Earlier text: Hints on Sabbath-School WorkBLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO.
By R. F. Cottrell
The religion of the Bible consists in believing what God says, and doing what he commands. “Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. 12:14. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:22, 25, 27. To obey God’s perfect law, honoring him and doing righteous deeds to our fellow-men, is religion pure and undefiled. The opposite kind of religion, of course, is impure and defiled. The religion of many consists chiefly in feeling. They do what they feel it duty to do; but they do not always feel it duty to do what God says. They say they know that they are accepted of God; for they feel it so in their very souls. “The Lord saves me, and he saves me now,” is a favorite form of expression. They know God answers their prayers, because they feel it so. On the contrary, an apostle has said, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” John 3:22. Here it is again: Blessed are they that do. Now feeling is not faith. It is all right when it is founded in faith and obedience to the word of the Lord. When a man has an intelligent faith in what God has revealed, and does what that revelation requires, he has a right to feel, and to rejoice in the Lord. What is it which distinguishes the true religion from all false religions? Is it not that the truth of God lies at its foundation? True feeling, then, will always be found in conformity to this truth. Then a person must be intelligent in the truth before he can depend upon his feelings. Do not false religionists feel? Do they not manifest a religious zeal? What but the most ardent feeling of devotion could cause a heathen mother to cast her infant into the River Ganges to be devoured by the monsters of the deep? or to cast herself before the car of Juggernaut to be crushed to atoms? I think that there is feeling in every kind of religion, and therefore we shall be deceived if we trust to feeling, unless we know that our faith and works are in harmony with the truth of God. The first and most pressing want of the people in these days is instruction in the truth as revealed in God’s word. They need a true foundation for their faith; and then they want a faith that will cause them to act—to do what that word requires. Their ears have been turned away from the truth to fables. This is as Paul foretold it would be. Sensational preaching stirs the religious sentiments or faculties, producing certain emotions or feelings, and this passes for genuine Bible religion, though many of the duties therein revealed are neglected entirely, either from ignorance or unwillingness to obey. I repeat it: Truth is the thing which distinguishes true religion from every false way. The truth is in our Bibles; but in a land of Bibles the great need of the people is to be instructed in the truth. They talk of worshiping God in spirit; but they that worship him must worship him “in spirit and in truth.” The truth is in the word of God. “Thy word is truth.” John 17:17. “Thy law is the truth.” Ps. 119:142. “All thy commandments are truth.” Verse 151. This refers to the moral law, the ten commandments. Every word of them is true; every jot and tittle of this law shall endure till heaven and earth pass away. Matt. 5:18. Yet the leading ministers and churches of to-day are treading the fourth commandment of this law under foot. God is now pleading with them, saying, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isa. 58:13, 14. On the other hand, God is now sending a fearful message of warning to the nations of the earth, saying, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation.” At the same time he is calling the attention of all to his patient, enduring, and obedient people, saying, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” See Rev. 14:9–12. Through the influence of apostasy, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has been disregarded, and another institution has been put in its place, according to the prophecy of a wicked power that should “think to change times and laws.” Dan. 7:25. This same power is the beast, against the worship and mark of which we are being warned. Rev. 13:1–10. The Roman popedom is the power thus foretold; and the Roman church to-day claims that their church changed “the Sabbath into Sunday,” or “substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.” See their doctrinal works. Now the question is, Shall we follow the changes and corruptions of the popedom, or shall we keep the commandments of God? Does it make any difference whether we have the light of God’s word, and walk in that, or follow the traditions of an apostate church, which claims the power to change the laws which God spake with his own voice, and wrote with his own finger, and to “substitute” something else in its place? In a land of Bibles, and in which God’s voice is being heard in fulfillment of the last message of warning promised in his word, will it be just as well to walk on in darkness, following the dictates of a fallen church which blasphemously claims to make laws for God, “if the heart is only right”? We have the word of the living and true God; and Jesus says, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28. Jesus said to the apostate Jewish church, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:9. Is not this his voice to the professed Christian church to-day? Let us hear Jesus. “Not every one,” says he, “that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.” Matt. 7:21. Listen to his voice again, in his last benediction to his people, recorded in the book of Revelation: “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14. Comforting Words.
