Earlier text: NOTES OF TRAVELHOW DIFFERENT THE INTERPRETATION!
By R. F. Cottrell
PROTESTANTS quote Rom. 13:1; Tit. 3:1; and 1 Pet. 2:13, 14, to prove that we ought to obey civil rulers,—kings, governors, and magistrates; and hence they argue that all ought to keep Sunday, because it is the law of the land. But a Catholic bishop, in a discourse entitled, “The Church the Support of Just Government,” says: “Never did the Catholic Church bend the neck under the yoke of a temporal prince. She held directly from Christ, and permitted no sovereign of earth to rule over her.” From this the inference is clear that the “just government” which that church “supports” is her own government, and no other. The powers that be are “directly” vested in her; and she would have all keep Sunday, because it is the law of the church. Fellow-Laborers with God in True Labor
—There can be no true labor done save in as far as we are fellow-laborers with God. THANKSGIVING
By Mrs. L. D. A. Stuttle
BY MRS. L. D. A. STUTTLE. The Lord has been good and gracious And gentle and kind to me, And many and many a blessing He has given me, full and free. My path has been filled with roses (With now and then a thorn), And my life is as free and joyous As the light of a summer morn. And oft I am led to wonder My sorrows are, aye, so small, While others have drained with trembling lips, The bitterest cups of gall. And oft I am filled with rejoicing, Like a glad thanksgiving hymn, When, more than ever, the Master fills My cup to the very brim. Yet oft I forget to be thankful, And my spirit forgets its song; And I hang my harp on the willows, And murmur the whole day long Because of some passing cloudlet (Almost too small to see) That has, for one little moment, Hidden the sun from me. But I know that the Father chastens The children he loveth best, And sometimes I almost wonder If he counts me among the rest. And often I ask the Master, “Oh! what can I do for thee, To prove my heartfelt gratitude, For what thou hast done for me?” But my tongue is slow and faltering, And my hands are weak and small, And it seems that work for the Master, I scarcely can do at all. Yet I’m sure that he knows I love him, Though many a sad mistake In my blind and careless folly, I am ever so prone to make. And oh, my little duties So often left undone, And golden opportunities, Are gone with the setting sun. And though I am often yearning For work that is grand and great, Perhaps I can better serve my God If I patiently learn to wait; And do the little duties That come to me every day, And cheerfully bear the little cross Of my uneventful way. Perhaps, in the grand “hereafter;” The Master will say to me, Come, enter the pearly portals And eat of life’s fadeless tree. Giving From Surplus Versus True Liberality
—A man who gives of his superfluity only after spending all he cares to lavish on himself—a man who drops his donations as a tree in October drops over-mellow fruit, of which he has more than it can hold, and for which he has no earthly use—let him not hope to pass before God as a liberal giver.—Advance. INDIANAPOLIS MISSION.
By A. W. Bartlett
The work here is moving forward by the blessing of God. About three and one-half months ago I came to Indianapolis, and rented two rooms at No. 23 West Ohio Street, paying ten dollars per month for the same. Necessity compelled us to use our front room for sleeping, sitting, and Bible-readings. Our second room was used for a kitchen, and was so small that my wife could almost reach every object in the room while standing in the center of the same. About three weeks since, we moved to a cottage containing seven rooms; located No. 422 North East Street, for which we pay sixteen dollars per month. By renting four rooms we have reduced our rent to seven dollars per month. The Bible-reading room is the front room, which is plainly but tastefully arranged. Ill health, bad weather, and other causes have prevented me from canvassing only about six weeks, counting from about 8 A. M. to 4 P. M. as a day’s labor. During this time I sold 108 copies of “Sunshine” and the Signs, and 20 copies of “Great Controversy,” Vol. IV. Signs subscriptions taken, including those for six weeks, three months (with and without “Sunshine”), and six months (with and without “Great Controversy,” Vol. IV.), equal about 275. Have also held a goodly number of interesting Bible-readings in private families, supplied hotels with Signs, etc. I have dropped the canvass of “Sunshine” and the Signs, for “Great Controversy,” Vol. IV. and Signs. I find that Vol. IV. and the Signs for six months sell readily for $2.00. It is my opinion that far more good for the cause of truth is accomplished, and more profit to the canvasser, by selling Vol. IV. and the Signs for six months for $2.00 than “Sunshine” for $1.50. I find in recanvassing for the Signs that Vol. IV. is just the book to sell. After sending to a learned doctor in the city the Signs for six weeks, I visited him and asked how he liked the paper. After speaking generally in favor of it, he said, “Who is Mrs. E. G. White, that writes such excellent articles for your paper?” Now was my opportunity. Taking “Great Controversy,” which I keep handy in my pocket, I presented it as a book by the same writer, and as giving in a masterly manner an exposition of the great subjects now engrossing the minds of all thoughtful men. The canvass of “Sunshine” and the Signs together paves the way for Vol. IV. and the Signs for six months; and I cannot see why we cannot boom the Signs again by selling 10,000 copies of Vol. IV. and the Signs in a few months. Inquiries after the truth are springing up here, and we hope soon to report conversions. But one family thus far has sent us food; but we hope soon to be remembered by others. Pray for the Indianapolis mission. Our address is No. 422 North East Street. SYRACUSE MISSION.
