Earlier text: THE END NEARTO THE BRETHREN IN NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Dear Brethren and Sisters: In a few days more comes your camp-meeting, to be held near this place. By the advice of the General Conference Committee, I am now laboring in your Conference for a short time, and shall be at your camp-meeting. We feel very anxious that this camp-meeting shall be a good one. As you well know, for some reason, there has not been much done in this Conference for some years, and a spirit of discouragement, more or less, has rested upon the old churches and brethren. Very few young people have embraced the truth and many of your children have grown up and gone into the world. Not much has been done in new fields. This is bad, and could not be otherwise than discouraging to those in the Conference. But for a year or so past many of you have felt that there must be a change, and that something must be done in this Conference; and the live, earnest men have been trying hard to have something accomplished. Means have been freely sacrificed, and earnest appeals for help have been made. This has not been without effect. Some very encouraging results have been witnessed in different places this present Conference year, and this season you have three tents running, and each one has had a fair degree of success, so that several new churches have been raised up and scores are keeping the Sabbath to-day who were entirely ignorant of it at the time of your last camp-meeting. I am thoroughly satisfied that New York is a good field, a rich field; and that there are just as good openings for the truth in this State as in the other States where such great success is attending its proclamation every year. Our work in this city is proof of this. We could not reasonably ask any better or more extensive interest than has been manifested in this place. The people are just as willing to hear, just as free from prejudice, and just as ready to embrace the truth, as in any State where I have ever labored. Bro. S. B. Whitney is also having hundreds out to hear him. I am anxious, for my part, to spend the next year in this Conference. I hope it may be the will of God and our brethren that I shall. I am confident that our brethren generally need to make a mighty effort to wake up and catch up with the spirit of this message. Our camp-meeting is a good time to commence in this State. We shall have a large church of beginners here, all of whom will attend the camp-meeting. They will naturally look to our older brethren for example, and will drink into their spirit more or less. It is natural and right that they should. How important, then, brethren, that you bring the Lord with you, and that you come filled with the Spirit of God and of his work. This should be by far the largest camp-meeting we have ever held in this State. Everything seems favorable for such an one. Some of you have not attended a camp-meeting for two or three years. Brethren, in the name of the Lord and of the present truth, and for the sake of your souls and those of your friends, I entreat you, Do not stay away from this meeting. Especially do we want to see the young people and the children here. We cannot give them up so easily. God has worked in a special manner for the youth in all our camp-meetings, and he is willing to do it here. You should sacrifice almost anything for this purpose. If you have any neighbors who are at all interested in the truth, do everything in your power to get them to this meeting. Finally, we ask you to pray, with us, that God may give us great success in this meeting. Rome, N. Y., Aug. 14, 1876. Switzerland, Alsace, and France.
By John Nevins Andrews; D. T. Bourdeau
During the past month, we have had the privilege of meeting at Locle and at La Coudre a considerable number of our brethren from the several Swiss churches. At La Coudre, or near that place, twelve persons were baptized in lake Neuchâtel. Two of these were from Hohwald, Alsace. They came this great distance to be baptized, because, up to that time, permission had been denied us to labor publicly in that part of Europe. We hope that the word preached during these meetings will accomplish much good. Our friends have taken much interest in extending the circulation of our journal, for which we make grateful acknowledgment. One sends us a good list of subscribers, and writes a letter of encouragement. To-day we have received permission from the authorities at Strasbourg to preach in a certain part of Alsace. Thus God opens the way before us. We gratefully recognize his hand, and humbly ask him to prepare our hearts for the work which he gives us to do. A friend writes from Southern France that the way is prepared for the message to be preached in his section, and he expects to receive help soon. The believers in Hohwald, Alsace, are being established in the truth. Two more ask for baptism. J. N. Andrews, D. T. Bourdeau. Bâle, Switzerland, Aug. 5. TO MEMBERS OF N. Y. & PA. CONFERENCE.
