The Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 20.
DARWINISM EXAMINEDPage 1
Earlier text: DARWINISM EXAMINEDTHIS GENERATION.
By G. V. KILGORE
The present generation has seen the fulfillment of Christ’s predictions concerning the signs of the end of the world. Within the last ninety-six years the signs in the sun, moon, and stars have appeared, and to-day the hearts of men are fearing that something awfully strange will soon happen. It is very evident that the present is the generation to which Christ referred when he was predicting signs of the end, and said, “This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” Luke 21:32. For, first, those who should see all the signs might know “that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” This kingdom is the future kingdom in which the will of God is to be done in earth as it is in Heaven, and for which he told the disciples to pray. Were it the kingdom then at hand, because of which they were called to repent, they would not have had to wait for these signs to know that it was near. The people living when Christ spoke did not see the signs. They were positively told that Christ’s coming would not take place till the man of sin should be revealed, which was not done until long after all that generation had passed away. Our generation is the first one that has ever been on earth that could testify that all those signs have occurred. This is certain from the fact that the things of which Christ spoke—famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, in many different places, signs in sun, moon, and stars—have occurred so far apart that it would be impossible for any one generation to be eye witness to all of them, and hence it would have to be those who witnessed the last sign who could see that all had been given. And since the present generation was eye witness to the last sign, and can prove that all the preceding ones have had a fulfillment; and since this is the first generation that ever could do so, it is evident Christ referred to it. The phrase, “this generation,” no more implies the generation living when Christ was speaking these words than the phrase “this time” (Matt. 24:21) implies the time in which he spoke. By the latter he referred to a future time when the church should have great trouble; and by the former, to a future generation that would see the fulfillment of all his predictions. But some contend that the darkening of the sun in 1780 and the following signs were not the true ones, because all the world did not see them. This no more proves that than the fact that all the world did not see Jesus proves he was not the Messiah. Winterset, Iowa, May 1, 1876. “A high priest, especially one of the sacred college in ancient Rome which had the supreme jurisdiction over all matters of religion; at the head of which was the Pontifex Maximus, pope.”—Worcester. Plutarch’s Lives, vol. ii. p. 142: “To Numa is attributed the institution of that high order of priests called pontifices, over which he is said to have presided himself the Pontifex Maximus, as the emperors of Rome did afterward.” Gibbon, vol. iii. p. 227: “The office of supreme pontiff, which from the time of Numa to that of Augustus has always been exercised by one of the most eminent of the senators, was at length united to the imperial dignity.” P. 367: “The title, the ensigns, the prerogatives of sovereign pontiff, which had been instituted by Numa and assumed by Augustus, were accepted, without hesitation, by seven Christian emperors.” P. 368, Note: “Gratian was the first who refused the pontifical robe.” Tytler, p. 94: “Even the Christian emperors held, like their pagan predecessors, the office of Pontifex Maximus, whose authority, though weakened in the latter ages, was still protected by the laws. Gratian was the first who refused that ancient dignity as a profanation.” Gibbon, vol. ii. p. 277: “The care of religion was the right as well as duty of the civil magistrate. Constantine and his successors could not easily persuade themselves that they had forfeited by their conversion any branch of the imperial prerogatives, or that they were incapable of giving laws to a religion which they had protected and embraced. The emperors still continued to exercise a supreme jurisdiction over ecclesiastical order; and the sixteenth book of the Theodosian code represents, under a variety of titles, the authority which they assumed in the government of the Catholic church.” Augustulus, the last emperor of Rome, was conquered by Odoacer, king of the Heruli, A. D. 476. Gibbon says, vol. iii. p. 512, “The unfortunate Augustulus was made the instrument of his own disgrace; and he signified his resignation to the Senate, and that assembly in their last act of obedience to a Roman prince still affected the spirit of freedom and the forms of the constitution. An