REV. DR. J. LEIGHTON WILSON, Secretary of the Southern Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, has recently returned from an official visit to the missions of that Board in South America. Of Brazil he says :—
“Romanism has had the field entirely to herself for the last three centuries, but, by the common verdict of this present generation has been pronounced utterly wanting; not only has it failed to improve, to purify and elevate society, but it has plunged society into the very depths of ignorance and degradation. The great mass of the people, especially the more intelligent classes, admit the fact, but they are ready to cast from them a religion that only blinds and corrupts. The priesthood are denounced as the most ignorant and corrupt of mankind, and they have not even the self-respect to vindicate themselves; they are sometimes publicly flagellated in the streets. The bishops of Para and Pernambuco have been sentenced to four year's imprisonment in Rio Janeiro, and they are undergoing the penalty without any manifest disapproval on the part of the people. Since I have been in the country an imperial edict has been issued expelling the Jesuits, a considerable number of whom have already been deported. The newspapers expose the villanies and immoralities of the padres with unrelenting severity, and hundreds of thousands of families, while professing to be good Roman Catholics, never go to the confessional, nor attend any of their religious services.
“All the convents and monastaries in the country have been confiscated by the government, and with a few exceptions, they have passed out of the hands of the Romish party. The question of the dissolution of church and State will be agitated in the next parliament, and if the act is not then passed, it will be in the course of two or three years, and this will knock the last prop from the already tottering superstructure. Many thousand copies of the Sacred Scriptures have been disseminated among the people, and there is much reason to believe that they are extensively read. Constantly persons are coming to the different missionary stations to be instructed more fully in relation to the difference between the religion of the Bible and the Roman Catholic church. I have seen many persons of this class myself since I have been in this country, and I am painfully impressed with the fact, that the number of laborers in the field is utterly inadequate for the occasion.”
D. M. C.
“Religion of the Day.”
THE religion of the day is an easy-minded religion; a religion without conflict and wrestling, without self-denial and sacrifice; a religion which knows nothing of the pangs of the new birth as its commencement, and nothing of the desperate struggle with the devil, day by day, making us long for resurrection-deliverance, for the binding of the Adversary, and for the Lord's arrival. It is a second-rate religion—a religion in which there is no largeness, no grandeur, no potency, no noble-mindedness, no elevation, no self-devotedness, no all-constraining love. It is a hollow religion, with a fair exterior, but an aching heart—a heart unsatisfied, a soul not at rest, a conscience not at peace with God; a religion marked, it may be, by activity and excitement, but betraying all the while the consciousness of a wound hidden and unhealed within, and hence unable to animate to lofty doings, or supply the strength needed for such doings. It is a feeble religion, lacking the sinews and bones of hardier times—very different from the indomitable, much-enduring, storm-braving religion, not merely of apostolic days, but even of the Reformation. It is an uncertain religion; that is to say, it is not rooted in certainty; it is not the outflowing of a soul assured of pardon, and rejoicing in filial relationship between itself and God. Hence, there is no liberty of service, for the question of personal acceptance is still an unsettled thing; there is a working for pardon, but not from pardon. Hence all is bondage, heaviness, irksomeness. There is a speaking for God, but it is with a faltering tongue; there is a laboring for God, but it is with fettered hands; there is a moving in the way of his commandments, but it is with a heavy drag upon our limbs. Hence the inefficient, uninfluential character of our religion. It does not tell on others; for it has not fully told upon ourselves. It falls short of its mark, for the arm that drew the bow was paralyzed.—H. Bonar.
Search the Scriptures.
By E. W. Rice
"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39. Dear brethren and sisters, in taking up the subject of studying the Scriptures, I do not know as I shall bring out any new ideas; but will try to refresh your minds, and stir you up to duty. What is meant by searching, or seeking; we are all well informed. When anything is lost the first thought is to "search for it." Webster thus defines to search: "To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something." "To inquire after, to seek for." Well, dear brethren, how is it; are we looking over the groundwork of our faith and hope, or are we carelessly drifting along with the current, or stranded upon some sand bar? Do we realize the time, and the responsibility that we are under to search the word of God? Hear Paul; in the Acts he brings to our view a class that were more noble than those in Thessalonica, and why? First, because they were more noble in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and secondly, because they searched the Scriptures daily.
