Earlier text: A TALK WITH GIRLS AND THEIR MOTHERSThe following, from the Philadelphia Record of June 2, 1880, shows the position which the Reformed Presbyterian church has taken on the proposed religious amendment to the Constitution. By the action of their Synod, June 1, it seems they have wheeled into line with the friends of this movement, and will henceforward tender it their sympathy and aid. But not the least significant feature, perhaps, of this movement is the facility with which they fall into the wake of the Christian Statesman, and predict sore judgments to fall upon this land on account of its sins in this respect. There is a growing disposition to attribute all calamities by fire and flood, drouth and disease, cyclones and accidents, to this cause, setting them forth as manifestations of God's displeasure against this government because it does not acknowledge God in the Constitution, and provide a Sunday law. This will have great influence with some minds, and there will doubtless be no lack of material to work upon in this direction:— “A committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod presented to that body yesterday at its morning session a lengthy report on the subject of national reform. In this document they say that a great mistake was made at the organization of the government. Those who framed the Constitution were nearly all tinged with infidelity, and consequently God and his law were disregarded. The Constitution to its framers was infidel and godless. No religious or moral qualifications were required of candidates for office. All this has been carried out through an ignorant and false patriotism. The consciences of Christian men were seared so that there is a deep-rooted prejudice against righteousness in national affairs. Experience, however, shows the necessity of amendment. The supreme regal authority of Jesus Christ as Lord over nations, as well as individuals, is admitted by nearly all professed Christians throughout the land. The relations between Church and State are now being more closely studied. This appears in conventional discussions. While Church and State are essentially distinct and independent, they have a divinely established and permanent relation, involving their mutual obligations. The question of qualification for office is now pressing itself more and more upon the people. By legal and Congressional toleration for more than fifty years, the Sabbath has been desecrated by carrying the United States mails. Thousands have been sworn to violate the Sabbath. “The report then referred to the National Association against all secret oath-bound societies, holding that oath-bound secretists and Sabbath-breakers should be reformed. As in the anti-slavery reform, truth and regard to human rights made progress amid darkness and trial, and while some hoped for a peaceful solution of the difficulties, yet the dark storm-cloud of judgment was secretly gathering to burst in fearful fury and destruction on a guilty nation; not to shatter and destroy the anti-slavery cause, but to accomplish its great ends and establish its righteous and everlasting principles, and to vindicate the authority and government of Jehovah. In conclusion the report stated that most likely the claims of God and his law, of Jesus, the Mediator and Supreme Lord of all, shall be vindicated, and perhaps in a still more fearful manner. The report was adopted.” A SAD WASTE.
By Joseph Clarke
It has been estimated that the loss to the United States through premature death, sickness, insanity, idiocy, pauperism, and crime, produced by the use of alcohol, is about one billion of dollars annually; and the cost of the liquor is equally great, making, in all, two billions of dollars yearly. If we add to this the cost of tobacco, opium, etc., we have an annual waste of at least two and a half billions, making in ten years an aggregate of twenty-five billions of dollars. This is an expense for which there is no return; this it is that causes poverty and crime, and loads the country with unpaid mortgages and debts. Such a vast expenditure and waste affects the whole body politic; and like a profligate partner in a prosperous company, it will finally ruin the whole firm unless it is checked in its course. Two billion dollars yearly amounts to twenty billions in ten years; this sum would buy twenty millions of farms at one thousand dollars each. Estimating the population of our country at forty millions and the number of families at ten millions, it would give each family two thousand dollars every ten years. No doubt this tremendous loss to the country is what is causing the great accumulation of public and private debts; and it is probably a fact that these numerous and ponderous individual and public debts are what give force to financial panics. These debts, municipal and of corporations, national debts and debts of counties and of States, all together, make an aggregate too large to contemplate without a shudder. Suppose that for the next ten years this fearful waste might suddenly come to a pause, what a mighty change would take place. Or suppose that for the last eighty years all alcoholic liquors had been