It appears from recent numbers of The Examiner and Chronicle, one of the leading organs of the Baptist denomination, that the questions of the Sabbath and its observance have been discussed in the ministers’ conference of that denomination in New York. It is painfully amusing to observe the various and conflicting sentiments advanced, but it is a pleasure to know that it is arousing thought and inquiry upon the subject, so much so as to call out an editorial response. It also indicates something of the progress of the agitation of this subject. The reader can judge better of these things by having some of these utterances set before him.
The first question considered was, “In what respects, if any, did Christ modify the law of the Sabbath?” On this the following positions were taken: “We have clear evidence that the Sabbath was known to the Jews before the giving of the law on Sinai. See rule for gathering manna. The Sabbath is as much a part of the moral law as any commandment of the decalogue. ‘The Sabbath was made for man.’ But the minute specifications of the Pharisees made the observance of it most burdensome. These things Christ did completely annul. He did not for a moment modify God’s holy law.”
“Six times Jesus expressed himself on this question,—in the healing of the impotent man, the rubbing out of the grains of corn in the hands of the disciples, the healing of the withered hand, the restoring of the man born blind, the healing of the bowed woman, the curing of the man of the dropsy. In these instances he stood upon his own divine right, and affirmed that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. The law of benevolence was higher than the law merely ceremonial.”
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. The day was made primarily for physical rest; but Christ introduced also provisions for man’s spiritual development and joy. It may be possible to conceive of a state of spirituality in which all days shall be as a Sabbath. We are very far from this state now. Never was the Lord’s day formally substituted for the Sabbath. The Jewish Sabbath faded out, and the Lord’s day, with the best features in the old day, took its place.”
The above makes a sorry exhibit for the claims of Sunday as a Christian institution, especially coming from the Baptists; yet it was “warmly approved with scarcely a qualification,” by more than a dozen ministers who discussed it.
The next point considered was the “observance of Sunday. Macaulay, Montalembert, Daniel Webster, Attorney-General Bates, the New York Tribune, Herald, Evening Mail, R. W. Emerson, Prof. Tayler Lewis, and other authorities, besides quite a long quotation from Dr. Williams, were read in support of a strict observance of Sunday. Some of the most impressive quotations from Scripture followed. No newspapers should be bought on that day. No street cars should be run, at least no Christians should ride in them. No ferry-boats should run, and no Christians should ride in them. No milk should be sold, nothing like business, but works of necessity and mercy. This we should enforce in our pulpits, in our press, and by voice and example on every hand.
. . . Ministers must teach by example, and with courage in the pulpit, organize in every town a society for Sabbath observance, write on the subject for the press.”
More than half a dozen “continued the discussion, recommending for promoting Sunday order, tract distribution, legislation, education of children, nicer defining of what is permissible, a holy rest at home, a careful distinction between the way to observe the Sabbath and the way to observe the Lord’s day. Dr. Hague, by invitation of the conference, spoke, affirming the perpetuity of the fourth commandment.”
The effect of the utter want of evidence for the change of the Sabbath displayed in the foregoing is seen in the article by the editor of The Examiner and Chronicle, who delivered himself in the following style:—
“YES, WE HAVE A CHRISTIAN SABBATH.
“Some very recent events and utterances seem to have had a bewildering influence on some minds in respect to our having a Lord’s day, and the obligations it imposes. Questions have come to us, from one and another, which it may be serviceable briefly to answer.
“God was the author of the Sabbath. It was one of the first things given to our world, and the original record of the gift is in Genesis 2: 1–3. The most authoritative and perfect commentary ever made on the nature and obligations of the supreme gift thus ‘blessed’ and ‘sanctified’ (Ex. 20: 8–11). It was not only ‘made for man,’ no commandment could more plainly or solemnly express his obligations to receive it and to keep it as an institution which Jehovah had blessed and ‘hallowed’—set apart with his benediction and consecrated to a specified sacred use.”