By Conference Committee
We have a word to add to the many appeals that have already been made to the brethren generally, to attend the camp-meetings the present season. The times are hard, and it will require a great effort on the part of some if they come to this meeting; and yet we believe it will be pleasing to God if all who can possibly do so will make this effort and attend the camp-meeting. We need the benefit to be derived from such a meeting and the labors of those who come to work for our good, and we hope that none will allow any trivial excuse to keep them away. The interest of the work at Rome, where our meeting is to be held, is such as demands that all that can be done to make our camp-meeting a success should be done; and this cannot be accomplished unless, in the first place, all manifest their interest by attending it. All who can do so should supply themselves with tents, but let none stay away because they are not thus provided for, as provision will be made for the accommodation of such. To those who wish to rent tents we say, be in season with your orders. All orders should be sent so as to reach Rome by Tuesday, July 29, in order that they shall be sure to receive attention. We would especially call the attention of the brethren of the northern and north-eastern part of the State to the fact that the meeting is more favorably located for them to attend than they can expect it will be again for some time to come, and we hope they will make a special effort to improve this favorable opportunity. BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE.
By S. B.
The fall term of this school begins Wednesday, Aug. 30. All persons expecting to attend this term should regard it a matter of the first importance to be promptly on hand at the opening. Much information of interest to the students relative to the work before them will be given during the first few days, for which there will be no time during the subsequent part of the term. All that are a few weeks, or even days tardy, suffer a loss in their classes, from which they cannot easily recover. In answer to inquiries by letter as to where students should go on their arrival in Battle Creek, and to whom they should apply for rooms and other information of interest to them, we would state that a committee has been appointed for this purpose. To the members of this committee students may be referred by inquiring at the Office of the REVIEW AND HERALD. This committee will have the names of those who have rooms to rent together with the price, location, &c. S. B. The second Catalogue of Battle Creek College, is just out of press. It contains forty-eight pages of information relative to the progress of our school, and sets forth the facilities it possesses for educating our youth. Its appearance is neat and beautiful, and its typographical execution all that could be desired. Those orders which have been held a few weeks awaiting its appearance have been filled. These copies have gone out without the engraving which is referred to on page 20 of the Catalogue, as the electrotype plate had not arrived at the office. The Catalogue will be ready for general distribution in a few hours after the plate, which is daily expected, arrives. Let all our friends see that the Catalogue has a judicious circulation. Send for copies for distribution among families who have children or friends to send away to school. Please accompany your orders with postage, which is at the rate of two cents per copy. S. B. European Debate on the Sunday Rest
ACCORDING to a German paper, the question concerning the authority and the meaning of the Sunday rest occupies, at the present day, more or less of public attention in all countries of Europe. A prize essay, brought out by the “Swiss Society for the Observance of Sunday”—“The Sunday Rest from the Sanitary Point of View”—met with not less than 53 responses; among them 15 from Germany, 15 from Great Britain, 8 from France, 5 from Switzerland, 4 from Austria, 2 from the United States, 1 from Belgium, 1 from Holland, and 1 from Port Natal, in South Africa. Clergymen, doctors, and national economists are thus far in accordance with the voices of the people that the hallowing of the Sunday must be recommended from every standpoint.—Independent. ROME, N. Y.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
