JESUS, the Son of God and the Son of man has said, “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the very day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24: 37-39. “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17: 28-30.
Fearful language! But who believes it? Jesus, who was once upon the earth, who labored, suffered, died and rose again, to save lost men, sinful, rebellious and under condemnation to death, has promised, “I will come again.” He is coming the second time to save them that believe and obey him, and to destroy them that “know not God and obey not the gospel” of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9: 28. A day of joy and gladness to those who love him, but terrible to those who know him not! “Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?” In the days of Noah and Lot the few were saved, and the multitudes perished. These did not believe the warning given, and consequently destruction came upon them unexpectedly, as a thief in the night. Even thus shall it be when the Son of man shall be “revealed from heaven in flaming fire.” “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.”
Who believe these things? Not the giddy world rushing on in its thoughtless career of business and pleasure, sin and folly. Not the professed Christian who closes his eyes to the signs of the times and hopes and trusts that the Lord will not come in his day, and leisurely floats on the tide of time, and carelessly drifts with the current of the world, and eats and drinks with the “lovers of pleasures,” drunken with self-indulgence and sin. These are they who say in their hearts, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and shall have their portion with the hypocrites—weeping and gnashing of teeth. Not the professed believer in the advent at hand, who rejects the last message and does not make the preparation required, namely, to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. (See Rev. 14: 9-12.) Neither is it the professed believer in this message who is at ease and does not exert himself to publish abroad the warning to his fellow-men and save them from the wrath which is threatened in this message.
Such a faith as this demands immediate, earnest and persevering action. Faith without corresponding works is dead; and a faith which believes that the last warning is being heralded to the world—the closing message of probationary time, a message which is to decide the eternal destiny of the living generation—should be characterized with an earnestness and zeal such as the world of mankind have not yet witnessed.
Selfishness cannot enter Heaven. The plan of human redemption and salvation is laid in self-sacrifice for the good of others. Jesus has set the example. He laid the corner-stone in the sacrifice of himself. Christians are those who follow Christ. And can we hope to be approved of Heaven, while we see men exposed to the wrath threatened in this last message, and not exert ourselves to save them? May God help us as a people to let our course of action correspond to our faith. Who is sufficient for these things? Our sufficiency is of God. Let us seek to God for the Spirit to qualify us for this work of overwhelming magnitude, and while we seek power from on high, labor with our whole heart in all the strength he gives.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Foreign-Language Newspapers in San Francisco
San Francisco has papers in German, Danish, French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese tongues; and there are Greeks enough in the city and its neighborhood to support a paper of its own.—Sel.
Disguised Infidelity.
By R. F. Cottrell
As a hypocritical professor of religion is worse than though he made no profession, so infidelity, under a profession of faith in the word of God, is worse in its influence than an open rejection of that word. Avowed infidelity would be feared and avoided by many a mind that would listen to the insidious attacks upon revelation from one who professes to believe it.
To illustrate the idea I will say that I have lately heard from a professed preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ three lectures, in which he attempted to prove that Adam was not the first man of the human race, but that men had existed upon the earth hundreds of thousands of years before him, and that he was born of parents, as others are at the present day. He ridiculed the idea that “God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul;” and that God took a rib from Adam, and of it made a woman, and brought her to the man. He did not believe any such absurdity. But did he not believe the book? Oh! yes; but all this was allegorical; it meant that man was then raised to a higher state of development than he had enjoyed during the previous hundreds of thousands of years of his existence. He thanked God for the book of Genesis; but if there was anything in it that conflicted with the sure light of geological science, it was no revelation to him—he did not believe it. He also thanked God for giving to the world such a man as Charles Darwin, a devout believer in God, who had done so much for the advancement of science among mankind. One would think from the encomium of the speaker that the man, who holds that man was evolved or developed from the monkey, was truly one of the greatest benefactors of mankind.
