Earlier text: Shall We Eat Meat?Fourth Annual Session of General Conference.
By U. Smith
Conference met according to appointment in Review, in Battle Creek, May 16, 1866. Bro. White being unable to attend the meeting, Bro. Byington was chosen Chairman pro tem. Prayer by Bro. Bates. Delegates were present from Michigan, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio. With the exception of Vermont, which was represented by her own delegate, New England was represented by the returned missionaries, J. N. Andrews and M. E. Cornell. Minnesota was represented by letter. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. Reports from missionaries were handed in, Bro. Andrews giving a brief statement of his labors in connection with Bro. Cornell, in New England; Bro. Ingraham of his work in Iowa, giving an encouraging report of the state of things in that part of the field, all the churches which he had visited having taken a decided stand against the defection in that State. Bro. Cornell made brief remarks concerning his labors in New England. Bro. Loughborough presented a report from Bro. Rodman, of R. I., also of his own labors what portion of the time he has been able to be in the field. The Treasurer presented his report showing the following results: | Amount on hand at last report, |
$1739.43 |
|---|
| " received during Conference year, |
1751.22 |
| Total, |
$3490.65 |
| Paid out as per Treasurer's book, |
$1460.27 |
| Cash in Treasury to balance, |
2030.38 |
| Total, |
$3490.65 |
Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee of three on resolutions. Carried. Brn. Andrews, Loughborough, and Ingraham, were thereupon named as said committee. Moved, that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to nominate officers for the ensuing year. Carried. Brn. Taylor, Lawrence, and Harvey, were thereupon named as the committee on nominations. The next item of business being distribution of labor, letters and remarks were called out in reference to the condition and wants of the cause in various localities. With these the remainder of this session was occupied. One fact was very apparent: The field is large, and the laborers are few. Adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. Prayer by Bro. Andrews. Report presented from Bro. Sanborn on the state of the cause in Minn. Committee on Nominations reported for President, James White; Secretary, U. Smith; Treasurer, I. D. Van Horn. Executive Committee, James White, J. N. Andrews, J. N. Loughborough. Report accepted. After some remarks by Bro. Loughborough and Andrews, Bro. White was chosen president for the ensuing year, and the other brethren named, were chosen to the respective offices for which they were nominated. Committee on Resolutions reported so far as they had prepared resolutions. Report accepted. The Conference then proceeded to act upon the resolutions offered as follows: Resolution on dress read. Resolutions of the B. C. church read. After considerable discussion, the matter was referred again to the committee with instructions to add a resolution touching evils just the opposite of those condemned in the resolutions. Resolution on Meeting House in Battle Creek was adopted, reading as follows: Whereas, The church in Battle Creek, Mich., contemplate building a larger house of worship, and Whereas, This seems to be the proper place for the general meetings of our people; therefore Resolved, That the General Conference Committee be authorized to solicit from the several State Conferences, and from individuals, such a proportion of the entire cost of the house, as they shall deem equitable and just. Resolved, That Bro. J. N. Andrews be requested to prepare an article setting forth the teachings of the Scripture on the subject of war. Resolved, That Bro. G. W. Amadon, superintendent of the Battle Creek Sabbath School, be requested to prepare immediately, question books for the use of Sabbath Schools, in a progressive series adapted to the use of infant classes, children and adults. Adjourned to meet at the call of the committee. THIRD SESSION. May 17, at 11 o'clock A. M. Committee on Resolutions were called on for a further report. The committee reported progress, and asked leave to sit again, which was granted. Resolution of the committee on dress read, Resolutions of the B. C. church read. These resolutions were amended by adding "Point 12" as follows: "While we condemn pride and vanity, as set forth in the foregoing resolutions, we equally abhor and abominate everything that is slovenly, slack, untidy, and uncleanly in dress or manners." Point 7 was then amended by substituting the word "wearing" for "donning," in the expression, "We think the brethren greatly err from the sobriety of the Christian, in donning the moustache or goatee," so that as amended, it should read, "We think the brethren greatly err from the sobriety of the Christian in wearing the moustache or goatee." The resolutions presented by the committee, were then acted upon, and the following unanimously adopted: Whereas, The Scriptures enjoin the use of modest apparel, prohibiting the wearing of broidered hair, gold, pearls, and costly array, and Whereas, We consider the work of