We, the Seventh-day Adventists of California, being desirous to concentrate our efforts to advance the truth, and to move forward without distraction and in harmony with the body of Seventh-day Adventists, not being organized as yet into churches, so that a Conference can be organized, hereby organize ourselves into a State Meeting by the adoption of the following regulations:
ART. 1. The officers of this meeting shall be a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of three, of whom the President shall be one.
ART. 2. The President shall perform the duties usually devolving upon such officer.
ART. 3. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of the doings of this meeting, and of all subsequent meetings.
ART. 4. The Treasurer shall be authorized to receive and disburse, under the direction of the Executive Committee, such means as may be raised by the Seventh-day Adventists, of California, for the advancement of the truths of the third angel's message in this State. He shall also keep a faithful record of the receipts and disbursements of means, and report the same to the next State Meeting.
ART. 5. The Executive Committee shall have the oversight of the affairs connected with the advancement of the cause in this State. A majority of their board may call the next State Meeting at such time and place as they deem proper.
After the adoption of the above regulations the following officers were elected: President, D. T. Bourdeau, Secretary, J. F. Wood, Treasurer, J. N. Loughborough, Executive Committee, D. T. Bourdeau, M. G. Kellogg, John Bowman.
The following resolutions were then introduced and adopted:
Resolved, That we hereby express our appreciation of the efforts made by the General Conference to establish a mission in California, and we are truly grateful to God for permitting us to hear the truths of the third angel's message.
Resolved, that we will do what we can on our part to sustain the mission in California by our sympathies, our prayers, and our means.
D. T. BOURDEAU, President,
J. F. WOOD, Secretary.
Piner School-house,
Near Santa Rosa, Cal., April 11, 1869.
A Testimony of Grace and Conversion
By C. Van Doren
From Bro. Van Doren.
BRO. SMITH: By the light of present truth that has shone into my heart, I can begin to see some of the rubbish that has collected there in the years that I knew not Jesus. But, by the grace of God, I shall clear it of all that can offend, and let Jesus in, that he may have full possession and be in me, and I in him, that I may bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
I believe there is a place and a crown for me in the earth made new, because God in his great mercy has brought me to an understanding of the third angel's message. I can but thank the Lord for it. It is wonderful how he has dealt with me, and yet I often fear to trust the future to him. Oh! that I may be kept from unbelief and murmuring. At first I seemed to get hold of the present truth, and thought that this people were indeed rich and increased in goods; but by-and-by the truth seemed to get hold of me, and oh! the change! There is a feeling of unworthiness and a deep conviction that something must be done, and after turning this way and that, without finding security, I begin to realize what the grace of God is; and I pray God that I may attend every means of grace in my reach; for by grace shall I stand, and without it I am lost and undone. But there are rich promises and good instructions, which are able to thoroughly furnish a man unto all good works. I shall strive to heed them.
Yours in hope, C. VAN DOREN.
Lenawee Co., Mich.
PRAYER FOR REFUGE.
TUNE.—The lone starry hours.
Oh! give me a refuge with thee, Lord,
When the great day of wrath shall be here,
When the wicked in terror shall flee, Lord,
As the white cloud begins to appear.
When is heard through the earth their praying,
For the rocks and the mountains to fall.
May I, by thy truth here obeying,
O Lord, then be saved from them all.
CHORUS.—When is heard through the earth, &c.
Oh! give me a refuge with thee, Lord;
For none will be able to stand,
Save those who thus sheltered shall be, Lord,
And kept by thy powerful hand,
When the Archangel's voice shall be calling,
The dead from the earth and the sea,
And the wicked around shall be falling,
For safety, to thee let me flee.
CHO.—When the Archangel's voice, &c.
Oh! give me a refuge with thee, Lord,
When the wicked the city surround,
When the saints their destruction shall see, Lord,
Oh! let me with thee then be found,
When the song through the new earth is ringing
Of triumph and joy evermore,
Let me join in the heavenly singing,
That rolls o'er the glorified shore.
CHO.—When the song through the new earth, &c.
The Earthquakes of 1868.
