The second annual meeting of the Maine Sabbath-school Association was held on the camp-ground at Waterville, Sept. 5, at 5 o’clock P. M. The meeting was opened with prayer by Eld. R. S. Webber, after which the delegates from the different Sabbath-schools were called. Eight responded. Delegates were then chosen for schools not represented.
The report of the last meeting was read and approved. Remarks were made by W. C. White and Sister White upon the importance of system, and the qualifications necessary properly to conduct a Sabbath-school.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
SECOND MEETING, Sept. 8. Prayer by W. C. White. The minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted.
The committee on nominations reported, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: For president, W. H. Blaisdell; secretary, Eliza H. Morton, Ira Baker alternate; executive committee, W. H. Blaisdell, J. B. Goodrich, and S. J. Hersum.
The committee on resolutions made the following report:—
Whereas, Many of our people do not engage in the Sabbath-school work, thus sustaining a great personal loss, besides missing opportunities of benefiting their children, therefore
Resolved, That it be the duty of the officers of the State Association to visit each church and company of Sabbath-keepers, to organize schools where there are none, and to encourage and instruct those already engaged in the work.
Resolved, That we recommend our schools to take clubs of the weekly Instructor, and to adopt the lessons in it and its supplement.
Resolved, That we recommend each teacher to keep a record of the attendance and membership of his class, and each secretary to keep a permanent record of the school.
Whereas, The usefulness and interest of teachers and officers may be greatly increased by frequent seasons of consultation about the work of the school, therefore
Resolved, That we recommend the officers and teachers of each school to hold a teachers’ meeting on the fourth Sabbath in each month.
Resolved, That we recommend the adoption of the “penny contribution” as a means of financial support for the school.
Resolved, That we request our president to hold a Sabbath-school Institute, or Normal Class, in each tract society district, for the advancement of the work and the instruction of teachers and officers.
These resolutions were unanimously adopted.
On motion of W. C. White, it was voted to appropriate one-tenth of the Sabbath-school fund to the General Sabbath-school Association.
Meeting adjourned to call of Chair.
J. E. ALLEN, Sec.
NORTH-WESTERN KANSAS CAMP-MEETING.
By Smith Sharp
This meeting was held as appointed, at Bethany, Oct. 2-6, and has just closed. Although no help came from outside of our own Conference, yet we sought and obtained the help of the Lord. I had earnestly requested help from the General Conference Committee, and had given encouragement to the friends that help might be expected.
More than two hundred were encamped on the ground. There were twenty tents, and many camped in wagons.
At our Sabbath-school at 9 A. M. Sabbath morning, there were 250 scholars and about 20 teachers. The penny box contained $7.65. The preaching during the day was practical, and when a call was made for sinners and backsliders to come forward for prayers, between 40 and 50 responded. The remainder of the day was spent in an especial effort to benefit them.
The railroad which crossed the ground gave us excursion trains on Sunday over both branches of the road. It was the first Sunday on a camp-ground that I ever felt that I would not regret to see it rain; but being alone except the few licentiates in that part of the Conference, and just getting up from sickness, I felt unequal to the task of meeting a crowd. But the day was “one of nature’s best.” Early in the morning the trains stopped on the ground, and people from all directions came with teams until many hundreds were poured into our camp. Several editors and reporters were there, and took notes during the day. This is the first excursion that we have ever been able to obtain in Kansas. The superintendents of the roads always claimed that it would not pay them, but the conductors who were on the ground during the day told me the company had been well paid.
We appointed canvassers for all our periodicals, and a good number of subscribers were obtained during the day. I never saw a more orderly company on a camp-ground. During Sunday and Sunday night, a large proportion gave close attention to the preaching, which was on the leading features of our faith.
Monday morning we took up the health and temperance work. It was ascertained that a large proportion of those on the ground had already signed the teetotal pledge; still there was considerable opposition to it on the part of some, and many questions were asked. Canvassers were appointed, and thirty-five signed the teetotal pledge and paid the initiation fee, besides many that signed without paying.
