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Review and Herald, Vol. 48, No. 23.

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Earlier text: HOW LONG?

MINISTERS, ATTENTION!

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Would God every minister of ours would not only read, but commit to heart, the following golden words from the old pious fathers of ancient Methodism. They are from the old discipline of many years ago. Brethren let us weigh well these solemn admonitions.

“The Matter and Manner of Preaching.

“Q. What is the best general method of preaching.
“A. 1. To convince; 2. To offer Christ; 3. To invite; 4. To build up; And to do this in some measure in every sermon.
“Q. What is the most effectual way of preaching Christ?
“A. The most effectual way of preaching Christ is, to preach him in all his offices; and to declare his law, as well as his Gospel, both to believers and unbelievers. Let us strongly and closely insist upon inward and outward holiness in all its branches.

“Rules by which we should continue, or desist from Preaching at any Place.

“Q. 1. Is it advisable for us to preach in as many places as we can without forming any societies?
“A. By no means. We have made the trial in various places, and that for a considerable time. But all the seed has fallen by the wayside. There is scarce any fruit remaining.
“Q. 2. Where should we endeavor to preach most?
“A. 1. Where there is the greatest number of quiet and willing hearers.
“2. Where there is most fruit.
“Q. 3. Ought we not diligently to observe in what places God is pleased at any time to pour out his Spirit more abundantly?
“A. We ought: and at that time to send more laborers than usual into that part of the harvest.

“Visiting from House to House, guarding against those Things that are so common to Professors, and enforcing Practical Religion.

