Review and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 14.
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTSPage 1
Earlier text: SIXTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTSMICHIGAN CONFERENCE.
By E. H. Root; D. H. Lamson
The seventeenth annual session of the Michigan State Conference of S. D. Adventists was held on the camp-ground at Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 1877, at 2 P. M. The president, Eld. J. Fargo, being absent on account of sickness, Eld. E. H. Root, a member of the Conference Committee, was called to the chair. The meeting being called to order, prayer was offered by Eld. E. R. Jones. Fifty-six churches were represented by sixty-seven delegates. On motion, The following churches were admitted into the Conference, or taken under its watch-care, viz., the churches at Diamondale, Leslie, and Adrian, which were fully organized; and those at Sheridan, Summit, and Fowlerville, partially organized. The minutes of the Conference of 1876 were read and accepted. It was moved and sustained that the chairman, E. H. Root, appoint the usual committees. Adjourned to call of Chair. The committees subsequently announced were as follows: On nominations, E. R. Jones, Franklin Howe, W. C. White; on resolutions, D. H. Lamson, H. M. Kenyon, M. B. Miller; on credentials and licenses, S. Brownsberger, John Day, W. C. White; on auditing, Francis Nelson, John Day, Wm. Potter, E. S. Griggs, J. S. Wicks, A. W. Maynard. Meeting called to order by Eld. James White. Prayer by Eld. E. H. Root. Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted. Delegates were admitted from Colon, Monroe Center, Fair Grove, Orleans, Watrousville, Dryden, and Elmwood. Reports of committees being called for,107 the Committee on Nominations reported as follows: For President, J. Fargo; Conference Committee, J. Fargo, E. H. Root, S. Brownsberger; Secretary, A. B. Oyen; Treasurer, Mrs. F. H. Sisley. The report was accepted, and these persons were elected separately. The Committee on Credentials and Licenses made the following report: For credentials, Eld. James White, Mrs. E. G. White, J. H. Waggoner, John Byington, A. O. Burrill, E. B. Lane, D. H. Lamson, R. J. Lawrence, I. D. Van Horn, Sands H. Lane, H. M. Kenyon, U. Smith, E. R. Jones, John Corliss, J. B. Frisbie, Orlando Soule, M. B. Miller, E. Van Deusen, J. Fargo, and E. H. Root. For licenses: Wm. Potter, H. S. Guilford, E. S. Lane, Dolphus Wellman, J. L. Edgar, John Sisley, Gardner Owen, August Rasmussen, R. T. Sisley, Frank Starr, Delmar Wellman, I. A. Olmstead. The report of the committee was accepted, and credentials and licenses were granted according to the above recommendations. Calls were made for petitions from churches, whereupon the church at Hillsdale, through their delegate, requested the privilege of using their s. b. to repair their church. The request, after consideration, was left to the Conference Committee. The church at Flint preferred the request to be allowed to retain their s. b., to aid in building a house of worship. The request was granted. The churches at Fair Grove and Diamondale were also allowed to retain their s. b. for the coming year, for the same purpose. The matter of the church at Locke was referred to the Conference Committee. After the reading of the treasurer’s report, the meeting adjourned to call of Chair. Meeting called to order by Eld. James White. Prayer by Eld. J. H. Waggoner. The Committee on Credentials and Licenses recommended a renewal of credentials to James Sawyer, and that license be granted to M. S. Burnham and L. A. Kellogg. The request in reference to C. C. Doren was left with the Conference Committee. The request of the church at Sheridan to retain their s. b. was left to the Conference Committee. The matter of the church at Locke was placed again in the hands of the Conference. That body accepted the trust, and disposed of the matter by recommending the Conference to send a letter to the church, to relieve them if possible. The recommendation was put in the form of a motion, and a vote was taken to carry it out. The motion of W. C. White, to issue a colporteur’s license, after remarks by himself, and Elds. Haskell and Waggoner, was sustained by Eld. E. R. Jones and carried. Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee to provide a form of license. It was moved to send a minister to assist the class at Olivet, either in a reorganization, or in the best manner possible. The request of the delegate from Mattawan was left with the Conference Committee. The motion of Eld. E. R. Jones, to reprint the Constitution of the Michigan Conference, and to print some regulations respecting the government of our churches, was amended by a motion for a revision of the Constitution, by a committee appointed by the Chair. J. H. Waggoner, D. M. Canright, and U. Smith were appointed such committee. The committee to create a colporteur’s license were James White, U. Smith, and S. N. Haskell. The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:— Whereas, There is yet a great lack on the part