Earlier text: SIGNS AND WONDERS IN ISRAELGod or Mammon, Which?
By Golden Censer
In contrast with the developments of the nineteenth century, stand the men of iron sinew and dauntless hearts of the Reformation period. To be a follower of our blessed Lord in those days of persecution often cost life itself. The earth drank of the blood of the victims, while the saints went up from the inquisition, the prison, the dungeon, and the flames, singing songs of victory over the “world, the flesh, and the devil.” We look back over the years, and wonder if Luther, Whitefield, Wesley, Knox, and a host of others, did not make too much of religion; whether their faith has not become obsolete. It is true they had the Lord and the apostles, and the early church as examples; but then, after all, judging by the way the world looks at those events, it might have done well enough for the past, but this is a progressive age; men have new ideas of things. “Hell fire,” as a man expressed himself in our hearing, “is played out.” There must be some new, broad way—not the broad way that leads to death—leading up to the gates of Heaven, or else how can we reconcile the present with the past? We were looking over a new religious paper, started only last winter in New York, by three of the most prominent ministers of that city, for the sole purpose of setting forth the glory of the Lord in the churches of the land, and we were surprised, pained, and astonished to find two of its columns given up to advertising a circus! We had to ask ourselves, Is it possible? These three ministers virtually ask all their readers throughout the land—as far as the circulation of their paper goes—to attend the circus. This is their way of “setting forth the glory of the Lord.” Some years ago, a young man of no ordinary ability and promise of usefulness, edited a Sunday-school periodical in Chicago, and his name was upon the lips of every Sabbath-school worker in the North-west. To-day he is in New York writing novels. This is his method of glorifying God. While reading one of our exchanges, another religious paper, our eyes were attracted by this: “The Mystery of Metropolisville,” in large type, together with the advertisement of four other works of the same novel writer above referred to. Thus ministers of the gospel write novels and the religious papers advertise them, and, what?—why, the Christian people buy and read them! Why not? “Like priest, like people.” Reading a Saratoga correspondent’s letter to an eastern paper, we noticed the mention of a college president as giving a most able sermon in the Second Presbyterian church to a large and appreciative audience, while at that very time he was advertised in the Saratogian as one of the managers of a “grand fancy ball.” How are the mighty fallen! This learned president is an instructor of the youth—candidates for the ministry it may be. He teaches, preaches, and helps in managing “grand fancy balls.” What kind of ministers will be given to the church as the young men shall graduate from his college? Again: Upon the recent celebration of the seventy-ninth birthday of a venerable Methodist minister, he gave utterance to the following language. Speaking of entering that day upon his eightieth year, he said, “I feel that time with me is short. This I should not regret if I felt fully prepared for my final change.” What a humiliating admission! A member of the church, a minister of the gospel for sixty years, feeding the flock of Christ over which the Holy Ghost has made him an overseer, and going in and out before the Israel of God as one of its chosen leaders for a lifetime, and now while upon the very threshold of the grave, living in “bondage unto fear”—not fully prepared to go hence! But why prolong this list of God and mammon servants? The heart sickens, and one is almost discouraged in trying to roll back the terrible tide of evil which this class of gospel ministers are spreading over the land. No wonder that those who are trying to follow Israel’s God are looked upon with contempt. There is evidently a mistake somewhere. Either Christ and the religion that cost him his life to establish has become obsolete, or the church and her ministers are in a fearful state of apostasy. And what is the result? The people have become proud, having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Instead of going up to the courts of the Lord to worship him in his temple, they go to show their fine clothes and to see what others have to wear. Instead of the plain gospel sermons which prick men to the heart, and make men cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved?” the preacher delivers a very eloquent essay upon the “cosmogony,” the “geological ages,” the “fossiliferous period,” in short, anything but the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the few go to the church, not to have their souls fed, but to be entertained, while the world at large is stumbling into hell over this godless profession and mock religion. And, what might have been anticipated, the church has lost its grasp on the souls of men. It is powerless to do them good, and hence the general letting down of all moral restraints, and crime is advancing with terrible strides in every department of life. The papers are filled with intelligence of red-handed villainy in the land. Almost every day some new horror is disclosed. The very foundations of society seem to be loose. The evil in humanity, unrestrained by any efficient check, is dominant in all ranks. Vulgar sin is constantly being complimented by polished villainy. The transgressor, from the haunts of ignorance and the dens of infamy, enters prison doors, and is