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The Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 8

NOTES OF TRAVEL
Earlier text: NOTES OF TRAVEL

UNSELFISHNESS

By J. T. Crockett

BY J. T. CROCKETT.
“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. . . . We are the Lord’s.” Rom. 14: 7, 8.
When we look around us and behold the beauties of nature, and consider how everything we see is constantly administering to the necessities of other fellow-creatures, we see that nothing has been created merely for itself. Unselfishness is a principle which we find in all God’s creation.
In the dreary winter we behold a mantle of snow spread over mountain and valley. But for what purpose is this snow? It protects the tender roots of the grass and herbs from the chilling blasts of winter’s frosts. As spring approaches, it is no longer needed, and, quietly yielding to the warming rays of the sun, it disappears, leaving the earth refreshed after her winter’s rest, to perform her part in supplying the wants of her creatures. We next see the trees bud and put forth their leaves, the tender grass appears, and soon the fields are clothed in a robe of green, ornamented with myriads of beautiful flowers colored with all the delicate tints of nature’s choicest dyes. But all these things come forth to cheer the heart, delight the eye, and administer to the wants of the creatures of earth.
The gurgling spring and the murmuring brook quench the thirst of man and beast. The warming rays of the sun and the gentle showers of rain cause the earth to yield her increase, thus producing food for man and beast. This is the natural food given by God before man sinned, for the sustenance of life both of man and beast. Gen. 1: 29, 30.
We next consider the beasts of the field, over which man was given dominion. They were not made merely for themselves. They supply many of the wants of man. Neither is it necessary that they be put to the sufferings of a cruel death to fill the mission which God designed of them before man sinned. The noble horse performs much service for man. The butter and milk of the cow, and the eggs of the fowl, furnish him food. The gentle sheep supply wool for his clothing; and the beautiful and lovely birds fill the air with their cheerful songs. Thus we see a beautiful arrangement and unselfish purpose in all the works of creation.
The mineral kingdom has its treasures for man in the bowels of the earth; the vegetable and the animal kingdoms, up to man, we see were created for other than selfish purposes; and now, will man, who was made in God’s image, degrade himself below these, and say, in actions if not in words, I will live wholly for myself? or, as Cain, Am I my brother’s keeper? How can we say so? When I thus look at the beauties of nature which God has so bountifully spread out before us, and consider that I am wholly dependent upon the bounties of his providence, I look through nature up to nature’s God, and my heart is filled with gratitude to him. Then when I open his word and read of the “marvelous things” he has done for the children of men; and above all, of the gift of his only begotten Son to save sinners from their sins, I can but exclaim with the apostle, “We are the Lord’s.”
As we consider the self-denying life of Jesus, we see that his whole life was spent in doing good to others. Yet he was misjudged, and wrong motives were imputed to him. Sometimes he was looked upon as an intruder, and it was demanded by what authority he did things. Again, there was grumbling because he had not done more; and the question was asked, “Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?” John 11: 37. Then, again, he was considered an idle talker, a babbler. “What will this babbler say?” And yet again he was looked down upon as a “winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” He was even accused of having connection with the devil, and working miracles by Beelzebub. And even his brethren, who knew his purity of life from his infancy, disbelieved on him. John 7: 3, 5. Yet his labors in meekness and humility for the good of others were unceasing. He was not seeking the favor of man, neither did he fear the frowns of any; but in all things he had an eye to one great purpose,—that of doing good to others and seeking their salvation. Always calm, doing everything in the right time, improving the minutes, he was never in a hurry or bustle, but his mind was always kept in a proper condition to calmly sympathize with the suffering. If we would be prepared to stand in the trying time that is just before us, we must have the mind “which was also in Christ Jesus,” who “made himself of no reputation.” Phil. 2: 5, 7. Here we see unselfishness in its perfection. If doubts arise, and faith begins to waver, we receive strength as we look away from ourselves, and “consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.” Heb. 12: 3. Then it is that, like the apostle, we can “do all things through Christ who strengtheneth us.” Phil. 4: 13. Then it is, also, that we see our own weakness, and cling closer to him, and so, partaking of his spirit, we become more and more like him.
It has been said, and that truly, that “man naturally becomes assimilated to that with which he voluntarily holds communion.” The apostle well understood this principle when he wrote Phil. 4: 8, concluding with the words, “Think on these things.” So when we look upon the character and unselfish, self-denying life of Jesus, and take him as our example, the nearer we live to him, the more we become like him. He can sympathize with us in all our trials, and help us to gain the victory. Are we scoffed at? So was he. Are we tempted to use harsh language? When he was persecuted, he threatened not. Are our motives misjudged? His were much more so. Are we tempted to seek high positions of honor? See him leave the glory of Heaven and humble himself as a servant. He says, “I am among you as he that serveth.” Luke 22: 27. Are we tempted to seek ease? See him, faint and weary, at the well, after having traveled many miles on foot, embracing an opportunity to instruct one soul. He seems to forget his own need of rest and food, and exclaims, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4: 34. Are we tempted to think highly of ourselves and covet praise from others? Hear him meekly say, “Why callest thou me good?” Matt. 19: 17. Are we tempted to gossip and repeat an evil report about our neighbor? Hear him say, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment.” Matt. 12: 36. Are we ever tempted to be discouraged? Let us follow more closely the example of Jesus as we see him spend “all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6: 12. Are we pressed down with poverty? Let us look to him who had “not where to lay his head.” Matt. 8: 20. “Though was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8: 9. Do our friends despise, forsake us? They have left our Saviour too?
If we would be unselfish and pure in heart, let us look at the good traits in the character of our brethren and sisters, and have charity where we cannot commend. But especially let us look at the life of our Saviour, and live near him who “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4: 15. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2: 5. We should meditate much upon the life and character of our Saviour, seek and encourage his spirit, and in doing so we shall drive away selfishness which is so dishonoring to our Lord. May the Lord give strength for weakness, and help us to overcome, and to him be all the praise.
Albany, N. Y.