Most Christian readers will wonder that such infidelity should be held forth by a professed believer in the Bible and a preacher of salvation through Christ. But let me tell you that all who favor the mystical mode of interpreting the Scriptures are accomplices in this work of helping in the progress of infidelity, and are in a degree responsible for the prevailing and increasing skepticism of our times. The Bible is a revelation to mankind, or it is not. If it is, its plain statements of facts, its promises and its threatenings, are to be taken at par—they mean what they say. But if these things are to be allegorized, spiritualized, rationalized and mystified, the Bible is not a revelation, but a riddle. All have an equal right to guess at its meaning; and, as a consequence, there may be as many creeds as there are persons. To make such a book a revelation, another one is necessary to tell us what this one means.
You may wonder that any one should allegorize the plain statements concerning the creation of man, as described above, so as to deny that man was formed of dust, while we see him turning to dust again; but if you make the threatening of death, in case of man's disobedience, to mean eternal life in torment, or something besides what God defined it to be—a returning again to the dust out of which he was taken—you are in a like position, and are aiding in the work of destroying faith, and building up infidelity. And this remark applies to every interpretation which takes the license of setting aside a commandment of God, or an ordinance of the gospel.
The fault of factions and false doctrines is not in the Bible, but in this huge license of interpretation. This is the pillar and support of infidelity. If the Bible be thus assailed by its professed friends, what shall we not expect from its open enemies?
LUTHER once said, “The ways of God are like a Hebrew book, which can only be read from the end backwards.” His meaning was that we cannot rightly understand this present world without first taking in the final outcome. It is only the conclusion that clears up the darkness and uncertainty which prevail till then. And if we would not hopelessly err in our whole philosophy of things, we must take particular account of the end, and settle ourselves firmly in what God has revealed concerning the grand finale; for the doctrine of the last things is the keystone in the arch of the Christian system, without which the whole fabric must tumble to pieces.
Reminders of that approaching end are again plentiful about us. On all sides there are symptoms and pre-intimations of it. Both the church and the civil years are drawing to a close. The fallen and withered leaves, and the scattered snowflakes gathering upon them, the shutting down of our windows, and the lighting up of our hearth-fires, the moan of the wind around our dwellings, and the frosty pendants that weep by the fountains, tell how rapidly the year is verging to the dead of winter. And all our church lessons for the season point forward to the sounding of the last trump, and the end of the world itself.
To many those are not welcome things. But what avails the shutting of our ears to them, if still the end must come, and every day, and hour, and heart-beat, is bringing us nearer and nearer to it?
Rather let us give ear that we may hear, and open our eyes that we may see what Almighty God hath purposed, and will most surely bring to pass.—Dr. J. A. Seiss.
Words.
By Editor
A POPULAR impression prevails that while every other luxury is expensive, words cost nothing, and may therefore be freely used. But no opinion can be more erroneous. Words cost more than money; they cost what can never be replaced—they cost time; not the time of the writer—it is easier to write long than to write short—but the time of the reader.
Every needless word that is printed in these columns, is a fraud and a robbery upon every one that reads it. And we are set by Providence to watch over the rights of the readers.
To put good matter into the paper is not half of the editor’s work; he has also the harder, more needful work, of keeping bad matter out of it, and by bad matter we do not mean that which is immoral; we mean what is wordy, dull, thin, spun out. We have on hand at this moment no end of contributions that would have appeared had they been shorter.—National Baptist.
Extravagant Funeral Display Criticized as Fashion Over Death
AT a recent New York funeral, where the deceased was a young and beautiful girl, over $3,000 worth of flowers were distributed in and around the coffin. A chorus was sung by hired vocalists. On either side of the coffin stood four young girls dressed in white, each holding in her hand a wreath of flowers. While the minister prayed, a bell was tolled in the hall-way, and a chant sung by the hired vocalists. The lady friends of the deceased thought the entertainment “perfectly elegant.” Fashion and folly are courted in the very presence of death!
Granville, Vt.
By A. S. Hutchins
WITH BRO. L. Bean, met with the friends here among the Green Mountains last Sabbath and first-day. We were very thankful to meet with brethren and sisters residing east and west of these towering mountains, several of whom have recently commenced the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord. Of this number were a brother and his companion who, six weeks since, attended our meetings in Bristol as candid seekers for the truth. Now they rejoice in the truth on the commandments of God, and are seeking to observe them.
