A correspondent inquires whether a person belonging to the S. D. A. church, moving into a new place, can properly meet with those who have been turned out of the church for apostasy, or Sabbath-keepers hostile to S. D. Adventists, in preference to those belonging to his own church. Such a question need not be asked. If the person belongs to that class, let him go with them; and if he goes there, he shows that he does belong with them; for, as in Acts 4:23, every man having the opportunity will go to his “own company.”
Why should Christ curse the fig-tree when the time of figs was not yet? Mark 11:13. An infidel in our neighborhood points to it as an inconsistency in the Scriptures. J. P. H.
Ans. That infidel must give the writer of Mark’s gospel credit for marvelous obtuseness, if he supposes him to say that figs were expected upon the tree when it was not a season of the year in which figs were produced, and then that the tree was cursed because it had no figs out of the season of figs. Such a man would be destitute of common sense. And then what shall we say of the millions of the best minds in the Christian world whom Mark has caused to believe, not only that he was a consistent and sensible writer, but also that he wrote by inspiration of God? A wonderful result truly to be wrought out by an idiot! The fact is that the fig-tree, in favorable localities, sometimes has fruit upon it all the year round. Dr. Clarke says that he has often seen this. Consider further that the fig-tree puts forth its figs first and afterward its leaves. Therefore, in whatever season of the year this tree was seen having leaves, it was to be taken as an evidence that there was fruit there, unless that fruit had been gathered.
But of course the fig-tree, like other fruit-trees, has its regular times of bearing its fruit, and hence there was a regular time for gathering the crop; and this time of gathering was called “the time of figs.” Figs ripened shortly before the passover; but the Jews did not begin to gather them till the passover. Now when Jesus passed this tree, it was five days before the passover; it was therefore time for the figs to be ripe. But they were not gathered; for that did not take place till the passover; “the time of [gathering] figs was not yet,” and the tree showed abundance of leaves, which was to be taken as an evidence that figs were there. Therefore it was consistent to expect to find figs on that tree.
Finding none under these circumstances, the Lord invests it with moral qualities, and makes it to stand as a representative of the Jewish people. Like the tree, they were covered with leaves—the leaves of high profession and great pretensions; but there was no fruit. It also represents the formal professor even of to-day. There are persons who are hypocritical pretenders. They loudly profess great things; and from their profession one would have a right to expect to find in them the fruits of the Spirit; but when their lives are examined, it is found that their religion is all a sham. There is no fruit there—“nothing but leaves.” And the fate of the fig-tree shows the danger they are in. This is the moral lesson taught by this incident. And a most solemn and impressive one it is too.
Questions by C. L. B.: 1. Does Eze. 8:16, have reference to the observance of the sun’s day?
Such an inference might perhaps be made to appear quite plausible; but after all it would be only an inference.
2. Do Eze. 9 and Rev. 7:1-4, have reference to the same sealing?
We think so.
3. Does the work of Eze. 9, of the men with the destroying weapons refer to the seven last plagues?
So we think.
K. B. C. asks if it is right to examine candidates for church membership, or choose delegates to Conference, on the Sabbath.
Ans. The asking of the question implies doubt in the writer’s mind. Then give the Sabbath the benefit of the doubt, and attend to these things on some other day.
W. P. HENDRICKSON: We publish no work on the subject of communion.
NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
Dr. Edwards, in his miscalled “Sabbath Manual,” applied the prophecy of the new heavens and new earth to the gospel dispensation, and then argued that, as the former were not to be remembered, the memorial of the old creation should be set aside for the memorial of the new.
The margin of Isa. 65:17 gives a good idea of the original; it shall not be remembered as an object of desire; to “come upon the heart” means this.
Recently I was told by a man who said he “understood Hebrew as well as any man,” that Isa. 66:22 is in past time, and indicates that the new heavens and earth are already made.