Judson, the devoted missionary to Birmah, entitled, A Letter to the Women of America on Dress, an admirable exposition of the Scriptures on this subject, and Whereas, The Resolutions on Dress passed by the Battle Creek church, and published in Review, Vol. xxvii, No. 23, make application of those principles to certain foolish fashions of the present day, therefore Resolved, That this Conference adopt these resolutions as amended, and earnestly recommend our people to live them out. Resolved, That the Publishing Association be requested to append these resolutions to Judson's work on dress. Whereas, The Gen. Conf. Committee cannot properly discharge their duties, without a thorough acquaintance with the wants and abilities of the cause in all parts of the field, therefore Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Conference that one or more of the Gen. Conf. Committee should be present at the sessions of each State Conference, and participate in all their business proceedings. Whereas, At the session of the Iowa State Conference, held at Pilot Grove, Iowa, July 3, 1865, it was "Voted, That the cases of Elders Snook and Brinkerhoff be placed in the hands of the Gen. Conf. Committee, and that they be requested to recommend to the Iowa Conference Committee, such action, in each case, as they may deem best for the cause, and their own welfare; and Whereas, Messrs. Snook and Brinkerhoff have openly renounced the work of the third angel's message, therefore Resolved, That we recommend to the Iowa State Conference that their names be dropped from their minutes. Whereas, There appeared in the World's Crisis, of Feb. 14, 1866, a very defiant challenge, to S. D. Adventists for the discussion of the Sabbath question, particularly the history of the Sabbath, through the columns of that paper, and Whereas, This challenge was promptly and unqualifiedly accepted, with the offer on our part that it should also appear in the Review, and Whereas, The Crisis thereupon refused to allow the discussion to appear in its columns; and further refused to publish the brief note of acceptance from J. N. Andrews who was designated to conduct the discussion on the part of our people; and further, when courteously requested to let the fact appear that the challenge had been accepted, would not even grant us that favor, therefore, Resolved, That we express our surprise at such a course on the part of the Crisis, and our inability to reconcile it with the principles of honor, of justice, and of Christianity. Unanimously adopted. Resolved, That in our judgment the expulsion of members from church fellowship should never be effected by less than a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the church in question; and such action should not take place without previous faithful labor with the erring member, and also due notice of the trial. The only circumstances under which these regulations should be departed from at all are in the case of outrageous crime in which the guilt is manifest; in which case, at the discretion of the church this previous labor may be dispensed with. Resolved, That in the case of church trials involving the expulsion of members, we deem it advisable that our brethren, if possible, secure the aid of some experienced preacher; if this is not consistent that they make application to their own State Conference Committee for the aid of some experienced and judicious lay-brethren to aid by their counsel and advice, excepting such cases only as are excepted in the preceding resolution. Whereas, It seems proper that churches should sometimes have representation in Conference before they are fully organized, by which we mean having ordained officers, therefore, Resolved, That when Sabbath-keepers in any place have enrolled their names under the church covenant of S. D. Adventists, appointed a leader and organized systematic benevolence, they shall be entitled to delegates to the sessions of the State Conference to the same extent as though fully organized. Whereas, The subject of health is now attracting much attention among us as a people, and we are now learning the great truth that the proper way to avoid disease, or to recover from it, is to adopt correct habits of life, therefore Resolved, That this conference request our brother Dr. H. S. Lay, whom we deem fully competent so to do, to furnish through the Review a series of articles on the health reform. Resolved, That we acknowledge the health reform as set forth in the testimony of Sr. White, as part of the work of God incumbent on us at this time, and that we pledge ourselves to live in accordance with these principles, and that we will use our best endeavours to impress their importance upon others. Resolved, That the delegates from each State Conference should be prepared to furnish to the Gen. Conf. the statistics of their respective Conferences; and it is hereby requested of the Secretaries of the several Conferences that they furnish the delegates of their own Conferences, such statistics, specifying the number of ministers and licentiates, the number of churches, the number of the membership, and the total amount of their s. b. fund, &c. Resolved, That in the judgment of