THE symbols brought to view in Rev. 9, all are agreed in applying to the Saracens and Turks. The dragon of Rev. 12, is the acknowledged symbol of Pagan Rome. The leopard beast of Rev. 13, can be shown to be identical with the eleventh horn of the fourth beast of Dan. 7, and hence to symbolize the papacy. The scarlet beast and woman of Rev. 17, as evidently apply also to Rome under papal rule, the symbols having especial reference to the distinction between the civil power and the ecclesiastical, the one being represented by the beast, the other by the woman seated thereon.
There is one symbol left, and that is the two-horned beast of Rev. 13. On this there is more difference of opinion; and before seeking for an application, let us look at the ground covered by those already examined. Babylon and Medo-Persia covered all the civilized portion of Asia. Greece covered Eastern Europe, including Russia. Rome, with the ten kingdoms into which it was divided, as represented by the ten toes of the image, the ten horns of the fourth beast of Dan. 7, the ten horns of the dragon of Rev. 12, and the ten horns of the leopard beast of Rev. 13, covered all Western Europe. In other words, all the civilized portion of the eastern hemisphere is absorbed by the symbols already examined, respecting the application of which there is scarcely any room for doubt.
But there is a mighty nation in this western hemisphere, worthy, as we have seen, of being mentioned in prophecy, which is not yet brought in; and there is one symbol remaining, the application of which has not yet been made. All the symbols but one are applied, and all the available portions of the eastern hemisphere are covered by the applications. Of all the symbols mentioned, one alone, the two-horned beast of Rev. 13, is left; and of all the countries of the earth respecting which any reason exists why they should be mentioned in prophecy, one alone, our own government, is left. Do the two-horned beast and the United States belong together? If they do, then all the symbols find an application, and all the ground is covered. If they do not, it follows, first, that the United States are not represented in prophecy; and, secondly, that the symbol of the two-horned beast finds no government to which it can apply. But the first of these suppositions is not probable, and the second is not possible.
We now enter upon a more particular examination of the second symbol of Rev. 13, with a view to determine with greater certainty its application. What is said respecting this symbol, the beast with two horns like a lamb, is not an isolated and independent prophecy, but is connected with what precedes; and the symbol itself is but one of a series. It is proper therefore to briefly examine the preceding symbols, since if we are able to make a satisfactory application of them, it will guide us in the interpretation of this.
The line of prophecy of which this forms a part commences with Rev. 12. The book of Revelation is evidently not a consecutive prophecy of events to transpire from the beginning to the close of the gospel dispensation, but is composed of a series of prophetic lines, each taking up its own class of events, and tracing them through from the days of the prophet to the end of time. And when one line of prophecy is completed, another is taken up. That a new series of prophetic events is introduced in Rev. 12, is evident; since in the preceding chapter a line of prophecy is completed, bringing us down to the great day of God's wrath, the judgment of the dead, and the eternal reward of those that fear God and revere his name. No line of prophecy can go farther; and any events to transpire in probation, subsequently mentioned, must of course belong to a new series.
Commencing, then, with chapter 12, how far does this line of prophecy extend? The first symbol introduced, which can be applied to an earthly government, is the great red dragon. The second is the beast of Rev. 13, which, having the body of a leopard, we shall call, for brevity's sake, the leopard beast. To this beast the dragon gives his seat, power, and great authority. This beast, then, is connected with the dragon, and belongs to this line of prophecy. The third symbol is the two-horned beast of Rev. 13. This beast exercises certain power in the presence of the leopard beast and causes the earth and them that dwell therein to worship him. This beast, therefore, is connected with the leopard beast, and hence belongs to the same line of prophecy. No conclusion is reached in chapter 13, and hence the prophecy is not there completed. Going forward into chapter 14, we find a company brought to view who are redeemed from among men (which can mean nothing else than translation from among the living at the second coming of Christ); and they sing a song before the throne which none but themselves can learn. In chapter 15, we have a company presented before us who have gotten the victory over the beast, his image, the mark, and the number of his name—the very things brought to view in the concluding portion of Rev. 13. This company also sing a song; even the song of Moses and the Lamb; and they sing it while standing upon the sea of glass, as stated in verse 2. Turning to chapter 4:6, we learn that this sea of glass is "before the throne." The conclusion, therefore, follows that those who sing before the throne, in chapter 14, are identical with those who sing on the sea of glass (before the throne), in chapter 15, inasmuch as they stand in the same place, and the song they both sing is the first glad song of actual redemption. But the declarations found in chapter 15 show that the company introduced in the opening of chapter 14 have been in direct conflict with the powers brought to view in the closing verses of chapter 13, and have gotten the victory over them. Being thus connected with those powers, they form a part of the same line of prophecy. But here this line of prophecy must end; for this company is spoken of as redeemed; and no line of prophecy, as already noticed, can go beyond the eternal state.
