During the past year, no part of the earth seems to have escaped a share of the dire calamities that mark 1872 as the year of God’s signs, wonders, and appalling warnings. While in this country, fires and marine disasters (among the most fearful that have visited the earth since man kept record of events, and so terribly calamitous that even the most obdurate and skeptical are filled with wonder and alarm) have destroyed millions on millions of property, rendering thousands homeless, the eastern hemisphere has far exceeded the western in its catalogue of horrors. The molten lava of Vesuvius has scattered devastation and death over Italy, till even the king on his throne has been moved to go forth and personally strive to ameliorate the condition of his suffering and homeless people.
While here we have been blessed with plenty, in the old world, three hundred thousand have actually starved to death. The famine in Persia is one of the most disastrous to life that humanity has ever witnessed.
It is not alone fire and famine that have visited the earth, but add to these devastating horrors the most disastrous inundation of the river Po and its tributaries, by which upwards of one hundred thousand people are rendered homeless and destitute of the necessaries of life, their harvests destroyed, their cattle drowned, their houses demolished, and swept away by the cruel, angry waters. The miseries of the unfortunate people no language can describe. The most fierce hurricane of fire over the same vast extent of territory could scarcely have proved more terribly ruinous in its effects. In the valley of the Po, all efforts to arrest the flood have failed. Many of the people (where all was not swept away by the angry torrents) have sought refuge on the house roofs and in the tree tops, only saved from the destroying waters to meet a more torturous death by starvation and exposure.
Reggio, a town of 20,000 inhabitants, famous for its convents, colleges, museum and library, is submerged, the inundation mocking all human effort to stay its work of desolation, ruin, misery and death.
But inundation is not the only form of desolation produced by the angry waters. The latest addition to the dread catalogue of signs and warnings, is the fearful storm which has swept the Baltic, the North Sea, and their contiguous coasts. Stralsund, with the adjacent islands of Rügen, and nearly the whole Pomeranian and Danish sea-board, narrowly escaped being washed away by the roaring waters. In the Baltic, Prasto, a Zeeland town, has been laid in ruins by the fury of the flood and gale.
To fire, famine, inundation, and marine disasters almost without parallel, is added pestilence, which now stalks over the earth in its most hideous and ghastly aspect. Cholera is raging in Russia. The official statistics declare that 80,000 have died of this disease during the past year. Small pox, the most loathsome and contagious of diseases, still prevails to an alarming extent in this country; and while the epizootic traverses our land, some still more mysterious malady is destroying alike birds and beasts by thousands in both hemispheres. The drought, yet in its incipient stage, bids fair to play its part in this terrible accumulation of woes.
All Europe, politically, is like the slumbering volcano. Already can be discerned the smoke which precedes the terrible eruption; while in this country the doings of the Evangelical Alliance and others, forcing the amendment of the Constitution, inserting the name of God, and rendering compulsory the observance of the first day as the Sabbath, threaten to involve us in the most terrible of civil turmoils, eventuating in the establishment of the “image of the beast” (see Rom. 6:16; Rev. 13:14, 15), the very last and one yet unfulfilled prophecy before the coming of Him who sits upon the white cloud, who shall reap the harvest of the earth.
What does all this mean? Why these signs and wonders at this time? Do they not all portend some great change? For what are these warnings given? They abound on every hand. God calls us to repentance, to flee from the wrath to come. Even those who scout and mock at all mention of the coming of our Lord, declare there is some wondrous change impending. To use their own language, “these turbulent times surely foretell the speedy advent of a more glorious era.” Are we truly prepared? Can we pray, “Thy kingdom come?” Is our work being done—well and faithfully done? or shall we, like the antediluvians, mock and scoff at the warnings of impending judgments? Shall love of this present world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, so fill our hearts that we encourage the false lullaby of those who cry, “Peace and safety,” gladly permitting ourselves to be lulled to sleep in their cradle of tradition? Do we half believe? half doubt? Are we halting between two opinions, striving to serve two masters? Oh! let us halt no longer. Time is short, and its golden moments precious. We have the now. Now, this hour, the door of mercy still is open to us. Let us give our whole heart to the Lord, and follow in the way. We shall then love his appearing and look forward with joyful anticipation to the day when our great High Priest and Intercessor shall leave the inner sanctuary, the most holy of holies, and, coming forth to bless his people, shall say, “Gather my saints together unto me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Oh! let us sacrifice for Christ now, and then shall we share with him the glories of the earth made new, in his eternal kingdom, where fire, flood, famine, pestilence, or death, can never enter.
CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.
The Moral Condition of our Country.
The following from a pamphlet by S. D. Fulton, entitled “Human Governments,” gives the author’s view of the present condition of this nation. Who can say that it is not a correct picture; and if it is, what plainer picture could we have of the condition of society as it was to exist according to the prophecies in the last days, or what more striking indications that this, the last nation to arise in the history of the world, has about reached the end of its career. Corruption is always the prelude to dissolution. We are on the eve of stirring events. Let us be awake to the signs of this time.
Let us look at this same Republic now as it approaches its first centenary anniversary, and see how it answers the promise of its beginning so auspiciously inaugurated and so gallantly carrying itself for awhile.
We appeal to the press and to public opinion if the following is not a correct statement of the situation of affairs at present: That the capital of the nation is a most wicked city, few, if any, on the globe, being its equal in positive, aggressive, shameless wickedness. That the National Assembly—Congress—is a partisan body, controlled in its legislation by the personal interests of its members; by prejudice and by bribery through rings in the interest of rich monopolies that are oppressive on the people; many of its members living extravagantly, far beyond their means and salary, without being engaged in business, thus proving their bribery; which, in fact, is so notorious that the position is sought with that in view. That these in almost every department of government, National, State, or municipal, are venal, taking bribes, accepting presents, or retaining what is not their dues and fees to an amount far in excess of their legal demands; and further, that these offices are sought with these ill-gotten perquisites as the notorious object inciting the canvass, which often costs a candidate more than the legal pay for his whole term of office would be. That the Supreme Court of the nation has both made, and withheld from making, decisions on political grounds, and has been specially re-organized with the intent to control its action politically. That the State Legislatures are notoriously corrupt, the Courts in general swayed by public opinion, political sentiment and often bribery, while the trial by jury is almost a farce.
That false ideas and the influence of those in power have engendered wide-spread corruption among the people; who, instead of condemning the public corruption and profligacy, are filled with envy of the so-called fortunate ones and are ready to rush into anything that will pay them in the same way.
That immense sums of money are extorted as taxes, absorbing the product of labor, and squandered among office holders and money kings. That enormous debts are owed by the nation, by States, by almost every county and city of the Republic that require heavy taxes simply to pay the interest annually accruing; while huge swindles are constantly being carried through Congress, State Legislatures and City Councils for the benefit of railroad or other corporations, fastening an immense amount of interest bearing bonds on the people and their posterity, thus mortgaging the property and industry of the country for generations to come.
That the great cities abound in every variety of wickedness and folly, filled with vice, crime and abject misery which is seen in close proximity to callous affluence; wealth and poverty hand in hand, each despising the other; while the moral corruption in these centers of trade, in all classes of society is something fearful to think of; the government of the cities generally in the hands of irresponsible men put into power by whisky and bribery. That demagogues are in power all over the land, and fanatics, teaching the people. That there is a universal unrest and uncertainty, and a general lack of confidence in everybody and everything; while the increase of crime in every variety is constantly being adverted to, until people are getting callous to the daily occurrence of the most shocking tragedies; and we have suicides in numbers beyond precedent.
