p. 39 | Review and Herald, Vol. 51, No. 5. (1/31/1878)

Earlier text: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ON REASON

TOO LATE.

Last evening, as I stepped off the train at Cherokee City, my first inquiry was for a conveyance going to my destination. The hour was late, and the last team had gone. The station agent told me, by way of consolation, that Bro. A. had left only ten minutes before.

There was no help for it, so taking my satchel I started for a long walk through the mud, and in the face of a driving rain. As I walked, my reflections were something like the following: My misfortune this evening is, that I am too late; but I can remedy that by my own earnest exertion. But there is a time just before us when many will be too late. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, those who stand without are beyond the reach of God's mercy. Then they may seek carefully, and with tears, for a time to repent; but they will never find it. They may have been almost saved, but it avails them not. A trifle too late seals their destiny forever. “Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me.” Prov. 1: 28. “Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt.” Isa. 13: 7. Amos speaks thus of the dark picture: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord; and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.”

The Valley of Decision and the Closing Day

By L. D. Santee

Solemn as is the thought, every day brings this eventful time nearer. A few more suns will set, and our Advocate will lay down the censer. The great voice from Heaven will say, It is done, and Mercy will hide her face forever. Soon we shall reach

“The hidden boundary between God's patience and his wrath.”

Many are undecided. They are asking themselves the questions,—

“How long may we go on in sin? How long will God forbear? Where does hope end, and where begin The confines of despair?”

God has said that there shall be multitudes in the valley of decision when the day of the Lord is near, and we find his word verified to-day. The saints will soon receive their crowns; but alas for those who are weighed in the balance, and found wanting! L. D. SANTEE.

THOUGHTS ON DEATH.

By Lord Bacon

“Teach us, O Lord, to number well our daies, Thereby our hearts to wisdom to apply; For that which guides man best in all his waies Is meditation of mortality. This bubble light, this vapour of our breath, Teach us to consecrate to hours of death.” — Lord Bacon.

Reflections on Graveyards, Mortality, and the Resurrection Hope

By D. F. E.

In our graveyards lie buried those who have come and gone “from the place of the holy;” and they are forgotten in the place where they individually acted their little part in the drama of life. The curtain has fallen, and the little knowledge we have of them is gathered from the inscriptions kind and loving friends have placed upon their monumental tablets. Reflecting upon these records, we are constrained to quote the words of the preacher, and to forcibly realize their applicability and truthfulness: “The dead, which are already dead, are more to be praised than the living, which are yet alive.” Man is born with his hands closed; he dies with his hands wide open. Entering life, he desires to grasp everything; leaving the world, all that he possessed has slipped away. Man, poor and naked, enters the world; poor and naked doth he leave it. When the righteous die ’tis earth that meets with loss. The jewel will ever be a jewel. For a time in earth it will be quiescent, but again with new luster will it emerge from its obscurity, and rise to meet the Saviour in the air, and be forever with the Lord. Let us persevere, so that we may enter into that rest; and whether we are alive or sleeping we shall assuredly have a part in the first resurrection if we are only true to ourselves. Christ is our risen hope. D. F. E.

Dwelling Upon Distress Versus Thankfulness and Joy

By Watts

LET not your thoughts dwell continually upon your distresses and afflictions. Suffer not the chambers of your soul to be ever hung round with dark and dismal ideas. Look sometimes on your bright scenes; suffer not your sorrow to bury all your comforts in darkness and oblivion. Thankfulness is one way to joy.—Watts.

Meeting at Santa Rosa.

By James White

SABBATH, January 12, we were with the brethren at Santa Rosa and vicinity. There was a full attendance of the church, a few from Healdsburg and other places, and several from the outside. We spoke briefly of the love of God from the words of John, “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” Mrs. W. then followed, filling the time of a lengthy service. The brethren enjoyed this Sabbath service very much.

Sister L. M. Hall, from the SIGNS Office, was with us, and accompanied us to the meeting at Santa Rosa. She had come to consult with us in reference to the publishing work.

