p. 79 | Review and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 10. (8/31/1869)

Earlier text: BRIEF THOUGHTS CONCERNING LIFE AND DEATH

A FASHIONABLE CHOIR.

[A CORRESPONDENT sends us the following cutting sarcasm on fashionable singing in church, copied from a musical publication. It contains a good deal of truth, as every one familiar with the subject must admit.]

The cock-loft ten feet behind, and ten feet above, the worshipers; then the balustrade to hide the praisers; then the praisers themselves, who come tripping, to their places with exuberant satisfaction and demonstrative delight; then their salutations and greetings, which in any other part of the church would be intolerably irreverent, then the titter—a disease which is incurable in choirs, as it is inseparable from them; then solemn singing with a background of merry smiles, hilarious nudging and characteristic winks, accompanied by appropriate whispers, during prayer or reading of the Holy Bible; then a literary entertainment, or an exchange of penciled notes on all the great questions which interest the human mind—except religion; then to the transformation of the choir loft into a sleeping car, of which the chorister is conductor, who wakes up his passengers when it is time to go to praising again.

THE TOWN CLERK OF EPHESUS.

COTTON MATHER often used to say there was a gentleman mentioned in Acts 19, to whom he was indebted for some of the best advice he ever received. This person was the town-clerk of Ephesus, whose counsel was to do nothing rashly.

—So, when any matter of consequence came before Mather for decision, he was accustomed to say: “Let us first consult the town-clerk of Ephesus.”

How much trouble and sorrow would be avoided if more people were to consult this gentleman! how many more things would be done right the first time, and not have to be done over again; how much more of joy, and safety, and rest, in the assurance that we deliberated well, weighed consequences, waited the leadings of the Lord, and followed the openings of his providence!

The hardest lesson of many a life is that of waiting. It is easy enough to hurry when all the world is hurrying, to make quick resolves and rash promises, but to pause while the swift current is sweeping by—to think, and wait, and pray, and listen for the low counsel of that guiding Spirit which whispers to every Christian heart, “He that believeth shall make haste”—is no easy task.

Some people are ever inclined to run before they are sent; and if the Lord left them to themselves, they would soon finish their course in ruin. But in mercy he restrains our ways; he shuts us up and hedges us about, and entangles our feet till we are compelled to stop, and, like imprisoned birds that flutter and beat against their cage-bars till in weariness they fall down and submit, we at length learn to be quiet, and know moderation, and be slow in speech, calm in thought, and temperate in action. How many a heart can say with Rosetti:

“I would have gone, God bade me stay; I would have worked, he bade me rest, He broke my will from day to day; He read my yearnings unexpressed, And said them nay.”

—The Christian.

Avoiding Work and Life’s Troubles

“If half the pains were taken by some people to perform the labors allotted to them that are taken by them to avoid it, we should hear much less said about the troubles of life, and see much more actually completed.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DIED, at the residence of his son-in-law, Benjamin Woodard, in Gaines, Kent Co. Mich., June 10, 1869, of dropsy, my beloved companion, William Corey, aged 68 years, 8 months, and 14 days. He suffered much during his sickness of about two months, but his entire trust was in the Lord, and he bore his sufferings patiently, without a murmur. We mourn, but not as those who have no hope. LUCINDA COREY.

DIED, in Royalton, Vt., June, 1869, Sr. Selah Campbell, aged 75 years. Some years since, Sr. C. embraced the Sabbath of the Bible, in Washington, this State. She was a member of the Braintree church. It is believed that she sleeps in Jesus. A. S. HUTCHINS.

Ceresco Camp-Meeting Notices

By W. C. C.

Pledges made at the Ceresco camp-meeting for the Foreign Mission Fund, or for camp-meeting expenses, can be paid at the REVIEW Office, and will be credited through the paper.

On account of the Ceresco Camp-meeting, which nearly all the Office hands attended, the REVIEW is one day late this week.