There are great political parties of different names quarreling as to who shall get the offices, and using every kind of trickery and chicanery to defeat one another, while intemperance, bribery for votes, and false swearing are fostered under the auspices of all factions; each party charging the other with being the cause of the troubles, and accusing each the other with reckless extravagance and fraud in office. There is restlessness and discontent on the part of the laboring classes that finds vent in associations for mutual protection, and trades union, keeping up a constant quarrel between capital and labor, often ending in oppression on the one hand or mob violence on the other. One thing is plain—the majesty and dignity formerly attending office is gone; there is no respect for authority, and the moral effect of government also has been swept away before the contemptuous familiarity that popular elections and their machinery have brought about. ONLY FORCE KEEPS GOVERNMENT IN EXISTENCE! The most wasteful extravagance is exhibited in the administration of government, and frauds and false statements are resorted to in order to deceive the people on the subject. The establishment of Republics has not done away with wars, and three conflicts of no small moment have been conducted by this Republic.
There is no brighter picture if we turn to the so-called CHURCH of the day in the Republic. The peaceful and ennobling principles of the pure gospel of JESUS are buried beneath the haughty assumptions of corrupt and powerful ecclesiastics, made up of persons foremost in the ranks of scrabblers for place, power and money, thoroughly imbued with the false ideas of Republicanism. While the poor, whom CHRIST delighted to teach, are as a mass without the pale of Christian influence and without the gospel. The ecclesiast, calling himself a Christian, panders to the rabble for votes and influence, and is found presiding over political clubs in beer saloons, and dispensing money to be used in electioneering purposes—that is, in encouraging intemperance, bribery and false swearing; others trying to serve God and Mammon, attend only the more respectable club meetings, and allow their names to be placed on party tickets for office, thus lending their influence and Christian name to assist in the canvass, which at first they decline to enter, but finally drift into the whirlpool, becoming the most insatiable and proscriptive partizans and unblushingly corrupt in office, thus dragging the sacred cross through the mire of modern politics. The ecclesiastical bodies, calling themselves the church, have adopted the ideas of the age, are in league with human government, and in return for its protection (as if the true church needs human protection) offer their allegiance to the BEAST; thus the leaven of unrighteousness has nearly leavened the whole lump of the visible kingdom of Heaven, as Christ foretold in his parable it would do, before he came again. So much for the Church. That money rules in all circles, and in the mad rush for it, every evil passion of human nature is turned loose. Human society seems loosening from its moorings and drifting out into a sea of dire confusion. All this is traceable to the legitimate effects of the ideas upon which the Government is founded.
Nor has the influence of the ideas been confined at home. Let FRANCE, MEXICO and SOUTH AMERICA tell the tale of REPUBLICS begun in treason and infidelity and ended in anarchy and seas of human blood. What legitimate hope is there for an improvement in the workings of government and society? We answer NONE. What hope is there for the elevation of the human race upon such a basis? NONE. Is this true civilization? Or are Republics a delusion and a snare? Is there a shadow of hope that under them a reign of universal peace, prosperity and confident safety for each individual can possibly be established? Instead of such unity and harmony are not divisions the patent result and constantly increasing effect of the system? Divisions of States against States, section against section, divisions into classes and parties, jealousies between rival cities and counties and even between portions of the same city or county, causing feuds that end in heart burning and bloodshed?
And it even descends to individuals and families, dividing friends and sundering the most sacred ties of society, as the ambition of men seeking office stirs the community with the ungodly machinery of elections. The very children take sides in the canvass, and the insidious poison is instilled into their young minds as they are taught that each one of them may aspire to the position of highest ruler in the land. Talk of unity and peace under such a system!
Such is the picture of the Model Republic!
What Was It?
By P. Strong
On my return from Traverse, Mich., while waiting for the train at Howard City, I learned from the doctors, that at Coral, the next station south, in Montcalm Co., there were about forty cases of sickness caused by eating headcheese. Some came very near dying. The M. D.'s could not tell what it was. It did not act like poison, but made all sick that ate of it. What was it? It would be rather unpleasant to the refined appetite to suggest stewed worms prepared into such a lordly dish. But it does look as if the disease must have been very near that swine before he was made into cheese, worms or not. But people must eat, and being unable to conceive of any other use for the swine, they dispose of him in that way. P. STRONG.