By A. E. Place
Our brethren will no doubt be glad to see a report from this mission after waiting for it so long. We have not kept silent concerning the work here because there was nothing to report, but simply because we have failed to do duty. Pleasant apartments for public lectures and reading-rooms were found in a desirable part of the city, and these were furnished, and opened June 17, 1884. Soon after, several workers began introducing the Signs, the object being not only to take orders for the paper, but to prepare the way for the camp-meeting to be held in August. The Lord’s blessing attended the carrying out of this plan. Nearly one thousand orders were taken for the Signs, and many, through reading the good articles in that paper, were influenced to attend the camp-meeting, and a favorable impression was made. No effort was put forth to hold public services at the rooms until after the camp-meeting. About the middle of September, Bro. Brown began holding meetings once in two weeks; but his duties soon called him away, and the work was followed up by Brn. Whitney, Swift, and Robinson, till the last of December, most of the meetings being held Sunday afternoon. At our Rome meeting it was decided that I should come here, and since the first of January I have labored here with the exception of one or two days. The work began with no interest at all; but the Lord has continued to bless the efforts put forth; and although the wheels have seemed to be blocked at times, yet nearly every week has given evidence of advancement, until at present there is a good interest manifested. We now hold two public services each week, besides one Bible-reading; and for two or three weeks past our rooms have been well filled at these meetings. Bro. Stureman and myself are holding from ten to twelve Bible-readings each week in private houses with good results. This certainly is a successful plan for bringing the truth before the people. Our laborers are so few that with the Bible-readings and visiting it has seemed impossible to do much as yet with “Sunshine,” or the “Great Controversy.” The good impression made by Sr. White upon the people will undoubtedly insure a good sale of the latter work. Eight grown persons have commenced keeping the Sabbath. Several remarkable cases have been found, of one of which I will speak briefly. A widow about sixty years of age, attended our camp-meeting, and became somewhat interested in our work. Reading matter was loaned her, and she soon saw the Sabbath truth; but she was so addicted to the use of opium, having used it about six years, that she did not seem to have strength of character to obey. Soon after she saw the light, her health and resources began to fail her, and when I first visited her she was truly an object of pity. I called several times, and talked and prayed with her, but until last Friday there seemed to be but little hope. She was growing weaker rapidly in both mind and body. I told her that if she would cast herself unreservedly upon God, and promise to obey him, come life or death, I felt that he would be pleased to work for her. After praying with her I left, feeling that God was working for her. Sabbath I received a note from her stating that she had decided to obey God, and had thrown all her opium into the fire, that she was suffering extreme agony, and wished us to pray for her. Sr. Bristol went to stay with her. About midnight they sent for Bro. Brown and myself to come as quick as we could. We went, and found her in a very critical condition. It seemed that Satan was trying to kill her before help should be given. We had two short seasons of prayer, and before the close of the second her faith claimed the promise, and she praised the Lord for his healing power. About two o’clock we left her sleeping as calmly as an infant. We felt to say, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Yesterday I called to see her, and found her sitting in her chair. When she saw me, she exclaimed, “Praise the Lord! what a victory! I am clothed, and in my right mind.” Her desire for the opiate had been entirely removed. At the time of the healing a neighbor was present, and was deeply affected. We feel to rejoice, and believe that God will use this circumstance to advance the work here, and bring honor to his name. Brethren, can we doubt God’s power and willingness to bless and help his remnant people? The members of the mission here are trying to work in harmony with each other and the Spirit of God, and the Lord is coming near with his blessing; and it inspires us to pray for the latter rain to come from the presence of the Lord. Dear brethren, we desire your sympathy, your earnest prayers, and your support, that God may abundantly bless the mission work this year. APPEAL TO VERMONT.