We are under great obligation to Mr. Sargent and Mr. Muir, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Michigan Central Railroad, for special railroad facilities in connection with our recent camp-meeting at Ceresco. It is a pleasure and a privilege to commend this road, as one of the best appointed in the country, characterized, under its present management, by speed, safety, comfort, and accommodation. W. C. C.

New and Important Work.

By James White

“Sermons on the Sabbath and Law: embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for Six Thousand Years. By J. N. Andrews.”

This work of 164 pages, in neat pamphlet form, containing ten sermons, is now ready. As to the value of the work, it is enough to say that it is one of Bro. Andrews’ best efforts. It is the best thing we have on the Sabbath, the two covenants, and the law, to circulate any where and every where. Price, 20 cents; postage 2 cents.

Also, we have sermon seven, on the two covenants, in tract form, 36 pages. Those who will read this little work with care will readily see that it is emphatically a tract for the times. On no point have our opponents taken greater advantage than on the two covenants. This tract fairly meets the case. Its value at this time cannot be estimated. Price, $2.50 per hundred; by mail $3.00 per hundred; single copy, postpaid, 5 cents. JAMES WHITE.

NOTE.—In a small portion of our last week’s edition, the above notice was inserted, with a different price attached. Upon further consideration it was decided that the price of the book was too low, and it is now given as above.

Brevity.

It seems to be very difficult to learn that brevity is one of the most acceptable features of everything in the form of prayer, exhortation or sermon. And it also appears that this lesson is difficult just in proportion to the lack of something valuable in that which is spoken. Oftentimes two or three sentences contain all that a person has to offer that is of interest. Yet when this has been uttered, it is very frequently the case that a repetition of this has to be continued till what was good and acceptable becomes wearisome and painful. This is especially applicable on the occasion of our large gatherings, when so many desire to take part that every moment of time is very precious, and none to be spared for needless repetition. It is said that a word to the wise is sufficient.

Obtain Suitable Tents for the Camp-meetings.

We must learn by experience. It would be well to learn by the experience of others, that we may not pay too dearly for our instruction. We have just had an experience in our Michigan Camp-meetings which we would be glad to have our brethren elsewhere profit by. We have had our tents tested by severe rain. The army tents, made of 10-oz. duck, have stood the heavy rain admirably. But the common cotton cloth tents have amounted to almost nothing as protection from the rain. We therefore earnestly advise our friends to procure the army tent, and not to depend at all upon the common cotton cloth. The REVIEW has already given the terms of the Rochester tent maker. The army tents used by the Battle Creek church were made by Mr. Geo. F. Foster, No. 217 South Water St., Chicago, who will furnish his price list to any who wish it. A tent 16x18 ft., 8-oz. duck, costs about $55, without poles and stakes. One 18x22, 10-oz. duck, costs about $86. Poles and stakes for each tent cost about $5 extra, but they can be made on the ground, thus avoiding expense of transportation.

These tents furnish complete protection, even against heavy rains.

Note from Bro. Canright.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

OUR tent is now pitched at Richland; but under very discouraging circumstances indeed. After a few days of fair weather, the rain has again set in, making the streets and roads very bad. As soon as I came here I was taken down sick with a fever, sore throat and lungs, &c., so that I have not been able to help much, if any. Sunday morning I spoke with much effort. In the evening I tried to speak; but after a half hour's effort, my voice became so hoarse that I had to sit down. I shall now have to stop labor entirely till I get rested and well. I hope this may not be long, however. Meanwhile Bro. Butler will go on with the lectures alone, as the weather will admit. From one hundred and fifty to three hundred have attended so far. We came here because it was the nearest opening from Sigourney we could find, and also because it is near other churches.

Things now seem better at Sigourney than we had anticipated. The brethren have nicely fitted up a room, in which to hold meetings for the present. Last Sabbath there were, including Sabbath-school children, about one hundred out. Nearly every one took some part. They seem to be coming into the work well. We have many warm friends there whom we hope for yet. Pray for us, brethren.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Richland, Iowa, Aug. 16.

