Earlier text: Pride and Its Dangers to the ChurchMen and Things.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
The following from the highest ecclesiastical authority, the Archbishop of Canterbury, England, reveals the terrible state of things in that so-called Christian land. He says that heathenism is rapidly encroaching upon Christianity, in the very place where it is supposed to be the strongest. While the church is making nominal Christians of a few of these simple heathens, heathenism is getting possession of many influential and leading minds in Christian lands. What will be the end of this? The Christian Union says:— “Perhaps a more sudden, unexpected, and widespread sensation has never arisen than that caused by a short incidental speech recently made before a missionary society, by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It was not a labored effort, but an appeal for greater liberality and earnestness in the work of converting the heathen. Among other things, he said that it was not necessary now to go to foreign lands to find them and to know what they are, for they are in England in great numbers, of all classes, from the best to the worst. He pointed out those parts of London where they congregate for trade, and the schools of the Temple and Lincoln’s Inn where they study law, and the ambassadors and visitors of high rank often seen in England. He expressed, also, fear of the influence of their philosophy upon English students, and suggested his apprehension that if they did not convert the heathen, the heathen would convert them. He adverted also to the fact that the philosophical and religious errors of the heathen are regarded with less repulsion and increasing tolerance, which he considered as a dangerous symptom.” “The Springfield Republican says of camp-meetings, that they ‘have become less occasions of religious revival and instruction, and more of social reunion and summer recreation in pleasant camps in the country. There is less of ostensible religion, less of accompanying vice, and more of comfort and pleasure.’” What a manifest fulfillment this is of Paul’s description of a fallen church in the last days. 2 Tim. 3:1-5: “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Formerly, these camp-meetings were a mighty power, where the Holy Ghost was poured out, and sinners fell before its influence; but now they are simply occasions of social intercourse and pleasure-seeking. It shows where the religious world is drifting. May God save his true people from following this terrible example. The following article from the Christian Union, I here give for the benefit of stingy people, for those who are saving, keeping, and hoarding up all they have, and giving little or nothing for the cause of Christ. You, my brother, who are worth from two to four thousand dollars, and are in good circumstances generally, and yet are giving not more than twenty-five or thirty dollars a year for benevolent purposes, you are the man who ought to read this two or three times over, and then lay it to heart. If you do not change your course, you will soon be as poor as the poorest, you will have nothing in this world, nor the world to come. Wake up, reform, and bestir yourself while there is still opportunity:— “An old friend of ours was bewailing, the other day, some pecuniary losses, when his wiser half interposed to remind him of certain expenditures he had made which might have been avoided. ‘Nonsense,’ he replied; ‘what I spend is the only money I am sure of!’ Though liable to abuse in its practical application, there is a profound philosophy in this thought. He that hoards his wealth, when losses come, is poor indeed; while he that expends it judiciously can never lose the fruits thereof that he has received into his own soul. But of consecrated expenditure this is doubly true. The man who spends his life in amassing wealth, is said, in common parlance, to ‘die rich.’ Nay, rather, he must die miserably poor. The liberal soul, as it passes away from all earthly possessions, may well exclaim, ‘What I have given away is now all that I am sure of!’ This, we apprehend, is the divine philosophy that resides in that golden saying of the wise man: ‘There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.’” Dear brethren, as I read the following words in the Christian Union, they struck me as being worthy of a very careful perusal by every one of us. I hope they may do me good; and I ask your prayerful attention to them. What is the fruit of our labors? What kind of Christians are we making? What kind of men and women does our preaching develop? What kind of characters are formed under our influence? Are they mere theorists, self-sufficient, cold debaters? or are they warm-hearted, self-denying, peaceable, God-fearing men—men who will glorify God, and be saved in his kingdom? Read the following words, and may the Spirit of God set them home to every heart:— “The main question for every church to ask is: What are the results of our teachings and our labors in the characters of the men and women of our congregation and our neighborhood? How many are we reaching with our influence, and what are we doing for them? Are the people to whom our gospel goes, enriched by it in their affections, enlightened by it in their understandings, restrained by it from wrong, urged by it to righteousness? Is it proving itself the savor of life unto life unto many? Is the truth as we have learned it, as we preach it, as we talk it, as we live it, the power of God unto the salvation of men from selfishness, from lust, from low cunning, from wrath and uncharitableness? Are the men who sit in our pews, and pray in our prayer-meetings, and teach in our Sunday-schools, known everywhere as true, brave, honest men? Do they carry their religion into Broad street? Does it keep them from cheating in trade? Does it hold them back, in these hot days of political strife, from misjudging and slandering their opponents, and from retailing the lies of the campaign on the stump or in the newspapers? Do they leave the Golden Rule in a gilt frame upon the parlor wall at home, or do they take it with them into the world as the measure of all their conduct? Are they surrounded with an atmosphere of cheerfulness, and does the Spirit of Him who came bringing peace to earth, and good-will to men, shine from their faces and breathe like a sweet fragrance from their garments as they walk? What sort of a society is it which these Christians of ours, men and women, are building up? Is it a society in which simple tastes, generous aims, helpfulness and beneficence abound? Do the mean deceits and the shallow frivolities of the time flourish or decline among them? “Men and brethren! this is the main question. There are many ways of putting it, but it means only this: What is the effect of this religion of ours upon the men and women to whom it is preached? By their lives, the world judges our religion. If we are helping them to a better manhood and womanhood, we shall need no other arguments to prove its truth. If we are not, all the evidences of Christianity that have been written will make no impression upon the minds of doubters. Would it not be well for the brethren who have risen to various points of order to withdraw them for a little while, and let us all discuss the main question?” “A Very Little.”