of our church clerks, in making reports of the churches to the Conference, so that it is an absolute impossibility to obtain complete returns as to their standing, financial condition, and pledges of s. b., either to State or General Conference, and Whereas, This subject has been noticed heretofore by our Conference; therefore Resolved, That we repeat the resolution of 1874; which reads as follows:— “Resolved, That we deem all such neglect on the part of said clerks, an evidence of a deplorable lack of interest in the cause in which we are engaged, and that such a course is worthy of censure.” And we recommend that whenever such failures occur in the future, without just reason, the clerks so failing be removed, and others be elected to fill their places. Resolved, That we recommend that the reports of the pledges of s. b., to the Conference, be forwarded to the secretary at the beginning of each year; viz., Jan. 1. Resolved, That we consider the recommendation of the General Conference Committee for all our churches to hold quarterly meetings regularly, beginning with the first Sabbath in January of each year, to examine church records, and to inquire into all matters pertaining to their spiritual progress, is counsel founded upon true wisdom, and in the order of God; and it is hereby expressed as the judgment of this Conference, that it should, without one single failure, be heeded. Whereas, Churches have been added in different parts of our State, and our membership correspondingly increased, and yet it is a deplorable fact that our spiritual prosperity has not kept pace with our increase in members; therefore, Resolved, That we earnestly exhort our brethren and sisters to make the distinction wide between themselves and the world, following more closely in the footsteps of our great Pattern, the Lord Jesus Christ. Resolved, That the undeniable evidence of the progress of the truth we love, in all parts of the world, should be the occasion of the most unfeigned thanksgiving to God; and that the prayers and efforts of the members of this Conference as a whole, as well as of the churches and people individually, should still be untiringly directed to its advancement. Resolved, That the missionary work is worthy of our most earnest attention, and that the general success that has attended it, whether guided by the body of the people or by personal effort, should be the cause of the most sincere gratitude to the Lord, and an incentive to the greatest and most continued exertion. Resolved, That the Michigan Conference of S. D. Adventists, above all others, should feel and express their appreciation of the persevering labors and untiring energy of our beloved Bro. and Sr. White, for our good; and that our hearts are saddened by their recurring infirmities resulting from burdens they have so cheerfully borne. And we once more resolve to stay up their hands, and take every burden from their hearts that can possibly be borne by us; this being the best and only means by which desires for their welfare can be made effectual. Resolved, That the grateful thanks of the Michigan Conference of S. D. Adventists are due to the railroad companies which have granted us such favorable terms of passage, viz., the Detroit and Milwaukee, and the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroads; and that such thanks are especially due to the Chicago and Lake Huron, and Chicago and Northeastern Railroads, for the unusual regard they have shown us during the entire camp-meeting. Resolved, That this Conference and people as a body hereby tender a vote of thanks to O. F. Camp, the owner of the ground upon which we are located, for favors shown us beyond contract. Moved, By Eld. M. B. Miller, That we as a people express our thanks to Bro. E. H. Root for the earnest and cheerful manner in which he has borne burdens connected with this camp-meeting, especially the additional ones coming upon him in consequence of the sickness of other members of committees to which he belongs. Sustained and carried by a rising and unanimous vote. The following addition and amendments to the Constitution of the Michigan Conference of S. D. Adventists were offered by M. B. Miller, and were accepted by a unanimous vote:— The addition of a section to be known as Section 5, Article II, to read as follows: It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to fill between sessions, by appointment, the vacancies that may occur, by death or otherwise, among the officers of the Conference. The amendment of Section 3, Article III, by striking out the clause, “Except when it be preferable to give it, or a portion of it, directly to preachers who labor among them.” And that we strike out of the Constitution Section 5, of Article III. The amendment of Section 1, Article VI, so as to read, It shall be the duty of the ministers of this Conference to make a written report to each annual meeting thereof, of their labors each week, and of the amount of their receipts and expenditures during the Conference year. The reading of the minutes of last session was