“As such it must have been known in the line of Seth through the twenty-five centuries preceding the incorporation of it into the ten great and perpetual moral precepts written in stone on Sinai with ‘the finger of God.’ The evidence that it was thus known we have in Ex. 16: 4, 5, 22, 23. The double portion of manna was to be gathered on the sixth day, for the assigned reason that the morrow was ‘the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.’ But this first giving of the manna was in the ‘wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai.’ Thus, before the Sabbath was incorporated into the great precepts of the moral law on Sinai, the Hebrews manifestly knew that the Sabbath was a day to be held in holy reverence.”
“The prescribed ceremonial observances of this holy day were undoubtedly Jewish, and it was against these strictly ceremonial requirements, made more burdensome by the ‘mint and anise’ constructions of the Pharisees, that the Lord Jesus so frequently made his quiet, practical protests. But neither by word nor deed did he ever cast the smallest doubt on the obligations of men to observe the moral law of the Sabbath.”
“How comes it, then, that we observe the first instead of the seventh day of the week as the Lord’s day, or Christian Sabbath? The chief reason of all lies in ‘the fitness of things.’” Then follows a repetition of the thread-bare arguments on that point.
Thus the agitation is increasing. Unwittingly these ministers are strengthening the cause of Sabbath reform, by acknowledging the perpetuity and moral obligation of the fourth commandment, which they are obliged to do in order to show authority for enforcing any day of rest; and as they see the effect of this, and adherents to the Sabbath multiplying, it rouses them to more determined efforts to sustain their failing cause, and, if possible, counteract the influence of their own admissions. “The combat deepens,” and it becomes every soldier to stand in his place, and be ready to obey the word of command instantly. S. B. WHITNEY.
THE SEVENTH DAY OF WHAT?
By R. F. Cottrell
It is claimed that the commandment does not require the observance of a definite day, because it only says the seventh day, not the seventh day of the week. Well, of what is it the seventh day, if not of the week? It can be seen that this is a mere evasion; for suppose it did say the seventh day of the week, could they not still claim, as they do now, that it does not tell where the week commences, and so we may begin to count it on any day we please? Exactly so. You cannot prevent a quibbler from quibbling. All who desire to know the truth concerning the week must accept it as it has ever been reckoned from the creation down to the present time. The week of the Old Testament and that of the New correspond precisely; where the former ends the latter begins. Matt. 28:1; Luke 23:56 and 24:1. R. F. COTTRELL.
DESPONDENCY
What right has any person endowed with an ordinary share of intellect, and blessed with a respectable share of good health, to despond? What is the cause of despondency? What is the meaning of it! The cause is a weak mind, and the meaning is sin. Providence never intended that one of His creatures should be the victim of a desire to feel and look the gloom of the thundercloud. Never despond, friendly reader, for one of the first entrances of vice to the heart is made through the instrumentality of despondency. Although we cannot expect all our days and hours to be gilded by sunshine, we must not, for mere momentary griefs, suppose that they are to be enshrouded in the mists of misery, or clouded by the opacity of sorrow and misfortune.—Sel.
GROTON, N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
We have closed our meetings at this place for the present. During the past week the weather has been very unpropitious, so that some who were deeply interested could not get out; and this, with other influences, has kept the attendance reduced, but we did not lose a single appointment and the interest on the part of a few was good to the last. Ten or twelve have expressed their purpose to keep the Sabbath, and there are others for whom we are very hopeful.
Bro. T. M. Lane, who was at the camp-meeting, has been with me all through, and designs to remain and follow up the interest till I can return. The brethren have engaged the house we occupied last for the winter, and have meetings appointed for Sabbaths, and Wednesday evenings. Our meeting last Sabbath was a good one.
S. B. WHITNEY.
MICHIGAN
Labor Among the Churches.
On the morning of the 16th of November, we took the cars at Allegan for Douglas, on the lake shore, where there is a small church of Seventh-day Adventists. We remained in that place until Nov. 19, holding meetings on Sabbath and Sunday.
As yet, this little church is compelled to meet on the Sabbath in a private house, being unable to erect a church edifice. As we spoke to the little group gathered in the parlor of this building, we were reminded of the apostolic reference to the church which was in the house of Priscilla and Aquila at Rome; and we asked ourselves whether those who put forth the labor required to keep a house in order, which is employed for such purposes week after week, will not be rewarded in that better world whose more genial climate will render church edifices unnecessary.