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Of unhygienic food and condiments, I hear some say that they use a very little of these. Why not use more? Why not use them freely? Because convinced that they are hurtful. Then why not abandon them entirely? Because it is admitted it is not best to make the change in our manner of living too suddenly. How long have you been in making the change? From five to ten years. Is the quantity of these things which you use constantly growing less? No; it was reduced quite considerably for a time, with the view of leaving them entirely; but the caution came not to be in too great haste, and concluding it was not necessary, we slacked our speed, and perhaps we now use more of them than we did years ago. Very well. You have avoided the evil of leaving off too suddenly; but how long will it take to discontinue them, at this rate? Progressing a little, as you do, in the wrong direction, when will you reach the desired end? Will it ever be reached? To leave off gradually, if I understand it rightly, still means to leave off. It is too much like nonsense to talk of leaving off gradually, while not intending to leave off at all. If a thing is good and wholesome, why talk of discontinuing the use. Keep on; and say nothing about using a very little. But if it is not good, and you therefore intend to leave it, make progress in that direction until the object is attained; and do not act as though you intended to use up a whole millennium, and more, in making the change. R. F. COTTRELL. Progress: Which Way? Morals, Church Attendance, and Reading
By John Norton Loughborough
This is said to be an age of progress; but, which way? “Dr. Manning, in an eloquent lecture on progress, declared that the church was progressing in extent, in external unity, in internal unity, of faith and in self-evidence; that the nations were departing from the principles which created their civilization in faith, unity, and morals; that civilization was becoming more and more material, though less moral; that modern civilization was, therefore, not progressing; that nations were not growing happier; that society was not more solid and safe, but the reverse; and that individuals were becoming more anarchical and stubborn.” How could we expect a great progress in morals when the mind feeds on fiction and neglects its real food. The general agent of the American Tract Society, who visited this coast some two years since, gave as the result of careful statistics, that, in the State of California, not over two persons out of every hundred ever attended church, while in the older States it was about seventeen to every hundred that attended church. The last monthly report of the reading matter drawn from the Mercantile Library in San Francisco speaks for itself:— “WHAT THEY READ.—If the books of the Mercantile Library for the past month may be taken as a criterion, our people read romances, scientific and religious books, etc., in about the following proportion: Total number of books taken out during the month of June, 6,957, of which 4,806 were romances; Juvenile books, 620; Travels, 256; Biography, 190; Belles Letters, 213; Science, 251; History, 158; Poetry, 106; Miscellaneous, 41; Religious, 45. Of books in foreign languages, 172 were in French, 69 in German, and 7 in Spanish.” But few religious books are kept for sale in the city. Having occasion to inquire for religious works for our church library in Santa Rosa a few weeks since, I visited two of the largest book stores in San Francisco, and was told in the onset that there was but very little demand for religious works, that they would order for me anything I found in their catalogues that I wished; that they found greater demand for romance and such like. In one store, Mr. Bancroft’s, I was conducted to shelves in one corner where were about four bushels of books he called religious, which constituted his supply in his massive store. He said he would be glad to sell me anything I found there at one-third rates. On examination, I found his religious works were religious! Spiritualism and Mormonism all classed religious. I thought, If the saying be true, that “supply and demand wait on each other,” there cannot be much demand for truly religious books in San Francisco, surely. The catalogue above of the Mercantile Library, a good criterion, too, shows that one hundred and six works on romance are read in San Francisco while one is read of a religious nature. No wonder that divorces in San Francisco average about twenty per month, and family broils abound, when minds are deceived into fictitious ideas of life by romance. How can there be true progression until the mind is stored with the real and substantial? R. F. COTTRELL