The camp-meeting fund and the T. and M. reserve fund were remembered, the friends subscribing liberally to both. On Monday a good number again came forward for prayers; and in the afternoon thirteen were baptized in the Solomon River.
Tuesday morning one hundred spoke in our parting meeting in thirty minutes, and all felt that they had been greatly benefited, and that the meeting had been a profitable one. The success of the meeting, under the blessing of God, is due to the fact that the brethren did not despond when they found no help came, but took hold in earnest to lift the burden. There was much preaching to be done besides a great deal of other hard work, and I had been sick in bed only a short time previous. Bro. and sister Enoch and Bro. G. H. Smith came not expecting to preach, but when they saw the circumstances, no one refused. The same may be said of the lay members when they were called upon to do anything. By the special blessing of the Lord in answer to the earnest prayers of the brethren, I was able to do at least half of the preaching. SMITH SHARP.
THE CALIFORNIA STATE S. S. ASSOCIATION.
By M. C. Israel; W. J. Bostwick
(Condensed from the Signs of the Times.)
The second annual session of this association was held in connection with the Healdsburg camp-meeting, Sept. 18, 1879. Twenty-nine schools were represented by delegates, and the report of the progress of the work for the past year showed a very gratifying increase in the Sabbath-school interest throughout the State.
Bro. J. E. White gave a very interesting account of his work among the Sabbath-schools in the southern part of the State, in which it was stated that nine schools were organized with memberships varying from 12 to 45; and that although traveling was very expensive, the expense to the association was nothing, as it was wholly made up from the sale of maps, charts, etc.; that these new schools had entered into the work with the greatest enthusiasm, the attendance being remarkably good, some coming miles to receive the advantages of the Sabbath-school.
Eld. Haskell spoke of the importance of maps in the school; he thought that schools should be supplied with every means of instruction upon Bible subjects within their reach.
Resolutions were passed expressing deep interest in the Sabbath-school work and a determination to continue that work systematically and energetically.
J. E. White was chosen president; W. J. Bostwick, secretary and treasurer; and J. E. White, M. C. Israel, and Geo. Manuel, executive committee.
M. C. ISRAEL, Pres.
W. J. BOSTWICK, Sec.
STIMME DER WAHRHEIT.
By Heinrich Nielsen
Our German paper, Stimme der Wahrheit, made its first appearance a few months ago, the first number being issued in July. A few days ago we counted the number of our subscribers, and we were thereby led to praise God for his goodness in opening the hearts of so many of our countrymen to the present truth; we found our list to contain over twelve hundred subscribers.
May the Lord continue to bless the work which the Stimme is silently doing, to the salvation of many souls! And again we cordially request those of our brethren who have an opportunity, to work with the Lord in spreading the light among the Germans.
HEINRICH NIELSEN.
Why Biography Often Fails to Reveal the Man
No department of literature is so false as biography. The object is, not to let down the hero; and consequently what is most human, most genuine, most characteristic in his history is excluded. Sometimes, one anecdote will let us into the secret of a man's soul, more than all the prominent events of his life.
OLD BUT GOOD ADVICE.
If you your lips
Would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care:
Of whom you speak,
To whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where.
IMPORTANT NOTICE.
All persons holding stock in the Sanitarium, formerly known as the Health Reform Institute, who do not expect to be present at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held at this place according to appointment, Nov. 10, 1879, will please authorize persons who will be present to vote for them by proxy. It is important that every stockholder should be represented at this meeting; and it is necessary that each one holding stock should attend to this matter at once, as there must be a majority of the stock represented in order that the meeting may be held.
Those who appoint proxies would do well to appoint, so far as possible, persons residing in this place, so as to be sure of their attendance. Proxies appointed more than two years ago should be re-appointed, as most of the proxies of older date have been lost. Let every one who is not absolutely certain that he will be represented at this meeting either in person or by proxy, appoint a proxy at once. The following is the necessary form, which is accompanied by the necessary instruction. Certificates of proxy may be sent to the persons named in them, or direct to the secretary of the Board, Dr. W. B. Sprague, Sanitarium.
