SHALL CHRISTIANS CONTRACT MARRIAGES WITH THE UNCONVERTED?
By Albert Stone
If there are some subjects of revealed truth that do not receive due attention from religious teachers, parents, and guardians, is it not possible that the subject indicated by the above heading may be one of them? Perhaps the delicacy of the subject and the fear of being thought too officious, may have been the occasion of putting this subject too much under the ban of silence. Such a feeling, though proper in itself, should not be carried to such an extent as to make ourselves chargeable with the neglect of an important duty, by withholding from others much-needed instruction and counsel.
If we have reached the bottom of reform on all those subjects which our important mission obliges us to carry out, of course nothing need be said on this subject. But as no one will prefer such a claim, it may not be improper for me to invite attention to the matter in question, in the hope that abler pens may be induced to step into the gap, to make up the hedge, which the most casual inspection shows to be sadly out of repair.
The institution of marriage, and the Sabbath, had their origin in paradise, before the fall of man. Inspired directions are given for their proper observance since the fall. They were designed to operate in the machinery of creation as regulators of human conduct, and, in the very nature of things, would have great bearing on human destiny, both as to this world and the next.
It is difficult to say which of them have been most abused. The history of the past shows that the hedge for their preservation has been in great measure torn away, and these protectors of man's choicest interests have been well-nigh nullified.
It would seem from Gen. 6:1, 2, and other scriptures, that the righteous descendants of Seth, and the unrighteous descendants of Cain, had, by divine direction, kept themselves distinct for some fifteen hundred years from the creation. But when men had greatly multiplied on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, a general defection became manifest in those who had been distinguished as the sons of God, and they took to them, from the opposite class, wives of all which they chose.
The worshipers of God were induced by unworthy motives to contract marriages, which made way for a rapid increase of wickedness, and an almost universal apostasy. These women were called the daughters of men, as being the descendants of Adam, and inheriting his fallen nature and his sin, but not his repentance. The cause of the flood is plainly traceable to these forbidden marriages; as the fruit of them was the development of a race of gigantic sinners in the earth.
All the circumstances of the case were opposed to the religious education and proper training of children. The evil example of the ungodly party prevailed to corrupt the other, and family religion found no place in those households. The children were trained up according to the maxims of the ungodly parent, and wickedness became great in the earth. Thus the flood became a necessity to wipe out the stain of those unseemly marriages.
In view, then, of the fact that such connections were forbidden, as they evidently were, and of the terrible effects of disobedience, as manifested by the flood, would it not be rash to conclude that what God cursed under that dispensation, will meet with his favor at a later period? The important question for us to decide is, whether the same prohibitions and reasons exist now that existed before the flood.
If we were to accept the verdict practically rendered by most professed Christians, we should at once conclude that the safeguards of former times are no longer required to be observed; that, either God is willing to accept a lower standard of piety, or that the unconverted have become so friendly to religion that it would be suitable to confide to them the religious training of our children, whom God requires to be trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. If the united efforts of both parents often prove insufficient to accomplish the desired end, how shall one accomplish it alone?
Of the mixed multitude that went up with the children of Israel out of Egypt, many, if not most of them, were the offspring of forbidden inter-marriages of the Israelites and the idolatrous Egyptians. These professed to believe the teachings of Moses, and to forsake idolatry. But they were the first to murmur against Moses and against God in the wilderness, and through their example the people were led astray. They thus became the occasion of great afflictions and severe judgments upon the camp of Israel.
The Israelites during the captivity took strange wives from among the Babylonians. Even the priests and their chief men, in large numbers, joined in this, contrary to the express command of God. At the end of the captivity, when Ezra, by permission of the king of Persia, went up to Jerusalem to superintend the rebuilding of the wall and temple, those marriages, with their numerous offspring, presented almost insuperable barriers to their re-establishment in their own land. They were guilty of a breach of moral principle. All these wrongs had to be repented of, and as far as possible forsaken; and as the beginning was transgression, the end was sorrow and tears.