“Q. 1. How can we further assist those under our care?
“A. By instructing them at their own houses. What unspeakable need is there of this! The world says, ‘The Methodists are no better than other people.’ This is not true in the general; but, 1. Personal religion, either toward God or man, is too superficial among us. We can but just touch on a few particulars. How little faith is there among us! How little communion with God! How little living in heaven, walking in eternity, deadness to every creature! How much love of the world! Desire of pleasure, of ease, of getting money! How little brotherly love! What continual judging one another! What gossiping, evil-speaking, tale-bearing! What want of moral honesty! To instance only one particular: Who does as he would be done by in buying and selling?
“2. Family religion is wanting in many branches. And what avails public preaching alone, though we could preach like angels? We must, yea, every traveling preacher must, instruct the people from house to house. Till this be done, and that in good earnest, Methodists will not be better.
“Our religion is not sufficiently deep, universal, uniform; but superficial, partial, uneven. It will be so till we spend half as much time in this visiting as we now do in talking uselessly. Can we find a better method of doing this than Mr. Baxter’s? If not, let us adopt it without delay. His whole tract, entitled Gildas Salvianus; or, The Reformed Pastor, is well worth a careful perusal. Speaking of this visiting from house to house, he says, (p. 351,) ‘We shall find many hinderances, both in ourselves and the people.’
“1. In ourselves there is much dullness and laziness, so that there will be much ado to get us to be faithful in the work.
“2. We have a base, man-pleasing temper, so that we let them perish rather than lose their love; we let them go quietly to hell, lest we should offend them.
“3. Some of us have a foolish bashfulness. We know not how to begin, and blush to contradict the devil.
“4. But the greater hindrance is weakness of faith. Our whole motion is weak, because the spring of it is weak.
“5. Lastly, we are unskilful in the work. How few know how to deal with men, so as to get within them, and suit all our discourse to their several conditions and tempers; to choose the fittest subjects, and follow them with a holy mixture of seriousness, terror, love, and meekness!
“But undoubtedly this private application is implied in those solemn words of the apostle: ‘I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, preach the word; be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering.’
“O brethren, if we could but set this work on foot in all our societies, and prosecute it zealously, what glory would redound to God! If the common lukewarmness were banished, and every shop, and every house, busied in speaking of the word and works of God, surely God would dwell in our habitations, and make us his delight.
“And this is absolutely necessary to the welfare of our people, some of whom neither repent nor believe to this day. Look round, and see how many of them are still in apparent danger of damnation. And how can you walk and talk, and be merry with such people, when you know their case? When you look them in the face, you should break forth into tears, as the prophet did when he looked upon Hazael, and then set on them with the most vehement exhortations. Oh, for God’s sake, and the sake of poor souls, bestir yourselves, and spare no pains that may conduce to their salvation! What cause have we to plead before the Lord that we have so long neglected this good work! If we had but engaged in it sooner, how many more might have been brought to Christ! And how much holier and happier might our societies have been before now! And why might we not have done it sooner? There were many hinderances; and so there will always be. But the greatest hindrance is ourselves, in our littleness of faith and love.
“But it is objected, I. ‘This will take up so much time we shall not have leisure to follow our studies.’ We answer, 1. Gaining knowledge is a good thing, but saving souls is better. 2. By this very thing you will gain the most excellent knowledge, that of God and eternity. 3. You will have time for gaining other knowledge too. Only sleep no more than you need; ‘and never be idle, or triflingly employed.’ But, 4. If you can do but one, let your studies alone. We ought to throw by all the libraries in the world, rather than be guilty of the loss of one soul.
“It is objected, II. ‘The people will not submit to it.’ If some will not, others will. And the success with them will repay all your labor. O let us herein follow the example of St. Paul! 1. For our general business, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind: 2. Our special work, Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock: 3. Our doctrine, Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ: 4. The place, I have taught you publicly, and from house to house: 5. The object and manner of teaching, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears: 6. His innocence and self-denial herein, I have coveted no man’s silver or gold: 7. His patience, Neither count I my life dear unto myself. And among all other motives let these be ever before our eyes: 1. The Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood: 2. Grievous wolves shall enter in; yea, of yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things.
“Write this upon your hearts, and it will do you more good than twenty years’ study. Then you will have no time to spare: you will have work enough. Then, likewise, no preacher will stay with us who is as salt that has lost its savor. For to such this employment would be mere drudgery. And in order to it, you will have need of all the knowledge you can procure, and grace you can attain.
“The sum is, Go into every house in course, and teach every one therein, young and old, to be Christians inwardly and outwardly: make every particular plain to their understandings; fix it in their minds; write it on their hearts. In order to this, there must be line upon line, precept upon precept. What patience, what love, what knowledge, is requisite for this! We must needs do this, were it only to avoid idleness. Do we not loiter away many hours in every week? Each try himself; no idleness is consistent with a growth in grace. Nay, without exactness in redeeming time, you cannot retain the grace you receive in justification.
“Q. 2. Why are we not more holy? Why do we not live in eternity? Walk with God all the day long! Why are we not all devoted to God? Breathing the whole spirit of missionaries?
“A. Chiefly because we are enthusiasts; looking for the end without using the means. To touch only upon two or three instances: Who of us rises at four, or even at five, when we do not preach? Do we know the obligation and benefit of fasting or abstinence? How often do we practice it? The neglect of this alone is sufficient to account for our feebleness and faintness of spirit. We are continually grieving the Holy Spirit of God by the habitual neglect of a plain duty. Let us amend from this hour.”
Much or all of this is applicable to ourselves. We need such warnings as the above very often.
D. M. CANRIGHT.

Our Quarterly Meeting at Knoxville, Iowa.