interdicted, and narcotics and stimulants had been laid aside; what would have been the effect? Now, instead of railroads being the property of money kings, they would, or might, be owned and controlled by the common people; and pauperism and crime would have been less than one-tenth what we now behold. Our people would have stronger and healthier bodies, and far more intelligent and better furnished minds; our schools and churches would have been much more numerous and effective. But the flood of intemperance that is rolling over our land is a sad fact,—a terrible reality; and those who would do well are held in check by the evil course of those who drink, and those who deal in these soul-destroying beverages. The wicked make the debt and create the evil, and the good must help to foot the bill, and share in the curses which are entailed upon society by alcohol. The incendiary sets a house on fire, and is hanged to a lamp-post; but the capitalist manufactures and sells that which sets men on fire, and he is sent to Congress. But worse than all is the fact that alcohol demoralizes a man, and makes him a brute, or a thief, or a murderer, or a man of violence ready for any crime, as the case may be. The inspired word tells us that drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God. The moderate drinker is a factor in the making of drunkards; his example tells in that direction; therefore, if he persists in moderate drinking, he throws his influence in the same channel with the drunkard, and must finally be ranked as an accessory in this Satanic work. I am sorry to say that there are churches and ministers in this enlightened country who think it no sin to keep alcoholic liquors on hand, and to drink them and furnish them to their friends. May God pity them. SHALL WE GO?
By J. M. Hopkins
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps. 1:1, 2. While it is true that during the winter season, when many are less actively engaged, Satan seems to be more successful in leading people and especially the young, into sin, it is no less true that temptations to some of the most pernicious evils are encountered in the warmer season. Among these, is the circus. Already we hear the cry raised, “The circus is coming.” And we have but to step into the thoroughfares and public places to see the posters representing the wonderful feats of the “Great Show.” These handbills are designed to excite curiosity, and create a desire to witness the actual performance, which, we are ready to admit, is in many instances wonderful. But while we make this admission, we would ask, What is the tendency of circus-going? What influence does the circus have upon society? Let us briefly notice some leading questions which should be well considered, especially by those who name the name of Jesus. What is the character and standing of those who get up and manage the circus? Are they God-fearing? Do they love Christ and the truth? Do they labor for the salvation of the many who come under their influence, and for whom the dear Redeemer died? Do they use the money thus obtained, or any part of it, to further the interests of Christ’s kingdom? What is the object of the circus? Is it to lead men and women to love God and his word, and to have a pure and holy love for one another; and thus lead pure and holy lives? Do those employed about the circus love Jesus, and delight to speak his name? Are those comic songs and speeches, the immodest, indecent attire of the actors, the frequent thrusts at Christianity, or even the “wonderful feats,” calculated to inspire pure thoughts, and to raise the mind to God and Heaven? Can you take Jesus with you to the circus? If he were near you in person, could you ask him to go with you? Can you go to your closet, and in sincerity pray God to bless you in attending the circus? And while sitting beneath the canvas, surrounded by such influences as you always meet there, can you talk of Christ and Heaven? Or would you not be treated with scorn? We think you would find yourself sitting “in the seat of the scornful,” “with vain persons,” “with dissemblers,” in “the congregation of evil-doers,” “with the wicked.” Ps. 1:1; 26:4, 5. Again, after you have been to the circus, what are your reflections? Has your soul been fed with food suitable for the child of God, that you may “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?” Finally, is there that conduct and influence at the circus which Christian refinement, or even modesty, can approve? To all of these questions we believe every Christian man or woman who has ever attended the circus, will unhesitatingly answer, No. We say, then, Do not go to the circus. Do not for a moment lend your influence to advance the interests of Satan. Your time and money should be employed in a more worthy cause. But it is the custom of many circus-managers to have a menagerie in connection with the circus. So far as this is concerned, it would not be wrong to attend, if it had no connection with the circus. But here is a difficulty. Satan is very cunning, and this is one of the many traps into which he leads the unwary. Very many are led into the circus, who would not go had it not a connection