The line of prophecy in which the two-horned beast stands, is, therefore, one which is very clearly defined: it commences with chapter 12, and ends with verse 5 of chapter 14. The student of prophecy finds it one of vast importance; the humble child of God, one of transcendent interest. It begins with the church, and ends with the church—the church, at first in humility, trial, and distress; at last, in victory, exaltation, and glory. This is the one object which ever appears the same in all the scenes here described, and whose history is the leading theme of the prophecy, from first to last. Trampled under the feet of the three colossal persecuting powers here brought to view, the followers of Christ for long ages bow their heads to the pitiless storm of oppression and persecution; but the end repays them all; for John beholds them at last, the storms all over, their conflicts all ended, waving palm-branches of victory, and striking on harps celestial a song of everlasting triumph within the precincts of the heavenly land.
We turn then to the inquiry, What power is designated by the great red dragon of chapter 12? The chapter first speaks of a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. A woman is the symbol of the church; a lewd woman representing a corrupt or apostate church, as in Eze. 23:2-4, &c., which refers to the Jewish church in a state of backsliding, and in Rev. 17:3-6, 15, 18, which refers to the apostate Romish church; and a virtuous woman representing the true church, as in the verse under consideration. At what period in her history could the church be properly represented as here described? Ans. At the opening of the gospel dispensation, and at no other time; for then the glory of this dispensation, like the light of the sun, had just risen upon her; the former dispensation, which, like the moon, shone with a borrowed light, had just passed and lay beneath her feet. And twelve inspired apostles, like a crown of twelve stars, graced the first organization of the gospel church. To this period these representations can apply, but to no other. The prophet anticipates this period a little by referring to the time when the church with longing expectation was awaiting the advent into this world of the glorious Redeemer.
A man child, here represented as the offspring of this woman, appears upon the stage. This child was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, and was caught up to God and his throne. Verse 5. These declarations are true of our Lord Jesus Christ, but of no one else. See Ps. 2:7-9; Eph. 1:20, 21; Heb. 8:1; Rev. 3:21. There is therefore no mistaking the time when the scenes here described took place. We mention these facts for the purpose of identifying the power symbolized by the dragon; for the dragon stood before the woman, to devour her child as soon as it should be born. Who attempted the destruction of our Lord when he appeared as a babe in Bethlehem? Herod. And who was Herod? A Roman governor.
Rome, which then ruled over all the earth, Luke 2:1, was the responsible party in this transaction. Rome was the only power which at this time could be symbolized in prophecy, as its dominion was universal. It is not without good reason, therefore, that Pagan Rome is considered among Protestant commentators to be the power indicated by the great red dragon. And it may be a fact worth mentioning that during the second, third, fourth, and fifth centuries of the Christian era, next to the eagle, the dragon was the principal standard of the Roman legions; and that dragon was painted red.
There is but one objection we need pause to answer before passing to the next symbol. Is not the dragon plainly called in verse 9, the devil, and Satan? How then can it be applied to Pagan Rome? That the term dragon is primarily applied to the devil, there seems to be no doubt; but that it should be applied also to some of his chief agents, would seem appropriate and unobjectionable. Now Rome, being at this time pagan, and the supreme empire of the world, was the great and sole agent in the hands of the devil for carrying out his purposes, so far as they pertained to national affairs. Hence the application of that term to the Roman power.
(To be Continued.)
The Closing Messages of the Gospel.
By R. F. Cottrell
NUMBER FIFTEEN.
THE torment with fire and brimstone which is threatened in the last message, must be executed, either at the coming of Christ when the beast and the false prophet (the two-horned beast, compare Rev. 13:13, 14 with 19:20), are “cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone,” Rev. 19:20, or at the time when all the wicked, raised from the dead at the end of a thousand years from the advent of Christ and the first resurrection, shall receive their final punishment in the lake of fire which is the second death. Rev. 20:7-10, 14. In either case the punishment will be inflicted upon the earth; and since the earth is to be renewed, and become the everlasting dwelling of God’s people, (Ps. 37:9-11, 20, 28, 29), after the great burning day in which ungodly men come to perdition, 2 Pet. 3:7-13, the duration of the torment cannot be unlimited.