On the first day of the week, through the kindness of the pastor of the Methodist church, we were permitted to assemble in their house of worship for an afternoon service. The turnout on this occasion was quite large, and the people gave close attention to the word spoken.
Judging from the tenderness of heart manifested by our brethren there, in their prayers and their testimonies, the church would seem to be, so far as spiritual matters are concerned, in a comparatively prosperous condition. As another evidence of their spiritual thrift, it might be stated that we found them ready to respond to our efforts to arouse them to an unusual activity in the tract and missionary work. If union and charity shall continue to abide with them, we anticipate that they will eventually be increased in numbers.
We spent Sabbath and Sunday, Nov. 24 and 25, with the church of Leighton, which is located in the township of that name in the northern part of Allegan County. We were met there with a hearty welcome, because of the fact that they had been the recipients of very little ministerial labor for several years past. Their place of meeting—as is the case with many of our churches in the interior—is the district school-house. It is probable that some day, not far in the future, they will erect for themselves a small meeting-house in the village of Wayland, which is a point quite central to them all.
As we inquired into their circumstances, and witnessed the good spirit manifested in their social meetings, we were happily disappointed in finding them in a better condition than could have been anticipated. They number, in all, some over twenty members. While this number would appear to be small as compared with our largest churches, there are, nevertheless, many isolated companies of Sabbath-keepers not so large even as this one. The impression has some way obtained that they were badly divided, and alienated from one another by personal misunderstandings and church differences. This impression, we were glad to learn, is erroneous. So far as we could ascertain, they have been heretofore, and are now, quite well united.
The greatest lack we could discover in them at the present, was found in the matters of paying systematic, taking the publications, and engaging in the tract and missionary work. To those subjects we gave our attention while among them, and we shall feel very much disappointed if in the future they shall not amend by pledging to the systematic fund, and engaging with earnestness in the work of getting the truth before their neighbors. While there we obtained several signers for the REVIEW, and others assured us that they should subscribe for the paper, and forward the money to the Office soon. On Sunday, though the weather was threatening, and the roads very bad, the house was well filled with those who seemed inclined to give us a candid hearing.
With this meeting the round of labor in this district, with especial reference to the tract and missionary work, is completed. On the whole, we feel grateful for the results attained, and thankful for the manifestations of God’s favor which have attended our efforts.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN. M. S. BURNHAM.
Dist. No. 6, Mich. T. and M. Society.
Nov. 22, we were with the West Plains church and organized S. B. and the T. and M. fund for 1878. We found them ready to do their duty.
The 24th and 25th, we met with the church at Greenville. The brethren and sisters came in from West Plains and Lakeview. The Sabbath meetings were quite free. This church has paid up the S. B. and one-third, and all were ready to carry this plan into 1878.
It was a source of great pleasure to us all to see Bro. Fargo so far recovered from his long illness as to be present and assist at this meeting.
We were at Orleans the 26th and 27th. The church were ready to come fully up on all points, and we believe that it is on account of their willingness to do, that the Lord is turning the minds of their neighbors to the truth. There is an opening here for some one to hold a series of meetings.
Wednesday, the 28th, we met with the church at Vergennes. The church here have followed the tithing plan, and the result is that their tithes are far more than their pledges. They came up on all parts of the work for 1878. Here, as at Orleans, is an opening for labor. These churches are among the first in Michigan.
The 29th, we spent at Saranac. This is a young church, and they have not fully known how to work; but we find a willingness on the part of nearly all to do all they can. Their pledges have been raised considerably for the coming year.
At these meetings, we have endeavored to have our people take our periodicals and have met with good success. This is a very important part of the T. and M. work. Those who do not have them soon begin to lose their interest in the work.
A. O. BURRELL. FRANKLIN HOWE.
Gowen, Nov. 25.
I came to this place the 8th inst. The Lord has greatly blessed beyond our expectations. One aged Baptist minister has attended the meetings, and with tears in his eyes says, “God knows I was honest in the observance of the first day.” He says he is satisfied on the Sabbath question. Others have expressed themselves in a similar way. Men that have never been interested in religious meetings are attending every night. Pray for us. E. VAN DEUSEN.