The prohibition of marriages with idolaters was given to prevent temptations to idolatry. Does the gross idolatry of heathen nations possess worse features than the more refined idolatry of church-going sinners, if the Scriptures decide the question? Baptized idolatry is idolatry still; and Christianized sin is sugar-coated bitterness. The Lord looketh upon the heart.
Every age has felt the evil effects of neglecting the precepts of Scripture in this matter. It should be remembered that the world, though called Christian, still “lieth in wickedness,” and is full of evils which we must abhor. If everything in the Christian's conduct were regulated with reference to his communion with God, he would be likely to seek, as a life companion, one who would be a help meet for such a purpose.
The limitation of the apostle is, “Only in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 7 : 39.
ALBERT STONE.
DOCTRINE
By Dudley Marvin Canright
“The word ‘doctrine’ means, anything that is taught; but in Scripture it is used principally to denote a Heaven-revealed truth. A doctrinal truth is one which the Bible proposes to our belief. A doctrinal precept is a something to be acted upon, and requiring man’s obedience. Looking carefully through the sacred volume, I find little or no difference between the doctrines and the truths therein stated. Indeed, doctrine and truth, in sacred language, are identical. Much Scripture might be quoted here to sustain our proposition, but I will let the reader search and see for himself. If I am right, then when ministers cease to preach doctrine they will cease to ‘preach the word;’ for God’s ‘word is truth,’ God’s word is sacred doctrine.
“Now why has modern preaching become so inefficient, so powerless? I answer, The truth, the doctrine—which is the word—is not preached. Sharp, clear-visioned men in all denominations see this. Thus the Inquirer (Unitarian) says: ‘Theologians are loose and indefinite in their fundamental positions. Preaching has become sentimental, superficial, illogical, contradictory, unsystematic, and uninstructive. The interest that once belonged to it, as a solemn reasoning from clear and fixed data, has given place to that of sensational, entertaining, or emotional addresses, or to what are called, for lack of a better name, “practical” discourses, which avoid all doctrine as vain and useless, and devote themselves to superficial suggestions about morals and living—as if truth about God and human nature, and the attitude of the heart, will, and mind towards eternal principles were not at the root of all morals and all true life.’
“Here is a key unlocking the true character of very much of the pulpit work of these last days. Others see it, and the Observer (Presbyterian), quoting the above, adds, ‘There is wholesome food for reflection for other people than Unitarians in that sentence, and we set it in our own setting that it may do good to the orthodox also.’ In the same strain the South-eastern Advocate (Methodist) says: ‘The American style of preaching is radically wrong. It is favorable to rhetoric and oratory, but not to instruction. The Bible is used as a mere suggester of themes. Texts are chosen from it, but not to be expounded and enforced as the word of God. Preachers must give the people more gospel, or zeal in religion will never be revived.’ And the National Repository (Methodist) strikes at the evil and echoes the same alarm. It declares in plain terms that ‘doctrinal sermons are not often preached in our pulpits.’
“How, I ask, can the gospel be preached unless men preach the revealed truth, the written word? And when this is left out, when anecdotes and exhortations are substituted for expositions of Scripture, where is doctrine? President Wayland, many years ago, told the Baptists that their denomination would die when they ceased to preach its distinctive tenets and doctrines. Some have said that the reason why Mr. Moody has such great success is because he preaches so little doctrine. The Examiner and Chronicle (Baptist) says the fact is the very opposite, and that Mr. Moody’s sermons are steeped in doctrine.