“There is a remarkable passage in Isaiah to which we are obliged to refer in explanation of the phraseology of the threatening of the third angel, and which unquestionably describes scenes to take place here at the second advent, and the desolate state of the earth during the thousand years following. That the language of the Revelation was borrowed from this prophecy can hardly fail to be seen. After describing the Lord’s anger upon the nations, the great slaughter of their armies, the departing of the heavens as a scroll, &c., it says, ‘For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up forever; from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it forever and ever.’ Isa. 34:8-10. And since there is to be a lake of fire at the end of the thousand years, we can only conclude that the destruction of the living wicked at the commencement, and the final doom of all the ungodly at the end, of this period, are very similar.” Thoughts on Revelation. The Greek word here translated “forever” is defined by Schrevelius, in his Greek Lexicon, “An age; a long period of time; indefinite duration; time, whether longer or shorter.”
The third angel’s message presents a final test upon the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It denounces the unmixed wrath of God on all who worship the beast and his image, instead of keeping these commandments and this faith. On the other hand, the image will require, on pain of death, that all shall do the very things which the message has warned us not to do. This will inevitably bring a severe conflict. Those who obey the voice of God in the message will be exposed to the fiercest rage of men, abandoned of God and only controlled by the spirit of Satan, and who have the laws of civil government to sustain them in persecuting to death all who will not yield to their impious demand.
The way is being prepared for this, as we have shown. A “religious amendment” of our national constitution is sought which will give power to enforce the observance of the Sunday, an institution which the church of Rome has put in the place of the Sabbath of the Lord. A multitude are pleading for a legal enforcement of a better observance of this day, a day which has no sacred character in the Scriptures; and this they claim on the authority of the commandment of God, a commandment which requires the observance of another day—the seventh day, the rest-day of the Lord—a requirement which they openly tread under foot every week.
According to the prophecy they will succeed in their efforts, so that an image of the papal beast will be formed. And when the engine of persecution shall have been formed, it will be used as far as God permits. No church that has leaned on the arm of the State and obtained civil power to enforce the creed, was ever found too good and pious to use that power. The persecution will come. Will God’s true, commandment-keeping people be put to death? No. They will “be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1.
Though the way is now preparing to form the image and bring the persecution, probation will close before the conflict comes. Both classes will have been sealed—their destiny forever decided. It will have been decided whose names are to be retained in the book of life. Other names which have had a place there will have been blotted out. Rev. 3:5.
But the trial will be severe. The distress of the people of God will be like that of Jacob when he heard that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men. Gen. 32:6-11. Says the prophet, “It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jer. 30:7. The deliverance will be glorious. It will be like the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. While the children of Israel were fenced in by the mountains on each hand and the army of the Egyptians behind them, and there seemed to be no way of escape from destruction—that they must be slain with the sword, or be driven into the sea—God interposed for them, opened a passage for them through the midst of the sea, and the Egyptians presumptuously venturing to follow them, were overwhelmed and drowned in the sea. Then was sung by Israel, on the farther shore, the song of Moses—the song of their miraculous deliverance—saying, “I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” Ex. 15:1.
In like manner it is predicted of them that will have heeded the last message, and thus “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name,” being translated to the sea of glass which is before the throne of God, that they “sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” Rev. 15:3, 4.
The last persecution of the church is described in the last part of Rev. 13. The image of the beast decrees that all shall bow to his mandate or be killed. All must receive the mark, or be deprived of the rights of buying and selling. The chapter closes with the people of God, those who have obeyed His voice and do not worship the beast nor his image, in this distress and under the decree of death. But God does not leave them there. Chapter 14 opens with the view of the saints standing in triumph with the Lamb upon Mount Zion, in the city of God. They have the Lamb’s “name and the name of his Father,” according to Whiting’s translation, written on their foreheads. Under the severest trial they had shown their loyalty to God and his Son by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12. They had honored both the Father and the Son. John 5:23. And now they are honored of God as the Lamb. With the harps of God they sing “a new song,” and “no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.” These are the remnant of the people of God upon the earth, those who are alive and are translated without death at the coming of Jesus Christ. “These were redeemed from among men.”