This devoted woman, well known to our people in consequence of accompanying us to the camp-meetings, from Maine to Minnesota, has found a sphere of usefulness where her active mind and rare genius have full scope in this important branch of the work. She is an editor. Writers are plenty, while good editors are scarce. It is in preparing, selecting, and arranging the thoughts of others that editorial talent appears. Sister Hall has just left our humble mountain retreat to return to her post of duty at Oakland.

J. W.

Why Is It?

By Editor

A WRITER in the Oskaloosa (Kan.) Independent has undertaken to edify his readers with a tirade against the visions of Mrs. White. The Restitution makes haste to copy this article, and we shall be somewhat surprised if some others do not follow suit. The article is neither amiable nor gentlemanly, using terms which are a disgrace alike to both writer and publishers, such as, “Mother White,” “The old lady,” “Climax of absurdity,” “New fangled, avaricious, Heaven-daring novelty,” &c. If the statements made in said article concerning the visions are true, and the matter is set forth in the right light, then whosoever has anything to do with them, or the cause with which they are connected, is an unqualified idiot.

Nevertheless, the cause with which the visions are connected is rapidly spreading. The writings of Mrs. White are publicly advertised. They are open to the investigation of all; attention is publicly called to this matter, and a candid examination invited. Still, on every hand, men of intelligence, of discrimination, of moral worth, and of honesty of heart, are embracing the cause of the third angel’s message. Why is this?

Now the reader may judge for himself whether all these men are such fools as some would have us believe, or whether those who try to hold up this work to ridicule are fair and truthful in their representations.

Thank You, Gentlemen.

By Editor

OUR opponents are doing a vast amount of advertising for us gratis. In all parts of the land articles are making their appearance against the seventh-day Sabbath, and against Seventh-day Adventists. Our friends, naturally desiring to see them answered, forward them to this Office; but should we attempt to answer them all, we should simply use up all our time and all our space, in this work alone. We are assured that in the end these can do nothing against the truth, but for it. They may for a while succeed in deceiving the honest; but not long; for this work is not to be done in a corner; and the time is not far distant when every honest person will have the privilege of hearing for himself the real facts connected with our work and the evidences upon which our message rests.

Then let the opposers work. They are only increasing the agitation, advertising our cause, and preparing the way for the further spread of the light. Meanwhile, our mission is, to go steadily forward with our work, scattering the clear truth of the Bible, to the extent of our ability, through all the land.

The Eastern War.

DISPATCHES dated London, Jan. 25, announce Turkey’s agreement to sign conditions of peace. The straits of Dardanelles will be opened to Russian ships. Russians will occupy Batoum, Kars, and Erzeroum. Turkey will pay Russia £20,000,000 sterling as a war indemnity; and the treaty will be signed at Constantinople. The Allgemeine Zeitung says that “the eventual entry of the Russians into Constantinople can not longer be regarded as impracticable.”

Church Record, and S. B. Books.

By J. Fargo

THE new Church Record, and S. B. Books are perfect. Full directions are given; so that all church clerks and S. B. treasurers may have all the instructions they need to enable them to do their work correctly. We recommend that all our churches in Michigan obtain them, and take pains to do their work neatly, and according to the directions given. This will secure uniformity throughout the State in our church records and S. B. accounts. J. Fargo, Pres.

Ohio Tents.

By H. A. St. John

DEAR BRETHREN IN OHIO: We have three tents in our Conference, but each of these tents should by all means have a new top before it is fit for the summer campaign. It will cost nearly $400 to fit them all up as they should be. We may not have use for them all next season, but two of them, at least, should be fitted up at once, and it will cost us less to have this work done this winter, than to wait until spring; and besides if we delay beginning the preparation now, we may fail to get them ready in time. Our Conference fund is not sufficient to fit up our tents and run them besides. So we here and now appeal to all our people in Ohio to send their pledges to A. A. Hutchins, Conference treasurer, at once. If all will cheerfully do what they can we think we may have our tents fixed without touching the Conference funds. This is just what we would like to see accomplished.

