p. 119 | Review and Herald, Vol. 33, No. 15. (4/6/1869)

Earlier text: THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL

OUR SOCIAL CITY LIFE—WHITHER DRIFTING.

THERE never was a time in the history of this city when extravagance was carried to such a dizzy hight as now. Not in dress alone, but in houses, in carriages, in horses, in entertainments, in balls, in parties, in every way in which money can be expended, it is poured out like water. The result is dress without taste, houses without happiness, and social intercourse without enjoyment. The extravagance of the women is saddening to contemplate. Exorbitant prices are asked and given cheerfully for dress, while diamonds and jewelry cost a fortune. Some of our fashionable belles have their dresses exported ready made from Paris, copied exactly in their minutest details from the court costumes of the Empress Eugenie and the court ladies.

We have our court journals, too, in which all the fashionable chit-chat of the day is retailed, marriages are announced by authority, and elopements duly chronicled, the proportion of both announcements being about equal. Then we have "Court Quadrilles" at the houses of our Republican aristocracy, and in "point of fact," as Cousin Feenix would say, having reached the minimum in morals and the maximum in wealth, we are ripe for the introduction of every folly and every absurdity. To cap the climax, our fashionable brides have determined to "inaugurate" the system of pages, Utopian quite. Here is a good chance for our "Woman's Rights" women to see to it that boys do not monopolize this now doubtless lucrative branch of industry.—N. Y. Letter.

Christian Convention.

A CONVENTION of Christians, who are endeavoring to secure a recognition of Almighty God and the Christian Religion in the Constitution of the United States, is called to meet in Columbus, on Tuesday, February 2d. All the friends of Christian influences in civil government, are requested to attend.

It is claimed by those who favor this change in our National Constitution, that nations are moral persons, and therefore bound to acknowledge God; that, since Jesus Christ is the King of Nations and Moral Governor of the World, nations are bound to recognize him as such; that the holy Scriptures are a Higher Law, above all Statutes and Constitutions, and should be so acknowledged; and that in its utter silence on these points, in its exclusion of the name of God even from the form of oath which it prescribes, in its failure to require any moral qualifications of civil officers, in its neglect to provide for the observance of the Sabbath by the departments of Government, so that Congress has ventured twice within two years, to sit unnecessarily on that day, the Constitution of the United States is unworthy of a Christian people, and calls imperatively for amendment. Any attempt to blend Church and State, or to give State aid or endorsement to any sect is emphatically disclaimed, but it is maintained that some such changes in our fundamental law are necessary to relieve our government of the charge of a disregard of its obligations to the Almighty and to the Christian religion.

Twelve Rules for Promoting Harmony among Church-members.

1. To remember that we are all subject to failings and infirmities of one kind or another.

2. To bear with and not magnify each other's infirmities.

3. To pray one for another in our social meetings, and particularly in private.

4. To avoid going from house to house for the purpose of hearing news and interfering with other peoples' business.

5. Always turn a deaf ear to any slanderous report, and to lay no charge brought against any person till founded.

6. If a member be in fault, to tell him of it in private, before it is mentioned to others.

7. To watch against a shyness of each other, and put the best construction on any action that has the appearance of opposition or resentment.

8. To observe the just rule of Solomon, that is, to leave off contention before it be meddled with.

9. If a member has offended, to consider how glorious, how Godlike it is to forgive, and how unlike a Christian it is to revenge. Eph. iv, 2.

10. To remember that it is always a grand artifice of the Devil to promote distance and animosity among members of churches, and we should therefore watch against every thing that furthers his end.

11. To consider how much more good we can do in the world at large, and in the church in particular, when we are all united in love, than we should do when acting alone, and indulging a contrary spirit.

12. Lastly to consider the express injunction of Scripture, and the beautiful example of Christ as to these important things. John xiii, 5, 35; Eph. iv, 32; 1 Pet. ii, 21.

Strange Occurrence.

On Monday last, a portion of earth near the residence of John Johnson, in Plainfield township, sunk to the depth of about eighty feet, carrying with it several trees and stumps. The open space, says our informant, is funnel shaped, and about seventy feet across at the top. Some of the trees lodged about half way down, while others went to the bottom, leaving the limbs and branches within reach of the mouth of the opening. Two or three stumps, and a log about fourteen feet in length, thrown in afterward, passed out of sight. There is said to be continually coming up from that deep, and seemingly bottomless, hole, a distant roaring sound, as of rushing waters.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DIED, in Ashippun, Dodge Co., Wis., March 3, 1869, our beloved sister, Clarissa K., wife of J. B. Rogers, in the 61st year of her age. Her disease was bilious intermittent fever, which terminated in paralysis. Sr. R. was truly one of the lonely ones, residing over forty miles from the church of which she was a member. In the early part of her sickness she felt impressed that she should not recover, and expressed perfect reconciliation to the will of the Lord. The deceased was a natural sister of Eld. R. F. Cottrell. Sermon by Eld. Hazeltine (Methodist), from Luke iv, 18, “He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted.”

