Dear reader, do you know that that old coat, those old shoes, and that old hat of yours, all have immortal, undying spirits, that will live in the world to come? Perhaps you have never thought of this; but you know that this is an age of improvement and invention, and many things are being found out now which were not known before. Many men have believed and taught that their bodies had immortal souls which live after the body dies; but wonderful to tell! we now learn that even our old clothes which we wear have immortal souls too. You ask how this is proved. Well, we go to the spiritualists and they offer unquestionable (?) proof of it. I will state it as their medium stated it to me.
Suppose you go to a medium to test the truthfulness of spiritualism. The medium goes into a trance, and tells you that your father is present; but you are unbelieving. You want some proof of it. So the medium tells you that he sees your father standing by your side, or somewhere in the room. Now you know that the medium never saw your father. Hence, you ask her to describe him whom she sees; and if she describes a person in every respect like your father, why, you are satisfied, or at least the medium claims that you ought to be satisfied, that it is really the spirit of your father. Well, your father perhaps was a miller; and you remember him, not only his features, size, complexion, but his clothes, which he used ordinarily to wear. So the medium proceeds to describe the spirit which she sees.
“I see a man standing by your side; I should judge that he was about sixty years old.” Well, you think that is right; for my father was about that age when he died. She further says, “He has light hair and sandy whiskers.” This again is the exact appearance of your father. “He has blue eyes and a deep scar on his right cheek.” Here, again, is just the appearance of your father. “He appears to be lame in one foot and carries a cane.” You are almost convinced now, for that is just what your father did. “But further, he has on light gray clothes, well worn, and threadbare. They appear to be dusty with flour.” Now you are almost certain that it must be your father, for that is just the clothing he wore.
Now, from the description, you would almost swear that that was your father. The medium, and, indeed, all spiritualists claim that you must be very unbelieving if you are not convinced that it is really he. They claim that the same evidence, the same amount and exact description in any court of justice would identify any man; and hence that it identifies this spirit whom the medium sees as being your father, beyond the possibility of a doubt; hence it must be the spirit of your dead father.
Now comes the point to which we wish to call your attention. If the spirit which dwelt in your father's body is there, because the medium sees and can describe the exact looks, and features of your father's face, then it follows just as legitimately that the spirit of your father's old coat is there too; because she describes the coat just as minutely as she does your father's face!! If it proves that the spirit of your father's body is there, does it not prove just as plainly that the spirit of your father's coat is there too? Certainly it must.
You remember the case of Samuel and the witch of Endor. Saul asked the woman, the medium, what she saw. “And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle, and Saul perceived that it was Samuel.” Here you will see that one thing that convinced Saul that Samuel was there, was that old mantle, which Samuel always wore while in the flesh. See 1 Sam. 15:27. Now was the spirit of Samuel there? If so, the spirit of his old mantle was there too. Hence you see, dear reader, from all these facts, it is plain that the very clothes we wear are animated with an undying spirit; and still further, that our spirits will be clothed with spirits of garments that we wear here. Now, we can draw a very practical lesson from this; namely, it is very important that we wear good clothing here; and particularly that we dress up a little just before we die, as we shall have to wear these clothes there eternally!!!
But to be serious about it, I think there is an important point about this, which shows the deception of modern spiritualism. Last night, I heard a trance speaker lecture. I asked him if spirits wore clothing in the spirit world. He said they did; but that it was clothing adapted to that country, and different from ours. Then I asked him how it was, that when mediums describe to us the spirits of our friends, whom they say they see before them, these spirits generally appear in the same clothing that they wore upon earth. He answered in substance as follows: When one person psychologizes or mesmerizes another, he obtains entire control of the mind thus psychologized. Then he has power to make this mesmerized person see whatever he wishes him to see. For instance, the mesmerized person will think that he sees an apple tree before him. He walks up, picks the fruit, and eats it. It is all real to him, though actually, there is no tree there. But the one who mesmerizes him has this power of bringing before his mind any image he chooses, though it is not really there. So it is in the case of a medium in a trance. The spirit mesmerizes the medium; then the medium sees the spirit of your friend; and in order that you may identify its spirit, it appears to be clothed in the same garments with which you were familiar in its earth life—not that the spirit really has on those garments. And so it is in those wonderful manifestations which have appeared at Moravia, N. Y., and other places where not only the medium, but all present in the room, see the form, the features, and the clothing of your dead friend. The spirit materializes itself, and takes on a physical form for the time being; and in order that you may be sure that it is your friend, it also takes on for the moment material clothes, which look just like the ones it wore in earth life. This he explained to me to be the philosophy of it.