this conference it is much to be regretted that in small churches where two or three substantial and efficient members constitute the chief pillars of strength, these members frequently move away with no weighty reason for so doing, leaving the church of which they were members to be scattered and extinguished. Resolved, That we recommend to the several State Conferences, that they require from each minister in their employ, a written report of each day's occupation. Resolved, That in the judgment of this Conference it is a great error in the course of some of our brethren that they leave their fields of labor, to go elsewhere when the work is not completed where they are; so that they not only leave the interest to die out among the people, and thus fail to reach a large number that might have been converted to the truth, but they also leave many of those already identified with the work, too feeble to stand securely against their enemies. Whereas, The Michigan State Conference at a former session voted to donate to the General Conference Missionary fund the sum of $500; and Whereas, The Michigan State Conference desires to aid in the erection of a suitable house of worship in B. C., therefore, Resolved, That we release the Michigan State Conference from $500 of its pledge. Whereas, The same reason exists in the case of the General Conference Committee as in that of the State Conference Committee for selecting lay brethren to aid in the settlement of accounts of preachers. Resolved, That the chair be empowered to appoint two brethren to aid in such settlement. Resolved, That we empower the Gen. Conf. Committee to solicit aid for Brn. Cornell and Cottrell, in their efforts to obtain for themselves a humble home; and that they solicit this aid through the Review, or in any other way that they may think proper. 197Resolved, That when a member takes a letter of commendation from a church, it is the judgment of this Conference that he remains a member of that church; till he becomes a member of another church; and that he should pay his systematic benevolence accordingly, giving due notice when he joins the church of another place. Moved by Bro. Andrews, that we refer the subject of issuing a small collection of revival hymns to the Gen. Conf. Committee, with a request that they give it their favorable consideration. Carried. Moved by Bro. Loughborough, that the committee of this Conference be empowered to publish such number of minutes as they see fit, including the original minutes, amendments to constitution, and the minutes of the present meeting. Adjourned to meet again at the call of the committee. The Conference held in all, seven business sessions; and the various resolutions drew forth animated, interesting, yet harmonious discussion, and were each adopted by a unanimous vote. John Byington, President, protem.
U. Smith, Secretary. Sixth Annual Meeting of the Michigan State Conference.
PURSUANT to the call of the Committee through the Review, the Michigan State Conference held its sixth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 17, 1866, at 9 o'clock A. M. Session opened with prayer by Bro. Uriah Smith. The credentials of delegates were then examined. The number of delegates present, duly authorized, was forty, representing twenty-eight churches. Fifteen churches were represented by letter. On motion, the following churches were admitted to the Conference: Vassar, Tuscola Co., Mich.,
Watrousville, " " "
Centerville, " " "
Ransom Center, Hillsdale Co., Mich. The church at Genoa, Livingston Co., by vote, was taken under the watchcare of the Conference. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. On motion, the Chair was authorized to appoint a Committee of three on Resolutions; whereupon the following brethren were named as said Committee, viz.: Uriah Smith, I. D. Van Horn, and D. M. Canright. Reports from ministers being called for, the following brethren responded, viz.: Joseph Bates, R. J. Lawrence, J. N. Loughborough, I. D. Van Horn, D. M. Canright, and J. Byington. On motion the Chair was authorized to appoint a Committee on nominations, and a Committee to settle with ministers; whereupon the following brethren were appointed to act as a Committee on nominations, viz., J. Byington, R. J. Lawrence, and E. H. Root; and the following brethren to act with the Conference Committee to settle with ministers, viz., James Harvey, J. M. Aldrich, Charles Jones, H. S. Gurney, F. Howe, and D. R. Palmer. The Conference voted to renew the credentials of the following-named ministers, viz.: Joseph Bates, James White, J. N. Loughborough, M. E. Cornell, R. J. Lawrence, John Byington, I. D. Van Horn, D. M. Canright, and J. H. Waggoner. Moved, That the renewing of the credentials of J. B. Frisbie be referred to the Conference Committee. Carried. The Treasurer's report of the Michigan Conference Fund was read and approved. Amount on hand at the time of last report, May 12, 1865, $1419,82
Whole am't rec'd during Conf. year, 3726,05
Total, $5145,87
Paid out as follows:
To Eld. J. B. Frisbie, $181,81
" " D. M. Canright, 341,66
" " I. D. Van Horn, 577,25
" " R. J. Lawrence, 323,92
" " Joseph Bates, 298,81
" " John Byington, 246,68