By George I. Butler

We greatly desire that this meeting, which is to be held December 30, 31, shall be generally attended by the directors, and by the brethren and sisters within a reasonable distance. We hope all our districts will labor earnestly between now and that time in the distribution of reading matter, almanacs, getting subscribers for the SIGNS, REFORMER, etc., so they will have something to report. We want every district to report in time. All district reports to be sent to Bro. C. G. Johnston, Sigourney, Iowa. Let all the directors see that the members have blanks to report with. Now is the time to labor. If we don’t do anything the next three months we shall probably make a complete failure this year. We hope this general quarterly meeting will be a great success, an encouragement to all who attend it. We hope Bro. Haskell will attend and help us all in the good work by his counsel.
As the board of directors at their last session voted to pay their own expenses in attending the quarterly meetings instead of drawing upon the Society, and as some of them are hardly able to do this, we trust our brethren in their several districts will look after this and assist their directors in bearing this expense. It is reasonable they should do this. It is important that we have a general attendance of the directors at our quarterly meetings to make a general plan of operation for the whole Society. Their presence is a great encouragement to the workers, and is worth far more to the cause than the cash cost. But our brethren should share these burdens as far as consistent with the directors. For instance, in Dist. No. 1 the director is one of our most earnest workers, and his presence at our last meeting and his earnest words were a real blessing to the meeting. We hope the friends in his district will help him in sharing such burdens so that he may not be forced to stay away. And the same is true of other districts.
In regard to our pecuniary standing, I wish to say, there is great need of improvement. By a recent statement from the Office I judge by the time of our next general meeting at Knoxville, we shall be in debt about $800.00. Our directors must make a very strong effort in each district to raise all the means they can. We must not neglect this important item in our T. and M. work. Our credit and financial standing as a Conference and Society has for years been among the very best. Can it be possible our brethren in this large and rich Conference have made up their minds to reverse this and go along in debt from this time forward? From the last few month’s experience, I am led to fear it. Many seem to have become thoughtless and indolent in regard to the claims of God’s cause upon them. This is the most discouraging omen for the cause I see in this State. If we continue to pursue this course, we shall see sad and dark days in Iowa. I know times are hard, but shall we relax our efforts on that account? On the contrary, we must redouble them. Brethren directors, look after these financial interests and try to come to our general meeting prepared to help all you can in lifting this debt. Talk of this matter in your district quarterly meetings, and especially to our brethren of means in private. Set before them the claims of the Lord upon them, and the claims of their fellow-men. Oh! we must be in earnest, or our light will become darkness. Clouds are gathering over our country and in the old world. Troubles are arising which threaten our nation with sorrow and woe. Shall we not enter anew into the work? Faithfulness becomes us all in this important time.
GEO. I. BUTLER.

IOWA

By J. H. Morrison

Since our General Conference, I have held a few meetings with the Sandyville and Coloma churches. I have been at Osceola for the last three weeks. Have had some very interesting meetings at this place. Sabbath and Sunday last were profitable days for this church. Three were identified with us, two of whom were baptized. Systematic Benevolence was re-organized, and raised from $115.00 to $213.00; and some of the brethren not present are willing to help some, which will raise it to $240 or $250.
J. M. Peebles and a trance speaker, a boy of eighteen, were holding a series of lectures on spiritualism when we commenced. They add their voice to the popular cry of peace and safety, and a good time coming. This subject we advertised and examined from a Bible standpoint before a large crowd.
J. H. MORRISON.
Osceola, Iowa, Nov. 27, 1876.

VERMONT AND CANADA.

By A. C. Bourdeau

The last week in October, myself and Mrs. B. went to Burke, Vt., to arrange to have our family leave Vermont permanently. While there, we enjoyed three refreshing seasons of worship on the Sabbath with the brethren and sisters of Burke, Sutton, and Wheelock. Oct. 28, met at Bro. Saxby’s, Burke. Bro. S. had been on the background; but he fully resolved to accelerate his steps, and to gain a home with the faithful in the kingdom. Nov. 4, met at Bro. Caswell’s, Sutton. All feasted on the truth, and gave cheering testimonies, among whom were a French brother, his wife, and several of their children. The entire family are trying to obey the truth. Five united with the church. The 18th, met at Bro. Wiley’s; had a good attendance, and the Lord greatly blessed us. A. C. BOURDEAU.
On Wednesday, Nov. 22, came with my family to this place. Last Sabbath we met with the brethren in these parts at West Bolton, P. Q. About thirty were in attendance. Some did not attend on account of bad roads. The word spoken was appreciated; the social meeting was a precious season, and all took a lively interest in the Bible class and Sabbath-school. Shall endeavor to push forward the work as the way will open. Brethren, pray for us.
Waterloo, P. Q., Nov. 27, 1876.