CERTIFICATE OF PROXY.
I , of the town of , in the State of ___, owning share in the Health Reform Institute, of Battle Creek, Mich., being desirous of voting in the meetings of the Institute, hereby empower , of the town of , in the State of , to cast my vote on any question that may come before any meeting of the stockholders which I am not able to attend, until this proxy shall be revoked by some document issued to another person. Witness my hand and seal this day of _____, in the year of our Lord 187_. Signed, Dated , 187_.
Sec. 6. When such writing shall have been certified by the elder or clerk of the Seventh-day Adventist church to which such person belongs, or in case the person desiring to vote by proxy is not a member of any regularly-organized church, then an acknowledgment of the aforesaid writing, before any Seventh-day Adventist minister in good standing with the body, or before any justice of the peace, shall be sufficient to qualify the stockholder to whom said writing is sent or given to vote as proxy.
THE NEBRASKA CAMP-MEETING.
By George I. Butler
On account of poor railroad connections at Omaha, I was hindered over a day, and did not get to the Seward camp-meeting till Friday afternoon, Oct. 3. I found the meeting in progress. There were thirty-three small tents and two large ones pitched, and nearly two hundred and fifty of our people camped upon the ground. When we remember that a short time before they had held a camp-meeting in the southern part of the State with nearly one hundred and fifty of our people in attendance, we can see how the cause is growing in this new Conference, where a few years ago there was but a handful of Sabbath-keepers. I was glad to find among these friends many sensible, solid people, who will, I trust, be a help to the cause of God in the future. Nebraska is evidently an excellent field of labor.
There was much disappointment that Bro. and Sr. White were not present; but our meetings were quite good. A goodly number came forward for prayers Sabbath and Monday, and a number were baptized. As it is in many of our camp-meetings, the time was wholly filled up with business, social, and preaching meetings. This afforded an excellent opportunity for those who had the charge of the meetings to become weary and worn with perplexing care, and of doing work that, we trust, will bear some fruit in the kingdom of God.
This occasion had no special and striking features, but there was a readiness on the part of the people to have a hand in every good work presented before them. As usual, Sabbath morning we had a model Sabbath-school. A temperance society was formed, and many signed the pledge. Eld. Boyd had been working during the past summer in different parts of the State, and I understand that he had obtained about one hundred and fifty signers to the teetotal pledge. Many of these were present. At the close of the meeting all but a few had signed the pledge. One gentleman, a physician past middle age, an intelligent man of religious tendencies, a user of tobacco, coffee, etc., signed the teetotal pledge. He made some interesting remarks, in which he said he had always refused to sign the pledge before, and that this was the first real temperance pledge he had ever seen. It comprehended all intemperate practices and stimulants, which should be laid aside.
Young Nebraska voted her tithe of s. B. to the General Conference,—$134.79. She seems to be determined to do her share in supporting the good cause. She has raised the larger part of her reserve fund of $1000, and at this meeting raised quite a number of pledges on the camp-meeting and tent fund.
Bro. Geo. B. Starr was ordained to the ministry by prayer and laying on of hands. It was good to be there. The Spirit of God witnessed, by its presence, the solemn act. In the closing meeting, many spoke of the benefit they had received, and of their new determinations to live nearer to God.
We had beautiful weather most of the time. Indeed, the weather was warmer than during any meeting I have attended since July. Much the same might be said of the Iowa meeting the week previous. It is now warm as summer.
We see no reason to doubt but that Nebraska will make one of our strongest Conferences.
Oct. 8. GEO. I. BUTLER.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Appointments.
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matt. 10:7.
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
The eighteenth annual meeting of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held at Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, Nov. 7, 1879, at 10:30 A. M., for the election of officers and the transaction of any other business that may come before the meeting.