This is contradicted by the third chapter of second Peter, which clearly shows that they are future. But this statement is also made by those who do not accept the New Testament. Let us look, then, at this pretended criticism.
The tenses are not always so accurately marked in Hebrew as in other languages; yet there is little difficulty in determining this. Different words are used in Isa. 65:17 and 66:22 for create and make, but the construction is the same. Both are active participles; literally, am creating—am making. In such cases, when we know the action is not taking place—is not in the present—it is most natural to throw it into the future. Our version gives the future in chap. 66:22, and also in 65:17, though not with equal definiteness.
For a like instance see Gen. 6:17. Here the participle is also used. Our version says, “I do bring a flood.” More literally, I am bringing; that is, am about to bring, or will bring. But by no possible construction could it be rendered, “I have brought.”
The assertion that the tense is past in Isa. 66:22 or 65:17 is not correct. Our common version cannot be improved.
J. H. Waggoner.
BE NOT DECEIVED.
By R. F. Cottrell
In recent writings in the papers, Bro. White has been giving us good information and wholesome advice, that which will do us good, if properly considered and acted upon. We have not followed cunningly-devised fables in coming to the faith which we as a people hold. The Lord is giving us the last invitation to the supper. He is proving us, before passing judgment upon us, to see how many he can prepare to stand the test and to receive everlasting life.
The world is hearing the last warning of the everlasting gospel. Some will be almost persuaded who will never embrace the message. Some will not only see the truth and acknowledge it, but will receive it and run well for a season; but when trial, affliction, and persecution come, they will fall back and give up the truth, and thus lose that eternal life so soon to be given to the faithful and enduring. And some who have many years had a name and a place with God’s commandment-keeping people will be tested out, being self-deceived, and find at last that they have undervalued the blessing of eternal life, not being willing to crucify self and give up the present world for it, and therefore are adjudged unworthy of it. Think, O my soul, are you of this class?
There is still a little time in which all who will may make their election sure. None who will make the earnest and persevering effort need despair. The Spirit still pleads with us and for us. Our High Priest is more than willing to confess our names and blot out our sins. Who will accept of pardon on Heaven’s own terms? Let all accept. R. F. COTTRELL.
THE ORION CAMP-MEETING.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
This meeting was held Sept. 18-23 at Orion, Michigan, forty miles north of Detroit. The location was very good, the ground was dry, shade ample, good green grass, and everything pleasant. However, the railroad gave us no advantage whatever, not even a reduction of fare. Neither did it run any Sunday trains.
As the village was very small, our outside attendance was small all the time. Probably two or three hundred attended evenings, and perhaps five hundred on Sunday.
We were much disappointed also in the attendance of our people. There should have been four hundred or five hundred camped on the ground, whereas there were less than two hundred, and nearly one-half of these came Friday, and many went home Sunday. This threw a discouragement over all the meeting. It indicated a lack of interest on the part of our brethren.
A good many within twenty miles never attended at all. Evidently our brethren are losing their interest in the camp-meeting, for which we are sorry.
There were some very good things about the meeting. The preaching was done by Elds. Waggoner, Lamson, Kenyon, Corliss, Lane, and the writer. All these brethren had good freedom, and spoke well. We had some very good social meetings, one or two excellent. About thirty came forward to seek the Lord, some of whom made a very good start. Twenty-three were baptized by Bro. Corliss in a beautiful lake.
Sunday afternoon we presented the subject of the Tabernacle, toward which nearly all pledged $1.20. Then there was $180 raised for the expenses of the meeting, and pledges were taken up for the English mission. One thousand dollars was pledged and a part of it paid.
On Sunday we selected five brethren and five sisters, with two little children, the most active we could find on the ground, to canvass for our periodicals. Part of them went among our own brethren and a part among the outside crowd.
Nearly every one had some measure of success. Something like forty subscribers were obtained for our periodicals. Such an effort should be made at every camp-meeting. We had a supply of our small tracts, which were distributed among the crowd on Sunday. Twenty-five hundred pages were eagerly taken; also many copies of our periodicals.