How many of us take up the Bible and read a chapter at the morning altar, perhaps we get one of the very shortest in the New Testament, and read it hastily, then offer a short—shall I say—prayer, and then comes a hurry and a rush for the cares of life. Again, in the evening, the same scene presents itself with perhaps this difference, that we are so worn out that it is almost impossible to keep awake. May we repent and seek that we may find pardon.
Isa. 8:20 says: "To the law and to the testimonies; if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them." Why this testimony? Because the powers of darkness are great in the earth, and we must have a more thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. We must gird on the whole armour. Again, What are we to look for? We profess to be looking for the return of our Lord and Saviour, but can we expect to meet him in peace when we have neglected to search his word? In other words, should he now come would we have time to meet him in peace? I think not. Oh, says one, I have no time to read the Bible, I have so much to do, but I mean to make a change in my business; but then time flies, and no change. Oh! fatal delusion. Christ says in Matt. 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. In Luke he says: "And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find."
Now, dear brethren and sisters, if we neglect this injunction, "Search the Scriptures," do we not do so at the peril of our lives? I think we do. There is a time coming when whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it. In Luke 13:24 we are admonished in stronger terms, if possible. He says: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Will this be our lot, will we seek the Lord for a few days, and then cease the struggle, or shall we nobly strive on till victory shall turn on Israel's side? My prayer is that we may all drink deep at salvation's well, that we may, through the atoning blood of our Saviour, hear that welcome voice saying to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant," "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." This is the earnest desire and prayer of you brother in Christ,
E. W. RICE.
San Francisco, July 3, 1875.
The Bible Tested.
DURING his protracted residence in Paris, Benjamin Franklin was once invited to meet a gay company, where most of the members of the court were present. By one of his bold strokes he made a deep impression, and gained applause by his frankness.
According to the customs of the country, after the usual ceremonies of the evening were over, the gentlemen engaged in free conversation, and the remarks of the company were directed against Christianity. They made the church ridiculous by every means in their power, and treated the Bible with unsparing severity.
They grew more and more excited in their sarcastic observations. One gentleman drew to himself universal attention, stoutly maintaining that the Bible was a book of impious lies, and without the slightest literary value. All the Frenchmen present heartily approved of this decision, but Franklin gave no sign of assent. Being at that time a favorite at court, it was not easy to endure the silent dissent of a man of his worth and influence. They all, therefore, asked his opinion. Franklin replied, in his usual way, that he was not exactly prepared to answer. But he had lately been occupied with the merits of a new book of remarkable excellence which he had just received; and as they had taken the liberty to make light of the literary merits of the Bible, perhaps they would be interested in comparing the value of his new purchase with it. If so, he would read them a short extract. They were all delighted to have the doctor read. With great formality he drew an old book from his pocket, and with the utmost impressiveness read them a poetical passage.
It had its effect. The admiring hearers said it was the best thing they had ever heard or read. "Beautiful!" said one. "How sublime!" said another. "There is nothing grander in the world!" was the general opinion. They all desired to know the title of the book, and whether this was a specimen of its contents.
"Really, gentlemen," said the doctor, chuckling over his triumph, "my book is full of such passages. It is no other than your despised Bible. I have read you the prayer of the Prophet Habakkuk, recorded in the 3d chapter."
The Waldenses in Italy.
THE Waldenses have extended a network of small evangelical communities over the whole peninsula of Italy, from the Sea-Alps (Alpes maritimes) to the Adriatic, from the valley of the Po to the Gulf of Naples and to Sicily.
