It is safe to pronounce the following-described discovery a very marvelous one, adding the usual proviso—“if true.” The discovery claims to be a new process of producing, from our weak American ore, a quality of iron equal to the best grades of the imported article, at less than one half the expense; and also a quality of steel superior to the finest specimens imported from Europe, and that, too, at a cost but little exceeding that of common iron. If this is true, it is destined to entirely revolutionize the iron and steel business not only of this country, but of the whole world. And, more than this, it is destined to place the United States immediately in the van of all iron and steel producing countries, completely reversing the tide of trade in these articles by leading other nations to look to this country for a supply of these products, as we have heretofore looked to them.
Iron and steel represent interests the value of which it is scarcely within the compass of figures to express; and to hold an advantage in these commodities, must prove a greater source of wealth to this nation than even the discovery of the gold fields of California.
The secret of the process is this: An inexhaustible mine of what is called “Silicon Ore” has been discovered by Dr. Chas. M. Nes, in York Co., Pa., who has also discovered that by melting a certain quantity of this ore, with common iron, in a simple puddling furnace, a pure grade of iron is produced, and by varying the quantity of Silicon, the very finest quality of steel is produced by the same simple process.
A company, called “The Nes Silicon Steel Co.,” has been formed, who have erected mills at Rome, N. Y., for the purpose of working and introducing the new process. A circular just received from E. Gulick, the manager of the company, says:—
“We can make steel at a single heat, with invariable certainty, and uniformity, by the simplest, cheapest, and quickest process ever known, and of a quality not equaled in this or any other country.”
The Ithaca (N. Y.) Journal makes the following statements respecting this new discovery, which will be of interest to all our readers.
“When we consider the magnitude of interests involved in the manufacture of iron and the multiplicity of uses to which that metal is daily applied, it is evident that any process designed to produce a better and cheaper iron than that now in use, is a matter well worthy of earnest consideration.
“Heretofore we have been compelled for all the finer qualities of iron and steel to depend upon foreign manufacturers. This has ever been a heavy burden on the industry of our country. It is now, through a fortunate, and, it would seem, providential discovery, rendered a useless one. We hold in our hands the philosopher’s stone. The problem to which the inventive genius of ages, to which untold wealth and countless lives have in vain applied—the great problem of cheap iron and steel is at length solved.
“This solution is attained by the discovery of the silicon steel ore, the remarkable properties which it possesses, and the uses to which it can be and is applied. In it we find an agent capable of cleansing, purifying, and converting the iron extracted from our poorer and weaker American ores, so as to yield a product equal to the best Swedish iron. This alone would be a mine of wealth for American industry. But the benefit of the new discovery does not end here. By the use of certain proportions of the silicon ore, ordinary pig-iron can be converted into steel of any desired quality, from a low grade of railroad steel, to a quality absolutely exceeding the most celebrated English manufactures.
“This steel is a new product. All other steel contains from one-third, to one and one-third per cent of carbon. The principle upon which the new process is based consists in eliminating the carbon to a very great degree, and in introducing silicon largely, forming a composition before unknown, which is called silicon steel.”
“Should this steel be possessed of no other properties than other steel, and should the cost of its manufacture be great, it is still evident that the discovery would be very beneficial, and the manufacture a desirable investment, both because of the quality of the steel, and because it utilizes our American iron ores to a degree before impossible. But herein consists one great good of the silicon steel process. This steel can be produced by the use of a common puddling furnace and the ordinary machinery found in iron manufacturing establishments, at an expense very little exceeding that of iron. And silicon steel does possess manifold useful properties which attach to no other steel. It is uniform in manufacture. The same amount of iron and ore worked in the same way gives the same product every time. There is no danger of variation as in any other process. Silicon steel will weld on to steel or iron without a flux, which Bessemer steel will not do. The silicon ore is a good flux, perhaps the best known. It is therefore the only steel wherewith to make steel-capped rails. This steel, unlike any other, can be reheated a hundred times, and will not be burnt out. There is no large amount of carbon to burn out and leave mere iron, as in other steel. Silicon cannot be burnt. Silicon steel is fully as hard as other steel, and yet it will bend before it will break. It is tougher than any other. It is not largely affected by heat and cold. It has greater tensile strength than any other. It can be reworked more readily than other steel. It can be rerolled like old iron, when once worn out. From a watch-spring to a boiler-plate for the manifold uses to which steel is applied, it is by its peculiar properties better adapted to everyday uses than any other steel now made.”
