THERE is a cry going up all over the land against the prevailing dishonesty of the age. Man is suspicious of his fellow-man; perhaps there never was a time when distrust so generally prevailed. Those who have been looked upon as being patterns of uprightness, and every way fitted to be guardians of public funds, prove defaulters to large amounts, such as they can never hope to pay; and they seem to feel no concern about the payment. It is getting to be a matter of serious inquiry, Where shall men be found to discharge faithfully the duties of Government offices, or to handle the funds of widows and orphans? A minister of Long Island, after eulogizing a man on attending his funeral, said it was becoming a dangerous thing to speak a word in praise of any one deceased, until his accounts were examined. Wars rise up with the Indians, costing millions of money and hundreds of lives, because those who are intrusted with the means to carry out our treaty stipulations appropriate the money to their own uses. Our postal department is burdened on account of the dishonesty of contractors, who swear to service, and receive heavy pay for it, which was never performed. Officers of banks and insurance companies will, one week, swear to the good standing of their institutions, and the next week fail, and carry trouble and destitution to hundreds of households. Stealing is becoming an obsolete word; it would be impolite to charge with theft the man who lives in such a fine house and gives such splendid dinners—no, he is only a defaulter, reveling in the wealth which he has taken from the needy who trusted to his honor. Public buildings, which are estimated to cost only thousands, sometimes cost millions, because those who handle public funds put into their own pockets all the money which they can possibly retain. Sympathy, instead of going out toward the victims of crime, rises up to shield the criminal from the punishment justly due his crimes.8
The churches are sadly feeling the influence of this state of things. It is not forgotten that when a very prosperous revival meeting was progressing in New York, the men who were assisting in the work made away with the contributions. Money does not seem to be safe anywhere. The Christian Statesman, the organ of the party which is seeking to amend our National Constitution in favor of religion, founds its strong argument for this change in the need to secure a higher standard of honesty, especially in the administration of public affairs.
Having looked this matter over with much interest for many years, we are firmly fixed in conviction that the public feeling does not demand honesty. The standard is now as high as desired. This may seem to be a strange statement, but we are thoroughly convinced it is truth. The great majority of the religious world does not favor tenderness of conscience, and the Christian Statesman presents, in its course, the most glaring inconsistency in trying to build up the very state of things which it professes to be trying to put down.
The highest of all obligations is that which we owe to God. Irreverence for God is never accompanied by true reverence for any power. An open disregard of the claims of God is not consistent with a high regard for the rights of man. And where the rights of God are truly regarded there must of necessity be a regard for the just claims of all his creatures. A mother was once asked how it was that she succeeded in training up her children to such a nice sense of honor and virtue with the teachings and example of their father against all her efforts. Her answer was, that she constantly kept before them the authority of God, and inculcated reverence for him; she never made any direct reference to the ungodly example of her husband, but she tried to fill their minds and hearts with a sense of obligation to God, and thus shut out those influences from which they were in danger of being ruined.
Let us now justify the opinion expressed above by reference to facts, such as are constantly occurring all over the land. Several years ago I held meetings in a small village where I received a good hearing. I presented the claims of the law of God, from which there was no open dissent, as there was no church of antinomians in the place. I presented the claims of the fourth commandment—the obligations to which were very generally confessed—and I proved, even to the satisfaction of almost every hearer, that it cannot be made to enforce any day but the seventh day. It was well known that scores were fully convinced that the argument was all right, and that the Bible teaches that "the seventh day is the Sabbath," to the exclusion of every other day. A brother, a well esteemed member of the Methodist Church, determined to obey the commandment. The next Sabbath he laid aside his working clothes, and, attired as was fitting for the day of rest, he walked through the street. He said he was much surprised to see that the people so generally regarded him with the greatest wonder. Those who were convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath were free to express their surprise at his course; while no one expressed any surprise that professed Christians who had confessed the duty did not obey the commandment.