The twelve months embraced between the first of October, 1867, and the first of October, 1868, were distinguished by a series of physical phenomena more remarkable than is known to have occurred during any equal period of time in history. The series was grandly initiated and typified by the startling atmospheric and terrestrial convulsions that afflicted the Windward islands in the autumn of the first-named year, and which were fast followed by fearful hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions in almost every quarter and country of the globe, culminating with the great South American earthquakes of the 13th and 16th of August, 1868. These earthquakes, for their extent, violence and wide-spread devastation, will probably be regarded as the most terrible on record. They were felt, more or less severely, over an extent, from north to south, of more than sixty degrees of latitude, all the way from the Isthmus to the Cape. Yet their lateral action seems to have been checked, on the east certainly, by the chain of the Cordilleras, and effectually stopped by the Andes. What tremendous force they exerted beneath the vast space of waters extending from Peru to Cathay we can only infer from those tidal waves which broke equally on the shores of the Pacific Islands, and on those of distant New Zealand, Japan, and California.
A Company of Commandment-Keepers
By C. L. KASSON
C. L. KASSON writes from Licking Co., Ohio: I praise God that he sent messengers into this part of the vineyard. We have a little company of commandment-keepers to meet with every Sabbath. Although we are few, we have some good meetings. We all long for the time when we can hear some more preaching. I believe there are some here who, if they can hear the truth explained, will embrace it. May the Lord carry on his work, that all that are honest may turn out and serve him. I want to stand firm in the truth, that when the Lord comes to make up his jewels, I may stand with the remnant people upon Mount Zion.
The Review Is Our Preaching
By Bro. L. Martin
BRO. L. MARTIN writes from Bennington, N. H.: Through the tender mercy of our God, I am still numbered with the living, but on account of poor health, I have not been out to meet with the dear brethren for a long time. The Review is all the preaching we have. We prize it very highly. The sermon department is worth four times the cost of the paper. May God bless all those who take part in preparing the paper for the remnant, and may we all be prepared to stand on Mount Zion.
A Sister’s Appeal for Prayer
By E. B. Clarke
SISTER E. B. Clarke writes from Mercer Co., Ill.: I am striving, but too feebly I know, to live a Christian. The world and the cares of this life have great power over me. But I believe if I strive as we are directed in Testimony No. 17, I may overcome. The world offers nothing to me which, upon reflection I can call really valuable, but I believe I need a new conversion. I need to better understand myself, and to repent of all my sins, and have God's law written on my heart. Dear fellow-christians, pray, that I with you all, may at length, though through much tribulation, gain a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.
Obituary Notices.
By H. S. Gurney
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
Died, in Memphis, Mich., April 8, 1869, sister J. A. Merrill, wife of Bro. H. Merrill, aged 52 years. After suffering for many years, of many physicians, she eventually died of lung fever. The friends mourn not as those who have no hope. Funeral discourse at the S. D. A. meeting-house by Elder Mackie, from the words, “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. v. 5. A large congregation listened attentively to the truth concerning the saints’ final inheritance. H. S. Gurney.
Joy Under Christ’s Shadow
By M’Cheyne
Some people are afraid of anything like joy in religion. They have none themselves, and they do not love to see it in others. Their religion is something like the stars—very high, and very clear, but very cold. When they see tears of anxiety, or tears of joy, they cry out, Enthusiasm! Well, then, to the law and to the testimony. “I sat down under his shadow with great delight.” Is this enthusiasm? O Lord, evermore give us this enthusiasm! If it be really in sitting under the shadow of Christ, let there be no bounds to your joy.—Oh! if God would but open your eyes, and give you simple, child-like faith, to sit under his shadow, then would songs of joy rise from our dwellings.—M’Cheyne.
The Contracting Cell.
ONE of the most ingenious tortures of the Hohenstaufen family in the height of their despotic rule, was that of a cell, which at the prisoner's first entrance presented an air of comfort and ease, so that it was not till he had been a few days confined that he observed the dimensions of his chamber beginning to contract. But the discovery once made, the fact became more appalling every day. Slowly but terribly the sides drew closer, and the unhappy victim, at last was crushed to death. What an emblem does this suggest of the sinner's contracting day of grace! “Oh! what would the poor victim in such a cell have given to see the door open and hear a voice, “Escape for thy life!” Would he have lingered for one moment, think you?