By I. E. Kimball
Dear Brethren of Vermont: I want to say a few words to you about work. There is no disguising the fact that Vermont is not a hard field of labor, that in comparison with other States she is well equipped with laborers, and that, if there is not something accomplished, there is lying somewhere at our door some evident wrong; for with God’s help truth is mighty to save. It will be accepted every time by the sincere, Christ-loving soul, if brought to bear upon him in all its forces, and in the right way. We know we have the most glorious truth for this world that was ever committed to man, the most impregnable and convincing,—one calculated to stir the soul’s very depths; for it reveals the work of the final Judgment, of which the Saviour, and prophets, and apostles have given warning, with solemn voices ringing through all the ages. It is even now in progress, and almost finished. The furious final tempest is about to burst mercilessly upon a world spurning God’s grace and hardened in guilt and trespasses. Now let me ask, How much is this truth worth to us? How much will it be worth to us in a little from this, when it will be our only shield and buckler? We shall soon wake up, either with joy and rejoicing or with grief and despair, to know its true value. But it is as necessary to others as to those who possess it already. Indeed, so startling and mighty a truth is most highly prized by those newly receiving it, and appreciated more if possible than by those who are accustomed to consider it. Such a flood of light can but bring joy.102 Brethren, what does God require of us? How much is his blessing worth to us? How shall we lay up in store for ourselves a good foundation against the time to come, and lay hold on eternal life? Do good; “be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” Now if this truth is worth so much, if it is such a blessing to ourselves and others, if it is as potent as God’s truth has always been in the past, if it is our only hope in the days of adversity, when the pit is digged for the wicked, if it is a harbinger of life to those who hear, and a sentence of death to those who turn away their ears from it, and if God’s blessing is worth more to us than everything else in this world, would we not do well to heed the above exhortation of the apostle? I have a list of more than twenty names of persons who have colporter’s licenses in this State. How many of them are in the field?—But a spare minority of three or four. Bro. Burrill has mentioned this as a good field for canvassers, and demonstrated it by his own experience. My former experience proved it satisfactorily to me; and since coming to Brattleboro my success is a confirmation of it. By a walk in the country of about eight miles, through a by no means thickly settled neighborhood, I succeeded yesterday in selling five copies of “Great Controversy,” Vol. IV., five copies of “Sketches from the Life of Paul,” one of “United States in Prophecy,” and took twelve names for the Signs for six weeks in connection with them. I have not one lingering doubt but that one quarter of this work accomplished every day, will prove more satisfactory here, and bring better returns at the Judgment, than the best, most effective preaching I could do at the present time. “Sketches from the life of Paul” must be one of the best works to be read with the Signs. Necessarily it will give weight and importance to its teachings, and bring about a thorough investigation by every candid mind. Vol. IV. cannot fail to make the most solemn impression upon any person. Must not these precious, Heaven-sent works, with “United States in Prophecy” and the Signs, pave the way most effectively for lectures? We expect to see the most satisfactory results from it. With God’s help they could be placed in nearly half of the professedly religious homes of Vermont. Brethren, if we should all seek God until our longing souls cried out to do something, then seek our fellow-men with reading matter, with ardent souls and a just estimate of the truth we bring to them, no man or woman in Vermont could fail to do a good work,—yes, a glorious one. But don’t underestimate God’s sacred truth, and present those works as though they were of but little consequence. Let us try to get our ideas wrought up to a sense of how much it is worth to death-sentenced souls. Brethren, put copies of these books in your overcoat pockets, and start out, continually praying for God’s guidance. It is the best time in the year for this work; and if every lover of the truth would do that which is but his duty,—that which before God we shall be held responsible for doing,—in a very short time we might hear the warning cry of the third angel ringing and reverberating through all the hills and mountains of Vermont. We must go to work as though we were finishing up God’s business on earth. It is of more consequence