N. Y. and Pa. Conference.

By R. F. Cottrell; John Nevins Andrews

THE brethren in N. Y. and Pa. will please observe that the conference is to be holden this year in connection with the camp-meeting which convenes at Kirkville, on Wednesday, September 15. As our time will be very limited for the transaction of business, we request that all the quarterly reports be prepared at once, and sent to the Secretary, E. B. Saunders, North Parma, N. Y. Or, if you only lack the last quarter, have that ready to hand him at the Conference. Will every one have his accounts in readiness for immediate settlement?

R. F. Cottrell, J. N. Andrews.

Meetings in Michigan.

By Joseph Bates

SINCE our last report, July 31, we enjoyed a good season with the churches at the Allegan Co. Monthly Meeting, held at Oswego, Sabbath, August 7. On Sunday, the 8th, visited and prayed with most of the brethren and sisters in the place in their families.

Sabbath and Sunday, 14 and 15, we held four interesting meetings and celebrated the ordinances with the newly-organized church in Leighton, Allegan Co. These churches, and also the churches in Allegan and Monterey, are making arrangements to be at the coming camp-meeting at Ceresco. How important that all who are interested should go there praying for a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Aug. 18, 1869.

The Cause We Love.

By C. P. A. W.

In no way is it so greatly injured as by our own unfaithfulness. In no way can we so richly prosper it, as by so living that we bring no reproach upon it.

We can never adorn our profession as Christians, if we yield to fretfulness in our daily life; to a spirit of over-anxiety for the future, betraying want of trust in a loving and a merciful Father; or to feelings of bitterness and revenge, because of the injustice of fellow-beings. Difficult they may be to overcome. But have we not one Friend, all-wise and powerful, ever ready to help us? Shall we yield ourselves to Him, or to our own unhallowed feelings?

C. P. A. W.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

· JOHN LINDSAY: Joseph Smith is not taking the REVIEW at Wellsville, N. Y.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. A K Crosby 35-8, A J Richmond 35-1, W Wetherbee 35-7, Moses Jamison 34-15, T T Andrews 34-12, S E Sutherland 35-1, H E Beebe 34-16, P S Bartholomew 35-8, W McAllister 34-5, W J Church 35-8, M W Rathbun 35-1, A C O Reilly 34-21, R Brown 35-12, H G Buck 35-1, J A Strong 35-1, W B Castle 34-22, John Adams 34-23, A J Althouse 34-1, Sarah Webber 36-10, Loretta Canright 34-17, A F Fowler 35-9, C C Bodley 34-7, Mary Kinney 34-11, Mrs H C Turner 35-10, Cornelius Rice 36-10, Andrew Spence 36-10, N A Lord 35-9.

$2.00 each. G W Chamberlain 35-1, L L Loomis 33-1, J P Hoffman 34-13, L Darling 36-12, Geo Poulsen 36-8, Jas Pierce 35-21, N S Royce 36-8, Mary Beach 38-1, A Spencer 35-16, J Walton 36-1, S Smith 36-21, M Smith 36-7, F F Jerciot 36-1, Eliza Griffith 36-1, C B Deyarmond 35-9, R D Guild 36-10, S G Stowe 36-10, J D Fletcher 35-13, E Styles 33-14, M H Leonard 35-1, A Carpenter 36-11, D H Lamson 36-1, L T Henry 37-1, Mrs E D Scott 36-1, Mary Robinson 36-10, Mary Losey 36-1, W D Russell 36-10, J Young 36-1, J Breeze 39-1, A L Burwell 36-1, E Weed 36-1, O Wright 34-9, S Salisbury 36-1, J F Troxell 36-8, O P Rice 34-9, J Dompier 36-1, Ben Auten 35-1, H A Reed 35-21.

Miscellaneous. James Wilson $4.00 36-1, W T Davie 3.00 36-1, M D Birmingham 3.00 36-9, Mrs Ann Burgess 2.25 35-1, A H Jones 3.50 34-1, T Wilson 1.75 33-20, Mariah Harper 1.50 34-10, J W Welton 50c 34-18, W Gifford 3.00 35-1, L Ward 3.00 35-13, C Jones 5.00 36-1, G G Green 4.00 36-15, C Seaward 78c 36-13, E Sparks 75c 33-20.