“I suggest if it would not be well for the ministry in America to pause and inquire what doctrine is and then ascertain whether or not they are preaching it? When they have re-investigated this important question with prayer and carefulness, they will probably find that the doctrine of the Lord is perfect (Ps. 19:7); that Christ taught the doctrine (Mark 4:12 and 12:38); that all who do his will shall know what it is (John 7:17); that men are to continue in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), which is the doctrine of the Lord (Acts 13:12); that all believers are to have a doctrine (1 Cor. 14:26); that ministers are to give attendance and take heed to their doctrine (1 Tim. 4:13, 16); that such are to labor in doctrine (chap. 5:17); that doctrine is to be according to godliness (1 Tim. 6:3); that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16). Finally, that it is God’s doctrine (Titus 2:10), Christ’s doctrine (Heb. 6:1), good doctrine (1 Tim. 4:6), sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).
“It is not safe or sound to substitute anything for this. Therefore, brethren, study doctrine, and preach doctrine. It is the gospel of men’s salvation.”
The above, by D. T. Taylor, is worthy of careful study. There is mighty power in sound doctrinal preaching. When we leave this we lose our strength. We must not be sneered, scared, nor coaxed out of this mode of work. It is God’s plan. Let us stick to it.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
SYMPATHY
By Eliza H. Morton
Some people think that sympathy is a weakness, and therefore they scorn to notice the afflictions of suffering humanity. This is wrong. Sympathy enlarges the heart and makes us generous and self-forgetful.
When we are sad and weary, how cheering is the gentle voice of a friend. When sickness darkens our dwelling, how consoling is the sympathizing word. When the world seems gloomy and pleasure not near, how sweet to feel the warm pressure of a kindly hand. When sorrow overshadows our home, how comforting to mingle our tears with those of tender-hearted friends.
The great heart of Love overflows with sympathy for every child of earth. Some of that sympathy should brighten our lives, and through us comfort others. The gentle word is never lost, the tear of love never wasted, the kind deed never unnoticed above. When the Good Shepherd returns, the heart-work of life will be summed up, and glorious and rich will be the reward of the redeemed. May we share in that glory. ELIZA H. MORTON.
Entire Consecration to the Lord
ENTIRE consecration is thus expressed by the poet: “Here, Lord, I give myself away.”
By an apostle: “We thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Are we doing this?
KANSAS
By Smith Sharp
Bro. Stevens and myself were at the dedication at Richland, June 29, 30. Several of the young made a start in the service of God, and it was thought best that I should attend their quarterly meeting the sixth and seventh. The ordinances were celebrated, four were baptized, and three joined the T. and M. society. The church now has a membership of seventy.
I now go to Palermo to labor as the way may open. SMITH SHARP.
July 10.
IOWA
Clarence, Cedar Co., July 10.
We set our tent in this place to-day. Hope all the friends in this section will attend our meetings as much as possible. We desire the prayers of our brethren.
J. D. PEGG.
RUSSELL HART.
Cedar Falls, West Dayton, and Elkhorn.
June 22 to 26, I was with the church at Cedar Falls. We had good religious meetings, and a business meeting. One was added to the church by baptism.
I was at West Dayton, June 27–30. This is a live church, ready to labor in every branch of the work of God. I had not been here for more than a year, and we enjoyed the privilege of meeting, and speaking to one another of the goodness of God toward us. Bro. John Johnson was ordained elder in place of Bro. L. Johnson, who has removed to Illinois to labor among the Scandinavians there.
The Fourth of July we had a good grove meeting with our friends at Elkhorn. We also had a profitable quarterly meeting, July 6 and 7. It is a good plan to call the name of each member. Thirty-eight were present, and gave excellent testimonies. Six were absent, for good reasons.
July 8. JOHN F. HANSON.
Tent No. 1, Winterset, July 11.
The interest continues good. The Methodist minister has his guns mounted and prepared for battle. Next Sunday at eleven A. M. he preaches on the change of the Sabbath. At three P. M. Bro. Morrison reviews his discourse. Some have already decided to obey the commandments of God. We hope for others.
We look for Eld. Farnsworth soon.
Pray for us. T. A. KILGORE.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Wellsville and Niles Hill, N. Y.
I ATTENDED quarterly meeting with these churches, July 6 and 7. Both churches were well represented, and a good interest was manifested. There are flourishing Sabbath-schools in both churches, with growing interest. Systematic benevolence was promptly paid by nearly all. Five were baptized, and united with the Niles Hill church.
