Sisters Elsie M. Gates and Maud Sisley are now engaged in missionary work in Newark, Ohio, the place of our coming camp-meeting. They have been on the fair-ground, in the Old Fort, and say it is a beautiful place.
They also report Newark as the best field for missionary labor that they have ever yet entered. The people are friendly and unprejudiced, quite willing and anxious to read and learn. From indications, the interest to hear the truth at the camp-meeting will be great. If the General Conference will give us a strong lift at this meeting, we expect excellent success. May the Lord send help.
H. A. St. John.
THE CAMP-MEETING.
By A. S. Hutchins
As the time draws near for the annual gathering of God’s people in our camp-meeting, our anxiety deepens that this meeting may result in a great and lasting good to the cause throughout our Conference and State. These are gatherings of too great importance to pass lightly by. We are responsible, and shall be held thus in the Judgment, for the use we make of such golden opportunities. Shall we come up to our camp-meeting to spend the time indifferently? to spend it, with all its privileges and blessings, as though the time and means spent were of minor consequence?
Throughout the entire encampment, in every tent, in each family, and with every individual commandment-keeper, and the children of such, there should be seriousness of deportment and due respect to the place and time devoted to the work and worship of God, who knows the heart, and constantly watches the development of character, and weighs moral worth. This is not the place for trifling nor vanity; not the place for listlessness. The young should especially be impressed with this fact, and in coming to these solemn assemblies should come to honor and respect them.
If we come to the meeting praying, if we come to work for God, come to receive and do good, and unitedly seek the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, that Spirit will be in our midst. This will unite our hearts and our interests in the great work of the Lord, and make our joys one; and we may expect others to desire to participate in the heavenly blessings which may fall upon the encampment. To this end let us pray. A. S. HUTCHINS.
July 20, 1877.
Discretion: The Quality That Gives Other Virtues Value
DISCRETION.—There are many more shining qualities in the mind of man, but there are none so useful as discretion; it is this indeed which gives a value to all the rest, which sets them at work in their proper times and places, and turns them to the advantage of the person who is possessed of them. Without it, learning is pedantry, and wit impertinence; virtue itself looks like weakness; the best parts only qualify a man to be more sprightly in errors, and active to his own prejudices.—Addison.
UNDER THE CANVAS.
N. Y. and Pa. Tent No. 1, Wellsville, N. Y.
WE have pitched our tent in a pleasant site on Main St. in this village, ready to commence meetings Saturday evening, July 28. Our address will be Wellsville, Allegany Co., N. Y., instead of Bolivar as stated in our report this week. R. L. WHITNEY. M. H. BROWN.
Oskaloosa, Iowa.
WE have now been here five weeks. Thus far, we have had a good hearing, our audiences averaging from one hundred to five hundred. The principal argument used against us by the ministers of the place is the “stay-at-home argument.” We have given about sixty discourses, and, as a result, eight persons have decided to obey the truth, while a score of good souls are in the valley of decision with a fair prospect that they will decide on the side of truth. We have not pressed a decision on the people as yet.
We have sold but few books and tracts. Bro. J. H. Morrison has been laboring with us for one week, and we have held meetings for the past ten days at Beacon, on the Central railroad, two and a half miles distant, with a good interest.
Prejudice is strong here, and it will take much labor to remove it. May the Lord qualify us for his sacred work. E. W. FARNSWORTH. L. McCOY.
Cherokee Co., Kansas.
WE have pitched the Southern Kansas tent in Morton, Cherokee county, four miles east of Oswego and ten miles west of Columbus. We have spoken twice to large and attentive audiences. Our address, until further notice, will be Morton, Cherokee County, Kansas. J. H. COOK. L. D. SANTEE.
PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE.
By Editor
The following reports reached the Office after our regular Progress Department on the following page had gone to press. But rather than leave them over till another week, we open a little progress department here, believing the readers of the REVIEW would rather see these reports here than any other matter we could put in their place.