“A home in Heaven! when our friends are fled To the cheerless gloom of the mouldering dead, We wait in hope on the promise given; We will meet again in our home in Heaven.”

L. M. GATES.

DIED, in Rubicon, Dodge Co., Wis., Jan. 20, 1869, Harry E., son of Thomas and M. J. Armitage, aged 1 year, 4 months, and 1 day. “Is it well with the child? Is it well?”

“By Thy hands the boon was given, Thou hast taken but thine own; Lord of earth, and God of Heaven, Evermore thy will be done.”

L. M. GATES.

DIED, in South Lancaster, Mass., Feb. 20, 1869, of the measles, Mabel Florence, youngest daughter of H. A. and A. M. Weston, aged 3 years and 6 months. She was a delicate and lovely child. Was sick one week. The parents do not murmur, but recognize the hand of God in this. They look to the resurrection with hope.

Sermon by the writer, from Jer. xxxi, 15–17.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

DIED, in Memphis, Mich., March 20, 1869, of consumption, Sr. S. J. Wakeling, aged 21 years, only child of John and Amy Wakeling.

Sr. Wakeling was a firm and consistent believer in the third angel’s message. The afflicted friends mourn not as those who have no hope. A crowded audience was addressed on the funeral occasion by Eld. Makie, from Job xiv, 10, showing conclusively the state of man in death, and the only hope of life through a resurrection from the dead.

H. S. GURNEY.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

R. F. COTTRELL: Contributions for Book Fund are not now receipted through the REVIEW, but will be receipted in pamphlet soon.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

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For Review to the Poor.

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Books Sent by Mail.

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Books Sent by Express.

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Cash Received on Account.

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Michigan Conference Fund.

N. — $8.00.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

Eliza B Clark $5.00, Harriet S Zoller 1.00, S Vincent 6.00.

Receipts for Benevolent Fund.

E A Church $1.00, S J Hunt 2.30, E W Darling 9.00.

Bearing Fruit

By Editor

Let every member of every church read the article in this number entitled, “How to have a good minister,” and “Twelve rules for promoting harmony among church-members,” then practice by them. They contain suggestions of infinite importance to the prosperity of the church.

We call the especial attention of all Adventists to the sermon in this number. We ask them to read it carefully, and weigh well the positions discussed. We believe it sets forth the only consistent ground on which a person who calls himself an Adventist can stand.

Of the Sabbath tract called “The Sabbath, by Elihu,” we have issued since 1853, 36,500 copies. The Association now issue an edition of 16,000 copies each of Elihu—Which Day do you Keep, and Why?—A Sign of the Day of God—and God’s answers to man’s Excuses for not keeping his Sabbath.

BEARING FRUIT. Another instance of the danger of departing from the truth, commencing with the rejection of the gift of prophecy now in exercise in the church, is seen in the report from Iowa. Following hard after D. W. Hull, who, from having charge of the Hope of Israel Office, turned to a rank Spiritualist, Eld. W. H. Brinkerhoff, late editor of that paper, now comes out a Universalist. Are not these things sufficient to open the eyes of the honest?

The Kansas Colony.

By Trustees

In regard to the Kansas colony movement, noticed in Review for March 16, no one should be regarded responsible, only the one whose name appears. Brethren should not move without caution and heavenly wisdom. TRUSTEES.

JAMES WHITE

By James White

I wish to say to those who have written relative to purchasing my property in Montcalm Co., that the land was purchased at a low price, and the buildings, fence, and other improvements, were made very economically, and all cost me not less than $3,800. My best terms are $3,700, not less than $2,000 down, and the remainder as soon as Oct. 1, 1869.

JAMES WHITE

Wisdom Needed by Those who Teach.

By John Nevins Andrews

“And moreover because the preacher was wise he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.”

What an admonition is contained in these words. Those who teach must first have knowledge themselves. Those who are pouring out the living water to others must be continually replenishing from the fountain head. A few ideas repeated over and over will not continue to instruct and edify. If the preacher ceases to learn, he will soon cease to benefit his hearers. When he ceases to reach out after the deep things of the Spirit of God, he will cease to interest or profit those who hear. The last man that can afford to be a mental sluggard is the man called of God to teach the people. Ministers must do their part as though everything depended upon that, and then cast themselves upon God as their sole reliance.

