The new building now being erected by the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, is an exact duplicate of the one in use. When finished and furnished, including the lot, it will cost not far from ten thousand dollars. It will be completed and occupied as soon as possible, as our crowded condition in the old building loudly calls for more room immediately.
With all true friends of the cause, the fact that the growing work of God among us, increasing the circulation of our periodicals, and general publications, calls for another building, will be a matter of devout gratitude to God. From such we expect co-operation at this time. And in this we shall not be disappointed. When we have reached out in any such enterprise, and have called for help, our brethren have ever responded liberally. We again invite them to help in the publishing department, in the sum of ten thousand dollars, and we shall not here be disappointed.
This matter is finely started this week, as the receipts from brethren Root, Comings, Littlejohn, Downs, and others show. There is room for ninety-six more one hundred dollar men to fall in at their earliest convenience. And by this statement we do not wish to discourage the ten, twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty dollar men and women. The capital stock of the Publishing Association is in shares of ten dollars each. Of these, the friends of the cause can take from one to twenty or more. At those camp-meetings that we may be able to attend, we shall bring the subject more fully before our friends.
The Review and Herald.
By Editor
OUR second article upon Mutual Obligation is put over to next week for want of time to complete it, and make preparations to leave for the West this week.
We have decided to give more attention to our periodicals, to take more time to use the pen, and leave other matters, which have engaged our time and strength, for others to attend to. Our brethren in this city have been in session, devising means to free us from the multitude of cares and labors which have occupied most of our time, and which have kept us from more important work.
Men and Things.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
“MEN’S HEARTS FAILING THEM,” &c.
Prominent among the signs which should precede the immediate coming of the Son of Man, Jesus gives this one: “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:26. That this sign is now being fulfilled no one can doubt who notices the feeling of the public mind. A feeling of distrust, of fear, and of alarm, is coming over men as to the future. Rev. A. M. Milligan, of Pittsburgh, Penn., says:—
“Patriotic men are holding their breath, earnest men are talking anxiously together as they consider the great questions underlying the welfare of the commonwealth. Patriotism is inquiring, What can be done to save the nation? The danger that threatens our nation to-day is that the moral substratum, upon which only national life can exist, is in a state of decay, and threatens early dissolution. You see it everywhere in public affairs. You see it in legislative halls and in judicial seats—in the whole character of society. The question is, Can it be arrested? and if so, how is it to be done?”
DECLINE OF RELIGION IN ENGLAND.
A few weeks since, we gave an article from a prominent paper deploring the decline of religion and the ministry in this country. Now from across the water comes the sad lament of the same state of things there. The English Independent says:—
“In truth, there is something very much the matter among us, and something, it is impossible to deny, wrong with the ministry. It is losing power. The number of men with real preaching ability seems to grow smaller. Ministerial success is superficial. There are ministers who can fill chapels by consolatory sermons or clever talk, but do not sift their hearers, stir their consciences, or fill their souls with divine inspirations. We are very unwilling to prophesy in sackcloth. We are not given to croaking; but there are many facts to which we cannot shut our eyes. A very large part of our ministry appears to be ‘movable.’ Those pastors who build up a strong edifice of affection and influence, by years of patient labor and sterling character, are comparatively few. The language that has grown prevalent among us about ministers and churches is professional and mercenary. A cry comes up from the colleges that the young men who offer themselves for the ministry have neither special grace nor special gifts. Leanness has fallen upon our land, and we are in very serious danger as a denomination. In the days that are at hand, we shall become powerless and contemptible if our pulpits are not filled by inspired men. Any woodenheaded man may act the part of the priest. A High Church clergyman will manage well enough if he can read passably, intone musically, and bear himself gracefully in a procession. But the men who have no title to attention but their ability to teach and to proclaim divine truth, must needs have very different qualifications. Truth is often painful, but always useful, and we have spoken it. Much might be said about causes and remedies; but we care now to say only one thing: our churches stand in need of a profound and very real religious revival.”
These are painful facts, but it is well to know them. They show that our position on the fall of Babylon is correct, and hence that the coming of Christ draws nigh.
MUCH WORK WITH SMALL STOCK.
