Earlier text: GROSS NEGLECT AND ILL TREATMENT OF SISTER MATTIEARE WE UNDERSTOOD?
By Roswell Fenner Cottrell
We hold that there is a descriptive prophecy of a final warning to be given to mankind, which will be immediately followed by the day of wrath. Rev. 14: 6-12. It is a message of the gospel, and it will be given through chosen servants of God, as it has ever pleased him to communicate instruction and warning, as well as the promises of the gospel. We believe that the prophecies in general have been so far fulfilled that the time has come when this warning should be given, and, further, that it is actually being preached and published to the world. If we are right in our view in this respect, it is a matter of the greatest possible importance to all to know it; to hear and heed the warning. If we are wrong in this particular, we are deluded, and no one should receive our preaching, but prove its falsity and lead us out of the delusion, and so save our souls. Conversing with a kind neighbor to-day, I was stating our faith in the fact that the time had come for the final message, that of the third angel, to be given, reasoning as above on the importance of it, our position being true, as we believe it is; and his reply was, that he did not doubt that we believe we are right, as all other denominations do. That is not the point. The question is not whether we are “righter” in things in general than other denominations are. The question is, Are we right in this particular thing? Has the time come for the predicted and described warning to be given? and is it actually being given? Can it be shown from the successive fulfillment of prophecy in the order given in the book of God that the time has come, and that the proclamation of this solemn warning is an existing fact and a sign of our times? If this is so—and no one can prove that it is not—then we are doing, as instruments, the work of God, the special work for our times, as designed and foretold in his word. If we are right in this, God is in the work. Therefore, if there is a bare possibility of our being right, all should have the deepest interest to know it. And if we are not right in this particular point, those who are right should show, by sound reasons from the word of God, that we are wrong. The position is absolutely either right or wrong. There is no middle ground. And we have no rivals in this matter in other denominations. None but S. D. Adventists profess to preach the message of the “third angel.” None explain it, defining its terms. No one convicts us of error in regard to its meaning. Those who are the most friendly to us only look on with doubt, taking no position upon these messages. Our work stands by itself; it is like no other; and the only question is, Is it right? It is of God, or of men. If it shall prove to be of God, it must be heeded. When God speaks, men should hear. To oppose it, would be to fight against God. But if we are in a delusion, it is a fearful delusion, and we would be exceeding glad to be undeceived. We would not be found false witnesses for God. But we are shut up to the conclusion to which we have come, till some one can explain the prophecies of Daniel and John, show us what they mean, and tell us what our mistake is. Till then, we must preach to the world what we believe to be the truth for our times; for if our position is in harmony with the word of God, a fearful responsibility rests upon us to proclaim it to the world. FRAME IT.
By H. A. St. John
Yes, frame it, with a clear glass over it; or, if you cannot do this, paste it on a nice board, and fix for hanging. It is worthy of this attention. But what do you mean? I am glad to tell you. I mean the blank “Report of Labor,” for members of the T. & M. Society. Well, where shall we hang it? Right beside the looking glass, of course. Then when you look into the one, tarry awhile before the other. Having your hair combed and brushed neatly, you are now ready to have your mind refreshed and stimulated by reading a list of the many ways in which you may work in the vineyard of the Lord. Will it not answer just as well to carry it in my pocket? Not quite; for at least two reasons; First, I fear you will not see it often in your pocket. Secondly, one placed as above, will answer for the whole family. “Oh! who will help us to garner in
The sheaves of good from the fields of sin?”
