THE Diary prepared especially for the use of our ministers according to the action of the last General Conference, is now ready, and many were sent out to fill orders by the first of the year. Those who have not ordered can now do so. If we mistake not, it will be an excellent arrangement for the purpose intended. It will enable the minister to keep his records and accounts much more fully and accurately, and do it with a less expenditure of time and labor than would be possible without this or some similar arrangement; and its use by the ministers will greatly facilitate the work of the auditing committee at the end of the year. It is worthy at least of one trial. See description in another paragraph. Send in the orders. Price in Russia binding $1.00, morocco, $1.50. Address REVIEW AND HERALD.
Sermon on the Parable of the Ten Virgins
The sermon on the Parable of the Ten Virgins, in another column, is found to be too lengthy for one number, and is divided, the latter part being deferred to next week.
Progress Department Matter Postponed to Next Week
By Editor
We have been obliged to leave over till next week two pages of matter in type for our Progress Department, which would have appeared this week but for want of space.
City Mission Work Showing Success
☞ In a private note Eld. Haskell writes: “Our city missions are having success. I believe that God is moving on the hearts of the people to receive the truth. The work is certainly onward.”
Largest Quarterly Ordinance Meeting at the Tabernacle
Nearly five hundred persons attended the quarterly ordinance meeting at the Tabernacle on the evening after last Sabbath. This is the largest number ever present on such an occasion here. The meeting was an excellent one. A good influence seemed to prevail throughout.
Elder Butler Returns Home from Western Meetings
By Editor
☞ We were happy to welcome Eld. Butler home again from his western meetings, last week. He will now, according to the action of the General Conference, devote some time to the interests of the cause in its various branches in Battle Creek. He favored us with a timely discourse last Sabbath on the ordinances of the Lord’s house, and joined with the church in the celebration of the ordinances in the evening. His address will be Battle Creek till further notice.
THE MINISTERS' DIARY.
This work has been prepared according to the directions of the late General Conference, and is bound in such a way that when the present year expires a new diary for another year may be slipped into the cover to take its place, at slight cost. The Diary is ruled and printed to show the following reports:—
Calendar for each day in the month—Number of subjects—Place of labor—Sermons preached—Other meetings—Number baptized—Number added to church—Number signed covenant—Added to Tract Society—Number added to H. and T. Society—Missionary Society organized—Families visited—Periodicals distributed—Amount of book sales—Pages tracts loaned—Value of tracts given away—Subscriptions obtained for REVIEW, Signs, Good Health, Instructor, and other periodicals.
It will be noticed that these items include all but three of the items called for in missionary reports, and these can be inserted in some of the blanks devoted to minister's reports. So the diary is almost equally good for the use of T. and M. workers as for ministers.
There is then given a space for quarterly and yearly summaries of all the above—Memoranda for each day in the year—Conference accounts—Personal accounts—List for 140 subjects—Blank space for miscellaneous records. Price by mail, in Morocco, bound $1.50. In Russia, $1.00. Address REVIEW AND HERALD.
FOR SAN FRANCISCO VIA NEW ORLEANS.
It is now decided that the party going to California via New Orleans will leave Battle Creek on Monday, Jan. 19, at 11 : 13 A. M. (central time), arriving in Chicago at 5 : 45 P. M. Leave Chicago on Illinois Central at 8 : 30 P. M. There will be no transfer at Chicago, as the Michigan Central and Illinois Central occupy the same depot. That train will arrive in Cairo at 10 : 35 Tuesday morning, and in New Orleans at 10 : 45 Wednesday morning. They will leave New Orleans early the week following.
GOOD MEETINGS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
I HAVE just returned home from attending four general meetings, in Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, and Iowa. Had the pleasure of laboring with Brn. Butler, Haskell, Olsen, and a large number of other ministers, besides renewing the acquaintance of scores of old friends. To me these have been among the most profitable and encouraging meetings I have ever attended. My faith in the message has been greatly strengthened, and my love for the work has been warmed into an intense desire to consecrate the whole energy of my life to it.
God has blessed me greatly. While I have carefully read the first, second, and third volumes of “Spirit of Prophecy,” heaven has seemed very near to me. If the Spirit of God does not speak to us in these writings, then I should despair of ever discerning it. Oh, how precious the dear Saviour looks! How infinitely valuable the salvation of one soul! How hateful and inexcusable sin appears! God is good, and the sweetest thing on this earth is to love and serve him.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
TO THOSE INTERESTED IN MISSIONARY WORK.
OUR missionary class has again opened with a large attendance, and is now in good working order. Last year this class, in connection with the College, was largely attended, and many encouraging results were seen. This year the work still continues, and at present the number is nearly double that of the previous year.
We are taking up the missionary work in its various departments, and trying to get a thorough knowledge of how best to labor for the salvation of others. We hope for a profitable and enjoyable continuance of these exercises throughout the entire term.
We like very much to do real missionary work in connection with our studies, and as our desire is to help others while helping ourselves, we would gladly correspond with any who may desire information in the different branches of the work, and share with them the advantages we now enjoy. We also wish to secure the benefit of the experience of those who are now actively engaged in the field.
We received a number of very interesting letters, last year, asking for information; but they came after the school closed, thus too late for the class to receive benefit from them. Therefore we feel anxious for as early correspondence as possible, that all may be benefited thereby.
Address all communications to College Missionary Class, Battle Creek, Mich.
MISSIONARY CLASS.
Quarterly Meeting for District No. 9, Illinois
By C. E. Sturdevant
DIST. NO. 9, ILL.
The quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 9 will be held at Onarga, the second Sabbath and Sunday in January. We earnestly desire that this occasion may be one of special profit and encouragement to the entire district. Our former director will be present to conduct the exercises; and we earnestly hope that all our churches will at least send representatives. The time has long since come, when we should “Sound an alarm” to all around us. Considering our faith in the soon coming of Jesus, let us arouse and renew our efforts as never before. Come, let us lift up our hands to God on high for his especial blessing upon the work and workers of our beloved district the coming year. A hearty welcome awaits all the brethren and sisters who shall attend this meeting.
C. E. STURDEVANT, Director.
OUR NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING.
By Lillie D. Wood
TO THE BRETHREN AND SISTERS OF VIRGINIA:— The time for our first quarterly gathering in the new year, 1885, will soon be here, and we trust that each one is making all the necessary preparations to be on hand promptly, with hearts all aglow with the work. If we can feel the importance of thus coming together, it will prove a blessing, but if not, we may go from the meeting just as we came.
In a late number of our good REVIEW, we learn from the S. D. A. statistics for 1884, that there are two hundred and two members in our State. We thank God that these have been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth; there might be many more had we all labored more earnestly to bring the light before others since it was first shown to us. But let us cheer up; it is not too late yet. Let us determine to make the new year the best that has ever passed. Let us help our ministers by sending our silent messengers into every home.
But one thing let us not do; while we hope to make good use of many periodicals, and very many pages of tracts, let us not allow a great indebtedness to come against us at the Offices. Let us not cut down the number of publications, but let us shape our plans so as to keep square with every one. Do not fail to read Sr. White’s article in the last REVIEW. May God help us to be faithful to the end, and we shall have a bright crown.