Minnesota Church Visits and Meetings, Dec. 1-24
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Minnesota.
Dec. 1-6, I was at Glencoe, at the good, quiet home of Bro. Armstrong. Held meetings each evening with the few friends there. All are holding on and growing strong in the truth. Others are still interested, for whom we hope. Called on our old friends, sold some books, obtained five subscribers for the REVIEW, and two for the Instructor, and organized S. B. to the amount of $28.60.
Dec. 8-24, at Hutchinson and East Hutchinson. Though the weather was terribly cold, we held several meetings at East Hutchinson, most of which were well attended. This is becoming a large and interesting church. About a dozen came forward for prayers, and made a good start for the kingdom. Sold some books, obtained twelve subscribers for the REVIEW, organized S. B. to the amount of $170, and raised a subscription and began operations for a meeting-house.
At Hutchinson, our meetings were closed on account of the extreme cold, and from fear of the small-pox. Obtained five subscribers for the REVIEW, one for the Instructor, and organized S. B. to the amount of $130, which will be raised to at least $150 by those who could not attend at that time. This church is united, alive, and zealous in the truth. We love them very much. Bro. Grant stays in the county to visit the other churches while I am in Iowa.
Dec. 24, the cold was 42° below zero. Wells twenty-two feet deep froze so that water could not be drawn from them. Men froze their fingers, toes, faces, &c., while feeding their cattle. That evening, after six o'clock, I had to go sixteen miles across the open prairie, facing the wind, in an open sleigh, to reach the cars, or fail to meet my Sabbath appointment. Friends said it was neither safe nor reasonable; but, after covering up so as to be as warm as possible, we went through in a little over three hours, without injury, though I would not risk it again.
Dec. 28, came to Lake Crystal, where Bro. Russell and Dimmick lectured. Bro. D. was gone, no one knew of my coming, and no meetings were given out. This, with the cold, made it very discouraging. However, we began meetings Friday evening, with about a dozen out. The weather turned warmer, and the congregation increased till Sunday night, when the house was well filled. I think the result was good. One took a decided stand on the Sabbath, three came forward for prayers, and the others were aroused to take a more active part in speaking, praying, &c. Sold quite a lot of books, obtained four subscribers for the REVIEW, two for the Reformer, two for the Instructor, and one for the Advent Tidende, and organized S. B. to the amount of $109.20, which was liberal for that small number. Indeed, all the new friends to the cause in the State, though mostly in moderate circumstances, have pledged liberally, having raised the S. B. about $550 already, though many are not yet organized. Altogether, they will add between $700 and $800, which we hope will help us out of our present embarrassment.
What is best of all, these friends receive the whole truth with great thankfulness to God. I do not know of a fault-finder among them all. Hope we never may.
Thus ends, with the last day of another year, my stay of about seven months in Minnesota. God has been better to us than all our fears. I am resolved not to be so cast down again under any circumstances. God knows what is best, and will bless in his own good time.
This evening, the last of another year, as I find myself alone in a great city, far from all friends or home, it seems a fitting time for reflection. Nine years, I have been laboring in this cause. As I go back through the different States, counties, and towns, where I have labored, and call to mind the many dear associations and tender ties formed there, think of the old familiar places, the never-to-be-forgotten friends, the hopes, the fears, the victories and the failures, of those years now forever gone, the tears will come, and a solemn sadness fills my heart. All along have been, here and there, bright spots and seasons of joy, yet thickly interspersed with mistakes and tears and vanished hopes. I am tired of the conflict, and sigh for the end. Looking ahead, I see only wearisome toil and wearing anxiety. I see no place for rest. Home I scarcely see once a year. As soon as friends are raised up, I must leave them to again go among strangers in new places, and with the hardest fare. But the harvest will come by-and-by, by-and-by. Oh! that the Master would come! But in the strength of God, though tired and worn, I will gird on the armor for another year's battle.