SOME CURIOUS FACTS.

By J. S. Miller

BY J. S. MILLER.
It is a singular fact that those who cherish the most lively hope of enjoying an eternal existence are the very ones who place the highest value upon time, and are striving to the utmost of their ability to make the most of the brief period allowed us for work in this mortal state. It is equally remarkable that those who cherish no hope of a life beyond this are the most prodigal of time.
When a person who depends for a living on the labor of his hands decides to obey God and keep his Sabbath, the fact stares him in the face that he will thereby be cut off from a large share of the useful and honorable occupations on which those of his class depend. This is usually a source of great trial to such persons when they first see their duty in this direction. Again,—and it may seem anomalous—the fact is that, as a rule, the Sabbath-keepers have more work on their hands than they can do justice to, even with the most diligent application and the strictest economy of time. Then, too,—and it also may seem strange,—while nearly all who embrace this message are among the poor of this world, there is no people on earth so exempt from real destitution.
But all these seeming contradictions become reconciled when we take into account the fact that all the principles of the gospel are of a redeeming nature; and the moment a person begins in earnest to serve God he has laid hold on an inexhaustible source of wisdom and strength. Truly, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” “Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Moosup, Ct.

OUR GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

By J. M. Hopkins

BY J. M. HOPKINS.
It is a solemn fact, in harmony with reason and revelation, that our duties, responsibilities, and accountability, both to God and man, are proportionate to the knowledge and ability we have to perform. Nay, we are responsible for the opportunities given us to acquire knowledge and ability. This fact was set forth by our Saviour in the parable of the talents. Matt. 25 : 14—30. Those servants who improved upon what God had bestowed were approved and rewarded accordingly; while the servant who slothfully buried his talent, i. e., allowed his time and ability and means to be buried beneath the rubbish of worldly pursuits, regardless of the duties he owed to his Maker and his fellow-men, received condemnation. He failed to receive those blessings which he might have had, and also lost those blessings and opportunities which he already possessed.
It is also a truth that each additional ray of light and truth,—each additional blessing,—proportionately increases our responsibility. It would seem from reading the account of the overthrow of the cities of the plain (Gen. 19) that their inhabitants were about as wicked as it is possible for inhabitants to become. And yet Jesus said, “It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment than for that city” which should reject the teachings of those twelve whom he sent forth to preach the gospel. And why?—Because his apostles had new truth, additional light which God had prepared for that time, a knowledge of which brought new duties, and a rejection of which brought increased sin. They undoubtedly possessed a knowledge of God’s dealings with Sodom and Gomorrah, the righteousness God required, and the sins for which he destroyed them; and then to reject increased light placed them in a much less favorable condition than they were before, or even more unfavorable than inhabitants of those cities.
Again, Jesus said of those who would not accept his teaching, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin;” that is, they would not have been responsible for increased light. “But now,” he continues, “they have no cloak [margin, excuse] for their sin.” John 15 : 22.
This important truth is very forcibly set forth by our Lord as recorded by Luke in his gospel, chap. 12 : 47, 48 : “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