with the menagerie. But when once beneath the first canvas, seeing the animals, the battle is more than half won. The band starts up some thrilling music, the throng presses toward the entrance; and before one is conscious of it, he finds himself within the circus. And even if one does not go into the circus itself the influence is often bad. One is seen by those who are ever ready to make mountains of molehills; the tongue of gossip is put in operation, and report says, “Mr. ———, or Mrs. ———, or Miss ——— was at the circus,—a nice place for a Christian! Wonder what they thought about what the old clown said of the Christians.” But again we hear some say, “Good Christians often go to the circus.” Yes, we know that many who are said to be good Christians go to the circus, and perhaps they are conscientious, but that makes it no better. The circus would not be a better place if all so-called Christians were to attend it. Truth can never be changed into error, nor error into truth. To be a Christian is to be like Christ, and we are sure Christ never attended any such place. We read in 2 Tim. 3:1, 5, that in the last days there will be those who are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” And yet they have “a form of godliness.” Such persons no doubt go to circuses. And no wonder; for “Babylon is fallen.” Rev. 14:8. But it should be the unalterable rule of the disciple of Christ to attend no place of entertainment where he cannot take Christ with him, and to say or do nothing upon which he cannot ask the blessing of Heaven. “Be ye therefore perfect [in your respective spheres], even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48), is the admonition of the Saviour. God’s people are called upon to act as lights in the world, that others, seeing their good works, may be led to glorify him. Surely no Christian can shine, as such, in a circus tent. Paul says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Col. 3:1. If the “carnal mind” has been “crucified with Christ,” and has been “buried with him,” and we have risen to “walk in newness of life,” our way will not be to those places, the very nature of which is opposed to Christ and his work. In a little while the blessed Lord will be seen coming in majesty and power, attended by all the heavenly host; and then, if we have been true to the Saviour, have lived for and loved his cause, a greater glory, a grander scene, will be ours to enjoy than all the skill and cunning of the world can devise. Oh, then be true to Jesus,
Nor mark his cause with stain;
Do not, by sinful wandering,
Give his dear heart a pain. Chatfield, Minn., May 25. THE TRUE SPIRIT OF LABOR.
By S. N. Haskell
The eleventh and twelfth chapters of Second Corinthians can be studied with much profit. The apostle here enumerates some of the conflicts and sufferings which he endured for Christ’s sake. The early church is commended for its zeal as no other church has been commended since the days of the apostles. In the book of Acts we have much upon this point which is very striking. In Rev. 2:2, 3, are these forcible words: “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.” And yet he had somewhat against the church at Ephesus, because they had left their first love. From the above scriptures we can form some idea of what devotion and zeal the early church possessed, also of what is required of us if we would meet the mind of the Spirit of God. We live amid the closing scenes of this world’s history. The last sands of time are fast passing away. And yet, right upon the borders of the eternal world, as we are, how little do we realize the importance of the cause we have espoused. Should we weigh ourselves in the scales with the early church, we should come far short of their devotion; and even their zeal and devotion did not come up to the true standard. There are only a few who can speak of laboring with cheerfulness “in weariness and painfulness” in the cause of their Redeemer, while there are many who testify that they have thus labored on their farms or in some calling where personal interests only were at stake. Many have grown gray, and their countenances become furrowed with perplexing care, while serving themselves. This was simply for what they should eat, and drink, and wear. But few there are who labor thus in the cause of Him who left the royal courts and died that we might be saved. Our missionary system presents an opportunity for each to engage directly in the service of the Master. Agents are wanted to sell our publications, and colporters are needed to enter thousands of cities and villages, to visit families and call their attention to the truth, and pray with and for those who may be anxious to know the will of God. Our sisters can also find a field of labor in remailing our pioneer sheet, and corresponding with those to whom papers have been sent. A number of the Signs should be taken in every place where any of our people live, and these papers should be distributed throughout their respective neighborhoods, or remaild to those whose addresses may be obtained. The importance of this feature of our missionary work has never been fully realized. It has been taken hold