than ours,—yes, of infinite consequence. He will not excuse us for continuing in stupid lethargy. Hearts are every day growing harder,—more encased in sin. It will be harder for the truth to dent into the minds of the people one year from now, and harder for us to shake off our stupor. Unless corrected, errors will thrive and flourish, and seed; and if not uprooted, God’s scythe will soon mow them down. The world rushes on faster and farther from God. Who will raise the warning? Who will cry aloud and spare not? Some of us, all of us, must do it. Are we to participate in the loud cry? Never, unless we cast about us and consider. Others will share that unspeakable refreshing; but God has said that now is the best time for labor. The very fact that that refreshing is now withheld from us, proves conclusively a lack on our part, and that if we put forth no greater efforts we shall never enjoy it. We are standing right in the way of the work of God. There are some whom I would like to mention personally, who have the best gift for canvassing, and who have already made it a complete success. Who will put his hand to the plow without looking back? We need help at Brattleboro. Who shall it be? There will soon be an imperative demand for lectures and Bible-readings in this vicinity. I cannot say much for this large village of six thousand inhabitants. It has the most godless populace I ever mingled with. The working men have during the week but four days of eight hours each to labor. The oppressive times make it correspondingly hard to reach them with the reading. But farming communities and small villages feel it but little, and can be easily reached. In conclusion let me call the attention of the church clerks to Bro. Butler’s article on church reports, etc., in REVIEW of Jan. 20. I have heard from but few. Send them in speedily. ILLINOIS T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By Lizzie S. Campbell
Report for the Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884. No. of members, ........................................ 345 " reports returned, .................................... 152 " members added, ........................................ 14 " missionary visits, ................................... 482 " letters written, ...................................... 386 " Signs taken in clubs, ................................ 150 " new subscriptions obtained, ............................ 29 " pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, ............... 60,009 " periodicals distributed, .............................. 3,606 Received on periodicals, $156.55; on sales, $302.35; donations, $48.18; on missions, $161.16. NORTH PACIFIC TRACT SOCIETY.
By Mrs. C. L. Boyd
Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884. " " missionary visits, 248 " " pages tracts and pamphlets loaned, 12,477 " " " " " given away, 15,912 " Signs taken in clubs, 763 " periodicals distributed, 10,755 " new subscriptions obtained, 21 Received on membership and donations, $8.45; on sales $5.07; on periodicals, $100.17; on five-thousand-dollar fund, $282. MRS. C. L. BOYD, Sec. WATCHWORDS FOR THE NEW YEAR.
By Eva Travers
We are waiting for the coming of the Master we hold dear;
We are longing just to greet him and to hail his drawing near.
Our loins are girt and ready, and our lamps are trimmed and bright;
We are waiting for the signal that will say he is in sight. We would not have him find us standing idle all the day.
We learn to work while waiting, doing something by the way;
And we find that working for him is a toil so rarely sweet,
That we almost wish for tarrying in the coming of his feet. And we know that he has bidden us bring others to his love,
And we long to fill the mansions that are waiting up above;
While we work, we dare not fail to warn each straying heart,
That in our Lord and in our home they too may have a part. Sometimes we almost weary of our constant gaze on high,
And our hearts grow dull, and hopeless of his speedy drawing nigh;
Then comes our need of waking, for each moment brings him near,
And the signal lights of heaven daily shine more bright and clear. As we stand, with waking heart-look, till the night of life shall cease,
Looking for the golden day-dawn that shall herald light and peace;
When the dim earth-mists that sadden flee before the sunrise bright,
Our hearts be fully gladdened in our Saviour's glorious light.
—Eva Travers. God as Our Father: Trust and Filial Love
By F. W. Faber
—The beautiful worship of God as our Father, is distinguished by the very thing that its chief exercise of love is in putting trust in the very perfection of God, which, to an unloving mind, would produce fear. It is a great act of love to trust, like a son, God’s tremendous power. There can be no confidence without the filial feeling. We always get back to the point, God is our Father.— F. W. Faber. CHICAGO, THE WICKEDEST CITY.