Now if these things are so, what an immense weight of responsibility rests upon God’s chosen people to-day. Never before in the history of the world was there such a flood of light as is shining upon this generation. We have the benefit of the Old Testament Scriptures, which were sufficient to condemn the entire Hebrew nation, as many of them as disobeyed. We have the benefit of the teachings of the Saviour and the history of his miracles. We have the writings of Paul and the history of God’s dealings with his people for many generations. But still more,—we have the light of fulfilling prophecy, the predictions of Daniel and John, supported by numerous other Scriptures which link together, forming a chain of evidence which cannot be broken. In addition to this, we have the “testimony of Jesus,” which comes to us in oft-repeated warnings, reproofs, admonitions, and appeals, correcting individually and collectively, giving timely counsel and advice, encouraging the saddened and disheartened, bringing to our view scenes which will soon be realized by the faithful, and in every way calculated to be an aid and a blessing. We are living when the most solemn warning which ever sounded in the ears of mankind is being given. What, then, must be our position and responsibility? All heaven is intently watching the manner in which we improve the great blessings of truth which God is giving to us. May the Lord help us to see these things as they are; and seeing, may we have courage and strength to perform the work which God requires of us.
Chatfield, Minn.

THE TWO LAWS.

By Joseph Clarke

BY JOSEPH CLARKE.
JEREMIAH, in expostulating with backsliding Israel, addresses them thus: “For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices; but this thing commanded I them, saying: Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.” Chap. 7: 22, 23.
It is evident that Jeremiah well understood the relation of the moral law to the laws of sacrifices; and he spoke to a people who well understood his words, for he had no need to explain. Let any person of ordinary mind read the two verses just quoted, and weigh them fairly, and use just a little common sense, and he will see a clearly defined line drawn between the moral and ceremonial laws. And this very quotation furnishes us a key to the dissertations of the Apostle Paul on the same points. If any doctor of divinity, or any other teacher of moral ethics, will study thoroughly the Pentateuch and the writings of Paul, and take this quotation from Jeremiah as a key to the question of the two laws, he must conclude that there always was a difference between these laws. The moral law was positive, permanent, eternal; while the ceremonial law is remedial, and expired when Christ nailed it to the cross. (See Col. 2: 14).

LOVE AND ASSURANCE.

By J. F. Bahler

BY J. F. BAHLER.
God possesses many attributes, and the greatest is that of love. His heart is so endued with it that all heaven has become impregnated with the same nature. A church that has much of this loving nature, and is living up to the requirements of God, and is possessed with the firm principles of the truths of the Bible, is almost a heaven of itself. To dwell in the presence of the holy and mighty God and his angels, every day we must supplant our unprofitable lives and depraved natures by the nature and the love of our Heavenly Father; and thus we shall become fit subjects for a place where peace, union, gentleness, honor, glory, might, strength, and happiness are complete, because love has supreme sway.
The kingdom of heaven can never be gained unless we are constantly walking according to God’s holy, loving law, and in the footsteps of the faith of Jesus. The promises to the law-abiding people are indelibly stamped with the loving seal as contained in the Sabbath commandment. Without this precious seal the whole thing would be a farce. Thank God that we are not left without his seal. Divine assurance clusters around the author’s seal—praise his holy name for it. Thank God for his love manifested to man; his words, his acts, are all imbued with love. He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God grant that the work may go on in our hearts, that we may with complete faith receive in them a great supply of his love, and thus be led to “add to our faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity,” the great and holy crown of all virtues.
Oakland, Cal.

Retaining Enthusiasm and Admiration for What Ennobles

By Phillips Brooks

—Let us beware of losing our enthusiasms. Let us ever glory in something, and strive to retain our admiration for all that would ennoble, and our interest in all that would enrich and beautify our life.—Phillips Brooks.

Faith, Suffering, and the Likeness of Christ

—Faith alone can interpret life; and the heart that aches and bleeds with the stigma Of pain, alone bears the likeness of Christ, and can comprehend its dark enigma. —Longfellow.