As God saved Noah and his family while the flood swept away the wicked of the whole earth, and as he saved Israel at the Red Sea and overthrew the pursuing host of the Egyptians, so will he deliver his faithful and obedient people from the hands of their persecutors, and take them up to Jerusalem above, where they shall sing before his throne; but their enemies shall fall beneath his wrath. Who would not choose the part of the people whose God is the Lord? R. F. COTTRELL.
Grandmother's Birthday.
EIGHTY-THREE years old to-day! Grandmother Wells leaned back in her easy chair, her poor crippled hands resting in her lap. For six months she had not left that chair except to be carried to the bed, or lounge, by the window.
She was a lovely old lady. Her complexion had retained much of its youthful smoothness and fairness. She had large, tender blue eyes, and a sweet, childlike mouth. Her silver hair was brushed smoothly over her noble forehead.
Never was there a sweeter or more uncomplaining spirit than hers, yet she could not always resist the gloomy thoughts that stole over her.
Forty years ago she had buried her husband, and now all her children slept by his side.
It was several years now since she came to live in the family of her granddaughter, Mary Wilton. She had known many happy days there.
Mary and her husband loved her dearly, and as for the children, "grandmother" had the next place to father and mother in their hearts.
When sickness and infirmity came upon her, and she was unable to take a step alone, or even straighten her poor bent fingers, they all tried by a thousand tender ministries, to make those weary hours pass pleasantly for her.
But the dear old grandmother, though she strove to be cheerful, could not always drive away the heartache. To minister to others had been the comfort of her life, and now the smallest service was out of her power. Even her knitting must be laid aside.
"If I could only feel that I was some little use in the world!" she said to herself mournfully, as she sat in her room, that bright June morning. "But I am utterly helpless—and poor Mary, it seems as if she had enough cares already. But is not this a fretful, repining spirit I am showing? O Lord, make me cheerful and patient, willing to wait thy time."
She closed her eyes and sat quietly musing while a more placid and hopeful expression stole over her countenance.
A light tapping at the door aroused her; she opened her eyes and said very cheerfully:—
"Come in."
The door swung wide open, and in filed the four oldest children, one after another.
Herbert, a boy of nine, carried a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and a beautifully illuminated text in the other.
Six-year-old Mary bore a frosted cake, crowned with a wreath of flowers.
Next came dark-eyed Josie, one year younger, proudly displaying his bouquet, and a book-mark of his own making.
Little Alice, grandma's namesake, a little curly-haired girl of three, carried a tiny vase filled with flowers. She stepped cautiously, holding the vase in both hands, so as not to spill a drop of the water.
"Why, you little dears," said grandmother, as the procession halted in front of her, "What does this mean?"
Herbert advanced a step, holding up his gifts. He was a delicate, thoughtful looking boy, with something very winning in his ways. He paused a moment to collect his thoughts, and then said:—
"Dear grandmamma, your oldest boy
Gives you a greeting fond this day;
The winter's snow is on my hair;
But in your heart the flowers of May.
Oh! lonely would our household be
Without your smile and words of cheer;
May God preserve your precious life
And make you long a blessing here."
"You dear boy!" said grandma, her blue eyes bright with tears, as he laid his gifts on her lap, and kissed her tenderly. She had no time to say more, for bright-eyed Mary took his place, looking somewhat shy, but very proud of the gift she carried.
"Dear grandmamma, accept this cake
And wreath of flowers for Mary's sake;
Kind hast thou ever been to me,
May I thy little sunbeam be!
And the sweet lesson thou hast taught
Bear fruit in every deed and thought!"
"Bless you, little darling!" said grandma, as Mary first deposited her cake on a chair and threw her arms around the old lady's neck.
"You are my sunbeams, all of you. But here is my Josie waiting to speak," she said smiling.
The little fellow laid his gift on her lap, and stood hesitating a moment.
He was a warm hearted, affectionate boy, but very nervous and excitable.
"Dear grandma," prompted Herbert.
"I know it," said Josie, indignantly. "Don't tell me!"
"Dear grandma, please accept these gifts!
With love from little Joe;
If all the love that's in my heart
In words could—words could—"
"I can't think what comes next!" hiding his face in grandma's lap.
Herbert's prompting only irritated him, and at last grandma said in a soothing tone:
"There, dear little man, don't cry. Some other time you will say it to grandma, when we are alone together."