D. M. Canright.
Dec. 31, 1872.
St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
By Henry H. Wilcox
Returned to Pitcairn, Nov. 11. Found the church firm in the truth, and advancing in the work of overcoming. I would say for the encouragement of others, that this church has abandoned the use of tobacco. It is numbered with things in the past. They are resolved to put away everything that will hinder their spiritual growth.
The 12th, attended a discussion of the Sabbath between Eld. Prentiss, Seventh-day Baptist, and Eld. Cooper, Disciple; also the 13th, a continuance of the same subject between Eld. Prentiss and Eld. Dike, a close-communion Baptist. In the debate, Eld. Prentiss very ably discussed the origin and perpetuity of the Sabbath. The friends are quite sure the cause suffered no defeat in this discussion.
I remained in Pitcairn until the 17th, then went to Diana, where I had spoken three times, and held four meetings; but in consequence of the disease among horses, and prejudice existing in the minds of some, I did not succeed in raising a general interest. A few families were very much interested. I furnished them with reading, then returned to Pitcairn, the interest being good in that town. I continued to labor in holding meetings at different points, and visiting, until the 30th, I think to some profit.
Dec. 1, went to the town of Fine, twelve miles from Pitcairn. This is a new town, much of it in a wild state. I remained two weeks, holding meetings nearly every evening. Those who came to the meetings gave the best of attention to the word spoken.
We met with a hearty reception in families that we visited; but in consequence of stormy weather, deep snow, and its being a lumber district, I concluded not to hold meetings longer at present. I furnished them with reading. The work of investigation is fairly commenced. Although no one fully decided to obey, yet some acknowledged the truth, and I think will take their stand soon. Henry H. Wilcox.
The Fruit of Industry
A LAZY dyspeptic was bewailing his own misfortunes, and speaking with a friend on the latter’s hearty appearance.
“What do you do to make yourself so strong and healthy?” inquired the dyspeptic.
“Live on fruit alone.”
“What kind of fruit?”
“The fruit of industry; and I am never troubled with indigestion.”
THY WILL BE DONE.
By E. L. Sands
“Thy will be done,” I trust in thee
To cleanse me from iniquity,
My dearest Lord.
“Thy kingdom come,” where all can sing,
And sacrifice unto their king,
With one accord.
Humbly before thee now I stand,
Gently to feel thy chastening hand,
“All for the best.”
“Spare not the rod,” and spoil thy child,
Make me to know that thou art mild,
And seek thy rest.
Teach me thy will in every part,
To seek thy face with all my heart,
That I may find
Thy tender love and constant care;
Grant this, O Lord! my humble prayer,
For thou art kind.
Lead me, Good Shepherd of my soul,
Where the pure waters ever roll,
Sparkling and bright.
Through pastures ever green and fair,
Guide thou my erring footsteps there,
Clothe me in white.
E. L. Sands.
East Charleston, Vt.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I AM still trying to meet the wants of the cause here by visiting, and holding meetings at two points. Some of our friends are moving away, and others are going back; but two new ones have lately taken a stand on the truth, and others are drawing toward us.
This has been the coldest December we have ever had in this part of the State. In the coldest weather, the thermometer has ranged from 37° to over 40° below zero. It has been dangerous to be out much. We have had to be lively not to freeze up. The snow is three feet deep on a level, and it is hard moving about and holding meetings. But we have endeavored to improve our time in revising the work on Sanctification, and preparing ourselves for the French mission. We are translating Bro. White’s tract entitled, “The Millennium,” into French. My brother unites in the work of translating. Pray that God may help in this important enterprise. D. T. BOURDEAU.