By R. F. Cottrell
It is cheering to have frequent reports of an encouraging character from those engaged in publishing abroad the message; and if we do not get frequent reports from our ministers, we begin to wonder where they are and what they are doing. But it is very difficult to make a good report, where there is nothing of progress to report; and this naturally causes delay in reporting. But perhaps it is better to report the situation, though there be nothing encouraging to report. I sympathized with Bro. Canright when he reported so discouragingly in regard to the interest, or rather want of interest, in his field of labor. And I am extremely glad to learn from more recent reports that there has been a change, and the prospect brightens. Perhaps the reports of his discouragements has had an influence in opening the way for his labors. If so, it was of use to report, though there was nothing cheering to report. In my own case, I am anxious to engage in some new place to publish the truth. But there are no calls, except those that are at too great a distance to warrant me in getting out. Still I will try to find the place where God would have me; and am determined to do what is in my power to open the way. There are those to whom the truth will be acceptable, and, by the help of God, I am determined to find them. The cause that I know not, I will go in search of. I must have a part in this work. The Greatest Joy of Life.
DR. CHALMERS said: “Unless I make religion my great and engrossing concern, I shall be a stranger to all peace and enjoyment. I have at times caught a glimpse of the comfort which it yields to the spirit, when I merge my will into God’s will—when I resolve to have no will of my own separate from God. I feel quite assured that this renunciation of self, and entire devotion to God’s service, would give a simplicity and grandeur to my existence—would throw an unclouded sunshine over all my ways—would raise me above the cares and provocations of life—would enhance even my sensible gratifications of a higher order, which constitute the main and essential blessings of Heaven. O my God, may it be thus with me! Call me out of nature’s darkness into thine own marvelous light. Give me to aspire after the graces, and hold forth to my acquaintances, and, above all, to my children, the example of righteousness! Conform me to the gospel economy under which I sit, that as Christ died for my sin, I may die to it; that as he rose again, I may rise to a newness of life, and feel it is my meat and drink to do thy will.” Strive to Enter in at the Straight Gate
“Strive to enter in at the straight gate.” JOHN MATTESON
By John Matteson
At present, I am preaching in Shelby Co., Iowa, about forty miles from Omaha. Here is a large Danish settlement in the town of Fairview. The majority of the people are Baptists. Two of their preachers live right here, and one of them has shown himself as a zealous opposer of the Advent faith since I first embraced it. About nine years ago, he told his church in Wisconsin, when I came there preaching, that they must not go to my meetings. If they did, they would be excluded. But most of them went, nevertheless. They said they would not be under a pope. A church-meeting was called. He requested obedience, or he would leave. They voted, Leave. I listened to his farewell sermon. He left for Omaha. Afterwards, he became pastor of this church. He has shown no open opposition yet. But there is a deep prejudice in the minds of the people, and of course the leading men try hard to keep the people away. I tried one week in one school-house, but only a few would come; next week, in another school-house, with like result. Then I was invited to a third house. These school-houses are only two miles apart, and free for meetings. Here, the people turn out generally, and manifest good interest so far. This is the third week I am here. Sundays, we have had a congregation of about one hundred. I have hope that some souls may be gained by patient labor. The truth of God is very precious, under evil as well as good report. May it become a living reality to us. And may we, through daily union with Christ and patient continuance in well-doing, at last obtain immortality. Altamont, Shelby Co., Iowa, Oct. 14, 1872. East Charleston, Vt.