H. A. St. John. THE TEN VIRGINS.
By Uriah Smith
The Restitution, of Dec. 15, 1875, in answer to an inquirer, scouts the idea that the parable of the ten virgins, Matt. 25, applies to the Advent movement of 1844, “as claimed by Sabbatarians.” It says:— “Sabbatarians themselves do not believe that the kingdom is yet in existence, neither will be until the coming of our Lord. How, then, can the parable apply to scenes and events which have occurred so long before the kingdom does come.” It is astonishing how well some people know just what our views are, especially when they stumble on to some absurdity and want to make us responsible for it. Please, friends, don’t be quite so free with our belief. You don’t know half so well what we believe as you think you do. But the strong point the Restitution tries to make is on verse 10, which it quotes as follows: “They that were ready went into the marriage supper, and the door was shut.” We would like to know what kind of a Bible the Restitution uses. It goes on to say, “Did the Adventists go into the supper in 1844?” Could anything be more luscious than going “into the supper”? We do not know how the editor of the Restitution is in the habit of going “into” such things; but we hope he will not judge all others by himself. We quote again:— “Were they [Adventists] not all on earth after the time passed? If Mr. and Mrs. White were among the wise, why did they not pass into the marriage? Now either the marriage has not taken place, or else none of the Adventists is included among those who are ready. There is no escape from this dilemma.” How cruel in the Restitution to hold us up, without note or warning, in such an awful dilemma. If it only knew our belief a little better, it would know that we do not believe the marriage has yet taken place; and if it had only studied the parable a little more carefully, it would have seen that the going in to the marriage occupies, like other events in the parable, a space of time—a space not yet terminated. Guests are still getting ready. A goodly number are putting on the wedding garment according to the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, Rev. 3:18. Soon the king will come in to see the guests, Matt. 22:11, as the work of salvation is concluded in the sanctuary on high. Then the door will be shut. Then, the marriage being consummated, those who have occupied that position represented by being ready and entering in with him into the marriage, will be invited to participate in the marriage supper. At the next series of our quarterly meetings, it is hoped reports from our brethren and sisters may be much more full than heretofore. We speak of T. & M. workers. Now is there any reason why, at the end of each quarter, we should not be favored with reports setting forth the success attending our efforts? Probably every member, or nearly every member of the Tract and Missionary Society, has a blank for this object. Please fail not to do duty in this direction. Report to your district secretary, at least one week previous to the quarterly meeting. You may feel a conviction that you have done so little it is not worth reporting. Well, don't wait for some great thing to tell. Report what you have done, and it may be you will do more the next quarter. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” Let us not despise the day of “small things.” Reports of the onward march of truth give tone and life to our meetings. A. S. HUTCHINS. LABORERS WANTED.
By H. A. St. John
We need laborers in Ohio; but we are not calling upon Michigan or the General Conference Committee for help; nor do we expect to appeal to any source outside of our own State for laborers. We shall certainly welcome any efficient help from other Conferences that may choose to come, but we feel that there are men within our own borders whom God would use in the glorious work of preaching present truth, if they would consecrate themselves to him. And we are of the opinion that the prosperity of the good cause in Ohio depends very much upon such persons moving out in the fear of God. Three, or at least two, tents should be run in Ohio the coming season, and it seems to me that God would be pleased to have them run by men upon our own soil. Preparations should begin immediately for the summer campaign. I almost imagine I can hear my brethren in Ohio everywhere saying, “Amen, so let it be. Send out the cotton meeting-houses, and let the good work go forward.” But where are the men? Much caution and wisdom are needful in order to rightly relate gifts that will work well together; but first we must have the men from whom to select. I am anxious to hear from elders, directors, and anybody else interested, that can give a word of counsel, advice, or encouragement. H. A. St. John. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. We expected to have a large gathering at our Greenville meeting, as it was central for several churches, but the weather was extremely bad. Sabbath morning it rained very hard, and the roads were as bad as they could be. Still, several came from Bushnell, Orleans, Vergennes, Saranac, &c. All the Greenville friends were out. We had two or three social meetings, and the rest of the time I spoke to them. We celebrated the ordinances Sabbath afternoon; and in the evening re-organized S. B. I was glad to find S. B. kept up promptly, and, I judge, liberally. I think that about all were paying what they ought to, and scarcely any pledges remain long behind or unpaid. Some others pledged who had not before, adding about $40 to the previous amount. Bro. Fargo has kept his S. B. book correctly and neatly. It is refreshing to find now and then an instance where this is done. Fifteen shares were pledged on the Pacific press, a part of which was paid. A few took the Signs. Sunday morning I preached a sermon to the unconverted, at the close of which twenty came forward to seek the Lord and become Christians. Quite a number of these were grown persons. In the afternoon we went to the river, where I baptized eight, all of whom were received as members of the Greenville church. Two have lately embraced the Sabbath here, and another commenced its observance at this meeting. There will be others to be baptized here soon. The brethren were anxious to see what interest there would be in the village; so they hired the Good Templer's Hall for Sunday and Monday evenings, and I lectured upon the Signs of the Times. This large hall was filled both evenings, every seat being occupied. No