OSWAYO, PA.—July 9, I came to Oswayo to visit tent No. 10. We find here a remarkable interest. Twelve or fifteen have already commenced to keep the Sabbath, and these are among the best class of people in the community. The interest now is greater than at any previous time, and we had the privilege of speaking to an intelligent congregation of between one hundred and fifty and two hundred, and the best of attention was given. When the brethren Robinson and Whitney came here three weeks ago, the weather was very unfavorable, being both wet and cold. For a time it looked as though the effort would be a failure; but instead of giving up, the brethren went to visiting from house to house and have labored on till now they have a first-class interest, with every indication of most favorable results. The people are already talking of building a church, and materials are being offered.
I intend soon to return and assist in the work here for a few days. Go to-day to visit Bro. Wilcox and Lane, who are laboring with a tent in an adjoining county.
B. L. WHITNEY.
Oswayo, Pa., July 10.
Tent No. 1, Chautauqua Co., N. Y.
JUNE 17, we concluded our meetings at Aurora, and shipped the tent to Jamestown. The 18th, I started to see my family and the grave of our once pleasant home. We were detained, and did not arrive at Jamestown until the 25th. The mildew had so rotted the tent that all efforts to make it water-proof were unavailing. Found the tent pitched in Jamestown on the common: but everything proved adverse, and on consultation with Bro. Whitney, we went to Sinclairville, a large, flourishing village in the northern part of this county. The Lord as clearly opened the way here as he had closed it at Jamestown. From the first, everything proved favorable. The situation and surroundings are all that could be desired. The rain, so far, has not once interfered with our meetings. The interest and attendance are excellent, and the people kind and generous.
Bro. B. L. Whitney’s duties as president of the Conference and tract society call him away, but we hope for his aid in the latter and more critical time of our meetings here.
CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.
Tent No. 2, Newfane, N. Y., July 10.
THE interest in this place still increases and is extending for miles around. The Baptist minister continues his efforts against us, and is beginning to use harsh epithets, which work well. On Sunday evening last his church was not even opened for service, although service was announced in the morning; while the tent was crowded, and there were two hundred or more on the outside. Some have already decided to obey the truth, and we hope for good results.
S. B. WHITNEY.
Tent No. 7, Sabinsville, Pa., July 9.
WE have given, to date, twenty-six discourses, and eight have taken a stand on the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” There are as many more who acknowledge their duty to obey, but custom, popular religion, and the world have a strong hold on their affections. May the Lord help them to break loose from the chains that bind them, and go free in Christ. Three of those who embraced the truth have left off the use of tobacco, determined to be free indeed.
The times here are very hard, and money is scarce, so that our book sales have amounted to but very little.
The opposition we have met has increased the interest. People come a distance of ten miles to hear the truth. May the Lord give us wisdom that the work may not come to naught, but that precious souls may be gathered in.
M. C. WILCOX.
T. M. LANE.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
By M. Wood; F. A. Buzzell
Francestown, July 11.
Commenced meetings in this place, June 7. Have given thirty-four discourses. As a result thus far, there are four (heads of families, with one exception) keeping the Bible Sabbath. We have obtained two subscribers for the REVIEW, one for the SIGNS, and sold eight or nine dollars’ worth of books, charts, etc.
Since the presentation of the Sabbath, many things have arisen of a discouraging nature, and well calculated to cast a distracting influence upon our work in this place. Those who were our warmest friends, and openly averred that God had sent us to this place, are now our bitterest foes, using every means possible to31keep people away from the tent, even hiring them to remain away. They have circulated the most fabulous reports about us, and have threatened to pull down our tent, and drive us out of town. Still the work moves forward. There are others here that we expect will ere long obey the truth. Pray for us. M. Wood. F. A. Buzzell.
THE HOME OF THE WEARY.