James White, Gen.
S. N. Haskell, Conf.
D. M. Canright, Com.
THE EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY.
The Seventh-day Adventist Educational Society will hold its fifth annual meeting at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 9, at 9 o’clock A. M., for the purpose of electing a Board of Trustees for the ensuing year, and transacting any other business that may come before the meeting.
James White,
U. Smith,
W. B. Sprague,
J. H. Kellogg,
S. Brownsberger,
W. C. Sisley,
W. C. White,
Trustees.
THE HEALTH REFORM INSTITUTE.
The stockholders of the Health Reform Institute will hold their thirteenth annual meeting at Battle Creek, Mich., Monday, Nov. 10, at 9 o’clock A. M., for the election of officers, and for the transaction of any other business that may come before the meeting. Stockholders who cannot attend will please see at once that their stock is represented by proxy, if they have not already provided for this, as a majority of the stock must be represented to make the doings of the meeting legal.
James White,
W. B. Sprague,
L. Mc Coy,
J. H. Kellogg,
H. W. Kellogg,
J. Fargo,
W. C. White,
Directors.
S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.
The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will hold its twentieth annual meeting at Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, Nov. 11, 1879, at 9 A. M., for the election of officers, and the transaction of any other business that may come before the meeting.
James White,
Mrs. M. J. Chapman,
H. W. Kellogg,
J. H. Kellogg,
U. Smith,
W. C. Sisley,
W. C. White,
Trustees.
NEW YORK T. AND M. SOCIETY.
The next annual meeting of the New York Tract and Missionary Society will be held at Adams Center, Jeff. Co., N. Y., Nov. 1, 2, 1879. We request a full attendance of all officers of the society and all persons especially interested in the tract and missionary work, as it is proposed to hold immediately following this a Tract Society Institute to continue two weeks.
It is expected that every director and district secretary, and as far as possible every librarian, will attend this Institute. Full particulars in regard to board for those who may attend, reduction of fare on railroads, etc., will be given next week.
We have deferred the time of our annual meeting to accommodate those who wished to attend the Institute, and who could do so at this date better than if it were held earlier.
Let all the officers of the society at once make their preparations for attending this meeting, and come prepared to stay till the close of the Institute.
B. L. Whitney, Pres.
The annual meeting of the New York Sabbath-school Association will be held in connection with the annual meeting of the T. and M. Society, at Adams Center, Nov. 1, 2, 1879. As this will be an important meeting, every Sabbath-school in the State should send as delegates to the Association such persons as will take a lively interest in the Sabbath-school work, and will attend the Institute which comes in connection with the yearly meeting. Matters which will have a great bearing on the future prosperity of the Sabbath-schools are to be considered.
The Sabbath-school work will be given its proper proportion of time in the Institute, and every effort will be made to make the most of such time, so that the Institute will mark a new era in this branch of the work in our State. The best methods of imparting instruction will be discussed, and the practical workings of the Sabbath-school will receive due attention.
The lessons in the Sabbath-school at the State meeting will be the lessons for the first Sabbath in November, found in the Instructor and the Lesson Sheets for Bible Classes. M. H. Brown.
No providence preventing, I will meet with the friends at Pine Grove and Kendall, Mich., Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 18, 19. We wish to see every Sabbath-keeper at these places at this time. They will please arrange among themselves for a place of meeting. E. R. Jones.
No providence preventing, we will meet with the brethren at Grimes school-house, at Port Allegheny, Mc Kean Co., Pa., Oct. 18, 19. We earnestly request all the brethren in the district to attend this meeting, as it will be the only one we can hold with them this fall. Let all the librarians and S. S. secretaries bring their books, as special pains will be taken to have them corrected and balanced. D. B. Oviatt.
If the Lord will, I will meet with the church in Parkville, Mich., Oct. 25. Will brethren in Colon, Three Rivers, and Brady meet with us? J. Byington.