KANSAS

By J. H. Cook

Nov. 10-14, I met with the brethren at the Sacket school-house, five miles north of Parsons. I found the brethren all holding on, maintaining their weekly meetings. They appear to be gaining strength and confidence in the truth.
Nov. 17-22, in company with Bro. Ayers, I visited the brethren at Labette, and labored with them. Here the church had been thrown into confusion by H. C. Blanchard, who has separated himself from the body of S. D. Adventists, and taken nearly half of the church with him. We organized a new church out of the loyal members, to be known as the Oswego church. Bro. A. J. Stone was set apart as their elder by the imposition of hands. Sixteen came into the church, and others will yet come, who are in entire sympathy with the body of our people. Here Bro. Ayers and I parted, he going to Elk Falls, while I came to Monmouth, to fill appointments for Nov. 24-26. Here the opposition is determined. We were shut out of church and school-house. We held our meetings in a private house, but the Lord wrought for us. Three young sisters were added to our numbers. Seven were baptized. In the evening of first-day, we celebrated the ordinances for the first time in this church. It was a blessed meeting from first to last.
I am now at a school-house, five miles east of Cherokee, Crawford County, just commencing a series of meetings. Address, Cherokee, Kan. J. H. Cook.

WORK FOR WISCONSIN.

By H. W. Decker

We wish to make a strong effort the present winter to increase the circulation of the Signs of the Times and Health Reformer. To engage in this work to the best advantage, we urge all of our directors to read carefully Review No. 20, present volume, and make an earnest effort to carry out the plan adopted by the Michigan Conference as recommended by the General Conference in its late session. As our success depends greatly on the activity of our directors, we urge all who have accepted the office of director to do their duty faithfully. We expect to visit all of the districts this winter, and we hope you will all be able to give a good account of yourselves.
We ask all of our ministers to interest themselves in this work. If any information is wanted in reference to any part of the work, write me at Leon, Monroe Co., or Monroe, Green Co., Wis.
Come, brethren, let not Wisconsin be behind in this good work.
H. W. Decker.

CHARITY

By J. C. Clemens

How blest the spot where charity Doth find a dwelling-place! How barren is the man who lacks This most essential grace!
Patience and meekness are combined By charity in one. Duty with joy completes the work That charity begun.
Let brethren all among themselves Have fervent charity, For so a multitude of sins Shall surely covered be.
All other gifts we may possess, Yet, if in this we fail, Faith, hope, and wisdom, all combined Will be of no avail.
Faith, hope, and charity, abide, But charity is chief. O let us with these graces rare, Make perfect our belief.
J. C. CLEMENS.

REPORT FROM SWITZERLAND.

By John Nevins Andrews

WE are still actively engaged in the preparation of matter for our paper, in the reading of proof, and in the transformation of a considerable portion of what is printed in the SIGNES into tracts. This work, with the various duties associated with it, demands the closest attention and the most diligent labor, but it gives little time at present to report for the REVIEW. Those who read our paper will judge for themselves as to the work bestowed upon it, but we can say in truth that no pains have been spared to make it as instructive, correct, and inviting as possible. We believe that in this work God has been our helper.
I hope that our circumstances will soon be so changed that I can be free to give myself mainly to the preaching of the word of God. This is my great desire. Bro. Bourdeau is in southern France, and is so much crowded with work to meet the demands upon him for preaching, that he earnestly asks that some one from Switzerland should go to his assistance. I know not that any one can be sent. It is my desire also that help may be sent us, who can take charge of the proof-reading, mailing, accounts, and other matters connected with the publication of the paper and of the tracts. I am willing to labor in this kind of work if this be the will of God. In fact, I have found God's blessing in this labor, and so I am cheered in its performance. But I wish as far as possible to give myself to the work of preaching, and this at present is mostly out of the question. With the utmost effort that I can make, I have hitherto hardly kept up with the duties connected with the paper and the tracts.
It was my wish for several reasons to publish our paper from time to time as we could, and not regularly each month. This would enable me to take time for other work, and if at any time we lacked money we should not be compelled to get in debt. But our friends here said that this manner of publishing would destroy, or at least much injure, the influence of our paper, and that we must not go upon that plan. They could speak something from the lesson of experience, which had weight to my mind. So we undertook a monthly journal. There are many tokens that our paper is doing good. It ought to be advertised extensively in the best French journals of Europe. But though we have not yet advertised at all, our paper is called for by strangers distant from this city.
I find God's blessing all the time. But I see no time to write reports, and it seems to me that I cannot say much that will interest the friends in America by speaking of the kind of work that fills all my time and consumes all my strength. But I can say that God is here with us, and that is the best of all. J. N. ANDREWS.
Bâle, Suisse, Nov. 16, 1876.