I am often reminded of a remark of a prominent member of a Baptist Church in a Western city, who, when asked why his people did not keep the seventh day when they became convinced it was duty, answered: "That is not the kind of religion we have in this city. You must not expect people in this day to leave a popular error for unpopular truth." And so it is all over the land, people of all grades, church members, and even ministers, will confess the truth and their duty, and there they stop. Nobody looks upon it as at all strange that they utterly disregard their known duty to God. But if one more conscientious than his neighbors dares to step out and act according to his convictions, he immediately becomes an object of ridicule and reproach. Professed Christians laugh at what they call his folly, and scoff at his following the dictates of his conscience, though enlightened and sustained in his course by the plainest declarations of God’s word. Are not these things so? And while open disregard of the acknowledged claims of God’s law is commanded, and obedience to the divine precepts is scoffed at even in the churches, is it any wonder that crimes against the rights of man cease to be considered criminal; that stealing softens down into defaulting, and lying is only prevarication or merely managing?
We can easily make good our assertions that the Christian Statesman presents in its course the most glaring inconsistency. Professing the highest regard for the claims of God’s law, and the strongest desire to correct the existing want of conscientious regard for right, and acknowledging the ten commandments as the foundations of all right, it is yet seeking to obtain a national law which shall compel men to violate their consciences, and to disregard the express words of Jehovah as given in that law. We have no words in which to express our astonishment at the blind folly of those who will thus profess and thus act.
We are thankful that, while the majority love a superficial religion, or the gloss and tinsel of the appearance of conscientiousness without the vitality and power, it is not so with all. There are truly honest-hearted ones, here and there, all over the land, who deplore this state of things, and who love the ways of God. They joyfully receive the message which points to a reform, as soon as they hear. As long as we find humble ones, with tearful eyes and words of gratitude, receive the assurance that God has not forgotten his waiting ones, but is leading his people out of this darkness into light, we are encouraged to labor on. If the sheaves which we reap are few compared with the abundance of the tares, we know that they will prove to be exceedingly precious in the day of our Saviour’s coming. In hope of the joy of that day we will toil on, knowing that our beloved Redeemer will be "glorified in them that believe . . . in that day." 2 Thess. 1:10.
Fear Ye Not Their Fear.
By J.
AMONG the things which would particularly mark the nearness of the end of the world, the Saviour named “distress of nations, with perplexity,” and “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth.” This distress of nations is not merely distress which is common to all nations in all ages, but it is distress with perplexity. To be perplexed is to know not what to do; is to know not which way to turn. A nation may be distressed, but may know perfectly what to do to relieve itself. A nation may be troubled, yet see clearly its way out of the trouble. But when distress with perplexity comes upon a nation, it is troubled indeed. It knows not what to do, and in attempting a remedy it may increase the trouble, or at the best, may be able to relieve the distress only for a time.
That there is now among the great nations of the world a state of uneasiness which is not too strongly expressed by the words of Christ, is undeniable. The trouble is not between nation and nation as such, although there are deepening jealousies, which only add to the general tendency; but the distress of each nation is from within itself. In each nation there seems to be a condition of society which might be termed a chronic discontent. This spirit of discontent is growing and deepening everywhere. The following from the San Francisco Chronicle is, we believe, a fair estimate of the question as it stands to-day:—
“The feelings of the world at the beginning of the century have been compared to those of one awakening after a night of horrible orgies. There are not wanting signs that another wave of hopelessness is soon to sweep over the world, not, perhaps, attended with such a social upheaval, or followed by such desolating wars, but still terrible in its action and its consequence. The passions of men remain the same. National hatreds were never more bitter. We live here in this corner of the world in comparative quiet, while all Europe sleeps upon its arms. Want and misery increase with augmenting populations. All the avenues of life are full. All streams of discontent are swelled to the brim and ready to overflow.”
Thinking men see these things; statesmen have to deal with them; the lower classes feel them and are the principal part of them; and all men fear them. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth. True, there are some who are determined to have the millennium ushered in at once, who profess to see nothing but that all things are growing better, and that “to-morrow shall be as this day and much more abundant.” But it is simply fatuous to cry peace in the very presence of the most gigantic preparations for war that the world has ever seen,—to cry safety when destruction, hundred-handed, stands before the cabin as well as before the palace. Wickedness is surely as great now as any would wish to see, but it is just as certain that every one who lives will see greater wickedness, as it is that he lives at all. The world is in its last days, and the record of Him who made the world, and who knoweth what is in man, is, “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” As bad as evil men are now, there is yet to be worse, yea, even worse and worse. As great as is deception now, men will yet see greater. It is easy enough for all to see it, and all do see it—except the professed watchmen.