of by many with the ends of their fingers, as it were, more as a speculative experiment than as becoming a part of their life interests. Missionary work should become so interwoven with our lives as to become a part of our nature. Then we can cheerfully labor in “weariness and painfulness.” Frequently the first inconvenience experienced in paying for the papers, or the least discouragement in consequence of not receiving responses to letters written, has been a sufficient excuse for abandoning the work altogether. A little weariness or some trivial circumstance prevents many from attending the meeting, from remailing the Signs, or from writing a letter. The missionary work thus becomes second to everything else. In not a few instances the words of the prophet have been applicable: “Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts.” God has committed to each of us a talent, and we are responsible for its use. Many have hid their talent in a napkin or buried it in the earth, and in the Judgment they will say, “Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed.” It is hard for them to deny themselves some personal ease or pleasure to engage in a work which yields so little in return,—to perform so much labor with so little profit. Its accomplishment would cost them time, care, and thought,—yes, and if they became successful workers, prayers and tears also. In some instances, the midnight hour has witnessed earnest pleadings with God that he would prosper the effort put forth. We know no reason why our sisters and lay brethren should not, in their sphere, feel a responsibility in working for souls, equal to that of the minister who enters the sacred desk. We are thankful for what some of our Conferences are doing in this direction; but not one-tenth as many papers are taken for missionary work as should be used. Not one-twentieth is accomplished which might and would be accomplished could all realize the importance of the present hour. Could the curtain be lifted, and we be permitted to see the individuals in Europe, Asia, and even Africa, who are to-day rejoicing in the light of present truth as the result of remailing the Signs of the Times and of correspondence, it would encourage the wearied and care-worn laborers to toil on. It would inspire in the lukewarm a desire to become more zealous in the work. Ministers should feel a responsibility to educate our brethren and sisters in this branch of the work. Vigilant missionary societies should be organized wherever it is consistent. Our young churches as well as our older brethren and sisters are willing to labor when properly instructed. It is the duty of those laboring in the field to give them this instruction. There is not that close thinking and planning by ministers and people to advance the truth of God that there should be. In consequence of this, they are strangers to wearisome labor. It savors too much of work, for some. When we consider the limited number of Signs now taken in clubs, and the hundreds of churches that are doing comparatively nothing in this direction, less than fifteen V. M. societies doing nearly all that is done, we are led to inquire, Is God’s providence in this branch of the work or not? Is he leading, and does he accept this kind of labor? If so, why should so little burden of it379 be felt by our ministers? Then our mind goes over to England, Scotland, Holland, Italy, to every civilized nation of Europe, to the islands of the sea, and to Egypt, the birthplace of Moses and the asylum of our Saviour. We know that in each of these places precious souls are rejoicing in the truth of the third angel’s message, many of whom have never seen one of like faith outside of their own number. And when we consider that all this resulted from remailing our periodicals and accompanying the papers with proper correspondence, we answer, Yes; we know that God’s hand is in this branch of the work. His providence is over it. He has heard the cries of the praying ones. He has bottled the tears of those who have felt the burden of this work. Angels of God have co-operated with those who have labored in this direction with wearying and pains-taking care. We have not followed cunningly devised fables in this work. No, indeed. We want to see a revival of that spirit which characterized the early church, the reformers of the sixteenth century, and those of later times, and even of those who in the infancy of our cause could fold and direct papers till midnight and not unfrequently till dawn of day. We pray that God will revive this spirit in the hearts of his waiting people. Very much depends upon our ministers and tract officers, upon the example which they set, the spirit they possess, and the education they give to others. There is no other branch of the missionary work which is so well calculated to cultivate the spirit of self-sacrifice among those who cannot leave their homes to labor, as that of our vigilant missionary societies. Persons thus take the responsibility of finding interested readers for our papers, and if they persevere, they will gain an experience in the things of God and become educated to labor for others. MISSIONARY WORK IN ENGLAND.