“Added to all other advantages is this: it has been found by actual trial that by the use of the silicon ore a greater yield of iron or steel can be made of the same material by at least six per cent, than in any other way. This is attained in consequence of its capacity for more thoroughly cleansing the metal from slag and cinders. In making refined iron the increased yield will often more than pay the slight increase in cost of production, to say nothing of the redoubled value of the product.”
“To American capitalists, the silicon steel process affords a peculiarly valuable investment. It is the best, cheapest, rarest, and quickest method of making steel. It appeals largely, too, to patriotic impulses, as it gives the only true means of effectually utilizing the vast mineral wealth found in the iron ores of our own country.”
“Now, all these are strong statements. It is not to be expected that they should be believed without proof. The Nes Silicon Steel Company, so called in honor of the inventor, Dr. Nes, are owners of the several patents under which the new discovery is applied. Under the able and efficient direction of Mr. E. Gulick, a large owner in, and the manager and attorney of, the company, they stand ready to prove the practical utility of their process. For this purpose they have started a mill at Rome, N. Y., where they make silicon steel. They invite all who desire to see the process to visit their works, where every courtesy will be shown them, and a full opportunity given to study the new method in all its bearings.”
“There is an effort being made to establish a company for the manufacture of silicon steel in Ithaca, with every prospect of success.”
The Coming of Christ
By S. S. Griswold
The Coming of Christ. No. 2.
BY S. S. GRISWOLD.
ESCHATOLOGY, or the science of last things occupies a very prominent place in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. It was the burden of prophecy, both by the apostles and prophets. It occupied a conspicuous position in the teaching of Christ himself. It was a marked feature of his discourses, especially during the latter part of his ministry. The most careless reader of the gospel cannot fail of having his attention frequently and solemnly arrested by a recurrence to the “coming of the Son of man,” and when we enter the Epistles, by the “coming of the Lord.”
These were the two great facts, which stood out in bold relief in the teachings of Christ and the apostles. These two truths impressed the mind most seriously. The world halted in its wild career, and stood awestricken in their presence. Men lived as if conscious that the invisible lay around them, and its realities would burst upon them; expecting some grand epiphany of Deity might open to their vision at any time. The coming of the Son of man was an event near at hand; and the coming of the Lord was daily expected. The former was expressly taught by Christ; and the latter as expressly by the apostles. So definite and positive were these two facts set forth by Christ and the apostles, that it became the universal belief of the church, during the first century that the parousia, or coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, might occur any day, hour, or moment.
And yet, after the lapse of nearly two thousand29years, we are still looking for the promise of his coming. Were the apostles themselves deceived? Did Christ himself intend to deceive? For there is scarcely any of Christ’s teaching more explicit and definite, than that the coming of the Son of man was then near, that the event would transpire during the lifetime of that generation, that some that were then listening to his discourse would not see death, until they had seen the coming of the Son of man in the glory of his Father and the holy angels with him; that the disciples would not have gone over the cities of Israel until the Son of man be come.
The apostle explicitly and definitely taught that the day of the Lord was at hand, that the Judge stood before the door, that it would come as a thief in the night, that the day of the Lord was drawing near, Christians were exhorted to preserve themselves blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Says Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D., “The Christians of the first age did generally expect the second coming of Christ to judgment, and the resurrection of the dead, in that very age wherein it was foretold.”
Conybeare says, “The apostles themselves, expected their Lord to come again in that very generation.” Dr. T. Arnold, says, “Paul expected the world would come to an end in the generation then existing.”
Rev. Albert Barnes, says, “I do not know that the proper doctrine of inspiration suffers, if we admit that the apostles were ignorant of the exact time when the world would close; or even that in regard to the precise period when it would take place, they might be in error.”
Prof. B. F. Hudson, says, “When the event would occur, no one knew; but it was expected soon.”
Olshausen says, “It is unmistakably clear that Paul deemed it possible that he and his contemporaries might live to see the coming of Christ.”