MICHIGAN
Wacousta and Grand Ledge.
Took down the tent at Wacousta, July 9, after a stay of nineteen days. A few were deeply interested, and some will obey the truth as the result of this effort. At this place, I learned the names of some in the city of Lansing who were favorable to the truth; so July 12, I visited that place, and spent a few hours calling upon such.
Here I found some of whom I had never before heard, obeying the truth as the result of the earnest labors of Eld. Lamson and myself one year ago this summer. I was told, also, that many others in the city are deeply interested. I have strong hopes that the powerful influence of our camp-meeting at that place will greatly help all such.
Commenced meetings in the tent at Grand Ledge, July 13, and have now given seven discourses, and Bro. Waggoner one. The most of the time, we have had quite large congregations, and all the time the people have manifested an encouraging interest in what they have heard. Some say they can hardly wait from one evening to the next, they are so anxious to hear.
E. R. Jones.
Imlay City.
We have been in this place nearly four weeks, and are now in the midst of the Sabbath question. Our interest is good, and apparently deepening. Many are convinced of the truth, and several have decided to obey it. Thus far, we have met with but little open opposition; but the dragon is being stirred, and evidently a battle is before us. A member of the Baptist church upon whose ground our tent is pitched informed us that we could remain no longer. We have secured another location. This act is strengthening our hold upon the people.
We have reached the deciding point, when they must either accept or reject the light. We ask to be remembered by God's people.
E. Van Deusen. D. A. Wellman.
Williamstown.
We held our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath, July 1. Brethren from the country around came in, so that our congregation numbered about seventy-five. Several bore testimony for the truth for the first time. We shall remain here a short time, and then hope to find a more fruitful field of labor.
H. M. Kenyon.
OHIO
Van Wert, Van Wert Co.
INTEREST continues unabated. About three hundred are in regular attendance, and on Sunday night, July 22, we had a very quiet and attentive audience of about five hundred, at least. About twelve dollars’ worth of books have been taken. Ministers keep away mostly, and let us alone.
We have examined the Sabbath question quite thoroughly, with no falling off, but rather an increase, of interest and attendance. Many are convinced. No expression has been taken, but we have good hope for a few. Our camp-meeting comes too soon for our work in this county. Two or more efficient laborers could find abundance of work in this place and vicinity for six or eight weeks to come. May the Lord guard the honest, and give the increase.
H. A. St. John.
Tent No. 2.
SINCE the last report, several have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and there is hope for some others who are fully convinced. Leaving Bro. Guilford to follow this interest with meetings at the school-house, we have moved the tent about six miles south-east of Van Wert. Have held four meetings, and the interest is increasing.
E. H. GATES.
H. J. SPICER.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Raymond, Pa., Tent No. 1.
The interest continued good to the close of our meetings. On Thursday evening we had a congregation of four hundred to listen to a United Brethren preacher who proposed to show the incorrectness of our position with respect to the advent. He took the ground that Matt. 24 was fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem, but had no liberty in presenting his arguments, and after having spoken about forty minutes closed his remarks by bidding us God-speed in our work. Judging that not one person in ten in the congregation understood his position from his remarks, we stated it for him, and had good freedom for three-fourths of an hour in presenting the plain arguments of our faith in contrast. The entire audience gave the closest attention, and altogether the effort helped our cause very materially.
Sabbath and Sunday we had meetings from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. each day. At our social meeting Sabbath morning, forty-one testimonies were given. An aged brother, a man of excellent reputation in community, but who has been a backslider for years, took his stand with us again at this meeting. In the afternoon we made an appeal to all those who desired to make a solemn covenant to seek the Lord and serve him more faithfully to manifest it by coming forward, when between forty and fifty responded. Deep feeling was manifested, and good confessions were made. Sunday morning, Bro. Hiram Stebbins was elected and ordained elder of the church, and Bro. Edward Kelly and Daniel Green were chosen for deacons. Five more united with the church, making twenty in all. At the close of the afternoon discourse, many of the congregation were in tears as we appealed to them to prepare to meet the Lord, who is soon to come to take his people to himself. At the close of this meeting six more were baptized.