epistle was addressed, by their unanimous decree, to the Emperor Zeno, the son-in-law and successor of Leo, who had lately been restored after a short rebellion, to the Byzantine throne. They solemnly disclaimed the necessity or even the wish of continuing any longer the imperial succession in Italy; since in their opinion the majesty of a sole monarch is sufficient to pervade and to protect, at the same time, both the East and the West. In their own name and in the name of the people, they consented that the seat of universal empire should be transferred from Rome to Constantinople.” Zeno accepted it. Gib., vol. iii. p. 513. The office of pontiff, which was a part of the imperial office, was transferred to Zeno, Emperor of the East, A. D. 476, and although the pontifical authority (as Tytler says, p. 94) was “weakened in the latter ages, it was still protected by the laws,” as appears fifty-seven years later, when the Emperor Justinian, in A. D. 533, concedes the supremacy of the pontificate to old Rome.” Rev. Geo. Croly, 3d edition, p. 133, quotes proof from the Justinian code, the 9th preamble of the Novellæ, and the 31st, chap. 2, of ecclesiastical titles and privileges: “As the elder Rome was the founder of the laws, so it was not to be questioned that in her was the supremacy of the pontificate. We therefore decree that the most holy pope of the elder Rome is the first of all the priesthood.” I found the whole detail of Justinian’s grant of supremacy to the pope formally given. Croly quotes the letter of Justinian, to the pope: “Justinian, pious, fortunate, renowned, triumphant, emperor, consul, etc., to John 2d, the most holy archbishop of our city of Rome, and patriarch. Rendering honor to the apostolic see, and to your holiness (as always was and is our desire), and as it becomes us, honoring your blessedness as a father, we have laid without delay, before the notice of your holiness, all things pertaining to the state of the church. Since it has always been our earnest study to preserve the unity of your holy see, and the state of the holy churches of God, which has hitherto obtained, and will remain, without any interfering opposition, therefore we hasten to subject, and to unite to your holiness, all the priests of the whole East. As to the matters which are presently agitated, although clear and undoubted, as according to the doctrine of your apostolic see assuredly resolved and decided by all priests, we have yet deemed it necessary to lay them before your holiness. Nor do we suffer anything which belongs to the state of the church, however manifest and undoubted, that is agitated, to pass without the knowledge of your holiness, who are the head of the holy churches. For in all things (as has been said or resolved) we are prompt to increase the honor and authority of your see.” Croly says, “The supremacy of the pope had, by these mandates and edicts, received the fullest sanction that could be given by the authority of the master of the Roman world.” Keith’s “Signs of the Times” agrees with Croly; and the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities says, “From the time of Theodosius, the emperors no longer appear [in the robe] in the dignity of pontiff; but at last the title was assumed by the Christian [so-called] bishop of Rome.” Let Philip Schaff tell, quoted by A. H. Lewis, p. 121, (P. Schaff, Church History, vol. ii. p. 13, “Constantine”): “Down to the end of his life he retained the title and dignity of Pontifex Maximus, or high priest of the heathen hierarchy.” THE CHRISTIAN HIGH PRIEST.
Heb. 7: 22–27: “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s; for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”—Leman Andrus, in Sabbath Recorder. NOT YET.— “My son give me thine heart.” “Not yet,” said the little boy as he was busy with his trap and ball; “when I grow older I will think about it.” The little boy grew up to be a man. “Not yet,” said the young man, “I am now about to enter into trade; when I see my business prosper, then I shall have more time than now.” “Not yet,” said the young man of business; “my children must now have my care; when they are settled in life, I shall be better able to attend to religion.” He lived to be a gray-haired old man. “Not yet,” still he cried; “I shall soon retire from trade, and then I shall have nothing to do but to read and pray.” And so he died. He put off to another time what should have been done when a child. He lived without God, and died without hope. Suffering for the Word of God
It is not every suffering that makes a man a martyr, but suffering for the word of God after a right manner; to wit—in that holy, humble, meek manner which the word of God requires; for what glory is it if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? CONFERENCE ADDRESS.
By James White
Progress and Wants of the Cause.