From the above (and many others might be adduced), it is evident that commentators almost universally agree that the apostles taught the coming of the Lord as an event which was near at hand. Such evidently was the fact. The apostles believed the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ was nigh and they taught accordingly. This idea of belief must have been predicated upon the teachings of Christ, or upon some special revelations from God on the subject. Viewed in either way, to admit they were in error, would be either to call in question their honesty, or to invalidate their inspiration. But their honesty will not be questioned, nor will their inspiration be doubted, by a large portion of the Christian world.
Doubtless many of those who heard Christ and the apostles and those by whom the Epistles were read, understand them to refer to a personal coming; for such were the gross worldly views that were then held concerning the nature of Christ’s kingdom and his coming, that few would get higher views. But that would not go to prove that either Christ or the apostles so believed and taught, any more than when the disciples asked Christ after his resurrection whether he would then restore the kingdom to Israel, proves that he ever taught that he ever would. It was the earthly idea of the Messiah, that led the Jews to reject him. They supposed that the Messianic kingdom, was but a re-organizing or restoration of their national polity. Hence when they were told “The kingdom of heaven was at hand” they understood it to refer to their national deliverance from the Roman power, and their restoration to national greatness. So they presumed the coming of Christ, to be a personal coming, as a national deliverer. But that does not prove that either Christ or the apostles taught so. On the contrary, as both Christ and the apostles explicitly taught the event as about to transpire, we are forced to the conclusion that the event, involving the coming of the Son of man and the coming of the Lord did not include his personal return to this world, in order to preserve intact and inviolate the teachings of Christ and the apostles.
There must then be such an exegesis of the New Testament on the subject of Christ’s coming, as will be in accordance with its teachings; viz., that the coming of Christ was an event near at hand, that it was even in that age about to transpire, and, in fact, was in its incipiency of transpiring, or about to begin to be, in aoristic time.
An examination of particular passages on the subject in the next.
REMARKS.
We are equally solicitous with Bro. Griswold, “to preserve intact and inviolate the teachings of Christ and the apostles.” And if we thought his system of exegesis necessary to do this, we might perhaps adopt it, “though the task would our hearts appall.” While we think the worthy end he has in view cannot possibly be reached by the path he proposes, we are equally confident that we can show a more excellent way.
Respecting the question whether the apostles taught that the second coming of Christ was to transpire before the generation then living passed off the stage of action, let us transcribe a little testimony from Paul:
2 Thess. 2: 1–4: “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
Let no man deceive you, says Paul to the Thessalonians, and cause you to think the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is to take place in your day; for the apostasy must first take place, and the man of sin be revealed, and run his appointed career. This man of sin is generally understood by Protestants to mean the papacy; and this is beyond question, correct. Paul’s caution, then, covers the whole period of time from his day onward through the long ages of papal rule, bringing us down as late in the gospel age, at least, as 1798, when papal supremacy received its death blow at the hands of the French. Not till this point was passed, could any one, according to this instruction of Paul’s, look for the coming of the Lord as an event immediately to occur.
How, then, shall those other declarations be understood, which seem to represent the event as one which was at that time at the very door? Do they mean that it was to be looked for in that age, as Bro. G. understands them? If so, then is our beloved Bible involved in a hopeless contradiction. But we think we can show that all the trouble with these passages arises from overlooking one simple fact, and ignoring one rule of interpretation, which is as beautiful in itself as it is of frequent application in the inspired writings. It is that in prophetic language the present and past tenses are frequently used for the future; and writers sometimes apparently speak of themselves, when they mean persons who are to live far in the future. God, to whom a past and future eternity are one eternal now, “calleth those things that be not as though they were.” Rom. 4: 17. And Paul uses this language to explain the promise God made to Abraham, saying, “I have made thee a father of many nations,” when as yet he was not even the father of a single child.
Good Brown’s “Grammar of English Grammars,” than which there is probably no better authority in the English language, on page 343, thus speaks on this point:—
“In the language of prophecy we find the past tense very often substituted for the future, especially when the prediction is remarkably clear and specific. Man is a creature of present knowledge only; but it is certain that He who sees the end from the beginning, has sometimes revealed to him, and by him, things deep in futurity. Thus the sacred seer who is esteemed the most eloquent of the ancient prophets, more than seven hundred years before the events occurred, spoke of the vicarious sufferings of Christ, as of things already past, and even then described them in the phraseology of historical facts: ‘Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed.’ Isa. 53: 4, 5. Multiplied instances of a similar application of the past tenses to future events, occur in the Bible, especially in the writings of the prophets.”