I was much impressed with the force of the following words. I see them illustrated almost every day. The writer says:—
“Then, too, how strangely people invest the capital of their capabilities—solve the problem of what they will do with God’s gift of life. Here is one, not brilliant, not greatly endowed in any way; but he has a kind heart, a fair share of common sense, and an active temperament. He puts all there is of him into current coin and keeps it in circulation. He has no gold in the ingots, for purchasing provinces or paying kings’ ransoms, but plenty of the small change so necessary for constantly recurring needs. On a comparatively small capital he does a large business, enriches not only himself, but all with whom he comes in contact; while another, with ten times his ability, a man of genius, an original thinker, a ripe scholar, makes no use of his powers, but hides all these noble gifts in a self-indulgent, or an obscure and sordid life, the willing slave of a lymphatic temperament. To know our own worth, and how to invest what we are in such a way as to yield the most for ourselves and humanity, is the great problem, and to its solution are directed the experiences of our lives.” It is not the man that has the greatest ability who always does the most work. By no means. I am sure I know of men and women among us who are doing almost nothing for God or humanity, who still really have stronger minds and more ability than others who are active workers in the cause. What is the matter? They lack energy and application. They are waiting for something to “turn up,” instead of taking right hold with the determination to make things turn up. It is bad to be rash and hasty, and to make mistakes; but even that is better than to idle away one’s whole life doing nothing, for fear we may not move just right. Strike out, and trust in God. If you then make mistakes, confess it; and correct them, and try again. You know not what powers you have, till you try.
ENORMITY OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN THE UNITED STATES.
“Those who would measure the enormity of the liquor traffic by the money which it absorbs, will be impressed by some figures presented by Mr. Edward S. Young, Chief of the U. S. Statistical Bureau, at a meeting of the Congressional Temperance Society, in Washington, last Sunday evening. Mr. Young stated the annual product of whisky in this country to be, according to the returns made to the government, 62,500,000 gallons, representing a money value of $375,000,000; fermented liquors, 6,300,000 barrels, worth $126,000,000; imported liquors, $100,000,000. There are in the United States 150,000 licensed liquor stores, whose average annual sales are $4,000 each, making a total of $600,000,000; and this exhibit he thought was probably $100,000 below the facts. Mr. Young used the following comparisons, to enforce his statistics:—
“‘An expert could not count more than $20,000 in one-dollar notes in a day. Working twenty-five days in a month, it would take one man one hundred years to count the money. If spread upon the ground in notes of the same denomination, it would cover an area of 20,446 acres. If paid in gold, a ton of which is worth $574,000, and loaded on wagons each carrying one ton and occupying a space of seven yards, it would require 1,045 wagons, which would form a procession six miles long. In silver, worth $31,200, it would require 19,230 wagons which would form a line of seventy-six miles in length. To complete the picture, let the wives and children of drunkards, and the widows and orphans of those who have died drunkards during the past year, follow these wagons in melancholy procession, their cries of anguish ascending to Heaven, and the line would extend thousands of miles.’”
“And all this, not only taken from the productive capital and labor of the country, but used in such a way as to weaken its productive power and increase crime and misery of every form. And yet society tolerates this horrid traffic, and government legalizes and protects it, for the filthy pittance which it drops into the treasury. —Christian Statesman.
A LOOK AROUND THE WORLD.
“Latest and best authority gives the population of the globe at 1,350,200,000; in America, 72,800,000; in Europe, 287,000,000; in Asia, 798,600,000; in Africa, 188,000,000; in Australia and Polynesia, 3,800,000. These people speak about 3,600 different languages, and are cut up into 1,000 different religious sects. The adherents of the principle religions, counting the whole population, are supposed to be nearly thus: Greek Church, 69,992,700; six other Oriental churches, 6,500,000; Roman Catholics, 195,000,000; Protestants, 97,139,000; Mohammedans, 160,000,000; Buddhists, 340,000,000; other Asiatic religions, 260,000,000; Pagans, 200,000,000; Jews, 6,000,000.”
“The whole number of languages and dialects into which the holy Scriptures have been translated is two hundred and fifty-two. Of these, two hundred and five are versions prepared since the origin of Bible societies, at which time the Scriptures had been translated into only forty-seven different languages. The two great Bible societies of the world, the British and Foreign, and the American, have issued, of these, two hundred and forty-three. The greatest work of the American Bible Society has been the preparation of the Arabic Bible, by the Rev. Drs. Smith and Van Dyck, which will go to 150,000,000 of Arabic-speaking people, and the Slavonic and Bulgarian Testament, which will supply 80,000,000.”—Christian Union.