speedily joined by the out-law fresh from cultured scenes and halls of respectability. We are seeing what is in man, what his nature is capable of producing. When under full headway, society’s laws interpose but small opposition. The thrall of chains and the ignominy of the gibbet are not enough to restrain the human demon. Is there, then, no hope? Yes, in God. The world is slow in making this discovery. O merciful Father! “let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just!” We are aware that it is exceedingly unpopular to write thus plain. But the times demand plain dealing. Had we the power, we would strip off the kid gloves and superfluities of every minister, and implore them to sound the gospel trumpet loud, clear, and long, until the people were aroused from the terrible sleep which is more fatal than death. Oh! that men would obey the voice of the Almighty, and shout to Israel’s host, “In the name of the Lord, go forward!” “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” “He that believeth shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned.” May God help us to rightly understand our relation to him, our duty to the world, the object of our existence, and the grand possibilities within our grasp, and then will it be possible for us to glorify him upon the earth, and finish the work he has given us to do.—Golden Censer. Novel-Reading and Its Spiritual Dangers
By A Pastor
HAVING, by the grace of God, escaped this species of evil, I am only able to give the experience of some of my less fortunate, Judgment-bound associates; and judging from what they say, I cannot but conclude that of all the wily intrigues of Satan to ensnare the souls of the young and innocent, this is one of the most fatal. Indulgence in this sinful practice will largely account for the giddy, nonsensical disposition of so many of the fairest specimens of the human race—and females in particular. Beauty sits upon the outward features, but the disposition manifested is empty and repulsive. Not long since, a lady friend, a member of the Baptist Association, called to see me, and in the course of conversation the subject of novel-reading was introduced. She said that while at home with her parents she received wholesome, Christian instruction, and was never allowed to indulge in such reading at all; but that, contrary to the teaching of her pious parents, she had sat up till long after midnight, poring over thrilling adventures and exciting love stories, until her eyes became dim and her brain reeled from the exertions to satisfy her curiosity, and often she would be afraid to lift her eyes off the alluring sheet, for fear she might, in the stillness of the midnight hour and the faint glimmer of her lamp, behold some of the fearful monsters and tragic scenes portrayed to her mind by the writer. At last she would cast the sheet aside, extinguish the light, and, jumping into bed, cover herself up entirely, and in breathless suspense imagine herself in danger until nature becoming exhausted she would fall asleep. We have heard of delirium tremens ensuing from the use of tobacco and strong drink, but I consider this just such a case as the result of novel-reading. How far are we wrong, the reader may judge. Often this unhappy woman, after she had changed her situation in life, would not in the evening light a candle or kindle a fire; but fancying danger around, would seek safety on the threshold of the door—awaiting in almost breathless suspense the return of her husband, who would sometimes find her shivering from the cold to which she had exposed herself. She said she knew that “Norwood” was written by Henry Ward Beecher, but did not for some time think that he was a minister of the gospel. Having been led to abandon novel-reading, she gave her heart to the Lord, and finds joy in reading the Bible. Another friend, who, happy in the Lord, told me that when she was converted she had a large box full of novels—all of which she burned, except some that were carried off by those who saw her doing it; and since that time she has not allowed one to be in the house; but even now, she says, that when she is earnestly engaged in reading God’s word, the recollection of those fearful and abominable tales will flash into her mind and mar her peace. The enemy is loth to give up his victim. Oh, how terrible—how dangerous a practice is novel-reading! It leads to eternal wretchedness. Reader, if guilty of this fascinating evil, abandon it. God’s word will cheer your heart; make it the man of your counsel, and live.—A Pastor. To those scenes of domestic peace which pure religion created and adorned, the thoughts of the youngest member of the family will cling in after years; they will become a kind of hallowed ground in his memory; they will exert a restraining and sanctifying power; and thus we may expect to see the promise fulfilled: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Why Congregations Find Long Sermons Tiresome
GUESS we have found out the reason in part, says the Recorder, why there is such a wonderful demand for short sermons. The way service is conducted now-a-days, the people are sung at, read to, preached for, and prayed over, while they have nothing at all to do in the case but to listen. Even pine seats without cushions get harder the longer you have to sit on them. If congregations could only be induced to relapse a little into the old-fashioned way of worshiping God, such as standing up and helping to sing, kneeling down to pray, and saying “amen” occasionally—at the right time—we incline to the opinion that it would help shorten the sermon.—Golden Censer. THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.