Now, reader, look at the facts a moment. If the spirit can magnetize the medium and bring before her mind, and make her see a tree which is not really there, and fruit which does not exist, then the spirit can also make that medium see, or think she sees, the form of a person which is not there at all, any more than the tree is there. And if the medium sees that spirit clothed with garments which are not there at all, what proof have we that the spirit is there any more than the clothes? If she can see clothing which does not exist, she can see spirits which do not exist. And further, if a spirit can take on a material form and material clothing, so as to be seen, then that spirit can take on any form it chooses, or any color of clothing.
Do you inquire for your mother? It immediately assumes the appearance of your mother, clothing and all. Do you inquire for your little babe? The same spirit assumes the appearance and dress of your little babe.
In confessing this point, the spiritualists have given us the whole argument. We claim that it is simply the devil, and that by psychologizing or mesmerizing the medium, he has power to make her see anything that he chooses, when it is not really there at all. And thus the devil can transform himself into any shape or form to suit the emergency, and that therefore it is no proof that it is really the spirit of your departed friend because it looks like it.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Hutchinson, Minn., Sept. 8, 1872.
A Sunbeam.
The greatest of physical paradoxes is the sunbeam. It is the most potent and versatile force we have, and yet it behaves itself like the gentlest and most accommodating. Nothing can fall more softly or more silently upon earth than the rays of our great luminary—not even the feathery flakes of snow, which thread their way through the atmosphere as if they were too flimsy to yield to the demands of gravity, like grosser things. The most delicate slip of gold leaf, exposed as a target to the sun’s shafts, is not stirred to the extent of a hair, though an infant’s faintest breath would set it into tremulous motion.
The tenderest of human organs—the apple of the eye—though pierced and buffeted each day by thousands of sunbeams suffers no pain during the process, but rejoices in their sweetness, and blesses the useful light. Yet a few of those rays, insinuating themselves into a mass of iron, like the Britannia Tubular Bridge, will compel the closely knit particles to separate, and will move the whole enormous fabric with as much ease as a giant would stir a straw. The play of those beams upon our sheets of water lifts up layer after layer into the atmosphere, and hoists whole rivers from their beds, only to drop them again in snows upon the hills, or in fattening showers upon the plains. Let but the air drink in a little more sunshine at one place than another, and out of it springs the tempest or the hurricane, which desolates a whole region in its lunatic wrath. The marvel is that a power which is capable of assuming such a diversity of forms, and of producing such stupendous results, should come to us in so gentle, so peaceful, and so unpretentious a guise.—British Quarterly Review.
The Indiana Camp-meeting.
By George I. Butler
THIS was the closing camp-meeting of the season, and we trust it has been an important meeting for the interests of the cause in the State. We were very sorry that we could not commence the meeting with the appointment, Wednesday, but waited till Thursday afternoon and then commenced with a very small audience. The friends of the cause suffered a loss from this which we were sorry for on their account. Finally, however, there was quite a general attendance, and the meeting was said to be the largest assemblage of S. D. Adventists ever held in Indiana.
The larger portion of those present have not held their present views very long, but seem zealous and firmly established in their faith. Most of our meetings were held under the large sixty-foot tent recently purchased for the State.
The destruction of the old one last summer will, in this way, really prove a blessing, as they now have as fine a tent as any we have seen. The brethren took into consideration the matter of forming a State Conference, as suggested by the General Conference at its last session. And as Michigan, with which they have been connected formerly in one Conference, was willing they should separate if they thought the common cause could be better advanced by so doing, it was decided to organize the Indiana Conference of S. D. Adventists. This was accordingly done, while an appropriate resolution of thanks was passed, expressing gratitude to the brethren of Michigan for their past watchcare and interest in behalf of Indiana.
