The tract society of the New-England Conference held their first quarterly session Feb. 5, at 2:30 A. M., at the quarterly meeting in South Lancaster, Mass. Twenty reports were presented, three by letter, and seventeen by individuals present. Some had visited the sick and widows, and prayed with them. Others had made special efforts to remove prejudice from some minds, and had succeeded in awakening an interest to read. Some had embraced the Sabbath, as the result of these efforts, nineteen had subscribed for the REVIEW, and eighteen for the Instructor. One had got fifty to reading, another forty, others less. Many very interesting incidents were related. And the most encouraging feature was, that nearly all realized to some extent the importance not only of doing something, but of living so near to God that they might do that something right, and that God might bless the word spoken; and the tracts circulated, that fruit might be the result to the glory of his name.
Only about one-fourth of the members of the society reported. This was doubtless owing in part to the fact that some had but just joined the society, and others hardly knew how to set themselves to work. As we expect to hear from every member of the society at our next quarterly meeting, I would make the following suggestions:—
1. Give the number of subscribers obtained for each of our periodicals.
2. State the number of tracts lent, sold, or given away, and the value of those given away.
3. Make a minute of the number of families visited.
4. Note down such incidents as would be of general interest in as few words as possible.
The standing of the society as regards numbers, finances, &c., was reported as follows:—
Number of members, 75.
Amount of tracts placed in hands of churches and individuals for distribution, $322.70.
Amount of cash on hand, $53.34.
After an intermission of ten minutes, we again met, and listened to the reading of the constitution of the Vigilant Missionary Society, a society conducted by the sisters, the object of which is to hold correspondence with any that may be benefited, to circulate tracts, visit the sick, &c. Some reports were also read which showed its workings thus far. They donated from their treasury $10.00 for the REVIEW to be sent to the poor. This stimulated the brethren present to donate $10.50 more.
We all felt encouraged to enter more heartily and devotedly into the work.
S. N. HASKELL.
Feb. 10, 1871.
Hints to the Poor.
THOSE who are struggling with adverse circumstances, may find some encouragement in the following experience. Doubtless many are now following the course here spoken of; we trust it may be with equally happy results.
Sr. B. M. Hibbard writes from Lenawee Co., Mich.: While reading the list of letters in a late REVIEW from those unable to pay, my mind was carried back some ten or twelve years when money was scarce and I could get no work. I fell behind on my paper some four or five dollars. I wrote to the Office that I could not get along without the paper, neither could I think of taking it without paying for it; but if they would continue it, I would pay the first money I could get. I knew they needed the money; but where I was to get the work to earn it I did not know. I felt distressed over it, and in tears I went to the Lord and asked him to open the way for me to get work so I could pay for my paper. I believe the Lord heard my prayer; for in a short time all the work came in that I could do. I paid up for my paper, and bought most all the different books that have been published since, and have had but one dollar except my own earnings. I can say I love the truth. The cause of God lies near my heart. I would I had hundreds to give where I have only dollars to help the cause. Every one that can, should make an effort to help himself; by so doing, others are helped. What is due the Lord and his cause should always be paid first. If we fully trust the Lord as he would have us, our necessity will be his opportunity to help us.
The Review Is Indispensable
BRO. I. IDEN writes: The REVIEW I have taken since Volume 12, and cannot do without it. There is nothing I should miss so much, save my Bible. The REVIEW is growing more and more interesting and instructive. I must have it if I do without some of life's necessaries.
Seeking Fellow Believers in Butler County
Bro. E. Kincaid writes from Butler Co., Iowa, that the REVIEW is all the preacher he has had for twelve years. He would like to have any brother passing that way call on him, or any residing in the county write to him, that he may visit them. Parkersberg is his nearest railroad point.
Rejoicing in the Lord.
“I am reminded of the good woman,” said Spurgeon, lately, “who illustrated the rest of the soul in God, in the time of a fearful earthquake, by saying to her affrighted friends, ‘How glad I am that God can shake the world! I always believed that he could, and now I see him do it.’”