The same prophet, Isaiah, uses the present tense for the future. Chapter 9: 6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Yet this language refers to Christ, who was not born till more than seven hundred years afterward. David also says, Ps. 16: 10: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell.” Here he seems to speak of himself; yet he does not refer to himself at all, but to Christ, in whom the language was fulfilled more than a thousand years afterward, as explained by Peter in Acts 2: 31.
Exactly so with Christ and his apostles when they speak of the future second coming of Christ as though immediately to take place. They carry the mind right forward to the last generation, and then speak of the event from that standpoint, as at the very doors. Our Lord in Matt. 24, announces the signs that should herald his coming. He addresses the generation that should witness them: “When ye shall see all these things.” Then he says, “This generation [the one certainly that witnesses the signs] shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled. The present generation has witnessed the signs, and hence shall also witness the consummation.”
Matt. 10: 23, and 16: 28, met their accomplishment in the transfiguration, Matt. 17: 1–8, as shown by Peter, 2 Pet. 1: 16–18. This was a miniature of the future kingdom; but the promise of it does not rest wholly upon this representation, but upon the more sure word of prophecy. The disciples were right in expecting a kingdom. Our Lord did not tell them that they were in error on this point; but he did correct their misunderstanding respecting the time when it should be set up.
Paul, more frequently perhaps than other New Testament writers, uses, if we may so call it, this figure of anticipation. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,” he says to the Corinthians, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” In the first part of this same chapter he speaks of above five hundred disciples who saw the Lord after his resurrection, and says that the greater part remained at that time, but some were fallen asleep. By falling asleep, then, he means falling in death. “We shall not all sleep,” shall not all die. Was this true of Paul or any of his companions? Did the last trump sound in his day? Were the dead raised incorruptible? Were the Christians then living exempted from death, and changed in a moment? Did this corruptible and mortal then put on incorruption and immortality? Was death then swallowed up in victory? Was this all accomplished in Paul’s day? Certainly no man can claim it. What then? Paul simply goes forward to the last generation of Christians, and speaks as if personally among them. How beautifully does this manner of speech link together the whole Christian family! He does not look over into the future and say, they, but, we, as though he stood in the midst of them. The first and last meet together; and we are recognized as belonging to the same family, and standing in the same company, with Paul.
So in 1 Thess. 4: 15, he says, “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord,” &c. Other like expressions might be named, which on the hypothesis we have named are clearly explainable, but on no other. This simple rule frees all these passages of every vestige of difficulty, and preserves “intact and inviolate the teachings of Christ and the apostles.”
As Bro. G. has so well expressed, the “science of last things occupies a very prominent place in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.” The coming of the Lord, and the coming of the Son of man stands out prominently upon the prophetic page. We have reached the time to which these predictions pertain; and we would that men might now live as if conscious that the grand epiphany of Deity is soon to open to their vision.
Law of God to the Gentiles.
By H. A. St. John
“Show from the Scriptures that the law of God was ever given to the Gentiles?” The above question was handed to us by a Disciple preacher. From this, and remarks made by the same individual, we learned that he did not believe that the Gentiles in the old dispensation were amenable to God’s law. We have become satisfied that this is the commonly received opinion of a class of religionists, and a class too that have much to say about the Bible being the only man of their counsel. In our humble opinion a more egregious error could hardly be entertained. It has become very evident to us that the idea that God’s moral law was peculiarly and exclusively Jewish has been hatched for no other purpose but to evade the claims of that holy law, especially the fourth precept. We are not aware that such a doctrine was ever believed by any of the eminently learned or pious in the gospel age. It is of modern origin, and very modern at that.
The advocates of this unreasonable and unscriptural doctrine seem to suppose that the obligations of the ten commandments had their origin at Sinai. Indeed this appears to be a fundamental error in their premises. Now we hold as the exact truth in the matter that the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai did not create a single new moral obligation. Any one may become satisfied of this fact by an examination of the brief history of our race from Eden to Sinai. The principles of the ten commandments were understood and their obligation acknowledged from the very beginning of man’s creation. Sin is not imputed when there is no law, but it was imputed in the patriarchal age proving that the obligation of the law existed. And no precept of the moral law is so plainly recognized before Sinai as the fourth. No command of the decalogue is so early brought into notice. It is very plain therefore, that long before there was any distinction between Jews and Gentiles, the obligation of the ten commandments rested upon all.