" Phillip Strong, 287,70
" E. G. White, 50,00
For expenses of J. N. Andrews and J. Byington, 5,00 For expenses of I. D. Van Horn and D. M. Canright, including tent expenses for the past year, 278,75
For books to Michigan Tent, 324,11
" Tracts on Organization, Wills, Legacies, &c., 40,00
Total, $2955,69
Balance in Treasury May 1, 1866, *$2190,18
GEO. W. AMADON, Treasurer. Adjourned till 3 o'clock P. M. Afternoon Session. Prayer by Bro. Canright. The Committee on nominations brought in the following report, which was read and accepted: For President, J. N. Loughborough; Secretary, I. D. Van Horn; Treasurer, G. W. Amadon; Conference Committee, J. N. Loughborough, Uriah Smith, and J. M. Aldrich. On motion it was voted that the election of these officers nominated be acted upon as a whole; whereupon they were thus unanimously elected. The Committee on resolutions being called upon, presented the following report, which was accepted: We recommend to the State Conference the adoption of the resolutions passed by the General Conference in relation to dress, Battle Creek meeting-house, and the representation of churches in the State Conference. On motion it was voted that the State Conference adopt the resolutions on dress, as passed by the General Conference. It was also voted that the following preamble and resolution be adopted by the Conference: Whereas, The church in Battle Creek, Mich., contemplate building a larger house of worship, and
Whereas, This seems to be the proper place for the general meetings of our people, therefore
Resolved, That we endorse the action of the General Conference in relation to a meeting-house in Battle Creek. And it was further voted that the resolution passed by the General Conference to allow unorganized churches to be represented by delegate, be adopted as Sec. 2 of Art. I, of the State Conference Constitution, viz.: Sec. 2. When Sabbath-keepers in any place have enrolled their names under the church covenant of S. D. Adventists, appointed a leader and organized Systematic Benevolence, they shall be entitled to delegates to the sessions of the State Conference to the same extent as though fully organized. The church at West Plains sent in a request to the Conference to be allowed to disband, and unite themselves with the Eureka and Fair Plains church. After due consideration, by a unanimous vote their request was granted. Systematic Benevolence was considered, and the amount reported from the different churches was $5755,44. The amount pledged to the Conference for the ensuing year was $4050,20. Adjourned till 7 o'clock P. M. Evening Session. It was voted that the following words be added to Sec. 2 of Art. II, of the Constitution of the Michigan State Conference: And it shall further be the duty of the Secretary to furnish the delegates to the General Conference, statistics specifying the number of ministers and licentiates belonging to the Conference, the number of churches and membership, the total amount of s. B. fund, &c. It was further voted that Art. VI of the Constitution be changed so as to read, "each day's occupation," instead of "their labors each week." Adjourned to the call of the Committee. Friday, P. M., the Committee called the State Conference in session. The report of the Committee on settlement with ministers was read and approved. On motion, it was voted that the following preamble and resolution be adopted by the State Conference: Whereas, The Publishing Association has had to contend with the pressure of the times, and transact its business under the weight of greatly increased prices, and
Whereas, The prices of the papers and books have not been raised, and the deficiency has been but partially met by donations, therefore
Resolved, That this Conference donate from the Michigan Conference Fund, $315,77 to the Publishing Association. On motion, the following preamble and resolution was adopted by the Conference by a unanimous vote. Whereas, Resolutions have been passed by the General Conference, and by this Conference, favoring the erection of a meeting-house in Battle Creek for the use of Seventh-day Adventists, and have recommended donations from State Conferences and individuals to this object, therefore
Resolved, That this Conference donate $300 of its funds for the purpose specified. On motion the following resolution was adopted by vote:
Resolved, That in the matter of expulsion of members from churches, we endorse and adopt the resolutions of the General Conference passed upon this subject. Adjourned to the call of the Committee. Sunday evening, the Conference convened at the call of the Committee. It was moved and adopted that this Conference endorse the action taken by the General Conference, to receive and carry out the testimonies of sister White relating to the health reform. Voted, That the Conference Committee be empowered to publish in pamphlet form the Constitution of the Michigan State Conference, with such amendments and resolutions as have been made since its organization, together with the proceedings of the present session. Voted, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the Review. Adjourned to the call of the Committee. J. N. Loughborough, President,