These figures and facts are worth preserving by any one. What proportion do Christians bear to the population of the world? We Protestants do not think that the Roman Catholic and Greek churches are much, if any, better than pagans, and evidently they are not. This leaves less than one hundred million who can be regarded as Christians, while the population of the world is over thirteen hundred million; that is only one in thirteen. But this includes every man, woman, and child, in all these nations, who are called Christians. Millions of these make no profession, but are worldlings and infidels. The entire Protestant-church membership of the whole world is said to be only about sixteen millions. How many of these are real Christians? One-half would be a liberal calculation. This would give us only eight Christians out of every thirteen hundred souls! A poor encouragement for the conversion of the world! D. M. Canright.
The Seal of God, or His Name and Memorial.
By I. D. Van Horn
THE God of Heaven is from everlasting to everlasting, the king of eternity, and the God to be feared above all others. Ps. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ps. 96:4. “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.” Ps. 8:1.
The name of God is sacred and holy, and it is to be had in reverence by all his intelligent creatures. In the decalogue he has guarded against profanity; and those who disrespect their Creator by taking his name in vain, will not be held guiltless.
The name of God is closely connected with his commanded covenant, which is the moral law, the ten commandments. “And He declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deut. 4:13. This is spoken of by the psalmist as follows: “The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people; he hath commanded his covenant forever; holy and reverend is his name.” Ps. 111:7–9. God’s holy covenant is sacred to him, for it is his law, the moral principles of his government. He has signed his name to it, so that no one need mistake the author.
It is therefore important that we learn by what name or title the God of Heaven is known among the children of men. When Moses was called by the Lord to bring Israel out of Egypt, he desired to know the name of God, that when they should say, “What is his name?” he might know what to say to them. “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM; and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” “The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” Ex. 3:14, 15.
Here is a plain declaration that God’s name is intimately connected with his memorial, and we shall find them both in his law.
The Bible speaks of the “true and living God,” and also of false gods; but the true God bears a title that cannot be applied to any false god. The psalmist makes the following distinction: “For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens.” Ps. 96:4, 5. See also Jer. 10:10–12. The Maker of the heavens and the earth, is a title that but one being in the universe can bear, and hence the worship of any other god is idolatry. This fact is clearly proved in Acts 14:8–15.
When Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra to preach the gospel, a certain man was healed by them, who never had walked. The people of that place, being idolaters, were struck with amazement, and they lifted up their voices, saying, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” They immediately prepared their sacrifices for worship. “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.” Thus it is that Paul pointed those worshipers of Jupiter and Mercurius to the only true God, designating him as the maker of the heavens and the earth. See, also, Acts 17:22–24.
It is now plain to be seen by what title the God of Heaven is known to the inhabitants of our earth. This title is found in the fourth commandment of the moral law. This law is but the outgrowth of the two great principles—supreme love to God, and equal love to our neighbor. There were two tables of stone on which this law was written, and at the bottom of that one which teaches love to God, he has signed his name—the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The fourth commandment is the memorial of the Creator’s works, and by the observance of it, he is kept in remembrance, for his name is attached to it. “Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Ex. 31:13, 17; Eze. 20:12, 20.
Sign and seal are synonymous terms. Rom. 4:11. The Sabbath of the Lord with his name attached, is his sign or seal. John saw 144,000 stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb, “having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Rev. 14:1. This same company is brought to view in another place as “the number of them which were sealed” with the “seal of the living God.” Rev. 7:1–4. They get “the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name;” hence they must be the “saints,” that heed the warning of the “third angel,” and “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 15:2, 14; 14:9–12.
Who shall say that this sealed company do not keep the Sabbath of the Lord? The evidence before us seems to show conclusively that they do. Do they have the approbation of men, and the honor of the world for so doing? Answer: “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. They are therefore engaged in a work of reform relating to the Sabbath. They have a severe contest with the powers of earth; but they gain the victory and triumph at last. God seals them for Heaven. They will go through. How important then it is to keep the holy Sabbath of the Lord. Let all take courage and persevere in this noble work. Reverence the name of God and keep his memorial. “Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations.” Ps. 135:13.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Live Within Your Income
Ever live (misfortunes excepted) within your income.