Here we also met a worthy brother, long since consecrated to the Lord as a preacher of the gospel, who, with his companion, has commenced to hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; and a sister, formerly a reader of the Word’s Crisis, who says on reading the inconsistent and unscriptural position taken by the leading writers of that paper in teaching the abolition of the law of God, she was astonished at the doctrine, and aroused to search for the truth on this important question. Finding the Scriptures to teach the perpetuity and the immutability of the ten commandments, she commenced to honor the Sabbath day by obedience to the fourth commandment.
Thus the truth moves on, triumphing over error, bringing joy and gladness to the hearts of those who receive and obey it, while confusion and darkness are in the ranks of its opposers.
Last week, I held three evening meetings at North Fayston. Here I learned we could have the Universalist meeting-house in Waitsfield village for a course of lectures, the same house in which William Miller preached the first angel’s message. It would be highly gratifying to the numerous friends of Elder G. I. Butler if he could give lectures here and in other parts of his native State.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Jan. 27, 1875.
The Truth Gaining Ground.
From the last number of the Signs of the Times, we take the following cheering statements concerning the progress of the truth in various localities:—
“A brother writing from Del Norte Co. sends twelve new subscribers for the Signs, and says, ‘I hope and pray that some of these will be caused to keep the Lord’s Sabbath through reading this valuable paper. There are some here who desire to study into the merits of the question.’
“Another brother writes from Vermont, and speaks of a man who had received four numbers of the Signs, and says, ‘He has now become a paying subscriber to The Voice of Truth. It has accomplished a mission in interesting him enough to subscribe for the Voice. That is good. The truth of God in Signs or Voice is important, and we rejoice to know that it spreads by means of either.’
“Another case: A brother writes from Oregon, sending pay for a paper sent on trial to one of his neighbors, and says of him: ‘He says he would not do without it for twice the price of it. He loans it to one of his brethren, who has been raised from infancy in the doctrine of Methodism, and he told me to-day “it was the best religious paper he ever read, although it was different in its teachings from anything he had been used to hear.” I think the Signs will yet be the means of opening the eyes of several in this country in regard to the great truths contained in the Bible. The cause is bound to prosper when God is at the helm. I hope before long that some one can come out here and preach for us.’
“A couple of sisters near San Diego, Cal., who have embraced the truth by reading tracts and papers, write, sending a donation of $15.00 to our State Missionary Society, and say: ‘We would like very much to hear a living minister. Could not one come to San Diego?’
“The gentleman on the Minnesota campground, into whose hands a stray paper providentially fell, and who carried it to Pennsylvania, and then sent here for more, as we mentioned a few weeks since, now sends other subscribers, and says, ‘They too will circulate it, and induce others to subscribe.’ So it goes; one hears and then says to his neighbors, ‘Come and see.’ They come to see, and some of them abide with the truth. J. N. L.”
From the same paper we hear indirectly from Bro. N. W. Allen, of Missouri, who embraced the truth in California last fall, and attended the late Biblical Institute at Battle Creek. He has returned to his friends in Missouri, and several of his near relatives have embraced the truth, while others are investigating, with a prospect of their soon taking their stand on the same.
And among our own correspondence some interesting cases appear. A brother to whom the paper has recently been sent in Indiana, writes under date of Jan. 21, 1875: “I delight in the truths you advocate. They are very precious to me. Do send some one here to help us.”
An interesting case is that of a sister who writes from Wood Co., O., that a kind neighbor of hers to whom the REVIEW was sent on trial, lent it to her. Whether that neighbor was benefited by the truth or not, we do not know, but at any rate through that channel the paper found its way to one who was ready to receive the truth. This sister and her husband commenced searching the Bible to see if the things the paper taught were true. They procured and read some tracts, and now stand firm in the truth. Thus the Lord has his eye on his jewels, and will through his providence cause the truth, in due time, to find its way to them.