NEWPORT, N. H.
By M. Wood
SABBATH and first-day, Nov. 24 and 25, were days not soon to be forgotten by the Newport church. It has seldom, if ever, been our privilege to attend a series of meetings where the brethren and sisters enjoyed such freedom in prayer and exhortation as at the place above mentioned. The sweet, tender, melting influence of the Spirit of Jesus was in our midst, and affected the hearts of all present. It was good to be there. Tears were freely shed, and confessions were made which had a most salutary effect upon the meeting. Resolutions were formed, which, if practically carried out, will greatly forward the work of God in this Conference the coming year.
At this meeting, one brother started anew in the service of the Master, intending to identify himself more fully with the harvesters of the Lord. May God give sustaining grace and lead him by his Spirit in the path of duty. Another interesting case was that of a sister who came eight miles over the mountains to attend this meeting, and fully identified herself with S. D. Adventists. To God be all the praise. M. Wood.
QUITMAN, GA.
By C. O. Taylor
During the past year I have followed some of the customs of the South, and have spoken once a month to one congregation. Since the fall weather has come on, I have spoken each night and sometimes twice in the day. I find a continued increasing interest to hear. Three ladies came seven miles on horseback last Sabbath. It is very common to come four and five miles to a night meeting. Within a week, several have taken a stand to keep the Sabbath.
The Bro. Killen whose letter is in the Review of Oct. 25, writes that he is very confident I would get a good hearing should I come and speak to the people. A letter from Bro. Wright, whom I mentioned in a former report as being much interested, and175commencing to keep the Sabbath, shows so much the true spirit of many that I will copy it from the Monroe County paper. It was written, no doubt, to meet the bigotry and wrong spirit of some, as well as to express the writer’s love for the truth:—
FROM UNIONVILLE.
“EDITOR ADVERTISER: We have recently been favored with several discourses by Eld. C. O. Taylor, Seventh-day Adventist, and find him not only an educated gentleman, but an earnest and zealous expounder of the great truths taught in the Bible. His scriptural reasonings are truly eye-openers, and to the candid and unbiased mind, ‘apples of gold in pictures of silver.’
“Entertaining no denominational prejudice, and deeming it unkind to censure or condemn without a hearing, I not only attended his meetings, but received him as a guest, and found nothing objectionable in his teachings, or contrary to the laws of reason or common sense. Indeed, I am of the opinion that if bigotry, superstition, and prejudice were expunged from sectarian hearts, so as to let in the rays of the true Christian religion, there would be more charity exercised for our neighbor, and less slanderous tattling.
“J. F. WRIGHT, M. D.”
I shall labor at present in the center of the State. For several reasons I think it will be more to the interest of the truth.
My address, after this, will be Reynolds, Taylor Co., Georgia. C. O. TAYLOR.
THE PROPHET.
By Arthur J. Lockhart
The mountain reared its form on high
Against the azure of the sky;
And far below appeared in view
The sea, with waves of darker blue.
But what triumphant multitude
Upon that flowery mountain stood?
What acclamations, loud and long,
Arose from that assembled throng?
A prophet of the Lord was there,
With form erect and forehead bare;
With flowing locks of silken white,
Transfigured in the golden light.
Fearless he stood, without dismay,
Surrounded by that strange array;
And well the guilty legions knew
That they were false, and he was true.
On costly altars—Baal's all—
No sacrificial fire shall fall;
But rocks unhewn, on grassy sod,
Receive the flame, when built for God.
But lo! upon the evening air
Was heard the prophet's voice in prayer:
“O Lord, the fount of fire unseal,
As thou art God, thyself reveal!”
That prayer, so earnest, so intense,
Went up with faith's true eloquence;
And winged with fire, a lightning flame,
The suppliant's awful answer, came!
Oh, vainly had these men of pride
The living God so long defied!
On stubborn necks the sword he drew,
And priest and idol perished too.
Thus when a giant wrong has grown,
And evil builds itself a throne;
When “Who is God,” the proud ones say,
“That we should worship and obey?”
Then from his ancient seat in Heaven
The word goes forth, the sign is given.
“The Lord is God!” the people cry,
“And right shall live, and wrong shall die.”