We were overtaken by a very severe gale and hail storm, which did our large tent much damage. Otherwise the weather was good.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
CONFUSION ON THE SUNDAY QUESTION.
By A. S. Hutchins
On the presentation of the Sabbath truth at Cabot, a goodly number followed the example of David as recorded in Psalms 119:60, while others waited to hear the other side. And if error on the Sabbath question were not a hydra-headed monster, we should say, They have had a chance to hear all sides by the present time.
The Congregationalist minister preached a sermon for the benefit of his hearers one Sunday in the forenoon after we left there. In the P. M. of the same day, Eld. Forrest, Methodist minister, of the same village, preached on the Sabbath question. He taught, in harmony with the Methodist discipline, that the ten commandments are all binding, that the first day should be kept by Christians, though the fourth commandment requires no definite day further than the day following any six days of labor. This, of course, set the matter at rest with those that loved to have it so.
Within one mile of there, the same day, Eld. Thurber set the question at rest among the Adventist brethren, or tried to, coming to the desired point in altogether another way. He taught the abolition of the ten commandments and the existence of the Sunday Sabbath. So to a class, both Bro. Forrest and Bro. Thurber have it right, and we are wrong, notwithstanding we hold to the perpetuity of the law of God as a whole, just as do the Methodists.
But if there was any lack in the total destruction of the law of God, up to a few days prior to our leaving Marshfield, it may be said to have been accomplished here at that time, if it could be done. Eld. Morse, a professed Adventist, came to town to instruct the people. His attack upon “the old dead law” was “dreadful and terrible,” devouring and breaking in pieces, and stamping it under his feet. Why should this minister, who is a member of the Christian denomination, feel so terribly about the law, and why talk so loftily about it? What harm has it ever done him?
He affirmed that the Sabbath could not be traced this side of the birth of Christ, as the generation of the Jews there ran out. Between this period and the cross, five of the commandments were re-enacted. Matt. 19:18, 19. He said that Christ here told the young man all that is necessary to salvation. Christ said nothing about the Sabbath, hence this was not binding. The elder did not observe that Christ said nothing about first-day keeping, hence that could not be binding.
Then again the law was abolished at the cross, and finally Paul takes the law and in his letter to the Romans shows that it is abolished. Now it seems the carnal mind might rest; for since that no law has been given.
But in spite of all the contradictory positions of the first-day supporters, this charitable institution, which “beareth all things,” lives. It lives, whether the ten commandments are all abolished or are all binding. Like an over-dosed and over-drugged patient, who lives notwithstanding the efforts of physicians, so lives the Sunday Sabbath, notwithstanding the strange work of the doctors of divinity to support it. Everywhere and always, without respect to the reign of darkness, error, and confusion, the venerable day of the sun rears its head and cries, Behold I am here. When will ministers learn that “the priest’s lips should keep knowledge”?
A. S. Hutchins.
God Give Us Men: Poem on Strong Character
God give us men! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready
hands.
Men whom the lusts of office do not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue,
And face his treacherous flatteries without winking;
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog,
In public duty, and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Goodness weeps,
Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps.
—Selected.
Rules for Daily Life.
Say nothing you would not like God to hear, Do nothing that you would not like God to see.
Go to no place where you would not like God to find you.
Read no book of which you would not like God to say, “Show it to me.”
Never Despair: Work On in Despair
NEVER despair; but if you do, work on in despair.—Burke.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Schuyler, N. Y., Sept. 23.
The attendance and interest here seem unabated; but there is a strong Methodist element in the community that is doing all it can to hinder our success, and those that are interested seem to be largely of a class that are hard to reach with the truth, so that we cannot tell what the result may be.
There was an opposition discourse yesterday, which raised the interest somewhat, and the reply seemed to make a favorable impression. Shall continue another week.