A sister writes from Arkansas rejoicing in the light she is receiving through the REVIEW, in relation to the fulfillment of prophecy in this country and others. She rejoices in the manifestation of the spirit of prophecy in the church, and is led to accept the writings of sister White, from reading them in connection with the sketch of her experience. Her labors and sufferings for others, and her patient endurance of the opposition of the world, is evidence to her mind, as it may well be to any, that she has not done it for the honor of men, but has been prompted by the Spirit of Christ.
Bro. C. W. Olds, of Wis., sends us the following cheering incident. A brother living in Fremont, Wis., sent some tracts to his cousin living in Canada. In a letter dated Dec. 20, 1874, he received the following response:—
“Dear Friend:—I received your tracts and papers. I have read them carefully, and am satisfied that they teach the truth of God for this time. Oh! how strange it is that we have so long been kept in the dark. It is now plain to my mind that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and Sunday is not the Sabbath, but the work of the papacy.
“I am glad the Lord put it into your mind to send me the light. I lend the books to our neighbors, and they are looking and searching to see if these things are so.
“I wish I had more of the tracts and books that I might distribute them. I and my family are trying to keep the Sabbath, together with all God’s commandments, and intend to as long as we live, although it is attended with difficulty, as there is a fine for working on Sunday. Send me the REVIEW as often as you can. As far as the doctrine of the advent is concerned, I love it. James Dickie.”
Thus the Lord is everywhere owning missionary work. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand.”
Christian Faithfulness.
By R. A. Rice
The letter inserted below is from a young Christian friend, whose obituary is in this paper, who has grown up under unfavorable circumstances, yet has ever been an example of Christian faithfulness. She has kept the Sabbath with her mother from her earliest years. Her influence was felt by all who knew her. The church in South Lancaster have known of her consistent life, and now look back to her as a pattern of piety for the young and also those of mature years.
R. A. Rice.
MY DEAR FRIEND:—It is impossible for me to write to you again myself; so I get mother to write for me. I can only whisper very faintly now, and can scarcely do that. My feet are so badly swollen that they have lost all perfection, scarcely resembling feet; but while my poor body has been growing out of shape and comeliness, I trust my heart has been becoming conformed to the will of God. I have given up all. . . . Oh!———, get ready. You will not have many more warnings; for God will not always plead with you. You are lost if you do not repent, and find pardon through Christ.
We shall never meet again; for in a few short days at most I shall be beyond the nearest and dearest of friends. I can do nothing. I cannot even pray for you, my dear friend. My time is mostly taken up in sleeping; but I trust I have oil in my vessel, that when the Bridegroom cometh I shall be ready.
O my friend, it takes all to get into the kingdom. What a taking off—what a casting aside, of everything! Oh! the gratitude I feel to my Maker for giving me so much time and opportunity to prepare to see him! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I long to go. I am only watching on the shore, soon to leave all that are near and dear to me here, brothers and sisters, and mother. My poor, tired, worn-out mother! It will be only a little while before I hope to meet her.
I am weary now, and must bid you good-bye. Good-bye to all at Lancaster. May Heaven be gracious to you all. It is not probable that I shall write to you again; for mother has no time; but dying, I send my undying love to you all, asking you to meet me on Mount Zion.
Affectionately,
MARY ALICE EATON.
Chelsea, Mass., Dec. 26, 1874.
The Harvest Field.
By Libbie Thurston
“Ho! reapers of life's harvest
Why stand with rusted blade
Until the night draws round thee,
And day begins to fade?
Why stand ye idle, waiting,
For reapers more to come?
The golden morn is passing,
Why stand ye idle, dumb?”
WHILE thinking upon the foregoing lines I was forcibly impressed with the earnest appeal to the reapers in the harvest of the Lord. In these times, when there is so much to be done and so little time to labor, how important that we who profess to believe we are living on the last crumbling verge of time be awake to duty! We see thousands all around us unconscious of the closing events of time. But here we stand, with rusted blade, made such by idleness and disuse. Why stand we dumb and idle? Surely we do not believe what we profess, or we are of all beings most inconsistent. Just think! The night coming on! The closing hours of probation almost passed! The time for labor almost over, and we in this state of idleness and stupidity! Would I had an angel’s voice, to raise to all the warning note, and call each and every laborer to his post.