better interest could be asked than was manifested here. All paid the best attention. This place is one of the pleasantest and most lively villages I have visited in the north. There has been no preaching here for more than twelve years; and within that time nearly the whole village has grown up. It now numbers about 3000 inhabitants. I have seen no more promising field for labor than this. Tuesday, Bro. Fargo and Maynard went with me seven miles north to the Danish settlement. Here we have a Danish church of eighteen members. They have lately built a neat little meeting-house; and they requested me to dedicate it. It would have been much better could they have had preaching in their own tongue, but as most of them could understand English I went up and did the best I could. I spoke in the morning and also in the evening. Quite a number of outsiders were in. The brethren expressed themselves well pleased. They had no trials to settle—no difficulties to adjust. Their S. B. pledges were high enough, and were promptly paid up without any delinquency. So I had no business matters to attend to. New converts have been embracing the faith here all along. Now that they have a house, they ought to have a course of lectures from a Danish preacher. Wednesday I came with my family to Orleans. The church came together, and we attended to several matters of business. Five were received into the church—one to be baptized. Bro. Kneeland was elected and ordained deacon. We talked a little while upon S. B., after which some raised their figures, and quite a number pledged who had not previously done so; raising the entire pledge about $50, so that it is now $298. There are quite a number of absent members belonging to this church, several of whom pay no S. B. at all. This is entirely wrong. Their duty in this direction is just the same, whether they reside here or somewhere else. We doubt very much the sincerity of those persons who can retain their standing year after year in a church and never contribute anything to its support. The clerk and treasurer should look after all such cases and urge them to duty. This church has a good, large meeting-house, in the midst of a rich country and in a thick settlement. No effort has been made here for years to present the truth before outsiders. The brethren think that a course of lectures would be well attended. I see no reason why they would not. So many have moved away that the church is sadly small, there being less than twenty resident members. Where we have a meeting-house and a hold like this, it is important to make every effort to retain it. I see so many openings like this where I have been, and so little prospect of anybody's being able to fill them, that it makes me feel very sad; but it does seem to me that it would be more profitable to labor in some of these places than in entirely new fields. Thursday, I went twelve miles and met with the Bushnell church at the house of Bro. Atkins. We examined the church list, inquired after each member, expelled one, put one under censure, received two into the church, and baptized two. We re-organized S. B., raising it from $80 to $160. Some have lately embraced the Sabbath here, and others are interested. In the evening I preached at the school-house, which was well filled. At the close of my discourse, nine came forward to seek the Lord and become Christians. Some of these were persons of much worth, for whom the church had been anxious a long time. They need a meeting-house here very much, and they think of building one. A few other matters needed attention which I could not give them in so short a time. By letters received from the places where I have been, I am happy to learn that the good work begun in the several places has continued with a good interest. A brother writes from St. Charles that their meetings have been much better since my visit, and that the young people have taken hold in the meetings. From Jay, also, we learn that all who made a start while I was there are not only holding on, but are active in the prayer-meetings and are growing in the truth. Bro. Fisher and Nelson write from Alma that they have had some glorious meetings. All who made a start at our meetings are taking hold earnestly, and several others have come out. Some have embraced the Sabbath. Eight have given up the use of tobacco. Those who were under discouragement have come out clear and strong. They have also had excellent meetings at Ithaca. Bro. Fisher has remained in each of these places to carry forward this work. For all this we thank the Lord and take courage. I MET with the church at Smithland, Jan. 1, 1876. I have now preached five times, and held three prayer and social meetings. The Lord met with us, and his Spirit seemed to rest upon us in power. We all made a covenant with God to live better in the year to come than we have in the past. The Lord is working in this church. It is growing in grace and in numbers. Three commenced to keep the Sabbath the first day of January. J. BARTLETT. We have been here over two weeks. The meetings were commenced in the Congregational church, but after a few evenings that was closed, and by invitation we went into the Disciple church. That also was soon shut against us; but some who had the most money invested in the house were our friends. These immediately opened the house and furnished it with lights and fuel at their own expense. As the result thus far, five excellent persons, candid men and heads of families, have voted to keep all the commandments. We hope for others. Pray for us, brethren. Dec. 1 and 2, I held two meetings in Burns Valley, for the purpose of encouraging the few commandment-keepers there. We had a good hearing in this community. Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 4 and 5, I had seven excellent meetings with the church at Leon. Seven decided to obey the truth. This church is zealous in the missionary cause, and its workers have an influence which tells for God. They are full of courage in the Lord. Dec. 11-13, I held eight meetings with the church at Liberty Pole, Vernon Co., in their new meeting-house. The members of this church had been in rather a discouraged condition, but are now beginning to look up and take courage. If they will carefully follow the advice given them, I am satisfied that the Lord will add to their numbers such as shall be saved. Dec. 14-16, I spoke three times in the same county, at Kickapoo Center. Here I met Bro. Olsen and Atkinson, who also had two meetings for the special benefit of the church, which were greatly blessed of the Lord. I am satisfied the salvation of some there depends entirely upon their faithfulness to God in living out his requirements. I do hope they will be faithful to obey, and will be saved at last. From there, I came to Sand Prairie, where I held nine excellent meetings. We had large hearings at all the meetings. One decided to obey the truth; others are much interested, while the brethren and sisters seem much encouraged to press on. I AM at this place lecturing. This is out of my State (Ky.), but it seemed duty to come here. There are now nine here keeping the Sabbath. I baptized five last sixth-day, and the interest has become so great it seems not to be duty to leave here now. Still they are pressing me to come back to Monticello. I speak every night, and in addition to this very frequently in the day time; besides this, I visit and talk. But, notwithstanding such constant labor, the Lord has given me unusually good health. Praise his name. Last Sabbath (fast day) was a good day for us here. Some of the brethren and sisters were here from Edgefield Junction, and we attended the ordinances. Every one of the Sabbath-keepers present, during the entire day had his cup of joy full. Oh! you should have heard their pleadings for help from some consecrated ministers. May the Lord work upon minds to turn them South. AFTER closing our labors at Round Grove, home duties called us for a few weeks. Meantime we met with the brethren at Medford, Mapleton and Wells, where the Lord helped in presenting the word of life, and the brethren and sisters were encouraged and strengthened. The 10th of this month, we came to Monticello, at the earnest solicitation of sister Walker, formerly of the S. D. Baptist church, but who, with her husband, a leading member of the Methodist church, had of late become deeply interested in our cause. That evening, commenced meetings in a small school-house, near Bro. Walker's. Continued here until the next Wednesday evening, with from twenty to thirty hearers. We then concluded to go into the village of Monticello, where the Advent church was opened to us. There are four churches in the village. They had been for four weeks trying to hold a union revival meeting at the Baptist house with but indifferent success. Here is one of the strongholds of the Advent Christian church in this State. Some of their strongest men have preached here, and outside the Advent church prejudice has run high against the advent doctrine. We had this to meet from the other churches, and prejudice against the Sabbath and the gifts of the Spirit from all, and especially from the Advent church, though a goodly number of the members have attended our meetings quite regularly, and seem interested. One elder of this church, who was a Sabbath-keeper for several years, but “rejected the counsel of God against himself,” has been especially bitter against us, working privately to keep the people away. Our congregations have not been large—ranging from ten to sixty. Meetings in the other churches, church fairs, Masonic, Grange, and temperance meetings, Christmas gatherings, and dances, combined with the prejudices against our positions, have kept the people away. The Adventists have a quarterly meeting which commences this evening and continues until Sunday evening. This shuts us out of any place for holding meetings till after that. At the earnest solicitation of some interested ones, we are going out about five miles to hold meetings while it is in progress. We feel satisfied that we are here in the providence of God, and that there are souls here seeking for the light of truth, whom we can reach. We can see some fruit already, and our courage is good, and confidence in God strong. We ask the prayers of our brethren, that we may be humble, faithful, true, earnest workers for God, “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.” Monticello, Wright Co., Minn., Dec. 31, 1875. THE tent-meeting closed in San Francisco, Dec. 12, making eight full months that our tent has been in constant use this season. The district quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 9, Dec. 18, 19, was held in the new church building in San Francisco. Although the building is not fully completed, it was made quite comfortable for the occasion, and is now occupied for meetings every Sabbath. We expect it will soon be completed and dedicated. The quarterly meeting was an interesting occasion. Five more were voted into the San Francisco church, and it was a time of heartfelt gratitude to God, especially in making mention of his providence which had in such a wonderful manner opened the way for the erection of the church building on Laguna Street. This church one year ago regarded the erection of a house of worship almost an impossibility; but the house is now erected, and the basement rented for a sufficient sum to meet all the interest on the money it was necessary to hire to complete the house. The church express especial gratitude for the noble part Bro. White has acted in this meeting-house enterprise, not stopping with donating $1000, but standing in the gap to loan the necessary means to complete it. The Lord is adding some workers to his cause in San Francisco, and we still expect, if we all move humbly in God's order, a large church will be raised up in this world's thoroughfare of travel on this coast. Pray for the work in San Francisco.—J. N. L., in Signs. BRO. STEWARD writes from Yellowhead, Ill., under date Dec. 27, as follows:— Several times my meetings have been nearly broken up by the bad going, but I have had one at every appointment until yesterday, when it rained steadily all the forenoon. The interest has been good from the first. The Lord is at work, and some who never made a profession before have made a start. Last night we had an excellent meeting. Quite a number of young folks were out, and after talking about an hour, I asked all who had resolved to serve God in the future to raise the hand. Some six or eight hands were raised. One man of quite a family made sport when he first came to the meetings, but last Sabbath he came to me all broken down, and said he could stand back no longer. Last night he spoke. Others were much affected. The Lord is good. I do praise his name. May he help me to lead the lambs tenderly, carefully, to the Good Shepherd. Quite a number have promised to keep the Sabbath. “THE DISCIPLE IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER.”