H. NICOLA
By H. Nicola
Iowa.
The quarterly meetings at Pilot Grove and Mt. Pleasant, as appointed in REVIEW, are past, and we can but report them a failure, so far as anything especial is concerned. We know not why this was so, unless because the epizootic is raging to such an extent among the horses (and indeed some say with the people) that but few of our friends could get to meeting.
At Mt. Pleasant, we found Bro. Hare sick with fever, but slightly on the gain. Those who have been expecting Bro. Hare’s labors this winter, will understand by this why he has not been in the field. It will be some time yet, at best, before he will be able to labor. May he have the prayers of all who have faith in the Great Physician.
H. NICOLA
Missouri Meetings and Sabbath-Keeping Converts Report
By J. H. Rogers; L. R. Long
Missouri.
Since closing our meetings, the 6th inst., we have been at home recruiting health and attending to matters claiming our attention. As may be seen by our previous report, fifteen commenced to keep the Sabbath. After giving about twenty-five discourses, we moved three miles, to an adjoining district (a good share of our hearers being in that direction), giving, in all, forty discourses. Five came out on the Sabbath, making in all twenty in that vicinity who are keeping the Sabbath. We gain much by visiting from house to house. The people are inquiring. Pray for us, that we may be guided aright.
J. H. Rogers,
L. R. Long.
Altavista, Mo., Dec. 26, 1872.
Aledo, Ill.
By W. O. Dungan
Bro. Wright spoke at Aledo, Ill., Sabbath afternoon, Dec. 29, from Titus 2, giving us excellent instruction. Bro. Whitham spoke, Sunday morning, from Acts 20:35. The Lord is helping. Our Sabbath meeting was good. Some of the young bore their first testimony to the glory of God, and the good cheer of all. W. O. Dungan.
Dyer Brook, Aroostook Co., Me.
By P. A. Clough
Present truth was presented in this place for the first time in Oct., 1871, by Eld. J. B. Goodrich. He met with much opposition, even being denied the use of the house of public worship, yet this did not discourage him; nothing daunted, he appealed to the people. Immediately the doors of private dwellings were opened, and he continued to “preach the word.” Unprejudiced minds began to investigate the word of the Lord, to see whether these things were so. Many were awakened to a consciousness of their condition, while trampling under foot the Sabbath of the Lord; and a few decided to keep all the commandments of God, and walk in the light of the third angel’s message. Others halted at the cross, and are still favorable to the cause; while others who were at first interested, are now manifesting the dragon spirit toward those who dare to do right.
During the past year, Eld. G., assisted by Eld. W. H. Blaisdell, has labored here at different times, and, under the providence of God, through their faithful labors a small company are anchored in the truth. Our hearts have been saddened by the unfaithfulness of some who, after engaging in the cause of God, have been overcome by the love of the world, and for the sake of filthy lucre have denied the faith; but we are not discouraged. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4: 8, 9.
Pray for us, that we may be faithful, and be found, when Jesus comes, among the number that shall look up and exclaim, “Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Isa. 25: 9.
P. A. CLOUGH.
Jan. 1, 1873.
R. J. LAWRENCE
By R. J. Lawrence
Kansas.
My last report was from Bull City, Dec. 1, 1872. Held meetings in two localities about seven miles apart to better accommodate the brethren. Traveled the distance both ways each day, sometimes on foot, holding meetings at one place at 11 A. M., and at the other in the evening. By very urgent request of some not in our faith, I spoke three miles below Bull City, to a congregation of some thirty very attentive hearers. I also spoke on the north fork of Solomon River, at Bro. Dixon’s, to some forty. These are anxious to hear more.
We organized a church at Bull City of fourteen members. When others unite who design to there will be over twenty. Two embraced the truth who were previously skeptics. Six were baptized. Systematic Benevolence was organized, amounting to $119.08. I spoke thirty-five times, and held two business meetings, and several social meetings. From Dec. 1 to Dec. 25, traveled nearly two hundred miles. Spent Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 28 and 29, with the church at Big Springs. May the Lord bless these new churches. Came last evening to this place.