Reform always Up-hill Work.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
The tendency of fallen humanity is downward. It is hard to bring it up. If a work of reform is commenced, unless the most constant and untiring efforts are put forth, and the strictest watch maintained, there will be a relapse, and the work will soon be found going backward, the car rolling with increasing celerity down to the low level whence it started.
And this very fact constitutes what is supposed to be a good reason for not engaging in a work of reform. “If this is necessary,” say they, “why don’t everybody see it, and act accordingly?” The proper reply to this question is, Seeing it, why do not you act upon it? But here the claim is put forth that they cannot see it; and the reason they cannot see it is because nobody else has seen it. It is thought that it cannot be necessary, because others have not, and do not, engage in it.
It is easy for humanity, having known and embraced truth, to depart from it; but it is very difficult to induce it to return. This may be illustrated by the case of the falling away of Israel from the true God to the worship of Baal, in the days of Ahab and Jezebel, and the consequent work of reform which Elijah the prophet was called to proclaim. We will present the case in the form of a supposed dialogue.
Baalite. “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?”
Elijah. “I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord; and thou hast followed Baalim.”
B. Are you so bigoted as to think that none are true worshipers but yourself? If God is worshiped, what difference does it make whether we call him Jehovah or Baal?
E. There is but one living and true God. He brought us out of Egypt, and commanded us to worship no other gods. So to worship the gods called Baalim is a violation of the commandment of Jehovah our God.
B. What are names? The main thing is to have the spirit of worship. This constitutes the true worshiper. And our fathers from time immemorial have worshiped Baal. And they have been very pious and sincere worshipers. And if they have all been wrong in this, why has nobody ever found it out?
E. In time past, they have, doubtless, for a long time, had less information on the subject than you now have. Light rejected brings condemnation. I have referred you to the commandment of Jehovah, and shown you what he requires. If you can tell me why you are not ready to obey, that may cast some light upon the reason why your fathers have not discovered and handed down to you the true light. If you reject truth which has been so clearly set before you, will not your children reiterate your argument, and say, “If this is the only right way, why have not our fathers, among whom were many learned men, discovered it? They were indeed religious, and devoted worshipers of Baal; hence we must conclude that he is the true God.” Now if you follow this course of falling back on the fathers, reform is impossible. I call upon you to reform. I present you the commandments of Jehovah. How long halt ye between two opinions? If Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.
The application is easy. Each reader can make it. The word of God has no weight with those who hold to the traditions of their fathers. When they fail to find anything in the Bible to favor their position and course, they fall back on the fathers as a sure foundation. They may admire the conduct and fortitude of a Luther and other reformers, who boldly protested against the corruptions of the Roman popedom; but had they lived in those days, they would have clung to the “mother church,” and opposed the Reformation. And had they lived in the days when it was fashionable to worship Baal, the voice of Elijah would have been unheeded by them. Reform is up-hill work. Dead fish will float down stream; none but live ones will make head against the current. R. F. COTTRELL.
Noah's Sacrifice in His Work.
By John Nevins Andrews
It is evident that the building of the ark was a work of immense expense. Noah must have been a man of great wealth; and he must have had a great heart for the work. His property was devoted to the accomplishment of the undertaking. When the ark was completed, his property was invested in it. To the people of the old world this was the hight of folly; yet the event proved it to be the work of the highest wisdom. Noah and his family were borne in safety over the waters of the flood; while all others miserably perished. So will it be found in these days. God's cause calls for sacrifice. Those who cheerfully make it, will stand accepted before him, while those who refuse, will be found wanting.
J. N. A.
Northern Vermont.
By D. T. Bourdeau
SINCE our tour in the southern part of Vermont, on account of sickness in my brother’s family, I have filled his appointments for Bordoville and East Richford. At B. I spoke twice to quite large audiences, including a few unbelievers. At East Richford I held four meetings, re-arranged Systematic Benevolence for the present year, raising the figures from $84 to $132, got three new subscribers for the Reformer, and collected $13.50 on arrearages on the REVIEW. One was added to the church, and we had a refreshing season in attending to the ordinances. Last Sunday evening, on my way home, I spoke in the brick meeting-house at Berkshire Center, near Brn. Austin’s and H. W. Kellogg’s, where I had previously given a discourse on the Sabbath question following a sermon on the same subject by Elder Truax, a Methodist preacher.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Bordoville, Vt., May 12, 1871.
Oswego Co., N. Y.
