Earlier text: REPORT FROM BRO. A. C. BOURDEAU[BRO. SMITH: The following communication was sent to the Voice of the West, with a request that it might appear in the columns of that paper. But the editor concluded the demand was more than justice required, and so the article has been returned. Will you please give it a place in the REVIEW? W. H. BALL.] BRO. HIMES: I wish to say through the columns of the Voice, to its numerous readers who have read my attacks against the positions held by S. D. Adventists, and more especially my warfare against the visions, that my views have during the past six months undergone a happy change. During the past winter Bro. and Sr. White visited our place, and I had the privilege of presenting my objections to the visions to Sr. W. in person. And the explanation I received upon many points was, I am happy to state, perfectly satisfactory. They were successful, by the blessing of God, in removing not only several objections, but a large amount of prejudice from my mind. The Spirit and power of God which attended the labors of these faithful servants, is the best of evidence that God is with them of a truth. The Lord worked with them in great power, until nearly all the children of Sabbath-keepers enlisted in the service of God. No one, it would seem, could form even a short acquaintance with Sr. W. without being forced to the conclusion that she is a humble, devoted, godly woman, if there is one to be found upon the earth. And I feel that I am guilty before God of a great wrong in raising my voice against the testimonies of this humble instrument. It is my settled conviction, not only from the sad experience I have had in this matter, but from daily observation, that no weapon raised against the testimonies of this godly woman can prosper. God’s141 frown and not his blessing, will attend all such efforts. If others think they can fight the visions, and enjoy the favor of Heaven at the same time, they can try it. But for one I am satisfied with this kind of work. I pray God to forgive me my errors in this direction. I also feel that I have committed a great wrong in holding up S. D. Adventists and their views to scorn and ridicule before their enemies. That my articles have partaken too much of the spirit of war, is too evident. What if our S. D. Adventist brethren do hold some errors? Where is there a people who do not? I am bold to affirm that there is no class of people to be found that have more truth than S. D. Adventists. There is no people to be found that are putting forth greater efforts to gain the immortal inheritance than S. D. Adventists. There is no people who are more zealous to get right in the sight of God, and keep all his commandments (the fourth not excepted), and get ready for translation, than S. D. Adventists. There is no people who are trying to conform to the laws of their being, so as to possess healthy bodies and clear minds, like S. D. Adventists. In short, there is no people I should be willing to cast in my interests with, but S. D. Adventists. In view of these facts, how wicked and unchristian the act to take the faults of this people (if faults they have), and hold them up to the gaze of those who disregard the law of God, the great rule of right, the perfect standard by which men are to be judged in the last day. Jas. ii, 12. I feel deeply my wrong in warring against my seventh-day brethren. I have been led on by Satan in his unholy work, until I fear my influence has turned souls away from the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. I wish to counteract, so far as possible, my wrong influence, and would deeply humble myself before God, and seek forgiveness for all my wrongs, while Jesus pleads in behalf of the sins and errors of his people. W. H. BALL.