The law of God as uttered by himself on Sinai, is termed in the Scriptures a perfect law. It is a perfect rule of morality. It was so before Sinai, after Sinai, and is still. It is as utterly impossible for us to conceive of two perfect moral laws different from each other, as it would be to conceive of two Supreme Beings unlike each other.
When the self-evident truth is admitted, that the ten commandments were binding in the patriarchal age, then it must also be admitted that the whole world without respect to nationality were amenable to this law throughout the old dispensation; unless it can be shown that at Sinai God released the larger portion of the human family from moral obligation. But this cannot be proved.
To those who believe that the law of God was never given to the Gentiles, we would like to propound a few questions for their consideration; 1. Why was sin imputed to them from Sinai to Christ? 2. If not imputed what will be their condition in the Judgment? 3. Can they be condemned? If so, upon what ground? If the condemnation of the Jews was because of their transgression of the law of God, and that law was abolished at the cross, why were they not then, there, and for that very reason, restored to the favor of God? Many such difficulties might be presented, but we forbear.
We now offer two or three conclusive proofs from the New Testament that the law of God was binding upon the Gentiles, and these texts also constitute insurmountable evidence of the perpetuity of the law. Says Paul, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Rom. 3:19. By the expression “under the law,” the apostle means under its condemnation, shown guilty by it. Then surely if the whole world were under the just condemnation of the law it was binding upon all.
Further on, in verse 23, he says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Does all here mean the Jews only, or the whole world? Do you say that they had transgressed the commands of the New Testament? This could not be; for it did not exist.
One more testimony upon this point and we conclude. Gal. 3:22: “But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Much testimony of like import might be produced, but this is sufficient to forever settle the question in the minds of the candid. The Old Testament Scriptures concluded all under sin, hence all were amenable to God’s law.
Again, if the law of God was not binding upon the Gentiles, and its obligation taken off the Jews at the crucifixion, then, verily the apostles made a very great mistake in their preaching, for we learn that they went everywhere exhorting the people to confess and forsake their sins and come to Jesus for pardon. Repentance unto life through Christ was the first thing preached by them. How strange! yea more, how foolish and senseless a course was this to pursue, if Antinomianism be true. They could not be called to repentance for transgressing the gospel; for thousands of them were hearing it for the first time.
If the apostles had believed that the Gentiles were not under the condemnation of the law, or that the law was abolished at the cross, they would have gone around the first time simply announcing the gospel; and all who chose to receive it could do so without any repentance; and upon their second tour it would be time enough to call those to repentance that had rejected and transgressed the gospel as presented to them on their first visit. But no such folly as this characterized their work. Their whole course of conduct as revealed in the Scriptures is opposed to the change or abrogation of God’s law. Their example and their preaching were ever in perfect harmony with the perpetuity of the ten commandments.
How strange and sad it is that any professed Christian should find fault with the holy, just and good law of God. But the opposition is organizing and increasing in strength of numbers and talent. Truth is gaining some victories and it has many strong and earnest friends. The battle waxes hotter every day. Soon every man and woman will have the opportunity of taking their stand for, or against, the law of God; and upon their decision will depend their eternal destiny. Oh, how solemn is this period of the world’s history!
Reader, to which do you belong? Are you seeking to have the perfect law of God written in your heart that you may be a partaker of all the blessings of the new covenant? Or are you turning from this holy law and losing the favor of God? Oh! be entreated to choose the Lord’s side and soon receive a victor’s crown from the hand of Jesus.
H. A. St. John.
Blessings Seen as God Sees Them
If you understood your blessings as God does, you would know what you call blight is more like blossom. The dying down on earth is the dropping of seed for Heaven. Let us take the leaf of brown among the green, and thank God for all.
Correcting Our Own Faults Before Judging Others
Whatever you dislike in another take care to correct in yourself.
Minnesota Conference.