By Mary E. Wilcox
Master and Lord, my lot on earth is better far than thine,
And shall I at its lowliness ungratefully repine?
Shall I gaze, with vainly longing eyes, on fame’s unscaled ascent,
And cloud the mornings of my days with sullen discontent?
No; by thy first, rude manger-couch, and by thy humble birth,
I bless thee for my station, mid the lowly ones of earth! A life of stormy suffering—a dreary life was thine—
And shall I, at my lesser griefs, despairingly repine?
No; by the tears which thou so oft in sorrowing love didst shed;
By the cold ground where thou didst kneel in agony and dread;
By all the sorrows borne by thee throughout thy earthly years,
I thank thee for my sufferings, I bless thee for my tears! O meek and gentle Son of God! a life of toil was thine,
And shall I, at my lighter tasks, impatiently repine?
Oh, shall I faint beneath the care and burden of my lot,
When thou didst labor to redeem a world that loved thee not?
Because no sheltering roof is mine, shall faith give place to dread?
Thou hadst not where, O Son of man, to lay thy weary head! Exalted Son! thou reignest now beside the Father, God—
While yet a rougher path than mine thy own dear feet have trod.
Then softly say unto my heart, as to the sea, “Be still!”
And as the waves of old were hushed, hush my tempestuous will,
And let me deem no toil too hard to bear for love of thee,
Since thou hast borne a weary life and fearful death for me.
—MARY E. WILCOX, in Ladies Repository. Fleeing Temptation Before It Drowns You
If you have been tempted into evil, fly from it; it is not falling into the water, but lying in it, that drowns. CALIFORNIA STATE QUARTERLY MEETING
By John Norton Loughborough
The first State quarterly meeting of the Cal. T. and M. Society for this year, was held, as appointed, with the Oakland church, on the opening of the new year, and in connection with our fast day. It was a solemn and profitable time. At the commencement of the Sabbath, Dec. 31, a discourse was given by Bro. Waggoner on the message to the Laodiceans. Rev. 3. This was designed to lead to self-examination. The fast day, Jan. 1, was opened with a social meeting at 9 A. M., in which many stirring testimonies were given and solemn vows made. At 11 A. M., a discourse was given by the writer on the nature of a Bible fast, the humiliation and confession that should go with fasting, and the results following such a fast, all of which were illustrated by instances of Scripture fasts. At 2 P. M., a most impressive and touching discourse was given by sister White from Heb. 12:1–5. In this discourse she was deeply moved, and her tender words of entreaty touched all hearts as she spoke of the compassion of Christ for us, and the tenderness which should characterize our course toward each other. After a brief intermission, the ordinance of humility (John 13) was celebrated. It seemed appropriate on this occasion. This was followed by a social meeting pervaded by the solemn presence of the Lord. This meeting was held till about the closing moments of the Sabbath when the emblems of the broken body and spilled blood of our Lord were passed, and thus closed our solemn fast. May our good impressions and vows be carried out. The most of first-day was spent in business meetings of the district and State T. & M. Society. One special object before the meeting was the extension of the circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in unison with the effort being made by our brethren in the East; and it was the sense of the meeting that there should be raised, on the Pacific Coast, during 1876, two thousand subscribers to the SIGNS. Bro. White thought it the best plan to get persons to subscribe themselves at whole or half pay, or to send the names of those candid persons whom we may induce to read it, paying for it ourselves. Some promised to furnish as many as 100 names, some 75, some 10, and all expressed a determination to take hold and extend the circulation of our excellent paper. After the T. & M. business was disposed of, there was a yearly finance meeting for the Oakland church. In this meeting, Bro. White made some interesting remarks on the necessity for a house of worship in Oakland as well as in San Francisco. These remarks were well received, and a vote was taken that a committee of three be appointed to look for a lot, and to see what can be secured in pledges for a Seventh-day Adventist meeting-house in Oakland.