By D. T. Bourdeau
We are still laboring to save souls here, and are glad to report some progress. Yesterday (Sabbath), was a good day to the cause in this place. Bro. Hutchins was with us in the absence of my brother to attend to important matters connected with the interests of the cause; and his testimony was appreciated. In the afternoon we had a good social meeting, at the close of which we called for an expression, to know how many desired to be Christians in the fullest sense of the term, and several arose, some of whom had never made a profession of religion. One was an old man aged eighty-four years. The scene was affecting. Several were in tears. But we realize that the work is only commenced, and that there is much to be done for those who have taken a stand on present truth. Sunday, Sept. 29, Eld. Spencer, a Methodist preacher, opposed us on the Sabbath question. He was replied to after a short intermission. His positions were: 1. The seventh-day Sabbath is abolished. 2. There is no holy time. Yet with the next breath he quoted, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Question. How can we keep a day holy that is not already sanctified? 3. “I shall take a broad view of the subject. Every day is kept. If all agree to keep one day holy, they will be acceptable unto God.” 4. The Sabbath has been changed by divine authority, and we should keep the first day. That is, God has changed the Sabbath and wants us to keep the first day; yet we are acceptable to him if we all agree to keep any day, whether the seventh day or the first. In other words, we can obey God or not, just as we please; or God is changeable, and we cannot obey him in one particular without disobeying him in another! He regretted very much that Eld. Smalley, a Free-will Baptist, who heard us on the Sabbath, said that we had the Bible argument favoring the seventh day. In the reply, we stated that we were glad for the frank admission of Eld. Smalley, and that would to God every preacher was with us on this question, with the exception of the unpleasantness of meeting opposition. To-day (Sunday), we had an appointment out for Eld. Hutchins at 1 o'clock P. M., which interfered with no other appointment. Eld. Spencer spoke in the forenoon, and at the close of his discourse gave out a notice for another man to speak at the same hour. He soon saw he had gone too far; for most of the congregation were against his course, and many were leaving. He withdrew his appointment, stating that the man who had the greatest share in the meeting-house, and others, were dissatisfied, and that henceforth he would speak no more in the church. Eld. Hutchins spoke to a large audience on repentance and faith. Last Sunday, Eld. Smalley pursued a wiser and more honorable course. He recommended our work, said he had cheerfully given way to us, because he knew his people were well entertained, and that the crowded house showed we were doing good. He spoke on the rest that remains for the people of God, and we followed on seeking the Lord. And in the evening he passed over his social meeting into our hands, stating that as we had been laboring here, we knew best where the people stood; and he was cheered to hear testimonies from some who had never served the Lord. May God bless this man and guide him and others into all truth. We have labored very hard, having visited nearly every day for six weeks. But Providence is favoring us. We see the hand of God in the work. Praise the Lord. Quarterly Meeting of District No. 5, Iowa
By Henry Nicola; J. T. Mitchell
According to previous appointment, we met in quarterly meeting with the brethren and sisters of District No. 5, at Knoxville, August 31 and September 1. There was a representation from all the churches in the District, except State Center. We had a good degree of freedom in talking the truth; still there did not seem to be as much of the deep, melting influence of the Spirit of God in the meeting as we would have been glad to see. We were here forcibly impressed with the thought that, with many of our old churches where much light has been given, there is not that life and animation in the meetings that there is with those who have newly embraced the truth. The only reason we can assign for this, is, that many of the members of these churches are failing to come up to the advancing light on present truth; especially the truths embraced in the great health question; and in this condition, they have merely a name to live, while they are backslidden from God at heart. Thus they prove a clog instead of a help to those who would go forward. The Lord help all such to realize their condition before it is forever too late. There was one very interesting feature, however, in the meeting, which we take pleasure in mentioning: It was the presence and very encouraging testimony of Bro. Luke, who has been in rather a backslidden state for a number of years. Since our last camp-meeting, the work of reform seems to have commenced with him in good earnest. He was offered a license to publicly present the truth, at our last Conference. This he refused at that time, stating that he had a work to do at home first, which he meant to enter upon immediately. In this he states that he has met with good success. He has now received a license to improve his gift in publicly presenting the truth as the way may open. May he have the prayers of the friends of truth. September 7 and 8, at Adel. Here we were much disappointed by not meeting any of our friends from Winterset and Peru. Perhaps these brethren and sisters did not fully understand the relation they sustain to