By Eliza H. Morton
The Bible is a pure, sparkling fountain of everlasting truth. The words of God to man, as inscribed on the printed page, are well calculated to stir the depths of feeling, and to impart comfort to troubled hearts. The history of man during the early ages of the world is a subject fraught with interest and glowing with divine mercy. The prophecies present dim outlines of God’s eternal purposes concerning this earth and its inhabitants. The thrilling story of the life and death of the Prince of peace is strangely pathetic and soul-subduing, and the Scriptures all point to the far-off “hills of home.” The love of our God finds expression in sweet words of invitation, which though repeated over a thousand times, never lose their power or beauty: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Blessed words, well calculated to reach the deafest ear and melt the hardest heart; and then how tender are the words of entreaty: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” “Cool flowing waters” stream from “Zion’s hill,” the shadow of the cross is refreshing rest, and the touch of Heaven allays the burning fever of life. The “wings of the Almighty” and the “everlasting arms” cover and uphold even as it hath been declared, while words of promise point to joy which is beyond all thought. The sun may refuse to shine, and earthly homes become strangely dark; but the heart can sing of “the glory of the city where they need no sun or moon to lighten them, but where Jehovah is the everlasting light, and the long day of mourning is at an end.” The poor pilgrim may be thinly clad, and compelled to face chilly blasts from frozen lands; but he knows that “raiment richer than the morn” awaits him, and the thought imparts warmth to his soul. Truly God’s word is a lamp to our feet, at all times and in all places. Human lips may breathe human thoughts, but there is no balm there. The “oil of joy” cometh not from below. Songs and gladness are the children of the day, and the light of the morning cometh from above. The famished spirit cannot be satisfied with earthly bread; it craves heavenly manna. The impatient weariness of life can find no repose among the roses of earth; the “rest that remaineth” for the faithful can alone soothe and bless. The fevered heart can find no water in earth’s wells; it longs for the fount that can cool and refresh. The sin-sick soul can find no physician among the learned of earth; the great Healer can alone quicken the tide of life, and cause everlasting health to bud and bloom. The Christian can feel the force and beauty of the following lines concerning God’s word:— “A hive of honeyed treasure
Distilled from Eden’s bowers,
Where Heaven-born hope with pleasure
May feed in wintry hours.
“Drink for the soul that’s thirsty,
Comfort for those that fear,
Balm for the heart that’s bursting,
May all be gathered here.
“What added boon is wanting?
The blessing God must give,
The gift of faith, by granting
“To read, believe, and live.” ILLUSTRIOUS EXAMPLES.
By E. H. Gates
Why is it that we are so spiritless in the work of the Lord? While we all feel an interest in things pertaining to our temporal welfare, why should we not show a corresponding zeal in spiritual matters? Occasionally, as we get glimpses of the glory beyond, we resolve that our whole mind, might, and strength shall be devoted to the service of the Master. But oh, how easy to lose this love, and backslide from God! We allow the glitter and tinsel of this poor life to eclipse the treasures of Heaven, which are as much more valuable than earth’s treasures as Heaven is higher than earth. Could the New Jerusalem, in all its effulgent glory, be revealed to our enraptured vision, and we be permitted to look through its pearly portals and hear the ravishing sounds of heavenly music which float from angelic harps, what could hinder us from obtaining one of those “many mansions”? With a dazzling crown of immortality just within our grasp, we are satisfied to grovel in the rubbish of this world, seeking for enjoyment, and when it is obtained, it proves to be as the apples of Sodom. The truth is, we do not half realize the worth of eternal life, nor what it has cost to obtain it for us. We want all the good things of this life and of the future one without being willing to pay the price. Our Saviour understood the worth of Heaven, and was willing to lay aside his glory and majesty, and to sacrifice347 ease, pleasure, and even life, that lost man might enjoy the glory of immortal life. And while all Heaven is interested in our salvation, why should we be so indifferent? A few godly men in the past have had an idea of the infinite worth of eternal life. Moses, “reared in the court of Pharaoh,” and “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” had a true idea of the vanity of earthly honors, and the worth of God’s favor. Instead of using his wealth and high position as means to gratify ambition and lust, as he might have done, he united himself to a despised race of bondmen, “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Heb. 11: 25, 26. Paul, the great apostle, also had right conceptions of the comparative values of earthly and heavenly rewards. Though learned, rich, and influential, he sought his enjoyment in laboring for men who but poorly appreciated his self-denial in their behalf. His faith caused him to have just what every Christian should have,—a burning zeal for the advancement of the kingdom of God; and though he suffered from hunger and thirst, from stripes and imprisonment, and from perils on land and sea, yet all this time he was cheered by thoughts of “the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” when his life of toil should close. No sacrifice was too great to make for Christ. Hear him: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Phil. 3: 7, 8. The millions of martyrs who were sacrificed on pagan and papal altars, had a just appreciation of the cost of salvation. Their faith was shown by the sacrifices they made. May we, the remnant church, now almost on the borders of the heavenly Canaan, rise in the strength of Israel’s God, and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” STRANGE FIRES IN CLEVELAND.