Communion with God.
By G. W. Amadon
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is the will of our Heavenly Father that we should have a large measure of his love in our hearts—not occasionally, or by spells, but daily, continually. The enemy may suggest that we cannot have the blessed witness of the Spirit at all times, and thus lead us to live much of the time under a cloud, without the heavenly assurance of the Spirit in the soul. But the arch-deceiver never laid a more artful snare for the heirs of life than this. It is the blessed privilege of the sons of adoption to claim the token of their heirship, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the blessing of God.
For one, I am heartily sick of slavery, bondage, and death. I long for the time when Zion shall “arise and shine,” when there will be such a taking hold of God’s covenant, and such a conscientious performance of duty, that the rich, melting blessing of the Lord will rest upon us as a people.
There never has been a time, during the six thousand years’ experience of the church, when Satan worked as now. And his efforts to lull to sleep, to lead us to indulge in carnal security, and to be content with an empty cup when we might have a full one—brimful of God’s blessing—were never so powerful as to-day. He has not only “come down in wrath,” but he has “come in like a flood.”
Truly, these are times that try men’s souls. As a people, we are being brought into strait places, and woe to that poor soul that loses his bearings, slips his hold from above, and is not daily nourished with the salvation of God. Spirits of devils mutter and peep; but, as the prophet says, “should not a people seek unto their God?” We certainly should seek God as never before, for the strongest are in danger of being lulled to sleep. And woe, thrice woe, to the thoughtless one who gets stupid, or careless and easy, in these awful last days of peril. “Iniquity abounds,” and as a consequence, the love of many waxes cold. What assurance have we against this general defection? None except that we “draw nigh to God,” that he may draw nigh to us. Then, like faithful Enoch, may we walk with God. We must have the assurance daily, as Job says, that our “record is on high,” and be able always, with that great example of patience, to testify, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”
We are nearing home, dear brethren; but perils increase, dangers threaten. And never, for an instant, should the weary watcher forget himself and trust to the fortunes of the hour to protect him. We are “preserved IN JESUS CHRIST.” Continual watching unto prayer, and a most humble reliance on the Lord of hosts, is our only safety. But we may so watch, so trust and pray, that we may stand; yes, as the apostle says, having done all—all that we can—STAND. Praise the Lord for such assurance! For one, I accept the terms, and go forward. G. W. AMADON.
Jesus, Divine and Human.
By M. W. Howard
It is written of the “Captain of our salvation,” that “he was made perfect through suffering;” also, that he “hath suffered being tempted,” that he might be “able to succor them that are tempted.” Heb. 2: 18. To Jesus we award all knowledge, and in this we do well; yet may we not, in our zeal for the divine Jesus, be liable to forget the human? He “was tempted in all points like as we are;” this is the human; but it is added, “Yet without sin.” Here comes in the divine.
Wherever we see him, the divine and human are so intimately blended that we fail to detect the dividing point. As a man, his knowledge of the workings of mankind came to him; as to ourselves, by their developments; yet it is written that he “needed not that any should testify of man; for he knew what was in man;” and of this he often gave abundant proof, in his intercourse with mankind. M. W. HOWARD.
Perfection.
By L. V. Smith
We are told by some that because we are fallen beings, we are born to sin, and, consequently, cannot avoid sinning. I believe no such thing. It seems to me that the aim of such is altogether too low, and that they are framing a permission to do wrong.
I know we are naturally sinners, and with the natural heart it is impossible to please God; yet there is a way for our deliverance. For Jesus has said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Therefore, since we can be born again, and this time unto righteousness, why need we sin? John 3: 1-7.
Why does Jesus exhort us to be perfect if it is utterly impossible? In his notable sermon on the mount, Matt. 5: 4, 8, he says: “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.”
It is true we cannot become perfect in a day; but according to the Scriptures, we can in time. An apostle has given us the rule for perfection. See 2 Pet. 1: 1-11.