We found the cause here in a low condition, and still suffering from the effects of the wicked course of some who have disgraced themselves and brought great reproach upon the cause. But we believe that by the blessing of God and the faithful efforts of the brethren here, the cause now stands on a better footing than it has for years. The membership of the church is doubled, and there are others who will unite when we visit them again as we hope to before Conference.
It is but justice to the brethren here to say that they have done all in their power to make the meeting a success. Not only have they borne all the expense of the meeting, but they have made a great effort to attend. We believe the Lord has regarded the sacrifices they have made in this direction.
We go with our tent this week to Bolivar, Allegany Co., N. Y., which will be our address till further notice.
B. L. Whitney.
M. H. Brown.
Pulaski, N. Y., Tent No. 2.
The prospect here is the most encouraging at this time that it has been at all. About twenty have expressed their purpose to keep the Sabbath, and there are a good many other hopeful cases, so that we shall still continue our meetings.
Last evening (Sunday), the union temperance meeting, which has always been held at 4 o’clock, was changed to 7:30, but we had over three hundred in the tent, and the temperance meeting was so thinly attended that we received word after our meeting, that it was put back to 4 o’clock. We have attended the temperance meetings ever since we have been here, and, by request, have had one such meeting in the tent.
S. B. Whitney.
Glensdale, Lewis Co., N. Y., Tent No. 5.
We are still able to report progress. Three more substantial adult persons have taken their stand with us on the Sabbath, making seventeen, in all, who have received the third message in this place, and many more acknowledge that we have the truth.
Our meeting last Sabbath was one long to be remembered. Those who had recently embraced the truth spoke of the great joy and peace they had experienced since they had begun to keep all the commandments of God. At the close of the meeting, we organized a Sabbath-school and Bible-class, which we trust will be a blessing to this community. Last night (July 22), we spoke from Luke 12:37, and Rev. 19:9, on the marriage supper of the Lamb. We had the largest audience that we have had since our tent-meeting commenced here. At the close of the preaching services, quite a number who never made a profession of religion expressed, in public, a desire to meet us at the table, when the Lord shall “gird himself,” and “come forth and serve” his people.
Jacob Wilbur.
A. P. Bump.
WISCONSIN
Greenwood, Tent No. 2.
We have held nine meetings at Greenwood, with an average attendance of sixty, who have listened attentively. Order has been good. Interest is on the increase. The Methodist minister of this place spoke against us on the subject of the Sabbath last evening, July 19. To-night we speak upon this subject, noticing his arguments in their proper places.
H. W. Decker. O. A. Johnson.
Fall River, Tent No. 4.
We met no open opposition here until last Sunday, the 22d, though the Methodists, led by their minister, had maintained a constant guerrilla warfare. Last week, Eld. Cook, M. E., preached on the Sabbath question. The house was full. He was much embarrassed, and made a very poor attempt to sustain the Sabbath, to prove that no day could be kept, to establish Sunday, and finally to abolish all Sabbath obligations. He misquoted Scripture freely to prove his positions, and referred several times to “Pope Constantine.” His absurdities were exposed in the evening before three hundred hearers. The discomfiture of error is manifest in the wrath which is aroused.
Sabbath day a number of our brethren47met with us; about a dozen from this place were out. As far as we know, but one family has taken hold of the truth, but we hope for a few more. We shall remain another week, then move to Poynette, twenty miles west from here, unless the interest should demand a longer stay.
G. C. Tenney. H. W. Reed.
Ellsworth.
The interest here is still good. We have presented the Sabbath question quite fully. Many are convinced of the truth, and some have decided to forsake tradition and keep the commandments of God. Last Sabbath, July 21, over forty attended the Sabbath-school and Bible class in the tent.