R. J. LAWRENCE
Wathena, Kan., Jan. 3, 1873.
Tract and Missionary Department.
By J. E. Wright
Tract Meeting at Aledo, Ill.
The Tract and Missionary Society of the S. D. Adventists of this place was called to order by the President. Prayer by Bro. Wright.
The reports show some liberal work for the poor in our midst. Families visited and labored with, 8; No. of subscribers for Review, 4; Reformer, 10; tracts distributed, 325 pages.
After some other business of a local nature, the meeting adjourned.
J. E. Wright, Sec. pro tem.
Tract Societies.
By W. O. Duncan
SOME object to a part of the laws as adopted by the Illinois Conference, especially the one in reference to the payment of one dollar in order to become a member. These can be reached, at a proper time, in our Conference. Then let those that are able imitate Christ, not change or break the law, but pay its penalty for our worthy poor. Others may object to this thing of buying or of being bought. If it is wrong to pay our poor brother’s way, because it would be buying him, then it would be wrong to pay for a tract or the REVIEW for them for the same reason. I am one that has been bought to the truth in this way. It does not affect my proud heart now, only to cause me to rejoice that I had dear friends that loved the truth, and me, and were willing to make some sacrifice in order to buy me from those terrible masters that formerly owned me. I feel that I have been slow in the service of my new master (the truth). I want a humble heart, that will accept what those who are growing gray in the precious cause may think best to offer, and try it faithfully, and then I shall be better qualified to judge of its merits and demerits.
I humbly hope that those fathers and mothers of Israel will forgive me if I have ever let my proud heart rise up and impose my objections or my opinions against their experience and knowledge, and thereby hindered the cause of present truth. May the Lord forgive and help all our infirmities.
Again, others may not see how our treasury will be kept up if we give our tracts away, and their opinion is, We have got to sell them to the members or we will be bankrupt. This would effectually cut off the poor, and some of those are our best workers. All, then, that our organization would do would be to annihilate the distance between the poor and the tracts, or means of information. He can now walk to the librarian, and look at the library, and that is all; for he has no scrip. The good object is to annihilate everything between the poor and the work of doing something in the Master’s cause in sending out the light of truth.
Let us exercise the faith of the poor widow when the meal is low, that it will not waste or diminish. I have strong faith in God, and our dear brethren, that this will be the case with our treasury. Some already are imitating Christ, and have by donation bought as high as ten members to the service of the Master, in the tract cause. Oh! for the widow’s faith in this matter. May we lose sight of our own opinions.
Again, there are those who do not see the economy of the societies. First, the reductions made by the Publishing Association; secondly, the economy of sending large packages by freight, over that of sending small packages by express or mail. If there are any of us on small streams, let us shut down the head-gates until we gather ahead. Be sure to get organized so as to turn all the little streams into the right channel.
Again, the importance of our taking hold in this weak Conference is to help bear some of the burdens resting heavily on a few. Our State is a large one, and the expense of transporting our tents over it is large; and all this has rested on our preachers, with other burdens of which it is not necessary to speak. The tract society ought, if judiciously managed, to be able to look after this and camp-meeting expenses, and delinquents, with other duties that are imposed on a few.
If reporting is the life of our organizations, it becomes necessary that every society reports to the Secretary, and he will report to the Treasurer, so that the records will show what we are doing. Do not be afraid of giving us some work to do. We learned to work while we were owned by other masters.
By the help of God, we will try to answer in the spirit of love, all inquiries in regard to this work, and do all we can to carry it forward. May this find a place in every worker’s heart, and we all find by faithful labor a place in the kingdom of love.
W. O. DUNCAN.
Let the Weak Be Strong.