Resolution and Determination in Adversity

—What you attempt to do, do with all your strength. Determination is omnipotent. If the prospect be somewhat darkened, put the fire of resolution to your soul, and kindle a flame that nothing but death can extinguish.

LESSON FOR THE FIRST SABBATH IN MARCH.

By C. C. L.

(See Instructor of Feb. 25, 1885.)

THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS CONTINUED.

CRITICAL NOTES.

INTRODUCTION: In our last lesson we learned that one of the most prominent characteristics of our Saviour was his meekness. As it is recorded in 1 Pet. 2:23, “when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” We also learned from 1 John 2:6 that he who professes to have an abiding faith in Christ ought to walk as he walked. Hence, if his profession is sincere, meekness will be one of the prominent characteristics of the Christian. Now of this class a precious promise is recorded, that they shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5); and the promise is given in another form in Jas. 2:5, where the poor of this world who are rich in faith are declared to be heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him, the poor here meaning probably those who are literally poor, but not unless they are also (in harmony with Matt. 5:3) poor, humble, or meek in spirit. But the fulfillment of this promise is not reached until the wicked are cut off, and they are destroyed so utterly that the most diligent search does not reveal a trace of their existence. Then it is that “the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Ps. 37:11. Thus we are brought to the beginning of the advance lesson.
PSALMS 24:1: The earth is the Lord’s.—It is his by creation. Just as that is ours which we construct with our own hands while not paid for our labor by another, so in a similar though an infinite sense is the earth Jehovah’s, which he by his omnipotent power created out of nothing. He has a right to dispose of it as he pleases,—to drown it with a flood, or to burn it with fire. So also his right is unquestioned to restore it to its Edenic beauty, and give it to his saints for an everlasting inheritance. And the fullness thereof.—“All which it contains; everything which goes to fill up the world,—animals, minerals, vegetables, men. All belong to God, and he has a right to claim them for his service, and to dispose of them as he pleases.”—Barnes. The world, etc.—This expression is parallel to the former, and means nearly the same. It is not quite so extensive, however, “earth” in the former part of the passage referring to the entire globe, habitable and uninhabitable, while the original word translated “world” denotes the habitable globe. Also, the expression “the fullness thereof” means everything,—animals, minerals, vegetables, men,—which fills up the earth, while “they that dwell therein” can mean no more than animals and men. The right to dispose of his created works as seems to him good is claimed by Jehovah in Jer. 27:5, where he says: “I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.”
GENESIS 1:26-31: We have seen that God has the right to dispose of the earth as he sees fit; and from the passage at the head of this paragraph we learn that at the beginning he gave it to man, granting him dominion over all its parts as well as over the entire animal and vegetable kingdoms. Image—likeness.—Image is from the Hebrew tselem, the definitions of which are given by Gesenius as follows: “Shade, shadow; image, likeness; image, idol.” The original meaning, it will be seen, is “shadow.” The word occurs thirty-one times; five times it refers to man’s being made in the image of God; once it seems to be used figuratively, in Ps. 39:6; and twenty-five times it can refer to nothing but that which has a literal, tangible form. Likeness is from d’muth, defined to be “a likeness, image; model, pattern; appearance, form, shape.” The distinction in meaning between these words is scarcely perceptible. D’muth occurs twenty-five times. It is used twice to denote the form in which man was made; twice it seems to be used figuratively (Ps. 58:4 and Isa. 13:4); and twenty-one times it is used literally, referring to outward form. Many say that “the image of God” must be taken solely in an intellectual or moral sense; for God, being infinite, can have no outward form. But if God is infinite, can he not assume an outward form and parts? and in the image of this form literally, as well as morally or intellectually, was man created. This is further proved from the fact that Christ was “in the form of God” (Phil. 2:6), in “the express image of his person.” Heb. 1:3.
C. C. L.

Sketches of Sabbath-School History: Early Lessons and Helps

By C. C. L.

SKETCHES OF SABBATH-SCHOOL HISTORY.—NO. 3.