Paul tells us that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17.
Enoch and Elijah were translated. I think they must have been perfect, or the Lord would not have taken them to Heaven. Job was a perfect man. Job. 1: 1. The Bible informs us that Zacharias and Elizabeth were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments of the Lord blameless. Luke 1: 6. Noah, Lot, and Abraham, were not found wanting.
I might mention others; but the lives of these people afford sufficient proof to show that it is possible for mortal man to reach perfection, when assisted by the great God. With such examples before me for my encouragement, I am resolved to make perfection my aim. For I greatly desire to be one of those who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory and honor and immortality. Not that I expect to reap the reward; of everlasting life because of well-doing. No, indeed; I will trust to the merits of the crucified One for that; but because the word of God has said that faith and works must go together.
Therefore, to become perfect, or Christlike, we must have faith and works walk hand in hand in our experience. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” James 2: 18-22.
“'Tis faith that purifies the heart;
'Tis faith that works by love;
That bids all sinful joys depart,
And lifts the thoughts above.
“Faith shows the promise fully sealed
With our Redeemer's blood:
It helps our feeble hope to rest
Upon a faithful God.
This faith shall every fear control,
By its celestial power,
With holy triumph fill the soul
In strong temptation's hour.”
L. V. SMITH.
The Widow’s Two Mites
Some people, because they cannot give us much as they would like to, will not give anything. But this was not the way with the poor woman noticed by our Saviour, who cast two mites into the Lord’s treasury.
Impression.
If a wafer be laid on a surface of polished metal, which is then breathed upon, and if, when the moisture of the breath has evaporated, the wafer be shaken off, we shall find that the whole polished surface is not as it was before, although our senses can detect no difference; for if we breathe again upon it, the surface will be moist everywhere except on the spot previously sheltered by the wafer, which will now appear as a spectral image on the surface. Again and again we breathe, and the moisture evaporates, but still the spectral wafer reappears. This experiment succeeds after the lapse of many months, if the metal be carefully put aside where its surface cannot be disturbed. If a sheet of paper, on which a key has been laid, be exposed for some minutes to the sunshine, and then instantaneously viewed in the dark, the key being removed, a fading specter of the key will be visible. Let this paper be put aside for many months where nothing can disturb it, and then in darkness be laid on a plate of hot metal, the specter of the key will again appear. In the case of bodies more highly phosphorescent than paper, the specters of many different objects which may have been laid on in succession, will, on warming, emerge in their proper order. This is equally true of our bodies and our minds. We are involved in the universal metamorphosis. Nothing leaves us wholly as it found us. Every man we meet, every book we read, every picture or landscape we see, every word or tone we hear, mingles with our being, and modifies it. Should not this thought make us careful of our influence? careful also of exposing ourselves to sinful associations?—Sel.
The Sabbath Binding upon All.
By J. Q. A. Haughey
Do we not dishonor and discredit Jesus Christ by ignoring the express declaration of Scripture, that he is Lord of the Sabbath day? Jesus himself says, “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.” Matt. 12: 8. He also says, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2: 27. Again he says, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” John. 15: 10.
Did not Jesus keep the Sabbath day when he kept the Father’s commandments? He surely did; for he could not have kept his commandments, without keeping the Sabbath; for it is enjoined in the fourth commandment. If he did not keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, how could it be said that he kept the Father’s commandments? He also says, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19: 17. And John says, “Hereby we do know that we know him [the Father], if we keep his commandments.” And, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John. 2: 3, 4.
It is well that the Spirit hath thus spoken, instead of mortal man. Let the Lord be praised for the light of his truth, and let us not take umbrage at man for speaking it in sincerity and love.