In this general uneasiness and discontent, in this fear which causes men’s hearts to fail, whether they realize the cause or not, it is only to be expected that there will be efforts made on all hands for protection. But the efforts made for protection will not protect. All the trade unions and labor leagues that can be formed, and all the boycotts that can be laid, will not better the condition of the laboring man one whit. With all the unions and leagues and organizations of whatever kind there may be that have ever been formed for the purpose of promoting the welfare of the laboring man, his condition is no better than it was before there was ever any such union formed. As a matter of fact the troubles and difficulties of the laboring man are increased with the increase of the leagues. It is impossible that it should be otherwise, when in becoming a member of a union, he has to literally sell himself to an irresponsible despotism. But it is because of the uncertainty, the uneasiness, the fear that pervades all, that all these confederacies are formed. But relief will never be found in any of these things, nor by any of these methods, but rather in the opposite of all these.
“For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” A league is a confederacy. All these leagues, unions, etc., that are now so abundant, are confederacies. They are formed, even as the prophet says, because of a fear which pervades the people, leading them to say, “A confederacy, a league must be formed, and that will relieve us.” But it will do nothing of the kind. The evil is inherent; it lies in the very nature of things. It is growing, and will grow “worse and worse,” and the only safety is to separate from it all, and from all the confederacies that are formed because of it. The Lord instructs us that we should not walk in the way of this people. The Lord says to us, “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy.” The Lord says, “Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” But “sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary.” Isa. 8:13, 14.
There is the way and the only way of relief. God is over all and above all. If he be made the dwelling place, if his truth be made the shield and buckler, we shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. That these words of the prophet were written for this time is plain; for in the same connection, he says: “I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.” These things therefore will come to pass when the time is to wait and look for the Lord. And this is exactly in accordance with the word of Christ, when, in giving these things as signs of his coming, he said: “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” For the next thing that follows the “distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth,” is “the powers of heaven shall be shaken, and then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25-28.
The heaven will depart as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island will be moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, will flee to the rocks and the mountains; and “they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Rev. 6:14, 15; Isa. 2:19.
“When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done”—“two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof”—“they shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea.” Isa. 24:13, 14; 17:6. They shall say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa. 25:9.
“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” And then, though the untied winds shall hurt the earth, the sea, and the trees (Rev. 7:1-3),
—“Though the yesty waves
Confound and swallow navigation up;
Though bladed corn be lodged, and trees blown down;
Though castles topple on their warders’ heads;
Though palaces and pyramids do slope
Their heads to their foundations; though the treasure
Of nature’s germins tumble altogether,
Even till destruction sicken;”
“He shall be for a sanctuary;” “the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” “Blessed are all they that wait for him.” J.
Who Is the Infidel?
By Uriah Smith
IN a meeting held by one of our brethren some years since, at which it was our privilege to be present, an opposer in a very angry and excited manner interrupted the speaker with the reckless assertion that “Millerism had made more infidels than any other thing under the sun; that the Bible said we did not know anything about the time.” Being unable to quote the passage he had in mind, he was asked if he was sure that the Bible made such a declaration. He was very sure it did if he remembered correctly; but it was very evident that he did not remember correctly, or, perhaps, that he never knew precisely what the passage was, and had but an indifferent idea of what the Bible did teach on the subject of the second advent. But somehow everybody, from the lowest drunkard to the bigoted bishop, seems to know that the Bible says that no man knoweth the day or the hour; and, tearing this text away from its connection, they give it an unlimited signification, and seem to think it sufficient to put an eternal quietus on the agitation of the advent doctrine.
This text the objector in question had got fixed in his mind in such a shape as to lead him to suppose that the Bible asserted that nothing could be known respecting the second advent of Christ. When informed what the text does mean, that no man maketh known, etc., and reminded that we were doing nothing of the kind, that we do not attempt to make known the day and hour, as the Bible does not reveal it, he was asked if he believed this text which stands in immediate connection with the other; namely, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” He could not be made to acknowledge that he did. He had taken his position that we could know nothing about it, and so it should be, and he would make no other reply. Very clearly, he did not believe this text.