By John Norton Loughborough
BY ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Our missionary meeting at Southampton, on Sunday evening, May 2, was one of special interest. After the opening exercises, considerable time was spent in reading interesting letters received by members (one having received thirty-two) during the two weeks previous, in response to papers sent. In several cases entire strangers have volunteered to sell, by the week, papers we may be pleased to send them. To show the nature of most of the letters received, we give below a few of the many. J. G., from Maidenhead, writes:— “I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you have shown toward me. I have a considerable number of tracts sent me, but they have all failed to be so interesting as those you sent. I am most happy to say they have led me to strive to live more Christ-like than ever I have done before. I have loaned three of those tracts to a fellow-believer. He told me he could remember showers of stars falling a few years ago. I should be glad if you would send me a few more tracts.” J. H. O. writes from London:— “I thank you very much for the Signs of the Times, which you so regularly send me, and from which a deal of Scriptural information can be gathered. I distribute your paper as soon as I have read it, with the hope of doing good.” E. W. writes from Corfe:— “Very many thanks for the tracts and Signs of the Times received this morning, which I hope to read with profit. I see on the last page of your tracts a notice of a book entitled, ‘Thoughts on Baptism.’ If you will kindly forward it to me, I will return the price in stamps. I do so delight in reading and studying the tracts you have so kindly sent me. I do feel so thankful to God that you have been led to send them to me; it is he, I know, that leads all his children. What a blessed thought to know if we are faithful to the end we shall be his sons and daughters in glory! I often find that by a careful reading of the tracts the second time, with prayer, I learn much that otherwise I should not.” R. M., of Normanton, says:— “I have thoroughly perused the tracts you so kindly sent me, comparing them with the Scriptures, and I must say that they have greatly improved my mind. I never had such a clear view of the Scriptures before. I like your tracts very much indeed. I never had any like them before; I shall be glad of some more. After I have read them, I give them away. The Signs of the Times also came safe to hand, which I like very much. I can never repay you for the instruction it has given me.” J. A., from Derby, writes:— “I am much obliged to you for the two copies of the Signs of the Times. I am much interested in the account of the immortality of the soul, and would like a book treating upon the subject. There is much in the papers that I like to read.” F. P. writes from London:— “I thank you very kindly for the tracts and the book that you sent me. I read the book and liked it very much indeed. I go out with tracts and an invitation bill before meetings; but if we had single leaflets, they would not cost so much; and sometimes when we give the tracts having three or four pages, they do not get read, whereas they might read a single leaf.” Dr. J. L. W., London, writes:— “DEAR SIR: I have been much pleased with the Signs of the Times, and I find them highly appreciated by my Dispensary patients. If you will kindly send them to me regularly, I shall be glad to pay for them.” E. S., who lives near Derby, writes:— “The book you forwarded me, ‘Man’s Nature and Destiny,’ I find to be very good, and to contain a deal of very useful information, for which I am much obliged. Of the five shillings and five pence to my credit, take four shillings for the book and send me one copy of ‘Second Advent,’ eighteen of ‘Is man Immortal?’ twelve of ‘Sinners’ Fate,’ and six of ‘Thoughts for the Candid.’ I send you four names of those who will be interested to read the Signs of the Times.” J. C. writes from Yorkshire:— “I have received the papers you sent me, and have sold thirteen. I have found three persons who will take in the papers by the week; please send them with mine. If I find more to take it, I will let you know. I will send the money soon.” H. T., of Wolverhampton, writes:— “I am obliged to you for the loan of the book ‘Christian Experience.’ I am delighted with it, and suffice it to say that it carries out ideas which I have had for a very long time. My faith is getting stronger with regard to the Sabbath question, and I have had strong thoughts of taking determined steps to keep it. I trust faith in God will determine what course I am to take.” “The Advent doctrine must be true, since God has caused it to grow up amid such trouble as Bro. and Sr. White have passed through; nothing but the cause of God could have battled successfully with such adverse circumstances.” E. W., near Bishops Waltham, writes:— “With thanks I now beg to acknowledge the receipt of the Signs of the Times and the tracts. Allow me to state that the subject with Scriptural arguments in support of the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is quite a new matter of deep study and consideration to me. Many of the tracts I should like to peruse. May we all be ready, waiting, looking when the Lord comes.” The above are samples of the letters. We are very thankful to our friends in America for the copies of the Signs sent for this branch of the work. We are posting them to all parts of the kingdom. What is received here on subscription or sales of Signs is used in postage to forward the papers to other names, and so the truth is slowly but surely gaining ground. GENERAL SUMMARY OF MISSIONARY LABOR.