Pledges should be paid on or before Aug. 1, if possible. If you can send the money with your pledge, all the better. Now who will come up to the help of the cause in this matter? Address, A. A. Hutchins, Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio. H. A. St. John.

Request to Minn. T. and M. Society.

By A. H. Van Kirk

WILL those who are ordering periodicals through me, please state whether they are to be charged at T. and M. rates or at full subscription prices? Please state the district to which they are to be charged.

District reports are now in order, and thankfully received. A. H. VAN KIRK, Sec.

The War.

The Russian armies have won great successes during the past fortnight, notwithstanding the rigor of a winter of exceptional severity. The occupation of Sophia, without resistance by the Turks, followed close upon the capitulation of Plevna. Then, amid incredible hardships, the armies of the Czar pressed on to the Balkans, and, in the Shipka Pass, captured the whole Turkish force which was defending it, consisting of forty-one battalions of infantry, ten batteries, and one regiment of cavalry. The passage of the Balkans was accomplished amid great suffering. Many soldiers were frozen to death. Half asleep with cold and fatigue, they dragged their cannon up vast ice-covered slopes, their overcoats stiff and white as sheets of tin. They have poured down into Roumelia, and the terrified inhabitants are fleeing before them. Civilians have been ordered to leave Adrianople. Thousands are crowding into Constantinople, destitute, homeless, and perishing with cold and hunger. Five little children were taken dead from a single train when it arrived. Mr. Layard, British Ambassador at Constantinople, has telegraphed an urgent request to England for means to relieve the sufferers, saying, “The Turkish Government is doing its best, but its action is almost paralyzed by the overwhelming magnitude of misery it has to deal with.” These dispatches reveal but a little of the inconceivable misery which overspreads the whole extent of those fertile and beautiful lands.

The Servian troops, too, are occupying important positions, the Turks retiring before them. The garrison of Widdin has been summoned to capitulate, but has demanded to be allowed to march out with their arms, which the Servians have refused.

Crete has risen in insurrection, and the Turks only propose to maintain their authority on the coast, surrendering the whole interior of the island to the insurgents. Everything points to the complete discomfiture of the Ottoman forces. Erzeroum in Armenia, and the four great fortresses in Bulgaria, cannot long resist the conquerors. The absorbing question now is, What will England do in the hour of Turkey’s humiliation? And, if peace is now proposed, what will be its conditions? The result of the pending negotiations for an armistice is awaited with breathless interest.—Christian Statesman.

Alaiedon Church Sabbath School Seeks Library Exchange

Notice.

THE Alaiedon church Sabbath-school wishes to exchange their library with some other Sabbath-school in the State. The library consists of about 55 volumes, and has been used about a year. For further particulars, address Leonard Osborne, S. S. Clerk, Meridian, Ingham Co., Mich.

Wanted: Bible Lessons for Children and Other Notices

Wanted.

A FEW copies of Bible Lessons for Children are wanted immediately. If those having uninjured copies of this book will send them to this Office, or at once notify us of the number they can spare, so that we can order them to other points, they will oblige us, and receive their value in any other books they may choose from our list.

A SABBATH-KEEPER wants to rent a farm, and to have seed and one or two teams furnished. Address, Finley Hull, Mt. Vernon, Ill. For reference, C. H. Bliss, Mt. Vernon, Ill.

A SABBATH-KEEPING partner wanted in a furniture store. For particulars, address F. Kingsley, Hebron, Nebraska.

Friends of Truth

By Editor

FEELING the importance of circulating Mrs. White’s writings, we give the following sums for that purpose, and invite four others to give one hundred dollars each for the same.

James White, ........................................ $100 R. G. Lockwood ........................................ 100 J. Q. A. Haughey and wife .............................. 100 U. Smith ............................................... 100 W. H. Hall and wife, ................................... 100 E. Lobdell, ............................................. 100

APPOINTMENTS

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

WELLSVILLE, N. Y., Feb. 9 and 10. We request every member of the church to be present at this meeting, as we have important business to transact. Also request the brethren from Niles Hill to meet with us. B. L. WHITNEY.