the Adel church, by being associated with them in quarterly meeting, and consequently did not make that effort they should have done. They will doubtless do better another time. The little band at Adel are united, and we had truly a precious season with them. We were forcibly impressed with the fact that where there is union there is strength. At a communion season near the close of the Sabbath, where only about a dozen assembled at the house of Bro. Toneys, the blessing of God was manifested to such a degree that convinced us that he was willing to let his blessing come upon even a few, when they are walking in the humble path of obedience. Sept. 14 and 15, with the church at Osceola. Here we met brethren and sisters from Peru, Afton, Decatur City, Woodburn, and Knoxville. To meet with many of these old friends, together with the young and interesting church of Osceola, was truly gratifying and very encouraging. Our meetings here were all characterized with freedom and a good degree of the deep moving of the Spirit of God; and as we contrasted the state of things in Osceola, with that of a year ago, we were led to praise the name of the Lord. Truly the Lord has greatly blessed the labors of Brn. Canright and Butler at Osceola. One soul followed her Lord in the ordinance of baptism. We left these new friends feeling that our meeting with them was one long to be remembered. They would much appreciate a visit from Bro. Canright. Sept. 21 and 22, at Sigourney. Here we met a good delegation of brethren and sisters from Brighton, Washington, and Pilot Grove. The Sigourney church was much encouraged to have these old tried friends meet with them. Here, too, we felt very much at home with many of our old friends, that we had met with so many times. Our testimony, though very plain and pointed, was well received, and there was a general taking hold on the part of nearly all present. We had truly one of the very best meetings we ever enjoyed. The church at Sigourney, though not large, are building a meeting-house 28x42, at a cost not far from $2000. They will probably have it completed in five or six weeks. Then they are expecting a visit from Bro. Canright to dedicate it. Sept. 28 and 29, at Brighton. Here we were happy to meet Bro. McCoy and a few others from Sigourney, and a few from Washington; but there was no delegation from Mt. Pleasant, nor Richland, which we very much hoped to see. There seemed to be a general impression with those present, that these friends were intending to come Sabbath morning as they had done so frequently before, but Sabbath morning proved to be so rainy that it was impracticable to turn out to go that distance. Friday was a pleasant day, and would it not be far better for brethren that have from ten to twenty miles to go to meeting, to take part, or even all day Friday, if it is necessary, and be on hand to commence with the beginning of the meeting? These meetings only come once in three months, and it will not be your turn to go every time; for the meeting will be at your place some of these times. If you should take Friday to go to the place of meeting, it would not be a very great sacrifice of time. Then you would be there to begin with the meeting, and you will enjoy the meetings enough better to pay you well for your time. Please try it next time. Is it not also rather doubtful whether it can be harmonized with good Sabbath-keeping, while using so much of the day in traveling, even if it is making a journey that could and should be done on another day. Our meeting at Brighton, though not so good as our other meetings, we hope and feel was not an entire failure. We believe there will great good result from it, the fruit of which may be seen hereafter. We organized a Tract and Missionary Society at each of these meetings. The hurrying part of the season will now soon be over; then we hope the members of the Society will find more time to labor as missionaries, and thus carry out the design and object of the Society. We hope the officers especially will be prompt to duty. Let this be our motto, that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing promptly and well. If each one will take hold, and faithfully discharge the duties allotted to him in the name of the Lord, success is bound to attend this branch of the work. HENRY NICOLA,
J. T. MITCHELL. Tent Labor in Minnesota, Summer Campaign Report
By Chas. A. Russell
I left Michigan the 4th of last June to spend the summer with the tent in this State. Reached High Forest, Olmstead Co., where Bro. Canright was laboring, the 9th. Found Bro. C. in poor health, on account of excessive labor and having taken cold. He expected me to assist in preaching, which I felt unprepared to do; and informed him that I came intending to act merely as tent-master. This had a tendency to somewhat depress his spirits, yet he labored on with an energy and zeal, such as those only that truly love God and his cause will manifest. The results of his labor he has reported through the REVIEW. I will however notice one thing. A brother from Iowa expresses himself as not being sorry that some of Bro. C.'s labors have not been very successful the past summer. I supposed that the cause was one, and all felt an equal interest for its advancement, in all parts of the field. If presenting the truth in a clear and convincing manner, and sincere devotion to the cause, is not acceptable to the Lord, and calculated to build up the work, I know not what is. This I have seen exhibited by Bro. C., greatly, I trust, to my profit. At Albert Lea, where we pitched the tent after leaving High Forest, the population