The early Sabbath-schools had none of the helps which we deem so essential now. They had no maps, no class record books, no record books for the secretary, no system of reporting at all. They had no lesson books for the children; they had no music adapted to Sabbath-school use. Teachers had no weekly notes upon the lesson, nor articles of instruction in the REVIEW and Signs,—indeed the Signs had not then been thought of. The idea of carrying the message to the Pacific Coast had probably never entered the minds of the pioneers of the cause. The only helps the schools did have were the lessons published from time to time in the Instructor. The first series of lessons employed was that prepared by Eld. White for the first volume of the paper. Every number contained four lessons, one for each week. They comprised the subjects of the Sabbath, the Law of God, the Life of Christ, and the Second Advent. When the author had written nineteen lessons upon the subjects already named, and was about to write more upon the book of Daniel, he examined the “Berean’s Assistant,” prepared by J. V. Himes in 1844, and decided to copy from it a portion of the lessons on the book of Daniel. The lessons written by Eld. White were in the form of a synopsis, followed with questions; those from the “Assistant” were composed of questions, with references appended for obtaining the answers. These lessons from Daniel were seventeen in number. They were followed by four lessons from the New Testament, and afterward by eight comprehensive lessons upon the Sanctuary, by Eld. U. Smith, making fifty lessons in the entire series. There were also published during the year nine lessons for children.
For eight months, beginning with January, 1854, there were no lessons published. At the end of this time, Eld. W. wrote in the REVIEW as follows:—
“When we commenced the publication of the Instructor, we intended to furnish original Sabbath-school lessons, one for each week in the year. This we did do for several months; but poor health and other duties obliged us to give them up. We then gave the best lessons we could select from other works, but found it exceedingly difficult to obtain a series of lessons suited to the present wants of the youth. We feared the results,—that the children would lose their interest in their little paper, and that the Sabbath-school in some places might be given up. We have not lost our interest for the religious instruction and salvation of the youth, and feel resolved to do our duty in this department.”
“Bro. R. F. Cottrell has undertaken the work of preparing Sabbath-school lessons. Four of them are given in No. 8 of the Instructor [1854]. They are excellent. They contain sound reasoning from plain scripture testimony; and at the same time are simplified and brought to the capacity of children. Their value cannot be estimated.”
It is exceedingly interesting now to study these fifty-two lessons. They certainly merit the praise bestowed upon them by Eld. White, and must have been a great blessing to the Sabbath-schools. Bringing out as they did the most essential features of all that is embraced in the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” they formed just the matter needed by our people; and in 1855 they were republished in book form under the name of the “Bible Class,” and were widely used among the Sabbath-schools for a number of years. In 1858 the Battle Creek school had been through the book three times.
From the time Bro. Cottrell’s lessons closed in the Instructor of July, 1855, until February, 1856, no regular series of lessons was published. In the Instructor of the last-named date, a series of “Scripture Lessons” from the first epistle of John was begun. The series comprised twenty lessons, each lesson consisting of from three to five verses of Scripture in consecutive order. Other Scriptures were referred to in the questions; but they were all designed to throw light upon the four or five verses of the lesson. The shortness of the lessons gave opportunity for great thoroughness.
No more lessons were published until 1863; but each number of the Instructor contained “Questions for Young Bible Students,” which were used at least by the Battle Creek Sabbath-school, in general exercises. In February, 1863, a series of lessons was begun in the REVIEW for advanced classes. These lessons were prepared by Eld. U. Smith, and consisted of questions upon different points of present truth, being based upon standard publications of the REVIEW Office, which were used as text-books. The “History of the Sabbath” and “Thoughts on Daniel” were thus studied in thirty-two lessons, ending in November, 1863.
Up to this time the lessons prepared for Sabbath-schools had been too mature for children. Although some of them had been thought to be adapted to the child-mind, experience showed them to be “too heavy” for children to carry. A great want had long been felt for lessons written in a simple and pleasing manner upon Bible subjects that could be understood and appreciated by quite young children.
In the Instructor of September, 1863, a series of lessons was begun from the pen of Miss A. T. Patten, before referred to as one of the editors of the Instructor.
These lessons, from their remarkable scope and power, from their entire originality, pursuing a course never before marked out by S. D. Adventists, from their adaptability to a younger class of scholars than had been reached by the lessons hitherto written, deserve more than a passing notice. I do not know how a better idea can be given of the style in which they were written than by copying one entire, selected chiefly with reference to its brevity:—

“THE TEMPTATION.”