By Mary Martin
It seems to me if any had ever doubted the truthfulness of our positions, that the constantly accumulating evidences in their favor would banish all such doubts. God has come very near to the nations in judgments, and to his people in pointing out their sins, yet how few of us have fully heeded the warnings. If the verdant fields of the new earth could be discerned by mortal eyes, this world with its allurements would fail to hold our affections for a moment; yet it is just as real, and soon to be revealed, and this mortal put on immortality.
It almost seems as if some desired first to seek earthly enjoyment, its honor and applause, or its outward adorning, and then, if it could be done, obtain the kingdom of God; but it will never be secured only by those who seek it first, knowing all other things will be added as they have need. Some of the young plead ambition, a desire to be something in the world, or a love for the beautiful, as excuse for following foolish fashions. What honor so exalted as that which comes from God? I too have ambition—nothing short of a crown and to awake in Christ’s likeness will satisfy me. Love of the beautiful! Ah! yes; but the artistic arrangement of colors for personal adorning, the artificial of so many kinds, will soon be food for flames. The delicate tints of sunset, the lily’s spotless purity, the rosebud’s perfect beauty, all tell us, God gave this heart hunger for the beautiful; and if circumstances are such it can not be fully gratified here, in that bright homeland of the soul will be given to each all they have capacity to enjoy. Flames can never destroy, summer’s heat scorch, or winter’s frost chill.
Some, growing discouraged, say, “I know this is the truth, But I am often overcome, and the way is so difficult, it is of no use for me to try.” Dear disheartened one, what if Jesus in Gethsemane’s garden had said, I can never drink of the cup. What if on Calvary’s mountain he had refused to die that fearful death! Would his triumph over Satan in the wilderness have purchased redemption for lost man? Oh! no. Neither will our former struggles and triumphs avail anything if we lay the armor down now. Think for a moment how near we are to those pearly gates, and who can rest satisfied without a passport through into the city of God? There are but a few more days for tears to be shed, and tried hearts to be true, ere victory shall crown the well-fought battle, and sweet release and rest follow the constant struggle to keep free from influences that would bind us to earth. And,
“The pilgrim layeth his sandals down
For the victor’s palm and conqueror’s crown.”
Then “say to the weak, be strong;” and to all, “lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Beautiful rest—to be weary no more,
Beautiful calm where billows ne’er roar,
Beautiful home ’mid Eden-like bloom,
Will it be ours when Jesus shall come?
MARY MARTIN.
West Ridge, N. H.
The Tongue of Slander.
By P. A. Clough
WHEN arguments, founded on false theories, fail to shake our confidence in the third angel's message, then the bigoted opposers to present truth resort to slander. Would not these professedly pious people do well to heed the advice of the learned Gamaliel? “Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” Acts 5:38, 39.
They cry, Away with the law; give us the gospel. We are walking in the footsteps of Jesus. But are they manifesting the spirit of the Master, while ridiculing others? Are they living out the principles he wished to inculcate, when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another;” John 13:34. Have they not forgotten that the great apostle to the Gentiles has said, “Now, if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his?” Rom. 8:9. It seems to me, they are not, with all their boasted piety, living up to the golden rule. But it matters not to us, if we are walking humbly before God. We remember that Jesus has said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matt. 5:11, and we are led to exclaim with the psalmist, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Ps. 27:1, 5. Our only fears should be, when persecution arises, lest it be for our faults.
May the Lord help us, who have accepted present truth, to live so humble, and let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. Matt. 5:16. Oh! that we might get our hearts so imbued with the love of truth that we would be willing to sacrifice self upon the altar, and present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. Let us be in earnest. Eternal life is at stake, precious souls for whom Jesus died are perishing. The last message of mercy is being given, and soon will close. For “the great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord; the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” Zeph. 1:14.
Then how important it is, that we use all our energies to win others to the truth. Let us be faithful. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Heb. 10:37. Then let us be ready to meet our soon-coming Lord. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13.