Now infidelity is a disbelief of the Scriptures; and we ask, Who was the Infidel in this case, the Adventist, who believes all the Scriptures, or the opposer, who for the sake of avoiding the conclusion that we are to know something about the second coming of Christ, was ready to deny one of the plainest statements in all the Bible? Adventism does not make infidels, it only develops those who are already such.
But this is no new phase of the question. This cry of infidelity is no new thing. Adventists have had to meet it all the way along. The Advent Herald of Feb. 14, 1844, under the heading, “A Prediction Fulfilled,” thus spoke on this point:—
“It has often been remarked by our opponents that the preaching of the advent would make infidels. This prediction has been fulfilled; or, at least, it has been the means of showing many to the world as infidels, who, but for the preaching of this doctrine, would have escaped all suspicion. In their efforts to escape the conclusions of Mr. Miller, many of our most distinguished ecclesiastics have been found to take strong infidel and neological ground; and among their hearers have been found ready listeners fully prepared to adopt any conclusions, however transcendental, if they could thus be made to believe the coming of the Lord a fable.”
As it was then on the advent doctrine, so it is now, not only in relation to that doctrine, but to the great truths developed since that time. Take, for instance, the law of God. Before the claims of the fourth commandment are enforced, a religious teacher can scarcely be found who will not contend for that law as one of perpetual and universal obligation; but when he is made to see that that commandment requires the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath, he will, too often, to avoid the claims of this precept, declare the whole law abolished. And many professed Adventists, alas! are foremost in this impious work. But he who, for the sake of avoiding an unwelcome truth, denies any part of the Bible, is an infidel. The preaching of these truths does not make infidels, it only develops those who are already such, or who, rather than embrace them, are willing to become such.
A little incident which occurred under the first message will further illustrate this point. An Adventist preacher was lecturing at Lowell, Mass., when a Methodist class leader accused him of being an infidel, and wished him to call upon him. The minister accordingly gratified him with an interview, and called on him at his shop. Here the class leader repeated his charge that the minister was an infidel. The latter, instead of replying, handed him his Bible, and wished him to read a passage that he believed. The class leader took the Bible and turned the leaves back and forth without reading. The minister asked him why he did not read. He replied that he was looking for a text. The minister then told him that he could have read and believed the first text he opened at. The class leader saw that he had proved himself the infidel, and handed back the Bible.
Keen-eyed skeptics notice these inconsistencies, and become strengthened in their position. They also mark the scoffing of professed religionists at the plain statements of the Bible, when brought out by a company of humble believers, and when they touch the pride and popularity of said professed Christians; and this powerfully builds them up in their infidelity. In proof of this, look at the following instance. In 1844, the Universalist Trumpet thus spoke of the midnight cry: “We used to hear, six months ago, much said about the midnight cry. All the abettors in Miller’s follies joined in the cry. But of late we do not hear anything about it. All these birds of night have stopped their noise, from which we infer that day has broken, at which time owls generally cease to hoot.”
This was copied by the Investigator, an infidel paper, with the following remarks:—
“We copy the above for the purpose of expressing the thought that occurred to us on reading it. The Millerites, whom this reverend and Universalist editor sneeringly calls ‘owls,’ profess, like himself, to believe in the Bible and the Christian faith. He thinks them deluded; we will suppose he honestly thinks so. What, then, in such a case ought he to have done, as an honest, candid man? He ought to have said to them: ‘My Christian brethren, I think345I have reason to believe that you are laboring in an error; and as I deem it my duty to remove it, I will, with your permission, discuss the subject with you in an open and friendly manner. Possibly I may impart some new views, which may convince you of your mistake; but should I fail, I trust I shall not be so uncandid as, for a difference of opinion, to call in question your sincerity, nor so uncharitable as, for an error in judgment, to withdraw from you my fellowship.