GENERAL T. and M. meetings for Minnesota, in connection with Eld. Haskell’s meeting at Medford, Feb. 15 to 17. Matters of the greatest importance in reference to the tract work will be introduced. We hope to see a general turnout. Eld. Haskell will be with us, and all our brethren and sisters should make an effort to be at this meeting. We shall expect our secretary, and as many of the directors as can, to attend this meeting.

Let all come prepared to care for themselves, as far as possible. We are not often favored with help from abroad. Let us come together, praying that the Lord will renew his work in all our hearts. HARRISON GRANT.

QUARTERLY meeting for the churches of Marshall, Burlington, Newton, and all others who desire to attend, at Newton, Mich., Feb. 9 and 10, 1878. J. BYINGTON, For Committee.

GENERAL meeting for the scattered Sabbath-keepers in Isabella County, and surrounding vicinity, Feb. 9, at 11 o’clock, A. M. at the Taylor school-house, in Chippewa, Mich., three miles east and two south of Mt. Pleasant. We hope to see every Sabbath-keeper in this county at this meeting, and as many others as can come. Homes will be provided for all who come to the Friday evening meeting. L. A. KELLOGG.

SABBATH and Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10, we will meet with the church at Convis, Mich. All who can do so are invited to attend. R. F. ANDREWS. G. C. TENNEY.

ESTELLA, Mich., Feb. 9 and 10. At this time the new S. D. A. meeting-house will be dedicated. Dedication on Sunday, at 10:30 A. M. Brethren and sisters from Carson City, Matherton, and other places within reasonable distance, are invited to attend. Elds. E. R. Jones, D. H. Lamson, J. O. Corliss, and Eld. Van Deusen and wife, are invited to be present. Estella is six miles south of Riverdale, a station on the R. R. from St. Louis to Cedar Lake, and 25 miles north of Pewamo, a station on the D. & M. R. R. In behalf of the church, T. LANGDON.

DIMONDALE, Mich., Feb. 2 and 3. At this time the new S. D. A. meeting-house of this place will be dedicated. Dedication services, Sunday, at 10:30 A. M.

A general invitation is extended to brethren and sisters. Those coming should make some preparation to care for themselves. J. FARGO. M. B. MILLER.

THERE will be a State quarterly T. and M. meeting held at Bordoville, Vt., Feb. 2 and 3. We hope to see the secretary and as many directors as can attend, with a general turnout of brethren and sisters, at this meeting. We could hold it no earlier. A. S. HUTCHINS, Pres.

Business Department.

“Not Slothful in Business.” Rom. 11:12.

RECEIPTS

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, notice of the omission should be given.

$2.00 EACH. Robinson & Bro 58-3, Margaret Wonser 58-1, N A Hollis 53-2, O S Stevens 53-1, E R Powers 58-1, Mrs Thomas Montgomery 53-1, Mrs M C Truesdahl 53-1, Mary E Dunn 58-1, J P Henderson 53-1, L B Castle 53-1, Danl Griggs 58-2, Wm LeBaron 52-2, August Rasmussen 53-1, Wm Marshall 51-22, J E Flesher 53-1, Wm James 44-1, Isaac W Wyble 58-1, A M Burden 53-9, M A Anderson 53-11, Jared Buzzell 53-8, Joanna Collins 53-5, M Hackworth 52-6, Peter Hallgren 50-18, Brooks M Heald 53-1, Sally T Bogar 58-1, Pliny Potter 53-8, Isaac Zirkle 58-10, Mary J Staff 53-1, John F Trovillo 53-4, Jane M Morang 53-10, Benj Dickey 53-1, J M Sealey 53-1, Susan Brant 53-1, Mrs M Tindall 51-15, R J Russell 53-1, C P Buckland 53-7, Noah Hodges 53-1, Wm P Andrews 53-1, J G Smith 53-1, A B Burton 53-1, Mary Edwards 53-14, Almira Bullock 58-1, Chas P Whitford 53-14, Mrs Ezra Peavey 53-1, Mrs Lucy Moore 53-1, J E Sanderson 53-1, S D Campbell 53-8, Harrison Sponselor 53-1, Wm Beebe 53-5, H F Heriden 53-1, Mrs F M Allen 53-7, A LaRue 58-10, A T Stickney 53-1, J A McCullock 53-1, J E Schaeffer 53-1, Peter Welch 53-1.

