is confined to a sick bed. I have held two meetings at Denison. Have obtained twenty-four subscribers for our various periodicals, and have orders for publications to the amount of $10.00. Soon expect to go to Kiowa. JAMES SAWYER. Lamoille, April 10.—The interest here is still good. There has been quite an interest on the Sabbath question; but I suppose not more than six have commenced to keep the true day, although on Monday evening sixteen responded to a call for all who believe these truths, and feel that they ought to obey them, to arise. We have had three Sabbath meetings, and the good Spirit was present, especially in two of them. Our meetings must soon close for the present; but I shall still meet with these friends. In all, there are now eleven keeping the Sabbath. G. V. KILGORE. Schonberg, April 4.—Since my last report, I have visited the brethren at Adel, Woodburn, and Afton. At two of the above-named places they have had no labor for two years. I remained at Adel over two Sabbaths, holding meetings in the day time from house to house for the brethren, and at night in the courthouse. Had some good, spiritual meetings, and some outside interest. The brethren were encouraged, some backsliders were reclaimed, and one took his stand for the truth. I also staid over two Sabbaths at Woodburn, and from there I went to Afton, also to Platt township, where we had some very good meetings. I left some omens of good in all these places. They all adopted the tithing system. J. H. MORRISON. State Center, April 6.—I held fifteen meetings in a school-house seven miles from Nevada. Two are keeping the Sabbath, and will join the church at Nevada. I spent about four weeks at a place five miles south of Ames. Seven are keeping the Sabbath, and others are interested. I visited fifteen families, and obtained seven subscribers for our periodicals. Two families are about to move West; this will leave the others rather lonely, but the Lord will be their helper. J. S. HART. Shelby Co., April 10.—I have now closed my meetings in this county at the places spoken of in my last reports. I cannot give any definite statement as to success, but I am thankful for the privilege I have had of presenting present truth to so many in the county where I am living. Our quarterly meeting at Elk Horn was a good one, especially on Sabbath, when forty-one feeling testimonies were borne. We have a good Sabbath-school here. They voted to take ten copies of the Instructor besides those already taken. The T. and M. work also received attention, and the S. B. and one-third were paid. Next week I intend to go to fill calls in other places. JOHN F. HANSON. West Sumner, Oxford Co., April 7.—March 15, 16, I held meetings at East Fryeburg, and organized a church. Our meetings were very well attended, and strict attention was paid to the word spoken. We expect to see additions to their numbers, if all that have signed the covenant are faithful. Our brethren here are very much scattered, yet they sustain their Sabbath meetings. The 22d and 23d I met with the church at Milton, and ordained an elder and a deacon. The church raised $4.00 to buy a church library. Bro. Robins, who has been reading the Signs for nearly two years, came to this meeting, and requested me to hold a meeting in his place, five miles from Milton. We held our first meeting March 24, and have now given fifteen discourses. Bro. R. and his family, together with others, making fifteen or more, have decided to keep the Sabbath, and the interest is still increasing. Last evening about twenty requested prayers. I remain here over another Sunday. Pray for us. J. B. GOODRICH. Aroostook Co.—Met with the church at Linneus at the time of their quarterly meeting, Sabbath, April 5. It was one of the best seasons we have ever enjoyed with them. Old differences have been put away, and perfect union seems to prevail among them, for which we feel to praise the Lord. A. K. HERSUM, Spring Arbor.—The quarterly meeting of the church at this place, April 5 and 6, was an occasion of much interest, the attendance, both of our own people and others, being quite large. The church is comparatively young in the truth, and there is considerable interest in the community to hear; and as the meetings were held over Sabbath and first-day, I spoke twice each day to large and attentive congregations. A goodly proportion of the church participated in the celebration of the ordinances. Convis.—According to appointments, we met with this church, Sabbath, April 5. Spoke from Matt. 24. Immediately after the morning service, the names of all the members were called, and those present responded by telling what the Lord had done for them. After an intermission of fifteen minutes, we met, and followed the instructions of our blessed Master as recorded in John 13: 5, 14, 15; Luke 22: 19, 20. This was the most solemn meeting we ever attended. New vows were made by nearly all present to live nearer the Lord. May the Lord help us to keep our vows. SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.