We have had some encouragement during the last week. Though the weather has been so extremely hot that it has affected our meetings considerably, still there is a fair interest. We have at no time had less than one hundred and fifty or two hundred hearers, generally about three or four hundred. We had a large crowd Tuesday night, when we reviewed the Methodist minister on the Sabbath question. This helped the cause much. We also had a good audience Sunday night to listen to a discourse on the mark of the beast. Another minister preached a fiery sermon Sunday morning upon the state of the dead. We review him to-morrow night. Thus far, we have obtained thirty-one subscribers for the REVIEW, and eleven for the INSTRUCTOR. Books still go off well. We have scores of warm friends in every part of the city. Everybody says that this city never was so stirred on Bible questions as to-day. We find, however, one serious obstacle here, viz., that most of the laboring men work in the iron mills, so that it is impossible for them to keep the Sabbath and retain their places. As they have been raised to this business from childhood, it is a great struggle for them to break away, and many of course will never do it. Last Sabbath we organized a Bible-class and Sabbath-school, with a good attendance. In the afternoon we enjoyed the best meeting we have had. After preaching, thirty-five testimonies were readily borne in favor of the truth. It did our souls good to hear these dear friends confess their faith in, and love for, the present truth. There are about thirty-five who have become thoroughly settled upon the truth. These are keeping the Sabbath, and many more are almost decided. Almost every day we find some one who has taken a stand upon the truth, so we labor on with good courage. We all have excellent health and good spirits. Everybody is looking forward to our camp-meeting with great interest. We are very anxious that there should be a large turnout of our people at this meeting. If we can have a successful camp-meeting, it will settle things here greatly. We found one excellent family keeping the Sabbath who have kept it ever since last camp-meeting as the result of attending that meeting. We were thinking some of changing the location of the camp-meeting, but the people in that neighborhood earnestly requested us not to do it, offering to pay the expense of the camp-ground rather than to have it moved. This shows the good effect of our camp-meeting. Rome, N. Y., Aug. 14, 1876. NEBRASKA
By M. Wing; M. Hackworth
SINCE our last report, we have been laboring, with some success, at Pawnee City. We were at this place a little more than six weeks. The interest to hear the word of life was truly encouraging. Some came twelve miles, from the country, to attend the lectures. One brother and his wife, between sixty and seventy years of age, who had formerly belonged to the first-day Adventists, seemed delighted almost beyond measure with the truths of the third angel’s message. They have embraced the truth fully, and are rejoicing in the hope of eternal life when Jesus comes. We have had some opposition to contend against. One Methodist minister gave three discourses on the Sabbath question. He was very unfair and abusive, but his course made ten friends to the cause of truth where it made one to his false theories. We replied to his discourses as far as we considered they were worthy of notice. We are sure that the truth has lost nothing by the efforts made to put it down. We gave in all fifty-one lectures in Pawnee City. Fourteen signed the covenant, and quite a number of others, we are sure, will obey the truth as soon as they fully understand it. Two were immersed after the services first-day morning. We left many warm friends of the cause here, and our prayers are that they may be led to obey its warning voice. We are now at Humboldt, where we have given two lectures. We have had large and very attentive congregations, and are in hopes we shall reap some sheaves here also. Humboldt, Neb., Aug. 11, 1876. THROUGH PEACE TO LIGHT.
By Sel.
I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be
A pleasant road;
I do not ask that thou wouldst take from me
Aught of its load;
I do not ask that flowers should always spring
Beneath my feet;
I know too well the poison and the sting
Of things so sweet. For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead:
Lead me aright,
Though strength should falter, and the heart
Should bleed,
Through peace—to light.
I do not ask, O Lord, that thou wouldst shed
Full radiance here;
Give but a ray of light that I may tread
Without a fear. I do not ask my cross to understand,
My way to see;
Better—in darkness—just to feel thy hand
And follow thee.
Joy is like restless day—but peace divine,
Like quiet night.
Lead me, O Lord, till perfect day shall shine
Through peace—to light.
—Sel. OHIO CAMP-MEETING.