In every age and everywhere,
The burden of the prophet's prayer,
Though not for vengeful fire or sword,
Shall have an answer from the Lord.
—Rev. Arthur J. Lockhart, in Zion's Herald.
KANSAS
By L. D. Santee
I am now at South Mound, where I have held several meetings. This church, though not large, is one of the best. There is an old adage that “blood will tell,” and it is here exemplified. There is a strong element of Scotch here, and the spirit of the covenanters seems to be perpetuated in this church. They are strong and faithful, and the truth radiates from them in all directions. I go from here to Limestone.
L. D. SANTEE.
IOWA
By E. W. Farnsworth
I held meetings with the church at Denison, Nov. 16 to 22. The scattered brethren and sisters came in from the surrounding country, so that our meetings were quite well attended. We were happily surprised to see so many. Sunday, three were baptized, and six united with the church. This gives the little company new courage to still labor on. We firmly believe the church at Denison can be a strong one, if our own people are diligent. They already see some fruit of their labor. I expect to spend most of my time the coming winter and spring with the churches, principally with those that received but little assistance last winter.
We hope to be able, not only to encourage our own people in the work, but to see some added to their numbers. But if this plan is successfully carried out, we shall need the assistance of our people everywhere. Do not wait, brethren, till the very day the meeting is appointed, but commence now to awaken an interest, and you will see more fruit of the labor bestowed. E. W. FARNSWORTH.
NEBRASKA
By Chas. L. Boyd
A week ago last Sabbath I was with the church at Seward. The enemy has been at work here. Some have turned back, and through discouragements others had become cold and indifferent. The former class I fear will have to be trimmed from the Vine; but a part of the other class have been aroused to a sense of their condition, and have started with renewed zeal to make sure work for eternal life.
Last Sabbath was a good day for the Farmer’s Valley church. Five united with the church. One of these is a brother who has been worshiping at the shrine of the foul god tobacco. He has been in full sympathy with the position of the church in reference to its use, and its being received into the church. At this meeting the good Spirit of the Lord was present and wrought what man cannot accomplish. This brother has gained the victory, and now takes a decided stand with those who are seeking to present both soul and body to the Lord a living sacrifice.
Chas. L. Boyd.
KENTUCKY
By S. Osborn
Nov. 15, I went to visit the Sabbath-keepers in Coopertown, where I gave a course of lectures last winter. I found four firm in keeping the Sabbath. Gave three discourses, and visited all I could; and left three more keeping the Sabbath. Many more are altogether convinced, who have not yet taken a stand. Some of them promise to do so soon. May the Lord help them to decide. The last discourse I gave there, the house was crowded with attentive hearers. They are anxious that we should return, and we promised to do so as soon as possible.
On my return I stopped at Edgefield Junction, where I met a gentleman from Nashville who is a lecturer and a real reformer. He has written several articles for the HEALTH REFORMER. He was educated a lawyer, and practiced at the bar in Illinois, with Abraham Lincoln, and others of his time. He is a little skeptical on some things in the Bible, but seems to be a very humble man, and says if he is ever saved at all it will be by our faith. The Doctor is very anxious to travel with us and lecture on hygiene. I have strong hopes that he will yet embrace our faith.
Here I left Bro. and sister Owen, who go into a new field. May God bless them in their labor. I am at Rio, Hart Co., Ky., which will be my address at present, I expect to stay here awhile to rest, and meanwhile to work with my hands in helping to build a meeting-house, which is much needed here. S. OSBORN.
MAINE
By J. B. Goodrich
Denmark, Nov. 23.
AFTER the close of our good and profitable Institute at South Lancaster, Mass., I returned to Deering, where I held one evening meeting, and then went to Lovell, to visit those that came out last summer during our tent-meeting. I found the most of them still firm in the truth; and by the request of Bro. Geo. W. Howard (who embraced the truth at our tent-meeting last summer), I came to Denmark, where he had been holding meetings since our camp-meeting last fall, and quite an interest had been raised. Some could see no way to get around what they had heard; therefore they embraced the truth. Two whole families, and some other individuals, kept their first Sabbath, Nov. 24. I have decided to stay here over next Sunday, as Bro. H. is detained at home on account of sickness in his family. The truth is making a stir among the people. Pray for us. J. B. GOODRICH.