Rev. Dr. Henry M. Scudder, who spent many years in India as a Christian missionary, was long pastor of one of the largest churches in Brooklyn. He is now filling the pulpit of a prominent Chicago church, and declared to his congregation, recently, that “for unmixed wickedness and utter moral depravity, no city in Asia could equal Chicago or New York,” and that “this continent has a class of villains lower and meaner than the lowest and meanest in India or China.”—Inter Ocean. It is refreshing to find such an article as the following in the American, the political organ of the Sunday movement, published in Washington, D. C. We copy from its issue of Jan. 13, 1885:— “A few words more on this subject will perhaps not be amiss. Mr. Butler’s article in the issue of Dec. 23 has some things as true as truth itself, but there are some other statements which will not bear the light of facts. If ‘God is the embodiment of truth and right,’ he of course could do nothing wrong, or what he did once would be always right. If our actions conform to the standard of right, our lives will also be right. Since individuals make up a nation, and that nation is what these individuals make it, therefore it follows that that nation, to be right, must be founded upon principles after the Divine mind. “Now if God appointed a day of rest for man, as he says he did, and tells us why we should rest on that day (Gen. 2: 2; also Ex. 20: 9-11), for man to appoint another day, certainly would be lifting his puny arm against the author of right. I know that Mr. Butler strongly intimates that the same day that was once numbered seven is now numbered one, but he cannot prove it from history, sacred nor profane. He certainly has got hold of Mr. Aker’s theory. God did not appoint a day of rest for any ‘church,’ but for man, according to our Saviour. “Since God saw that man needed a day of rest and we see that right requires it, should we legislate according to right? Let our government legislate Sunday into a day of rest, and she has the united support of the Catholics, an organization which has been antagonistic to American institutions and laws formerly; and why?—Because she has got an institution of her choice, a day of rest, which she set apart, instead of the day that God appointed. For this power has sought to ‘change times and laws,’ according to the Bible. Dan. 7: 25. This is why they (the Roman Catholics) are quietly waiting to see this government enact a Sunday law, or as the prophet says, ‘make an image to the beast.’ Rev. 13: 11-18. Then she (the Roman power) will have no trouble in helping to give ‘life to the image.’ “This certainly would be ‘intensely religious and radically wrong.’ It behooves every one to look into the matter; for the United States is not noticed in ‘prophecy’ for naught, neither is its prophecy beyond our comprehension. Truly, Mr. Butler says, every toiler is interested in the outcome of this matter. R. A. CRAIG. Trust in the Grace of God
—Trust not in thine own knowledge nor in the skill of any living creature, but in the grace of God, who helpeth the humble, and humbleth those that are proud. Hymn: The Year Is With Thy Goodness Crowned
By Henry Francis Lyte
—The year is with Thy goodness crowned;
Thy clouds drop wealth the world around;
Through thee, the deserts laugh and sing,
And nature smiles, and owns her King. Lord, on our souls thy Spirit pour;
The moral waste within restore;
Oh, let thy love our spring-tide be,
And make us all bear fruit to thee. William Wirt's Secret to Pleasing Others
—“I want to tell you a secret,” said William Wirt to his daughter. “The way to make yourself pleasing to others is to show that you care for them. This is the spirit that gives to your time of life its sweetest charms. It constitutes the sum total of all the witchcraft of woman. Let the world see that your first care is for yourself, and you will spread the solitude of the upas tree around you.” So extraordinary was the story published not long since in the daily papers, describing a lake lately discovered in Canada as rivaling in size the greatest of our inland seas, that it was at once denounced as a hoax or an exaggeration. Later and fuller reports, however, seem to confirm the first. Within three hundred miles of Quebec, and within one thousand miles of New York City, nearer to the settled portion of Canada than any other lake except Winnipeg, stretches an immense body of water hitherto unknown to geographers, and estimated by the imperfect surveys already made, at least, to equal Lake Ontario in magnitude. A glance at any good map of Canada will show directly north of Quebec a small lake named Mistassini, or Mistassinnie, but which henceforth will probably be called Little Mistassini to distinguish it from its great neighbor. Last year M. Comeau read a paper before the Quebec Geographical Society asserting that the size of Lake Mistassini had been greatly underrated. An exploring expedition was sent out by the Society, and the account now given to the world is furnished by Mr. F. H. Bignell, who commanded the transport expedition which preceded the main expedition in charge of John Bignell, P. L. S. This account declares that the great lake is entirely distinct from that already known by the name of Mistassini, and that it is an expansion of Rupert river, just as the Great Western Lakes are expansions of the St. Lawrence. From Sept. 10 to Sept. 17, Mr. Bignell voyaged on this great lake, noting deep and numerous bays and inlets, and beautiful islands, on one of which he was compelled to harbor for some days because of the high seas. He had then sailed 120 miles, and had not reached the widest part of the lake. The waters swarmed with many species of fish, fur-bearing animals abound on the shores, and the surrounding lands are well wooded and, in part, arable. The main surveying party will remain in the field for two years. It has already been proposed to connect Quebec with the lake by railroad, and it is believed that many French-Canadian farmers will be attracted by the vast area of fertile land. One of the most curious facts in connection with this lake is that, though map-makers and the general public have been ignorant of its existence, it has long been well known to the Hudson Bay Company, which has had a trading station with the Indians on its shores for nearly a hundred years. The region was so rich in fur-bearing animals and so profitable to the Company, that they have sedulously kept to themselves their knowledge of the magnitude of the lake. Mr. Bignell is a man of scientific attainments and a member of the Quebec Geographical Society, and there seems no reason to doubt the substantial accuracy of his description.—Christian Union. Sketches of Sabbath-School History: The Youth's Instructor Struggles
By C. C. L.