By H. A. St. John
The last of this series of meetings was held under the large pavilion, on Tuesday night, Aug. 14. The attendance was fully as large as at any previous evening meeting, excepting Sunday night. Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. U. Smith will report the meetings up to this time, but as they left us before the last, it only remains for us to report the close. The writer spoke to the people from Rev. 22:17. Excellent attention was given, and we feel quite sure that the Spirit of God impressed the blessed invitation of the text upon many hearts. Thus closed the eighth Ohio Camp-meeting. Our people wishing to take the early morning trains, it was not thought expedient to hold a morning meeting. Our dear people in Ohio have now gone to their homes, and, we trust, they are a wiser and better people than when they came to this annual convocation. May God bless his people in our Conference; and when we have the privilege of gathering in another camp-meeting may it be clearly seen that our course has been one of progress toward the saints’ inheritance. Dear brethren, do not forget to labor, watch, and pray, if you would be ready for Jesus’ soon coming. H. A. St. John. Our tent-meeting in Mt. Pleasant has closed. At least ten are keeping the Sabbath as the result. Quite a number more are interested, and we hope some of them will obey. The meetings have removed prejudice from the minds of many, and they have been a benefit to some who were keeping the Sabbath before, but who were on the back-ground. Bro. Morrison and Kilgore are now holding meetings in that tent at Wapello, Louisa Co., while I have just set up the old northern tent at Marshall, six miles from Mt. Pleasant. I desire to be within a reasonable distance of that place, so that if the ministers commence preaching against us, I can review them. They have been very quiet thus far. Pray for the good work to progress. GEO. I. BUTLER. Marshall, Iowa, Aug. 17, 1876. SHELDON, ILL.
By G. W. Colcord
With patient labor we hope to raise up a church of Sabbath-keepers at this place. It requires much labor here. The car moves slowly, but, thank the Lord! I believe it moves. Several have signed the covenant. Pray for us. INDIANA
By S. H. Lane; James Harvey
The turnout here averages about one hundred. The political excitement is so great that it is almost impossible to arrest the attention of the people. Some of those who attend are interested, and we trust that a few will embrace the truth. We have sold quite a quantity of publications. We shall continue our meetings as long as the interest demands. At Marion, where we held our last tent-meetings, others are still embracing the truth. The Sabbath meetings are interesting. We have organized a Sabbath-school and Bible-class. We ask the prayers of God’s people. S. H. LANE, JAMES HARVEY. Peru, Ind., Aug. 16, 1876. VIRGINIA TENT.
By J. O. Corliss; E. B. Lane
The past week, we have given eleven discourses, visited twenty families, and held a Sabbath meeting with thirty-five in attendance. On Sunday, Mrs. Lane addressed an assembly numbering six hundred and fifty. This we regard a large congregation for a country place; for our tent is pitched on a farm. Our average attendance has been about seventy-five. Some twenty have decided to keep the Sabbath, and we expect others. The influence of our meetings is such that when a road-master ordered the people out on the Sabbath they rallied on Friday instead. We are of good courage. J. O. Corliss, E. B. Lane. KANSAS WESTERN TENT.
By J. Lamont
About two hundred and fifty people were out last Tuesday night to hear our reply to the sermon on the change of the Sabbath. At the close, the M. E. minister announced a reply on the next Sunday night. We offered him the next evening. This he refused, preferring to wait till Sunday night. We heard his discourse last night. It was the same old story,—the fathers—the learned men—the national day. We show the matter up again to-morrow night. His efforts benefit our cause by showing the kind of testimony first-day advocates are obliged to use to bolster up their cause. Some are keeping the Sabbath who have not yet signed the covenant. J. LAMONT. Council Grove, Kan., Aug. 14. HANOVER, MICH.