$1.00 EACH. Mrs S A Rose 52-1, Mrs C B Ingersol 52-1, G W Bartlett 52-3, David Lind 52-1, Frank Landerdale 52-1, C L Sweet 52-1, A J Stover 52-4, E H Gates 52-1, Delia A Stockman 52-1, W B Davis 52-1, Julia A White 52-1, Martin Phillips 52-5, Wm Hayes 52-2, Sylvester Smith 52-1, A Hopkins 52-3, A Greer 52-1, Agnes R Lucas 52-1, Mrs R E Drake 53-1, Isaac Harvey 52-1, Mrs J A Lackey 52-4, John Dresser 52-8, Leroy Burleson 52-2, P Miller 46-4, Silas Pike 52-1, W H Morgan 52-1, J L Edgar 52-4, M B Clark 52-6, John Atkinson 52-5, Hiram Patch 52-2, Weltha A Barber 52-1, R L Simpson 52-7, L B Kendall 52-1, Polly Kenney 52-1, Franklin Wood 52-4, James Jones 52-1, Mary Coyle 52-1, Mary Rowel 52-1, H A Shaver 52-1, Isaac Hughes 52-1, A F Fowler 52-2, R S Johnson 52-8, S F Potts 52-1, D A Wetmore 52-2, Mrs E G Gardner 52-1, Flora A Covert 51-22, J Deming 52-1, G W Amadon 52-1, W H Smith 53-1, Henry Martin 52-1, Lovina Jaycox 52-1, E C Taylor 52-4, James W Tulloch 52-1, J P Sample 51-12.

Miscellaneous.

Hermon Jenkins $1.50 53-1, W B Everhart 1.50 52-14, G S Sweet 75c 52-1, S J Alberty 75c 52-1, Wm Simmons 75c 52-1, Philip Herzer 75c 52-1, Geo Brown 75c 52-1, Josiah Brown 75c 52-1, A E Stutzman 1.25 52-8, D Morrell 75c 52-1, Mrs Myra Whitaker 1.50 53-1, Fannie H Beard 1.50 53-1, Amelia Aldrich 1.50 53-1, Wm A Ellington 1.50 53-1, Alvin Miller 75c 52-1, Wm Randall 75c 52-1, O G W Hoyt 75c 52-1, Mrs Elmima Babcock 1.50 53-1, F M T Simonson 50c 51-15, Allen Maxfield 1.50 53-1, Rebecca Curtice 1.50 53-1, Elizabeth Hupp 1.50 53-1, W W Enck 1.50 53-1, A A Pitman 1.50 53-5, Francis D Andrews 1.50 53-1, John Roby 1.50 53-1, Mrs Lucinda Weston 1.50 53-1, John Rice 1.50 53-1, Amelia Worden 90c 51-25, Mary A Jones 50c 51-15.

Books Sent by Mail.