We hope for much fruit, and intend to follow up the interest until the work is done.
W. B. Hill. S. Fulton.
BUSINESS
By Eliza H. Morton
Business in the morning,
Business all the day;
Business oft, from Heaven,
Draws the mind away.
Business takes the moments
You should spend in prayer;
Business takes the Lord's time
Ere you are aware.
None should sit down idle,
Indolence is sin;
Worldly cares should never
Reign the mind within.
While your hands are busy,
Keep your mind above;
Let your heart be flooded
With God's boundless love.
Jesus has a vineyard;
God has work to do.
He has blessings ready,
Held in store for you.
Life and joy eternal,
Wages good he'll give;
Peace and rest, with Jesus
Evermore to live.
ELIZA H. MORTON.
ALSTRUP, DENMARK.
By John G. Matteson
We left Veile last Thursday, and came one hundred and thirty-two miles to this place. It did not seem consistent to commence a course of lectures there at present, as we had no friends who could help us. The Methodists have a fine church edifice in Veile, and a membership of over three hundred. They were very friendly. I preached in their house Sunday afternoon to a large congregation. The word spoken moved many hearts and gained some friends for the cause. We obtained three paying subscribers for the TIDENDE.
Alstrup is a country place. There is one Lutheran church in the town. The schoolhouses cannot be obtained for religious meetings except by the state church; but two farmers opened their houses, and several others have now invited us to hold meetings in their houses. We circulated the notice of meetings extensively—went to about one hundred houses, and left a printed notice in many places and a small tract with those who would read. We held two meetings yesterday (Sunday), one in the morning before church services and one in the afternoon. There are very few praying people here, and most of the people are very careless about religion. Yet a goodly number came in the forenoon, and in the afternoon the house was full of people inside and many outside. Most of them had to stand up. They listened with marked attention, and many were moved to tears.
Then we visited with several families who were anxious to learn all they could. We can hold no evening meetings at present. Evening does not come before 10 o’clock. But we have appointed meetings during the week in the afternoon at 7 o’clock. May the Lord bless his precious truth here, and in all places.
JOHN G MATTESON.
Alstrup pr. Bronderslev, Denmark, Europe, July 2.
NORTH PACIFIC MISSION.
By I. D. Van Horn
As the result of our recent effort with the tent in Dallas, Polk Co., Oregon, eleven signed the covenant to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. No permanent organization was established; but we expect they will be faithful in the truth.
We moved our tent from Dallas, July 2, and now have it pitched in the city of Portland. We held our first meeting here on Friday evening, the 13th, and have given, in all, eight discourses. The average attendance, so far, has been about two hundred and fifty. Quite a number are already interested, and we have some invitations to visit.
Sabbath and Sunday, July 7 and 8, we held a general quarterly meeting in Salem. All the meetings on this occasion were good, but the special point of interest was the organization of a T. and M. Society. We have twenty-eight members; and a president, secretary, treasurer, and director were elected. Only one district could be formed in this Valley at present. All entered into the move with an interest and zeal that showed a willingness to work for the cause of truth. We hope to see good results.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Portland, Oregon, July 19, 1877.
NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
By C. W. Stone
Although the interest here has not given us a great number of constant hearers, yet we are not without some encouragement. We had our second Sabbath meeting July 21. A good number came from Ipswich, and our social meeting was good. Twelve of the thirty-three ready testimonies given were from those who were keeping their first or second Sabbath. One old man with snow-white hair, who had never professed religion, arose, and with choked utterance confessed the truth and his determination to obey it. Eighteen promised, by arising, to keep the Sabbath.
The ministers are beginning to work against us, visiting their members and telling them that the law is done away, and preaching the same and various other things publicly. Dr. Litch has published a list of sixteen questions for us in the daily paper here. Eld. Canright has written an answer, which will appear in the same, and has also appointed to answer them at the tent this eve, July 23. I don’t know how the doctor could have helped us more effectually.