Washington, N. H. REMARKS. When the editor of the Voice refused to give the foregoing communication from Bro. B., a place in his paper, he promised to do him justice in an editorial of his own. What his idea of “justice” is, may be gathered from the following paragraph, which is all that appeared. “Bro. W. H. Ball, who has several times spoken very effectively through the Voice against the visions and theories of the prophetess, Ellen G. White, writes us that he has changed his views. He declares himself sorry that he ever wrote against the views or theories that rest upon them. The only reason he gives for his change of views, is, that he has had an interview with Mrs. White, who explained matters satisfactorily to him. We decline publishing his letter, because it is mainly a special pleading for Mrs. W., and her theories, rather than a justification of his own ‘change of views.’ We are sorry that Bro. B. has fallen into a delusion which has ensnared many.” The Voice, and papers of its class, make wonderful professions of liberality. And so they are wonderfully liberal—when it is all on one side. While Bro. B. was writing against Sr. W., and S. D. Adventists, no article of his was rejected on the charge of special pleadings. Whatever might be the nature of the testimony, with the utmost avidity it was set before the public. But no sooner does Bro. B. become convinced that he has been wrong, and has been doing his brethren injustice, than he is refused the privilege of expressing his convictions to those who have read the articles he now wishes to retract. The columns of the Voice are peremptorily closed against him, and with a slur, both against him and Sr. W., he is dismissed from the paper. But perhaps no higher idea of justice could be expected from any one who holds that the great law, which can be shown to be the only one which God ever gave to regulate the conduct of the race, has been abolished. Sunday Reform and Divine Authority
The article in another column on “A Special National Danger,” adds one more to the many efforts now being made to arouse the national conscience to the importance of supporting the Sunday institution. Its premises are true, its reasoning sound, and its object good, if only Sunday could claim anything higher in its support than human authority. But, as observed by A. H. Lewis, there can be no real Sabbath reform in connection with any other day than the one enjoined in the divine Sabbath law. Hence these attempts, if successful, as we understand they will be, will only result in an anti-christian and oppressive system, antagonistic to the truth of God, in fulfillment of the prophetic word. Monthly Meeting at Newton.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
THIS was a good meeting to all who attended. There was a goodly number from Burlington; but we were all very much disappointed that none came from Convis. Several were present from Battle Creek. While we tried to renew and enforce the testimony given at the last Conference, on seeking for the lost, almost every one in the house wept with us. Who cannot confess shortcomings in this respect? The spirit of tenderness—the spirit Jesus manifested when he wept over rebellious Jerusalem while her faithless sons were plotting for his destruction—will do a good work for us. May the Lord help, for poor, fallen humanity will never get into this work without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. I look forward to the coming camp-meeting, as a time when this work may be revived. The next Monthly Meeting will be at Convis, the second Sabbath in September. We hope the brethren will make an effort to get there, and keep up the interest of these meetings.
J. H. WAGGONER. MONTHLY MEETING IN N. Y.
By N. Fuller
THE Monthly Meeting for Allegany Co. was held last Sabbath and first-day at Deer Creek, where a few faithful ones have been striving to live out the truth for several years in the past. The cause of God had been greatly disgraced by some who had lately moved to that place; and it looked like a hard place to labor. But the Lord is at the head of the work, and when his people move at his bidding, the blessing follows. The church was blessed and greatly strengthened. Backsliders and sinners came, confessing their way to God. One young man who had been induced to come 30 miles to attend the meeting, bore the cross, and acknowledged the Saviour with boldness. He arose, and, while almost weeping aloud, said he had been a great sinner, and now wanted to be a Christian. He said the entire family to which he belonged, was unconverted. His testimony seemed to reach every heart. I thought of those children whose parents are Christians, and have tried to induce them to become such, but they will not; yet this young man with no relative to help him, will give his heart to Jesus. The Saviour said of those who slighted good opportunities, “It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of Judgment, than for thee.” But what a reward awaits those who leave father or mother, brother or sister, for his sake! They shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. May God help that dear young friend, with several others who so firmly resolved to live for Jesus, to endure as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. I spoke as plainly as I could, on the necessity of being baptized when we had believed with all the heart; but earnestly entreated those who did not feel that they could live out all the truths of God, not to offer themselves to the church as candidates for baptism. Five offered themselves at the house; but when we came to the water, others came forward, until the number was increased to twelve. The Spirit of God seemed to overshadow the place. Some three or four who felt that they ought to go down into the liquid stream with the rest, and thereby acknowledge Christ, stood and wept as they gazed upon the scene. Will they not soon be ready? I believe that Satan tried to overthrow that meeting. Sr. Vincent had four days before been thrown from a buggy by its upsetting. One of her limbs was fractured, and the knee put out of joint: but she bore it patiently, and, as usual, Bro. Vincent’s house was a home for the saints. Our meeting was a success. Heaven’s blessing attended it. As some have taken a bad course, and have been overthrown by Satan, let others take warning. Let all learn wisdom by the things they have suffered. My prayer is, Spare thy people, Lord; and give not thine heritage to reproach. Yours in hope,
N. FULLER.
Wellsville, N. Y., Aug. 5, 1868. Meeting in Allegan.