"Such or similar language from one Christian opponent toward another, while it would exhibit a spirit of kindness and friendly feeling, would do a great deal to convince the infidel that Christianity might be a better system than he is accustomed to believe it. But so long as he sees, as in the present case, that a mere variance of thought in one Christian brother is enough to steep another and a reverend Christian brother up to the eyelids in bigotry and censoriousness, he will have but little inducement to renounce his infidelity and become a Christian; for though his system may be lacking in spiritual faith, as it certainly is, there is yet remaining enough of saving virtue in its practice to prevent him at least from quarreling with his brethren."
The spirit manifested by the Universalist Trumpet has by no means decreased since that time. And in view of such testimonies as the above, it is easy to see one great source from which infidelity derives its strength. So long as professed Christians will scoff at Bible doctrines, or refuse to believe certain passages of Scripture, because they destroy a favorite dogma, they may take to themselves the credit of all the infidelity that is developed or created by such a course. And this is all the connection that Adventism has with infidelity. U. S.
The Kansas Camp-Meeting.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THIS meeting was held in Garfield Park, North Topeka, Kansas. The grounds were beautiful—everything that could be desired: water convenient; buildings and street-cars handy; a fine place to baptize, etc. There was a good attendance of the brethren, probably from four to five hundred. About seventy tents were pitched. The brethren were a little behind with their preparations, which somewhat hindered the first of the meeting. The attendance from the city was good, a large number coming in every evening, and, in fact, many in the day-time. Sunday the grounds were thronged. The meetings were fully reported in two of the daily papers, and two others gave about a column report. We have never had papers favor us in this respect more than these did. The brethren in this Conference appear to be of good courage, as they have excellent reasons to be. The Conference is growing rapidly, and we judge also that it is improving in many ways. We were surprised to find so large a number of ministers as we did. Everyone seemed willing and anxious to do all he could and to learn still further. The license committee spent a large amount of time in carefully examining all the ministers. All felt that it was a very profitable season. Several sermons were preached for the especial benefit of the ministers. We feel sure that they will heartily take hold of the work proposed by the General Conference.
The little children under eight years of age were placed in the care of a sister, who looked after them and held meetings with them twice a day. This, we think, is a good thing to do on any camp ground. The young people from eight to twenty years of age were placed under the care of another sister, who also held meetings with them twice a day. We could see346very plainly the good effects of this. Nearly every one took hold promptly in the meetings, and we learn that nearly all the young people in this Conference are converted, and are active in the work. This is the way it should be. I have never been where our social meetings were better, or the people more prompt to take part, than here. The brethren have been taught not to lose a moment in these meetings, hence in every social meeting, from three to seven would be on their feet at once, and thus a large number always took part in every service. On the Sabbath day about sixty came forward for prayers. This was followed up by personal labor as usual. On Monday, thirty-two, I believe, were baptized.
Special efforts were made to bring up the Sabbath-school work, which we believe will have a good effect. The preaching was done by Elders Smith, Curtis, Rogers, Barton, Bagby, and the writer. Elder Cook was again elected president of the Conference. Steps were taken to increase the efficiency of the tract and missionary work. At the close of the meeting, two ministers were ordained, Brethren Bagby and Flaiz. On the whole, we greatly enjoyed this meeting, and feel very hopeful for the cause in Kansas.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
The Missionary.
North Pacific Conference.
THE tenth annual session of the North Pacific Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the East Portland camp ground, May 19-25, 1886.
FIRST MEETING, MAY 19, 9 A. M.
President, Elder C. L. Boyd, in the chair. Prayer offered by O. Dickinson. The following churches were represented by delegates: East Portland, Coquille, Damascus, Carrollton, Beaverton, Lynden, Renton, and Salem. Voted that our ministers from abroad, and all members in good standing, participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
By vote the following churches were received into the Conference: Newton, consisting of eight members; Vancouver, consisting of twenty-eight members.
Minutes of the last annual session were read and approved. The chairman appointed the usual committees, as follows: On Nominations—O. Dickinson, T. H. Starbuck, J. C. Hall. On Credentials—T. H. Starbuck, O. Dickinson, J. E. Graham. On Auditing—T. H. Starbuck, H. Atkins, J. T. Chitwood, R. D. Benham, George Fulton, J. Casper. On Resolutions—E. R. Jones, H. W. Reed, J. A. Burden. Auditing Conference treasurer's books—H. W. Reed, J. E. Graham.