By Bonar
AUTUMN has come at last; and nature now
Binds up her summer tresses and disrobes,
That she may lay herself in silence down
Upon her winter’s couch, and thereby sleep,
Repair her worn-out energies, and draw
New life into her veins, that when the sun
Flames out again, and the long-silent voice
Of happy birds and happier children wakes
Spring’s first glad matin song, she may arise
Girt with new strength and with fresh beauty clothed.
Thus comes life’s autumn, and the happy spirit,
Calmly disrobing, lays its garments down
Upon the leaf-strewn soil of this old earth,
Committing them, in quiet confidence,
To the safe keeping of the trusty tomb,
Till death’s brief winter shall have passed away.
Then these old robes with which she walked the earth,
Purged from each stain of vile mortality
By the all-cleansing winter of the grave,
And blanched to glorious whiteness by its gloom,
Shall shine in fairer, fresher purity,
When earth’s long-promised spring at last arrives,
And the unsetting sun smiles down in peace
O’er a new paradise of love and joy. Lottery Luck.
By Golden Censer
THE Louisville Commercial, speaking of a recent lottery drawing in Kentucky, says:— “We wish the poor fellows no evil, but, if we were betting men, we would willingly bet two to one, that of the ten men who jointly won the big prize of seventy-five thousand dollars, five will be in the poor-house, in jail, or in a drunkard’s grave, within two years from this date. All experience points that way. Our older citizens recollect Mr.——, who stood—if not in a scientific way, at least in a pecuniary way—at the head of his profession, till in an evil hour, he drew thirty thousand dollars in a lottery establishment for some great philanthropic purpose. He soon lost practice, money, self-respect, and the respect of his fellow-citizens, and died a pauper. Even younger men may recollect Birdstick, the oyster man, who, in 1853, won seven thousand dollars, got rid of his little business and the prize money in four months, and fled to New York from his enraged creditors, without so much as a change of clothes and without money to pay his railroad fare. We might mention other names if we did not fear to wound the feelings of those left behind by the unfortunates, whom a prize in a ‘well-conducted lottery’ drove to an early and inglorious grave. Many of our readers may, from their own circle of acquaintances, draw additional illustrations.” “He that maketh haste to be rich,” said the wise man, “shall not be innocent. . . . He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” Prov. 28:20–22. As a general rule, a man is not fit to care for more money than he honestly earns, and a good many of them are not competent to do even that. And all these plans for sudden wealth are so many traps of the devil to catch the unwary. Nineteen out of twenty who invest in lotteries are swindled out of their money, and the good luck of the twentieth sends him to destruction and robs him of life and all its joys and hopes. Earn your money, and then you can save it, use, give, or enjoy, it.—Golden Censer. CHRISTIANITY is the worst trade, but the best calling, in the world.