C. W. STONE.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
By D. A. Robinson; F. A. Buzzell
We have now been at this place (Westmoreland) six weeks. Forty-two discourses have been given. As a result, eight have decided to obey the truth. Among the number are the village teacher and the postmaster, with their wives.
We have had warm friends from the beginning, who have shown their kindness in a practical manner. I cannot omit speaking of the landlord of the Valley House. Our tent stands within fifty feet of the Universalist Church, and through his influence we had the use, not only of the church bell, but also of the organ. The latter we had for a while till some began to fear it would be injured, when we quietly carried it back; but the same day our good friend came, and said we must have an organ, and if we would carry his over we should be welcome to it; so we have not been without one.
The people have brought provisions to the tent and invited us to their homes. Bro. and Sr. Mason of Walpole, have aided us greatly by the deep interest they have manifested in these meetings.
Have sold twenty-two dollars’ worth of books, and obtained eight subscribers for the REVIEW. Hope to give another short course of lectures near here before camp-meeting. Shall meet with the few here on the Sabbath.
D. A. ROBINSON.
F. A. BUZZELL.
KANSAS
By J. Lamont; Geo. Kennedy
Our meetings at Valley, Greenwood Co., are growing in interest; and the congregations are twice as large as during the first week. We had a basket meeting yesterday, at which the attendance was about double that of any previous meeting. We presented the Sabbath question. If very close attention to the word spoken, and an eager desire to get Sabbath tracts, is an indication, the interest was certainly good. The friends at Eureka, and a few from the Elk Falls church, were with us yesterday.
J. LAMONT.
GEO. KENNEDY.
KENTUCKY TENT.
By S. Osborn
I have given thirty-eight discourses in Edmonton; but when about half through, my health failed, so that I could not do justice to the work. As a consequence, the interest went down, and it seems hard to raise it again, though Bro. Soule is with me now. There are a few keeping the Sabbath here, and more than half of the community acknowledge we have the truth. We shall stay here a few days longer, and then move to Glover’s Creek, about ten miles from here, in Metcalfe Co., which will be our post-office address until further notice.
S. Osborn.
A DISCUSSION.
By F. Kingsley
On the 25th and 26th of June, a discussion was held near New Liberty, Kansas, between Eld. J. N. Ayers and a Disciple minister, one Eld. Griffith, formerly known as Judge Griffith. The two propositions discussed were in relation to the Sabbath and Sunday.
In Eld. Ayers’ first speech, he showed that the Sabbath was a memorial of creation; that it was sanctified (giving Webster’s definition of the word); and that it was to continue, with God’s law, through time, and to exist in the new earth.
In Eld. Griffith’s first reply, he said the Sabbath was not given until the falling of the manna, and was a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt, laying stress on the word “therefore.” Eld. A. afterward called his attention to several passages where this word was used, and showed that the Sabbath was commanded because it was moral and right, and not because of the deliverance from bondage. Eld. Griffith persisted in saying that Eld. A. claimed to be still under the “law of Moses, or the old Jewish ceremonial law,” as he was pleased to call the ceremonial law, notwithstanding he was twice, at least, told that he was misrepresenting. When he came to the New Testament, he had the law fulfilled and abolished; and when shown by other scriptures that he was making a wrong application of the word “fulfill,” he simply spoke of it, promising to “attend to that presently,” and did not mention it afterward. When called upon for his new law of Christ, he gave Matt. 28:18; 16:18; and Acts 2:38; and when pressed to notice the comparison of the two laws, he answered not a word. He had a cunning way of escaping from a point to which he could not reply by making some ridiculous comparison and causing a laugh. He would then proceed, in a very serious manner, with a vehement exhortation to his hearers to come to Christ for salvation.