Once there was not so plain a path, and so loud a call for every one to labor as now, since the perfection of organization in the Tract & Missionary Society. But now, what excuse55can we have in the soon-coming day for having done nothing? With sickles of truth placed in our hands and with instructions how to use them, what can we say when in our final account no sheaves appear for the Master as the fruit of our efforts?
The times demand earnest, untiring effort, the cause we love demands it, and more than all, the love we ought to bear our dear Saviour demands it. Shall we be faithful laborers, and by-and-by enter into the joy of our Lord? The more I think of it, the more I see the hand of the Lord in the working of the Tract and Missionary Society.
Brethren and sisters, you have but to become acquainted with it to love it. I would not be deprived of what I know of its workings for very much. The last N. Y. State meeting was a source of much good to all present; and I would earnestly entreat every one to make a great effort to attend one such meeting; and especially would I exhort any who have not confidence in this work, and its officers to learn the truth in these matters.
Brethren and sisters, upon us is laid the solemn duty of trying to save souls. The living messengers are not enough in numbers or strength to do this work; and now, the question for us to answer is, Will we work or die? We must do one. Do we not desire life? Yea, are we not willing to accept the labor, cares, privations, and tribulations, here and enjoy “resting by-and-by.” Then
“Thrust in your sharpened sickles,
And gather in the grain;
The night is fast approaching,
And soon will come again.
The master calls for reapers
And shall he call in vain?
Shall sheaves lie there ungathered,
And waste, upon the plain?”
LIBBIE THURSTON.
Randolph, N. Y.
ENCOURAGEMENT
By Sel.
“He that laboureth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto eternal life.” John 4:36.
Lo! the harvest of the summer
Whitens over all the land.
Even thou, O latest comer,
Join thy wavering hand.
Wherefore art thou idly weeping?
Thinkest thou that God will scorn
Thy few sheaves of humble reaping
In his ripened corn?
Fearest thou that long and vainly
Thou wilt seek for work to do?
Lo! our Saviour speaketh plainly,
“Laborers are few.”
From the lion-like Achilles
To the man of lowliest birth,
Every being must fulfill his
Purpose on the earth.
Let no weak mistrust be lurking
With thy faith its doubts to blend;
Thou canst see how all is working
To a perfect end.
Linger not within the shadow
Of the pleasant rustling leaves;
Go, like Ruth, into the meadow,
“Gleaning scattered sheaves.”
Though the noonday sun is burning,
And no shade of rock is nigh,
Work thou till its slow returning
In the eastern sky.
Grieve not, like the prophet Jonas,
For the gourd-shade’s faintest edge,
Nor although thy toil be lone as
Bird in winter’s hedge.
Slowly creep along the dial
Minutes of the passing day,
Yet the burning of the trial
Cannot last for aye.
Thou wilt go to endless wages,
God will call thee to behold
Thine own name upon his pages
Traced in lines of gold.
—Sel.
Berkshire Vermont.
By Chas. F. Whitford
THE labors of Brn. Hutchins and Evans in this place are not without their good results. Several men of standing and influence have renounced the filthy habit of chewing tobacco, and we cherish the hope that some of them will yet embrace and live out the whole truth. When an expression was called for on the Sabbath question, there was only one vote given in favor of Sunday, while quite a full one was obtained in favor of the seventh day. When it was asked who in the congregation wanted salvation, and were willing to comply with the conditions of salvation, there was one, a lady of intelligence and moral worth, who had courage to rise upon her feet, and by this act say that she was willing to obey God. She has since expressed a desire to be baptized.
Several have subscribed for our paper, who are reading and investigating, not being satisfied with their present position. We hope they will not too long resist the Spirit of God, which is saying to them, “This is the way; walk ye in it.”
CHAS. F. WHITFORD.
Michigan Tract Society District No. 6 Quarterly Report
By L. B. Kneeland
Michigan.
REPORT of labor of Dist. No. 6, of the Michigan T. & M. Society for the quarter ending Jan. 24, 1875.