OVID, MICH.

By Jerome Fargo; A. O. Burrill

According to appointment, we reached this place and spent the day visiting from house to house; found them all holding on, although they have been without any preaching since coming into the Sabbath in July last. This shows the power of the truth to convert and hold men in its embrace.
We held, in all, six meetings with them. A church of fourteen members was organized; there are several more whom we expect will soon unite with them. Four received baptism, one of whom was a lady from Charlotte, who had just come to visit her parents, who had received the truth of late, and upon investigating, she decided to become a commandment-keeper, and, like the jailor, “was baptized.” Systematic Benevolence was organized for 1877. The pledge is $75.92. The late plan of the General Conference for raising means to carry on T. and M. work, which was to raise a sum equal to one-third the s. b. pledge, was adopted. This is a good example, and we expect all our churches will follow it.

GREENBUSH

Sunday evening, met with this church. Systematic Benevolence was considered, and pledges made to the amount of $106.07, for the coming year. This church adopted the late plan of the Gen. Conf. for T. and M. work. At both of these places canvassers for our periodicals were appointed.

SPRINGBROOK

On Monday, Bro. Birmingham brought us about twenty miles to this place. Here are about a dozen who are resting on the Sabbath and sustaining their meeting. The importance of a united effort was set before them to raise means to carry forward this message, and nearly all took hold of it in all its branches. Their s. b. pledge is $39.00 for 1877, and the T. and M., $13.00. There have been some discouragements resting upon these brethren, but we are glad to be able to report things somewhat improved. In all these meetings, we have felt that the Lord has been willing to come in and help in this good work. Brethren, pray for us.
Jerome Fargo, A. O. Burrill.
Ithaca, Gratiot Co., Mich., Nov. 28, 1876.

GREENWOOD CO., KANSAS.

By Smith Sharp

I CLOSED my meetings in Greenwood County, Sabbath, Nov. 18. Many acknowledged the truth, but few have yet obeyed. There are six or seven keeping the Sabbath. Some of them have commenced in earnest to overcome. One or two were addicted to strong drink, tobacco, etc., and have of their own accord given up these hurtful things. If they will only prove faithful, they can do the cause much good. Many that have not embraced the truth acknowledge that if this doctrine will induce men to undertake such reformations, it is worth having. SMITH SHARP.

INDIANA

By S. H. Lane

My silence for the past few weeks in the “Progress-of-the-Cause” department has not been on account of inactivity.
Immediately after the camp-meeting, I pitched the tent at Bunker Hill, Miami Co. Two years ago, I held a tent-meeting at that place, which resulted in raising up a small church. The members have felt deeply the necessity of a meeting-house. As the outside interest has always been good from the first, it was thought that, could the tent be erected and a few meetings held, an interest could be awakened, and many would aid in building a house. A good degree of interest was aroused considering the cold weather and political excitement. The project of erecting a house of worship was introduced, and met with general favor, and several hundred dollars have been subscribed. We see no reason why there may not be a nice house erected by the first of next May, if our brethren take hold of the matter, and energetically push forward the work.
I am now giving a course of lectures at Jalapa, Grant Co. The Protestant Methodists have kindly granted me the use of their meeting-house. The people are very kind, furnishing wood and oil. The turn-out thus far has been good considering the small place. The order is excellent, and there is some interest to hear. I hope through the blessing of the Lord the effort may be productive of good.
S. H. LANE.