Little Alice, at a sign from Herbert, stepped forward, and resting her vase on grandmother's knee, looked up with her confiding eyes into her face.
She had more confidence than Josie; and it was in clear though lisping tones that she repeated her lines:
"Thy little namesake offers thee
This vase of flowers and kisses three;
Oh, happy may thy birthday be!"
"You little blossom you!" said grandma, kissing her rosy cheeks a dozen times.
And now mamma, who had stood smiling in the background all this time, advanced with baby Charley in her arms.
"Dear grandma, baby is too young to repeat verses, but he offers you his mouth for a kiss."
"Bless his precious heart!" said grandma, kissing him warmly. "Did you hear the children repeat their verses?"
"Oh yes, I was standing here all the time."
"Ma wrote the verses for us," said Herbert.
"And Bridget made the cake," said practical Mary.
"And I made the book-mark myself, all my own," said little Josie, nestling up to grandma's side.
"And here's a little gift from Robert and me," said Mrs. Wilton.
It was a lovely engraving representing Christian and Hopeful resting in the valley of Beulah.
Grandma's eyes grew moist again as she looked at it.
"Oh, how lovely that is! Thank you Mary darling, and Robert both. This is a happy birthday indeed. Why, Robert, are you there too?"
"Good morning, dear grandmother," said Mr. Wilton, stooping to kiss her. "You look as bright as the morning itself! I was afraid the children would tire you."
"No—blessed little souls!—they did me good."
That night as grandmother lay in her bed, she said to her granddaughter who was performing some little service for her:—
"God bless you all for your loving words to-day. It is so sweet to think that I can be some little comfort still."
"You are the sunshine of our house—one of the greatest blessings God ever gave us!"
Grandmother could not answer. But she fell asleep with a smile on her lips, an emblem of her heart.—Christian Union.
KEEP your heart's window always opened toward Heaven. Let the blessed light of Jesus' countenance shine in. It will turn tears into rainbows.
Where to Economize.
A MOTHER who was particularly successful in keeping her children at home of evenings, so much so that it was with difficulty that they could be induced to accept an invitation to spend an evening away from home, was asked if she had any particular secret for so doing. She replied that she could think of none, except that she kept her sitting-room and parlor very light. “We put the gas on, full blaze, in both front and back parlors; then we keep the house comfortably warm all over, and this is the only secret, if it is a secret.” To this it was objected that it would be very expensive. She replied: “O, well, we will economize in something else, if necessary, but a cheerful light at evening we will have.”
Her remark was very suggestive, not only in the great difference in the cheerfulness of a well lighted house, and the gloom of one when the light is poor and stinted, but of the choice there is in matters of economy. In these times everybody has to study economy in some directions, but in family life it ought to be directed to anything rather than the curtailing of family comforts, or of the quality and quantity of children’s food. Better wear the plainest clothes; better have no extra suit; better put up with the old and patched furniture, than to deprive one of real comfort, especially the children. Warmth and light are the attractions used by the saloons, and other places of like resort, to draw our children from us. We must counteract these by providing better of the same kind. We cannot afford to economize too much in these.
Plenty of good warm underclothing, good stockings, and stout, well-fitting shoes will make presentable the plainest dress. If economy must be studied in children’s clothes, let it be in trimmings and ruffles, and not in those things which give warmth and comfort.
To practice economy successfully requires a great deal of study and experience. It is generally not very encouraging or pleasant to do, and yet there are those who have become enthusiastic in it. It has seemed to have almost the fascination of a game, to some, to see how little they could live on, and live comfortably. If one has to do it, it is better to do it in such a spirit than complainingly and fretfully. And, as to accomplish something is always a satisfaction, there may be a certain satisfaction in the study and experimenting that leads to a knowledge of how to economize in the best ways and places, how to live well, and at the same time live cheaply.—Columbus, Neb., Journal.
The Home Circle.
GOD'S SCHOOL.
ONE by on e, as the days go by,
To learn our lessons we bravely try;
For every hour some task is set—
Difficult, easy, short or long—
And whether we come to it weak or strong,
Somehow or other it must be met.
Graded well is this school of ours,
Each one's duty within his powers,
And his task the thing that he needs to know.
And many a time does the page grow dim,
And before tired eyes the hard words swim,
And the hours go by so slow, so slow.
Various ages are gathered there:
Flaxen ringlets and thin gray hair
Alike fall over the lesson books.