But to return: Christ says, Mark 2: 27, “The Sabbath was made for man.” It is a grammatical rule that a noun, not limited by an adjective, is to be taken in its broadest sense; as, Man is mortal, that is, all men are mortal. Webster’s Unabridged says, “Man, is a noun: plural, men.” Hence this language is equivalent to declaring that the Sabbath was made for all men. And, as Gentiles, as well as Jews, are men, we can come to no other conclusion than this: the Sabbath was made for them also. Then wherever there is a man, the Sabbath was made for him; and if he remembers to keep his Saviour’s commandments, he shall abide in the love of Jesus, even as Jesus kept his Father’s commandments, and abode in his love.
Observe how beautifully the Old and New Testaments harmonize on the seventh-day Sabbath. The Lord Jesus hath said, “Keep my commandments, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments.” And we find that God’s commandments and the Son’s are the same.
Again, Christ says, “I came, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.” John. 6: 38. Then it certainly was the Father’s will that the Son should keep his commandments, or he would not have kept them; and now Christ calls upon us to do the same, even as he did. This being true, it is seen that Jesus did enjoin the keeping of the Sabbath, upon Jews, Gentiles, and all men, when he enjoined the keeping of his commandments, even as he had kept those of his Father.
The apostles continued to keep the seventh-day Sabbath throughout their ministry. See Acts 13: 14, 27, 42, 44. This dates some twelve or fifteen years after the crucifixion (A. D. 45), and the apostles are still found to be keeping the Sabbath day. Still later, A. D. 51, they are found keeping it. Acts. 15: 21. Also A. D. 53, Paul is found reasoning with them out of the Scriptures, three Sabbath days. Acts. 17: 2. Still later, A. D. 54, he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath. Acts. 18: 4. If Christ is our example, and the apostles kept the commandments, even as Christ kept them, should we not also keep them, and walk even as the apostles walked?
The prophet prophesied correctly concerning those who violate the law, and profane holy things. “They have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths.” Eze. 22: 26.
But “let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. 12: 13. And let us so live that we may be prepared to receive the benediction: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22: 14. It follows that those who do not do his commandments, will not have right to the tree of life, neither enter in through the gates into the city. These are solemn truths. The commandments of God are eternal and unalterable, as immutable as he who gave them. For he hath said, “I change not;” Mal. 3: 6; and, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Ps. 89: 34. May the Lord open the eyes of the blind, that they may behold the truths of his word, and walk in the light, even as Christ walked, and win the glorious prize—eternal life in the kingdom of immortal glory.
J. Q. A. HAUGHEY.
Are the Church and the World Uniting?
By JOS. CLARKE
I CLIP from our county paper the following local items from the issue of Feb. 9, 1871:—
The donation at the American House, last evening, for the benefit of Rev. ——— was a success.
An oyster supper was given the eve of January 16, at ——— Hall for the benefit of the Congregational church of this place. The tables were loaded with the choicest delicacies of the season; the music was charming, and all— “Went merry as a marriage bell.”
The proceeds amounted to about twenty dollars.
THE MITE.—
The Presbyterian Mite Society which met at the residence of ——— on last Thursday evening, was one of the finest of the season. Notwithstanding the extreme coldness of the evening, the attendance was quite large, and a general, grand good time was the result.
Rev. ——— was visited by the good people of this village and vicinity on the 21st ult., with nice donations amounting to nearly forty dollars.
A large party of persons numbering nearly one hundred residents of this place and the region round about, made a ‘raid’ on Rev. ——— on the eve of January 26. After having their own way until the ‘wee sma’ hours they placed upwards of one hundred dollars in the hands of father ———, and departed.
Can it be that people gifted with common sense, are so blinded by the god of this world as to suppose that money raised by an appeal to the pleasure-loving public, offering the carnal delights, or an inducement to pay money to the treasury of God, that such money so drawn from the lover of pleasure can be acceptable to God? Verily, then, why did Christian and Faithful have so stormy a time, when passing through Vanity Fair? Why could not Christ and the apostles have compromised a little with the proud Jewish Sanhedrim and the Roman power? Alas for our times!