S. B. Whitney.
NORTH CREEK, N. Y., SEPT. 14, 15.—At my meetings here the church was quite well represented, though the attendance was not large. Although this church has been passing through severe trial, from the effects of which it is still suffering, yet there are some here whose interest in the truth is manifestly increasing, and who are determined to go through with the message.
The call for means for our tract-society work was readily responded to, and over eighty dollars was pledged for that purpose.
COUDERSPORT, PENN.—Was with tent No. 10 at this place, Sept. 19 to 22. Spoke six times. On account of the weather, the tent was taken down the 23rd. A good degree of interest was manifested in these closing meetings. Especially was this the case on Sunday afternoon and evening, when, though it was very cold, the tent was well filled with a remarkably attentive congregation. This has been a hard field of labor, as infidelity has a strong hold in the community; but, through the blessing of the Lord, fifteen or more are keeping the Sabbath, and there are others who, we feel confident, will join them soon. Several of those who have embraced the truth have never made a profession of religion before. Bro. Robinson remains to give a course of lectures in a neighborhood about two miles distant, and he will hold meetings at C. Sabbaths and look after the interest until the time of the Wellsville meeting, when several desire baptism.
B. L. Whitney.
Tent No. 4, Goodenough Dist., N. Y.
We have taken down our tent, and are holding meetings in the school-house. The Methodists, fearing the results of our meetings, secured the services of the praying band that held meetings here last winter. They counted largely on the popularity of the praying band in this section, which resulted from the extensive revival connected with their labors. The movement has strengthened our friends, although some of them were severely tested.
We have organized a class and appointed a leader, and they will hold regular Sabbath meetings. We have closed our labors here for the present. M. H. Brown. Sept. 23. H. H. Wilcox.
Tent No. 6, Russellsburg, Pa., Sept. 24.
We came to this place last week, expecting to have the use of the church; but after we had given several discourses, the Methodists tried to shut us out, although the house was built by all denominations, and by those of the world, with the understanding that it was to be open to all. Their attempt proved a failure, and we have had no trouble since, but just opposition enough to keep the people anxious to know what Seventh-day Adventists do believe. We are having good congregations, and the Lord is with us to help in presenting his word. To him be all the praise.
J. Q. Fox. F. Peabody.
Dunkirk, Hardin Co., Sept. 24.
By R. A. Underwood; G. G. Rupert
This is a town of about two thousand inhabitants, on the P. Ft. W. and C. railroad. The hall that had been promised us was occupied by a holiness band three nights each week. We commenced meetings Sept. 8, and have held meetings in a school-house two miles from town when we could not occupy the hall. Sept. 21, we held our first Sabbath meeting. Seven, all heads of families, expressed their determination to keep all the commandments. Several others have decided to obey.
Last Sunday the holiness party said, that “the wolves had been here for two weeks, devouring the sheep.” As a result, they left the hall; and Mr. Woodruff, whose wife is keeping the Sabbath, says that we can have the free use of the hall, without interruption, as long as we want it.
The interest has increased from the first. The leading men of the place attend our meetings. Many admit the truth, and that it is their duty to obey. Have sold several dollars’ worth of books. Remember us in your prayers. R. A. UNDERWOOD. G. G. RUPERT.
ILLINOIS
By R. F. Andrews
Belvidere, Sept. 24.
We resumed our meetings here Sabbath, Sept. 7. The battle is raging fiercely, and the truth is steadily gaining. A Presbyterian minister has preached three discourses on the Sabbath question since I returned. He argued the existence of the Sabbath in Eden, and that it was made for the race; but he denied the necessity of keeping the seventh day in order to obey the law. He said “God commanded us to keep the Sabbath, not the seventh day,” and “God did not bless the seventh day, but the Sabbath;” thus he flatly contradicted Gen. 2: 3, and the fourth commandment, as well as the answer to the sixty-second question of the shorter catechism of the Westminster Assembly, which is considered such high authority among his people. But God has “made the wrath of man to praise him,” and the remainder he has restrained. The more the truth is rubbed, the brighter it shines.