The proceedings of the meeting and the names of the officers selected will be published in REVIEW. We think the move was a good one, and hope it will result in greater energy and increased interest in behalf of the cause we all love.
A resolution, requesting the Brn. Lane to labor in the State, in the future, was unanimously passed. The brethren have accepted the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and we see no reason why we may not now look for a strong forward movement of the work in that State. Indiana seems to be a good field for labor, and the brethren seem to be zealously affected toward the cause, and determined to do something in the work.
Our devotional meetings were not all I could have wished, yet we trust were profitable. The preaching was mostly of a practical character, designed to show that theory would never save us alone. A character conformed to the principles of the divine law, and the pattern set for us by the Lord Jesus Christ, must be ours if we dwell in the presence of a holy God. Not merely the intellect, but the heart, also, must be converted. We trust our brethren there will act upon these suggestions. They manifested an interest to do so.
On Sabbath day there was a movement among the people in response to the call for those who desired prayers; and some good confessions were made. On Sunday we had quite a crowd, who gave good attention to the word spoken. On Monday we closed our meeting with a baptism, in which four were buried with their Lord.
And thus our camp-meeting season closed up. No one can go over the field for the first time, and meet with the friends of the cause in the different States, as I have done this season, without being deeply impressed that this is a great work. And yet our people are a unit. They are one on all the great principles of truth. They are laboring for a common purpose. And I trust they realize more and more the importance of maintaining a high and exalted standard of morality and religion. Without this, we shall inevitably fail of accomplishing our work. With it we must succeed, for we have the truth for this time, and God works with his truth when its defenders live in him, and walk with him.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Battle Creek, Mich., Sept. 29, 1872.
Indiana Conference.
By George Ide Butler; S. H. Lane
The cause of present truth, through the blessing of God, has been greatly strengthened in this State during the past two years; so much so, that the General Conference at its last session recommended that the brethren of Indiana organize a separate Conference. This fully met the mind of the majority of the brethren in the State. During the camp-meeting, the brethren requested that a meeting be called to consider the propriety of organizing a Conference. This meeting convened at 9 o'clock A. M., Sept. 20, 1872. The meeting was opened with prayer by Bro. W. H. Littlejohn. Eld. Geo. I. Butler was by vote elected Chairman, and S. H. Lane, Secretary. The Michigan Conference, as appointed, was represented by Bros. Littlejohn and Lane. The object of the meeting was fully explained by Bro. Butler.
Moved, by Bro. James Harvey, That the brethren of Indiana organize a Conference. Appropriate remarks were made concerning the subject by several of the leading brethren, after which a decided vote was given in favor of the motion.
Moved, and adopted, That this Conference be called the Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The usual constitution of State Conferences was adopted.
On motion, the Chair appointed the following brethren as a Nominating Committee: W. H. Littlejohn, James Harvey, Isaac Zirkle, Chas. Seward and D. F. Randolph.
Adjourned to the call of the Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Opened with prayer by Bro. W. H. Littlejohn. The Nominating Committee reported the following brethren for officers for the ensuing year: President, Williamson Covert, of Sharpsville, Tipton Co.; Secretary, James Harvey, of North Liberty, St. Joseph Co.; Treasurer, Isaac Zirkle, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co.; Conference Committee, Williamson Covert, Noah Carahoof, of Patricksburg, Owen Co.; and Wm. R. Carpenter, of North Liberty, St. Joseph Co. These brethren were elected by a unanimous vote.
After appropriate remarks by Bro. Littlejohn, the following resolutions were passed:
Resolved, That the S. D. Adventist churches of North Liberty, Alto, Erwin, Salem Center, and Patricksburg, be recognized as at present constituting the Seventh-day Adventist Conference of the State of Indiana; and that we recommend them from this time forward to send their Systematic Benevolence to the State Conference Treasurer.