The Indiana Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
THIS meeting commenced, according to appointment in the REVIEW, last Thursday morning in a fine grove four and a half miles west of Kokomo, Ind. There were sixteen tents on the ground besides the large one. There was a larger attendance of brethren and sisters than at any previous camp-meeting held in the State by our people, and many of them were this year on the ground in season, and quite a good portion remained till the close. In this respect, there was quite an improvement on last year. There were quite a number present from those places where the tent has been this season, who have embraced the truth, and several intelligent people who have heard of us and learned something about us by reading, who came to see for themselves what sort of a people we are. One circumstance rather interested me. A gentleman who has been reading the REVIEW for some months past desired to know more about us. He was a leader of the Sunday-school of the Presbyterian church, and a member, and a business man, who lived a good many miles from the place of our meeting. He had become interested in the Sabbath question by reading, and his minister became somewhat alarmed lest he should imbibe our views, and had a long talk with him before he started for our meeting. The minister finally told him he was very glad he was going to the “Advent” camp-meeting, for he was very sure he would get so disgusted that he would want nothing more to do with them. He came, and before he left he took his stand for the Sabbath, and spoke in our meeting with tears. It will be a pretty large step for him to go home and put up the sign over his lumber yard, “No lumber sold here on Saturday. The seventh-day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” But we trust he will have strength of God to do it. There are no Sabbath-keepers near him. Thus, there are honest souls scattered through the world who are looking after the truth, and for a people who are in earnest in religion. An old gentleman, for many years a United Brethren preacher, also attended, to observe our demeanor, who, also, took his stand for the Sabbath. And the very reason why both of these did so, was because they thought they discerned more piety in our midst than elsewhere. These circumstances, which doubtless will increase among us, show the importance of our meetings being seasons of deep religious interest, and characterized by earnestness and deep piety. People’s attention is being called toward us, and it will be so more and more till the end. The condition of the cause in Indiana is, on the whole, encouraging. Brn. S. H. Lane and Jones, who have labored in the State the past summer with the tent, have seen some thirty embrace the truth, and labor seems to accomplish as much there as elsewhere. There are many openings in all directions, and earnest invitations to fill them. Meeting-houses can be more easily obtained than in many places, and the people are very ready, as a general thing, to turn out to meeting. But there are some hindrances in the way also. The debating spirit seems to be very prevalent, and a theoretical belief of the truth seems much more natural than a practical exemplification of the same. And here has been the great difficulty in this State in the camp-meetings. The people love to attend meeting and hear preaching, and seem easily affected in a measure; but to get them to move in any way, to act, to manifest a spirit of devotion, to take part in doing the duties and bearing the burdens, and to share in the sacrificing part, has seemed to require a great effort. In our meeting just closed, the effort was made and pressed home upon their hearts and consciences with all the force we could summon, to make the people see the importance of this part of religion; to realize that, without this, all profession was a mere form of no real consequence. The people listened and paid good attention, but I feared after all we should see no real move. But Sabbath afternoon, after hard labor, God seemed to give force to the truth, and the hearts and consciences of many were touched and broken, and tears and contrition and deep feeling were manifest with many. A large number came forward for prayers, and quite a number took a start. After that, a very perceptible improvement was noticeable in the spirit of the meeting, and everything seemed more free. There are good brethren and sisters in that small Conference who are determined to do all they can. But some have not learned yet what sacrifice means. Great allowance should be made, because the cause is young in the State, and because of the influence of early teaching. Many people seem to think that the holding of theoretical dogmas of a certain kind to battle and argue over is about all there is of religion. But these must be made to feel that a devotion and spirit of sacrifice powerful enough to renovate and purify the heart must be had, or their religion is of no practical benefit. The whole bent of the meeting was to impress this upon the mind, and I feel sure it found a response in many hearts. Quite a number expressed themselves that it was the best meeting ever held in the State. There is great chance for improvement in the arrangements of the camp-ground itself, so that hogs and other animals might be kept away at a distance, and more strict and orderly arrangements might be effected. These will doubtless be attended to as their experience in these things increases. All camp-grounds should be fenced for protection in such matters. The brethren in this State are as well off pecuniarily as most other Conferences, and rather better, I should judge. They are beginning to learn to sacrifice; but have something still to learn. Upward of $1,000 have been subscribed for the school in all, only a part of this at the camp-meeting. About $160.00 were pledged for the T. and M. Society. Conference funds were sufficient for all their needs. $250.00 were voted to the General Conference Fund. On the whole, the prospect in Indiana is hopeful if the friends of the cause will carry out their vows, and will really feel the importance of bearing their own burdens. May God make this young Conference a strong one ere long, and we fully believe he will, if all feel that interest in the work of God that they should. GEO. I. BUTLER. Kokomo, Ind., Sept. 22, 1873. Visit to the Seventh-Day Baptist General Conference.