Those who have taken their stand for the truth are growing stronger, and others are becoming interested. We have taken down our tent, and put it away in good condition. The Universalists have given us the privilege of using their comfortable meeting-house, for which we are truly grateful. We are of good courage; for the Lord is very gracious. Praise his holy name for his mercy and his truth.
R. F. ANDREWS.
WISCONSIN
Grand Rapids, Sept. 24.
The first sermon here on the Sabbath question was preached during the camp-meeting on Sunday forenoon, Sept. 15. Six days afterward, Sept. 21, we held a Sabbath meeting in the Congregationalist church. At this meeting twenty-five were present who were keeping the Sabbath for the first time, while we counted about ten more who were not present, making about thirty-five who had embraced the Sabbath during the week. Sunday, Eld. Decker baptized eleven in the Wisconsin River. About a thousand people stood on the bank and on the elevated logway of the steam mill, from which an excellent view was obtained. Perfect quiet was maintained.
This week the fair-ground is in use, so we left the tent, and commenced meetings Sunday in a large, well-furnished hall owned by Dr. Witter, who kindly offered us its free use. Those who have received the truth are all intelligent people, and include some of the leading members in the churches. Opposition is awakening.
C. W. Stone.
Tent No. 2, Clay Banks.
The interest at this place continues good. Twenty-four have signed the covenant, and others will soon. Arrangements are being made to build a church, and about $300 has already been pledged.
Our post-office address is Sturgeon Bay, Door county, Wis. O. A. Olsen. N. Clausen.
MICHIGAN
Hickory Corners, Sept. 27.
Eld. Frisbie left Aug. 26. The meetings closed Sept. 15, with a good hearing. I have since been visiting. The Lord has worked for us. Much prejudice has been removed. Many are convinced of the truth, and a few have decided to obey it.
T. M. STEWARD.
Tent No. 6, Muskegon, Sept. 27.
Sickness compelled us to take down the tent the 12th inst. Quite a number are convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and have expressed an intention to observe it. They are very anxious to have the meetings continue. I am at present at Twin Lake. Pray for us.
G. A. CARLSTEDT.
VERMONT T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By A. S. Hutchins; Thos. H. Purdon
The seventh annual meeting of the Vermont T. and M. Society was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Morrisville. The first session was held Sept. 12, 1878. Eld. A. S. Hutchins in the chair. Prayer by Eld. Sanborn.
The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and accepted.119
The society then voted that the new Constitution be read by the secretary, after which it was unanimously adopted.
The following resolution was presented by Bro. H. Peebles, and after remarks by Eld. Farnsworth was adopted:—
Resolved, That we appreciate the services of our State secretary, and as a small token of our appreciation we donate to him such a sum as the president and board of directors think proper, considering the state of our finances and the secretary’s work.
It was then voted that the old tracts and pamphlets on hand be taken by the several districts and disposed of; also that the chair appoint the Committee on Nominations, whereupon the following brethren were appointed: W. J. Cross, M. H. Wheeler, E. P. Farnsworth.
Adjourned to call of chair.
SECOND SESSION.
The second session was held Sept. 16. Prayer by Eld. A. S. Hutchins.
The Committee on Nominations then presented their report, and after some changes the following officers were elected: President, Eld. A. S. Hutchins, Irasburg, Orleans Co., Vt.; Vice-president, L. Bean, Bordoville, Franklin Co.; Secretary, T. H. Purdon, Middlebury, Addison Co. Directors: Dist. No. 1, W. J. Cross, Bordoville, Franklin Co.; No. 2, C. F. Worthen, West Charleston, Orleans Co.; No. 3, C. E. Powell, — Lamoille Co.; No. 4, C. K. Drury, Essex Junction, Chittenden Co.; No. 5, E. P. Farnsworth, Andover, Windsor Co.; No. 6, Sr. M. A. Green, Plymouth Union, Windsor Co.