By J. B. Frisbie; E. P. Daniels
Since our last report, one week's labor has been performed in Baldwin, at the close of which three decided to keep the commandments, and one subscribed for the Review. On the 31st of July, seeing no further need of present labor there, we removed our tent to Hanover, distant about three and one-half miles. Tuesday, Aug. 1, we held our first meeting in this place, and up to this date (Aug. 19) have given nineteen lectures. We are at present in the midst of the life and death question. Thus far the opposition has been but slight, the attendance has been regular, the congregations ranging from sixty to one hundred and fifty. Every kindness has been shown us. Courteous invitations have been extended, and seven families have been visited; the number of invitations daily increases. Prejudice gradually disappears; and intelligent men and women are reading and inquiring after the truth. This is God's work; he will take charge of it. But pray for us, that Satan may not, by cunning artifices, inspire us with a selfish ambition which would prevent the co-operation of holy angels and the sweet influence of Christ's Spirit, and thus leave us without hope of success. We repeat: Remember us in prayer. J. B. FRISBIE, E. P. DANIELS. Hanover, Mich., Aug. 19, 1876. SINCE my last report, the interest has gradually increased. Last Sunday, about 4 P. M., I learned that the Methodist minister of the place was to speak in the evening on the change of the Sabbath; so as the people came to the tent I sent them to the church. As the result, the house was crowded. This was unexpected, and caused some embarrassment. The discourse was mostly assertions, with but little proof. It was not satisfactory, even to the minister’s own brethren. I replied in the tent Monday evening, to a large congregation. I think that this effort against the truth will result favorably. Many already acknowledge we have the truth on the Sabbath question. I have thus far been alone at this place; but am greatly in need of help—expect Bro. Miller soon. Nashville, Aug. 16, 1876. WOODSTOCK, ME.
By J. B. Goodrich
JULY 29, 30 was a good time for the Woodstock church. On Sunday, our house of worship was well filled with candid hearers. Bro. C. A. Washburn was present to assist in preaching the word. At the close of the afternoon meeting, eleven were baptized. It was a solemn time. A deacon was chosen and ordained, and eight united with the church. Aug. 3, I met with the friends at North Windham; and at Deering, the 5th and 6th. Two united with the church; and we attended to the ordinances. I am now with the tent at Brunswick. Our tent-meeting at Friendship closed Aug. 13. Eleven substantial persons decided to obey the Lord, and the prospect is that others will join them soon. Bro. A. D. Olsen will remain with them awhile to visit, and to help them get into working order. I would say to the churches where I have made appointments that, for the present, I shall not be able to visit them, as it seems to be duty for me to join Bro. Tenney in a series of meetings at Tomah. Viroqua, Aug. 17, 1876
By I. Sanborn; O. A. Johnson
Our meetings are still well attended. Though some are doing all they can to turn the people away from the truth and raise prejudice, yet some have already commenced keeping the Sabbath, and many others are interested. We shall continue our meetings another week. We then expect to go to Farmer’s Valley, Monroe Co., four miles east of Leon. Pray for us. I. Sanborn, O. A. Johnson. Wisconsin Tent Meeting Near Mauston Organizes Class of Fourteen
By G. C. Tenney; S. S. Smith
We closed our labors near Mauston last evening. The result, so far, has been the organization of a class of fourteen, three or four of whom are keeping the Sabbath for the first time, while others were members of the once prosperous Mauston church; others will join as soon as they can be reached by the truth once more, and there are several who have never yet professed religion that we are strongly assured will soon take hold of present truth. Thus we trust that by a little well-directed labor immediately after tent season, the standard of the Lord may again be raised in this vicinity in a good, strong church. In some respects this has been a very hard field in which to labor, as all will agree who are acquainted, yet there are souls here that love the truth. Bro. Carter and family have kindly supplied our wants. Opposition has been of the kind which smiles as it meets you, while at your back it “wonders why the Lord sent you here,” and finally turns to bitter hatred. We next unite with Bro. Decker in labor at Tomah, which will be our address. G. C. Tenney,