By John Norton Loughborough
The last week marks still further progress in our work here. Since my last report a family consisting of the parents and two daughters have fully taken their stand with us. These additions greatly encourage the little company here, and are a great help in our Sabbath meetings. In our Sunday afternoon Bible-class, after tracing the testimony of both the Old and the New Testament on the Sabbath question, we have been examining secular history as to how, when, and by whom the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday. Thus far the sessions have been very interesting, and have resulted in establishing all present in the fact that it was a human and not a divine power that undertook to change the Sabbath, while in God's word the seventh day, as ever, is still recognized as the holy Sabbath of the Lord. New ones are attending our meetings, and becoming interested in the truth. We are sending many papers and letters to different parts of the kingdom, and are receiving favorable letters in return. The papers are being read with interest, and more are wanted. Last week a lady who had received from us the Signs through the post, came several miles to talk with us. She thanked us for the papers, and requested me to come and visit them, and converse with them on the truth. I am to visit them to-day. This lady said that she and her husband were deeply interested in the paper. In a letter just received from Norfolk county, a gentleman says, “I have received three different papers called the Signs of the Times, which I have read with great interest. I am much pleased with the papers, but would be much more so to know who it is that so much cares for my soul's welfare. If it would not be too much trouble, would you please send me your creed, etc. I would like much to correspond with you. If you can ascertain by any means my friend to whom I am indebted for the paper, I would like to thank him.” Of course, all to whom we send papers do not thus accept them; yet it seems that there are some who wish to aid us in our work, even though they decline to accept the truth themselves. The following extract from a letter just received from a gentleman in Oxfordshire will illustrate this: “I have received several copies of the Signs of the Times from you, but as they are not according to my views, I decline to continue them. I pass them about, and enclose twelve penny postage stamps for those I have had.” Our friends in America are taking hold well, both in furnishing us clubs of the Signs, and in mailing papers and corresponding with individuals. With the large additions made last week to our club of Signs, we now have about all we can manage with our present force. We have sent 382 names to the V. M. societies in America. We extend our sincere thanks to these societies for the aid they are rendering us, and we daily pray the Lord to give them wisdom and success in their efforts. Papers that are sent here should be wrapped in tough paper, and not in common writing-paper. If the bundles are large they should be tied with a string. This suggestion is not intended for the offices of publication, for their papers come safely; but for individuals. This morning the postman handed us a wrap which was made of writing-paper. It was plainly addressed to us here, and stamped, “Potterville, Mich., March 11.” It was also stamped in print with the following: “Found in N. P. B. without contents.” It probably contained something good when it started, and though the contents stopped on the way, we will hope that they may thus fall into the hands of some one who may be benefited thereby. As the postal treaty is construed by the authorities here, it is not necessary, in paying postage on papers to Great Britain, to pay one penny (two cents) for each paper in a bundle, though the postage on a single paper not exceeding four ounces is one penny. In case there are a number of papers in the package, of less weight than four ounces each, the package is weighed and mailed at the rate of one penny for every four ounces. To illustrate: we receive forty copies of the Instructor weekly from Battle Creek. They do not pay forty pennies (eighty cents) for these, but eight pence (sixteen cents). Last week we concluded a bargain for a canvass tent, ten-ounce duck, sixty feet in diameter, nine-foot walls, with side poles, center pole, and flag-staff, poles ironed off with ring for hook of upper tackle block, a fifteen-foot bunting English flag, guys, ground stakes, and all complete for erection, £85 ($425.00). The tent is to be completed April 21. We hope to have weather suitable for tent-meetings by the month of May. The weather here at present is quite cold, although we have had a few days of fine weather. While we are waiting for the tent season before making a thorough effort in public, we are not idle by any means. With other matters I am taking occasion to learn the ways and doctrines of the different sects of Great Britain, so as to know how to adapt our teaching of the truth to the circumstances and conditions of the people. I give an article this week containing some interesting points concerning one of these sects, and will speak of others hereafter. Pray for us, that in all our efforts to reach the people we may be guided by heavenly wisdom.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. LIFE'S WORK.
By L. D. Santee
If along life's weary journey
You have soothed an aching head,
If you've watched beside the dying,
If you've wept above the dead,
If from out one bleeding bosom
You have soothed away the pain,
You shall find reward in Heaven,
And your work is not in vain. All around are weary travelers
Walking through life's passing years,
Gathering thorns instead of roses,
Sowing pain and reaping tears;
If you find a fallen brother,
And you lift him up again,
You shall find reward in Heaven,
And your work is not in vain. Many pallid lips are parching
For the water you might bring;
Many now who moan in sorrow
You might teach with joy to sing;
Many seeds that you could scatter
Would produce a glorious grain;
You would find reward in Heaven,
And you would not work in vain. Maple Plain, March 30.—Our little company of ten, all but one heads of families, are standing firm, and growing in grace, and in the knowledge and love of the truth, which has made them free. We have organized a Sabbath-school, and appointed a leader among them. All the features of our work have been presented. They are taking hold of the health reform, and the tithing system, and temperance, and will engage in the T. and M. work as they are able. They are all in limited circumstances, but are willing to do what they can. The five families have subscribed for the Review and the Instructor, and have bought a partial supply of books. We shall close our work here for the present, to-night, hoping, if the Lord please, to return and organize them fully, before Conference. We have been reminded here of the statement in Luke 23:12. Before our coming, the different sects were no more united than in other places, but since we have stirred them up by presenting the law and Sabbath and kindred truths, the Methodists have held a quarterly meeting at a station a mile from here, and at that meeting they held a union communion service, in which, we are told, Adventists, Baptists, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians joined, being served jointly by the Methodist and Adventist ministers. I wonder if such think this is the union for which Christ prayed, John 17:20, 21. Have we not come to the fulfilment of Isa. 60:2: “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee”? Let that glory shine, be our daily prayer. D. P. CURTIS. Oronoco, April 8.—After attending Eld. Haskell’s good meeting at Hutchinson, I returned to the New Haven church, which I had recently organized, to finish the work there. Since returning, I have baptized sixteen. March 20, in compliance with an earnest request, I commenced meetings in Oronoco. The attendance and interest have been good from the first. The most unpopular points of our faith have been presented without the least abatement in interest, but rather an increase. Some have taken a stand, and many are in the “valley of decision.” Bro. Battin has joined me, and has rendered some assistance. We ask the prayers of God’s people in behalf of the work here. GEO. M. DIMMICK.