By Joseph Bates
Our Monthly Meeting in Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich., Sabbath, August the first, was interesting, and, I trust, profitable. A goodly number of brethren with their families from Monterey and Otsego were present. Our next Monthly Meeting is appointed to be held in Monterey, the first Sabbath in September. To the Brethren in Allegany Co., N. Y.
By Edward Witter
As our next Monthly Meeting (which will be held the first Sabbath and first-day in Sept. at Niles Settlement,) will be the last in this conference year, you are requested by your Treasurer to come to that meeting prepared to settle all arrearages without fail, that I may not be found delinquent at the Conference. Should any fail to come to that meeting, please send by those who do come. EDWARD WITTER.
Wellsville, Aug. 11, 1868. The full text of the Baron de Beust’s despatch in reply to the Papal Allocution more than confirms the report that Austria has given His Holiness to understand that he need not meddle in her affairs. The Emperor’s Minister protests that the language of the allocution, in regard to the Imperial Government, and the new institutions of Austria, is unjustifiably harsh, being such as might have been employed against spoilers and oppressors of the church, whereas the Catholic religion nowhere in Europe enjoys so many privileges, at this moment, as within the dominions of Francis Joseph. The reprimand of Pius IX, however meant, has had the unfortunate effect of deeply wounding the feelings of the Austrian people, and of damaging the interests of the Catholic church in the empire. It is not possible to permit the condemnation by Rome of the principles of the new legislation, adopted through a happy agreement between the people and the Emperor’s government; as they had been in more than one Catholic country without rebuke from the head of the church. “Above all,” to quote the words of de Beust’s despatch, “there exists in Europe a grand and powerful empire (France) whose tendencies toward liberty and progress have always been allied with a most decided attachment to the Catholic faith, and which, governed by laws equally ‘abominable,’ yet has been fortunate enough, even up to the present time, to meet with the indulgent sympathies of the Holy See.” Furthermore, says de Beust, the Catholic faith has decidedly lost ground in the Austrian Empire by the Pope’s immoderate abuse of her people and government. Attacks, directed against the church, the clergy, and the Pope, are made now with redoubled energy and success. Particular offense has been justly taken at the attempt of the Pope to excite the Hungarian Bishops and clergy to take a part they had discreetly and loyally avoided, that of irritating and ineffectual opposition to the new laws. Such unwarrantable interference with the quiet and prosperity of the empire, cannot fail to raise a great storm, in de Beust’s opinion, against even the legitimate influence of the Court of Rome. It is reported that the Papal Court is preparing a memorandum, in reply to the despatch of the Austrian Cabinet, disclaiming any further intention on the part of His Holiness than to advise and warn the Catholics of Austria not to accept the privileges offered them by the “abominable laws” recently enacted without violating their faith. If the Pope does thus disavow interference in State affairs, and explain his late allocution to mean nothing more than spiritual advice, it will be a plain proof that necessity is driving Rome from its last hope of temporal sway. Should the concession be withheld now, however, it must soon be made, and Austria will have the honor of having given the last definitive check to the once powerful pretension of the Holy See to a quasi-imperial influence in Europe. Those who enjoy singing familiar old hymns, may obtain a good idea by reading the first stanza of a hymn sung recently after the following style: There riz a lan dov pew-er delight,
Where sain simmortal reign;
Infynight da yexcludes the nigh
Tand pleasures banish pain. We are aware that this style of singing has not entirely gone out of fashion. Political Troubles in Spain
SPAIN.—The pending political troubles in Spain have resulted in a ministerial crisis. It is understood that the distinguished Liberal statesman, Don Baldomero Espartero, Duke de la Victoria, has been summoned to form a new Cabinet, and has gone to Madrid for that purpose. Discontent continues to prevail in Spain, and threatens to break out into armed insurrection at any moment. Disaffection is also apparent among the officers of the fleet. General Rules of Conduct.