WISCONSIN

By J. Sanborn

We commenced meetings four miles north of Mauston, where Brn. Tenney and Smith held a tent-meeting last summer. We found eight Sabbath-keepers in the vicinity. There was a small interest in the minds of a few, but we could not persuade any of them to obey.
I spoke twice at the Lone Rock school-house, south-west of Mauston, where once there was a large company of Sabbath-keepers. I found only two that seemed to have any real living, working spirit in them.
I also spoke three times in Mauston; but on account of dark nights and muddy roads, there were but few out. We tried to encourage the few to faithfulness and good works by faith. We organized s. b. amounting to $75.20 a year. They have an interesting Bible-class and good meetings. Bro. Benjamin Carter is the leader and s. b. treasurer. We tried to show them the importance of engaging faithfully in missionary work as they have a good field in which to labor. Several of their neighbors are thoroughly convinced of the truth, and may yet obey. J. SANBORN.

WASHINGTON CO., NEB.

By J. Bartlett

I came to this county and commenced meeting at the Dawson school-house, Nov. 5. I have given twenty-two discourses. The Lord has been at work by his Spirit. Bro. Dawson and wife have come out on the truth. He was a first day Advent preacher. He says that he came to the meeting all propped up; but that the truth of God took all the props away from him and down he came. He says, “Oh! how blind I was!” Bro. Sheldon is keeping the Sabbath with some others. I give those names so that Bro. R. M. Kilgore may rejoice with me that Bro. Dawson and Sheldon have come out on the truth. Sister Clough has lived here a long time with no one in this neighborhood to keep the Sabbath with her; but, thank the Lord, she has now got some good brethren to go with her. I think there will be a good church here if these continue to work. I feel to give all the glory to the Lord. I desire to keep humble so that the Lord can work for me. Your brother in hope,
J. BARTLETT.

ANNUAL REPORT OF IND. T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By James Harvey; Eliza Carpenter

The Ind. Tract and Missionary Society held its fourth annual meeting Nov. 25 and 26 at Rochester, Ind. Meeting opened with prayer by Bro. J. M. Rees. Report of the last meeting was read and approved. The report of labor during the year was read, which is as follows: Number of families visited, 227. Number of letters written, 87. Money received: for membership, $15.00; by donations, $66.33; from the sale of 24,560 pp. of books, $15.35. Total amount of money received, $96.68. No. of new subscribers: SIGNS, 20; REVIEW, 24; INSTRUCTOR, 18; REFORMER, 10. Distribution of reading matter: No. of REVIEWS, 195; INSTRUCTORS, 78; REFORMERS, 50; tracts and pamphlets, No. of pages, 27,484; value, $17.17. Books furnished to libraries, 11,738 pp. Total value, $24.53. On motion by Eld. S. H. Lane, the following persons were duly elected by the Society: for president, Eld. James Harvey, North Liberty, St. Joseph Co.; vice president, J. M. Rees, Kokomo, Howard Co.; secretary, Eliza Carpenter, North Liberty, St. Joseph Co.; treasurer, Florence J. Grantham, Kokomo, Howard Co.
On motion, Dist. No. 1 was divided, forming a new district comprising Steuben and Noble Counties, designated as Dist. No. 5.
Voted that the following persons act as directors: for Dist. No. 1, J. D. Shilling, Grovertown, Stark Co.; Dist. No. 2, J. M. Rees, Kokomo, Howard Co.; Dist. No. 3, Isaac Zirkle, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co.; Dist. No. 4, Noah Carahoof, Patricksburg, Owen Co.; Dist. No. 5, Daniel Minier, Ligonier, Noble Co.
Adjourned to 2 P. M.

SECOND SESSION.