S. S. Smith. SOUTHERN KANSAS TENT.
By J. H. Cook; A. J. Stover
We are still at Parsons. The interest remains good. Our congregations range from seventy-five to three hundred. There is opposition, more or less, every night, in short, negative arguments against our positions. So far, five have taken their stand with us. Many more are interested. Parsons is a railroad town of about twenty-five hundred inhabitants. Trains are so arranged that generally the passengers have to lay over from six to twelve hours; hence at almost all of our meetings, there are present more or less of the traveling public from all parts of the country, who not only hear what we have to say, but carry away some of our publications. J. H. Cook,
A. J. Stover. A. O. BURRILL
By A. O. Burrill
We have now given two courses of lectures in the township of Ovid, Clinton Co. A class of more than twenty-five has been formed, and Systematic Benevolence has been pledged. They will have regular Sabbath meetings; also a weekly prayer-meeting. They all enjoy the Sabbath-school very much. The tent is worn out. I shall labor as the way opens. Will those living in Isabella, Mecosta, and Newago Counties, who know of openings for lectures, please correspond with me at Marshall, Mich.? Kansas Reader Keeps the Sabbath Despite Harvest
Bro. H. C. Main, of Sedgwick Co., Kan., says:— “I would like, through the REVIEW, to express my thanks to the kind friend who has sent me this valuable paper. It gives light on the Scriptures; and myself and family are very much interested in the truths it teaches. I thought it would be impossible for me to keep the Sabbath here, as I would be alone, and obliged to depend on my neighbors to help me through a large harvest. At last I determined to commence its observance, and I am now rejoicing in it with my family. I had no trouble about getting help in harvesting.” A SPECIAL WORK.
By Charles P. Whitford
Seventh-day Adventists profess to believe that God has a special work for these last days, the object and design of which is to prepare a people for translation when the Lord shall come. They believe that this message must go to “peoples, nations, tongues and kings,” in fulfillment of Rev. 10:11. They believe, from the fulfillment of promised signs, that the time for the proclamation of this warning message, Rev. 14:9-12, has come. They reason that if the time for its proclamation has come, it is already in the world; and if so, it is none other than this work in which Seventh-day Adventists are engaged at the present time. The prophecies in general prove that we are in the last days; therefore it is time to expect the last warning promised in the word of God. The best additional evidence is that the message is actually being proclaimed, and now I wish to say a word to my brethren. It seems to me there are some solemn considerations connected with this subject. If God has placed upon us the responsibility of proclaiming to the world this last message of warning, upon which the salvation or condemnation of its teeming millions depends; we should be the most zealous people existing on the earth, or that has existed for eighteen centuries. But how does our zeal compare with that of the apostolic church? They sold their farms and made themselves poor, and even sacrificed life itself, for the purpose of helping forward the work of God. Who now would think they could bear stripes, imprisonment, stoning, or crucifixion, as the early Christians sometimes did? And can any man give a good reason why Seventh-day Adventists, with the faith they hold, should not be as zealous as the apostolic church? They had a lifetime before them in which to do their work. Time was to continue many centuries. But how different now! Soon the trump of God will sound and probation’s hours be forever closed. Soon our property will be destroyed, and ourselves with it, if our treasure is here. And it certainly will be here unless we transfer it to the other world by noble acts of sacrifice in God’s cause before that day shall burst upon us. A world lying in wickedness is rapidly drifting toward the vortex of eternal destruction. Shall we sound an alarm and warn people of their danger? Shall we make earnest efforts to save them? Or shall we devote our energies to accumulating the perishing treasures of this earth, and leave our fellow-men to go down to ruin? Will not God hold us accountable for the talents he has given us, and the use we make of the precious truths which he has so graciously permitted to shine upon our pathway? Dear brethren, it seems to me that every consideration proves that we should be as earnest as the apostles themselves. But oh, how far short of it we come! We are so apt to compare ourselves with the churches around us, and flatter ourselves we are pretty well off if doing as well or a little better than they, that we are in great danger of being rejected. How much better to compare ourselves with some church which we know God has accepted. Our lukewarm state, as brought to view in the message to the Laodicean church of Rev. 3, would then be more apparent. While we should be the most zealous people existing on the earth, many of us who profess to believe that the last days are actually here yet seem as if almost asleep. If we do not arouse from our slumbering condition, we shall