By Emma G. Russell
When thy heart is burdened heavy
And the load is hard to bear,
E'en when friends do all forsake thee
And it seems there's none to care,
Take, O take it all to Jesus,
He'll not turn from thee away;
He who knoweth all thy grieving
Surely will not say thee nay.
Were this world of sin and sorrow
All our hearts could hope to know,
Truly we had cause for sadness
While we tread this vale below;
But there is a land immortal
Where temptations never come,
Where no tears shall ever enter,
There the weary find a home.
In that land of fadeless beauty,
In those heavenly mansions fair,
God hath promised rest eternal,
And “there’ll be no sorrow there;”
Soon our blessed Saviour cometh,
Soon we’ll hear his welcome voice
Saying, “Children, come up hither,
Cease thy grieving, and rejoice.”
Emma G. Russell.
WISCONSIN
By N. M. Jordon; A. D. Olsen
Tent No. 3, Berlin, July 11.
Our congregations are good, the tent being filled on Sundays. The ministers keep quiet and give us a good letting alone, but oppose secretly. The people have provided for our wants liberally, and twice we have taken up a collection resulting in the donation of $9.00 toward our expenses. We have sold about six dollars’ worth of books. Ten have taken hold of the truth, and we hope for more. We have the best order we have ever seen anywhere, which is quite unusual here, as it is said their own preachers are disturbed in their meetings.
We remain here a short time, and then go to some other place.
N. M. Jordon.
A. D. Olsen.
MINNESOTA
By D. P. Curtis; N. Battin
Sauk Center, July 8.
WE pitched our tent in this village last Friday, and began labor the following evening. We have given four discourses. The attendance has been fair. Last evening our tent was crowded, there being about two hundred persons present. The attention was excellent, and the order never better. After the discourse about one hundred and twenty-five came forward to the stand and took our half-cent tracts.
The interest seems to be increasing, and we hope to see good done. We ask our brethren to remember the work here in their prayers. D. P. CURTIS. N. BATTIN.
INDIANA
Tent No. 1, Reese’s Mills, Boone Co.
We have now been here three weeks. The turnout is good considering the very busy season of the year. During harvest our congregations have averaged about one hundred. Some are deeply interested. Held our first Sabbath meeting, Sabbath, July 6. About thirty-five were present. Some took a decided stand, and voted to keep the Sabbath. Among the number is the post-master.
People are very kind to us, and thus far have donated enough to pay our expenses. Our Sunday evening congregations range from three hundred to four hundred and fifty. Some come as far as thirteen miles to our meetings.
S. H. LANE.
J. T. RICHARDS.
J. S. SHROCK.
Tent No. 2, Alexandria, July 9.
Since we have brought the Sabbath question before the people, the attendance has been somewhat smaller. There is much prejudice. The Methodist minister will speak against us on the Sabbath question next Sunday.
Some are deeply interested. Eight or more are keeping the Sabbath. Among them is a young man of ability who is teaching a normal school in a town near here. He remarked, “I cannot resist this great truth.” He intends to attend the college the coming school year, to fit himself for usefulness in the great harvest field. We have hope of eight or ten others.
We remain here another week, and longer if the interest demands. Bro. F. D. Allen, brother of Prof. N. Allen, of Missouri, joined us last week. We hope to see a permanent work done here. To this end we labor.
W. W. SHARP.
MISSOURI
By George I. Butler
Sedalia, July 11.
The interest here is still quite good, though it has fallen off some since we introduced the Sabbath question. We have a great many friends already, and things are still working favorably. Several hundred are out to hear us nearly every evening. The ministers begin to take up some of our subjects, and we expect this will add to the interest. We still have a daily report of about three-fourths of a column, containing the pith of our discourse the night before, in a paper which has a daily circulation of about twelve hundred, extending over a large region of country. This makes our audience still more extensive than the one we speak to in the evening. The publishers seem to be glad to get our reports. We hope for good to come out of this.