The following rules were drawn up by a young lady, now deceased, for the regulation of her own conduct in private life: 1. Never be idle, but always be employed, either in working, reading, or writing. 2. Never take up much time in dress. 3. Not to walk much about the streets, but to be about in the house as much as circumstances will admit. 4. Never to give place to vain, idle thoughts, but to war against them as the enemies of my peace; and whenever they harass me, to fly to prayer, as a remedy. 5. To set a watch over my whole conduct, to mark down the history of every day. RULES WITH REGARD TO COMPANY.
1. To bridle my too much vivacity, and be always readier to hear than to speak. 2. Never to make free with an absent character, and always put the best construction on people's words and actions. 3. Not to be ready in telling news, and sometimes rather affect ignorance about them than to seem to know everything. 4. Never to be positive in an assertion, but always the first to yield in a trifle. 5. Not to praise people to their face, except when there may be occasion for it, as it has much the air of flattery. 6. To give no countenance to slander, nor to hear, with pleasure, the faults of others, however just they may be. 7. Never to argue with any one in a passion any more than I would to a tempest, but to be peacefully silent till the storm blow over. 8. To make no promises but what can be performed, and be careful to perform the promises that are made, whether they be difficult or trifling. 9. Never to be angry, nor let the mind be ruffled with a trifle. 10. To be always ready to forgive an injury, and never give way to resentment. 11. If in fault, to acknowledge it frankly, and never to palliate it by framing excuses, or throwing the blame on another. 12. Not to be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good. 13. Always to be suited to the present company as far as sincerity and candor will permit; if grave, to be grave; if cheerful, to be cheerful, and so on. 14. To speak but little in the presence of superiors, and ever to pay attention to old age. 15. To learn to sacrifice inclination to duty in things indifferent, as the way to lead on to it in greater things. 16. To make very little use of proverbs and common-place observations, and to endeavor not to speak so much as to speak to the purpose. 17. To be active and vigorous against evils that can be remedied, but to submit cheerfully and without complaint to those that cannot be helped. Lastly. Not to be too ready in giving my opinion on any subject till it be asked, and then do it with diffidence, especially before my superiors. PENNSYLVANIA was for a long time the birthplace and home of some very curious religious sects and organizations, the fruit chiefly of the German mind, but which refused to take root and grow in the American social life. A most curious and interesting chapter in history is the “History of the Extinct Sects in Pennsylvania.” The community of Seventh-day Dunkers existed at Ephrata in the last century, of whom a remnant may still be found, perhaps on Antietam Creek, in Franklin Co. They were founded by Conrad Beissel, who seceded from the general body of Dunkers on the question of the Sabbath, Beissel, like some of the Baptists, insisting on celebrating the divinely-appointed seventh day. Retiring from the Dunkers on Cule Creek, he went secretly to a hermitage on the Cocalico, and as disciples gathered around, they founded, in 1733, a new community at Ephrata, which soon became an irregularly-enclosed village. Strangely enough, they adopted as their dress, the gray habit of the Capuchin friars and nuns, hood and all. They were thus, to outward appearance, religious, but though they assumed the monastic dress and some of the system of life, celibacy, though deemed a virtue, was not insisted upon or secured by vow. A brother and sister could marry and leave the cloister to settle near. The community, in 1740, comprised thirty-six single brothers in the cloister, thirty-five single sisters, and some three hundred members living near.—Frank Leslie’s Pleasant Hours. THAT REPORT.