Resolved, That we recommend to the scattered brethren in the State of Indiana to send in their pledges on Systematic Benevolence to the Treasurer of this Conference without delay; or that they connect themselves with some church within the limits of this Conference to which they can give the amount which they propose to pay yearly for the support of the cause.
Adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THIRD SESSION.
Meeting opened by prayer. The following preamble and resolution was presented and fully adopted by all present:
Whereas, The States of Michigan and Indiana have heretofore been united in one Conference, and whereas by the action of this body the State of Indiana has been formed into a separate Conference, therefore, Resolved, That we take this occasion to give expression to the gratitude which we feel to our brethren in Michigan in view of the affectionate watchcare which they have so long exercised over the cause in this State; and that we earnestly desire their prayers that God may crown our efforts at individual action with success.
Moved, That this Conference express their gratitude to the General Conference for the efficient labor bestowed at the present camp-meeting. Carried.
Moved, That this Conference donate to the General Conference $100.00. Carried.
The subject of the formation of a Tract Society was introduced, and after some little discussion, it was decided to organize a Society, adopting the constitution and arrangement entered into by the Tract Societies of other Conferences.
Moved, That this Conference invite Bro. Lane to labor in the State the present Conference year, insuring to them its co-operation and support. Carried.
Moved, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the REVIEW.
Adjourned sine die.
GEO. I. BUTLER, Chairman.
S. H. LANE, Secretary.
A Note From the Vermont Tent.
By Albert C. Bourdeau; Daniel T. Bourdeau
The good work is still progressing here. We have been here two weeks and two days and have given twenty-four lectures. Our average attendance is from one hundred to three hundred and fifty. We never saw a better interest in Vermont. A few have already commenced to keep the Sabbath. Last Sabbath we held our first Sabbath meeting under the tent. Several of our brethren and sisters from Strasburg, Brownington, etc., were in, and eight new ones spoke in our social meeting, expressing a strong desire to know the truth and walk in its light. We have more calls than we can make. Several have come in from neighboring towns. God is hearing the prayers of our dear brethren. This place is situated six miles east of Island Pond. One of us will locate in this section through the winter. Still pray for us.
A. C. BOURDEAU,
D. T. BOURDEAU.
East Charleston, Vt., Sept. 16, 1872.
P. S. Sept. 23. Our meetings have continued here another week, over four Sundays in all, with increasing interest. Several are deciding to embrace the truth. Last Sabbath was a good day to us, and to the friends in this place. Yesterday, Sunday, held three very interesting meetings, the last ones for this season, under the tent. To-day, we take down the tent, giving Bro. W. J. Cross, who has assisted us this season free from charges, a chance to return to his family; and we will continue our meetings evenings and Sundays in a meeting-house in this place, as long as the interest will demand. Our Hymns and Tunes for new fields, etc., are just what we need. We disposed of twenty-five copies, all that we had on hand, yesterday.
A. C. B.
D. T. B.
Mt. Hope and Bloomington, Wis.
By David Downer
We have closed our tent labor at Mt. Hope. We think we are not alone in saying that God has done a work there that will stand firm till our Redeemer shall come. Infidelity, spiritualism, and false theology, have moved back and given place to God's holy truth.
We leave sixty Sabbath-keepers besides children, at Mt. Hope. Thirteen subscribed for the REVIEW. Many more will take it as soon as they thresh their grain. We sold sixty dollars' worth of books. We also leave very many friends to the truth, some of whom promised at our last meeting that they would obey God.
As we look back over our last nine weeks' labor, we feel to exclaim, What a change! Not a friend in town at first. Two strangers came there to find a place for a tent. Some wondered; others laughed. But at the parting hour, warm tears flowed freely. We could only point them to Christ.
Our meetings have been attended with solemnity throughout. The friends at Mt. Hope are building a meeting-house, thirty by forty-five. May God bless the work there, and the dear saints of God get strength to stand in the soon coming struggle.
My health has been poor. Many times7have I feared that I could not stand long enough to preach a short discourse, but have been held up by the blessing of the Lord. Perfect harmony prevailed in our tent company. We feel pained to think we soon must part.