Last week we dwelt largely upon the power and authority given the Christian ministry in the New Testament. We wish this week to speak freely of the dangers and duties of those who connect themselves with the work of the last message. Ours is a missionary work. This labor whether performed by Christ in his public ministry, by his first ministers who sealed their testimony with their blood, or by holy men of God since that time, has been attended with great sacrifices. And now, near the close of God’s great season of grace, as the last gathering of souls has come, and the opening fields appear before us all white for the reapers, demanding work everywhere with new and enlarged plans of action to advance the cause, thus giving evidence that the period of our labor is brief, sacrifices are called for from the people of God, greater than at any previous time. Men are wanted with the true missionary spirit, to labor in word and doctrine. Men and women are wanted to enter the missionary field with our publications, to converse and pray with the people, and judiciously hand out tracts, and solicit subscriptions to our periodicals, without pay for such services. Men and women of intellect, refinement, and hearts and hands consecrated to the work of God, are wanted at our publishing houses at Battle Creek, Mich., Oakland, Cal., and in the city of Basel, Switzerland, who shall, by the help of God, learn to labor with that ability and that nicety in the execution of their work equal with the times in which we live, and the holiness and importance of the work of God in the last message. This work must be done with the spirit of sacrifice. Those who shall be favored with coming so nigh to God as to have a part in publishing the last message to be borne out to the world everywhere, upon the wings of the wind, in mail bags, and otherwise, should give themselves to their calling with such self-sacrifice and devotion as has given character to the history of true missionaries in all past time. And if anything beneath the sun calls for the critical eye, and refined taste, it is the work of publishing the holy truth of God to the world. The Book says, “Cursed is he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently.” And those who connect themselves with the work will call down upon themselves the curse of God as surely for doing his work in an unworkmanlike and slovenly manner. But when these work negligently, slovenly, and selfishly, they are calling down upon their unworthy heads a threefold curse. Sanctified talent is wanted in all our publishing houses, and in every department of the great cause. There is a want of this talent in active service at present, from the fact that most of our best young men and young women are drawn off to more lucrative employments, and leave the precious work of God to suffer, simply because it does not pay as well as some branches of worldly service. How painful the thought that the Lord has to take up with very much second or third rate talent, because first class cannot afford to be consecrated to the work of God. As a people we are backsliding from God. The spirit of sacrifice is departing from us. Our wealthy brethren generally lay their plans for interests, and gains, and to increase their wealth, which reach far into the future. Calls are made for means to establish this or that new branch of the work, or to increase facilities to meet the wants of the growing cause; but these brethren generally have, as they say, their “hands tied.” Their surplus funds are at interest where they cannot call them in, or they have purchased a farm, or built houses, which they cannot sell. If they would ever heed the words of the apostle, and be “ready to distribute,” 1 Tim. 4:17, they would not be found with their hands tied when the Lord would have them open their hands wide to the wants of his cause. As a steward of the Lord we dare not have our hands tied in this way. When our College building was going up in June, 1874, we were urged to transfer $6,000 we then had on deposit without interest at the REVIEW Office to California and let it out at twelve per cent interest, which was reasonable for that State. Everything was favorable for such a change. “Green backs” were then worth in gold ninety-two cents on a dollar. But we knew very well that this money was needed to hasten the College to completion before winter, and we left it at the REVIEW Office without interest eighteen months. California interest on this sum for one and a half years would have been $993.60. But at the close of the eighteen months green backs had fallen to eighty-six cents in gold, making a loss of $360 on the $6,000 paper money. This, added to the amount of interest not secured, and the sum not saved by suffering our hands to be tied, amounted to $1,353.60. At the close of the eighteen months our means were wanted for awhile without interest in the lot and New Office building at Oakland, Cal., so after leaving $1,000 in the College as stock, we transferred our means to California at the heavy discount of fourteen cents on the dollar. And when the brethren at San Francisco, who had undertaken to build the largest S. D. Adventist church in existence, on a lot that cost them $6,000, needed help, we were able to transfer our means to that, leaving another $1,000 in stock in the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing Association. About that time the subject of a respectable house of worship in Oakland, Cal., was agitated. That church is financially weak. And as we can collect our means from the Publishing House, and the San Francisco church, we are putting it into the house of worship at Oakland. And now comes up the urgent call for means to establish the Press in Europe. And we as cheerfully send what remains of our means, after giving $1,000 each to the churches at San Francisco and Oakland, over the waters to be put into the European Press. We called for $1,000 men in favor of the Press in Europe, and offered to be one. We introduced the matter to our General Conference, and urged the measure of raising the necessary sum for that grand object in donations of not less than $1,000 each. We knew there were more than twenty-five men and women in our ranks who would find a happy relief in unloading this world to the amount of $1,000 each. And we object to those general, urgent, unqualified calls that wring means from our conscientious