By H. C. MILLER
How hearts leaped with joy from Maine to Minnesota, as it was read. I refer to the report from the Iowa tent of July 14th, in REVIEW of July 28, and “Note” in REVIEW of June 23. Large meetings, good interest, never such an stir since the community was first settled—people all searching the word, Bibles being studied earnestly, scores converted to the Sabbath truth, a Pentecost, sick raised instantly, &c. Why is it so in Iowa? Why not so in our Conference? Why not so in Minnesota? Perhaps an item from Conference reports may explain. Iowa: “I was also very favorably impressed with manner in which the finances of the Conference have been managed. The Secretary and the Conference Committee had the means of determining at once how the funds of the Conference stood.” Report in REVIEW of July 21. Minnesota: “The brethren in this State are much embarrassed in sustaining those who labor in their Conference. . . . On account of want of means, they can labor only part of the time,” &c. Ibid. Wis. and Ill.: “Resolved, That our preachers, elders, and deacons, be requested to stir our brethren to pay their s. b. pledges promptly, that order may be established, and confusion be avoided, and that they attend to this at once, to relieve the Conference from present embarrassment.” Conf. Report in REVIEW of June 23. There it is, plain as daylight. The meat has failed from the house of the Lord. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts,” &c. O brethren, let us not wait to be stirred up by preachers, elders, and deacons, to a spasmodic zeal, that must needs be continually stirred up, but let us bring offerings of first-fruits. Let’s pay s. b. in advance. We all remember how our armies were kept from advancing and victory in the last war by supplies being withheld. The same cause is crippling the work in this warfare. “Is not this the chosen fast, that we break every yoke? that we undo the heavy burdens?” The Bible.
By Rev. Robert Collyer
I for one, love the Bible supremely. In all the world I have found no book to set beside it. Other books I love well. Milton, Taylor, Tennyson, Emerson, Spencer, and many a noble name besides in this great brotherhood, is so dear to me that there are few sacrifices I could not gladly make rather than lose their companionship. But when I am in any great strait—when I want to find words other than my own to rebuke some crying sin, to stay some desperate sinner, to whisper to the soul at the parting of the worlds, to read, as I sit with them that weep beside their dust, words that I know will go to the right place as surely as corn dropped into good soil on a gleaming May day—then I put aside all books but one—the book out of which my mother read to me, and over which she sang to me, as far back as I can remember. And it is those springs that never give out in the dryest, and never freeze in the hardest winter, because they reach so directly into the great warm fountains hidden under the surface—it never fails me. But have we not all noticed the curious fact that men go to the Bible for what they want to find, rather than for what they ought to find? that those who profess the most absolute submission to its authority offer generally the finest possible illustration of the supremacy of the soul over the Bible in the way they contrive to make it serve their turn? and that it is by no means impossible to find duplicates of the good Scotch woman's minister, of whom she said—“if there's a cross text in the Bible, he is sure to find it and take it for a sermon?” The truth is, the Bible is like a great pasture, into which you turn all manner of feeders. The horse takes what he wants; so does the cow. The sheep is true to its instinct; so is the goat. And then, last of all, the ass rolls the thistle, like a sweet morsel, under his tongue.—So when a man with a large, sweet nature, comes to the Bible, he crops, by a sure instinct, of all the large, sweet passages. The hopeful man finds the hopeful things; the sad man the sorrowful things; the hard man, the gritty things, and every man the things that satisfy his craving, though they may in no way make for his peace.