Occasionally a drunken man came around the tent and annoyed us. Some of the audience went to the city marshal for a policeman to look after the matter. He said he could not well spare any of his force, but would gladly commission one of our number. Bro. Reavis was duly appointed by the mayor, and they have offered to appoint another also, if we desire. This is quite a help to us.
To-night we have a grand temperance rally in the tent, as a leading lecturer happens to be present in town. The Methodist minister solicited the tent for the occasion. Of course we gladly consented. Altogether we hope for much good here, but we expect to have to hold on quite a while in order to complete the work. We have thus far given four discourses on the Sabbath question. We ask the earnest prayers of God’s people in our behalf, that we may have a glorious victory, and firmly plant the truth in this new field.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
TEXAS TENT.
By R. M. Kilgore; L. J. Caldwell
Rockwall, July 8.
The interest here is deep and growing. We presented the Sabbath question yesterday. The people are deeply interested in it. About three hundred attended our meeting Sunday evening. We look for a good work to be done here. Eld. Caskey, by his abuse of our work, made us many warm friends, and entirely frustrated the designs he had boasted he would carry out. He wanted another debate at once. The people say they have no use for him. We receive the usual favors, as elsewhere. We hope for a liberal turnout at the general meeting here.
TERRELL.—Met with the brethren here on the Sabbath, and found sixty keeping the day. Organized a Sabbath-school of fifty-three members. They hold a weekly prayer-meeting, and a weekly meeting for Bible study. They are growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Our people and friends are anxious to see a fresh man, and we hope the General Conference Committee can spare us one. This salubrious climate is surely second to none for such cases as that of Bro. White. Our brethren unite with others in prayer for God's worn toilers. R. M. KILGORE. L. J. CALDWELL.
MICHIGAN
Romeo, July 8.
Our meetings are progressing encouragingly. On favorable evenings our congregations average nearly three hundred. Last Sabbath we had a meeting, and found two keeping the day, although we had given but two discourses on that subject. Last night we spoke on the change of the day, before a large audience. Considerable excitement prevails in the place. Spiritualists are terribly stirred, and threaten to send for Jamison, I am told.
We expect to remain here as long as the prospects are as flattering as now. Our tent company consists of myself and wife, and Bro. and Sr. B. F. Richards.
E. B. LANE.
Tent No. 2, Portland and Greenville.
We struck our tent at Portland, Monday, July 8, after a stay of nearly five weeks. The interest did not at any time become general. The most bitter prejudice marked the course of all the church-going people—a feeling that would not be dispelled. Our congregations were never large, sometimes exceedingly small. There was no sale for books, and with the most earnest urging but a few pages of reading matter could be given away. The ministers charged the people to stay away, and they obeyed. This is the third effort that has proved nearly a failure in Portland. Local difficulties make the work hard. Six months of earnest, persevering labor would accomplish something. Even now we are not left without witnesses: a few will obey the truth.
We are now at Greenville, well located, well advertised, and the outlook is hopeful. Have had one meeting in a storm of rain, with a fair audience. Good attention was given to the word spoken. We hope in the Lord.
D. H. LAMSON. H. M. KENYON.
ILLINOIS
By C. H. Bliss
Duquoin, July 8.
We commenced meetings here July 6. Have already held four meetings, and although it has been raining at the time of each meeting our congregations have been good. Bro. Colcord remains at Carbondale to follow up the interest there. From the prospects, we hope to see a good interest at Duquoin. C. H. Bliss.
CALIFORNIA
[Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.]
Salem, Oregon.
Eld. J. N. Loughborough and party reached Salem on the morning of June 14. Eld. L. spoke to the church at this place Sabbath, June 15, and again on Sunday evening.
The sea voyage to Oregon was somewhat rough, and the whole company were seasick. Sr. White was so much weakened by seasickness that she rested over one Sabbath; but June 22 she spoke in Salem to a full house, and the next day was to speak to the prisoners in the chapel of the State prison in the forenoon, and in the evening give a temperance lecture in the Methodist church, the largest church building in Salem.