No. of names of members on secretary’s book, 115; No. of members who reported labor, 38; families visited, 231; letters written, 11.
Money received for membership, 5.00
“ “ by donations, 20.91
“ “ “ book sales, 2829 pp. 4.31
“ “ “ for Instructor & Reformer, 6.50
“ “ “ almanacs, 6.20
Total, 42.92
Distribution of reading matter: REVIEWS, 57; Instructors, 31; Reformers, 27; True Missionaries, 3; No. of new subscribers reported: Voice of Truth, 79; Instructors, 23; 18 paid by subscribers, Reformers, 41; 2 paid by subscribers, tracts and pamphlets loaned, 19,574 pp.; value, $23.05; given, 20,909 pp.; value $22.87.
L. B. Kneeland, Sec.
Why Stand Ye Idle?
By M. A. Stroud
“Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right that shall ye receive.” Oh! how glorious the reward, how rich the gifts, awaiting those who go forth clad in the armor of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and helmet of salvation, to gather the perishing into the good Shepherd’s fold. Go then, brethren, and preach the glad tidings of salvation to the perishing. Do not dwell upon your own infirmities, but ever keep in view the sacredness of your mission, and go relying upon the strength of Him who has said, “As thy day, so shall thy strength be.” “He that goeth forth, and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
“In his furrowed fields around us,
God has work for all who will;
Those who may not scatter broadcast
Yet may plant it hill by hill.
“Soon life’s springtime will be over,
And its autumn days will come,
Happy, then, will be those workmen
Who have sheaves to carry home.”
M. A. Stroud.
Relation of the Sabbath to the Saints' Inheritance.
By O. Davis
WHAT condition of the earth and man does the Sabbath bring to view as a memorial? Is it not the condition of the earth as it came from the hand of the Creator, finished and good, with man in the image of his Maker, having dominion over it? Does it not bring to view the time when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Is it not, then, a remembrance every week of what man once was, of what he possessed, and of what he has lost?
As Jesus is coming to restore that which is lost, how important is the position of the Sabbath in the great plan of redemption! How calculated it is to aid in forming a correct faith with reference to the saints' final inheritance! It seems to me that if man had always kept the Sabbath as God gave it to him, he never would have lost sight of the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, and never would have soared beyond the bounds of time and space for his final home. O. DAVIS.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
Died, in Brownington, Vt., Nov. 4, 1874, sister Jane Goodwin, aged about seventy-four years. Her disease, cancer, caused her much suffering, which she bore with Christian patience, and fell asleep with a bright hope of eternal life at the appearing of Jesus. She was one of the few who remained firm in the truth as the result of the labors of the Brn. Bourdeau at East Charleston, Vermont.
C. F. Worthen.
Died, at West Brookfield, Vt., Oct. 13, 1874, my dear mother, Mrs. Mary Kinney, aged seventy years, six months, and fourteen days. She was an observer of the Bible Sabbath nearly thirteen years. She was a great sufferer, and longed to be at rest. By this sad bereavement, five children mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate mother.
“She sleeps in Jesus—cease thy grief;
Let this afford thee sweet relief,
That, freed from death’s triumphant reign,
In Heaven she will live again.”
Mary Edwards.
Died, in Racine, Minn., Dec. 18, 1874, our daughter, Mrs. Eloise M., wife of Charles Crane, aged twenty-four years, and one day. It became evident to all, some months ago, that consumption had marked her as its victim. She sank gradually until within a few weeks of her death, when she failed rapidly. Her last sickness was borne with patience and submission. When asked if she would like to get well, she replied, “If Jesus is willing.” She bore her last testimony in meeting two weeks before her death. She leaves a companion and little son, with her parents and two sisters, to mourn their loss. But we have the hope that when the trump shall sound, she will come forth clad in immortality. We are comforted with the thought that it will not be long before the Conqueror will come and break the bars of death; and then our three children will, we believe, come again from the land of the enemy. Funeral discourse by Bro. Butterfield.
“She hath passed death’s chilling billow,
And gone to rest;
Jesus smoothed her dying pillow—
Her slumbers blest.”