—Rev. Robert Collyer. He thus gives an item of his own experience;— “After talking largely with both men and women leaders, we agreed it would prevent great expense, as well of health as of time and of money, if the poorer people of our society could be persuaded to leave off drinking tea. We resolved ourselves to begin and set the example. I expected some difficulty in breaking off a custom of six-and-twenty years’ standing. And accordingly, the three first days my head ached more or less, all day long, and I was half asleep from morning to night. The third day, on Wednesday, in the afternoon, my memory failed me almost entirely. In the evening I sought my remedy in prayer. On Thursday morning my headache was gone: my memory was as strong as ever, and I have found no inconvenience, but a sensible benefit in several respects, from that very day to this.” Among the prisoners taken captive at Waterloo there was a Highland piper. Napoleon, struck with his mountain dress and sinewy limbs, asked him to play on his instrument, which is said to sound so delightfully in the mountains and glens in Scotland. “Play a pibroch,” said Napoleon, and the Highlander played. “Play a march,” it was done. “Play a retreat.” “Na, na,” said the Highlander; “I never learned to play a retreat!” No retreat! should be emblazoned on the standard of every Christian warrior, as he goes forth to battle, “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. vi. 13. “Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. The Sinner’s Fear of Perseverance
SINNERS sometimes say they would be Christians if they thought they could “hold out;” but do they ever think of whether they will be able to long “hold out” in the course they are pursuing? God Restrains Human Wrath
MORAL as well as natural waves are checked and bounded by divine power. “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee and the remainder of wrath Thou shalt restrain.” It is better to weep with Jerusalem at noon, than mourn with Babylon at night. As the magnetic needle points always toward the pole, so does pure love evermore point its possessor toward that God whose nature and whose name is Love. THE Christian life is not an engagement by contract between the master and his servant. It is the union of two hearts—that of the Saviour and the saved—by the endearing ties of the most intimate love. There are many sins which have this absorbing character; whose property it is ever to encroach more and more on the regions of the moral and spiritual life, not as yet possessed by them, never content until they have reared their trophies on the wreck and ruin of every nobler faculty and power. All sins, perhaps, have more or less this character. Yet we may signalize two or three concerning which it is eminently true. Vanity is such a sin. This may seem to us often little worse than a foible; yet physicians will tell you that there is almost no sin which gives more inmates to the mad-house than this; and how many through it shall have missed the crown of life, only the last day shall declare. The Love of Money is another such sin, growing by what it feeds on; and even claiming to exercise a wider, a fiercer, a more relentless tyranny and dominion in the soul where it rules as lord; ever resenting more and more any freedom of action, any generosity in dealing, any open-handedness in giving, any bowels of compassion shown on the part of him who meant indeed to allow this sin, but did not intend at first that it should bear sway in his heart or life, as sole and absolute and tyrannous lord. The Lust of the Flesh, indulged and allowed, proves oftentimes another such a sin; it has a fearful tendency to become such; what a workshop of unholy, impure fancies will the heart of man be who has given himself over to the spirit of uncleanness? “Keep thy servant from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me.”—Trench. CHILDREN'S MISSIONS.
By Mrs. Sigourney
CHILDREN by our Lord were honored,
When on this poor earth he stayed;
Fondly he embraced and blessed them,
Though a frowning throng forbade. To his side a child he summoned,
Placed him in the midst, and told
Those that simple guide to follow,
Who God's kingdom would behold. Still his gospel honors children,
Bids them to Christ's service move,
And their little rills of beauty
Swell the ocean of his love; Bids them strive with zealous pity
For the desolate and sad,
Till the dark and desert places
Are for them exceeding glad. Children, to our dear Redeemer
Yield the grateful homage due,
And, by love to every creature,
Pay the love he bears for you. How to Be Miserable.