By John Nevins Andrews
The fifty-ninth session of the Seventh-day Baptist General Conference was held at Westerly, R. I., Sept. 10–14, 1873. In connection with the conference, the Missionary Society, the Educational Society, and the American Sabbath Tract Society, each held its anniversary. Providential circumstances hindered the attendance of those who would most fittingly have represented us at this conference, and thus the duty devolved upon myself. The General Conference is composed of delegates from the several churches of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination. These delegates are generally the pastor and such members of each of these churches as may be present, though in some cases the ones authorized to act as delegates are all named. The vote of each church counts one; but no question is often so closely contested as to require anything beyond the decision of a majority of the delegates present. The conference was opened by a sermon from Eld. A. H. Lewis. Text, Isa. 21:11: “Watchman, what of the night?” The speaker said nothing concerning the prophetic allusions involved in the text and its connection, but confined himself to the circumstances of the denomination. In his judgment, the system of organization is defective, and not adapted to enable the body to put forth its strength in a united and efficient manner. He also expressed the conviction that the spirit of sacrifice was greatly lacking. The sermon contained valuable practical suggestions. After its delivery, the Chair appointed a nominating committee, and the conference adjourned till afternoon. The business of the afternoon was the election of officers for the ensuing year, the reading of reports from the several churches, the receiving of communications from corresponding bodies, and the appointment of committees. Eld. L. C. Rogers was chosen chairman, and the secretary of last year, Eld. Platts, was re-elected. The reading of the letters from the churches showed, I judge, a small diminution in the membership of the body. Probably, however, the additions reported in the work of the Missionary Society will make this good. In the evening, an essay was read on the best system of raising means for the cause of God, which objected to any special method other than that of soliciting it from time to time; also one on the evil of using tobacco, and one on the proper management of Sabbath-schools. The next morning, an essay was read by Eld. D. E. Maxson, on the subject of Communion, in which the author ably vindicated the doctrine known as “close communion.” He maintained that those who partake of the supper should be commandment-keeping Christians who have entered the church by scriptural baptism, and who are amenable to the discipline of that body with which they partake. After the essay was read, the Missionary Society held its anniversary, and occupied the most of the day. The society employs several preachers in the home missionary work, who give either a portion or all of their time to work in new fields, especially on the southern and western borders of the denomination. These laborers report some success, and that there are ears to hear, and earnest calls for help, in their fields of labor. The report from the mission in China is interesting. There is at Shanghai a church of some twenty native Chinese Sabbath-keepers, who were raised up through the instrumentality of Elders Wardner and Carpenter, and who have remained steadfast for the long period of nine years in which they have been left alone. Eld. Carpenter and wife have now returned to them. The report which they give of their reception by these Chinese brethren shows them to be noble, whole-hearted Christians. I thought this case admirably adapted to teach a valuable lesson. If this church in China could sustain itself and fully hold its own in that heathen land for nine long years, could not the American Seventh-day Baptist churches, strong as they are in numbers, in talent, and in means, and in the truth of God, venture to get along for as many months, while they should send out their pastors into the field of the home missionaries? The churches could thus sacrifice a little for God in sustaining their ministers as missionaries, and doing without their ministrations that others might be benefited; the preachers would have the privilege of carrying God’s precious truth into missionary fields, at the expense of the comforts and privileges of home, and the churches would have opportunity to sustain the work at home by learning to work themselves. The church at Shanghai has set a noble example. Who can doubt that the members of this church are individually stronger to work for God than are the members of those churches who depend mainly upon the labors of their pastors? Indeed, one of the oldest of the ministers present at this conference declared that the preacher has no right to settle down as the pastor of a church, but should give his life to laboring for the unconverted in new fields. I think he is at least much nearer the truth than are those who give their lives to pastoral labor in old churches. Those who hallow the seventh day, either have no right to exist as a distinct people because the Sabbath is of no practical consequence, or they have committed to them one of the living oracles of God which all the world is trampling in the dust, and which they must bring to the knowledge of those who thus profane it. The Sabbath truth alone would constrain all ministers of Christ to be missionaries, and indeed the gospel of Christ does the same. In the evening, Eld. D. E. Maxson read a powerful essay against secret societies in general, and Free Masonry in particular. I cannot see how any who heard him can in good conscience embrace Masonry, or hold fast to it if already identified with it. I should have mentioned the fact that Eld. N. Wardner, in the afternoon, read a valuable essay on Communion, similar in its teaching to that of Eld. Maxson on the same subject. The next day (sixth day) was principally devoted to the proceedings of the Educational Society. The Seventh-day Baptists have colleges at Alfred, N. Y., and Milton, Wis., and an academy at Albion, Wis., and one or two elsewhere. The capital invested in the grounds, buildings, libraries, etc., of these institutions, is about $225,000. There are some twenty-five teachers employed in these institutions, and about eight hundred students in attendance on their instruction. The session of the Educational Society was opened by the reading of an essay on Education from Eld. D. E. Maxson. After this society had concluded its session, Eld. L. Crandall read an essay on Communion, agreeing in substance with those already read by Elders Maxson and Wardner on the same subject. The evening with which the Sabbath commenced, and Sabbath morning, were devoted to social worship. Sabbath forenoon, Eld. L. C. Rogers preached the missionary sermon from Acts 17:6. It was an able and instructive discourse. After the discourse, a collection was taken amounting to $200. After this, the Lord’s supper was celebrated. There were supposed to be about one thousand Sabbath-keepers present, and about thirty ministers of the gospel. Elders N. V. Hull and C. M. Lewis officiated. In the afternoon, Eld. N. Wardner preached an excellent discourse from John 15:12. It contained many precious thoughts, and was well adapted to teach the nature of Christian love. In the evening, the business of the General Conference was resumed. Resolutions were adopted to the effect that missionary work is the grand work of the Christian church; that at least a tenth of our income should be given to the cause of God; that those members who do not keep the Sabbath in a suitable manner should be disciplined; and others, proposing steps toward a reorganization of the conference. First-day morning, after some business of the conference, the American Sabbath Tract Society commenced its session. Eld. Stephen Burdick preached the opening discourse from Gen. 2:2, 3; Ex. 20:11; Rom. 3:31. He showed the divine harmony between the law and the gospel, and vindicated the perpetuity of the law and the Sabbath. The report of the Tract Society showed that they had somewhat extended their work during the year past. They have sold and given about 140,000 pages of tracts. In bound books they have done but little, only eleven copies having been circulated. The Sabbath Recorder is reported to be self-sustaining. It has about 3,000 subscribers. Eld. L. C. Rogers was chosen delegate to our Conference. The sessions of the conference and of the several societies were generally well attended from morning till evening. I think our people might profitably follow the example of the Seventh-day Baptists in this thing. Perhaps with us there is too little discussion of business questions, for the reports of committees are generally accepted from a conviction that they have been maturely considered by those who have the best interests of the cause at heart. But our Seventh-day Baptist brethren go to the opposite extreme and very fully discuss every question. But, I note with pleasure the fact that there was far less of sharpness in debate this year than two years since. As a friend of the Bible Sabbath, I cannot but feel a deep interest in the work of that people who for so many years stood before the world as its only advocates and observers. I therefore speak freely with respect to the obstacles in the way of their success. One of these is found in the lack of a sense of the sacredness of the Sabbath on the part, I fear, of a considerable number. Those who do not properly appreciate the sacredness of this divine institution as set forth in the moral law, will not hallow the day in such manner as the Bible requires; nor will they feel the importance of sending the light of this great truth to those who sit in darkness. Nor is this the only evil resulting from this fault. The children of such parents will not generally grow up to be Sabbath-keepers, nor will their neighbors be impressed with the duty to observe it. There will be, therefore, losses at home sufficient to offset the gain from the labor of those who go out into new fields unless the evil can be put away. There is also apparent a serious lack with respect to giving in the cause of God. And here I think the evil is directly traceable to a failure on the part of the ministers of Christ in teaching this great lesson to the people, and perhaps also in setting the example of sacrifice. The mission to China needs to be re-enforced by the addition of a young minister, devoted and self-sacrificing. The denomination lacks neither talent, nor education, nor wealth, but the man for this post of labor and of sacrifice is sought in vain. I had the privilege of forming many new acquaintances at this meeting, and of renewing acquaintance with many whom I have met before. I received a kindly, Christian greeting, which I felt heartily to reciprocate. I hope to meet many of these dear friends in the kingdom of God. J. N. A. Lancaster, Mass., Sept. 21. To the Tract and Missionary Societies.