Looking at the aggregate, we find that the field of the Waldensian mission in Italy contains, outside of the "valleys," thirty-three established communities, thirteen missionary stations, and thirty other stations more or less frequently visited. The working force of these communities and stations counts up to ninety-seven persons, of whom twenty-three are pastors, nine evangelists, ten junior ministers performing the duties of teachers, forty-nine elementary teachers, and six colporteurs.
The Waldensian Evangelization shows an average of 3,250 regular attendants to Sunday services and 2,165 communicants; the number of children of Protestant parentage belonging to the different communities is 1,300, and the primary schools are attended by 2,203 pupils.
The expenses of the last financial year, ending on the 12th of August, 1874, were not less than 200,000 lires($40,000 gold). One-twentieth part of this sum was raised in Italy; the balance was contributed by friends of the movement in all European countries and in America.
ANTS VERSUS CATERPILLARS.
The Belgian Official Journal, referring to the ignorant conduct of those who destroy all kinds of birds and insects indiscriminately, insists on the necessity of children in primary schools being taught to distinguish between useful and noxious insects, and thus to exercise their destructive faculties against the latter only. The writer proceeds to say that the ant, which is very disagreeable and inconvenient in many respects, does excellent service in chasing and destroying caterpillars with relentless energy.
A farmer who had noticed this fact, and had had his cabbages literally devoured by caterpillars, at last hit upon the expedient of having an ant hill, or rather nest, such as abound in pine forests, brought to his cabbage plot. A sackful of the pine points, abounding in ants, was obtained and its contents strewn around the infested cabbage plants. The ants lost no time, but immediately set to work; they seized the caterpillars by their heads. The next day heaps of dead caterpillars were found, but not one alive, nor did they return to the cabbages. The value of ants is well known in Germany, and although their eggs are in great request as food for young partridges, pheasants, and nightingales, there is a fine against taking them from the forests. The ant is indefatigable in hunting its prey; it climbs to the very tops of trees, and destroys an immense quantity of noxious insects.—Sel.
Conference Proceedings
By Uriah Smith
Not many from without were present on Sunday forenoon, but the storm abating, some one thousand or twelve hundred were present in the afternoon, who listened with the deepest attention to a discourse from sister White, which was well deserving of the consideration they gave it.
Monday, nature seemed vieing with herself to produce one of her loveliest days, as if to make amends somewhat for the previous "unpleasantness." The work of various committees and officers of the Conference, and business matters generally, with the preaching of the word, filled up the day. Three discourses were given at the usual hours. And as the first part of the meeting had been in a measure interrupted by the rain, it was voted to continue it one day longer, till Wednesday morning.
Tuesday, at 9 A. M., Bro. White spoke on the subject of baptism. At 11, after a short discourse from sister White, backsliders and sinners again came forward for prayers, and the meeting reached a degree of interest, to which the brethren thanked God for having brought it.
In the afternoon Brn. Wm. B. Hill, George M. Dimmick, and L. H. Ells, were set apart for the work of the ministry. The congregation then repaired to a stream about a mile distant, and eighteen were buried in baptism.
In the evening, interesting remarks were made by Bro. and sister A. C. Spicer, S. D. Baptists. Bro. S. fully committed himself to the views and work of S. D. Adventists; and at the parting meeting the following morning, the congregation by a rising vote, responded to his remarks, receiving him as a member of the body. Credentials will be issued to him by the Minnesota Conference Committee.
Three new churches have been added to the Conference, and three other bodies are ready to join, when more fully organized. The membership has been increased some two hundred during the past year. Including the three ministers ordained at this meeting, they have seven ordained ministers, and eight licentiates, one minister and two licentiates being Swedes.
Through the counsel of Bro. White, and the liberal proposition he made to the Minn. T. and M. Society, touching their relation to the Publishing Association, they were greatly relieved from financial embarrassment, and much encouraged.