The report of labor for the year ending July 1 was then read as follows:—
No. of members, 261
“ reports received, 432
“ families visited, 158
“ letters written, 481
“ subscribers for REVIEW, 19
“ “ “ REFORMER, 30
“ “ “ SIGNS, 8
“ “ “ INSTRUCTOR, 45
“ periodicals given away, 9,824
“ pp. tracts and pamphlets dist’b’ed, 114,236
“ Annuals distributed, 5,000
“ Signs taken in clubs, 108
Money received, $964 88
“ paid out, 952.64
On hand July 1, $12.24
Dr. to REVIEW Office Aug. 2, $49 82
Remarks were made by Eld. Farnsworth from Eccl. 11:1-2.
Adjourned sine die.
A. S. HUTCHINS, Pres.
Thos. H. PURDON, Sec.
PLEAD FOR ME.
By Anna Terry
Blessed Saviour, plead for me,
Sinful though my heart may be;
I am weak, but thou art strong,
Hold me by thy mighty arm.
Blessed Saviour, plead for me,
Thou didst hang upon the tree;
Why should I so sinful be,
When thy blood was shed for me?
Blessed Saviour, plead for me;
Let me ever cling to thee,
Let me hear thy blessed voice:
“Come, ye people of my choice.”
Blessed Saviour, plead for me;
Draw me nearer still to thee,
Draw me by thy loving arm,
Keep me safe from every harm.
Blessed Saviour, plead for me,
Sinful though my heart may be;
And when freed from earth and pain,
May I with thy people reign.
Anna Terry.
Progress of the Cause.
“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
COLORADO TENT.
By M. E. Cornell
Our tent-meeting in Georgetown has closed. The nights became so cold we could not make the tent comfortable with two stoves. The altitude is so great here (about 9,000 feet) that we have had frost, snow, and ice. Many of our interested hearers took cold, and dare not come out any more. Several have decided to keep the Sabbath, and arrangements are made for three meetings a week. A first-day Adventist preacher and a Methodist preacher have taken their stand for the whole truth. The latter has taken a full supply of books, with the determination to prepare himself to defend the truth. He is an acceptable speaker, just in the prime of life. We trust the Lord can fit him to show others the truth that has rejoiced his own heart.
Bro. White and his company were here over one Sabbath and first-day, and his three discourses, together with the singing, added much to the interest of the meeting.
The papers have treated us very fairly thus far. They are as correct in their statements of our views as we could expect. As a specimen we clip the following from the Denver Daily Tribune, of Sept. 15:—
“A series of religious meetings advocating Adventism are being held in a large tent erected for the purpose, a short distance south of the Colorado Central depot. Notwithstanding the unsuitability of the weather for tent-meetings, they are well attended every night. Eld. M. E. Cornell is the champion orator, and handles the subject with simple but powerful language, wonderfully free from equivocation or ambiguity. He is fearfully in earnest and betrays an astonishing profundity of Biblical lore, though it was evidently accumulated with a special reference to the promulgation of the doctrine which he so valiantly expounds. He admits the phenomena of modern spiritualism, but ascribes the manifestations entirely to Satanic agency. His interpretation of scriptural prophecies is certainly very ingenious and plausible”
Our tent is shipped to Boulder, and, if the weather permit, will be pitched at Longmont, down on the plains. Till further notice, our address will be Boulder City, Colo.
M. E. CORNELL.
Georgetown, Sept. 22.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMP-MEETING.
(Abridged from the Signs of the Times.)