poor people. We were loth to give up the plan of raising $25,000 in donations of $1,000 each, and day by day we feel the wrong more sensibly. Our poor people should use their means in home missionary work. There is hardly a brother or sister in our whole communion but has friends, more or less, to whom they should send the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. And it is a living shame to our wealthy brethren that they will hold back in such leading enterprises as the Press in Europe, and leave these poorer ones to press in with their tens, and twenties, which they should use, if they are able to give these sums, in sending the SIGNS to their friends, and the distribution of other worthy publications. We appeal to twenty-four others, in this matter. Shall we have the pleasure of being one of twenty-five in raising $25,000 for the European Press? The Lord pays higher interest on money put into his cause than any worldly capitalist can afford to pay. We speak from experience. Now let the $1,000 men, and $1,000 women, respond to this suggestion. We are now appealing to those only who have a double, triple, or quadruple competency. More than one hundred such can be found in the ranks of S. D. Adventists in the United States. We have brought up our children, have given them educational advantages, and have lifted them above the sterner embarrassments of commencing in life. Our duty being done in that direction, we are settling the other little affairs of this world while the cause needs help, and while we can give the matter personal attention. We have always chosen to give personal business personal attention. We have ever been troubled with that feeling, which many others have had, that we could look after our own business better than any one else. And it gives the greatest satisfaction to appropriate it with our own hand, while the cause needs help more than it can at any future time, and while we can have a voice in the uses made of it. A brother seeing a statement in the REVIEW a few weeks since that on account of letting the College have $10,000 the Publishing Association was in want of means, offers a large sum at ten per cent. But we had asked the use of money without interest until the College could pay the $10,000. Now that very brother could put $10,000 into the cause the next twelve months, and never feel it. And he would in all probability never need one cent of it if he should live as long on earth as did the Patriarch Methuselah. Should he give $1,000 a quarter for the next five years, with usual prosperity his family would then have five or ten fold a comfortable competency. This brother loves the truth; but on the subject of property he is insane. Now we invite him to stand by our side, as a $1,000 man in our College, in the Pacific Publishing House, and in the European Press. It is the best thing he can do for himself, and for the cause of God. And as we disclaim partiality to this one brother above others similarly situated, we urgently extend the same invitation to all who are burdened, and their minds darkened, with the cares of property, to engage at once in the happy work of administering upon their own estates, and enjoy with us the satisfaction of appropriating with their own hands while the cause needs help as it never can at any future date. J. W. Twentieth Paper.—Destruction of the Temple.
With the dedication of Solomon’s temple the earthly sanctuary reached the summit of its glory. Its sacred vessels were perfect and complete. It contained the very ark which was made by Moses, under the express direction of Heaven; and that ark contained the very tables of stone, which had been written by Jehovah himself. The temple building was a structure of unsurpassed magnificence and glory, and there was nothing to hinder the Levitical worship from going forward in all its perfection. It would be pleasant long to contemplate both the temple and the sanctuary in this prosperous condition; but the dark specter of sin with its inevitable train of judgments and calamities, soon appears upon the scene. The temple was dedicated B. C. 1005. Thirty-four years after this, B. C. 971, Shishak, king of Egypt, having declared war with Rehoboam, took Jerusalem and carried away the treasures of the temple. 1 Kings 14:25, 26; 2 Chron. 12:9. But when the king humbled himself, thus turning from the sins which had brought down the judgments of God upon him, God turned from his wrath against him. Verse 12. Jehoash commenced the work of repairs B. C. 856. 2 Kings 12:4, 5. Ahaz, king of Judah, becoming involved in war with the kings of Israel and Damascus, robbed the temple to pay Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, whom he had summoned to his aid; 2 Chron. 28:21, 22; B. C. 740. Hezekiah, his son, in a measure repaired this loss, but was himself finally compelled to take all the riches of the temple to purchase peace from Sennacherib who had come against him. 2 Kings 18:14–16. Manasseh, son and successor of Hezekiah, profaned the temple of the Lord, by setting up altars to all the host of heaven, even in the courts of the Lord, 2 Kings 21:4–7, for which God delivered him into the hands of the king of Babylon. He was loaded with chains and carried beyond the Euphrates; 2 Chron. 33:11; B. C. 677. But humbling himself and repenting of his sins, he was sent back to his own dominions, and labored to repair the profanations he had committed upon the house of the Lord. Verses 14–16. Josiah, king of Judah, labored zealously to repair the edifices of the temple. 2 Kings 22:4–6. He commanded the Levites to put the ark of the Lord, in the sanctuary, in its proper place, and that they should no more bear it about, as they probably had done, during the administrations of the wicked kings who had reigned before him. 2 Chron. 35:3. But these were only slight profanations and calamities, compared with the storm of destruction, the projected shadow of which was now beginning to darken that devoted land. The nation had sunk to so low a depth of sin, that God could no longer dwell among them. Zephaniah complains that her prophets were light and treacherous persons, that her priests had polluted the sanctuary, and done violence to the law. Zeph. 3:4. By the prophet Ezekiel, 23:38, 39, the Lord lays the same things to their charge, and adds (24:21), Behold I will profane my sanctuary. Therefore GOD AGAIN FORSAKES HIS SANCTUARY.