We are now at Bloomington. Our meetings are attended better than we expected they would be. Catholics, infidels, and spiritualists, are very numerous here; but it is said they average better than the professed Christians. We have held two meetings, and had good attention, and good congregations. We shall have hard work to remove prejudice existing here, caused by the unbecoming course of L. Bostwick. It is a terrible thing to have unsanctified ministers go out and hedge up the way. But God is giving us the field here. The fire of God's truth will burn its way into honest hearts. Brethren, we more than ever crave your earnest prayers.
I can say I never have been so determined to become holy as now. I feel a deep conviction that I must seek meekness. Let me say to the scattered saints, Let us humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God. We shall be astonished to see what God will do for us if we only yield up all our carnal nature and have only the mind of Christ.
We are meeting with some embarrassment now in political matters. Brethren, let us let politics alone. When politics come into the heart, religion goes out and the Spirit is grieved. It is my earnest cry, Lord, help me to get into this solemn work of saving men with the truth. Could I make but one request of God and have it granted me, I would say, Lord, let me walk with thee like Enoch of old. DAVID DOWNER.
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION.
By E. M. WARREN
My sister, brother, do we feel how precious are these
years,
While God's sweet Spirit still invites and seems to
wait so near?
Think of those hours—those bitter hours when we
had grieved away
The gentle voice of truth and love which warns and
woes to-day.
It seemed that we had sinned so long, God could no
more forgive,
Oh! such a dark and hopeless life, 'twas misery to
live.
Such gloominess and such despair, and strife and
bitter hate;
And evil spirits seemed around to drive us to our
fate.
Yet when we cried again to God, and put away our
sin,
He did forgive and rescue us, and gave us joy again.
But think, the years are hast'ning fast, the time is
almost o'er
When if we grieve the warning voice 'twill come to
us no more.
Ah! there will be a famine then, than lack of bread
more drear,
For men shall wander north and east, the word of
God to hear.
From sea to sea and to and fro; but searching all is
vain,
For none then offer pardoning love, or ever shall
again.
Then, oh! to think so many years God's mercy was
so free,
His holy book he scattered wide, that all might read
and see,
And 'mid the perils of the time, again he sent us
word,
His Spirit came with power and light and showed us
where we erred.
Alas! how could we be so blind? Why did we let
them go?
Thank God! we have not, by his grace we'll heed
and love them too.
In anything, when he suggests which is the better
way,
We'll feel that surely he knows best and trust him
all the day.
My brother, sister, when we heed all that the Lord
has said,
He'll give us joy and peace and light, the darkness
will have fled.
His word says, He that followeth me shall not in
darkness stand,
But he shall have the light of life e'en to the better
land.
God's precious blessing in our soul and beaming in
our face,
We shall give light to other hearts, and make them
know his grace.
And when we've reached the bliss of Heaven, many
may clasp our hand,
And say, You helped to lead us here—to this immortal land.
E. M. WARREN.
Ohio Conference of S. D. Adventists.
By Wm. Cunningock; H. A. St. John
CONFERENCE convened pursuant to call of Committee, on the camp-ground, Mansfield, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1872. Meeting called to order by the President, and opened with prayer by Bro. W. H. Littlejohn.
The number of delegates presenting credentials to the Conference was eleven, representing eight churches. Several churches were not represented.
On motion, all brethren in good standing were invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
Voted, That the church at Waterford be admitted into the Conference.
Minutes of last meeting read and accepted.
On motion, the Chair appointed the following committees:
Auditing Committee: O. Mears, O. F. Guilford, J. Mears, S. Simonds, E. Edgerton, J. B. T. Nichols. Committee on Resolutions: W. H. Littlejohn, Geo. I. Butler, O. F. Guilford. Committee on Nominations: J. W. Wolfe, J. Mears, Geo. I. Butler.
Voted, That the Conference Committee nominate men to move to Battle Creek.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Opened with prayer by Bro. G. I. Butler. Bro. E. W. Hutchins, having returned home because of feeble health, Bro. H. A. St. John was chosen secretary, pro tem. The Committee on Nominations reported the following persons for Officers the ensuing year: President, O. F. Guilford; Secretary, A. A. Hutchins; Treasurer, John Mears; Conference Committee, O. F. Guilford, Sanford Rogers, Geo. Bisel.