By John H. Waggoner
THERE are many rules laid down in the writings of good men—much instruction is given by ministers and other teachers, all telling us how to be happy. The Bible tells us how we may be happy, here and hereafter. It tells us of a time and a place, when and where there will be no pain, no tears, no sorrow, no sighing, no sin, no hard feelings; but all love, joy, and peace eternal. Oh! how happy we shall be if we ever get there! And the Bible tells us how to get to that happy place. But I am going to tell you something else. I am going to give you a rule—an infallible, certain, rule, for being miserable. Thousands have tried it—boys and girls, men and women, all ages and classes—and it has never failed in a single instance. And it never will fail. I cannot advise you to try it; but if you do, you will find it a sure thing. And it is easy to do. In fact, most children, and older people too, like to try it; but it always brings the same result—misery. No doubt, you are curious to know what this wonderful rule is. It is this: A little girl tried it one day. She dressed as she pleased, played and acted as she pleased, and ate as she pleased; but she was cross and discontented all day, and sick all night. Fortunately, she learned to do better by her experience, and the next day cheerfully submitted to her mother’s wishes. A little boy had his own way. Instead of going to school, he played in the streets, and, of course, became very bad. Instead of working, when he became larger, as his father wished, he ran away, and spent his time in idleness. He became a drunkard, a vagabond, and died in prison. A great many thousands have done so. A church member would have his own way, and thereby grieved his brethren. But he would not listen to admonitions; he would not obey the injunction to “submit yourselves to one another,” but still would have his own way. He became alienated from his brethren; left the church; lost his religious feelings; and died a wretched infidel. A great many have done so, and always with the same result; and many are trying it still. A wife would have her own way. She did not think best to do as God’s word says, and be in subjection to her husband, or consult his wishes and feelings. She lived a life of discontent and unhappiness, and in folly and disgrace ended her days. How many have tried the same rule, and how many are trying it now! But these are only particular cases. There are a thousand ways to follow this rule, but the end will always be the same. When you read anything in the Bible, or hear anything from your parents or teachers that you are not pleased with, just turn from it, and ‘have your own way,’ if you wish to walk in the way of misery. You may not be able to see it just now, but you will be sure to find it. Do not think you can follow this rule in anything, and still escape the end; you cannot. Misery will follow stubbornness and rebellion. Self-will and happiness cannot possibly go together. Do you wish to be miserable? or would you be happy? You can choose. A MINISTER of the gospel had an interesting little son, on whose mind he was daily trying to make impressions that would form his life according to the Bible. He taught his little boy to avoid sin, and to keep out of the way of sinners. He carefully guarded him against the popular and fashionable vices of the day. Nor did he tire in his work. He knew that it was by little and little that he was to make lasting impressions upon the mind of his son. A short time since, this father left his son with a friend to spend a few weeks. The gentleman with whom he was left was pleased with his charge, and did all he could to make the little fellow contented and happy. One day he carried him to a neighboring village to see a circus, without telling him where he was going. The unsuspecting boy went cheerfully along, and was very happy and much pleased with his ride. The gentleman took him to the enclosure under the canopy, and getting a convenient seat, placed him by his side. The little fellow looked round upon the crowd of spectators, and gazed upon the immense canvas canvas umbrella spread before him; and then inquired, “What is this, sir? Where am I?” The gentleman replied, “This is a circus.” “A circus?” said the little boy, “then I must go out, for father says a circus is a bad place.” “Wait,” said the gentleman, “and you will soon see some fine horses and some fine dressed gentleman and ladies, and you will be delighted with them.” “No, sir, no,” said the child, “I cannot stay; I must go out, and go away from here; for father says, a circus is a bad place, and not fit for little boys.” The gentleman tried in vain to satisfy the boy’s conscience; but nothing would do, and he was compelled to take him out and return home with him. This was a noble boy. The little fellow did exactly right. He determined to obey his father. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” LOVE OF CHRIST.
By Phineas Fletcher
Drop, drop, slow tears!
And bathe those beauteous feet
Which brought from Heaven
The news and Prince of Peace!
Cease not, wet eyes,
For mercy to entreat;
To cry for vengeance,
Sin doth never cease!
In your deep flood
Drown all my faults and fears;
Nor let his eye
See sin, but through my tears.
—Phineas Fletcher. A Promise for Children.
By E. A. PAYNE
“I LOVE them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” What a precious promise this is to children and youth. He will love us if we love him, and if we seek him we shall find him. I hope all the dear children who read this paper will love the Lord, and seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near, and feel as Jacob did, when he said, “I will not let thee go except thou bless me,” and then they will be blessed. When I was a child I learned the following lines which I will send for you, hoping they will prove of some good to the lambs of the flock. “I must not sin as others do,
Lest I lie down in sorrow too;
For God is angry every day,
With little ones that go astray.