It is never without warning that God visits his people in judgment. The long record of his dealings with them presents no exception to this rule. In this case the warning had been given in these words:— “But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called but ye answered not; therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. Jer. 7:12–14; 26:1–7. What had God done to Shiloh? David answers: “When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel, so that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he had placed among men, and delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand. Ps. 78:59–61. To do the same to the temple would be to forsake it, and give it into the hands of the enemy. The manner in which the people received this warning, set the seal to God’s purpose in this respect. “They mocked the messengers of God and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people till there was no remedy.” 2 Chron. 36:16. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon the first universal empire, the head of gold of the great symbolic image of Dan. 2, was the instrument God selected to carry out his purpose. In the year B. C. 606, Jerusalem was taken, the temple plundered, a part of the sacred vessels removed and placed in the temple of Belus in Babylon, multitudes of the people were transported into the land of their captors, the sons of the royal family, and the nobility of the nation were made eunuchs and slaves in the palace of the king of Babylon, the whole land was made tributary; the king, Jehoiakim, became a vassal to the king of Babylon: and the predicted seventy years’ captivity commenced. 2 Chron. 36:6, 7. The evil behaviour of Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, brought Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem the second time, B. C. 599, when he made still further ravages on the house of the Lord, and its sacred vessels. Verse 10. And lastly the wicked course of Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s successor on the throne of Judah, drew upon Jerusalem that terrible destruction, which for a while blotted it from the face of the earth. Zedekiah foolishly defied the power of the king who had already twice taken Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar was thus brought a third time against the doomed city, determined this time to quell forever its rebellious spirit. After a siege of about one year the city fell. All the vessels that could be found in the house of the Lord, were taken out, and all the riches were secured that could be found in every house in the city. The temple and the whole city were then set on fire. The walls, fortress and towers were overthrown, and every building in the city was leveled to the ground, till, excepting only the piles of unconsumable rubbish, the site of Jerusalem was as bare as if no human foot had ever trod thereon. While Israel were thus dispersed among the nations, and their beautiful sanctuary at Jerusalem lay in ruins, God promised to be unto them as a little sanctuary, in the countries where they should come. Eze. 11:16. Toward the close of the seventy years’ captivity, Daniel prayed thus to God, “Cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary which is desolate.” Dan. 9:2, 17. The issue on the Sunday question is evidently approaching faster than many are aware; and the indications now are that not the least noticeable result of the great Centennial Exhibition will be to create a wide-spread agitation upon this subject. The commissioners have decided to close the buildings and grounds on Sundays. But the feeling of opposition to this decision is so strong that the subject is not likely to be left to rest in peace. We shall see how long they will be able to stand up against the pressure. The following paragraphs are worthy of notice, the first from the Christian Intelligencer, the second from The Methodist, of May 13, 1876. If, as the Methodist states, the religious people of this country have made such an issue of this question that multitudes would not attend this great Centennial Exhibition at all, if it should be opened on Sunday, it shows how deep is the current of feeling that already exists on this157 question, and gives an indication of what we may expect as the agitation shall increase. The Christian Intelligencer says:— “We are happy to state that there was the most distinct and positive avowal by leading men in the discussion, of the necessity of respecting and observing our American Christian Sabbath, according to the commandment of God, the laws of men, and the prevailing usage of our moral and Christian communities. The high moral tone of debate and the unanimity with which the final decision was arrived at, are the more significant because nearly all of the commissioners were present, each one representing a State of the Union, and expressing in unequivocal terms the national sentiment on the subject of Sabbath observance.”