I. D. Van Horn, Secretary. Sixth Annual Meeting of the S. D. A. Publishing Association.
Pursuant to notice of the Secretary through the Review, the sixth annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was held in the city of Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, May 18, 1866. Present, all the officers of the Association, except the President. The Vice President, G. W. Amadon, took the chair. Meeting opened with prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. The roll was then called. Members present, 37, representing 119 shares. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The Auditor's report being the next business in order, Bro. I. D. Van Horn, Auditor, presented the following report: I do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the books and accounts of the Association, and find them correctly kept. The amount of receipts and expenditures of the Association for the year ending May 1, 1866, are as follows: Cash on hand at the commencement of the Conference year, May 12, 1865,6 $ 3589,86 Received on Review and Herald, $ 4792,93
" " Youth's Instructor, 508,52
" " Accounts and Deposits, 12281,28
" " Cash Sales, 2716,38
" " Donations, 786,35
" " Shares, 260,00
" for job work, 394,78
" " Premium on draft and gold, 300,35
" on Mich. Conf. Fund, 3726,05
" General Conf. Fund, 1751,22 Paid out on Deposits, $15012,25
" " for Office labor, 3976,90
" " " Materials, 325,38
" " " Stock, Paper, Books, &c., 2535,94
" " " Wood and Incidentals, 908,41
" " " Real Estate, 1653,27
" " on Mich. Conf. Fund, 2955,69
" " General Conf. Fund, 1460,27 Cash on hand to balance, May 1, 1866, $2279,61
Total value of the property of the Association as per inventory, $29466,15
Due the Association on Book acc't., 7966,77
Cash on hand, May 1, 1866, 2279,61 The Association owes on Notes and Accounts, $10600,53
Assets after all debts are paid, $29112,00
I. D. Van Horn, Auditor. The general business of the Association was then introduced by the Secretary in a written statement of the business to come before the meeting, viz. :- Election of Officers.
- Election of Editors.
- Compensation of Auditor.
- Salaries of President, Editors, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The business was then called up item by item for discussion and action, by written resolutions. On motion of Bro. E. S. Walker it was
Resolved, That we nominate all the officers at one balloting. The following persons were then nominated as candidates to fill the offices of the Association for the ensuing year, viz. : For President, Eld. James White; Vice President, Geo. W. Amadon; Secretary, J. M. Aldrich; Treasurer, E. S. Walker; Auditor, Eld. I. D. Van Horn; Committee on Publication, U. Smith and J. N. Loughborough. Said persons were then duly elected to the respective offices named. On motion of J. N. Loughborough,
Resolved, That the Editors of the Review and Instructor be nominated at one balloting. U. Smith was then nominated and elected as Editor of the Review, and Mrs. A. P. Van Horn as Editress of the Instructor. On motion of J. N. Loughborough,
Resolved, That the Auditor be paid at the rate $10,00 per week for the time spent in auditing the accounts of the Association. On motion of U. Smith,
Resolved, That the Association pay the President, Secretary, and Treasurer, for their services such sums as shall be decided by the trustees to be adequate to their labor. On motion of J. N. Loughborough,
Resolved, That the Association pay the Editor of the Review $12,00 per week. On motion of E. S. Walker,
Resolved, That the Association pay the Editress of the Youth's Instructor $75,00 per year for her services. On motion of U. Smith,
Resolved, That in view of the still continued high prices of stock, owing to which the prices attached to our publications do not meet the cost of publishing the same, therefore,
Resolved, That we continue the publications at their former rates; and to meet the extra expense occasioned by the high prices of material, be it further
Resolved, That we solicit from the brethren at large, donations at the call of the trustees, sufficient to cover the deficiency. The meeting then adjourned to the call of the President.