SKETCHES OF SABBATH-SCHOOL HISTORY.—NO. 2.
Whoever will take the pains to scan closely the field of Sabbath-school history among S. D. Adventists, will see three movements rising prominently above other events which cluster about them. These are (1) the beginning of the work in 1852, as described in “No. 1” of this series of sketches; (2) the introduction of a better system of organization in 1869; and (3) a general revival of interest in the Sabbath-school work in 1877-8, and the extension of the system of organization to State and General Associations. Intimately connected with the history of the first period thus marked off,—that covering the seventeen years from 1852 to 1869,—is the story of the struggles of our Sabbath-school paper, the Youth’s Instructor. We have already seen how the paper began, and have learned something of the motive of its founder in beginning its publication. At first it was issued monthly; and the subscription price was placed at 25 cents a year, the announcement being made that those children who could not get means to pay for the paper should have it free of charge. The receipts for the first volume were $155.30, barely enough to pay the cost of printing, and leaving nothing for the editor, who remarked in announcing the result, “We do not complain. We have been doubly paid in seeing much good accomplished by the Instructor.” The receipts for the second volume were $167, a slight advance over the preceding year, but falling $37 behind the sum paid for printing on account of an advance in the cost of such work. In addition, $50 had been expended for the preparation of Sabbath-school lessons, so that the receipts lacked about $100 of meeting the expenses. Still the faith of the publisher did not falter; but he suggested ways whereby the deficiency might be made up, and wrote as follows: “Young friends, we shall still serve you faithfully, and we know you will be prompt to act your part. Perhaps no little paper has been sustained so cheerfully as the Instructor. For this you have our grateful thanks.” The neglect of friends to manifest a proper interest in the enterprise, however, and a lack of promptness in the payment of subscriptions, together with the many cares and anxieties of his other work, of which this would seem to have been scarcely a hundredth part—all combined, despite his usually hopeful spirit, to produce a feeling of discouragement in the heart of the publisher, and drew from him in February, 1855, the following language: “We have already too many cares without this [the Instructor], and will give it to any suitable person who will take it off our hands. Unless some one will take the Instructor, or our friends manifest interest and promptness to aid us in the work, our duty will be clear to discontinue it.” When the foregoing language was written, the paper had 800 subscribers, while needing 1,000 to pay the cost of publication. Although strong appeals for help were again necessary in 1856, yet matters had so far begun to improve that near the close of 1857 Eld. White was able to announce that the subscription list had increased one-third during the year, and receipts had been equal to expenditures. With this announcement the paper was turned over to the “Publishing Committee” with the following appropriate remarks: “I have endeavored to stand by this little teacher in all its poverty and weakness until it has gained friends and helps to sustain itself; and now I wish to add it to the publishing department as the property of the church. . . . With many thanks, dear brethren and sisters, for your timely aid, I now commit the Instructor, which I trust has blessed your children, to the care of our Publishing Committee, who now hold in charge all the property of the Office.” Perhaps the following list of those who have served as editors of the Instructor will be of interest to the reader: From August, 1852, to January, 1854, Eld. James White was editor. In January, 1854, Miss Anna White, sister of Eld. White, began the duties of editor; but she was stricken down with consumption, and had to close her labors before the end of the year. After this Eld. White again acted as editor, assisted principally by Bro. G. W. Amadon, then a young man, who had begun work in the Office at Rochester, N. Y., in the fall of 1853. In 1858 Bro. Amadon’s initials begin to appear more frequently on the editorial page, and he seems really to have been the editor, though no mention is made of the fact until June, 1861, when for the first time his name is seen as