“Ever since Satan and his angels were shut out of heaven, he has been opposed to the will of God, and has tried every means to get mankind to sin. He does not want people to serve the Lord; for he knows that while they obey God he can have no power over them, to lead them to yield to his temptations. Satan came to Eve in the garden of Eden in the form of a serpent, and told her that it would be good for her to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, which God had commanded them not to eat or touch. He told her it would make them wise, and made her believe what he said. She yielded to the temptation and ate of the fruit; and then persuaded her husband to eat also. So they became sinners by breaking God’s commandments. It was very wrong for Eve to stop and listen to the words of the tempter. As soon as they had eaten the fruit their eyes were opened, and they knew that they had sinned. They then learned what sorrow was, and knew that they had brought it upon themselves by disobeying God. Let us remember that it is wrong to disobey God, even in little things; and that the Bible says— “Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Jas. 4:7.”
Here follows a number of questions upon the lesson. Each lesson, like the above, had one plain pointed text to be committed to memory. The series reached 104 lessons. After a few preliminary lessons about God, Jesus Christ, heaven, and the angels, a regular, systematic course was pursued, beginning with the creation, dwelling upon the history of the flood, the lives of the patriarchs, and the experiences of the children of Israel, and taking up some of the most important Old Testament characters. The principal events in the life of Christ are then brought out, and lessons given upon his death, resurrection, ascension, and second advent, also upon the conversion, labors, and epistles of Paul; and the series closes with a short, clear, and simple statement of the plan of salvation. These lessons were well received by the Sabbath-schools, as they deserved to be; for they were an excellent series, and the best hitherto published for the children of our people.
In 1868–9 another series of lessons, written by Joseph Clarke, was published in the Instructor. About the same course was followed as the series last described, only the subjects were taken up more minutely, and the series closed with the entrance of the Hebrews into the promised land.
These lessons were pursued under the form of supposed conversation or series of questions and answers between teacher and pupil.
We are thus brought to the close of the first period of Sabbath-school history, and here leave the subject, to be resumed under the history of the remaining periods. C. C. L.

TO-DAY

By Elizabeth Cummings

To fill the measure of to-day, O Christ, is all I ask; I dare not think of months or years, Or what they hold of joys and tears; I tremble at each new to-day, Give patience sweet, and hope, I pray, And faith with fiery wings, and stay My heart with love, just for to-day. —Elizabeth Cummings.

MICHIGAN TRACT SOCIETY.

By J. Fargo; Hattie House

The State quarterly meeting of the Michigan Tract Society met at Greenville Jan. 19, 1885, at 9:30 A. M. Prayer was offered by Eld. D. H. Wilson. The minutes of the last meeting, held at Madison in connection with the camp-meeting, and the meeting of directors held at Battle Creek, Jan. 12, 1884, were read and approved.
The following summary of the last quarter, ending Dec. 31, 1884, was read:—
No. of members 1,583
Reports returned 733
Members added 66
Members dismissed 22
Missionary visits 1,963
Letters written 1,349
Signs taken in clubs 1,083
Yearly subscriptions for periodicals 273
Short term subscriptions 328
Pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed 315,331
Periodicals distributed 261,397
Received on membership, donations, and sales, $2875.39; periodicals, $1874.01; on reserve fund, $401.65; on National T. and M. fund, $372.00; on European mission, $100.00; on English mission, $349.38; on Scandinavian mission, $166.50; on Mich. general fund, $675.00; on College, $371.00; on other funds, $63.95.
The attendance was not large, yet there were present eight out of the eleven directors, also a goodly number of ministers and others, and measures for the further advancement of the work in the State were considered.
The president and others made extended remarks on the importance of faithfully carrying out the reporting system, as by this means only can the true amount of missionary work done be ascertained. Attention was called to the fact that the average number of members reporting, as shown by statistics for the last year, was only forty-one per cent.
The canvassing and colporter work, embracing many points of interest, was discussed, and all seemed impressed with the necessity of urging forward the work in all the various departments by every possible means. Notwithstanding the complaints of hard times, a number of encouraging remarks were given by those present in regard to the canvassing work for “Sunshine” and Signs. Bro. B. said that it is an excellent time to do missionary work; for many who are not able to buy tracts and papers are glad to read; and the interest manifested in the views presented is astonishing. He said that all cannot be preachers, and that all cannot be successful canvassers; but all can go to their neighbors and friends, and tell them we have a precious truth, and if we are imbued with the true missionary spirit the Lord will send the truth home to their hearts. Interesting incidents were related in corroboration of this. He also gave valuable instruction as to the best method of doing colporter work.
Bro. H. W. Miller made some earnest remarks, in which he also spoke of the duty we owe to our friends and neighbors, and said if we used the same wisdom in approaching them that we do in worldly things we should have the same success. He said that he felt thankful that God caused him to cut loose from worldly things, and that what once was a burden is now a joy. We have a wonderful truth, but have not yet waked up to see what it can do; and if those who have known it for years do not take hold and carry it forward, others will.
Bro. Butler expressed himself as intensely interested in the remarks of the brethren, and was also encouraged that some had given up their worldly interests to engage in the work of God, whose blessing they had received in so doing. He spoke of the discouraging effect which would naturally be felt by some on account of so many of our best laborers being sent to other fields, yet thought they would continue to be sent, and others would be raised up to take their places; for there are scores of men who would do as good work as ministers if they would give themselves unreservedly to the cause. We need canvassers and colporters to enter our cities, and special efforts should be made by each individual to awaken an interest among those in their immediate neighborhood. Such work would give new life to churches now in a languishing condition, and our ministers and directors should encourage them in the work.
He further said that many are losing their love for the cause because they do nothing. Only about one-half of our church members take interest enough in the missionary work to join the tract society. He closed his remarks by an earnest appeal for every one to engage in the work in some capacity, as great results might be reached by individual labor.