certainly be spewed out of the mouth of the faithful and true Witness. This is a great crisis, and many are blind to it, as the Jews were in the days of John the Baptist. Things are rapidly shaping to bring about results upon which the eternal destinies of millions will turn. And does any one suppose that the cause of present truth is going to accomplish the work the Lord has said it should, without money and effort? Did not the first proclamation of the gospel cost these, and has not the truth in every age? Our faith if it does not embrace these means amounts to very little. It is by just such things that its character is determined. I believe that God will bless us in proportion to the amount of active, intelligent faith which we possess. Fault-finders will of course have much to say. Our feelings toward them should be those of pity and sorrow. They are in danger of eternal ruin. All the grumblers in the world cannot stop the third angel’s message in its present state of development, but it will go on until the world is thoroughly warned. Dear brethren, let us awake out of sleep, consecrate ourselves to God, and thus be prepared to engage heartily in the closing work of the third angel’s message. “Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them.” Ps. 119:165. Christ tells us the two great principles of the law are love to God and love to man—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; and thy neighbor as thyself. Now when anything happens to disturb our peace of mind, would it not be well to look to our own hearts, and see if the great cause of disturbance does not lie there? Do we love those who have offended us as we love ourselves? If not, we are not fulfilling the law, and are not in a position to look upon their words or deeds in the beautiful light of the Golden Rule. If we truly felt a desire for their happiness equal to that we feel for our own, would there be room in our hearts for a spirit of retaliation, or a disposition to give way to an offended, injured feeling?” God does not wish us to sit quietly down, doing nothing, and in this position expect to be perfectly serene and happy; but he has work for every one of us. Christ was not content to enjoy the glories and beauties of Heaven while there was a poor, perishing race to save; and he requires us to feel deeply for others and be ready to do anything in our power for their benefit. But we should be cheerful and happy while doing every duty. We often suffer our minds to become gloomy by indulging unprofitable thoughts. Oh! if we could only remember to think on the things of which Paul tells us—the true things, the pure, honest, lovely things, those of good report, where there is any virtue or any praise—would we not be in a much better frame of mind to love God and to do good to our fellow-beings? “A bitter fountain cannot send forth sweet waters.” The more we notice the faults and failings of others, and think about them, the worse they appear to us; and by so doing we are not training our hearts to love them, but are coming to dislike them and to feel no desire for their happiness. While we thus magnify the faults of others, we are neglecting our own, and suffering them to take deep root. We can train our minds to seek for beautiful ideas, to think of the good traits of those around us, the many blessings by which we are surrounded, lovely objects in nature, and many other good themes, and thus learn to feel more love to God and our fellows; or we can allow our minds to take a low level, to notice only the bad things, to have a quick eye for the shortcomings of others. We may be discontented with our lot, and murmur and complain at every trivial thing that annoys us, and in this way we shall constantly encourage the growth of an unthankful, unloving disposition. And if we take this course we may be certain that our peace of mind will be very small, our trials and perplexities very great, and that we shall find plenty of things at which to take offense. Perhaps something arises in our work to baffle or perplex us, and we allow ourselves to become worried or peevish about it. But let us remember that the true results of our labors will be in proportion to the effort we put forth, the motive which actuates us, and the spirit and manner in which our work is done. If the work seems difficult, and we are calm and patient, doing all we can, even if it is but little, will it not be more acceptable than a great amount accomplished with no especial effort? Perhaps our patience and humility are just the qualities that need discipline. The poor widow gave all she had, so it was considered much although really but a trifle; while the gifts of the rich, who could easily spare large amounts, were accounted less. The widow’s offering was prompted by love, and when we truly love God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves, we shall patiently do all we can for the honor of his holy name and the well-being of our fellows. We may then humbly leave the results of our endeavors with the One who “doeth all things well.” Having done this, we may claim our dear Saviour’s promise: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” Then nothing shall offend us, while we truly love God, and sincerely seek to obey his holy, unchangeable law of love. SOUTH-WESTERN IOWA.