Report accepted, and the nominees elected.
Voted, That Brn. O. Mears and Newell Grant move to Battle Creek.
Treasurer’s report read and accepted.
Voted, That the Conference Committee recommend to the Conference such persons as they think should receive license.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
THIRD SESSION.
Opened with prayer by Bro. J. H. Waggoner. By advice of Nominating Committee, it was
Voted, That Brn. Eli Glascock, J. W. Wolfe, and W. F. Crous act as Camp-meeting Committee for 1873.
Voted, That the Bowersville church be allowed one half their s. b. for 1873, in case they build a meeting-house.
Voted, That this Conference donate the sum of $250.00 to the General Conference.
Voted, That the following brethren receive license for the coming year: H. A. St. John, Wm. Cottrell, O. F. Guilford, Sanford Rogers.
Voted, That this Conference recommend that Bro. H. A. St. John receive ordination.
Adjourned to the call of the President.
WM. CUNNINGOCK, President.
H. A. ST. JOHN, Secretary pro tem.
Rose, Mich.
By ALBERT WEEKS; W. H. HASKIN
WE commenced a course of lectures at this place according to appointment, Wednesday, Sept. 18. Although the weather has been unfavorable, there has been good attendance. The audience is one of intelligence, and the best interest is manifested in listening to the word spoken.
There seems to be a very friendly feeling toward us pervading the entire community. We have given five discourses and the interest is increasing. We trust, by the assisting grace of God, that the meetings may be carried on to the glory of God and the advancement of his cause. We ask an interest in the prayers of the people of God to this end.
ALBERT WEEKS,
W. H. HASKIN.
Wisconsin.
By I. Sanborn
It has been some time since I have written anything concerning my labor. The reason is, I have been detained from labor by the serious affliction of Mrs. Sanborn by a cancer while she has been undergoing treatment for recovery. We are now quite hopeful that we have succeeded in removing it, and that she will be restored to health.
In the few weeks past, I have attended the quarterly meetings at Albany, Avon, and Mackford, which were all good and deeply interesting. Five were baptized at Avon. Eld. Thurston organized a Missionary and Tract Society at Mackford. The brethren and sisters are taking hold of the missionary work with a commendable zeal.
I also spent two Sabbaths with the tent company in Grant Co. These were very interesting meetings. I assisted the brethren what I could. It was truly very cheering to see so many forsaking their infidel principles, and others the doctrines and commandments of men, and turning to the Lord with all their hearts. Twenty-six were baptized while I was there. About $800.00 subscribed to build a meeting-house, and a building committee chosen. I learn that they have commenced building, and expect to finish it in a few weeks. I am satisfied that by careful, faithful, judicious labor there may be a faithful, strong church raised up there. I therefore pray that the Lord may give his servants wisdom to do his work well.
I. SANBORN.
Burnett Junction, Sept. 23, 1872.
Truth Acknowledged.
By E. P. Daniels
I WISH to express, through the columns of the REVIEW, my deep and earnest gratitude to God for the light of present truth, as proclaimed by the advocates of the third angel's message, who keep the commandments of God and HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS. And I know of no way that I can do so, that will result to his glory more effectually, than by confessing to the world at large, my wicked, obstinate, and rebellious opposition both to the precious truths you advocate and the spirit of prophecy as manifested in your midst.
For nearly one year, I waged war against those precious truths, and did several times express my convictions that these manifestations were of a Satanic origin, and that when I became a believer in them, I should be also ready to announce to the world my belief in modern spiritualism; and in my earnestness to break down the prejudice some held against the Sabbath (after I had become a Sabbath-keeper), because of the relation which it held to the visions, I even denounced them in the bitterest terms, reiterating many harsh and unkind accusations (which I received from some who, having been reproved by them, rebelled against them) into the ears of those with whom I once had to deal, to such a degree that their minds are now firmly fixed against them.