And often the little ones laugh in glee
At the beautiful words their bright eyes see,
While the old sit silent, with grave, sad looks.
Skillful teachers assemble here,
Patiently labor year by year;
Never mistake in their work was known;
Only the scholars, weary and vexed,
Idle, impatient, tired, perplexed,
Suffer from errors all their own.
The Spirit teaches the highest class;
Time takes all as they onward pass;
Joy is claimed by the happy few,
While Care, Experience, Labor, Pain,
Treasures of knowledge help us gain,
And Conscience conducts the grand review.
But, patiently learning day by day,
We are longing to hear the Master say
That our school days here are done;
And after the last long term shall pass,
To be transferred to that upper class
In which the advanced work is begun.
Teasing Children.
TEASING children is at best a doubtful amusement; but when sensitive childhood is made the object of it, it degenerates into cruelty. Yet there are some very good people who indulge in this outrage against the innocent and helpless. We know people who never miss an opportunity to torment a child. It seems impossible for them to come near one without making it miserable. They cannot be at their ease, unless the child is suffering from heartlessness. As a consequence, children soon learn to hate as well as fear them, and no wonder. It is true that these people would shrink from inflicting needless bodily pain on any little one; but they never think of the keener torture which their senseless teasing inflicts on the sensitive child. They would tell you that they do nothing which should give pain; that they are only in fun and the child ought to know it. When they threaten to swallow a child, they don't mean to do it, of course; but the child is irritated or frightened all the same. Do they know how very real all such things are to a child, particularly to one that has never been hardened to such cruelty? They may mean nothing by their silly threats, but the child that has learned to rely implicitly on what its parents say—and all children should learn this—will accept as truths what its tormentors mean as lies invented for its annoyance. It is true that the child will in time learn to doubt the truthfulness of those who thus abuse it; but while it learns to distrust the false, it also learns to distrust the true. A child cannot be expected to exercise discrimination; and you, sir, who give it its first lessons in falsehood, are to blame for such subsequent distrust of things that ought to be believed.
Childhood should be a period of joyous innocence. It is no time for doubts or misgivings. They come soon enough with the entrance of the youth upon the scenes of busy, practical, anxious struggle for self-maintenance. Then, good friends, you who thoughtlessly mar that innocent enjoyment and implicit trust which characterize the uncorrupted child, stop to think what you are doing. You are committing a grave offense. You are ruining the temper of one whose mind is yet so plastic as to yield to every touch. You are darkening the days of one whose life should yet be all sunshine. You are inflicting the keenest of pains on one whose innocence should shield it from the tortures even of barbarians. You are poisoning the morals of one that is yet too young to resist your evil influences. You are doing wrong for which you can never atone, a wrong whose evil effects may follow that child to the grave.—Phrenological Journal.
Dancing in Heathen Countries.
By Editor
THE following extract from Dr. Butler’s “Land of the Veda,” we commend to the votaries and apologists of the dance. It may not, by itself, be deemed convincing, but it contains food for reflection:
“No man in India would allow his wife or daughter to dance, and as to dancing with another man, he would forsake her forever as a woman lost to virtue and modesty, if she were to attempt it.
“In their observation of white women, there is nothing that so much perplexes them as the fact that fathers and husbands will permit their wives and daughters to indulge in promiscuous dancing. No argument will convince them that that act is such as a virtuous female should practice, or that its tendency is not licentious. The prevalence of the practice in ‘Christian’ nations makes our holy religion—which they suppose must allow it—to be abhorred by many of them, and often it is cast in the teeth of our missionaries when preaching to them. But what would these heathen say could they enter our operas and theatres, and see the shocking exposure of their persons which our public women there present before mixed assemblies? Yet they would be ten times more astonished that ladies of virtue and reputation should be found there accompanied by their daughters, to witness the sight, and that, too, in the presence of the other sex! But then, they are only heathen, and don’t appreciate the high accomplishments of Christian civilization! Still, Heaven grant that the future church of India may ever retain at least this item of the prejudice of their forefathers! Dancing forms, there, no part of a daughter’s education, and it never will; that is, unless they become corrupted by ‘Christian’ example.”
Trust a Boy.