By Frederick Wheeler
My last report of labor was from New Haven, where I had then held three meetings. I spent about three weeks there, holding meetings on first-days and evenings, and visiting from house to house.
The meetings were well attended, and a number became much interested in the truth. Three have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and one who had been educated to keep the Sabbath, but who had never fully sought the Lord, resolved to give her heart to God, and is now endeavoring to live the life of a Christian. Others are interested, and we hope will yet obey the truth.
Sabbath, Feb. 25, met the brethren and friends at Smith's Mills and gave two discourses. The 26th, commenced meetings at Hunt's Corners. Gave five discourses. I found this a hard place, many of the people being spiritualists, and I closed my meetings without any apparent fruit of my effort.
March 17, went again to New Haven. Held four interesting meetings, and baptized one. March 25 and 26, held three meetings with the church in Oswego. The blessing of the Lord was in our meetings, and the little church were, I trust, encouraged to press on their way.
Sabbath, April 22, in company with Bro. and sister Ross, had a very interesting meeting at the house of friend Chesbro, in Volney. Several of the young, for the first time in meeting, expressed their determination to serve God and keep his commandments. Having obtained the consent of the trustees of the M. E. church to occupy their house of worship, at Druse's Corners, for a few meetings, we commenced to hold meetings there first-day, the 23d, and continued evenings during the week and on the next first-day and evening, Bro. and sister Ross speaking a part of the time. The church then decided to close their house. Our congregations here were large and very attentive. Some six or eight have decided to keep the Sabbath; among them is one who has been a Free-will Baptist preacher. The people are very anxious to hear more on the present truth, and we expect to return and occupy the schoolhouse, and hope others will obey the truth.
I feel encouraged to labor on in this work. The time is short, and I desire to be wholly consecrated to God and his cause.
Frederick Wheeler.
West Monroe, N. Y., May 16, 1871.
I. D. VAN HORN
By I. D. Van Horn
Minnesota.
For the last few weeks, from April 12, I have been laboring in the city of St. Cloud. I have given twenty-five discourses, and in all, held thirty-one meetings. For a little more than a week we were permitted to occupy the Methodist house of worship. They have our thanks for this. They then refused to permit us to have their house longer, and we were obliged to hire a hall to continue our meetings.
But the change of the place of meeting, and the prejudice, together with the efforts of the ministers against us, made our congregation small. A few, however, who seemed much interested, attended the meetings to their close. There was no open or public opposition on the part of any, only that the Methodist minister gave a discourse to overthrow the obligation of the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, and endeavored to support Sunday as the Christian Sabbath. His positions191were the same that others have taken, which have been repeatedly published in the REVIEW.
We reviewed his discourse with good effect for the cause of Bible truth. Many were convinced that the Bible Sabbath was the seventh day; but most of them sought some excuse for easing their consciences, that they might continue in their old ways.
There were three families of Sabbath-keepers in this place when I came here. It was mostly for their benefit that I came. The result of the meeting is, four have taken a decided stand on the truth, and there are more who are much interested. On Sunday, the 7th inst., I baptized nine, and in the evening organized a church of thirteen members. The Lord has been pleased to give some fruit as the result of the labor in this place. Systematic Benevolence was heartily adopted and entered into to the amount of $52.00 per year.
The enemy is already stirring up his agents in this place to “love and make” falsehoods about us and the truth. But this only serves to make those more strong who have taken up the heavy cross of keeping the Sabbath and living out the truth. The jewels will be gathered in the last day; but they must first be made pure, and be caused to shine as lights in the world. May it be the privilege of this little company to have strength from the Lord to endure the trials and go through with the people of God to Mount Zion.
I. D. VAN HORN
May 9, 1871.
“JESUS KNOWS.”
SHE is standing on her watch—
Faith, the meek eyed child of days,
With an ear intent to catch
What the far-off echoes say—
O’er her feet the surges breaking
Of the restless sea of life,
Thrones and empires round her shaking
In a world’s tumultuous strife.
Not one silver streak of morning
Lifts the somber veil of night—
Yet she watcheth for the dawning,
Yet she waiteth for the light.
Will it never come—the glory—
Stealing o’er that gloomy sky?
Will it never cease—the story
Of a world-wide misery?
On her lips the answer glows—
“Jesus knows!”
Art thou standing on thy tower,
Pilgrim-soldier of the King!
There to “watch one little hour,”
’T ill his advent bells shall ring?