Second meeting, at 1:30 P. M.—

After a short intermission the meeting was called to order by the President.
Bro. Sisley said that the cities of Lansing, Bay City, and Grand Rapids had been canvassed, and that in all these cities there is a deep interest to read, and that these fields are waiting for others to follow up the work with personal labor. The canvassers have nearly paid expenses, and it is not the means that is needed, but efficient men and women who are willing to give themselves to the work. He also spoke of the satisfactory results which have followed the efforts put forth in Jackson and Muskegon, and said that in watching the progress of the work he saw nothing which showed more encouraging fruits than the city missions.
The importance of carrying the work into all the large cities in our State was discussed at length, and it was the general opinion that the time had come for more active measures to be taken.
There was considerable discussion on the subject of holding general meetings, and the motion was carried that the arrangements for holding these meetings be left in the hands of the officers present; also that Eld. G. I. Butler be invited to attend these meetings. It was also moved and carried that our next State quarterly meeting be held at Battle Creek in connection with the closing exercises of the College. Interesting remarks were made showing the workings of the College tract and missionary department. It was stated that the College V. M. Society could use more REVIEWS to advantage, but were not able to pay for them. Most of the students are poor, and find it difficult after paying their expenses at the College to spare much for the tract work, though nearly all pay something. It was thought to be good policy on the part of the State Society to do all in their power to encourage this branch of the work, and as it was already furnishing free all the Signs the Society could use it was—
Voted, That we furnish free one-half of all the REVIEWS the Society will use judiciously, providing the Office will furnish free the other half.
Bro. Butler said that while he was heartily in favor of using the Signs as our pioneer paper, and hoped to see the list largely increased, yet he thought special efforts should be made to increase the list of subscribers for the REVIEW and Good Health. Other speakers endorsed these remarks, and it was moved and carried that we express it as the voice of this meeting that extra efforts should be put forth by our people throughout the Conference to extend the circulation of these papers.
Adjourned sine die. J. FARGO, Pres. HATTIE HOUSE, Sec.

OHIO TRACT SOCIETY.

By Ida Gates

Report for the Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884.
No. of members, .................................... 495 " reports returned, .................................. 162 " members added, ...................................... 10 " dismissed, ............................................... 16 " missionary visits, ..................................... 333 " letters written, ......................................... 231 " Signs taken in clubs, ................................ 112 " new subscriptions obtained, ...................... 511 " pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, .... 98,076 " periodicals distributed, ............................ 5,681
Received on membership and donations, $27.51; on sales, $47; on periodicals, $139.61.
MRS. IDA GATES, Sec.

Eternity Stamped Upon What We Do

By Robertson

—One thing, and only one, in this world has eternity stamped upon it. Feelings pass; opinions change. What you have done lasts.— Robertson.

Generosity in Life Versus Generosity at Death

By Horace Mann

—Generosity during life is a very different thing from generosity in the hour of death; one proceeds from genuine liberality and benevolence, the other from pride or fear.—Horace Mann.

Parting With the Heart While Keeping Money

—People who are ready to part with their hearts while keeping their money are not the kind that Jesus wants. The rich ruler was anxious to become a disciple on such terms, but our Lord would not accept the offer.—Baptist Weekly.
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