waived. The question of donations to the General Conference called for a reading again of the treasurer’s report, which showed a balance in the treasury of the Conference of $10,435.99. Out of this the accounts of the ministers the past year are to be paid. It was moved to donate to the General Conference $2000.00. Carried. The following preamble and resolution was offered by Bro. M. B. Miller:— Whereas, There is at present a lack of uniformity in our church records, therefore, Resolved, That we recommend our churches to procure and use certain books now in preparation at the Review Office for church clerks and s. b. treasurers. After remarks by Eld. S. N. Haskell the resolution was carried. Request was preferred by the delegate from Potterville for permission to aid the church at Diamondale with one-half of their s. b. Remarks were made by several persons, explanatory and otherwise, and the request was finally granted. Adjourned to call of Chair. MEETING OF THE GENERAL T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By James White; H. W. Decker
The General Tract and Missionary Society held its second annual meeting in connection with the General Conference, at Lansing, Mich., Sept. 27, 1877, at 10:30 A. M. President, Elder James White, in the chair. Meeting was opened by singing. Prayer was offered by Eld. H. W. Decker. H. W. Decker was chosen secretary pro tem. Remarks were made by Eld. S. N. Haskell on the general working of the Society, after which the Chair was authorized to appoint a committee to nominate officers for the ensuing year. The following brethren were named as said committee: E. R. Jones, D. H. Lamson, and W. C. White. Voted, To appoint a committee to examine and suggest changes in the Constitution and By-laws of the Society. S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, and U. Smith were chosen as this committee. Further encouraging remarks were made by Eld. Haskell on the increase of labor performed, and suggestions as to the most effective means to be used in missionary labor. The committee on Nominations reported the following persons for election as officers for the year to come who were severally and unanimously elected; viz., President, Eld. S. N. Haskell; vice President, W. C. White; Secretary, Maria L. Huntley; Assistant Secretary, Mrs. S. H. Lane; Treasurer, Mrs. M. J. Chapman; Business agent, Wm. Ings. Voted, That the Chair appoint a committee to revise and print the constitution of State Tract Societies, and furnish them to the different State organizations. S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, U. Smith were appointed as that committee. Voted, That the General Conference Committee be empowered to fill vacancies which may necessarily occur in the offices of the General T. and M. Society for the following year. Adjourned to call of Chair. JAMES WHITE, Pres. H. W. DECKER, Sec. pro tem. ILLINOIS CAMP-MEETING.
By G. W. Colcord
I am in receipt of many truly encouraging words, which speak of the effect of our late camp-meeting at Clinton; and, believing that they will prove a source of encouragement to the generality of the friends of present truth, I will transcribe some of the most important. Mr. Campbell, proprietor of the camp-ground, said: “I will put these stakes in a dry place, so that you can use them next year.” He said he anticipated trouble from the rowdies, but he acknowledged we out-generaled them the first evening, by so freely vacating our seats for them. Further, he remarked that our people should have staid another week. The American Express Agent said: “Had your folks remained a little longer quite a number would have united with you.” A minister of the M. E. church came upon the ground during public services; becoming interested in the speaker’s theme, he wholly forgot to take a seat! Another gentleman confessed that a similar experience befell him. By these incidents it may readily be seen that there is power in this message, and by these evidences we prove that the people are starving for want of spiritual food. Bro. Stimpson writes: “The people say, ‘Your ministers should come and preach in our hall.’ I thank the Lord for the impression our meeting made on the public mind. Never before has Clinton been so moved by religious influences as by our late annual meeting.” By letter from Brn. Merritt and Morrison I learn that the people at Farmer City have read so much about the camp-meeting that it has plainly increased their audiences. The following I clip from the Clinton Register:— “On Tuesday evening there ended the most successful camp-meeting ever held in this section, so far as attendance and order are concerned. A little over two weeks ago our people were surprised by the announcement, by posters, that the Seventh-day Adventists would hold a camp-meeting in Campbell’s grove, near this city, continuing from the 22d to the 28th. Before their questions as to who and what were the Adventists, were satisfactorily answered, the Adventists had arrived, pitched their tents, and a little village had sprung up in the grove. “Usually camp-meetings