“From the bitter cup that’s given,
We should not shrink;
Since the mandate is from Heaven,
That bids us drink.”
Jos. B. & M. Edwards.
Died, at Chelsea, Mass., Dec. 31, 1874, Mary Alice Eaton, aged fifteen years, eight months, and twenty-five days. Although so young, she had an experience in the divine power of God, which was known and felt by all her acquaintances. From early childhood she loved the Saviour, and as her disease was consumption, she had time and opportunities to show that love in laboring for others. A short discourse, which was weighty with truth and comfort to the mourning friends, was given by Eld. D. A. Robinson, from John 11:22–25.
R. A. Rice.
Died, at Karonus, Minn., Jan. 19, 1875, of whooping-cough, the infant son of Bro. and sister Newcomb. We laid him away believing that when Jesus comes he will be awakened out of his sleep. Words of comfort were spoken from Rev. 14:13.
J. Fulton.
Died, in Ostego, Mich., Jan. 2, 1875, Elder J. G. Sterling, aged forty-six years, of asthmatic consumption. Bro. Sterling embraced the third angel’s message about seven years ago while actively engaged as a minister of the Christian church in Watson. He soon united with the church in Ostego and ever after endeavored to live the truth faithfully. A few moments before his death he bade his friends farewell and quietly and peacefully fell asleep in Jesus. He leaves a companion and five children to mourn their loss. Remarks on the occasion by the writer, from 2 Tim. 4:7, 8.
A. H. Hilliard.
Died, at her residence in Springville, Ky., Dec. 24, 1874, my dear mother, Margret Pickens, aged sixty-four years. She embraced the truth about two years ago, under the labors of my husband, and since that time has been a faithful observer of the Bible Sabbath, and kindred doctrines of present truth. We trust that she sleeps in Jesus; and we have every reason to believe that she will come forth in the morning of the first resurrection. Her children sadly miss her; but we would not call her back. Appropriate remarks by Eld. Watkins, of the northern Methodists, from 1 Cor. 15:40, 58.
“She sleeps in Jesus—soon to rise
When the last trump shall rend the skies;
Then burst the fetters of the tomb,
To wake in full immortal bloom.”
Mary E. Osborn.
Died, Feb. 1, 1875, of lung fever, in the 39th year of her age, sister Ann Maria, wife of Bro. John Mears, of Bowling Green, Ohio. Sister Mears embraced present truth under the labors of Bro. G. W. Holt about eighteen years ago, and loved the commandments of God to the end of her earthly pilgrimage. She leaves an affectionate husband and five children to mourn their loss, but not without hope. Text, 2 Sam. 14:14.
H. A. St. John.
Died, in Kingston, Minn., Jan. 4, 1875, sister Ellen Hough, aged twenty-five years. Her disease was consumption. She leaves a husband, a little daughter six years of age, and numerous other friends to mourn their loss. She embraced the truth last autumn and was steadfast unto the end. Truly, in her case, the scripture was verified which says, “Precious in his sight is the death of his saints.” The language of her heart seemed to be, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Words of comfort by the writer.
W. B. Hill.
Crazy: Neighbors Mock a Convert to Temperance
By Uriah Smith
Crazy.
A BROTHER writes from Muskegon Co., Mich., of a person whom he found about a year ago with his table loaded with pork and other unhealthful viands, who used a little strong drink to help digestion, and plenty of tobacco to settle his meals. He talked with him on the health reform and the necessity of a preparation for the coming of the Lord, and left him some tracts.
The result is that he has become converted and left off all these hurtful things; and now his neighbors call him crazy—a good specimen of the ideas which generally prevail in regard to Christian temperance.
A man may follow the gross ways of the world, weakening his moral nature, and destroying his physical system, and they look upon him as all right. But let him become really sane, and turn to the better way, and the cry of crazy greets him from every quarter. Nevertheless we rejoice that a few here and there can be found who esteem the joy of being able to say, “Whereas I was blind now I see, and whereas I was sick, now I am well,” more than they fear the reproaches of a misguided world. U. S.