I have had a severe trial in trying to oppose the truth; but Jesus did know that I wanted to be saved, and that my opposition was not of a willful nature. So through his tender love, he wove together a chain of circumstances, in connection with my worldly business, that showed me my true position. I, who verily thought I was doing God service, was standing in the way of the truth, and thus impeding its progress. May God forgive me, and may those against whom I have spoken forgive me, for the harsh and very unkind course I have pursued in the past toward them. And in the future I will try by the help of God to adorn my profession with a conversation that will be void of offense both toward God and man.
In conclusion I would state to the many readers of the REVIEW that I firmly believe that sister White is a humble and devoted instrument, through whom God is speaking to this people of his choice, for whose final salvation he has set his hand to gather and prepare them for his kingdom.
And I am not alone in this settled conclusion. My wife also indorses the whole teachings of the third message, and the light relative to the mode of dress and manner of living, that we should adopt to fit us to stand when the wicked shall utterly perish. We have erected the standard of reform, and by the help of God, we are determined to live out its principles. Dear brethren and sisters, aid us by your prayers.
E. P. DANIELS.
Jackson, Mich.
Tract and Missionary Department.
By A. C. Bourdeau; C. W. Stone
Report of the Vt. Tract and Missionary Society.
THE Vt. T. and M. Society held its first annual meeting in connection with the camp-meeting at Richmond, Vt., Aug. 16, 1872. The meeting was called to order by the President. Prayer by Bro. Littlejohn. Introductory remarks were made by Bro. A. C. Bourdeau, showing the importance of this branch of the work, and inviting all present to take an interest in the doings of this meeting.
The doings of the first meeting of the Society at the time of its organization were read. Then the President stated how much had been done in bringing the churches into working order relative to this Society, and that there was more to be accomplished in this direction.
The Secretary's report was then called for, which read as follows:—
Whole number of members, 173.
Money received for memberships, $145.75
Donations, 48.35
Money received on book sales, 15.70
Whole amount of money received, 209.80
Number of new subscribers for Review, 10. Reformer, 22. Instructor, 4.
Number of families visited, 146.
Amount pledged on Poor Fund, $60.00
of which there has been raised and paid out, 34.35
Value of books and tracts given away, 11.11
Value of books and tracts loaned, 16.58
Amount collected on delinquents on periodicals by the general agent and others, 102.00
Report accepted.
At this point interesting remarks were made by Bro. Littlejohn upon the value of tracts, and on the importance of our having lively tract societies, etc.
A Committee on Nominations was appointed, and the meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Meeting was called again Aug. 18. The Treasurer's report was presented, showing the following results:—
The Committee on Nominations then presented their report; whereupon the following officers were appointed:
President, A. C. Bourdeau,
Vice President, Lewis Bean,
Secretary, C. W. Stone,
Treasurer, H. W. Barrows,
Executive Committee,
In Dist. No. 1, A. C. Bourdeau,
“ “ “ 2, C. F. Worthen,
“ “ “ 3, S. H. Peck,
“ “ “ 4, T. H. Purdon,
“ “ “ 5, N. Orcutt,
General agent to collect dues on periodicals, C. P. Whitford. An assistant agent is appointed in each district, for the same purpose.
At this point Bro. A. C. Bourdeau introduced the subject of obtaining new subscribers for a trial trip for the Reformer, whereupon active measures were taken to forward that work. A. C. BOURDEAU, Pres.
C. W. STONE, Sec.
Beginning at Jerusalem.
THEExaminer very aptly says: “In this whole matter of Christian work, we should follow the indications of God's providence, which will, pretty uniformly, be found to say: Begin now—here—with the person that is nearest.” How natural it would have been for the apostles to have chosen any other field in which to begin their work than the city which they were most familiar with! Undoubtedly the Master knew that this universal human weakness, the desire to attempt great things before experience has been gained in little, would be their first great mistake.