SECOND MEETING, MAY 20, 4:30 P. M.
Prayer by Elder E. R. Jones. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.
Delegates not present at the first meeting presented credentials from East Portland, Vancouver, Beaverton, and Carrollton.
Committee on Resolutions offered the following:—
WHEREAS, From the testimonies, and also from our own observation and experience, we are painfully conscious that we have an inefficient ministry; therefore,
Resolved, That we recognize the wisdom and propriety of the recommendations of the General Conference, for the improvement of those who publicly teach our faith, and that we will endeavor to carry them into effect.
A reading of the recommendations was called for, and they were read, after which remarks were made by Elders E. R. Jones, C. L. Boyd, O. Dickinson, Geo. I. Butler, and Professor Brownsberger. Resolution adopted.
THIRD MEETING, MAY 21, 9 A. M.
Prayer by H. W. Reed. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. The following resolution was presented:—
WHEREAS, In the providence of God, colleges have been established among our people in different localities for the purpose of preparing individuals to labor successfully in the work of God; and,
WHEREAS, The Healdsburg College has been established for the special benefit of laborers on the Pacific Coast; therefore,
Resolved, That we extend to it our hearty sympathy and will do all in our power consistent with other duties to encourage licentiates and other workers who may need its instruction to avail themselves of the benefits of this institution.
Elder Butler gave an interesting account of the rise of the Battle Creek College. The good results had demonstrated the wisdom of our erection of it and other similar colleges; that one-half of our laborers in the cause have come from our institutions of learning. It has been the means of saving scores of our young men. The year before last, one hundred laborers went out from our colleges to work in the cause. Last year as many as one hundred and fifty went out from these halls of learning to labor for God. He stated that we must support our colleges. Able and appropriate remarks were also made by Professor Brownsberger in such an earnest manner as to move many to tears. The resolution was carried by unanimous vote.
FOURTH MEETING, MAY 21, 4 P. M.
Prayer by Wm. Potter. The minutes of previous meeting were read and approved. The Committee on Resolutions offered the following:—
WHEREAS, Among our people of long experience, it has been fully demonstrated that those who read and obey the Testimonies, enjoy a greater measure of spirituality than those who do not, and
WHEREAS, Testimonies one to thirty have recently been republished in four attractive volumes and contain instruction with which all our people should be acquainted, therefore,
Resolved, That we recommend that all the families of this Conference procure these volumes as early as possible, and carefully peruse them.
Elder Butler related how and why the Testimonies were first printed and contrasted them with the present volumes. They are of great importance to us in these last days. Elder E. R. Jones stated that those who love the Bible most read the Testimonies most, and Elder Boyd spoke of the condescension of God in giving us these Testimonies. The resolution was adopted.
Committee on Nominations brought in a partial report, in which they recommended for President, Elder C. L. Boyd; Secretary, H. W. Reed; Treasurer, O. Dickinson; Executive Committee, C. L. Boyd, J. E. Graham. Each name was acted upon separately and the nominees were unanimously elected. The report was completed by the election of Wm. Potter as one of the Executive Committee.
FIFTH MEETING, MAY 23, 9 A. M.
Prayer by J. C. Hall. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved, after which delegates were received from the Corvallis and West Chehalem Churches.
The Committee on Resolutions offered the following:—
Resolved, That we indorse the action of the Conference Committee in establishing a school in East Portland for the instruction, in the common branches, and in some parts of the missionary work, of those who are not able to attend the Healdsburg College, and we advise the continuance of the same. The object being not to instruct those who should have the benefits of the Healdsburg College, but to prepare persons to receive its instruction, and to rescue our children from the evils of the public schools and give some help to those not able to attend the Healdsburg College.
Professor Brownsberger said that there is a class of youth whom the Healdsburg College cannot accommodate. He was glad that local schools were established. He would not have them go down. They must be sustained.
Elder Butler said that he was heartily in favor of the resolution. He would feel sorry if the East Portland School was not maintained. He advised that great care should be exercised lest some persons should be retained here who would by proper encouragement attend the Healdsburg College. The resolution was adopted.
SIXTH MEETING, MAY 24, 9 A. M.