At the time of writing, June 23, preparations for the camp-meeting were going off well. The ground is beautiful, being a grove of about thirty fir trees one hundred and fifty feet in height, interspersed with those of a smaller growth. These, with their dark green foliage, contrast finely with the white tents and the yellow carpet of straw placed on the ground. The brethren have taken hold with a will to prepare for this their first camp-meeting.
Oakland, Cal.
In the SIGNS of July 4, Eld. Healey says that the interest here is increasing. The attendance for the week just past had averaged about three hundred. Bro. S. M. Meeker is assisting in the missionary work.
Rocklin, Cal.
Nine have signed the covenant here. The S. B. pledge is $105.80. A Sabbath-school has been organized, which will consist of about twenty members. Eld. B. A. Stephens now goes to Placerville, El Dorado county.
EQUALITY
By G. W. Colcord
AN ARTICLE FOR ILLINOIS.
“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened” 2 Cor. 8:13.
Dear Brethren and Sisters: Can we say that equality is one of the principal features of our work here in the Illinois Conference, so long as the following-described conditions remain undisturbed? Ponder as you read.
1. While some members of our several committees act as though they realized the words: “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently,” others are not so anxious. They say by their actions, “Nothing very special is demanded at my hands; others can do committee work better than I;” and thus they excuse themselves. Is this equality? No! But further: If all should so reason and act, when and by whom would the work be done?
2. Our ministers should all work for the Master with solemn earnestness. If it is the bounden duty of one to toil wearisomely for the salvation of souls, is not the same true of all the others? Allowing for varied circumstances, the same devotion is required of each. Brethren in the ministry, the Lord is on the giving hand. His grace is bestowed upon us; and we are seeing some fruit of our labor. But we are too slow; too sleepy; too worldly. May God grant us next year a score of men who will go out into the field and gather sheaves for the final harvest. What we need is continuity. “Stick to it!” Be not discouraged at apparent failures. Oh, if all would only work, and work in the field, nearly, if not quite, all of the time, what results would we not see!
3. The laity of the church should give the subject of equality more than a passing thought. The Lord’s ways are equal; and it pleases him to see ours the same. But are they? It is too evident that they are not. Some of our members are learning the important lesson of sacrifice; but others are in danger of losing the crown of life by breaking the tenth commandment. This is a solemn thought. Will you exchange Heaven for earth? Some are ever ready to lend us a helping hand; but others offer us nothing but excuses. Did you never hear of the “proxy saint”? Let it not be thus said of us at last: “In life you served God by proxy, and now you shall enter Heaven only by proxy!” Ay, naught but a personal endeavor, by grace, will bring a personal reward. It is estimated that we have five hundred or more Sabbath-keepers in our State. Now let these five hundred all nobly come up to the work, and what would be the result only the Master knows. I am stirred as I study this theme.
4. The T. and M. society should work, officers and people, as one soul. Who reports every quarter? Who works hard that he may have an encouraging report to record? Who is it that pays a perfect tithe and adds the one-third? There are some in Illinois that so do, and their numbers are increasing. Will you be blessed if you fail to discharge a known duty? Not unless the Lord’s ways are unequal. Then let us all work, and pray, and hope on till we know and realize our duty; and in the outcome of life may we all reach the world of perfect equality. G. W. COLCORD.
THE DUTY OF BEING HAPPY.