was more than one half of them foreigners; being Norwegians, Danes, Germans, &c. The American element, with the exception of a small church of Presbyterians, was Universalists, infidels, and spiritualists. At Glencoe, the state of things was even worse. But the gospel was to be preached for a witness unto all nations, not to convert them all. At Hutchinson, the scale was turned. Like the noble Berean's, they commenced searching the Scriptures, and a large company are now rejoicing in the truth. This greatly revived and cheered us. By the advice of Bro. Canright, I decided to give a course of lectures after leaving the tent, before I returned to Michigan. Commenced meetings in company with Bro. George Dimmick, four miles west of Lake Crystal, Blue Earth Co., Friday evening, Oct. 4, in a commodious brick school-house. The interest has increased from the first, so that nearly every evening, and on Sunday, the house has been crowded. The Methodist minister has been doing what he could to keep the people away, by slurs and insinuations. Having shown the perpetuity of the law and Sabbath, we announced that we would show by what authority the Sabbath was changed. Their minister was present. I had good freedom in presenting the subject. After meeting, he found considerable fault because I quoted from history and Catholic catechisms. I asked him how we could tell whether the prophecies that reached this side of the time the Bible was written, were fulfilled or not, without referring to history. I then asked him to take my Bible and show the people one text that supported first-day keeping; but he would not touch it. Bro. Dimmick in the evening showed clearly the restoration of the Sabbath under the third angel's message. Night before last, we called for an expression, when ten voted to keep the Sabbath and walk in the truth. Several more are convinced who we hope will soon take hold. I expect to start for Michigan next week, but Bro. Dimmick will stay here and follow up the work. I trust the blessing of the Lord will attend him. It is with reluctance that I leave. We are sure that the Lord has blessed our efforts here. I have enjoyed freedom and peace of mind, and am glad that I came to this State to spend the summer. My coming was first suggested by our beloved brother, Eld. James White, who has for several years manifested a deep interest in my welfare. I hope I shall prove worthy of his confidence. I think there are many others who have equal reason for gratitude for the interest he has shown in their behalf. I intend as soon as circumstances will admit, to go out and do what I can in spreading the glorious truth, to which end, I ask the prayers of God's people. Lake Crystal, Blue Earth Co., Minn., Oct. 17, 1872. WEARY OF EARTH.
By R. C. BAKER
I am weary of this life of ceaseless toiling,
By want and care oppressed;
With aching brow, and tired, faltering footsteps
I sigh for Heaven’s sweet rest. I am weary of its scenes of pain and suffering,
Diseases dire and dread
Torture frail bodies with the keenest anguish,
And people earth with dead. I am weary of its strife and restless turmoil,
Its sick’ning doubts and fears;
Its hates, its jealousies, and deeds of violence,
Drench earth with blood and tears. I am weary of its vanities and follies;
They lure my soul in vain;
Its dear-bought pleasures are but empty bubbles,
That leave regret and pain. I’m longing for a home in those bright mansions
Where Christ my Saviour’s gone—
Where joys are pure, unchanging, and eternal,
And sorrow is unknown. R. C. BAKER. Michigan Church Visits and Revival Efforts in Fall
By H. S. Gurney
Sept. 23, left home for Holly, to join Bro. Weeks in the town of Rose. Found him laboring under favorable circumstances, with a good interest to hear. The Sabbath question was being thoroughly canvassed when I left there, and the result could not then be told. Oct. 4, I left Rose for my appointment at Alaiedon. Here I found quite a discouraging state of things. I gave nine discourses, and had three social meetings. Bro. Jones failed to meet me there as appointed, on account of special business at home. This church was thrown into a distracted state and very much soured by some who had come there with a burden upon the subject of health reform who themselves were poor representatives of health reform. This matter, appearing as it did, fermented, and set them one against another, and the Spirit of God had almost left them. Some seem to think that common sense cannot mingle with the Spirit of God. But it seems to me like a great mistake. I sincerely hope that untried spirits will not think more highly of themselves than they ought to think, but to think soberly. When it began to be seen that I had not come among them with clubs, the coldness began to yield, and the Spirit of the Lord began to return. The last Sabbath and first-day was a good time. Quite a number came from Genoa, Locke, and Leslie, which added much to the interest of the meeting. The Spirit of the Lord met confessions, and sympathizing tears and love and union prevailed. If that church carry out their resolutions, they will see better days. May they continue in the love of God and in union with all the work of God in gathering up all the rays of light which will shine more and more until the perfect day shall come. I am now at home for a few days preparing for winter, then I shall be free to go and do as Providence may direct. Qualities of a Well-Balanced Man
HE who sedulously attends, pointedly asks, calmly speaks, coolly answers, and ceases when he has no more to say, is in possession of some of the best requisites of man.