JOS. CLARKE.
Fashionable Soul Saving.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
We often wonder, says a writer in the Richmond (Va.) Whig, where the poor go to church. When our blessed Lord delivered that matchless address on the mount, we cannot conceive of the possibility of there being any charge. Those precious utterances—“Blessed are the poor in spirit;” “Blessed are the pure in heart;” “Blessed are the peacemakers”—flowed from those divine lips free as the bounteous air, lavish as the all-pervading light. And so we can imagine the proto-martyr Stephen proclaiming, not only before the Sanhedrim, but to all the people of Jerusalem, without money and without price: “Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” There would be something shocking to our ideas of the loftiness and elevation maintained by early missionaries of the cross to associate with their preaching such a thing as “reserved seats” or a “dress circle.”
And yet we have these things in our modern churches. There are particular churches which are recognized as “fashionable.” There is no need there to apprehend anything that will shock the most thoroughbred persons. People are expected to be well—if not elegantly—dressed. The latest bonnets—the most dazzling silks—select them as the most fitting theater for their exhibition. Of course, these privileges have to be paid for. The “best people” are to be found in a certain portion of the church. People who have large families and small incomes get pews near the door and to the right and left of the side aisles. People who have no income—they sit in the gallery—or, most likely, stay at home. It is positively an expensive thing to hear the gospel in our towns.
It is a matter of some surprise to us that some of the more attractive city churches do not set the example of charging an admission fee—say a dollar a head. People who have money are, we take it, just as willing to spend it at church as at the theater, for the same entertainment.
It would at all events be a good idea to combine the two features of rented pews and the sale of tickets for single performances. Strangers (with money of course) often want to go to church, and do not wish to intrude into a private box, and such are perfectly willing to pay seventy-five cents or $1 to hear good music and see the elite of the city.
There is another recommendation we would make to the church, which is this: We would recommend to them to build a number of free churches in the plain quarters of every considerable town for the use of the masses of the people. There are plenty of people with souls to be saved who never have a chance under the present system. They have nowhere to sit, or if they have, they have no fine clothes. They are not willing when they go to church to be reminded that they belong to the poor people. The church is no place for distinction of classes. It is a dead level.
The above from the Cincinnati Times is a sad but truthful picture of the condition of churches and of the poor in the cities. The poor no longer have the gospel preached to them.
Here is something from the same paper that points in the same direction. It is a shame to the cause of Christ.
“THE BAD HABIT OF CHOIRS.—The New York Examiner thus describes a ‘fashionable choir’: The choir-loft ten feet behind and ten feet above the worshipers; then the fourteen sorts of tune-books; then the balustrade to hide the praisers themselves, who come tripping to their places with exuberant satisfaction and demonstrative delight; then their salutations and greetings, which in any other part of the church would be considered intolerably irreverent (therefore the choir-loft is not recognized as a part of the church or the inhabitants a part of the worshipers); then the titter, a disease which is as incurable in choirs as it is inseparable from them; then solemn singing with a background of merry smiles, hilarious nudging and characteristic (not to say choristers’) winks; then a grand reconnoitering of tune-books, accompanied by appropriate whispers, during the prayer or reading the holy Bible, then a literary entertainment, or an exchange of penciled notes on all the great questions that interest the human mind—excepting religion; then the transformation of the choir-loft into a sleeping car, of which the chorister is the conductor, who wakes up his passengers when it is time to go to praising again.”
This ill accords with Paul’s direction for church music. 1 Cor. 14: 15.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Letter from Bro. Stratton.