The poor man whose curses may be heard in the next street is more accessible than the heathen in a distant city. He is both nearer in space, and much nearer in point of influence. He has some opportunity to observe us in our unprofessional garb; has, perhaps, occasion to know that our Christianity is not an affair of mere preaching, and our charity not a simple giving of money and food. If so, we have an advantage in working to save him. And if not, if he knows us to be more pretentious than genuine, and our zeal more partisan than spiritual, it is still well for us to learn this fact before venturing upon the more hazardous enterprise of laboring amid greater temptations.
Not until we have traded with our five talents, and added to them other five, ought we to think of the five cities. Even then, we might better wait for the Lord's bidding before we try to exercise so broad a dominion.—Christian at Work.
JOHN MATTESON
By John Matteson
Minnesota.
I STAYED about eleven weeks in Freeborn Co., Minn. Our meeting, and labor have been much blessed of the Lord. A great deal of prejudice has been removed, souls awakened, and the solemn truths of the third angel’s message have found room in many hearts who were formerly opposed to them. Twenty-seven have embraced the Sabbath, fourteen have been baptized, and twenty-two added to the church. Their present membership is forty-three, of whom seven are living in other places. Their S. B. has been raised about $31.00 and is now $155.00 per year. There are several others convinced of the Sabbath, who are God-fearing people and of whom we have good hope. Eld. L. Jorgensen and wife, formerly Baptists, are with us heart and hand, though they have not formally united with the church.
JOHN MATTESON
Altamont, Shelby Co., Iowa, Sept. 26, 1872.
WARREN CHEEVER
By WARREN CHEEVER
Nebraska.
The Lord is good to us as he has promised. He is a present help in every time of need to those that love and obey him. We are resolved to put our whole trust in him, to keep all of his commandments, and live out the faith of his dear Son. It is near nine years since we commenced to keep the Sabbath and sometimes we are almost alone, but we have never regretted it. Oh! the blessedness of keeping the Sabbath and living out present truth. It tenfold pays us for all the sacrifice that we have to make by so doing. We greatly desire that some one of our ministers would come this way. We believe that some good might be done here. There are two families besides mine that are keeping the Sabbath or have kept it, and I fear some of them will become discouraged unless they can be strengthened. Cannot Bro. R. M. Kilgore, of Iowa, come this way when he comes into Nebraska?
My post-office address is Lone Valley, Saunders Co., Nebraska.
WARREN CHEEVER
A Religious Debate.
By John Matteson
Last week there was quite a religious discussion at a school-house, in the town of Bath, commencing on the 3d inst., and lasting three days. The principal parties engaged were Rev. E. Wulfsberg, Lutheran, and John Matteson, Seventh-Day Adventist. Matteson was assisted by Rev. John Hanson, who was allowed to respond in the place of Matteson. Wulfsberg was assisted by Rev. B. J. Muus, of Goodhue County, Rev. T. Torgerson, of Worth County, Iowa, and the last day Rev. S. Reque, of Filmore County was present.
The debate was divided into six sessions, two each day. The first session was devoted to the discussion of the Lord’s supper, Matteson holding to the doctrine of the Reform Church as laid down by Calvin, and Wulfsberg to the Lutheran doctrine. The second and third sessions were devoted to the discussion of baptism, Matteson claiming that immersion was necessary in order to constitute baptism, and that children were not to be baptized. Wulfsberg claimed that either immersion or sprinkling was sufficient to constitute baptism, and that children should be baptized. Fourth and fifth was the discussion of the law and the Sabbath, Matteson claiming the seventh day, or Saturday, as the only proper day of worship; Wulfsberg claiming that we are not bound to any particular day. The sixth session was the discussion of the immortality of the soul and eternal punishment. Matteson argued that the soul was not immortal, Wulfsberg holding that it was.
John Hanson, Town Clerk of Bath, was chosen moderator, he not belonging to either of the denominations. At the close, he declared in favor of the doctrine advocated by Wulfsberg. The meetings were well attended and deep interest was taken.—Albert Lee Enterprise. Sept. 12.
Corrections:—The moderator said nothing at all in our hearing in favor of either side, neither was he requested to do so. He has been brought up in the Lutheran church, and has never professed to belong to anything else.
John Hansen spoke once, 10 min., on our side.
Mr. Muus was the principal disputant on the other side.