Prayer by J. C. Hall. O. Dickinson, the Conference treasurer, read his report, which showed as follows:—
Amount of tithes received ...$2,019.87
" " money paid out ... 2,019.87
Unpaid orders ... 675.00
Voted that C. L. Boyd be sent as delegate to the General Conference; also that the Camp-meeting Committee be appointed by the Conference Committee.
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows:—
For credentials—Elder C. L. Boyd; for ministerial licenses—Wm. Potter, H. W. Reed, J. A. Burden, W. C. Ward, J. M. Cole; for colporter's licenses—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, E. D. Hurlburt, J. C. Bunch, Frank Bunch, E. Edmiston, H. A. Baxter, Alice Bunch, Arvilla Ogden. The report was adopted.
Voted that one thousand dollars be raised for Conference work; also one thousand dollars to increase the Tract Society Fund. Pledges were taken to the amount of $2,022.90.
Adjourned, sine die.
C. L. BOYD, Pres.
H. W. REED, Sec.
Oregon Camp-Meeting.
By E. R. Jones
THIS meeting was held at East Portland May 18-25. The camp was located on a level plat of ground near the Jefferson Street Ferry. There were forty-three tents pitched in hollow squares. These did not include the three large tents for public services. The arrangement was convenient, and the camp presented a good appearance. A workers' meeting was held for six days preceding the camp-meeting, in which instruction was given to those who expect to go out in the field to labor in different branches of the work. Some fifty or more attended. Beside the special instruction given, there were early morning prayer-meetings held, and also preaching every evening. Some of the citizens attended these evening services, and this was a good indication, as all thought, that there would be a good outside interest when the regular meeting should commence. At the time of the opening service, the campers, to the number of about two hundred and forty, were well settled and ready for the meeting. Brother Butler opened with a discourse from Zeph. 2: 1-3, in which the necessity of more fervently seeking a preparation for the swift approach of the great day of the Lord was pointedly set forth. From Zeph. 1 and Rev. 6: 14-17 and other scriptures, he graphically described the terrors of that day to those who reject the warning and fail to seek the meekness and righteousness that will enable them to be hid from the wrath of God.
From the first we were not disappointed in the attendance from the city. It was the best I have yet seen on the Pacific Coast. Every evening a large number came in and gave excellent attention to the things that were spoken. There were about twenty discourses in all, given by Elder Butler, Elder Boyd, and the writer.
While among our own people there was some union and love for the truth, there was not all that fervency and diligence in seeking the Lord that could be desired. A spell of indifference that was not easy to break, seemed to come over many. The preaching was largely practical; and, as the meeting progressed, became more close and pointed. The Spirit of God came into the early morning meetings, and many hearts were powerfully moved upon. These were precious seasons. On Sabbath afternoon, after a strong appeal to the backslidden and unconverted, some seventy-five or eighty came forward for prayers. On Monday another move was made and about fifty separated themselves from the congregation to specially seek God. His blessing was upon the people, and several took their stand for the first time to serve him. Following this meeting, twenty-one were baptized in the Willamette River. A large congregation assembled at the water, and many not of our faith were deeply affected by the scene.
The Sabbath-school held Sabbath forenoon and conducted by Professor Brownsberger, was an interesting feature of the meeting. The school was composed of twenty-eight classes and two hundred and sixty scholars and teachers. The lessons were well learned, and were recited with that deep interest that seemed to almost annihilate the time allotted to that part of the exercises. The class contributions amounted to $19.30.
The North Pacific Conference held its annual session during the camp-meeting. All the business passed off pleasantly. Reports show a good degree of prosperity. Nearly one-third of the present membership of the Conference has been added since its meeting eleven months ago. There was also an increase in the tithe of more than $500 over the previous year. These things were a source of encouragement to our people. Elder C. L. Boyd was again chosen president of the Conference. Several were granted license to preach.
All have confidence in the men placed in charge of the work, and are united in pushing it forward. If the cause in this field does not advance the coming year even more than the past, it will be because there is a failure to continue to seek the blessing of God, without which no effort will succeed in any field. All returned to their homes in good cheer, feeling that the meeting had been a profitable one to them.