This meeting we believe will tell greatly for the advancement of the cause in Minnesota. All seemed exceedingly pleased with it, many regarding it as the best they ever enjoyed. For ourself, in addition to the general excellent character of the meeting, we acknowledge with gratitude the privilege of meeting many noble friends of the cause whom we never saw before. The memory of the happy acquaintance we have formed with them, will be a lasting pleasure. U. S.
Mission to Europe.
By John Nevins Andrews
ADVERTISING IN HOLLAND.
In response to advertisements in papers in the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Holland, I have received a considerable number of letters of inquiry, all of which I have answered as wisely as I was capable of answering. The correspondence has given me considerable labor, for I have had to procure the translation of these letters from the Holland or Dutch language, and the translation of mine into that language. The German language and the language of Holland are not the same, though often spoken of in America as the same thing. The language of Holland is Dutch; the German language is the Deutsch as called by the Germans. They are two distinct languages, though confounded sometimes because of some degree of similarity of the names. Very few persons here understand Dutch.
I will give some extracts from these Holland letters. My advertisement stated the object of my mission, the views of the people by whom I am sent, and it inquired after Christians who hallow the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, or who may be interested to consider the subject. Here are some of the responses:—
“TIEL, PROVINCE OF GUELDRE, HOLLAND, MARCH 27, ’75.
“To-day in looking over the New Gazette of Rotterdam, I have read an announcement concerning the celebration of the Sabbath, and this upon the seventh day itself. It will be very agreeable to me to learn the reasons of this observance, and this in respect to your position as missionary from America. In waiting your honored response, I am your devoted servant,
“H. A. VAN A.”
The next letter is from three ladies.
ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND, APRIL 9, ’75.
“It is with astonishment that we have read in the Gazette of Rotterdam that you have been sent from America to Europe as a missionary by Christians observing the seventh day of the week, or Saturday. We have reflected a long time upon this subject, and though we do not partake of your sentiments, we nevertheless respect them; for we are not able to give the subject a satisfactory explanation. For this reason we have requested our pastor, who is instructing us and preparing us for our first communion, to give us some clear light upon this matter. After having conferred much with him upon this subject, he at last counseled us to address you, and to request, if not too much trouble, that you answer the following question: Why do you not celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but, like the Jews, observe the seventh day of the week? Hoping to receive a response from you immediately, we are your devoted servants,
“D. M., H. O., AND M. M. VAN E.”
Here is a third letter, and it is written by one who supposed that I must mean Sunday in my advertisement.
“MAASLUIS, PROVINCE OF HOLLAND, SEPTRIONALE (PAYS BAS), APRIL 1, ’75.
“In consequence of an announcement in the New Gazette of Rotterdam, No. 3931, in which you request to be put in communication with those persons who feel the need to sanctify the Sunday, and as I am much in union with this idea, I desire more full instruction on this subject from you.
“I have the honor to be with esteem your devoted servant,
C. VAN R.”
I answered each of these letters. When Mr. Van R. had read my answer, he changed his mind concerning the day of the Sabbath, and wrote a second letter as follows:—
“MAASLUIS, APRIL 19, ’75.
“Your letter of the 11th instant has much interested me, and after having taken knowledge of the ideas which it contains, I must confess that I am perfectly of your opinion. But to obey is not possible for one who cannot live independent of others. Think a little of the case of a workman who must gain his bread at the house of another, and who takes for his day of rest the day instituted by God; his employer, who is not of his opinion, observes the first day of the week. He fails to receive from this workman two days of the seven, and yet the workman has been obliged heretofore to labor six days and sometimes seven, not to speak of the night, which he has had to pass at his work, to procure his daily bread. What sort of chance is there, then, for such a person to follow his own convictions of duty in this matter? You see that it is impossible for the workman. But if the employers and those who make the laws would set the example it would be possible.