J. N. A.

Mark 9:44 Explanation

By F. Gould

F. GOULD: For an explanation of Mark ix., 44, see “Which? Mortal or Immortal?” p. 87.

Correction on Armenian Sabbath Testimony

By John Nevins Andrews

INER LAMN: Now that your questions are printed, I observe that in the answers to them I overlooked one point. For testimony relative to the Sabbath among the Armenians of the East Indies, see Sabbath History, pp. 310–313. J. N. A.

“Honestly Lost.”

By R. F. C.

A MAN whose attention has been called to the present truth, but who chooses to let it pass unheeded, says that if he is lost, he will be honestly lost. This does not represent his Judge in a very good light. It will be found at last, that those who are lost are justly, and deservedly, lost. R. F. C.

Your Moneys’ Worth, and More Too.

By W. H. Ball

The “Life of Bro. Joseph Bates,” and “Life Incidents,” by Bro. White, are two valuable books, and should be read by everybody. Those who have not furnished themselves with these works, and wish to invest two dollars where it will pay well, should send for them at once. They will be sure to get their money’s worth, and more too. W. H. BALL.

Keep a List.

KEEP a list of your friends, and let God be first in the list, however long it may be.

KEEP a list of the gifts you get; and let Christ, who is the unspeakable gift, be first.

KEEP a list of your mercies; and let pardon and life stand at the head.

KEEP a list of your joys; and let the joy unspeakable and full of glory be the first.

KEEP a list of your hopes; and let the hope of glory be the foremost.

KEEP a list of your sorrows; and let the sorrow of sin be first.

KEEP a list of your enemies; and put down the “old man” and the “serpent” first, and pray for all the rest.

KEEP a list of your sins; and let the sin of unbelief be set down as the first and the worst of all.—Sel.

Tobacco Injures the Voice

A MASSACHUSETTS physiologist asserts that there are no fine singers who use tobacco. It is proved in the dissecting room; he claims that tobacco injures the voice.

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

THERE will be Quarterly Meetings in Wis., as follows: At Waterloo, Grant Co., with the commencement of the Sabbath, April 24, to continue two days. At Sand Prairie, Richland Co., with the commencement of the Sabbath, May 1, to continue two days. At Hundred Mile Grove, Columbia Co., with the commencement of the Sabbath, May 8, to continue two days. We hope to meet all the scattered and lonely ones at these meetings. Come, brethren and sisters, to these meetings without fail, that together we may learn how to live so that with faithful Daniel we may stand in the Judgment. Let no worldly inducement hinder you from coming. J. SANBORN.

THE next Quarterly Meeting of the church at Rockton, Ill., will be at Rockton, April 17 and 18, 1869. All who can are invited to come. In behalf of the church. T. M. STEWARD.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church in Wright, Ottawa Co., Sabbath, April 10, 1869. A. O. BURRILL.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings as follows: Amherst, N. H., April 17 and 18; New Ipswich, N. H., 24 and 25; South Lancaster, Mass., May 1 and 2. Probably these will be the last meetings that I shall be able to attend in these places; so I desire to see a good attendance from all who can come. D. M. CANRIGHT.

THE next Monthly Meeting for Rhode Island will be held with the church at Curtis Corners, April 17 and 18, 1869. JABEZ C. TUCKER.

THE next Quarterly Meeting for the S. D. A. churches of Elkhorn and Clyde, Ill., will, the Lord willing, be held at Clyde, Ill., Sabbath and first-day, April 24 and 25. We trust our brethren and sisters will make a special effort to attend this meeting. Those that cannot be present will please represent themselves by letter. R. F. ANDREWS.

Appointment Postponed.

THE Quarterly Meeting of the S. D. A. church at Gridley is postponed to the 24th and 25th of April, on account of the impassable condition of the roads. It is expected that all members of this church, who wish to remain such, will report either in person or by letter at said meeting. In behalf of the church. JAS. M. SANTEE, Clerk.

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.

A limited space will be given under this head for Business Notices from the brethren, at 20 cents per line for each insertion. Parties must give good reference as to their standing and responsibility.

WANTED.—A Seventh-day Adventist as partner in the wagon making and blacksmithing business. Business good and lucrative. For particulars apply to, or address, W. P. HINTON, Toledo, Iowa. Recommendations wanted.