The following are some of the questions which he did not answer: Give the text which shows that the ten commandments are in the ceremonial law. Where are we released from the obligation to obey them? and where are the nine, as a law, re-enacted? Eld. G. had said that those isolated principles, as he called the nine commandments, were transferred over into the new dispensation. Eld. A. told him that if he would show the nine re-enacted in the New Testament, then he would show the other one, the fourth. Eld. A. showed “Griffith against the Bible” in several instances. He said God did not sanctify the seventh day for man; and Eld. A. referred him to Mark 2:27.
He failed to prove what he affirmed, namely, that the first day was set apart by Divine authority or example. A large gathering to hear the debate showed a good interest. F. KINGSLEY.
LESSONS FROM HEATHEN LANDS.
In 1844, four years after Christian England had, by force of arms and by the most bloody and hideous atrocities, compelled the Chinese to open their ports to the opium trade, thus admitting a poison which destroys the lives of more than one thousand Chinese every day, and that by the most horrible degradation and torture imaginable,—the Chinese emperor was urged to collect duties upon the opium and thus increase his revenue. He gave this noble answer:—“It is true, I cannot prevent the introduction of the flowing poison. Gain-seeking and corrupt men will, for profit and sensuality, defeat my wishes; but nothing will induce me to derive a revenue from the vice and misery of my people.” Would that civilized nations which disgrace the name of Christ, whose religion has not yet expelled their primeval heathenism, might learn a morality as high and pure as this.
The following sound temperance document is from the Queen of Madagascar, where, until quite recently, heathenism has reigned supreme, but which now seems in a position to send to so-called Christian lands missionaries whose teachings, if heeded, would greatly profit their inhabitants:—“I, Ranovalomanjaka, by the grace of God and will of my people Queen of Madagascar, defender of the laws of my kingdom. And this is what I say to you, my subjects. God has given me this land and kingdom, and concerning the rum, O my subjects, you and I have agreed that it shall not be sold in Antananarivo or in the district in which it was agreed it should not be sold [Imerina, the central province]. Therefore I remind you of this again, because the rum does harm to your persons, spends your possessions in vain, harms your wives and children, makes foolish the wise, makes more foolish the foolish [literally gives heart to the foolish], and causes people not to fear the laws of the kingdom, and especially makes them guilty before God.
“All this shows rum to be a bad thing to have at Antananarivo, for at night [under its influence] people go about with clubs to fight, and they fight each other without cause, and stone each other; therefore, why do you love it, O my people? But I tell you that trade in good things, by which you can earn money, makes me very glad indeed, O my people. This, then, is what I say to you, O my people: If you trade in rum or employ people to trade in it here in Antananarivo, or in the district spoken of above, then, according to the laws which were made formerly, I consider you to be guilty, because I am not ashamed to make laws in my kingdom which shall do you good. Therefore, I tell you that if there are people who break my laws then I must punish them. Is not this so, O my people? Says Ranovalomanjaka, Queen of Madagascar, August 8th, 1876.”—Sel.
IOWA
By C. A. Washburn
We closed our tent-meetings in Logan, Sunday, July 22. Three years ago, the tent was at this place, and a few embraced the truth then. Others had evidently decided against it, and did not care to hear further on these subjects. We found a few, however, who were like the noble Bereans (Acts 17:11). Five persons of influence and moral worth decided to obey God henceforth, and joined in the covenant to keep all his commandments. These, with a few Sabbath-keepers in and around Logan, make up a company of seventeen, who wish to be organized into a church. Others are convinced, some of whom will join when they have an opportunity. Arrangements were made for Sabbath meetings. Bro. Bartlett will meet with them Sabbath, Aug. 4.
We have moved the tent about fifteen miles to Modale, Harrison Co. We invite Sabbath-keepers, or any who will, to meet with us, while the tent is here, on the Sabbath, at 2 P. M. C. A. WASHBURN.