By Harrison Grant; H. F. Phelps
The twelfth annual Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Minnesota was held as appointed in REVIEW, at Medford, Steele Co., June 19-24, 1872. Prayer by Eld. Canright. Delegates being called for, ten responded, representing eight churches. Delegate for Clark’s Grove being absent, Bro. Jno. Hanson was admitted by vote of the Conference. Delegate from Greenwood Prairie being absent, Bro. Franklin Cressey was admitted by vote. Bro. A. G. Hart being present from St. Cloud, was called upon and admitted to represent said church in the sessions of the Conference. The Conference being now fully organized, proceeded to business.
Moved, That Brn. Littlejohn, Butler, Canright, and any other brethren in good standing, be invited to take part in the deliberations of the Conference. Carried.
Secretary’s report read and accepted. The following brethren were then appointed as auditing committee: Wm. Hill, W. I. Gibson, Robt. Schram, Jno. Hanson, Calvin Kelsey, and Clinton Birch.
Moved, That the President appoint a committee of three on nominations.
Moved, That Brn. Butler, Littlejohn, and Canright act as a committee on resolutions.
The name of the church of Blue Earth City was changed to Jo Davies; and the name of the church of Clark’s Grove was changed to Riceland.
Report of Secretary concerning the financial condition of the Conference was then read and accepted. The report showed a deficiency on the part of many to come up on their S. B. pledges. Some of the churches had made an improvement, while others had not done as well as in previous years. Our S. B. pledge for this Conference is about $1,112.00. There is an indebtedness on three past years of $959.25. Number of churches, 11; members, 289; members paying S. B., 161; ministers, 2; Licentiates, 2. Adjourned to call of the Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Prayer by Eld. Pierce. The President then named the nominating committee as, Eld. Pierce, Wm. Hill, and L. H. Ellis.
Bro. Washington Morse then made application for a recommendation to the Iowa Conference for a license.
Moved, That his case be referred to the new Conference Committee, and that after investigation had, they be empowered to recommend or not as they in their judgment see fit.
The nominating committee reported as follows: For President, Harrison Grant; Treasurer, W. I. Gibson; Secretary, H. F. Phelps; Executive Committee, J. B. Edwards and Calvin Kelsey.
By request of the President, they were each considered separately, and collectively elected to their respective offices. A letter was then presented from the Ontranto church in Mitchell Co., Iowa, making request to be admitted to the watchcare of this Conference. Whereupon they were admitted, according to their request.
Adjourned to call of the Chair.
THIRD SESSION.
Prayer by Bro. Butler. Report of Auditing Committee read and accepted.
Credentials of Elders Pierce and Ingraham were then renewed by vote of the Conference.
The subject of licenses next came up, and after some good remarks from Bro. Butler, it was voted to grant licenses to the following-named brethren: Chas. Lee, John Hanson, L. H. Ellis, H. F. Phelps, and Harrison Grant.
The committee on resolutions next reported, and their report accepted. The resolutions were then adopted separately as follows:
1. Resolved, That we donate to the General Conference Fund the sum of $100.00.
2. Whereas, The churches in this Conference are so widely separated from each other that it would be impracticable to attempt to group them together into districts, as it would be necessary to do in case we should organize a State Tract Society, therefore, Resolved, That we recommend to our brethren in Minnesota that they at present content themselves with the formation of tract societies in every church, where their numbers are sufficient to warrant such a step, by adopting the constitution recently recommended in the REVIEW as being adapted to such church societies.
3. Whereas, It is now probable that Minnesota will be favored the present season with more ministerial labor than it has had hitherto, and that the demand for an increase of funds will therefore be rendered necessary, therefore, Resolved, that we exhort our brethren who have been negligent in these matters to greater promptness in the payment of their pledges, from this time forward, as well as to an advance of their S. B. figures, wherever they have come short in paying into the treasury in proportion to the amount of property with which God has blessed them.
4. Resolved, That we feel it the duty of scattered brethren to contribute of their means, to the support of the cause of God, equally with those who are members of organized churches, and that we hereby invite them to unite with us in supporting the preaching of the word, by sending the amount of their pledges, either to H. Grant, Medford, Steele Co., or by paying it into the treasury of the church nearest to their residence.
Report of Treasurer was then read and accepted. The report showed that the amount of money received was $1,165.90. Paid out $662.56. Balance in treasury $503.34.
The following resolutions were then presented and adopted:
Resolved, That we express our thanks to God, and the General Conference for their interest in our behalf, manifested in the sending of Bro. Canright to labor with us, and we hereby pledge our assistance in this great work.
Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to Brn. Littlejohn and Butler for their efficient labors during this camp-meeting.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this Conference be sent to the REVIEW for publication.
Adjourned sine die.
HARRISON GRANT, Pres.
H. F. PHELPS, Sec.
The Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
By Geo. J. Butler
WHEN we reached the camp-ground at Medford, Thursday morning, we found this meeting commenced, and Bro. Canright addressing the people in the large tent, with a good attendance of brethren and sisters already present. The ground was the same as last year, and it is well adapted to camp-meeting purposes. A fine stream of water, clear, and with sandy or gravelly bottom, running close up to the speakers’ stand and the edges of the semi-circle of tents which faced it, added much to the beauty of the scenery. It was a pleasant spot indeed.
The meeting was the largest ever held in the State, the brethren thought, some three hundred Sabbath keepers being present. There were twenty-one tents pitched, besides the speakers’ tent, and there were quite a number of covered wagons used for lodging besides. The attendance on Sunday was fair, considering the size of the town. It was estimated that there were not far from twelve hundred people present. They listened with good attention, and all the meetings were characterized by good order.
There was considerable disappointment among the friends of the cause that Bro. and sister White were not present; and we feared it might work to the injury of the meeting. But as the meeting progressed, and it became evident that the Lord was with his people, the brethren seemed to take courage, and in a measure lose sight of their disappointment. The meetings were solemn seasons. I do not know that I ever witnessed a greater interest among the people than was manifest Friday afternoon, when Bro. Littlejohn called for those to come forward who desired the prayers of God’s servants. I should judge some two hundred came forward, comprising fully two-thirds of the meeting at the time. Before prayers were offered in their behalf, testimonies were called for, and often three or four were on their feet at a time, ready to speak forth their earnest desire for a deeper work of grace in the heart, tears and sobs witnessing to their sincerity. It was truly an occasion of great interest, in which the power of God’s Spirit was manifested. All the religious meetings were interesting.
Monday morning, nineteen were buried with Christ by baptism in the stream, a few rods from the camp-ground, among them, one aged friend about eighty years of age. It was a blessed time. There is a general feeling of encouragement among the brethren in Minnesota this year, and a willingness to take hold of the work. The action of the General Conference in sending Bro. Canright there to labor during the year is very gratifying to them. They hope to see the cause move forward. Bro. C. feels a deep interest in his new field of labor, and will do all he can to help forward the work.
The Conference is becoming stronger financially than ever before, as the report will soon show, and there seems to be good reason for the friends of the cause in Minnesota to thank God and take courage. If the friends fulfill their solemn vows to God, we expect to see a good increase in strength and numbers the coming year.
GEO. J. BUTLER.
Austin, Minn., June 26, 1872.
Eastern Michigan.
By H. S. Gurney
MOST of the time that I have labored in the cause of present truth for more than a year past, I have labored with Bro. Lamson, making it unnecessary, as I considered, to report my labor, as his reports would cover mine.
June 14, I met with the Greenwood church. They were very much encouraged to persevere and overcome. Some of them are grappling hard with the tobacco habit, and have determined to conquer it. Considering all the circumstances, I think this church is doing well. They wish to unite with the Conference.
First-day, I preached in an adjoining district. Subject, The Second Advent Movement in Prophecy. The congregation listened very attentively while I endeavored to show,
1. That prophecy clearly foretells a warning message before the coming of the Lord, and referred to analogy as collateral evidence.
2. Inspiration has given us abundant evidence in the signs of the times that we have already reached the time to warn the world; consequently the present warning is not false.
3. Seeing we look for such things at the door, what manner of persons ought we to be? I think a very favorable impression was left.
The 22d, I met with the church at Lapeer. Had freedom in speaking the word to them, and I trust my labor with them was attended with some good.
The courage and strength of this church seem to be rising. A number of them expressed to me their satisfaction in the present spiritual and financial condition of the church, and spoke in praise of the interest their elder was taking. It does seem that a divine Providence is working in their favor. May they, forgetting the things which are behind, press toward the prize.
I feel my weakness; but the precious Saviour is all-sufficient. His promise is sure to the believer.
Very soon he will come again, that where he is, there we may be also. He will not return to those prepared mansions without his people.