—J. N. L., in SIGNS. The report of the business proceedings of this quarterly meeting shows the following summary of work done:— No. of families visited, 38; No. of letters written, 63. No. of new subscribers for INSTRUCTOR, 9; REFORMER, 5; SIGNS, 29; VOICE OF TRUTH, 1. No. of trial subscribers renewed, REVIEW, 3. Distribution of reading matter: No. of REVIEWS, 97; INSTRUCTORS, 144; REFORMERS, 26; SIGNS, 540; VOICE OF TRUTH, 8. No. of pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed, 30,190, value, $32.94; books loaned, 15. Money received for membership, $6.00; By donations, 13.50; Book sales, 5.40; Total, $24.90. Bro. White spoke with interest on the matter of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and of the zeal manifested by the brethren in the East, not only in furnishing the SIGNS Office with engine, presses, and type, but in subscribing for the SIGNS for themselves and their friends. This was followed by remarks from directors and members present. WHICH BEING INTERPRETED.
By R. M. Kilgore
The following shows that if people do not all speak the same language, the present truth brings them, according to the injunction of the apostle, to speak the same thing:— After our good meeting last Sabbath, a Danish brother who embraced the truth here, but cannot speak English, returned home and wrote the following testimony (translated by his daughter), which you can publish if you think proper. My Dear Brethren and Sisters: I am glad to see your way of spending the Sabbath. And as I am the only Sabbath-keeper of my nationality around here, I am happy to call you brethren; but I should be much happier if I could speak with you. I pray the Lord that the unrighteous, as well as the righteous, may see the truth, and that we may all take up our cross daily, and thus be saved through the Redeemer. Amen. J. Olson. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Died, in Burke, Vt., Dec. 26, 1875, of inflammation of the stomach and bowels, sister Mary L. Bourdeau, daughter of Eld. A. C. and Charlotte Bourdeau, aged, 17 years, 7 months and 16 days. Sister Mary had for a time worked in the Review Office, and was considered one of our most healthy and active hands. Little was it thought when a few weeks ago she left for her home to assist her uncle, Eld. D. T. Bourdeau, in preparations for his departure for Europe, that she was marked as a victim for the grave. In the meetings held in Battle Creek last fall by Bro. and sister White, just before their departure for California, she made a new start in the service of God and was baptized. Upon hearing of her death, after the first feeling of regret at her loss, the next thought was one of gratitude that she took her stand last fall so fully on the Lord’s side. The influence of that revival went with her to the time of her death. In a letter just received from her father, we read the following hopeful and encouraging words in reference to the close of her life:— “During her short stay at Bordoville, on her way home, she spoke many words of encouragement to her young friends, which they will long remember. In the last meeting that she attended at my house in Burke, two weeks before she died, she gave a testimony which affected all present, and filled our hearts with deep solemnity. During her sickness she gave every possible evidence that she was accepted of God, and that all was well with her. Her strong hope, and the desire she expressed to have her parents, sisters, and brothers, meet her in the kingdom, greatly increased our desires and determinations to serve the Lord, and prepare for Heaven. “Last Tuesday night, just three weeks after she came home, she was carried out of our house a lifeless corpse. Six of us accompanied her by car to Bordoville, where, yesterday, the 29th inst., the funeral was held, and a comforting discourse was given by Eld. L. Bean, to a large congregation of mourning and sympathizing friends.” U. S. The following lines were written by a dear friend of the deceased, on the day of the funeral. MARY L. BOURDEAU, WHO DIED DEC. 26, 1875. Our hearts with deep sorrow and anguish are torn;
For death to his mansion a loved one hath borne.
The circle is broken, and vacant the chair—
Lonely the dwelling; for one is not there. She is gone from our number; no more can we hear
Her voice so familiar to welcome us near.