By Stephen N. Haskell
We have reached the time when it does not require an argument to convince our people of the utility of the tract and missionary work, for it has been demonstrated in every Conference where it has been taken hold of with a spirit of sacrifice. Churches have been raised up and united with Conferences. Scores of individuals have embraced the truth as the direct result of this missionary effort. Yet however good the system may be that is adopted, it will require an earnest effort to make the missionary enterprise a success. Every branch of the work should be deemed important, and not left until it is seen to be a success. Every director should be acquainted with each member in his district, and every lawful means should be employed to have the sympathies of each individual member enlisted in the work. He should make himself acquainted with the circumstances of every poor person who reveres God and keeps his commandments. Not an orphan child that the providence of God has thrown among us should ever be left to fall into the hands of the world. Many such questions will be perplexing, and the judgment of the board of directors will be needed, but God125 will give grace and wisdom if he is properly sought unto. With a heart full of the love of God, neighbors and friends should be visited, and at the present time especial efforts should be made to obtain subscribers for our periodicals. The REVIEW is a paper which should be in every religious family in the land. The first of November is the time when another trial trip is to commence—six months for only fifty cents. Every member of our tract societies should seize upon this important offer, and send it to at least one in the circle of their acquaintance; and from one to ten, twenty, fifty, or one hundred even, should be sent by individuals to persons who would weekly peruse its pages with interest. Many Sabbath-keepers have loaned money, given it to unworthy persons, and spent it where they can expect no reward in this world or the world to come. Now is a grand opportunity to redeem the time. Redeem your character before God, as a faithful steward, by enlisting your sympathies more fully in the cause of Christ, or Heaven will frown upon us. It is safe to invest in the cause of truth. Every director should see that each member is taking hold of this matter. New England should send in at least 500 new names to be added to the list, with $250; New York, 1,000 with $500; Maine, 300 names with $150, and so on throughout all the various missionary societies in the country. This work should be entered upon at once. Let not one week or one day pass without a commencement in this direction. The first of November will soon be upon us, and the names and money from every Conference should be sent in previous to that time. This business can be done through the directors, and thus by the tract societies. There is no time to spare, and none should delay entering immediately upon this work. Then there is the Health Reformer—a journal of priceless value for the purpose for which it is designed. There are scores whose lives have been prolonged by living out the principles advocated by it. Thousands of dollars have been saved in doctors' fees, and a vast amount of physical suffering has been avoided. I state what I know to be facts. There is no intelligent, candid family if they will read it, but that can be benefited by it. Many times, one article in a single Reformer is worth its price for a year. The articles on “Sugar,” in the July, August, and September numbers, are well worthy of preservation. This excellent journal might be introduced into thousands of families during this fall and winter. The long evenings have come again, and should be improved in visiting our neighbors and calling their attention to its teachings, and thus obtaining subscribers for it. The liberal offer for health publications for every subscriber obtained is worthy of consideration. Please examine carefully the REVIEW of July 22, 1873, the article, “Our Periodicals.” Let this offer also be taken hold of at once by all the members of the tract societies. Do your business through the director, and he, through the secretary of the society, then at each general quarterly meeting there can be a quantity of health tracts taken home by each director and thus distributed to each individual who is entitled to them by obtaining subscribers for the Reformer. The T. and M. Society of New England will order a quantity of health publications for this purpose to be had at their next general quarterly meeting. This does not prevent others laboring outside of this system if they wish. The Instructor should not be neglected. If the work in which we are engaged is of God and is to go to many peoples, nations, and tongues, then these various periodicals which teach the same should have a wider circulation, and those who assist in obtaining these subscribers are helping forward the work of present truth. There are scores of individuals, both men and women, among us who could, if they would put forth an effort, obtain hundreds of subscribers for our periodicals. All this is missionary work as much as the distribution of tracts. It opens the way for tracts. It prepares the mind for the truth. It interests and leads out the individual to meditate upon those things which will prepare him for the day of God, which is just before us. We expect there will be an effort put forth, commencing immediately this coming fall and winter, such as never before characterized our people in this direction. It is our prayer that God may inspire all hearts with a true missionary spirit, and a zeal commensurate with such important truths as we profess, and thus we be co-workers with the angels of God, and in the end have it said unto us, “Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” S. N. HASKELL.