G. W. Amadon, Vice President.
J. M. Aldrich, Secretary. Charity.
By R. F. Cottrell
In the Bible sense, charity is love—love to God, love to man. "Love is the fulfilling of the law." Love to God leads us to obey him; love to man leads us to do right toward him, to do to others as we would have them do to us; in short to love our neighbor as ourself. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor." "Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Christian charity however, with all its humility and long-suffering, does not break down the distinction between right and wrong, between truth and falsehood. It rejoiceth not in iniquity, the transgression of God's law; but it rejoiceth in the truth. "Thy law is the truth." And the "all things" which charity believeth does not include the belief of a lie. It takes the most favorable view possible of human actions and motives, and labors in love to elevate all to the standard of truth; but it never compromises the truth. This is the charity of the true Christian, the charity of the Bible. And it never stands in the way of reform. It did not deter Luther from exposing the innovations and corruptions of the professed church of his times. Had this been the case, where would have been our boasted Reformation? But the popular charity of the present day, instead of rejoicing in the truth, is a mutual compromise of the truth and right, between errorists and sinners. Nominal Christians find themselves divided into sects, and holding different and conflicting creeds. And the truth being undivided and harmonious, opposing factions cannot both be right. But instead of healing these divisions by mutually seeking for the truth as revealed in the Bible and casting away their wrongs and errors, they agree to compromise the matters of difference. Instead of mutually striving to get right, they agree to admit that of the popular denominations one is about as right as the others. They agree to disagree by a seeming admission that what little truth any one sect may hold is no better than the opposing errors held by others. And as true charity, which, while it hates sin, loves the sinner and would bring him to a knowledge and obedience of the truth that he might be saved, is the crowning grace of the Christian, so this compromising of the truth that I am describing, putting it upon a level with error, is esteemed the highest sectarian virtue. It is thought indeed to be true Christian charity. Now the errors and confusion of the conflicting faith and practice of sectarianism, demand reform or they do not. If they do not, then error and falsehood are equal in value with the truth, and the commands of men are equal to the commands of God. But according to our Saviour, substitution and sin are not as acceptable to God as obedience and holiness. "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. xv, 9. But if reform is demanded, then they who insist upon it most strenuously are exercising true Christian charity. They love God, and are willing to obey him. They love their fellows, and are striving to save them. They hate the substitution of the commandments and institutions of men in the place of the Lord's, because it is vain and exposes men to wrath. True charity labors to please God and to reform and save men—to save them from their sins and errors, and to save their souls alive in the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But as the Romanists, in the days of Luther, thought the reformers extremely uncharitable; so those now who are not willing to be reformed—to exchange error for truth and sin for obedience—will strive to obstruct the progress of reform by a plaintive plea for charity. True charity never applies the brake to the wheels of reform. As it "rejoiceth in the truth," it delights in reform. Report from Bro. Whitney.