From sinful words I must refrain,
I must not take God's name in vain;
I must not work; I must not play;
Upon God's holy Sabbath day.
And if my parents speak the word,
I must obey them in the Lord:
Nor steal, nor lie, nor waste my days,
In idle tales, and foolish play.” Just say Enough.
By Dr. Spencer
Anxious sinners are often kept from Christ, by reliance on men. A great amount of religious conversation often diminishes their impressions. It tends to blunt the edge of truth. It keeps the heart in a kind of reliance on man. Conversation with judicious Christians and judicious ministers is vastly important for inquiring sinners; but there is a point where it should cease. All that men can do is contained in two things—to make sinners understand God's truth, and make its impression on their hearts and consciences as deep as possible. If they aim at anything more, they are just trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Visiting among inquirers, one morning, I called on five different individuals, one after another, in the course of a single hour, and in each case was sorry that I had called at all, for in each case, after a very few minutes of conversation, I was fully persuaded that God's truth was deeply felt, and that anything I could say would tend to diminish the impressions which the Holy Spirit was making on their hearts. I aimed to say just enough not to have them think I did not care for them; and got away as soon as I could for fear of doing an injury. Every one of these individuals afterward dated their religious hope from the same day. No man can preach so powerfully as the Holy Spirit. It is vastly important to know when to stop. The divine writers understood this. They are perfect examples. Their silence is to be imitated as well as their utterance.—Dr. Spencer. AFTER a great snow-storm, a little fellow began to shovel a path through a large snow-bank before his grandmother’s door. He had nothing but a small shovel to work with. “How do you expect to get through that drift?” asked a man passing along. “By keeping at it,” said the boy cheerfully; “that’s how!” That is the secret of mastering almost every difficulty under the sun. If a hard task is before you, stick to it. Do not keep thinking how large or hard it is; but go at it, and little by little it will grow smaller and smaller, until it is done. If a hard lesson is to be learned, do not spend a moment in fretting; do not lose a breath in saying, “I can’t,” or “I do not see how;” but go at it, and keep at it. Study. That is the only way to conquer it. If a fault is to be cured, or a bad habit broken up, it cannot be done by merely being sorry, or only trying a little. You must keep fighting it, and not give up fighting until it is got rid of. If you have entered your Master’s service, and are trying to be good and to do good, you will sometimes find hills of difficulty in the way. Things will often look discouraging, and you will not seem to make any progress at all; but keep at it. Never forget “that’s how!” GOTTHOLD one day looked on while a farmer’s wheat was being threshed, and observed that the men not only stoutly beat it, but trod upon it with their feet; and finally, by various experiments, separated the good grain from the chaff, dust, and other impurities. How comes it, he asked, that whatever is of useful nature, and intended to be profitable to the world, must suffer much, and be subject to every kind of ill-treatment; but that man, who himself does with other things as he lists, is unwilling to suffer, or to permit God to deal as he lists with him? Wheat, which is the noblest of all products of the earth, is here threshed, trod upon, swept to and fro, tossed into the air, sifted, shaken, and shoveled, and afterwards ground, re-sifted and baked, and so arrives at last upon the tables of princes and kings. What, then, do I mean in being displeased with God, because he does not strew my path with rose-leaves or translate me to Heaven in an easy chair? By what other process could the wheat be cleansed? And how could I be sanctified or saved, were I to remain a stranger to the cross and to affliction? Morning Blessings and Early Instruction
A MORNING blessing is one of the richest blessings, for it sheds a savor upon the whole day. So is early religious instruction; it gives a halo to the life. A SEED.—A seed is one of the most wonderful things in the world, containing not only the first principles of the plant, but holding the power to lie, as it were, asleep, until the fitting period for the expansion of the germ, and meanwhile withstanding influences of destruction such as totally destroy objects that have no life in them.