THE Cleveland Leader of May 1, 1880, published the following. Similar phenomena were reported in Michigan, some years ago. At No. 76 Lussenden avenue live the family of John Bush, a hard-working German, employed at the Cleveland Rubber Works. The story, as learned by a Leader reporter, who visited the place yesterday, savors so much of the supernatural that he feels able simply to reproduce it without attempting any theory, leaving that with those better able to cope with the scientific and mysterious. The house, which stands in that portion of the Sixteenth ward between Giddings and Madison avenues, largely inhabited by the employees of the mills and manufactories along the Cleveland and Pittsburg Railway tracks, is small and unattractive in appearance, being but one story high, with an attic. As the reporter approached it at dusk last evening, the street in front and the yard were crowded with anxious-looking men, women, and children, who had been attracted from the neighborhood by the reports that they had heard of the mysterious appearance of fire at intervals within the house. Bush was found in the shed, or back kitchen, surrounded by another curious gathering, to whom he was relating a recent occurrence. The floor was covered with articles of furniture, and in the front room the wife and several other women were with the children, nine persons in all. The older of these sat about the room with fear in their white faces. There was a heavy, unpleasant smell of smoke throughout the house, and various garments and articles of furniture showed marks of having been burned or scorched. The man's statement, made in broken English, is as follows: Several months ago he moved from Amherst, where he had lived for thirteen years, being for most of that time employed as a switchman on the Lake Shore Road. Five or six years ago his house was destroyed by fire, the cause being, as was supposed, a defective flue. His first home in this city was at No. 1177 Lincoln avenue, where on Sunday, the 18th inst., the first remarkable appearance of flames occurred. Some clothes—a coat, vest, and dress—which hung upon the wall, suddenly began to smoke, sending forth a peculiarly sickening smell. This was followed in a moment by a dark blue blaze that leaped hungrily over the garments and almost consumed them before the fire was extinguished. His wife said that matches in his pocket had ignited, but he was positive there were no matches there. On the following day he went to work as usual, and when he came home was met by his wife, who was frantic with fear. During his absence the fire had appeared seven different times. In the first instance, the bed upon which one of the children lay sleeping, took fire, reappearing twice after it had been put out. Being of a superstitious nature, she feared that some evil spirit hung over them, craving the life of the youngest child. To appease the wrath of the unknown, whatever it was, she went out into the fields, and cast to the winds all the money they had, about thirty dollars (all but ten dollars of this was afterward found). The father decided to stay at home the following day, and watch, and called in a friend to watch with him. By this time the mystery had been noised about, and everybody that came in decided that the children had been playing with matches. There seemed to be no other explanation, but the children stoutly denied it. Dr. J. B. McGee, who lived near, was called in to make an examination. He thought at first that it was an ignition of phosphorus, but upon hearing the story in detail could give no solution. Bush, being a Catholic, appealed to Father Baker, of the church of the Holy Family, who came to the place, but could shed no light on the subject. Bush remained at the house on Lincoln avenue until Tuesday, when he made up his mind to quit the place and move to the house on Lussenden avenue, hoping thereby to shake off the mystery. On Friday the fire once more appeared, burning the straw in one of the beds. The straw in a barrel that stood in the shed was also burned in the same manner on Saturday, together with several coats that hung on the wall. By this time the family had nearly become crazy. Many of their household goods and clothes had been destroyed, and some of the neighbors, filled with sympathy, came in and endeavored to console them and