W. T. HINTON
By W. T. Hinton
From Bro. Hinton.
BRO. SMITH: Permit me to say to the brethren scattered abroad that I am still holding on to the truth, and, by the grace of God, I will strive on. I see every day my imperfections and where I make failures; but, oh! what a precious Saviour we have! How boundless his love to sinners!
It is very seldom that I have the privilege of meeting with my brethren to worship God. I am one of the lonely ones. The REVIEW, in its weekly visits, is of incalculable worth to me. I could not do without it.
Brethren, one and all, far and near, God bless you in the truth. While I pen these few lines, tears of joy spring up, and I am constrained to thank my Heavenly Father for his goodness to me. I say again, God bless you, who have the privilege of meeting from Sabbath to Sabbath, and help you to appreciate these great blessings; and you, too, who like myself have not such privileges. God help you to be faithful, and endure unto the end.
The fig tree, brethren, is fast putting forth its buds. And, oh! welcome day! We shall soon see our blessed Saviour on the white cloud. We are in great hopes that Brn. Cornell and Butler may be permitted to come out here this summer, and help us. I believe there are some who would embrace the truth, if they could hear it properly set forth. God grant that this may be the case. Brethren, pray for me, that I may so live out the truth as to lead some to embrace it.
Yours in hope of eternal life when Jesus comes.
W. T. HINTON
Toledo, Iowa.
Notice.
THE annual meetings noticed in last week's REVIEW to commence on May 11, 1869, are all deferred one week. They will commence May 18, instead of May 11, in the following order: General Conference, May 18, Michigan Conference, May 19, Publishing Association, May 20, Health Institute, May 21. It is thought by some that the notice, as first given, was rather limited, and this additional week will give more time for the brethren to prepare.
Stockholders in the Institute who cannot be present, if they have not already arranged to represent themselves by proxy, should do so immediately; as a majority of the stock must be represented.
Religious services Sabbath and first-day, the 22d and 23d.
Short Sentences.
By Jos. Clarke
If we can receive undeserved praise, with pleasure, we must not be cast down, when we receive undeserved censure.
A good man loves his reprovers, as in the case of David; but a bad man hates them, as in the case of Saul, the first king of Israel.
Prayer and contrition turn grief into joy, and weeping into gladness.
It is because men are ignorant of God, and his goodness, that they hate him, and Satan knowing this, darkens their minds more and more. JOS. CLARKE.
“Fear a Rest.”
By R. F. C.
My singing teacher used to say that singers should always fear a rest, being very careful not to sing it. That a rest in music is a mark of silence, and not a voice should be heard on the time measured by the rest. Consequently it were better to cut short the sound on the note immediately preceding the rest, than to prolong it a twinkling beyond its time. Said he, Always fear a rest; never sing it.
Let us apply this thought to Sabbath-keeping. The Sabbath is a rest from worldly toil and business. The sound of labor and worldly care should not be heard during its sacred moments. In the words of the poet, speaking of the Sabbath eve,
“Hushed is the tumult of the day,
And worldly cares and labors cease.”
The tumult of labor and business should not encroach a moment on the sacred rest of the Sabbath. Better cut short the round of toil—better be all ready for the Sabbath, and wait a little for its arrival, than to prolong our business one moment upon the time of this sacred rest. Better be half an hour too early for the train, than one minute behind it. But the maxims of worldly wisdom seem to be in advance of many who profess to be children of light. If we are found behind time every Sabbath eve, shall we not be likely to be too late for the train to glory?
We know for six days before hand that the rest of the holy Sabbath will come; but alas! how many fail to make preparation and receive it when it comes. Can God be well pleased with our encroachments upon his reserved time? For my part, I feel best when I am all ready to hail the Sabbath at the moment of its arrival. I believe Heaven smiles upon this. And is there not a frown when we fail? We have some chores, such as watering and feeding domestic animals, which may be done on the Sabbath. But need we do these on the eve of the Sabbath? Can we not feed our stock and wash and prepare ourselves for the Sabbath on the preparation day, and have all hushed before the sun is down? Let us fear to encroach upon the Rest
R. F. C.
Responsibility for Labor on the Sabbath
A. M. POTTER: It is a violation of the commandment to permit labor on your premises, so long as you can call it within your gates. If your place is rented it is out of your control for the time being.