No providence preventing, there will be a two-days’ meeting at Burnham, Maine, commencing Oct. 24, at 7 P. M. J. B. Goodrich.
No providence preventing, I will meet with the church at Osceola, Clark Co., Iowa, Oct. 18, 1879. C. A. Washburn.
Monterey, Mich., Sabbath and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19. E. B. & E. S. Lane.
BIBLICAL INSTITUTE.
By James White
The Biblical Institute will commence Oct. 22. The time is short. Those who depend upon their own resources to meet expenses in attending the Biblical Institute need not wait for the action of the board of trustees of the Educational Relief Fund.
And in view of the brief space of time between the appointment and the time given for the opening of the Institute, the friends of the proper instruction and drilling of our young ministers, especially Conference officers and trustees of the Educational Relief Fund, should act at once. The time is very short, and it is important that the class should all be present at the beginning. JAMES WHITE.
Educational Relief Fund Pledge Papers Appeal
By James White
We are preparing pledge papers in the interest of the Educational Relief Fund to be sent out in connection with an appeal upon the subject. J. W.
General Tract and Missionary Society Annual Meeting
The General Tract and Missionary Society will hold its annual meeting at the time of the General Conference.
An Examination of the Sabbath Question
By Editor
The sermon this week takes up more than usual of our limited space; but we did not like to divide it, as every lover of the Sabbath will find it most entertaining reading. It is an able and candid examination of the question, such as would be excellent to put into the hands of those whom we wish to convince.
The Sabbath Conference at Berne
By Editor
The article in another column, headed, “The Sabbath Conference at Berne,” we know contains a misnomer so far as it uses Sabbath for Sunday, which is no Sabbath. But we print it just as we find it; and we give the article to show how the interest on the Sunday question is growing on the other side of the water as well as in our own country.
Articles Deferred to the Next Issue
By Editor
Quite a number of articles, some of which are in type, are necessarily deferred, for want of room, to the next number. Among these we may mention the Report of the Iowa S. S. Association, Report of the Indiana H. and T. Society, The first General Meeting in Colorado, an article on Peter’s Denial and the Cock-crowings, Healdsburg, Cal., Camp-meeting, Kentucky Camp-meeting, Indiana Camp-meeting, etc.
Indiana State Tract and Missionary Society Report
By Editor
The report of the meeting of the State Tract and Missionary Society of Indiana is received. Let reports of all the State meetings be promptly sent in after they are held, that the quarterly T. and M. Supplement may be issued without delay.
District No. 4, Iowa: Ministerial Labor Appointments
By C. A. Washburn
DIST. NO. 4, IOWA.
The brethren in this district will see by Review of Oct. 9, No. 16, that Bro. Ira J. Hawkins and myself are designated to labor with them during the present Conference year. This district comprises Louisa, Des Moines, Lee, Henry, Jefferson, Van Buren, Wappello, and Davis counties. We wish to labor to the best advantage, and would like the address of the leaders of all the churches or companies of Sabbath-keepers, also the address of all isolated Sabbath-keepers in this district. Let us know if there are favorable openings for labor in new places near you.
Do you have a membership with the T. and M. Society?
Address me at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
C. A. Washburn.
TO S. B. TREASURERS IN THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE.
By B. L. Whitney
According to arrangement with the newly elected Conference treasurer, and the former treasurer, Bro. Chas. E. Green, the s. b. for the quarter ending Sept. 30 should be sent as heretofore to Chas. E. Green, Sacket's Harbor, Jeff. Co., N. Y., as that quarter belongs to the past Conference year, and the money is needed to settle the accounts for that year. We request all treasurers to send all funds now on hand to Bro. Green, without delay, as they are needed for immediate use. After this send all funds to L. T. Nourse, Chittenango Falls, Madison Co., N. Y.
Notice of expiration of subscription will be given by special stamp on the margin of the paper. We should be pleased to receive your renewal at once.
NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not in due time appear, and if books ordered by mail are not received, notice should be given. All other business is acknowledged below.