ARKANSAS
By J. H. Cook
I HELD a series of meetings of about seven days' continuance at Smith's chapel, two miles south of Elm Spring.
I then, by request, went to Wild Cat school-house, five miles south-west of Elm Springs, to present the Sabbath truth to a church of believers in the Age-to-Come. Have held meetings there about ten days. As the result, all the members are convinced. Their minister, Eld. Geo. Bidwell, and five of the members, kept last Sabbath, and I confidently expect they will all keep next Sabbath.
I hope to have the prayers of the people of God for success in this new field.
J. H. Cook.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
DIED, of typhoid fever, near Smethport, McKean Co., Pa., Oct. 17, 1877, our beloved sister, Hannah Stickles, wife of Bro. Hiram Stickles, aged 46 years and 7 months. She leaves a large circle of friends, a husband, and three children; but they mourn not as those that have no hope. She embraced the third angel’s message about twenty-two years ago. Soon after she connected herself with the McKean Co. church of S. D. Adventists. But they soon became scattered—many moving away. For twelve years she and her husband were alone. While the tent was pitched near them last summer, she became more than usually earnest in the work of preparation to meet the Lord. Afterward she united with the Port Alleghany church, which, in her death, has lost another worthy member.
DIED, in Clermont, Iowa, Nov. 13, 1877, Elvira, wife of L. S. Nutting, aged 50 years. Sister Nutting was born in Waterbury, Vermont. She embraced the Christian religion at the age of eleven years, and from that time lived a consistent Christian life. She embraced the Bible Sabbath and kindred truths nearly twenty years ago, by reading, and when the West Union, Iowa, church was organized fourteen years ago, she became a member. As she lived eight miles from our place of worship, and had poor health, she had few opportunities of attending meeting; but her Bible, her hymn book, and the REVIEW, have been her companions. She leaves a deeply afflicted husband and five children to mourn their loss, but they mourn not as those who have no hope.
We truly hope that this affliction may be sanctified to their eternal good, and that they may seek the Lord, and be ready to meet the wife and mother in a better world.
Funeral sermon by Eld. C. A. Washburn.
NASON HOYT.
N. Y. AND PA. T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By R. L. Whitney; E. H. Whitney
The sixth annual meeting of the society was held at Rome, N. Y., Nov. 17–19, 1877.
The business session at 6 o’clock Sunday afternoon was called to order by the president. Prayer by Eld. Haskell.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted. The report of labor for the year just closed was called for and read, as follows:—
No. of families visited, 2,400; letters written, 672; pages of tracts distributed, 677,463. New subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 38; INSTRUCTOR, 134; REFORMER, 108. No. of Signs taken at $1.50 by individuals, 232; in clubs, 351. Periodicals distributed, 12,314.
Money received on membership, $31.00; Donations, 440.39; Book sales, 161.11; Periodicals, 516.82; Widow and orphan fund, 2.00.
$1151.32
The Rome tract distributor was placed in the Union depot at Rome, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1877. It has distributed 17,544 pages of tracts and 652 papers, included in above summary. The distributor in the depot at Richfield Springs, N. Y., placed there in July, 1877, has distributed 17,618 pages of tracts, also included in above. The distributor in the depot at Buffalo had distributed up to Sept. 23, 9,012 pages, since which time we have had no report from it.
As the Portville church, in Dist. No. 11, was situated unfavorably for meetings in that district, it was voted that it be allowed to withdraw from that district to unite with Dist. No. 10. It was also voted, for the same reason, that the towns of Pulaski, Sandy Creek, Richland, and Redfield, Oswego Co., be included in Dist. No. 3. Also that the Chittenango Falls church be transferred from Dist. No. 7 to Dist. No. 8.
The constitution was adopted as revised by the committee appointed by the General Conference.
Bro. Haskell then occupied some minutes with remarks, after which between three and four hundred dollars were pledged to the society by those present. The meeting then adjourned to call of Chair.