Victoria, Illinois, Tent No. 3 Meetings Report
By J. F. Ballinger; Dennis Morrison
VICTORIA, ILL., TENT NO. 3.
We commenced meetings in Victoria, a village of two hundred inhabitants, July 3. Our congregations have been small most of the time. This has been partly owing to the busy season for farmers, but mostly to the prejudice caused by the unscriptural course of some who call themselves Adventists, and who have set several times for the Lord to come. They have made extravagant and positive statements, saying that if the Lord did not come at such a time, the Bible was false. They also taught that the ten commandments were abolished, and their lives harmonized with their teaching.
We have had some opposition from the ministry. Eld. Gaines, a Methodist, spoke against us on the Sabbath question, acknowledging that the ten commandments are binding, but saying that the fourth is indefinite. He then argued that Christ changed the Sabbath to the definite first day of the week. It was an easy task to expose the error of his position, which we did to a large and attentive audience.
We have succeeded in removing the prejudice from the minds of a few, and hope to see some fruit of our labor here. We ask to be especially remembered in the prayers of our brethren.
J. F. Ballinger.
Dennis Morrison.
TENNESSEE
By Orlando Soule
Closed my lectures at Lebanon, July 17, to assist Bro. Osborn in tent labor. There were some omens of good at this place. I obtained one subscriber for the Review and one for the Instructor, sold over ten dollars’ worth of books, and made many warm friends. Bro. J. L. Baker, who spoke once during my stay, will hold meetings if circumstances demand it. I am now on my way to join Bro. O. My address will be Glover’s Creek, Metcalfe Co., Ky. ORLANDO SOULE.
TO THE BRETHREN IN MINNESOTA.
By N. Battin
As many of my brethren have expressed a desire to hear from me, and I have neither time nor strength to write to them all personally, I am happy to take this method of stating that after a stay of three weeks at the Health Institute, my health is improving quite rapidly. It also gives me great pleasure to state that I am highly pleased with this institution. The corps of physicians, with Dr. Kellogg at their head, are worthy of the entire confidence of all. They love the work in which they are engaged, and are laboring almost night and day for the good of those under their care. This may, with equal propriety, be said of the helpers.
All connected with the Institute seem to take a deep interest in the welfare of the patients. This causes, or at least should cause, those who come here to feel perfectly at home.
Last but not least, the moral influences are good. I say good; but this does not fully express it. To be under the care of God-fearing and truth-loving physicians, such as are here, is a privilege not often enjoyed by invalids.
May our prayers ever be united for the prosperity of this institution.
N. BATTIN.
Health Institute, Battle Creek, Mich.
A PRAYER.
FATHER of light! upon my heart
Shine thou, the glorious sun who art;
Teach me to choose that better part,—
Lead me, O God, to thee.
From feebleness unto thy might,
To glorious day, to sunless night,
Lead, ever lead, my steps aright,
Lead me, O God, to thee.
From sorrow’s clouds, from cankering care,
From gloomy doubt, from dark despair,
From sin and shame which man must bear,
Lead me, O God, to thee.
—Sel.
A DREAM.
By Elizabeth Hutchins
I seemed to be in a large room, where many people were very busy at work, and talking freely. Their work and conversation did not interest me. At some distance from them, I was standing at a table, very busy about my work. The door opened quietly, and a stranger entered. I did not even look up to see him; for I felt sure that his business was not with me. Without taking my eyes off my work, however, I saw that his garment, which reached nearly to his feet, hung neatly and plainly about his person. He was tall, and his hair hung nearly to his shoulders.