By Bishop Clark
DURING the session of the Episcopal Convention in Boston, the Bishop of Louisiana, in crossing the common, met a boy whose face he fancied, and calling to him, asked if he had anything to do just then, to which he said, "No." "Are you a good boy?" The little fellow scratched his head, and replied: "I am not a very good boy; I cuss a little sometimes." That candid answer inspired the bishop with confidence, and he then said, after giving his name and address: "I want you to go to a certain place and bring a bundle to my hotel. There will be a charge of eight dollars; here is the money to pay it, and half a dollar which you will keep for doing the errand." On his return to the hotel the bishop's friends laughed at him for his credulity, telling him that he would never see the boy, or the bundle, or the money, again; but in half an hour the young chap returned, bringing the receipted bill for eight dollars and fifty cents, the bishop having made a slight mistake as to the amount that was due. "How did you manage to pay the extra half dollar?" he inquired. "I took the money you gave me for the job. I knew you would make it all right." And "all right" it was made, and I have no doubt that the confidence that was reposed in that boy because of his truthfulness will do him good as long as he lives.—Bishop Clark.
Forbearance.
By Editor
We may well introduce a paragraph clipped from one of our exchanges:—
“Many beautiful stories of the exercise of mutual forbearance come down to us from the days of the early church, when Christians seemed to be more impressed with the meaning and power of the Christian duty than later. One of these relates to the Bishop of Alexandria, who, it is told, had a fierce quarrel with the Governor, so that they parted like two pieces of tinder, which, by their rubbing together, had both caught fire; each going home in a flame of hatred. As the shadow of the declining day, however, fell into his room, the bishop grew pensive, and wrote on a slip of paper, ‘The sun is going down.’ This he sent to the Governor, who, catching the reference to St. Paul's precept, ‘Let not the sun go down upon your wrath,’ hastened to the old bishop and, together, mutually reconciled, they stood in the sunset's benediction.”
Ohio Camp-Meeting.
By A. O. Burrill
THIS meeting was the largest ever held in the State. During the year, through the efficient management of Bro. Canright with the blessing of God, the Conference has increased one-third in numbers. There were about 50 tents on the ground, one large one 60x100. Friday evening, just before the close of the sermon, a telegram announced that Brother and Sister White were nearing the ground and would arrive in a few minutes. This sent a thrill of joy through the entire camp, nearly one-half of whom had never seen them. It is needless for me to say that their coming was a great blessing to the meeting. It fully satisfied these young churches about them, and they return home with the fullest assurance in this message. At this meeting it was decided that I should go to Denver City, Col., to help Bro. Corliss for a few months, and then I hope to return to Ohio again.
A. O. BURRILL.
Reports from the Field.
Southampton, Eng.
FROM a letter written by Bro. Ings, under date of Aug. 13, we take the following:—
The tent-meeting here has not been in vain. It has stirred up Southampton considerably. There are now between thirty and forty Sabbath-keepers, and many more are convinced, some of whom will yet obey. Interests are arising all around us. Last Sunday I went into the country eight miles, where an interest has been awakened by papers and tracts received from Sr. Bradford, of Massachusetts. Three or four will undoubtedly keep the Sabbath as the result. We have just heard that a company at Pool are keeping the Sabbath. We have not learned the particulars. Last summer I visited the place, it being only ten miles from where I was born. I left tracts with some, and sent addresses of interested readers to our V. M. societies; and I presume this company is the result of their labors. We are receiving some excellent letters from interested ones. We believe the blessing of God is attending the work in all its parts. Missives of truth, sent to all parts of the world, are doing their work.
Solon, Ohio.
By R. A. Underwood; J. C. Bartlett
We closed our meetings here to-day. Sold $11.00 worth of books, and obtained nine subscribers for the Review and Signs. A bitter spirit of prejudice has been overcome, and a few have decided to obey, while many are investigating. A goodly number of these are from the world. Infidelity gives way before the connected truths of the third angel's message. We will give an extract from a private letter from Bedford, which is to the point. He says:—
"Ever since you were here, I have been diligently searching the Scriptures. I can say that the Bible is an entirely new book to me. The doctrine of eternal punishment, with the gross inconsistencies and worldliness of the orthodox churches, had made me a skeptic and scoffer, as I know it has scores of others. In your tent I heard a gospel of love preached in all its native simplicity and truth; a consistent gospel, one that harmonizes the Bible with itself, with reason, and with man's innate sense of justice. I have sat in the scorner's seat, but it was not religion that I ridiculed so much as the hollow, canting hypocrisy which men called religion. I pray that God may give me faith to lay hold of the promises, that I may secure eternal life. Pray for me."