Opened with prayer by Wm. R. Carpenter. Voted that the quarterly meetings be held simultaneously throughout the State. Voted that on the last Sabbath and Sunday in February a quarterly meeting be held. Voted that our State quarterly meeting be at Alto, Howard Co. Remarks were made by Elders James Harvey, S. H. Lane, and others, respecting the duties and qualification of officers. It was recommended that Elders S. H. Lane and James Harvey visit the churches, and instruct them, and impress upon them the necessity of more earnestness to advance the cause of truth. This meeting was not largely attended because of so short a notice. The brethren felt that the meeting was one of profit to them, and would be for the advancement of the cause.
Adjourned.
JAMES HARVEY, Pres.
ELIZA CARPENTER, Sec.

NINE THOUSAND FOR NEW ENGLAND.

By M. Wood

In Review, Vol. 48, No. 20, we have a systematic calculation of the number of almanacs proportioned to each Conference embraced within the pale of the General Conference, said almanacs to be distributed by the working members of the various Tract and Missionary Societies, organized for the express purpose of spreading the light in a world lying in wickedness and covered by gross darkness. To the New England T. and M. Society, with a membership of less than three hundred, we find assigned the modest sum of six thousand almanacs for distribution. But the worthy president of the New England T. and M. Society, having an eye to business, and knowing the zeal heretofore manifested by this missionary corps, added another three thousand, making in all nine thousand almanacs, to benefit nine thousand New England firesides.
But how shall these nine thousand almanacs be disposed of? What method shall we adopt to equalize the work and meet the expense thus incurred? At the most, we have not more than two hundred efficient members. Dividing nine thousand by two hundred gives to each individual just forty-five almanacs. At five cents each, these would be worth $2.25.
But there are some of our brethren and sisters who have not facilities for disposing of so many, while there are others who could, if they would, sell hundreds of them in a few days. A little boy and girl here at the Hub, having caught the missionary spirit, went from house to house with the Health Almanac, and in two evenings sold nearly a score of them for ten cents each, some taking two copies. A brother sold twelve one afternoon, besides attending to his other duties.
How shall we equalize the work, so that the blessing of God attending this branch of missionary labor shall be equally realized? I have thought of several ways in which this may be accomplished.
1. That each member of the T. and M. Society buy from ten to one hundred almanacs, according to his circumstances, at five cents each (which would cover first cost and freight), dispose of them as soon as possible, and then duplicate the order. Many of these could be sold for ten cents each, affording a profit of one hundred per cent.; and this course, if followed up, would give you, at the end of the quarter, a very handsome sum to set down on your report as a donation.
2. That the districts order almanacs as follows:—
Dist. No. 1, 800 Almanacs.
“ “ 2, 4000 “
“ “ 3, 500 “
“ “ 4, 800 “
“ “ 5, 400 “
“ “ 6, 500 “
“ “ 7, 2000 “
Send along your orders, brethren. Let not these golden moments pass unimproved. Let the zeal manifested by those circulating the agents of death stimulate us to greater activity in this noble cause. Of course, there are some, who, during these hard times, cannot spare the money to pay for the almanacs, at once; but, money or no money, order through your district director or librarian as many as you can dispose of judiciously. There are scores in our respective districts who can (and doubtless will) buy hundreds of these almanacs for free distribution.
And here the words of the great apostle, as recorded in 2 Cor. 9, apply admirably: “Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. . . . For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want; that there may be equality. . . . Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.”
Comments on this scripture are unnecessary. I would simply add, should there be any in this Conference or any other, having their means in banks, stocks, bonds, farms, merchandise, etc., waiting for a time when the cause of God will need means more than at the present time, let me say to such persons, on the authority of the Testimony to the Church, that that time will never arrive. See Testimony No. 26, page 111. God has spoken to us, shall we heed the warning voice? Remember, dear reader, the day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly; and the angels of God will soon be commissioned to gather his saints, those that have made a covenant by sacrifice. M. Wood.

THE POWER OF A TRACT.