are scenes of disorder, many attending for no other purpose than to create a disturbance; but this meeting evidently had at its head men of great executive ability, for the grounds were neatly kept and the best of order was maintained at all times. The people were welcomed to the grounds and every provision made for their comfort, but they were politely but firmly given to understand that it was a religious meeting, and no disturbances of the exercises would be allowed. The consequence was that the vast audiences were quiet and attentive, the speakers being distinctly heard at the very outside of the crowd. During intermission the people assembled in groups and quietly ate their meals and discussed what they had heard. Go where you would upon the grounds, you would find an Adventist ready to assist you or answer your inquiries in regard to their doctrines. All the meetings were well attended, and on Sunday there were several thousand persons present, coming from every portion of the county. “As the doctrines of this sect are new to most of our people, we give them in brief as near as we were able to learn them. They believe that the seventh day (Saturday) was set apart by command of the Lord as a day of rest and worship, and that the Sunday observed by other sects is an unwarranted innovation upon the divine command. They believe in the second coming of Christ, and that the time of his coming is near at hand, but do not pretend to set the time of the second advent. They believe that the sin and impurities of this earth will be destroyed, thereby making it a fit home for the righteous, who will live upon it, while the wicked will be destroyed. The arguments of their speakers were ably delivered, and while our people were not convinced as to all their doctrines, they were made to look upon them with respect. The Adventists have at least this much to commend them—they are zealous workers and seem to live up to their faith. “On Monday a number of them went to Salt Creek, where twenty-five were immersed. We have been often asked what was the object of their meeting and how they came to hold it in Clinton, when there is no organization of the sect in this county. We were told, in response to the same questions, that the meeting is an annual Conference of the State, and that the president of the association, in looking around for a place to hold the meeting, was struck by the convenience of access to our city, and therefore decided to hold it here. They expressed themselves well pleased with the treatment they received from our citizens, and we know that our people were pleased with them, and hope they may hold their next meeting near our city.” Friends in Illinois, let us not slack our hold on the cord of living faith. “SUNRISE NEVER FAILED US YET.”
By Celia Thaxter
Upon the sadness of the sea
The sunset broods regretfully;
From the far, lonely spaces, slow
Withdraws the wistful afterglow. So out of life the splendor dies;
So darken all the happy skies;
So gathers twilight, cold and stern;
But overhead the planets burn. And up the east another day
Shall chase the bitter dark away;
What though our eyes with tears be wet?
The sunrise never failed us yet. The blush of dawn may yet restore
Our light and hope and joys once more.
Sad soul, take comfort, nor forget
That sunrise never failed us yet. Luther says: “Some say that before the latter days the whole world shall become Christians. This is a falsehood forged by Satan that he might darken sound doctrine; beware, therefore, of the delusion.” Melancthon says: “The true church will always suffer persecution to the time of the end, and in the church itself the good and evil will continue blended together.” John Knox says of this world’s universal reform: “It never was or yet shall be until that righteous King and Judge appear for the restoration of all things.” John Milton in “Paradise Lost” says:— “Truth shall retire,
Be struck with slanderous darts, and works of faith
Rarely be found. So shall the world go on,
To good malignant, to bad men benign,
Under her own weight groaning, till the day
Appear of reparation to the just,
And vengeance to the wicked, at return
Of Him, thy Saviour and thy Lord.”
Matthew Henry says: “As long as the world stands, there will be in it such a mixture as we now see. We long to see all wheat and no tares in God’s field; but it will not be till the time of ingathering—till the winnowing day come—both must grow together till the harvest.” Cotton Mather says: “Without doubt the kingdoms of this world will not become the kingdom of God and of his Christ, before the pre-ordained time of the dead, in which the reward shall be given to the servants of God. They who expect the rest promised for the church of God to be found anywhere but in the new earth, or any happy times for the church in a world that hath sin in it—these do err not knowing the Scriptures nor the kingdom of God.” George Whitefield says: “Christ’s church while in this world will be a bush burning with fiery trials and afflictions of various kinds.” THE NEW YORK CAMP-MEETING.