Sabbath-Keepers and Improper Occupations
By T. Richardson
T. RICHARDSON: A Sabbath-keeper, in our opinion, cannot be a salesman in a brewery, nor engage in a Sabbath-breaking partnership, nor be a respecter of persons. In the first case, he would make himself subject to the woe pronounced in Hab. ii, 15; in the second, he would be violating the Sabbath; and in the third, he would be walking contrary to the instruction of James ii, 1–9.
Book Fund Report.
By James White
THE corrected report of the Book Fund will not be printed till after Conference. This will give time for all pledges to be paid, and for others to donate to this fund who have taken no part in the matter. Several wealthy brethren excuse themselves for want of ready means. These wealthy brethren should always be ready to every good work. We cannot excuse them on this ground. The poorer brethren will keep the work moving till they can obtain means.
JAMES WHITE.
Report from Bro. White.
By James White
WE have been enjoying farming life very much. Our work among the grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, &c., has been very pleasant. Mrs. W. continues to improve in health, and we are free in the Lord.
Last Sabbath we met with the brethren at Orleans. Brn. Matteson and Strong were present; also brethren from Stanton, Bushnell, Orange Greenville, and Vergennes. It was a good meeting. Brn. Matteson and Strong continued the meeting first-day, when seven were baptized.
We hold meetings here next Sabbath, and now design to spend Sabbath, May 8th., with the brethren in Battle Creek.
JAMES WHITE.
Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.
To the S. D. A. Churches in N. Y.
By E. B. Saunders
THE churches of Bangor, Catlin, Champlain, Farmington, Kirkville, Middle Grove, and Oswego, have failed to make their quarterly reports for Jan. 1, and April 1. Will the clerks of these churches attend to this matter at once. Address, E. B. SAUNDERS.
North Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y.
Report From Bro. Rodman.
By P. C. Rodman
MARCH 23, left Blakeville, N. H., having been privileged to labor there in the vicinity nine weeks, most of the time in company with Bro. S. N. Haskell, a privilege I enjoyed much. I think the Lord was with us in mercy, and the truth is victorious. From March 24 to April 2, I spent in Washington. Gave five discourses, attended one social meeting and one devoted to the ordinances, and visited what I could. They appeared encouraged from this visit. The Lord help them to press up in the work.
April 2, started for Amherst. Met Bro. Canright in Manchester. He, with Bro. Waggoner, advised me to go to New Ipswich and stay until Bro. C. returned. A good work is in progress here. We did what we could until the 12th, leaving Bro C. there, who had returned on the 8th, and commenced to labor with his usual earnestness. He is really devoted to the cause of truth. Hope he will not overwork and break down. The Lord is crowning his effort here with success.
I arrived home Apr. 12, after an absence of thirteen weeks. Found my family in usual health, for which I am grateful.
The 16th came here to attend Monthly Meeting. We have held seven meetings. There is very strong opposition to the truth here, and some of its professed friends giving way to the outside pressure, and not pressing up in the work as they should, threw a gloom and depression of spirits over our meeting; but there was some advance and victory gained, and I hope none will turn traitors to the cause of truth and join with its enemies, but be willing to suffer, if need be, with Jesus and his truth, that they may reign with him.
P. C. RODMAN.
Kingston, R. I.
An Acknowledgment.
By George Walling
I wish to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father, and to those friends who have taken so much interest in my welfare, as to place me under the care of the physicians of the Health Institute in this place, during the past few months, for the improvement of my health.
I cannot speak too highly of the kindness manifested toward me by both physicians and helpers while here. To them I tender my heartfelt thanks.
The influence of the place for the promotion of Christian sympathy and fellowship, as far as my observation and experience go, I am happy to say, is good.