Presently he stood near my side, with his head somewhat inclined, waiting for me to speak. He did not smile, but he had such a friendly, familiar look, that I was sure he was some near relative of mine. Wondering if a few years' absence could so have changed a brother, I asked, “Can this be Lewis?” He gently said, “No.” I felt that he must be as near as a brother or a sister, and again I asked. With evident marks of grief on his countenance, the answer was, “No.” There was no sign of displeasure or blame, but a sad, patient waiting for me to recognize him. I could not, but was still sure he was a dear friend. The stranger seemed almost convulsed with sorrow, as he said, “Do you not know your Brother that died for you?” I knew him then. All this time my hands had been busy with my work, though my mind was diverted from it. My hands were free now; I raised them, exclaiming, “My Saviour, O my Saviour,” and throwing my arms around him, I pleaded that he would forgive all my sins, and begged the Father to forgive me for my Saviour's sake.
I awoke with a sense of the pity and compassion of our loving Saviour, believing that he is often grieved because we are so absorbed with the cares of the world as even for a time to forget him; and that often when in sadness we long for his presence, he is near to comfort us, and we know him not. Oh! what a kind Saviour we have! I want to love him more and serve him better. I long to hear his voice proclaim, “Behold I make all things new.”
ELIZABETH HUTCHINS.
Sandusky Co., Ohio.
Does your Religion Commend Itself?
—Are you a sunny Christian? You have a right to be. The Bible sparkles with promises. It is full of sweet hopes. It is as comforting as a mother's voice can be, in all your sorrow. Where do the unconverted get the idea that religion is gloomy? Is it not too often suggested by the tone of Christian people—the want of brightness and bloom about their daily living? Let us commend our inheritance, by wearing joyfully our signs of heirship.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
Died, near Amity, Kansas, May 30, 1877, of inflammation of the brain, our little daughter, Carrie Jane, aged 2 years, 3 months, and 29 days. Remarks at the funeral by T. L. Evans, Christian, from Luke 8:52. A. E. and O. A. Bullock.
Died, at Clear Lake, Iowa, June 24, 1877, of paralysis, sister Julia Ann Nickeson, aged 49 years. Sister Nickeson embraced the truth by reading our tracts and papers, and united with the Hook’s Point church last spring. She leaves a husband and several children to mourn their loss, but they sorrow not as others who have no hope. My wife and I had the privilege of visiting this dear sister a few days before her death, and her testimony was that “The truth shines brighter and brighter.” At the funeral remarks were made by the writer from Job 14:10, to a large gathering of relatives and friends. W. B. Everhart.
Died, in W. Rindge, Cheshire Co., N. H., April 16, 1877, of gastric fever, our beloved father, Geo. L. Ashley, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. Although his sufferings were great, yet he bore them with Christian fortitude, and often spoke of the goodness of the Lord.
He embraced the third angel’s message some 24 years ago, was baptized by Bro. White, and united with the church at N. Dartmouth, Mass., of which he has ever since remained a member. The past year of his life we look back upon with much satisfaction, for he seemed to realize the shortness of time and the great work to be accomplished in warning the world of its impending doom. He leaves a wife and four children, who deeply mourn their loss, but not without hope. Geo. H. and Lizzie A. Crandall.
Died, of quick consumption, in Oronoco, Minn., June 19, 1877, sister Mary Mosier, aged 34 years, 1 month, and 5 days. In 1843, she united with the Disciple church, of which she remained a consistent member until November, 1875, when she embraced present truth by reading. She was earnest and faithful in the discharge of all the duties that devolved upon her. Amiable and lovely in disposition, it can truly be said of her that those who knew her best loved her most. She leaves a husband and son, three sisters and a brother, to mourn their loss. Discourse by Eld. Remington (Baptist) from Rom. 8:28. S. E. G.
Died, of consumption, June 25, 1877, at the residence of her parents, in Mount Morris, Mich., sister Mary J. Shelden, aged 22 years. Sister Shelden embraced present truth under the labors of Bro. Van Horn and Lane, at the time of their tent labor in Flushing, and when the Flint church was first organized, she united with us in church fellowship. She is the first one of our number to fall under the cruel hand of death; but we believe she died in the faith, and will soon come forth, clothed with a glorious immortality. All that knew her in life speak highly of her Christian character. S. Woodhull, Sen.