I WISH to let the brethren know how I am getting along since the camp-meeting. That was a good meeting for me. Some things in the past seemed grievous, but I trust they are yielding the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
In looking over the past, I can see where I was blinded, and suffered my sympathies to be perverted. When Bro. Waggoner came to Maine in 1868, I did not understand the nature of the opposition that was brought against his labors. I thought Eld. Howard was a firm friend of the cause of present truth, and supposed he had a reason for the coldness with which he met Bro. Waggoner. But I soon learned that it was jealousy, and that he felt the same against some others who came from the West. When I saw this, there was a great change in my mind, and yet I have to confess I was so much under its influence that I did great injustice to the cause in the Conference at Norridgewock in 1869. Eld. Howard himself brought his feelings before the Conference, so that Bro. W. had to explain how he was met in his first labor in Maine, and he appealed to me in regard to the truth of what he said, and I replied that I thought he was putting it on pretty strong. On reflection, I was satisfied that in this I did wrong, and fully stated, before the Conference Committee, two days afterward, that Bro. Waggoner’s statement was not as strong as the facts would justify. Eld. H. confirmed my statements, and confessed that he was moved by groundless prejudice and jealousy against the Western brethren who came to help us in Maine.
One point I ought to explain. There has been some inquiry in regard to the confession in the REVIEW by Eld. Howard and myself in the fall of 1869. Some have said, if we were wrong in that matter, the confession was not sufficient. In justice to the brethren who did not understand the matter, I feel it my duty to explain. Eld. Howard’s confession before a meeting of the committee, the ministers, and a few others, was full and satisfactory; much more so than at the late camp-meeting. It was accepted in a kind spirit by all. Then it was asked what should be done to correct the wrong impressions that had gone out from the Conference.
As it did not seem convenient to go to the churches there, we agreed to make our confession through the REVIEW. But Eld. Howard said the first-day Adventists were watching him, and if he made the same confession in the REVIEW that he did there, they would make all the evil of it they could; and so out of regard for his feelings, a public confession was accepted, which amounted to little or nothing in correcting the wrong influence that had gone out. Of course my confession was something like it. And I now think if the Conference had required all that was necessary to undo the wrong done, it would have proved a safeguard against falling back into the same wrong. This would have saved me from bitter trials. How true it is that the fear of man bringeth a snare; and we fell into this snare, and let the dear cause of God suffer for fear of what the first-day Adventists would say. I praise God that I can see my way more clearly. I am getting some freedom in the truth. As I see the interest felt for us by our brethren in the West, their self-denial in spending their time and strength and money to build up the cause in this State, my heart is drawn out toward them. I have perfect confidence in this good work. Some have thought that Bro. and Sr. White had no influence in Maine, and I see the course of some has been calculated to make it so. But I can now say, It is not so. Confidence in the work and in God’s chosen servants is reviving in the State, and I pray that the work may prosper, and we all get into perfect union with all our fellow-laborers in all parts of the field. CHAS. STRATTON.
We hereby express our feelings of gratitude to God for the change wrought in Bro. Stratton’s feelings and position on the present truth, as expressed by him in the above communication; and we cheerfully indorse the statements made by him in regard to L. L. Howard’s written confession, and with him regret that a more thorough written confession was not required at that time. The reason why we did not require it is this: Eld. Howard promised, in addition to his published confession, to do all he could to correct in the churches the evil influence he had exerted, which promise he never fulfilled, and in consequence of which the cause of present truth has so long suffered in Maine.
GEO. W. BARKER, } State
ASA B. ATWOOD, } Conf.
I. C. CHOATE, } Com.
A Christian’s Humble Recovery
A CHRISTIAN’S foot may trip, but when recovered, it slides deeper into humility.
Obituary Notices.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
DIED, in Enosburgh, Vt., Feb. 3, 1871, of liver complaint and paralysis, Bro. P. M. Cross, aged about 66 years. Bro. Cross has been a believer in the second advent ever since 1844. On the day of his death, it had been exactly ten years since he began to keep the Sabbath. He leaves a companion, five sons, and two daughters, to mourn his loss. All his sons and one daughter, with their families, keep the seventh-day Sabbath. They sorrow not as those that have no hope, believing that he fell asleep in hope of having a part in the first resurrection.