I leave the Institute as one would leave a pleasant home; praying God to prosper it, and make it to others what it has been to me, one of the brightest spots in the history of my life; a blessing and a comfort in my earthly pilgrimage; a waymark to which I can ever look back with the warmest affection.
GEORGE WALLING.
Health Institute, Battle Creek, Mich., April, 1869.
Grace Makes Forgiveness Possible
To forget an injury is more than nature can promise; but to forgive it is what grace can perform.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
The next Monthly Meeting for Rhode Island will be held with the church at Exeter, May 15 and 16, 1869. CLARK L. SWEET.
Our next Monthly Meeting in the northern district of Maine, will be held with the church in Athens, the third Sabbath and first-day in May. The meetings to commence the 14th, at 5 P. M.
As the traveling has been so bad for a few months past that we have had but few meetings; we hope to see a good representation from the different churches. Come with a mind to work. CHAS. STRATTON.
The next Monthly Meeting of the Johnstown, Little Prairie and Oakland, churches will be at Johnstown, Wis., May 8 and 9, 1869. Elder T M. Steward is expected.
In behalf of the church. A. B. WILLIAMS.Clinton, Wis.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money receipted pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Pasters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
**$1.00 each. M McCormick 34-16, H Adams 35-19, Wm Ellingworth 35-17, D P Cogdill 35-17, E W Shuler 35-17, Wm Harmon 35-17, V P Ballou 35-17, S H Reed 35-17, A Staley 35-17, J T Roberts 35-17, J W Lawton 35-17, H C Ferguson 35-17, J Foster 35-17, J Ferguson 35-17, S Brosee 35-17, L L Mc Fadden 35-17, L T Shinner 35-17, S Maxon 35-18, J H Rambo 35-18, G M Bowen 34-18, H C Loomis 34-19, J B Van Deusen 33-14.
**$2.00 each. W Hale 34-21, J Welton 34-5, E F Rood 35-14, H C S Carrus 35-13, J Dorcas 35-6, M Bardwell 35-14, M S Kellogg 35-16, P Cornell 35-1, W E Graham 35-18, M H Chalker 35-16, S Woodworth 35-16, C D Rumsey 35-19, M B Phillips 35-19, N V Hull 35-16, A H Lewis 35-1, J M Elting 34-13, F W Mace 35-1, L Cram 35-8, A Noyes 35-1, Jans Denman 35-1, Mrs J Bennett 36-1, C H Higgins 35-17, Wm Russell 34-1, B A Bronson 35-16.
**$3.00 each. J C Tomlinson 35-18, E B Gaskill 36-17, M B McReynolds 34-1.
Miscellaneous. S Hunn $1.50 34-19, R Chalker 5.00 37-1, H Conrad 1.50 35-16, E Ellis 50c 34-16, N B Walton 50c 34-19, H Williams 25c 34-14, Wm S Nelson 2.50 35-20.
Cash Received on Account.
T M Steward 50c.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
G W Mitchell (S B) $8.00, S N Mead 2.00, J P Brooks 4.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
H E A DeMille (S B) $2.00, church at Centerville 10.00.
Books Sent by Mail.
Mrs S Rogers jr 50c, H C S Carrus $1.00, G W Mitchell 2.00, R Loveland 35c, J Welton 25c, S Woodworth 1.00, H C Hayden 20c, P Cornell 4.25, N W Irish 50c, T F Emmans 25c, M W Steere 5.25, J W Reynolds 10c, M B Phillips 25c, J E Simonds 3.00, J Y Wilcox 10c, E A Sevey 10c, A G Foster 50c, R Kirby 1.12, R Cornell 1.12, E Van Deusen 40c, P Smith 25c, David Mc Callum 4.00, R Cooley 1.25, Mrs J Bennett 25c.
Books Sent by Express.
Eld James White, Greenville, Montcalm Co, Mich, $20.95.
Receipts for Benevolent Fund.
James Hardy $2.50, A Devreaux 1.00, G Poulson 5.00, D C Frothingham 3.00, Hans Rasmussen 2.50.
For California Mission.
James Hardy $2.50, A Devreaux 1.00, G Poulson 5.00