Another session was held Monday morning, Nov. 19. At this meeting the Committee on Nominations, M. H. Brown, P. Z. Kinney, and A. H. Hall, reported as follows:—
For president, B. L. Whitney; for vice-president, A. H. Hall; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. B. L. Whitney. Board of Directors: Dist. No. 1, R. F. Cottrell; No. 2, N. S. Wright; No. 3, Wm. H. Brown; No. 4, S. M. Cobb; No. 5, I. N. Russell; No. 6, M. S. Tyrel; No. 7, J. O. Foy; No. 8, P. Z. Kinney; No. 9, J. W. Raymond; No. 10, D. B. Welch; No. 11, S. Thurston. The report was accepted, and the individuals unanimously elected to office.
The remainder of the session was devoted to remarks of general interest, and instructions and suggestions regarding the different branches of the work.
Meeting adjourned sine die.
The earnest and faithful labors of Eld. Haskell at this meeting, as well as the interest he has manifested in our society in the past, are gratefully appreciated by the brethren and sisters here. The presence and assistance of Eld. Smith added much to the interest of the meeting, and the prospect of a Biblical Institute in New York another spring is a source of encouragement to all.
R. L. WHITNEY, Pres.
E. H. WHITNEY, Sec.
GOD BLESS OUR COLLEGE.
By H. J. Spicer
Sabbaths are golden in Battle Creek nowadays. This is nothing unusual; for they have been hitherto; and elsewhere they are golden way-marks to true commandment-keepers. The late students’ social meetings at the commencement of the Sabbath have been cheering indeed; and the following services add encouragement, as it is seen that the old soldiers of the cross are unmistakably taking vantage ground, and that there is a general impression that a good time is soon coming.
Here the burden of our College rolls upon us; and what greater success can we wish for it, in view of coming events, than that it should become a veritable school of the prophets? How shall this object be attained? Can our College follow other schools and reach this success? Even in this school our youth are exposed to the assaults of the enemy. If their hearts were inclined toward the testimonies, it is to be feared that some might find too much of their short-lived fervor due to a supposed proper interest in an active Christian of the opposite sex. And others might see that what they supposed to be a practice of health reform in diet, with them partakes of the spirit of hearty self-indulgence to such a degree as to prove a positive curse. The foe is wily. Oh that the fear of the Lord might enter into all such hearts!
That the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light, will often occur to the mind while contemplating the fact that many, lured by vain ambitious aims, are enabled by Satan to subdue habits and passions that would impede their progress, living more temperately, and preserving more physical and intellectual energy for selfish designs, than many nominal health reformers do for the sacred work of the present time. Obedience cures these evils. These stirring times demand youth who will wed the truth, and have ears to hear the voice of the Spirit,—“Why stand ye here all the day idle?” It is necessary to make a practical application of the repeated resolutions for consecration. “Why do you not become a vigilant worker in the Tract and Missionary Society?” Many plead want of time. But let the needless every-day expense for faultless tie and neck wear and cuffs, and the constant fine polish of the shoes, be occasionally neglected, and the means and time employed in mailing the “truth leaves,” which are sent forth as “leaves of the tree of life for the healing” of the dying people.
Then there is an occasional card to write. No friend is more worthy the time bestowed for correspondence than a stranger who seeks the light of truth. Those friends are to be our joy in the Lord’s harvest home. It is reasonable to be so engaged in this work that there will be “want of time” to “seek our own” pleasure or profit.
Some have not confidence, or, having made their vows of consecration, are waiting for Providence to open the way. May it not be that these, together with some who are deprived of college privileges, need only take up the burden of work in the cause of God, to discover that Providence has been holding the way open? God may thus be testing some who shrink from the mission work, and who would afterward find ability to pursue study the more successfully. This is not an age for extensive courses of preparation, without making active light-bearing, meanwhile, a prominent feature of education.
Then gird on the armor while at school: let the truth become table-talk, and gracious opportunities are afforded on every hand. We ought meekly to accept burdens, until we cannot forsake our Saviour without experiencing their oppressive weight, and the perils of unconsecration. We all want a part in the message that shall lighten the earth with its glory; and our wish may be realized. If we love God with all the heart, and our neighbor as ourself, we shall be ready to obey the call of duty. The Vigilant Missionary Society seems to be especially appointed for sounding the last warning. None may find excuse. Let the maimed and poor be compelled to come in.