editor at the beginning of the editorial columns. He continued in this office until succeeded in July, 1864, by Miss A. P. Patten, now the wife of Eld. I. D. Van Horn. In 1867 Sr. Van Horn closed her work on the Instructor, and Bro. Amadon again became editor, continuing until July, 1869, when Prof. G. H. Bell was chosen by the General Conference to take charge of the paper. From the beginning of 1870 the Instructor was issued semi-monthly, Bro. Bell continuing to be its editor until Feb. 15, 1871, after which it was conducted by Misses J. R. Trembley and E. R. Fairfield until the death of the latter, Feb. 1, 1872. From the beginning of 1872 to the close of 1878, the Instructor was again published monthly, its size, however, being doubled. After the death of Sr. Fairfield, Sr. Trembley conducted the paper alone until April, 1873. Miss V. A. Merriam then became editor, and continued until August, 1875. She was succeeded by Mrs. M. J. Chapman, who edited the paper alone until November, 1878, when Miss Mary A. Davis became assistant editor. The publication of the weekly Instructor began Jan. 1, 1879, the editors last named being retained until Dec. 3, 1879. Mrs. M. K. White assisted by Miss V. A. Merriam, then conducted the paper until Nov. 17, 1880. From that time until the present the editors have been Miss V. A. Merriam, Nov. 24, 1880, to Feb. 9, 1881; Eva Bell Giles, Feb. 16, 1881, to Feb. 21, 1883; editorial committee, consisting of Eva Bell Giles, A. B. Oyen, and Winnie E. Loughborough, Feb. 28, 1883, to Dec. 26, 1883; Mrs. M. J. Chapman and Winnie E. Loughborough, Jan. 9, 1884, to the present time. C. C. L. The Superintendent's Work in the Sunday-School
—Whatever may be the standard of teaching in the several classes of a Sunday-school, the measure of the school as a whole depends on the work done for it and through it by the superintendent, at the desk and out of the desk. To do his work to the best advantage, the superintendent must avail himself of all the hints and helps he can make available from the experience and suggestions of others.—S. S. Times. IMPORTANCE OF OUR SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSONS ON “THE NATURE OF MAN” AND “SPIRITUALISM.”
By E. Hilliard
Perhaps but few of our people realize the great importance of our present Sabbath-school lessons. It has been remarked by many that the state of the dead, inasmuch as it is a question that does not affect the living, is an immaterial one. Satan never originates any harmless deception. The most baneful doctrines and the greatest delusions are made to appear by him as the least harmful. The doctrine of natural immortality had its origin in the Garden of Eden. It was when the woman had received as truth the words of Satan, and firmly believed that she possessed an undying nature, that she fearlessly transgressed God’s command, and ate of the forbidden fruit. The deceiver’s subtle, lying words, “Thou shalt not surely die,” have ever since been received by the great masses as truth, even against God’s plain statement, “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Nearly six thousand years have passed away since our first parents became the victims of the father of lies. Now God is to take this, the last generation of men, back into the fields of Eden; and the tempter comes again, in person, as an angel of light declaring himself to be Christ. He will try to make it appear that our dead friends corroborate his lie that he told in Paradise. Although so many centuries have passed since the fall of man, yet the unchangeable God demands unshaken faith in his written word. We are taken back into Paradise upon almost the same test, by which man was at first excluded. May God help us, both old and young, to so memorize the Scriptures contained in the lessons on the nature of man and spiritualism, that we may thereby be enabled to successfully meet the great deceiver. Habit Is a Cable: Horace Mann Quotation
By Horace Mann
—Habit is a cable. We weave a thread of it every day, and at last we cannot break it.— Horace Mann. Parents make a great mistake when they discourage their children in asking questions. True, their questions are often hard to be answered, and many a child has been snubbed or sent away because the question was too much for the parent. But the little inquirer should always be treated as a rational being, and if an answer is not ready, it should be sought and found if possible. This is the way to learn. “Ask, and it shall be given; seek, and ye shall find.”—Irenæus, in N. Y. Observer.