Funeral discourse by the writer. Text, 1 Cor. 15:21. — A. C. BOURDEAU.
DIED, Feb. 9, 1871, in the town of Wright, Ottawa Co., Mich., of typhoid fever and several chronic diseases, George Tubbs, aged 29 years. He leaves a wife, aged parents, and brothers and sisters, to mourn his loss. While at the Health Institute at Battle Creek last summer, he became fully convinced of the truthfulness of our position. Since his return from there, he has kept the Sabbath of the Lord, and felt a deep interest in his own salvation. He often expressed a strong desire to be baptized, and left satisfactory evidence to his friends that he fell asleep in Jesus.
Remarks by the writer from 2 Pet. 3:13, to a large and attentive congregation. — J. L. EDGAR.
DIED, at her residence in Durant, Cedar Co., Iowa, Jan. 30, 1871, Sarah M. Nelson, wife of A. J. Nelson, in the 36th year of her age, after an illness of twenty-three months, of consumption. She leaves a husband and two children to mourn her loss. She embraced the truth under the labors of Elds. Waggoner and Ingraham at the tent meeting at South Bend, Ind. Her evidence of acceptance with God was very clear in her last hours, and she fell asleep in the blessed assurance of a part in the resurrection of the just. — A. J. NELSON.
DIED, of consumption, in Boston, Mass., Jane B., wife of H. B. Stratton, aged 39 years. While in health, surrounding influences held the deceased from going fully with her husband in the present truth. But as the sure progress of disease dimmed her earthly hopes, she, under the labors of Eld. S. N. Haskell, surrendered all to God in obedience to his commandments, and the faith of Jesus Christ. — JAMES WHITE.
DIED, Feb. 5, 1871, in Burt Co., Neb., Eddie N., infant son of Ira L. and E. M. Fulton. We have laid our little one away to sleep for a short season, until the Lifegiver comes; then we hope to see him come forth in immortal bloom. — E. M. FULTON.
DIED, in Garden City, Minnesota, Jan. 22, Willie E. Rew, aged 17 years and 8 months. This our son, from one year of age until his death, was the subject of epileptic fits. At the age of ten, another affliction was added, that of ulcer on the lungs or liver. From that time all development of body and mind ceased, and his faculty of speech became so much impaired that it was difficult for him to make known anything more than his most common wants and necessities. His sufferings were great, especially the few last days of his life. But they are over, and now we look forward with faith, and a happy anticipation to the resurrection morn, when he shall be raised to share in its glories and rewards.
At the services, Eld. E. C. Sanders, Baptist minister, made some very appropriate and comforting remarks from Psa. 6:2. — E. AND C. M. REW.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
No Providence preventing, I will hold meetings in Minnesota, as follows:
Greenwood Prairie, Sabbath and Sunday, March 4, 5.
Pine Island, Tuesday and Wednesday, " 7, 8.
Deerfield, Sabbath and Sunday, " 11, 12.
Riceland, Tuesday and Wednesday, " 14, 15.
Brush Creek, Sabbath and Sunday, " 18, 19.
Jo Davis, Tuesday and Wednesday, " 21, 22.
Tenhassen, Sabbath and Sunday, " 25, 26.
Shelbyville, Tuesday and Wednesday, " 28, 29.
Pleasant Grove, Sabbath and Sunday, April 1, 2.
At the Sabbath and first-day appointments, meetings will commence at the beginning of the Sabbath; and at the Tuesday and Wednesday appointments, meetings will commence on Tuesday, at 2 o'clock P. M. I hope an earnest effort will be made on the part of all to attend these meetings. J. D. VAN HORN.
MONTHLY meeting at South Norridgewock, Me., Sabbath and first-day, March 11 and 12, commencing Sabbath evening at half past 6 o'clock. GEO. W. BARKER.
THE next quarterly meeting for the churches at Little Prairie, Johnstown, and Oakland, Wis., will be held at Oakland, March 4, 5. O. A. OLSON.