Anna L King 50c, J M Little $1.00, C McKinnis 09c, Chas H Allen 1.00, E W Helm 43c, W H Wells 08c, F Landerdale 74c, James Worley 25c, Wm Clint 25c, L E Wilkins 25c, Mrs I O Coon 1.00, P Myers 1.00, Harmon Allen 25c, Mrs O M Ballou 25c, E Moberg 10c, Mrs T Montgomery 1.00, Geo A King 1.00, C Nelson 35c, S H Oliver 50c, F Shepfel 20c, L M Griggs 5.00, Jennie Cole 25c, M E Letts 25c, E Lamph(e)ar 30c, C H Davis 45c, J Omwake 50c, Wm H Logan 25c, Geo C Maris 80c, C C Whitman 25c, C G Person 30c, G A Carlstedt 50c, E R Powers 15c, T Butcher 50c, E Deans 25c, E Wakeham 60c, H D Buck 15c, Emma Minch 21c, T W Roman 25c, O B Oakes 3.00, Norman Dewey 1.50, W B Everhart 50c, H F Simonson 50c, Eld J N Andrews 1.00, S M Crawford 75c, M McDonald 50c, A B Taylor 5.00, B C Taylor 85c, N Chapman 25c, D Chapman 20c, M S Burnham 25c, D T Biggs 2.00, J C Nutting 20c, M Fuller 30c, C F Jenkins 1.05, C Jewett 25c, G S Spaulding 25c, Lottie Bertal 20c, S S Martin 25c, J M Gillet 35c, M E Fisher 15c, Hans Blomberg 40c, Anne Lilja 30c, Mads Rann 1.00, J H Neff 1.00, D Maynard 40c, Mrs E Clark 3.50, Arthur D Ballou 50c, Mrs A L Kemp 2.75, J Gould 25c, Wm Radde 1.50, W H Wright 50c, J P Stenbom 60c, Mrs J House 25c, M Hison 75c, Mrs C Keeney 20c, J Collins 20c, Geo R Drew 25c, Geo Francis 2.50, John Banks 75c, Proctor McCormick 1.66, G C Conrey 3.17, H Anderson 60c, Nels Jensen 1.20, John Tucker 60c, G I Butler 1.75, S N Haskell 2.80, H A St John 2.40.

Books Sent by Express.

J N Ayers $20.00, C C Doren 8.46.

Books Sent by Freight.

J N Ayers $94.68, Betty Coombs 37.70, A H Van Kirk 232.50, E O States 8.33, S M Holley 159.06, E G Rust 51.25.

Cash Rec'd on Account.

Pusey Heald $33.30, Texas T & M Society per EG Rust 40.00, J P Hunt per Eld R F Andrews 2.00, Wis T & M Society per M A Kerr 75.00, G W Colcord per S N Haskell 2.25, P B Miller 6.10, F W Morse 2.00, N Y T & M Society 120.00, Wm Covert 6.50, Ind T & M Society 135.00, Ky & Tenn T & M Society 58.00, S Osborn 25.00, Vt T & M Society per A S Hutchens 40.00, & per T H Purdon 65.00, Ill T & M Society Dist 6 6.63, & Dist 4 8.00.

Mich. Conf. Fund.

Hillsdale $5.81, Ithaca per Willet Reynolds 41.44, Genoa 5.23, Jackson per D R Palmer 32.85, Imlay City 7.25, West Plain 14.18, Auburn 16.00, Wright 120.00, Rockwood per L N Miller 15.00, Dryden 12.00, Mather-ton 10.50, Carson City 6.82, Hastings 19.47.

Mich. T. & M. Society.

Dist 13 per Geo A King $15.00, Dist 11 per A Carpenter 21.13, Dist 6 per F Howe 2.24, Dist 13 per M F Mullien 28.00, Dist 3 Hastings ½ 9.91, Wright per A O Burrill 11.88.

Gen. Conf. Fund.

Otsego church $37.50.

Gen. T. & M. Society.

R C Straw $5.00, A lover of the truth 2.60, A friend 1.00.

S. D. A. E. Society.

Jennie Cash $5.00, Samantha Hastings 10.00, C M Tenney 3.00, C S Crum 20.00, Samuel Winkley 5.00, Julia Winkley 5.00, Warren Sanborn 10.00.

Share in S. D. A. P. Association.

A A Fairfield $10.00.

Danish Mission.

Marie Hendrikson $2.00, Church at Riceland 42.44, A P Frederikson 5.00.