pacify their fears. On Sunday Mrs. Foland, a lady living on Giddings avenue, dropped in to lend her aid in this direction. She took off her hat and laid it upon the table, where it had not remained five minutes when a large feather upon it was touched by the strange flame and nearly consumed. The reporter called upon Mrs. Foland herself, who fully corroborated this statement, and exhibited the hat as proof. On Monday the fire appeared twice, each time destroying some clothes. Yesterday morning, a child's dress that hung on a peg near the door, smoked, blazed for a minute or two, and fell to the floor. These singular occurrences have been witnessed by neighbors, who came in to watch out of curiosity, and there is no one living on the street but believes everything that is told. The reporter selected one man from the crowd that stood about while Bush was making his statement. He seemed intelligent, and ready to tell all he knew. He pronounced Bush's story true in every particular. He had himself seen a coat burn up in the mysterious manner described, but, like the rest, could offer no explanation whatever. These are plain facts. There is no reason to doubt Bush's story, while there is good proof that he has told the truth. The suspense he has gone through seems to have nearly crazed him. No one can convince him that there is not something supernatural in it. WHO WOULDN'T BE AN EMPEROR?
We clip from an exchange the following graphic description of the Czar's every-day life, or rather, of his daily “race with death”:— Who would care to change places with the Czar of all the Russias? The poorest vagabond that crawls the streets has no reason to envy his Majesty, though the Czar's personal income is $25,000 a day, and he has the power of life and death over his subjects. He lives in hourly fear of assassination, which has brought on a nervous complaint that a defensive undershirt of steel aggravates too much to allow of his wearing it. It was a chain garment, almost as easy as a “jersey,” but he had to cast it off. In its stead his clothing is lined with a kind of glutinous compound that resists a bullet sufficiently, it is said, to insure immunity from the practice of ordinary fire-arms. The Czar is very fond of tobacco. He has had to lay aside pipe and cigar, because recently it was discovered that the royal weed had been poisoned. His cook is changed continually, and two private detectives preside over the chef's operations, and taste his dishes before they go to the Czar's table. In order to insure the wholesomeness of the food, sauces and elaborate entrees have been abolished in the royal kitchens. The Czar does not open a letter or packet of any kind himself, lest it should contain an explosive or poisonous engine. His linen is under everlasting inspection for fear it may be poisoned, and convey to the pores of the skin some death-dealing mixture. He goes about in peril of disguised daggers, of concealed pistols, of poisonous vapors, and in spite of all imaginable precautions, the grim specter of Nihilism starts up to confront him in the most private apartments of his very palace. Agents of the Secret Police attend him everywhere, but even his most confidential guards are only allowed to know what his movements are just in time to prepare for a ride, a drive, or a long journey. It is a continual race with death, a hide-and-seek scramble with rebellion, a constant running of the gauntlet of Nihilism, over a mined course and between rows of murderers. The Christian Statesman of May 6, 1880, says:— The Secretary of the New York Sabbath Committee sends us the following very gratifying intelligence: “The Synod of the Greek Church has recently issued a circular enjoining the better observance of the Sabbath [Sunday], and the principal merchants of Athens have suspended business on that day.” Are there not many and unmistakable signs that the Sabbath question is soon to become a prominent question in all Christian lands? The irreconcilable antagonism of the Sabbath law and the principles and customs of the Sabbath-breakers, and the constant and unavoidable collision of the two in social life and in the conduct of public affairs, mark this as one of the questions which can never be disposed of until it is settled in accordance with the eternal principles of right. SPURGEON ON MODERN CHRISTIANITY.