By L. G. Moore

In the winter of 1874, as I was seated in the comfortable office of Dr. —— in the little city of Hastings, Michigan, a gentleman came in carrying a neat-looking valise. We soon found that he was a book and tract distributer. He had a curious-looking engraving which he called “The Way of Life from Paradise Lost to Paradise Restored.” He was neatly, yet plainly, dressed, and really made a good impression. He dilated at some length on the merits of the book he was selling—“The Hygienic Family Physician”—showing the advantages we have over disease when treated from a health-reform stand-point. As I had taken the Laws of Life, I was very much interested.
But not so with the doctor; he believed the “good old way was the best.” As the agent directed his conversation to him, I sat as an interested listener. Not being successful with the book, he endeavored to interest him in a paper called the REVIEW AND HERALD, which he claimed was the paper for the times, giving, as it did, clear expositions of the leading lines of prophecy, which have their termination in our day, and as it advocated the restoration of the original Sabbath of the Lord, which he said had been trodden under foot for hundreds of years by the majority of mankind. He was confident that each number would contain items which could not fail to interest the earnest inquirer after truth. But no; the doctor thought the seventh day might do for the Jews; but, as for him, he was willing to risk his salvation on the observance of the Christian Sabbath.
A shade of sadness seemed to gather on the face of the distributer. I felt to sympathize with him, as I judged from his appearance that his sole object was to do good; but it was only for a moment, and he was more animated than before as he said, “You certainly would not object to reading the paper if I should send it free of cost?” Still the doctor hesitated. He then laid some tracts on the table with the remark that we must have something to read. I presume the doctor was convinced that he was honest in his belief, even if it was an error, and he a keeper of the Jewish Sabbath. As he departed he said, “I shall send the paper for six months.”
The tracts lay in their original position on the table for some three or four weeks, when on leaving the office one Saturday evening my attention was called to them; and I said that if he was willing, I would take some of them home and look them over the following day. “Yes, certainly, take some—take them all,” said he, “I am really tired of seeing them around.” Well, I did. Yes, I took them all, several hundred pages. Some on the “Sabbath,” the “State of the Dead,” the “Immortality Question,” “Littlejohn and Statesman,” and others. When I took them I had not the faintest idea that I should read them all. That evening I read them aloud. My companion, as well as myself, was deeply interested, so much so that it was late when we retired. The next day I continued to read them until my eyes became so weak that I had to refrain for a time. Oh! how gladly did we receive the truth, as we were sure it must be. For over a year we had prayed for the Lord to send some one to preach the truth in its gospel purity, and we felt that our prayers were answered.
Previous to this time, we were entirely ignorant of the peculiar views of Seventh-day Adventists; but our hearts were not in sympathy with the practices of the church to which we belonged. It was but a few days after taking the tracts from the office that I found a REVIEW AND HERALD posted to the doctor in my letter box, and as I entered I found him reading one of the same. I remarked that I had the Adventist paper for him. At that he uttered a very improper word, and thrust the paper into the stove, saying that he was ashamed to have his name on such a paper. Said I, “If you intend to destroy them, let me have them.” “You can,” said he, “if you will have your name affixed instead of mine, as I don’t want people to know that I countenance such trash.” I took the paper home and we read it. The first remark in regard to it was, “What a clean paper! not a word of slang in it.” Never before had we read a paper so full of instructive matter, and we anxiously looked for its return each week as we would for a near and dear friend. We were convinced that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and—I do not say it boastfully—we did not plead our peculiar circumstances—for in my business Saturday was an important day—but immediately endeavored to keep it sacredly unto the Lord. How clear the Bible has been since! Passages in which we had failed to see beauty are now like rays of living fire. Truly the “entrance of Thy word giveth light.”
We immediately opened our house for meetings, it being a central point for the few faithful ones who are trying to keep the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Since that winter, I have scattered many of the precious tracts, the result of which eternity will reveal. As I look around and see others who are better by nature than we are, still sitting in darkness, and who are unwilling to investigate these solemn truths that we as a people hold dear, my heart is sad. Soon the Lord will come; and the scripture says, “To them who look for him will he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” If it is salvation to those who are looking for him, may we not infer that it will be the opposite to those who are not? May the Lord bless the tract distributors.
L. G. MOORE.
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