By B. L. Whitney
This meeting was held in a beautiful grove near Carthage, Jefferson Co., N. Y.,—a fine location in all respects. The grove itself was all that could be desired for the purpose. It was located directly on the Utica and Black River Railroad, and all trains stopped at the ground. The Black River forms a bend a few rods from the camp, furnishing a convenient and beautiful baptismal ground. About thirty tents were pitched—less by twenty than at the Aurora meeting in June, but they were larger, and were well filled. By Friday109 night there were toward four hundred brethren and sisters on the ground. We were rejoiced to see the faces of Bro. and Sr. White again, and especially so as it seemed an indication that the Lord was raising his worn servants from their enfeebled state of health. The presence of Bro. Haskell and Smith was an encouragement to all, and their faithful and earnest labors were, we trust, appreciated. The reports from different parts of the field were encouraging. The truth is evidently taking hold in this soil, heretofore considered so hard and unfertile. The time has evidently come when the ears of the people are open to the truth. As at Aurora, the outside interest was deep. Every train left visitors at the ground, and those who came, came evidently not only to see but to hear, and went away with a favorable impression. Some fifteen thousand pages of tracts were taken—mostly from the Distributor, which hung in an accessible place—besides a large number of papers. The freight trains would occasionally stop at the ground, all hands rush up to the tent, listen for a few minutes and off again; and the last morning after the meetings had closed and all were preparing to leave, the engineer of a freight train stopped his engine, and beckoning to one of our brethren called for some tracts on the Sabbath, and passed on with his train. Sabbath and Sunday the pavilion was full through all the services. No trains were running on Sunday, but people came on foot and with teams, bringing their lunch baskets, and though five sermons were delivered during the day and evening, there was very little strolling about the grounds, but the multitude of people under the canvas sat eagerly listening. One of the city papers, in Tuesday morning’s issue, gave the following favorable editorial comment:— “The sermon delivered by Rev. Mrs. White at Jefferson Park, Sunday afternoon, was one of the grandest efforts of a woman. She commenced by speaking on temperance, but afterward spoke on general topics, and in a manner so interesting that not one of the two thousand people assembled left the spot. She spoke for upwards of two hours, and at the close of the address every person wished her to continue. It was a remarkable address. Mrs. White is a remarkable woman; but the most remarkable of all is, that the auditors should sit for two hours, and then express a willingness to sit two hours more, and listen.” Sister White’s efforts were untiring. Bro. White’s feebleness forbade his taking his usually active part in the meetings, and she seemed to lift for both herself and him. That her efforts were appreciated by those who had never heard her before, the above paragraph witnesses, and we have been glad to see that some, at least, among our own people, are endeavoring to put in practice the lessons heard at the camp-meeting. We were sorry not to see a deeper feeling manifested among our people throughout the meeting. In view of this state of things, sister White was moved to give a pointed and searching testimony at the early meeting on Monday morning just before leaving the ground. At the nine o’clock meeting a deeper feeling seemed to prevail, and some were moved to confession of backsliding from God, and a covenant was entered into by most of those present to seek the Lord more fully. This was considered the best social meeting of the week, and the Spirit of the Lord seemed nearer than at any previous meeting. About one hundred and twenty-five brief, pointed testimonies were borne in forty-five minutes, evidently with deep feeling. The daily papers of Utica and Watertown, published a preliminary article, giving a sketch of our faith and the progress of our work, and full reports of the meetings daily. Monday, nine were baptized in Black river, five of whom were young men. Those who remained through to the close of the meeting felt that much would have been lost had they gone earlier. May God help us to keep the covenant we made to seek him, and devote ourselves more fully to his service. B. L. WHITNEY. THE MICHIGAN CAMP-MEETING.
By Uriah Smith
It was our privilege to attend this meeting from Friday, Sept. 21, to Sunday, Sept. 30. During all this time the weather was remarkably mild, and a cloudless sun made the shade of the grove inviting and agreeable. The grand pavilion, so happily dedicated last year, stood in its old place, facing the entrance, and was again filled with crowds congregated to listen to the proclamation of the present truth. Around this on three sides was pitched a double tier of church and family tents, the only break being the entrance, which was flanked by the book and provision stands, while in the west end of the ground the large number of remaining tents were arranged in hollow squares. These were separated by appropriately named streets and avenues giving to this collection of one hundred and forty tents the appearance of a cotton city. And we trust the character of those thus temporarily located here, was such that it might not inappropriately be called the camp of the saints. By far the largest number of Sabbath-keepers was present at this meeting, taken in the aggregate, that ever attended any of our camp-meetings in this State, many being on the ground during the first part, and then returning to let other members of their families attend until the close. From two thousand to twenty-five hundred Sabbath-keepers thus had the privilege of enjoying some portion of the meeting. A delegation of one hundred and fifty college students went from Battle Creek to the ground by special train