Referring to the spread of ritualism, he asked, “Who could have bewitched our Protestant land?” With Smithfield and the ashes of the martyrs scarcely swept away, men were again setting up the crucifix of Romanism. What would Oliver Cromwell say if he could come back and see what men were making of England? Whatever doctrines were preached, and whatever changes might arise, he would ask his friends to place him in a lunatic asylum if he ever left off preaching the simple gospel.—N. Y. Post. Bishop Stevens Condemns Auricular Confession in Address
—Bishop Stevens devoted the larger part of his annual address before the Pennsylvania Protestant Episcopal Convention last week to the subject of auricular confession, impelled to it by the persistent efforts to introduce it into churches of that diocese. “From the depths of a heart laden with sorrow at the outcroppings in our midst of this unscriptural teaching,” he emphatically condemned it on individual, social, political, and theological grounds.—Christian Weekly, May 22, 1880. Methodist Conference Debates Frances Willard's Ten-Minute Address
—Miss Frances Willard, of the Woman's Temperance Association, asked the privilege of speaking ten minutes before the Methodist Episcopal General Conference at Cincinnati. After discussing the question two hours, a vote to hear her was passed by a small majority, but the Conference adjourned without making any arrangement to make their vote practical. On this action of the Conference the Inter Ocean of May 19 thus comments:—. It seems a little out of place that a body of as intelligent Christian men as are assembled in the Methodist Episcopal Conference at Cincinnati should discuss for two hours the question whether they will grant ten minutes to an earnest Christian woman to speak upon a question vitally connected with Christian work everywhere. The fear that it was a dangerous precedent is hardly well taken. It would almost seem that if such precedents were oftener set it would add to the interest and well-being of such gatherings. The good bishops could hardly argue that because Miss Willard talks ten minutes to-day, the Hon. Bob Ingersoll would have to be given audience to-morrow. “Ten minutes” was a small gnat to strain at, especially when the two hours spent in discussion were a good-sized camel. Elm Creek.—The church at this place had for several weeks been in some confusion; but as the meetings held here progressed, a disposition was manifested on the part of each to put away his own wrongs. On Sabbath afternoon a good measure of the Spirit of God came into our meetings; and the whole church entered into a solemn covenant to seek the Lord with their whole heart. This vow, if carried out, cannot fail to produce the desired result. And from the beginning made during the meetings, there is reason to believe that it will be done. JOSEPH LAMONT. J. H. COOK. Topeka, May 16.—We spent last Sabbath with the Richland church, speaking twice in their commodious house of worship. On our way to the church we passed a large, new school-house, built of stone. Close inspection showed numerous ugly seams and fissures in the walls, so that what appeared to be so firm is in danger of falling. Said the builder, “It is the fault of the building committee. Had they been willing, I should have dug down to the rock, and the house would have stood forever; but they didn’t like the extra trouble, so they directed me to build on a soft foundation, and these crumbling walls show their folly.” Reader, you and I are building every day. Are we building on the rock? L. D. SANTEE. Sterling.—April 27 to May 3, we labored with the church at Sterling. This church has had but little preaching in the past, and, as might be expected, were on the background. We labored from the first for the benefit of the members, and tried to impress on them the necessity of earnestly seeking the Lord. On the Sabbath we fasted, and continued our meetings nearly all day. All covenanted to seek the Lord with their whole heart. The good Spirit of God came into our midst, and we enjoyed a precious season together. As we tried to seek the Lord, he came very near, and we were led to praise his name. A deep interest to hear more was manifested by those not of our faith, though only two discourses were given for their special benefit. Two were convinced, and promised to obey the truth in future. J. H. COOK. R. F. BARTON. Noble, Rice Co.—May 3 to 9, we labored at this place. Here about twenty-five have embraced present truth under the labors of Bro. R. F. Barton. We rejoiced to see so large a number just starting in the service of God, many of them for the first time. On the Sabbath seven were baptized by Bro. Barton. Ten joined the church, which now numbers twenty-three members. Nearly all of these are heads of families and live near together, so they can maintain a weekly prayer-meeting, also Sabbath meeting and Sabbath-school. Nearly all the members of this church live in sod houses; these houses are plastered on the inside, which gives them a very neat appearance. We were pleased to see them come to meeting on Sabbath clean and neatly dressed, thus honoring the Sabbath and its Maker, who said when the people came to hear the law of God spoken, “And let them wash their clothes.” Ex. 19:10. Our closing meeting lasted till nearly midnight. Many expressed gratitude to God for sending Bro. Barton to proclaim the truth to them. Sunday, the 9th, we went to Coopersburg, where a congregation was in waiting. For an hour close attention was given to the word spoken; then followed an interesting conference meeting. The 10th we traveled thirty-five miles, and met with the church at Empire. Here we parted with Bro. Barton, he to go to Elivon, and I to Council Grove, and from thence to our camp-meeting. J. H. COOK. Ferris, Montcalm Co., May 14.