This meeting was held at Grangeville, Tulare county, Sept. 10-16. The weather was excessively warm, yet this was the best meeting ever held in the southern field. There were forty tents on the ground and two hundred and fifteen campers; last year there were twenty-two tents and one hundred and thirteen campers. Twenty-five were baptized, and six others signed the covenant; a large proportion of these decided on the ground. The preaching was close and practical, and the Spirit of God set it home to hearts. The meeting has exerted a powerful influence in extending the work in that part of the State.
At this meeting $1,530 was pledged to the Oakland publishing fund and $571 to the British mission. A donation of jewelry was made to the British mission, and the children contributed $6.35 of their savings.
The work was started in Fresno and Tulare counties a little over two years ago. Now there are eight places where Sabbath meetings are held, and one hundred forty-five names on the covenant. The S. B. pledge amounts to $914.40 per year, and the most are paying the missionary one-third.
OHIO
By H. A. St. John
Cleveland.
Spent Sept. 21, 22, with the Cleveland church. There was quite a good attendance of the scattered Sabbath-keepers around the city, yet not all that we would have been glad to see. A good degree of interest was manifested in the rapidly advancing message of the third angel. We were glad to see a disposition to take hold anew in the missionary work. We confidently expect that every member of the T. and M. society of this church will report to Sr. Tolhurst, librarian, at the close of the present quarter. We expect the librarian to look after this matter faithfully.
Sabbath-school work had ceased. Hereafter, we expect a Sabbath-school will be kept up, and, we hope, with growing interest. The number enrolled in the Sabbath-school is thirty, including teachers. This is one school with two or three branches, as they are too much scattered to all meet in one place continuously. Bro. R. W. English will have a good class at Solon. All these branches will meet together monthly, on the first Sabbath in each month, at Cleveland, which will be, also, a regular monthly meeting of the church. Brethren, do not let your meetings and Sabbath-school lag or fail. H. A. St. John.
TEXAS
By R. M. Kilgore
Peoria, Hill Co.—I am again in my usual health. While here I have preached Sabbaths and Sundays, and organized a Sabbath-school which now numbers seventy pupils. Seven more were added to the church, four of whom were baptized. The church here now occupies their new meeting-house, 28x36, which is finished, and free from debt. It is indeed an ornament to the place, the best and nicest structure in the village. This house has been built by sacrifice on the part of a number of the brethren and the economy and management of the chairman of the building committee.
Cleburne, Johnson Co., Aug. 1 and Sept. 1.—Although the brethren are much scattered, we were glad to see all together at the hour of meeting. They are encouraged by seeing their meeting-house once more in process of erection. Seven were received into the church, and ten were baptized.
Terrell, Kaufman Co., Sept. 7, 8.—On account of the removal of two of the most prominent families, I found the church here in a state of discouragement. The Lord blessed as we tried to raise the standard of holiness and exhorted them to seek for a deep and thorough work of grace, and an entire transformation of character. We organized a church of twenty-five members, and S. B. amounting to $122.20. I was gratified to see their readiness to lay aside everything for Jesus’s sake. But very few of them but had used tobacco in some form; now all rejoice in their freedom from it. There are a number of others who will yet unite with them. The baptismal scene was witnessed by a large concourse of people.
Plano, Collin Co.—We are now at this place with the tent. Our audiences range from two to three hundred. The tent is now the theme of conversation. We seem to have a clear field, and quiet yet reigns. The ministers are giving us a hearing. The people remember our temporal necessities; but we find it hard to get them to invest in books and papers. Times are hard, and money is scarce.
I have delayed this report on account of the quarantine. The post-master informs me that more than twenty tons of mail matter for Texas lies at St. Louis. We had not seen the REVIEW for two or three weeks. Two copies have just arrived. We are almost lost without the dear old friend. R. M. KILGORE.
North Loup
By Chas. L. Boyd; Daniel Nettleton, Jr.
Nebraska.
North Loup.
OUR meetings at this place closed Sept. 15, with a large and attentive congregation. A goodly number have embraced our faith. We close to attend the camp-meeting, leaving the work in a prosperous condition.