“The anti-Sunday people are still fretting about the Centennial. They now urge that the enterprise will go to bankruptcy if closed on Sunday. The argument is a curious one. During the preparation, 150,000 people have been on the grounds during Sunday. These people would all go every Sunday during the exhibition and pay the admission fee. The managers are not fools, we suppose, and that logic will hardly pass muster with them. We conjecture that about 150,000 people may be kept out by Sunday closing; this is a high figure. On the other hand, the anti-Sunday folks may as well understand that if that test is to be applied there is another side to it. As many people would stay away altogether from a National Exhibition open on Sundays. The religious people of this country have made an issue on this question, and will not be trifled with.”
To Correspondents.
By Uriah Smith
“WILL any of the redeemed know a greater degree of happiness than others? J. S.” We will answer this by an illustration. Suppose a number of glass goblets of different sizes, but all filled with some liquid to the very brim. Query: Do any of these have a greater degree of fullness than others? Daniel, in chapter 12: 3, and Paul in 1 Cor. 15:41, seem plainly to teach differences in position, in exaltation and glory, among the redeemed in the heavenly world. But each will have that measure of enjoyment which will meet the full capacity of his being. Every one will enjoy just as much as he is capable of enjoying. “How many of the seven days of the week are observed by different nations as days of rest and worship? Can you give the days so observed, and tell what nations observe them? W. L.” ANSWER. We noticed a few weeks ago a paragraph going the rounds of the papers, which asserted that every day in the week was observed by different nations as the Sabbath, as follows:—
Christian nations generally, Sunday.
Greeks, Monday.
Persians, Tuesday.
Assyrians, Wednesday.
Egyptians, Thursday.
Turks, Arabs, & Mahommedan nations, Friday.
Jews, & S. D. Baptists, Saturday. How true this may be respecting the second, third, fourth and fifth days, we are unable to say. J. K. B.: 2 Cor. 3, has no reference whatever to the abolition of the ten commandments. The apostle is speaking of ministrations, not of laws. The former ministration was glorious, but the glory of it has passed away in the greater glory of the present ministration. The expression in verse 7, “ministration of death written and engraven in stones,” is elliptical. It means, ministration of, or the ministry then connected with, that which was engraven on stones. See Bloomfield, Alford, and Olshausen. J. P. KNOWLTON: See exposition of Dan. 12:2, in Thoughts on Daniel, pp. 350–353. J. M. E.: If a person can devote to the cause more than a tenth of his income, provision is made for such contributions, in free will offerings, thank offerings, &c., and he can devote them to such branches of the Lord’s work as he chooses. W. L.: We think there are many in the different denominations trying to live up to the best light they have. They will become guilty, if when the light is brought to them, they reject it. M. J. R.: In the new earth state, the former things shall not be remembered nor come into mind to cause pain or distress; but there are many scriptures which indicate that the contrast which the saints are able to realize between that state and this, is one of the causes of the great joy they then experience. See Isa. 35:4–6, 10; 65:17–25; Rev. 21, &c. We think Matt. 24:19, refers to the destruction of Jerusalem. Just when the 6000 years from creation end, is a point that cannot be determined. ANSWERED BY LETTER: J. B. Benbow, W. B. Bedgood, Wm. A. Richardson, E. H. Root, A. T. Jones, S. C. Perry, M. Affolter, C. K. Drury, A. Walter, C. W. Stone, I. Olive, P. R. De Ford, C. Felch. Correspondents will please take notice, that we wish both their name and address. We cannot undertake to answer anonymous communications, and we sometimes prefer to answer by letter, which we cannot do without the address. This will explain to some why they hear nothing from their communications. U. S. The Ohio Camp-Meeting.
By H. A. St. John
THIS meeting will be held near the city of Norwalk, Huron Co., O., Aug. 10-14. We have taken some pains, and spent considerable time, in looking for a suitable place for this important meeting. We trust the Lord has directed, and that such a place is secured at last. Norwalk is a city of about six thousand inhabitants, and on the line of the Lake Shore & Mich. Southern R. R. The camp-ground is about one mile from the depot, on the farm of Mr. S. Rogers. We think it a very fine location, dry, and well shaded. Besides, the water privileges could hardly be better, there being an abundance of good water right on the ground for man and beast, and also for baptism. Many citizens are interested in the meeting, and we expect their liberality will very much lighten the expense to our Conference, in fitting the ground, and sustaining the meeting. As this is not the final notice of the meeting, I will only add that I feel a deep interest in this annual convocation. I want my brethren to begin now to get ready to go. We want to see a larger turnout than ever before on a like occasion in Ohio. Why not? Our time to work grows shorter, and our message waxes louder and still louder. Don't be afraid of a little money for tents. More tents, more family tents, “To your tents, O Israel!” C. F. Worthen, Director
By C. F. Worthen
To the Members of the Vt. T. & M. Society, Dist. No. 2.