By S. B. Whitney
BRO. WHITE : Since my last report, I have been at home mostly, doing some writing and attending to home duties generally, and preaching to the brethren here on the Sabbath; but have not been entirely idle in the great cause of our common Master. Feb. 14, in company with Bro. Cross, of Vt., started for the Quarterly Meeting at Perry's Mills, stopping at Norfolk and having a comfortable little meeting with the brethren there in the evening. Enjoyed some freedom in the meeting at the Mills, the 17th and 18th, and the church seemed strengthened and encouraged, but were mourning the loss of our dear Sr. Averill who was buried the week before. The next week was the time for Quarterly Meeting here, which amounted to almost a failure on account of a severe thaw and storm. No one came from abroad, and public meeting was held only on first-day, which, however, was quite cheering. March 3, was with the church in Bangor; the 17th and 18th, at Norfolk, and the 24th and 25th again at Bangor at the Quarterly Meeting. Here the Lord helped some in giving strait testimony, but this church needs to labor more earnestly for union among themselves, and with the body, and to feel more the importance of thorough reform. During the following week visited the scattered believers in Chateaugay and preached once at old Sr. Day's with much freedom. April 21st, and 28th and 29th, was again with the church in Norfolk; the last meeting being their quarterly season. Bro. Lawrence was present and assisted in speaking the word. Some freedom was enjoyed and good desires were manifested. The meeting for ordinances was quite comforting. The church there has been growing some of late, but needs to be more awake to the interests of themselves and the cause, and to the time in which we live. The church here is in a united and harmonious condition, and there seems to be nothing to hinder our moving forward and rising with the message but a zeal and effort commensurate with the importance of the work in which we are engaged. As an individual I feel a growing and deepening interest in the cause of truth, and a stronger desire and determination to seek a full preparation for the responsible duties to which I am called. The interests of this time demand great faithfulness, and happy will he be who fully awakes to them, answers his responsibility and endures to the end. Grass River, May 11, 1866. LET us not be over-curious about the faults or failings of others, but take account of our own. Let us bear in mind the excellencies of others when we reckon up our own faults, for then shall we be well pleasing to God. For he who looks at the failings of others, and at his own excellencies, is injured in two ways: by the latter he is carried up to arrogance, through the former he falls into listlessness. For when he perceives that such an one hath sinned, very199 easily he will sin himself; when he perceives he hath excelled, very easily he will become arrogant. He who consigns to oblivion his own excellencies and looks at his failings only, while he is a curious engineer of the excellencies, not the sins, of others, is profitable in many ways. And why? I will tell you: When he sees that such an one hath done excellently, he is raised to emulate the same; when he sees that he himself hath sinned, he is rendered humble and modest. If we thus regulate ourselves, we shall be able to obtain the good things which we are promised through the loving kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hear What the Lord Has Done!
By D. T. Bourdeau
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Our season of prayer and fasting has just closed, and I wish to say through the Review that the Lord has heard prayer in my behalf, and has healed me. Praise his holy name. He is the living and true God. The Lord was with us during the season appointed for fasting and prayer, and I believed that he would work for his people and deliver his afflicted servants. But I felt there remained another step for me to take to realize the promised blessing, and called for the elders of the church to pray for me according to the injunction in James v, 14–16. My brain was relieved from the pressure that had been upon it for years, causing me suffering that only God and those who have been in a similar condition can know. The disease in my throat was checked and I experienced what I had been a stranger to for years; viz.; perfect calmness and clearness of mind, and freedom from that gloominess and those awful trials which usually attend cautious, conscientious, exhausted and congested minds. But above all I felt that God for Christ's sake had forgiven my sins, and gratitude filled my soul. I think I can say without exaggeration, that yesterday (Sabbath) was the happiest day of my life. It was a good day to the church of Enosburgh as well as to myself. Never had I seen this church enjoy so much of the blessing of the Lord. But those enjoyed the most who had made a thorough effort to draw near the Lord by observing the season of prayer and fasting and confessing their sins. We realized that the Lord was ready to verify his promise to those who heed the message to the Laodiceans. But while we should be grateful for past blessings, let us remember that the work is as it were but just begun, and that greater trials and victories await us. God has done for me what I or no one else could do. While I have endeavored to live healthfully, and expressed my conviction that I should soon be in a condition to labor, I have believed that my own efforts were not sufficient to restore me and that the Lord would have to interpose; and now that he has undertaken for me, I would not overlook those laws the violation of which, has brought so heavy a penalty upon me. Pray for me that I may be strengthened in keeping them.