“The only thing which I am able to do for the good cause is this: I will give you the address of two gentlemen to whom I have shown your letter and who have been touched with the truth of your sentiments. They will take your cause to heart, and as they possess much means with which to render assistance, they have invited me to give you their names. They are ready to enter into particular correspondence with respect to this subject, and if money is needed they are willing to help with their means. They will use French if you choose to have them. Their names are U. F. M. and E. M., both of Maasluis. Hoping that your work of Christian charity will succeed as you desire, I have the honor to be your devoted servant,
“C. VAN R.”
I wrote these persons and received the following response:—
“ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND, MAY 18, ’75.
“I have received your letter with pleasure, and have considered its contents. It is perfectly in accordance with my idea of the subject. I deeply regret the fact that the inhabitants of the earth do not understand, and will not accept, the seventh day from the creation, which is the only Sabbath that should be hallowed by mankind as sanctified by God. What to do in this case, each must know for himself. I am voluntarily of your views concerning the Sabbath and am able to act in harmony with my convictions of duty. I wish you to know that I shall do all in my power to set this subject before others as Mr. Van R. has set it before me.
“I remain your very devoted,
M.”
To this gentleman I have sent a copy of nearly all the publications which I received in the box from America. To be sure they are in English and in French, but he understands French, and in Rotterdam he can certainly find those who can read to him from an English book. But the feelings of my heart are inexpressible. How can the truth be got before these people in the Holland language? As soon as I began to receive letters from Holland I wrote to Battle Creek for copies of our Holland tract upon the Sabbath. I have watched for their coming with intense interest, but they have not yet arrived. I shall spare no pains to get the truth still further before these and other persons in Holland. It seems to me that here are indications of providence that labor should be bestowed upon that country, and that it would not be in vain. In my report from Germany, it will be remembered, I spoke of the manner in which this advertising was done. A gentleman in Gladbach, not a Sabbath-keeper, and not even a professor of religion, became so much interested in the truth to which he listened that he asked the privilege of doing this advertising at his own expense. He has been as good as his word, and this advertising has cost the mission funds nothing. I have from time to time reported to him the letters which I have received, and he has manifested interest to hear.
Though I desire to keep a file of the REVIEW and of our other papers for my own use and for reference, I find it impossible to do it. The REVIEW has many very valuable articles which I wish to read again. But before I have fairly read the paper once, I have had an opportunity to put it in the hands of some one who can read English, and who may, as I hope, be fitted by it; and so all the papers from the Office have gone. I give or send them with many prayers that God’s Spirit may attend them to the reader. I feel confident that sometime I shall be able to report the result of this distribution of the papers.
In my last report, I spoke of the state of religion in these countries. The condition of things is such that it brings much sadness to my heart. Grace is to save men without obedience, and without changing their evil disposition, at least not till they lie down in death. The people are generally lulled to sleep in the arms of Satan. My words are not to be taken without exceptions, but there are fewer exceptions than I could wish. I attend the service of the national church once every week for the purpose of hearing French. Two things in the service are quite impressive. Each person before taking a seat bows the head for a short time in prayer to God. It is with many, perhaps, but a mere form, but it seems to me something very suitable for the house of God. While the bell is ringing in the morning, the schoolmaster ascends the pulpit, and the moment that it ceases he arises and invites the people to listen to the reading of the law of God. Then he reads from Ex. 20 the ten commandments, and from Matt. 22:37-40 the two great commandments. The preacher sits at the foot of the pulpit stairs till the school-master has finished the reading of the law and retired. This service is, I suppose, designed to represent the order in which the law and the gospel perform their work in Christian experience. At all events, the people hear the law of God in every service, and I think it very much in place.
The Methodist brother of whom I have spoken will, I think, become a valuable helper. He is a man of good understanding and very much in earnest to learn the truth, and not less in earnest to teach others. He is a German, but understands some French, and is very anxious to read English. Himself and wife and four others, all newly converted to the truth within a few weeks, will be baptized shortly. It was publications that first interested this brother. I hope by the time of the baptism there will be still others to offer themselves as candidates. Though the work is prosecuted at present under difficulties, yet we have tokens of good.
J. N. ANDREWS.
La Coudre, Neuchatel, June 14, ’75.