No more through the room will her footsteps resound,
For now she is lying beneath the cold ground. O death, thy sad summons was quickly obeyed,
And in thine embrace our sister was laid;
The last farewell spoken, her last tear is shed;
Oh! oft shall we miss her who sleeps with the dead. While parents, and sisters, and friends, now are weeping,
She heeds not their grief; it disturbs not her sleeping.
No more can earth’s sorrows her slumbers molest;
Her work is now finished, and she is at rest. Yes, sleeping in Jesus a blessed repose;
Secure from life’s conflicts, its cares, and its woes.
But short is her slumber, within the dark tomb;
For Jesus hath lain there, and scattered its gloom. And soon he is coming, death’s portals to ope,
And release all his captives now resting in hope.
Triumphant, immortal, she then will arise;
Shouting victory o’er death; where, O grave, is thy prize? Oh! then may we meet, in that glorious morn,
The loved and the cherished, who from us are torn;
In Heaven, where all is immortal and fair,
No parting, no sighing, no death, will be there. Bordoville, Vt., Dec. 30, 1875. Died, of slow paralysis, in Cedar Springs, Mich., Dec. 27, 1875, Benjamin Stiles, aged sixty-nine years. Bro. S. was a strict and conscientious observer of the Sabbath. As his disease progressed, the goodness and mercy of God were manifest. The faults and sins of his past life, many of them innocently committed, were wept over and confessed. He was thus enabled to prepare for the solemn Judgment before the disease reached the brain, after which he had no rest from his sufferings except in unconsciousness. Funeral discourse by Rev. A. Rogers (Methodist) from 1 John 3:2. M. P. Stiles. Died, of lingering consumption, in Locke, Ingham Co., Mich., Dec. 10, 1875, Chancy P. Faulkner, aged twenty-nine years. His last expressions were full of consolation to those who heard them, and he calmly fell asleep, we trust, in Jesus. Funeral discourse by the writer from Job 14:14, to a large and attentive audience. D. W. Milk. Died, at Beaver Dams, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1875, in the thirty-ninth year of her age, sister Mary E. Johnson, wife of Daniel Johnson. Sister J. was afflicted with what was supposed to be goiter; but it proved to be a tumor. The best surgeon in the vicinity was secured, and she submitted to have it opened, and a seton introduced. To all appearances, she was in a fair way to survive, until the morning of her death, when she suddenly expired. Being assured by her surgeon that her chance of life was small, she gave directions concerning her funeral and the disposition of her things, and resigned herself into the hands of God. There is hope in her death. Sermon by Eld. Mallory (Baptist), from Job 14:14; John 14:2. D. T. Fero. Died, of scarlet fever, in Smithland, Iowa, Dec. 30, 1875, Ernest M., only son of D. A. and E. F. Butler, aged three years and eight months. Funeral discourse by the writer, from Job 14:14. “If a man die shall he live again?” J. Bartlett. Died, near Papinsville, Mo., Dec. 15, 1875, after an illness of three months, Jesse C., only child of Enos and Emma Terry, aged eleven months. While we mourn the loss of our little one, we are made to rejoice by the thought that he will “come again from the land of the enemy.” B. F. Terry. Died, in Portland, Maine, Dec. 2, 1875, my dear sister, Lucy J. Dunscomb. When she was 14 years of age, she was stricken down with rheumatic fever, which terminated in heart disease and dropsy. She was never well after. Four years ago she was baptized by Eld. Haskell, and became a member of the church in Deering. Funeral discourse by Eld. Stockman, from Rev. 22:1-3, 6. E. F. Dunscomb. Bro. A. D. Olsen writes from Brown Co., Wis.:— The good cause is still onward in this part of the field. Some twenty-six have lately commenced to observe the Sabbath at Green Bay and Duck Creek. We have our Sabbath meetings regularly, also Bible-class and Sabbath-school and a weekly prayer-meeting. They all seem to take a deep interest. The Lord is truly good in letting the light shine upon our pathway. May we have grace to walk in the light, and may we form such characters as will stand the test of the Judgment. Sister Hattie Pickens, of Kentucky, says:— I thank God for the light of present truth. May I be enabled to press through the darkness of these perilous times, and live the life of the righteous. One year ago I was blessed with a mother's love; now she is gone forever. I am weary of this earth, and long for the beautiful Eden. In the last number of the SIGNS a call was made for a grand rally of the brethren in California, at Santa Rosa, Jan. 15, 1876. The occasion was the ordination of Bro. Wm. Healy to the work of the gospel ministry. Elds. White, Waggoner and Loughborough, were to participate in the services.