By Maria L. Huntley
The summary of missionary labor for the quarter ending April 1, as given below, is the largest ever presented for one quarter. With the exception that it includes a report from Dakota in place of Quebec, a difference of fifty-four in membership, the summary of labor in America this quarter embraces reports from the same societies as that of last quarter, and exceeds it by 659 reports returned, 99 members added, 4,414 missionary visits, 751 letters written, 518 Signs taken in clubs, 2,324 subscribers obtained for periodicals, 560,061 pages tracts and 22,753 periodicals distributed, also $3,295.48 received. The last annual summary represented the labor of only 18 per cent of S. D. Adventist church-members; the summary last quarter, 21 per cent; this quarter, nearly 26 per cent. In the different Conferences the per cent is about as follows: New England and Nebraska 40, Texas 39, Pennsylvania 35, California 34, Iowa 33, Ohio 31, Illinois 28, Dakota 26, Vermont 25, New York 24, Minnesota and Tennessee 22, Michigan 21, Wisconsin 17, Kentucky 15. Of the T. and M. membership the average per cent reporting is over 50. Another encouraging feature which shows progress in the right direction is the addition of new members,—661 within the last two quarters. And still another is the large number of missionary visits made. An increase of book sales and periodical business is also apparent, particularly in some States. Of the entire amount of money reported, $8,889.51 was received as follows: Memberships and donations, $2,376.15; book sales, $2,718.16; periodicals, $3,795.20. The remainder was received on the T. and M. fund and for periodicals, but the reports did not state how much for each. In New York the book sales amounted to $931.96 (about one-third the whole amount of sales), Pennsylvania $345.62, New England $308.36, Ohio $214.95. Ed. Matteson reports that the sale of tracts and periodicals by the tract society in Norway, during the quarter, more than paid for those distributed. In England, also, quite a large portion of the matter distributed was sold. BRO. DE VOS, having sent some Holland papers to a friend in Massachusetts, has received the following response under date of May 21, 1880:— DEAR SIR: Your letter, together with several copies of De Boodschapper, have been duly received. I am very thankful to you for your willingness to send this reading matter, and for the interest you manifest in the welfare of others. I have examined the papers carefully. On account of the many useful articles which I found in them, I felt it my duty to lend them, together with De Stem der Waarheid, to my Holland neighbors. Two days ago, De Stem der Waarheid was returned to me, torn and worn out. It had been carefully examined and read by six families. I have talked with only one of the readers, and he says that he is in harmony with the doctrines it advocates. He stated that he, in company with four of the other readers, would make me a visit in order to discuss these questions. But it is not my purpose to write further on this point. If the Lord permit, I will let you know more about this in the future. In the meantime, I believe that De Stem der Waarheid is doing a silent work. My object in writing to you now is, to ask you to send me a few more copies of it. My wife and youngest daughter leave in a few days for a pleasure trip to Holland, and I would like to have them take a few copies along to distribute there, and I want to distribute some here. I trust that you will not disappoint me in this my request. Your brother in Christ,