—Commenced meetings here April 19. As this is a farming community, the people were very busy. I have held twenty-one meetings, and visited nearly all in the neighborhood. Sold some books, obtained four subscribers for our periodicals, and distributed nearly two thousand pages of tracts, besides REVIEWS and Instructors. One has taken a firmer stand for the whole truth, and united with the Estella church. Others are interested and are investigating. L. A. KELLOGG. Sumner, May 13.—We closed our effort here last evening, after a stay of some more than five weeks. Eight have been baptized, and have united with the church, and there are a few more who will soon do so. I think all in the church, with one exception, will adopt the tithing system the coming year. The Sabbath-school is increasing in interest. They have a club of eighteen Instructors, also class-records and S. S. maps, and in a few weeks they are to have what every school needs,—a good clock. The REVIEW is in nearly every family, and we have the promise that when we return in a few weeks it will be placed in every household. When we came here there was not a single copy of Good Health taken in the church; but we have succeeded in placing it in about one-half of the families, and we shall not rest till all have it; for there is no family of Seventh-day Adventists that can afford to be without it. A good beginning has been made in the T. and M. work. So far as I know, all in the church but two or three have signed the teetotal pledge, and we intend to act the part of the importuning widow till they sign it. At the health and temperance meeting, quite a number signed the pledge who were not of our people; that any S. D. Adventist should refuse to sign it is astonishing. We have had a good hearing from the beginning. Those who sacrificed so much to build their house of worship were much pleased as they saw it filled with interested hearers at every meeting. The citizens subscribed liberally with our brethren to buy a bell, fence the lot, and erect sheds for teams. On the whole, we hope much permanent good has been accomplished here. A. O. BURRELL. Riverton, Franklin Co., May 12.—We held our first tent-meeting for the season at this place, Tuesday evening, May 11; and although the wind was high and the dust flying, a good number came out. The town numbers about four hundred inhabitants. The providences of God seem to indicate this to be the proper time for meetings here. I am alone at present, but expect the assistance of a young brother soon. Pray for us. GEO. B. STARR. Blair, May 17.—The meetings we were holding six miles west of Blair, are closed for the present. Six weeks ago there were no Sabbath-keepers in this neighborhood; now twenty here signed the covenant. A Sabbath-school has been organized with over forty members; it is supplied with Instructors, record books, and a library consisting of thirty-six volumes of our best books. A tract society has been formed, and the brethren seem to have “a mind to work.” For the good work wrought here, we thank God. A. J. CUDNEY. N. C. CLAUSEN. Canby, May 19.—May 7-10, I was with the Golden Gate and Home churches. Spoke three times to the Danes, and preached once in English. The Lord was near by his Spirit. Two followed their Lord in baptism, and four were received into the Home church. Since holding the above meetings, I have been in the vicinity of Canby. Those who accepted the truth six weeks ago, have all remained faithful. Opposition is bitter. The people here are poor. One family is quite destitute, yet we believe the Lord will take care of them. Lake Johanna, Pope Co., May 18.—The 15th of April I went to Artichoke, and labored there till the 28th. It was in sowing time, but we held a meeting almost every evening. Eld. Dimmick spoke to the little church here once this spring; but they had had no preaching in their own language for a year and a half. They were all firm in the truth, and we received many blessings from the Lord while I was there. I spoke twelve times. There was but little outside interest. The 29th I came to Gilchrist. The people here are all Swedes and Norwegians, and some of both classes are keeping the Sabbath. I stayed there till the 12th of May, and held meetings in different places in private houses. Spoke twenty-four times. Seven were baptized, and a church of ten members was organized. An elder was ordained, and a secretary and treasurer were chosen. There are now six more keeping the Sabbath. I received from this church $20 as a donation. The 12th of May I came to Lake Johanna, where there is a church of ten members. One has given up the truth. I have spoken nine times. Yesterday two were baptized, and received into the church. On the 20th I expect to go to Litchfield. Will the children of God pray for me, and for the work among the Scandinavians? Wheelerburg, May 12.