Dear Brethren and Sisters: Our next quarterly meeting is appointed to be held at the house of Bro. H. W. Barrows, in Irasburgh, May 27, 28. The season being late, some will, I fear, feel to excuse themselves from attending. But this must not be the case, as important business will come before the meeting. If we cannot see that “God has gone out before us,” and that he calls on all to take part in this work, we have great reason to be alarmed about ourselves. We need to draw very near to God, that he may draw near to us. And when we have the love of God burning in our hearts, we shall feel it a privilege to do what we can to induce our fellow-men to love him, and to show their love for him by keeping all of his commandments. We are not our own. A very great price has been paid to redeem us. The wants of the cause are being faithfully set forth. As good servants, let us take hold of this work in earnest, remembering that very soon “Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God.” Each member is earnestly requested to send his report to me immediately. Do not delay, but do it now. ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS.
By Uriah Smith
Within a few months the annual sessions of all our State Conferences will be held, mostly, if not exclusively, in connection with the camp-meetings in the various States. While these meetings are important, and should receive their due share of attention from the brethren, it is desirable that as little time should be consumed in them as possible. In this way they will be more efficient and of greater interest. Hence we venture a few suggestions on the point. 1. Much time may be saved by a little previous preparation of business matters by the officers of the Conference. After the opening of the meeting by prayer, the first thing is the organization of the Conference. To effect this the delegates pass in to the Conference committee their credentials. If they would do this before the meeting, the officers could examine them, and the delegates would be ready to take their seats at once, and proceed to business. Frequently much time can be saved in this way. 2. The reception of new churches into the Conference. Those who have applications to present should be all prepared to make the necessary statements to the Conference to guide them in their action, and let this part of the work be accomplished without delay. 3. After the reading of the minutes of the previous session, committees are to be formed. These should be appointed at this early stage of the meeting to give them all the time possible in which to work. The committees usually appointed are as follows: 1. On Nominations, 2. On Resolution, 3. On Auditing. The first two committees usually consist of three individuals, the last of six; and as it is almost invariably left with the Chair to appoint the committees, he should have his committee list all made out beforehand, ready to appoint immediately, in case it should be left to him to do so. The committees being appointed, it is the usual practice to adjourn and the committees can then enter upon their work. The first business of the next session, or any session after committees have been appointed, till their discharge, is to listen to the reports of the committee. 4. And lastly, all members of the Conference should bestow much previous thought on what is likely to come up, or should come up, at the Conference, and so be prepared to express matured opinions, or take prompt and well considered action on all anticipated movements. The business of a Conference, well transacted, however small, means work—work for officers, work for committees, work for the members. And all should make it a point to do at once all duties laid upon them and to see that everything is put forward with promptness and despatch. THE brethren are calling for me to come here, and go there, hold a few meetings, organize, baptize, etc. And many of these calls seem really necessary and urgent, and they stir my very soul, and cause me to feel intensely. But I wish to say here, to all whom it may concern, that for the past month I have been afflicted with sore eyes, which has rendered it impracticable for me to read or write but little, or to hold meetings. I was engaged in a series of meetings four miles from home, when this affliction came upon me, and I was compelled, after about one week to give up the meeting. I have tried, however, to keep the interest (as some are quite anxious to hear), by holding one meeting on Sunday in daylight. But last Sunday the Brn. Guilford filled my appointment, as I was unable to go. Of course I know not how much longer I may be thus afflicted, but hope it may be sanctified to my good. Be patient, brethren, and pray for me, and pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers. Oh, that God may endow the young men who may labor in his cause in Ohio this season, with heavenly wisdom, that they may soon become efficient laborers in the harvest field. Fields are opening up all around. Calls are urgent, but there is hardly any one to respond. Lord, use me, use me, is my prayer.