A. SLOOTMAKER. SUMMARY OF MISSIONARY LABOR.
By M. L. Huntley
REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING APRIL 1, 1880. | Conferences |
No. Members |
No. Reports Received |
Members Added |
Families Visited |
No. Letters Written1 |
No. Sermons taken in Club |
Subscribers obtained for Periodicals |
Pages of Tracts and Pamphlets distributed2 |
Periodicals Distributed |
Annuals sold and given away |
Cash rec’d on Tract Fund and Periodicals |
|---|
| Michigan |
1295 |
696 |
73 |
1916 |
1351 |
1217 |
698 |
314271 |
19279 |
5375 |
1508.79 |
| Iowa |
775 |
499 |
37 |
1568 |
437 |
901 |
503 |
179334 |
672? |
1437 |
914.86 |
| Wisconsin |
509 |
190 |
37 |
261 |
237 |
183 |
396 |
60535 |
4863 |
2390 |
353.85 |
| California |
459 |
255 |
24 |
875 |
1169 |
933 |
177 |
316298 |
17056 |
3970 |
764.17 |
| Minnesota |
423 |
220 |
23 |
817 |
672 |
336 |
830 |
69597 |
3924 |
270 |
419.86 |
| Illinois |
417 |
190 |
17 |
1174 |
958 |
220 |
172 |
106650 |
4188 |
471 |
216.66 |
| N. England |
414 |
205 |
2 |
552 |
751 |
543 |
168 |
130207 |
5785 |
975 |
880.70 |
| Ohio |
406 |
215 |
45 |
2179 |
381 |
182 |
429 |
102157 |
3005 |
3261 |
676.35 |
| Kansas |
334 |
151 |
18 |
250 |
140 |
114 |
363 |
77857 |
3275 |
1524 |
373.03 |
| Penna. |
326 |
157 |
22 |
1004 |
341 |
78 |
429 |
13148 |
3813 |
1217 |
614.95 |
| New York |
307 |
161 |
22 |
941 |
201 |
129 |
495 |
117598 |
4885 |
2313 |
1496.14 |
| Vermont |
243 |
101 |
7 |
171 |
151 |
108 |
97 |
35204 |
2237 |
567 |
117.58 |
| Nebraska |
262 |
123 |
13 |
415 |
141 |
164 |
100 |
62826 |
2825 |
682 |
222.49 |
| Maine |
221 |
60 |
1 |
144 |
310 |
... |
153 |
15451 |
1624 |
108 |
150.60 |
| Indiana |
179 |
113 |
12 |
191 |
136 |
102 |
184 |
88792 |
2260 |
665 |
256.43 |
| Missouri |
176 |
111 |
10 |
243 |
212 |
73 |
78 |
63615 |
2653 |
471 |
190.00 |
| Texas |
164 |
98 |
13 |
135 |
219 |
35 |
28 |
39883 |
1051 |
10 |
103.00 |
| Dakota |
88 |
52 |
5 |
99 |
15 |
... |
72 |
17666 |
750 |
93 |
84.39 |
| Kentucky |
34 |
12 |
... |
... |
13 |
23 |
16 |
1205 |
206 |
14 |
49.50 |
| Tennessee |
33 |
12 |
... |
19 |
11 |
... |
40 |
7432 |
1372 |
91 |
28.20 |
| Virginia |
13 |
8 |
... |
33 |
38 |
26 |
3 |
5193 |
133 |
... |
5.65 |
| T’l in Amer. |
7053 |
3529 |
380 |
12690 |
7950 |
4772 |
1931 |
1942728 |
92571 |
25722 |
9523.10 |
| England |
29 |
21 |
... |
7246 |
363 |
... |
35 |
254970 |
4088 |
... |
25.50 |
| Switzerland |
... |
... |
... |
... |
38 |
... |
... |
... |
1717 |
... |
... |
| Norway |
56 |
34 |
... |
15 |
16 |
... |
69 |
35040 |
2309 |
... |
58.66 |
| G’d Total |
7133 |
3584 |
380 |
19951 |
8367 |
4772 |
5035 |
2232738 |
116161 |
25722 |
9607.26 |
VERMONT T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By Thomas H. Purdon
REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING APRIL 1, 1880. | Districts |
No. Members |
No. Reported Converted |
No. Members Added |
No. Families Visited |
No. Letters Written |
No. Signs taken in Clubs |
Subscriptions obtained for Periodicals |
Pages of Tract and Campus distributed |
Periodicals Distributed |
Annuals and Tracts given away |
Cash rec'd on Tract |
Funds and Periodicals |
|---|
| 1 |
58 |
20 |
.... |
17 |
26 |
40 |
10 |
5153 |
516 |
106 |
|
$31 80 |
| 2 |
46 |
34 |
6 |
18 |
16 |
11 |
59 |
8794 |
612 |
180 |
|
12 55 |
| 3 |
30 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
2 |
5 |
1 |
4405 |
149 |
26 |
|
1 00 |
| 4 |
45 |
15 |
1 |
10 |
34 |
12 |
8 |
5961 |
198 |
133 |
|
15 00 |
| 5 |
43 |
21 |
.... |
125 |
61 |
30 |
.... |
5983 |
554 |
122 |
|
44 18 |
| 6 |
21 |
11 |
.... |
1 |
12 |
10 |
19 |
4909 |
208 |
.... |
|
13 05 |
|
243 |
101 |
7 |
171 |
151 |
108 |
97 |
35204 |
2237 |
567 |
|
$117 58 |
A REQUEST.