Cash Received on Account.

J L Lewis $10.00, P S Bartholomew 1.25.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Church at St Charles $12.50, church at Colon 9.00.

Books Sent by Mail.

H C Whitney $3.25, B Griggs 1.00, L Darling 1.00, J F Olive 25c, W I Church 2.00, C R Webber 22c, P Markilless 40c, C Seaward 22c, Elias Gibb 50c, J W Jacob 1.12, W Camp 20c, E P Butler 50c, S G Stowe 1.00, N A Lord 25c.

Foreign Missionary Fund.

John Langdon 50c, Maryette Langdon 50c, C Deyarmond 1.00, John Welton 50c, John Strong 50c, Rebecca Aldrich 25c, L Claflin 50c, D W Bartholomew 5.00, W H Hager 5.00, F Randall 5.00, C P White 1.00, J K Owen 6.00, T Newman 2.00, F Towle 5.00, D H Lamson 5.00, E L Lamson 5.00, W Jones 5.00, Charles Seaward 4.00, Mrs H M Zeman 1.00, Elvira Sevey 25c, Albert Avery 1.00, J H Ginley 5.00, L Wilkinson 5.00, S H Root 5.00, Hessie Root 5.00, D G Judson 5.00, M P Stiles 1.00, Alva True 5.00, A friend 1.00, W Minisee 1.00, A W Maynard 5.00, P A Maynard 5.00, S N Boynton 50c, M J Walton 1.00, E Van 2.00, E B Ginley 5.60c, A Wilkinson 50c, E Bliss 1.00, L Bliss 1.00, M Grieson 50c, S A De Coy 50c, S J Hunt 50c, O Hardy 50c, E M Gorton Harrison 2.00, N Greenlee 50c, J Sawyer 5.00, K A Bates 1.00, D C St John 1.00, H J Godsmark 3.00, A A Marks 50c, John Francisco 5.00, Jas Harvey 20.00, Elias Styles 1.00, M C Trembly 1.00, Wm Martin 5.00, H Miller 5.00, C Green 5.00, Martha Baker 5.00.

Received on Book and Tract Fund.

A J Richmond $1.50, E P Giles and wife 5.00, Henry Moore 2.00, D R Leighton 10.00, N A Lord 5.00.

Received on New Michigan Tract.

N A Lord $3.00.

An Interesting Experience.

A BROTHER from Wisconsin, who sends a liberal donation to this Office for benevolent purposes, thus states his own experience in the subject of giving:

“I will state a little of our experience in lending to the Lord. Three years ago we were very poor; yet out of our poverty we denied ourselves, and gave a sum almost equal to the widow’s mite. The Lord blessed us, and paid us tenfold. We gave again the very last ten dollars we had while needing many things. The Lord repaid it twentyfold. We commenced keeping the Sabbath while so poor that we greatly feared it would be a great loss to us. The Lord added thirtyfold. We gave again, and the Lord added a hundredfold. And now came our trial. It is easy to give ten cents out of a dollar; easy also to give one dollar out of ten, or ten dollars out of a hundred. But O poor, weak human nature! I never can tell you how hard it is to give two hundred dollars out of two thousand. Dear friends, I tell you the Lord will repay those who give in his cause.”

Moonlight in the Tropics

MR. COFFIN, in his recent book, “Our New Way Round the World,” thus writes of the effects of the moon on a man within the tropics. He is in India: “The moon is at its full, pouring its rays from the zenith straight down upon us, with a power that is almost as unbearable as that of the sun at midday. There is no heat in its rays, but they have great effect upon the brain. The blood rushes to the head, and there is a sense of fullness and pressure which, although not attended by acute pain, is exceedingly unpleasant. We find it necessary to keep our umbrellas spread at midnight as well as midday. It is dangerous to sleep in the moonlight in the tropics. In this country we can see new beauty in those words of the Psalmist, expressive of God's care for those who love him: ‘The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.’”