Faint not, though thy breast be heaving
With the sob of moral woe;
He to whom thy soul is cleaving
Told thee that it must be so—
Told thee that through tribulation,
Baptism of tears and blood,
Lay the path of consecration,
Lay the highway back to God.
Blessed be the foot that findeth
That ascending track of gold.
Brightening ever, as it windeth
Through the desert to the fold,
Whose beginning and whose close
Jesus knows!
Hast thou found Him, O my soul—
Him, the new, the living way?
Art thou speeding toward the goal,
Out of darkness into day?
Lord, thou knowest the poor measure
I have yielded back to thee,
In return for all the treasure
Thy rich love has been to me;
Yet my heart-strings twine about thee,
Day by day, with closer cling;
All the earth were blank without thee.
Life itself a blighted thing.
Here am I—’tis love’s surrender;
“To thy garden come and reap,”
’Neath the wing of her Defender,
“Give thou thy beloved sleep.”
Here, for aye, would she repose—
Jesus knows! —Sel.
Portville, N. Y., and Eldred, Pa.
By R. F. COTTRELL
The cause here has grievously suffered, for the two years past, from the shameful sins of those who dared to bear the vessels of the Lord with polluted hands and garments defiled with sin. Those who would be faithful have been in great reproach from these things. And while the enemies have exultingly triumphed, the half-hearted have relapsed, bringing discouragement upon the faithful few. Still there are souls here that have the go-through spirit. They are struggling on. And in their struggles to right up and redeem the past, the Lord is encouraging them by his Spirit. They want to see the cause here freed from reproach. And if they take the right course and are steadfast in it, the reproach will be removed from them, and the honest and candid around them will not charge upon the cause of truth the shameful sins of vile apostates, who attempted to cover with a cloak of religion, and even the ministerial garb, their real garments all stained with sin and reeking with pollution. Those who will, may clear themselves in this matter, and stand approved of God and reasonable men. They can wipe off reproach from the precious cause, and yet see souls converted to the truth of God.
I have spent about two weeks in this vicinity, advising and encouraging these sheep without a shepherd, except the chief One, who is always attentive to the wants of his flock. One Sabbath, met with the friends and had a very interesting meeting, at Eldred, otherwise called Texas. There is an evident interest with candid people to hear, and the Lord is reviving the hearts of his trusting people. May the blessing of God rest upon them, and give them final victory.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Portville, N. Y., May, 1871.
California State Meeting.
By M. G. Kellogg
The State meeting held at Santa Rosa the 6th and 7th of the present month was by far the most interesting meeting our people have ever yet held on this coast.
Bro. Loughborough preached four discourses all of which were very pointed and practical. There was a good attendance of our people from the several churches in this State, although many of our brethren were unavoidably detained at home. All who came were in earnest, and seemed indeed to be preparing to see Jesus. All had a mind to work, and harmony prevailed. Our prayer and conference meetings were very interesting.
Sabbath afternoon, we had a meeting for the church elders, and leaders, and Sabbath-school superintendents, to relate their various modes of conducting meetings and Sabbath-schools in the absence of a minister; and these reports, and the remarks drawn out thereby, made this one of the most interesting of our meetings. Bro. Loughborough baptized five on Sabbath afternoon.
Taking all things into consideration, I think this meeting was by far the most important of any we have yet had on this coast. I found myself strengthened and encouraged in attending; and it was a very great pleasure as well as a duty for me to publicly confess my wrongs in connection with the quarterly meeting held at Santa Rosa in January last, and to state to the brethren the reason why I was settled in mind that Bro. Andrews had fairly and fully answered the round-world objection to the Sabbath.
After attending this meeting, I have decided to spend a few weeks at manual labor here in Brooklyn, and in the mean time look after the interest that is awakening in the vicinity of this place which I hope will result in a course of lectures. May the Lord rule over all our efforts, and so guide us that we may accomplish good is my prayer.
M. G. KELLOGG.
Brooklyn, Cal., May 13.
Never Speak Evil of Any One
NEVER speak evil of any one.
A. S. HUTCHINS
By A. S. Hutchins
Vermont.
SABBATH, April 15, I preached twice to the Irasburg and Charleston church. These, we think, were encouraging meetings to all present, who love the Lord. The past winter the brethren in this church have not so generally met together as they usually have done heretofore.