By JOHN W. MOORE
WILL all who are sending any of our publications to this city, Minneapolis, Minn., at once furnish me a list of the names, street, and number of all persons to whom they are sending the papers, so that I can personally visit them? I have been sent here by the Minnesota Conference to do missionary work in this city, and prepare the way for a tent-meeting. During the past six weeks Srs. Collie and Norstrom and myself have sent the names and addresses of many interested readers to V. M. societies that have asked for them, and in several instances the papers have not come yet. I would request all our societies that write for addresses to state just how many you can use, and then be sure to send the paper to all the addresses we send you, and send a list of all such names to my address, No. 2018, 24th Avenue, South Minneapolis, Minnesota. JOHN W. MOORE. Indiana Tent Meetings and Church Labors
By S. H. Lane
Milford, Tent No. 1.—This tent was pitched by Eld. Bartlett, May 28. He commenced meetings first-day, May 30. This is a town of about five hundred inhabitants. The people are friendly and intelligent. The writer united with Eld. Bartlett in labor June 2. My coming has proved timely; for since my arrival Eld. B. has suffered from an attack of bilious fever. At the present time we are holding meetings and caring for him. Thus far, our congregations have ranged from one hundred and fifty to three hundred. Good order is preserved, and the best of attention given. We are selling some books. As yet we are unable to judge what the results of our labors will be. We expect to run three tents the present season; one in the northern, one in the central, and one in the southern part of the State. We hope, through the blessing of the Lord, to see quite a number embrace the truth. We earnestly desire the prayers of our brethren and sisters. Rochester, Blue Grass, and New London.—May 1-6, labored at Rochester. We enjoyed some excellent meetings. The social meeting on Sabbath, May 1, was specially good. Some spoke for the first time. We gave an invitation for those who desired to be prayed for, and to make a start in the Christian life, to come forward. Four responded. First-day two were baptized, and four united with the church. May 7-10, at Blue Grass. Bro. and Sr. Pugh of this place first heard the truth at Rochester, about six years ago, when Eld. Waggoner and the writer were there with the tent. About eighteen months ago they began to live out the truth; and through their influence some of their neighbors became deeply interested. Bro. and Sr. Weber, of Rochester, visited the neighborhood, and distributed reading matter. One year ago, the writer gave three discourses in this vicinity, and visited those interested. Some took a stand to obey. Eld. Bartlett was here last winter, and others embraced the truth. A short time since, Sr. Weber organized a Sabbath-school among them, and they began to hold Sabbath meetings. During our last meeting we baptized five, and celebrated the ordinances. They all take part in prayer and social meetings. They take the papers, and purchase books freely. Each family has Testimony No. 29, and they are purchasing bound volumes of Spirit of Prophecy. Bro. and Sr. Weber aided much in our last meetings. May 21-24, at new London. The brethren there have just completed a new meeting-house. They have labored hard and sacrificed much for it. They have a nice large plain house of worship. They have it seated with chairs. Elds. Sharp, Rees, and Covert were present, and we were all rejoiced to meet my brother, Eld. E. B. Lane. He met many old friends to whom he taught the truth when first we came to this State ten years ago. He visited them, and gave the dedicatory sermon by the request of the church and many friends. The house was dedicated first-day, May 23. It was not capable of seating the people, either in the forenoon or the evening. During the month of May, two new meeting-houses have been dedicated in this Conference. We thank the Lord for the advancement of the truth in this State.