Stars.
It is not so much the large stars shining on a dark night that makes the sky luminous, but the multitude of little ones all doing their best in their separate places. There are comparatively few of the large ones—not enough by any means to light up the infinite reaches of space between us and them—and so here is the need of the little ones. Are you pining in your place for the honor of a large star? Be content; your mission is just as high a one as that of the highest orb that shines. Though not equal in size you may yet be in brightness. Keep steadily to your appointed place, making all the light you can, and you are the largest star in the eyes of the great God who ruleth over all.—Meth. Recorder.
The Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
We left the place of the Wisconsin meeting in season to reach the Minnesota camp-ground Thursday evening. But when we reached Winona, Minn., we learned that a severe storm the night before had washed out the road ahead of us in two places, eight miles apart, rendering transfer impracticable, and suspending travel upon that road till the following day. Our patience having endured the severe strain of twenty-four hours' delay in Winona, we started out on time Friday at 12:50, the break in the road having been repaired. After we had run out about 15 miles, our train suddenly came to a prolonged halt, and the not very entertaining information came to our ears that a freight had broken through the mended place in the road, and we must wait again for repairs. We stood there upon the track till toward nine that evening and reached the camp-ground at 3 o'clock Sabbath morning.
We found we had not been the only ones laboring under unfavorable circumstances. A very heavy rain storm had visited the encampment, the day and night before. This was a new experience for Minnesota, the weather in all their six previous camp-meetings, having uniformly been pleasant; hence it took some in a measure unprepared. However favorable the prospect may be in advance, a heavy, close tent, and a sheet-iron stove that can be used inside, in case of cold and wet, will be found a wise precaution.
Nevertheless, the people were of good cheer. The meeting had started in well. There were thirty-one tents pitched, and nearly four hundred brethren and sisters present. Two of the forty-foot tents were joined together, forming a pavilion forty feet by eighty. This furnished a pleasant place for meeting when the open ground could not be used. This audience room was well filled by the brethren present. Yet in point of numbers this meeting cannot be taken as an index of the strength of the cause in Minnesota, as it is estimated that there would have been fully two hundred more present, but for the financial embarrassment in this State caused by the grasshopper scourge.
Sabbath morning at 9, a very precious season was enjoyed in social meeting. The testimonies borne were to the point, and well wet down with tears. Bro. and sister White spoke the word in the forenoon and afternoon, with usual freedom. In the social meeting at 5 P. M., over one hundred came forward for prayers. Seventy-six of them spoke. Remarks from Bro. White fairly bore away the congregation on the wings of hope and courage. The season of prayer that followed was one of great freedom. The occasion could scarcely have been better.
At this meeting, as in the preceding, our hearts were made to rejoice over the work of the Lord among those of other tongues. We have spoken, in reports of the Illinois and Monroe, Wis., Camp-meetings, of the French, Danes, and Norwegians. Here we met an intelligent company of Swedes. Sunday, at 9 A. M., a service was held more especially for their benefit. Sister White spoke to them, her remarks being interpreted into the Swedish tongue by Bro. Lee. Thus all were edified, and many hearts were moved by the things they heard. It was clearly shown that the angels of God are moving upon hearts, not in this country alone, but in Europe and in different parts of the world, to call their attention to the golden coins of truth which have so long been buried up with the rubbish of error and tradition, but which are to be brought out for the church in the last days, that through obedience thereto, they may be sanctified and prepared for the coming and kingdom of our Lord. This message is going to the nations, tongues, and peoples of the world, and soon the whole earth will be lightened with the blaze of its closing glory.
In the night following the Sabbath, and during Sunday forenoon, a heavy rain-fall again came upon the encampment. But the brethren had been cheered by the meeting and blessed to that degree that they were raised above the influence of outward circumstances; and though the encampment might look to the outward observer, like a dreary and uninviting place, it was, nevertheless, the happiest spot in all Minnesota; and there was more joy in those drip-