MONTHLY meeting of Jackson church will be held at the Barnes' school-house, near sister Rathbun's, the first Sabbath in March. D. R. PALMER.
THE next quarterly meeting for Rhode Island, will be held at Lafayette; it is postponed from the third Sabbath in March, until the third Sabbath in April, on account of some of the friends' changing their residence. C. L. SWEET.
THE Mound City and Centerville churches of Seventh-day Adventists will hold their second quarterly meeting at Myer's school-house, eight miles north-west of Mound City, Linn County, Kansas, on the first Sabbath and first-day of April next. Meeting to commence on Friday evening. Cannot Bro. Lawrence be with us at that time? J. H. COOK.
MONTHLY meeting at Brookfield, N. Y., the third Sabbath in March. Bro. Edson is expected to be present. In behalf of the church, DWIGHT CRUMB.
QUARTERLY meeting at North Bloomfield, O., March 18 and 19, commencing Sabbath evening. It is earnestly desired that all the Sabbath-keepers in this section of the State should be present, as there is business of importance to be transacted. Will Bro. Wm. Cottrell and Bro. O. Mears attend this meeting? WM. CHINNOCK.
Recent Meetings in Battle Creek.
By John Nevins Andrews
DURING the last four days, we have enjoyed meetings in this place of remarkable interest. On the evening at the close of sixth day last, Bro. White addressed the congregation assembled at our house of prayer, from the words of the gospel commission, Matt. 28:18–20. He spoke with great power, and freedom, and clearness. The Spirit of God rested upon the congregation in a very solemn and yet cheering manner. It was to many a heavenly season.
Sabbath morning, at eight, we had a precious season of social worship. Then at eleven, Bro. White addressed us again from these words: “Son, give me thine heart.” He addressed himself especially to the young, pointing out their errors, their dangers, and their faults; but with this he mingled the most faithful admonition, and the most tender instructions and counsels.
In the afternoon, sister White addressed the congregation from several incidents in the life of Christ, which she depicted in a most instructive and affecting manner. At the close of her remarks, an invitation being given to those who desired the prayers of the people of God, a large number, mostly young persons, came forward, and a very precious season of prayer was enjoyed.
On Sunday evening we enjoyed another very interesting social meeting. Solemnity and tenderness were mingled in the testimonies which were borne, and then, on invitation, a large number came forward to ask an interest in the prayers of the church. And as prayer was offered, the Spirit of God rested upon them in a very gracious manner.
We think the prospect before the church at Battle Creek is indeed very cheering. The Lord is manifestly at work for them; and if they follow on to know the Lord, they will know his going forth prepared as the morning. We believed that the hand of the Lord is indeed reached forth to raise up and to strengthen his people in this place, and we gratefully acknowledge his mercy and tender loving-kindness in all this. J. N. A.
Special Notice.
By James White
RULES FOR CORRESPONDENTS.
1. When you write to this Office, use good paper, good pens, and best black ink. Then take time to write carefully and well.
2. Never mix up business matters on the same leaf with other writing. Put your business items on a part of the sheet by themselves, under the head of BUSINESS.
3. All articles designed for publication should be marked, For the Review AND HERALD, For the Youth’s Instructor, or For the Health Reformer, as the case may be. Let these be written plainly, carefully, and with as few words as possible to express clearly the ideas introduced. Short articles are most desired.
4. Do not trouble our clerks to read long letters of experience, or statements of your position and faith. They receive more than fifty letters each day, and all such matters, not designed for publication, are worse than lost. They do no one any good. They weary the patience of clerks, and cost precious time to write them. We call for clear, sharp, spirited articles for our periodicals; also, business letters, devoted to business, and nothing else; and beg of our friends to save us the pain of reading long, wordy letters.
5. All Drafts, and all Money Orders, should be made payable to REVIEW AND HERALD. Do not forget this. And remember also to address all letters, excepting those strictly personal, to REVIEW AND HERALD.