Any periodicals sent me, postage prepaid, in the English, Danish, Swedish, or German language, will be thankfully received, and judiciously distributed to interested readers. A. J. Cudney. Tekamah, Burt Co., Neb.
WANTED.—A carriage-ironer, one who is a Sabbath-keeper. Address, I. D. Stevens, Winslow, Stephenson Co., Ill.
The P. O. address of Eld. S. S. Mooney will hereafter be Salem, Mass.
Books Sent by Express.
D W C McNitt $3.88, Geo Foreman 10.34, Nettie G White 27.97.
Books Sent by Freight.
Daniel Carpenter $34.63.
Cash Rec'd on Account.
Geo A King $25.00, Ind T & M Society per Eld J W 100.00, James Sawyer per Robert Sawyer 20.00, Ind M C Reserve Fund per B H Lane 28.00, Ind T & M Reserve Fund J P Henderson 10.00, C A Washburn 1.68, Christian Black 20c, Va T & M Society A C Neff 1.37, Neb T & M Society 469.58, J O Corliss A O Burrill 2.80, N Y T & M Society widow's mite 25c, B C V M Society per W G Sisley 76.56, Ind T & M Society per W C W 78.00, A H & T Association, Ind H & T Association per Sada Edwards 23.75, Wm Ings per J M Rhodes 90.00, Colo T & M Society per J O Corliss 5.89.
Mich. Conf. Fund.
Alaiedon per Daniel Hale $50.00, Memphis per J C Wade 38.03, Holly per S Wilson 10.40, Eaton Rapids per J F Ferris 39.25, Alma per Daniel Wood 29.13, Gowen per Lars Jorgensen 26.84, Jackson per L A B 15.46, Sheridan per C D Jones 20.00, Shelby per F W Newman 13.33, Greensbush per O B Sevy 30.00, Spring Arbor per A L King 142.46, Ithaca per W Reynolds 100.00, Adrian per B M Hibbard 10.70, Birmingham per A S Perrin 9.70, Greenville per J Fargo 92.00, Convis per J Sisley 20.00, Locke per J M Avery 11.39, Dimondale per S E Houghtaling 9.62, Jackson per D R Palmer 13.55, Bancroft per L E Rathbun 60.00, Matherton per A Dexter 10.00, J B Tinker 3.00, Hastings, Moses Randall 3.30, Battle Creek 300.00, Brookfield per Mary Lane 36.31, Watrousville per B Haskins 10.00, West Liberty per Jennie Shum 17.14, Hazelton per H A Fenner 40.79, Genoa per Wm S Belden 27.00, Estella per John Harvey 25.00, Fairgrove per Ella Perkins 24.70, St Charles 51.00, Potterville per E R Jones 50.00.
Gen. Conf. Fund.
Lucinda Shear (Thank-offering) $1.00, Ind Conf tithe per Eld J White 187.00, Geo Lowree 10.00, Iowa Conf tithe 375.40, Neb Conf tithe 184.79, C F Wilcox 3.00.
Mich. Camp-Meeting Fund.
M B Miller $1.35, Geo Lowree 2.00.
Mich. T. & M. Society.
Dist 5 Shelby per F W Newman 20c, Dist 6 added ¼ per J Fargo 30.67, Dist 8 per J M Wilkinson 4.00, Dist 7 per W Reynolds 64.27, Dist 3 Quincy 10.00, Dist 15 Hastings per M Randall added ⅜ 1.10, Dist 14 per E R Jones 73.42.
European Mission.
Mrs T M Walter $2.67.
English Mission.
Carrie L Beaumont $2.00.
Danish Mission.
L Kjallberg $15.00, J F Hanson 20.00, John H Rasmussen 10.00, Jacob Broderson 8.00, Lars Jacobson 2.00, Angie Gotfredson 1.20, August Rasmussen 100.00, Frank M Reynolds 1.00, H G Buck 3.00, Robert Eager $5.00.