By G. V. Kilgore
Bro. Bartlett is having a good attendance at the tent in Plum Hollow. I came from there to Sidney last Thursday; where I found the friends still firm in the truth. I visited fourteen families. On the Sabbath, I spoke to the little flock, and started a Bible-class. When I was leaving the place, after sunset, I saw the Presbyterian minister posting up a notice that he would speak the next morning on the change of the Sabbath, so I staid to hear him. He refused to announce that I would reply, and forbade my doing so in his meeting, so I made the announcement after he dismissed. I had a full house. The minister was outside listening. About forty voted in favor of the Sabbath, and not one in favor of Sunday. I now return to Plum Hollow, Fremont Co., Iowa, which is my post-office address. BRUNSWICK, ME.
By R. S. Webber
We have about one hundred at our tent-meetings here except Sundays, every Sunday evening we have about five or six hundred out. We hope to see some embrace the truth. DIMONDALE, MICH.
By John Sisley
Since I last reported, I have labored in North Eaton Rapids with some success. June 8, I commenced meetings in Dimondale, eight miles from Lansing. There were six in and near the village who were keeping the Sabbath. I held fifty-four meetings and have organized a class of seventeen. Four others are keeping the Sabbath, who will join us soon. Others are deeply interested, whom we expect will soon be with us. Obtained twenty-three subscribers for our periodicals. To-morrow I expect to commence meetings in Delhi Center, a small village eight miles from Lansing. I need the prayers of the brethren. “REST FOR THE WEARY.”
By Chas. L. Boyd
The rest promised in the sacred word is not a cessation from labors, but of the weariness which attends our labors in this sin-cursed earth. In the “sweat of thy face,” and not “by labor,” was the penalty of the transgression. For the past few weeks I have been enjoying a rest with the friends of my childhood, among the green hills of Vermont and New Hampshire. Eleven of us, own brothers and sisters, through the mercies of God, were permitted to meet for the first time. Our father sleeps, but our mother still lives to bless the unbroken band of her children, seven of whom are striving to live out the truths of the third angel’s message. Every Sabbath while in Vermont, I met with, and tried to encourage, the flock of Christ. Quite a number have been added to this church during the past ten years; and the tried ones of years gone by are pressing forward, though they are not so far in advance of some of the newly organized churches as I had hoped to find them. This message is like a ladder; step by step it leads us higher. Oh, for the time to come when a people will arrive at the long-sought eminence—“without fault.” I feel under renewed obligation to Him in whose vineyard I labor, that he has granted me this pleasant season; not merely for my happiness, but that I may be better prepared, both in body and mind, for the proclamation of this solemn message. To see it prosper is the object of my life. Dear brethren, hear this oft-repeated petition: “Pray for the messengers.” If twenty-five thousand wrestling souls respond, God will hear. In him we trust. My address is Seward, Seward Co., Neb. BELIEVERS have rest. God gives them this great comfort. Worry comes from doubt. It nearly always arises from foreboding evils that never come, or doubting promises that are sure. Usually, neither joys nor sorrows are what we anticipate. Why not wait, then, till they come? The present is all that we know with certainty; why, then, take thought for the future? David says, “I hate vain thoughts,” and so should we; and do not most of our fears and many of our hopes and desires prove to be utterly vain. Our Saviour forbids anxiety when he says, “Take no thought for the morrow.” Forecasting is well if seasoned with trusting; looking ahead is proper if we look in hope and allow for unseen results. Our greatest griefs are unexpected; our highest joys break suddenly upon our hearts. The connection of divine agency with human action is such that no one can forecast the future exactly. Often what we most fear is changed to blessing, and what promised highest pleasure drives thorns to our hearts. Will worry turn our hair white or black? It whitens hair without cause, excludes peace where the Lord would give it, exhausts life where rest is offered, creates evils out of good, begets fear where no fear is lawful, prevents blessings that are sent to our doors, consumes energies needed to win success, invites enemies that hope would repel, grieves the Spirit and hinders his gracious helpfulness. —Sel.