These suggestions are presented for such as may fail to realize that it is necessary to leave the paths before beaten for the youth of our land, in order to exemplify the theory of our truth.
Our faithful students will receive a blessing, but may we not fear that curses are in store for those who have no sacred sense of their obligations in view of their connection with our College? Although God may be glorified by “marrying and giving in marriage” now, as truly as by eating and drinking properly, is there any harm in following the serious conviction that God is pleased with the heart that nobly strives to surrender all to him, and let this matter rest while here disciplining for his army? View it carefully in the light of the Saviour’s present warning on this point, on surfeiting, and on the cares of life.
Comparatively few youth in this age will place the work of increasing the Lord’s goods in the way of securing a home, or friends, or a companion for the short earth-life that remains to us, when it may be evident that the cause would gain by this consecration. Of those who do thus honor him, it must be God has decreed: “On such young men and maidens will I pour out my Spirit in the latter day.” What a glory, too, must be for them in the joy of their Lord!
And as we pray for the latter rain, may we not properly reflect that, for the prayer to be effectual, consistency demands that we thankfully cherish in transformed lives the “gift” already given, renewing it daily?
O speed the day when all shall be restored! Friends of our College, pray for us. God bless our students.
H. J. SPICER.
THE PANSY.
THERE is a fable told about a king’s garden, in which, all at once, the trees and flowers began to pine and make complaint.
The oak was sad because it could not yield flowers; the rosebush was sad because it could bear no fruit; the vine was sad because it had to cling to the wall, and could cast no cool shadow.
“I am not of the least use in the world,” said the oak.
“I might as well die, since I yield no fruit,” said the rosebush.
“What good can I do in the world?” said the vine.
Then the king saw a little pansy which all this time held up its glad, fresh face, while all the rest were sad.
And the king said, “What makes you so fresh and glad, while all the rest pine and are sad?”
“I thought,” said the pansy, “that you wanted me here, because here you planted me; and so I made up my mind that I would try to be the best little pansy that could be.”
Reader, are you, like the oak, the rosebush, and the vine, doing nothing, because you cannot do all that others do? Then, rather be like the pansy, and do your best in that little spot where God’s hand has placed you.—Shorey’s Monthly Reader.
TO THE BRETHREN IN MAINE.
By J. B. Goodrich
I AM satisfied that many of us in this State do not realize the importance and sacredness of this work as we should. The third angel's message is from Heaven. God's hand is distinctly seen in connection with this work, and we are too far advanced in the history of this world, and the judgment of the great day is too near, for us to harbor unbelief or let Satan draw us into his net and make us feel very comfortable while doing but little, if anything, to advance the work of God.
My heart was stirred, and I could not refrain from tears, while listening to Bro. Smith's closing lecture giving the summary of the whole ground over which we had been taken during the Institute. How clear and how plain the system of present truth looks, and how forcible the conclusion that the last message of mercy to this world is now being given, and that soon the work will close up. Now what are we doing to help save precious souls exposed to the wrath of God? Can we not rescue some? How can we keep still when the cry, “Come over and help us,” is coming up from the East, West, North, and South?
There are many in this State who can win souls to Christ and thus save them from the second death, if they will take up the burden of this work. Others can help by their means in sustaining those who labor in new fields. The T. and M. Society is doing a noble work. It must be sustained. The time of our next quarterly meeting will soon come. Are we at work? Will each one send in a report, and with it a personal donation? We need means to sustain the missionary work.
No S. D. Adventist should be outside the T. and M. Society. By paying the small sum of one dollar, each can have the pleasure of working in the great mission field, and can share in the glorious results which will soon be realized. We invite all to join. Our scattered brethren and sisters can become members by sending the dollar for membership to R. J. Goodrich, Hartland, Maine. They will receive tracts in return, and blank reports, which may be filled out at the end of each quarter and returned to him. Instructions will be given to those who may desire.
Walk in the light while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you. Watch every opportunity to do good, and pray for God's blessing to rest upon your efforts, and he will give the increase.