But now that the cold winter and bad traveling are past, we hope the meetings will be kept up, and the cause prosper in the heart of every member. Especially should the younger members, whom God blesses with health and strength, manifest a growing interest in this direction. The apostle in Heb. 10 : 25, addresses us as a people.
Sabbath, the 29th, met with the church in Johnson, and spoke with good freedom to them twice. Refreshing testimonies were borne by Eld. A. Stone and the brethren and sisters. Here we were happy to meet for the first time in worship, with Bro. and sister Hines, from Eden, who have not been long keeping the Sabbath. The testimonies of these aged pilgrims did us all good. We love them and their sweet spirit. May they see, receive, and rejoice in the whole truth, and be prepared for the victor’s crown when the King of glory shall come.
On first-day, a business meeting was held for the benefit of the church, and to settle up their Systematic Benevolence. Though the little church here have had to withdraw fellowship from some whose lives did not recommend the religion of the blessed Saviour, yet they have reason to rejoice; for others are inquiring the way to Zion. May they all be humble, watchful, and prayerful. And may their faith be strong in God, they grow in grace, and bring forth much fruit. And we do earnestly entreat of those who have shown themselves unworthy of the confidence of the church, to repent of, confess, and forsake, their wrongs, and return to the embrace of Jesus and of his people.
A. S. HUTCHINS
May 16, 1871.
The Truth in California.
By J. L. Wood
AS OUR excellent State gathering has just closed, I feel it my duty to say a few words through the REVIEW, concerning present truth in California. I thank the Lord for what I have seen and heard, and for what my heart has felt, during the last three days. I never saw a people enjoy themselves better; and while my pen is tracing these few lines, I cannot refrain from shedding tears of joy.
My heart is made glad and my soul is led out in thanksgiving to God for his great goodness and tender mercy toward us. And as I look back over the last year, and think of the trials and misfortunes our little flock here in Santa Rosa has passed through, and how it has come out at the end of the year rejoicing in present truth, I say, Thank the Lord.
The Lord is surely working for his people here on this coast. I know the Lord is in this message; and the prospect never looked brighter here than it does at present for the ensuing year.
Brethren in California, let us be united and put our shoulders to the wheel, and help push forward this great work. Let us get self out of the way and give the Lord an opportunity to work.
I feel like dedicating myself anew to the Lord. I feel like surrendering unreservedly to him. I never felt more like putting my whole interest into this work, than I do at the present time. May the Lord speed on this work, and may there be a goodly company found in California prepared when the Lord comes. J. L. WOOD.
Michigan.
By R. J. LAWRENCE
APRIL 14, I went to Greenville. Spent the Sabbath and first-day there with Bro. and sister White and Bro. Cornell.
Sabbath and first-day, April 29 and 30, I spent with the church in Holly. Spoke four times, apparently much to their encouragement. The Lord helped in the presentation of his truth. Held one social meeting. The Spirit of the Lord came in at the commencement. All hearts were melted. Tears flowed freely. Hearty confessions were made, and strong resolutions formed, and we separated, feeling that the Lord had met with us indeed, and blessed us. Oh! may they live near the Lord, so that his blessing may remain with them.
Thursday, May 4, started for Memphis. Bro. Lamson had labored here some, very much to the satisfaction and encouragement of the church. I spent Sabbath and first-day with them. Preached four times, and had a social meeting. There was a goodly number of attentive hearers from without. A good interest was manifested, especially on the evening after the first-day, under the thrilling testimony brought out on the subject of the saints’ eternal glory.
The church appears to be in a prosperous condition. Two were baptized. I spent Monday and Tuesday in visiting, Wednesday, the 10th, Bro. Gurney brought me to St. Clair to Bro. Worden’s where we found a hospitable home for the night.
Thursday, we came to Cottrellvill where Bro. Lamson had spent three weeks and had raised quite an interest, but was called away before the work here was finished. We found on visiting some of the friends that the enemy had been at work. Prejudice had been raised by false reports being circulated. I was glad to meet Bro. Lamson here, and form an acquaintance with him. He has, unexpectedly to us, returned to this field of labor. I gave five discourses from Sabbath evening to second-day evening to very respectable congregations. Two have taken a firm stand on the truth. Others are investigating. And some that were interested have turned against it, and are opposing it. Bro. Lamson remains another week, to visit and hold meetings, and Bro. Gurney and myself returned here this morning to hold a few meetings in this place.