THERE is no duty so much underrated as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world, which remain unknown even to ourselves, or, when they are disclosed, surprise nobody so much as the benefactor. The other day, a ragged, barefoot boy ran down the street after a marble, with so jolly an air that he set every one he passed in a good humor; one of these persons, who had been delivered from more than usually black thoughts, stopped the little fellow and gave him some money, with this remark: “You see what sometimes comes of looking pleased.” If he had looked pleased before, he had now to look both pleased and mystified. For my part I justify this encouragement of smiling rather than tearful children; I do not wish to pay for tears anywhere but upon the stage; but I am prepared to deal largely in the opposite commodity. A happy man or woman is a better thing to find than a five pound note. He or she is a radiating focus of good will; and the entrance of such a one into a room is as though another candle had been lighted. We need not care whether they could prove the forty-seventh proposition; they do a better thing than that, they practically demonstrate the great theorem of livableness of life. Look at one of your morbidly industrious fellows for a moment. He sows hurry, and reaps indigestion; he puts a vast deal of activity out to interest and receives a large measure of nervous derangement in return. Either he absents himself entirely from all fellowship, and lives a recluse in a garret, with carpet slippers and a leaden ink-pot, or he comes among people swiftly and bitterly, in a contraction of his whole system, to discharge some temper before he returns to his work. I do not care how much or how well he works, this fellow is an evil feature in other people's lives. They could easier do without his services in the circumlocution office, than they can tolerate his fractious spirit.—Cornhill Magazine.
VERMONT
Tent No. 1, Weston.
We find a few families here that have moral courage to attend our meetings, and they say they believe what they hear at the tent. But we are surrounded by a wicked, under-handed opposition, which thus far succeeds in keeping away most of those that would come if it were not for having their names cast out as evil. The people are now in the midst of haying, and a number of those that are interested come several miles.
This week the Methodists have a ministerial association here, which will undoubtedly give all its influence against our meetings. But we trust in God that he will justify our preaching in the salvation of a few souls. We shall remain here a few days, to gather up what we can as the result of the meetings. I never have encountered a more determined prejudice than we have met here. If the opposition had civil power to sustain them, and the Lord did not interfere, it is hard to even guess what they would do with us; but we labor on in the name of the Lord, and hope to see souls converted to the truth. Pray for us.
I. SANBORN.
Tent No. 2, Cabot, July 8.
THE interest here is still good. Sunday our audience numbered about four hundred. Eld. Morse, first-day Adventist, having seen reports of our meetings in the Montpelier papers, dismissed his congregation in that place on Sunday, and attended our meeting. He assisted in the afternoon service, and would have preached in the evening had he not been obliged to return home. His wife remarked that they had come among strangers, but found themselves among friends. They bade us Godspeed in our work.
The Sabbath is still the great theme of conversation among all classes. We have taken no expression of the people yet, but four have signified their intention to keep the Sabbath. Invitations have been received to hold meetings in a school-house three miles from here in the town of Woodbury. We appoint meetings there for Monday and Thursday evenings. Have sold books to the amount of $7.10, obtained four subscribers for our periodicals, and received donations to the amount of $5.50. Our wants are still supplied by our numerous friends, many of whom acknowledge that we have the truth. R. S. OWEN. M. E. KELLOGG.
The Dime Tabernacle.
By G. W. Colcord
After considering the reasons set forth why our people should have a more commodious house of worship at Battle Creek, I immediately said, “It is right. Such a building should be erected.” I shall give my mite and influence to forward the enterprise. And I hereby request the committee to furnish our Conference and State T. and M. society secretaries a suitable number of blanks, so that they can furnish all our librarians and church clerks with Dime Tabernacle pledge-papers.
Brothers and sisters, will not our State respond? I so trust.
G. W. COLCORD, for Illinois.
GOOD NIGHT.
Good night!
Now the weary rest by right,
And the busy fingers, bending
Over work that seems unending,
Toil no more till morning light—
Good night!
Go to rest!
Close the eyes with slumber prest;
In the streets the silence growing
Wakes but to the watch-horn blowing.
Night makes only one request—
Go to rest!
Slumber sweet!
Blessed dreams each dreamer greet;
He whom love has kept from sleeping,
In sweet dreams now o’er him creeping
May he his beloved meet—
Slumber sweet!
Good night!
Slumber till the morning light,
Slumber till the new to-morrow
Comes and brings its own new sorrow.
We are in the Father’s sight—
Good night! —Selected.