—I have been with the brethren here a little more than a week. During this time I have given ten discourses, sold books amounting to $1.05, and obtained four subscribers for the REVIEW and one for the Signs. The brethren here still keep up their meeting and Sabbath-school, and are making some advancement. The outside interest was small. My prayer is that God will abundantly bless this little company. E. H. GATES. Mansfield, May 13.—Since the Dunkirk meeting, I have given three discourses in the “Church of God,” with satisfactory results. One has commenced to keep the Sabbath, and subscribed for the REVIEW; also obtained two full subscribers for Good Health. Was requested by a leading member of the church to speak again. Several have expressed a desire to have the tent pitched here. People invited me to their homes. I visited Spring Mills, where our last camp-meeting was held. Those with whom I conversed spoke well of the meeting. N. J. BOWERS. Lexington, Lee Co., May 13.—There is a little Danish settlement here, numbering twenty-five persons. I have been with them five weeks, visiting from house to house, and as the result five have commenced to obey all the commandments of God. Last first-day they were buried with their Lord in baptism, and united with the church at Clifton, Bosque Co., until an organization can be effected here. Others are interested, for whom I have considerable hope. May God, by his unerring counsel, lead these dear friends in the narrow path to eternal life. Providence permitting, I expect soon to go to Round Rock, where there is a settlement of several hundred Swedes, among whom there is a Lutheran and a Methodist church. I shall be able to furnish a great many names for the free distribution of the Swedish paper, and shall be glad of all the help I can get in this direction, and also to be remembered in the prayers of God's people everywhere. For the next four weeks my address will be as above. AFTER an absence of six months, we returned to this field, and in company with Bro. Decker attended a general meeting of the friends of the cause at Boulder, May 15, 16. About eighty were present from different parts of the State, yet as we look over the field, we think that not more than one-half or two-thirds of the Sabbath-keepers in the State were present. The brethren all seem of good courage, and manifest an earnestness in the work that is really commendable. At a meeting called for that purpose, steps were taken to build a house of worship in the city of Boulder, and over $1000 dollars was pledged for that purpose. The work of building will be commenced immediately. Monday we came to Denver, where we find the friends nearly all steadfast in the truth, and keeping up regular Sabbath meetings. We held two meetings with them, which seemed to be much appreciated. Since the tent-meetings closed here last fall, there have been many inquiries concerning the truth, which seems to indicate that good may be accomplished by another tent-meeting here this summer. A good work has been done by the friends in scattering reading matter, which has made new openings for the truth, and the calls for labor are becoming numerous and very urgent from different parts of the State. No ministerial labor has been bestowed here during the winter, yet the friends of the cause have steadily increased. We feel much encouraged to see the zeal manifested here. The brethren feel determined to do all in their power to have the work move forward. They have already bought one new tent, and have means in the treasury to run it the present season. Bro. Decker is heartily349 welcomed to the State, and the brethren say if they can have another minister they will support him also, and if necessary buy another tent. We have high hopes for the future of the cause in this State. May the brethren here ever present a united front, and press forward in the work, and victory will certainly turn on the Lord's side. J. O. CORLISS. ASPIRATIONS
By Allie A. Santee
TAKE my full heart's truest homage,
Gracious Lord;
May I e'er believe thy promise,
Trust thy word.
Though I dwell beneath the heavens,
Thou above,
To thy work may I be given,
God of love! May my love for thee be perfect,
Saviour mine;
Thine for me was more than human—
'Twas divine.
May I yield my soul and spirit
To thy will;
Perfect peace may I inherit,
Calm and still! Earthly happiness is fading
Like the dew;
Earthly promises are failing,
Thine are true.
Oh, when earthly toils and duties
All are past,
May I reach that world of beauty,
Heaven at last! Cross Island.—I spent last Sabbath and first-day, May 15, 16, with the church at Cross Island. They seem to be united, and are striving to overcome. I spoke seven times, and held one business meeting. Obtained one subscriber for the REVIEW, two for the Signs, one for the College Record, and a club of six for the weekly Instructor. J. B. GOODRICH.