on the 21st, intending to return the following Tuesday. But such an interest among them, and for them, was developed by the meeting, that their vacation was extended to Sunday the 30th, and their number was increased by others from the college to about two hundred. On Monday forenoon a special meeting was held for the students. It was such a meeting as we never before witnessed. Not a heart remained unmoved. Scarcely an eye was free from tears, while many were crying aloud to give expression to the intensity of their feelings. In all parts of the congregation students could be seen going to their companions weeping over them, and exhorting them in the most earnest manner to seek the Lord. It was not a wild or boisterous scene, but a natural and intelligent expression of the deep feeling that prevailed. It was a meeting of unparalleled interest. Many meetings were held for the students during their stay, and all of them were very largely of this nature. A good work has been wrought for the school, the effects of which we are sure will be seen in days to come. Some who went to the meeting for the avowed purpose of having a season of sport, gave their hearts to God, were baptized before the meeting closed, and returned rejoicing in the truth. The general social meetings were seasons of interest. The congregation was so large that it was usually divided into three companies, so that three separate meetings were carried on at once under the canvas, yet without any confusion. As many as three hundred and fifty testimonies were sometimes born in less than an hour. In one of the student's meetings forty-five spoke in ten minutes. There were twenty-two ministers present; and discourses were given by sister White, and by Elds. Corliss, Decker, Haskell, Jones, Smith, Colcord, Lane, Canright, Lanson and Waggoner. Sister W. spoke five times besides almost constant labor in social and special meetings, and for individuals. A number of opportunities were given at the close of some of her powerful appeals for individuals to come forward for prayers; and on one occasion about three hundred and fifty were found thus earnestly seeking the Lord. The business sessions of the various organizations, which held their anniversary meetings at this time, passed off very pleasantly. A large amount of business was transacted with such dispatch as to keep the interest unabated. The reader will not pass by these reports found in other columns, in which are many items of interest, and we need say no more in regard to them here. There were two seasons of baptism: one on Friday, the 28th, and the other on the Sabbath, the 29th. The place was just below the bridge in North Lansing. On the first occasion seventy-five were baptized, and on the second fifty-six, making one hundred and thirty-one in all. Both were scenes on which Heaven appeared to smile; but the second seemed to us peculiarly impressive. It was just at the close of the Sabbath. The sun was calmly sinking below the horizon. The beautiful river softened beneath the lengthening shadows, spread out almost as calm as a mirror before us. The four thousand spectators lining the high banks of the river on either side, the terraces of the mills, and the bridge, observed respectful and almost reverential silence. And as the candidates went down into the water, generally two at a time, were buried in the watery grave, and came up with the glow of satisfaction, and the answer of a good conscience, beaming from their happy faces,—he who could look upon the peaceful and impressive scene unmoved, must be unfeeling indeed. Bro. D. H. Lamson and E. R. Jones were the administrators, performing their work in an unexceptionable manner. On the first Sunday there were from six to eight thousand present, and on the second, Sept. 30, from eight to ten thousand. The order was as good as in other places. There were many features of this gathering which we felt were singly worth the entire effort of the meeting. We listened to several discourses, to hear any one of which would have made it worth while to hold the meeting. The presence of Bro. Littlejohn, and the happy spirit of conciliation that prevailed in reference to matters which have been a source of trial to him, as reported in the Conference proceedings, were worth all the meeting. The victorious meetings of the students more than paid for the camp-meeting. And the hallowed baptismal seasons paid for all the meeting. Thus we think we can speak for the brethren, generally, who attended, that they feel many times repaid for the time, labor, and expense of the meeting. These are not worthy to be compared with the spiritual blessings and benefits received. We thought of the first general meeting of this people which we attended, twenty-three years ago, in the house of Bro. White, in Rochester, N. Y. All assembled were conveniently accommodated in one room. The publishing work was then comparatively in its infancy, and the issuing of books scarcely commenced. Yet there the loud cry of the third angel's message was looked forward to and talked about. Could those then present have been, by some instantaneous transition, set down in the midst of a scene like that witnessed day after day on the Lansing camp-ground, a sea of heads crowding the great pavilion, listening eagerly to the earnest proclamation of the truth in the clearness and strength with which it is now brought out, a small city of tents clustering around the large one, delegates and letters from sixteen State Conferences in this country and from missions in foreign countries, a book stand in lively operation, from which nearly a score of bound volumes and a hundred different tracts and pamphlets issued in the defense of these truths were offered to the people, the numbers of earnest young men preparing themselves for labor, half our membership transformed into missionary workers, and books and papers going everywhere, to say nothing of the College, Institute, and publishing houses, with their steam presses, in California and Michigan, and papers issued in French and German in the old world—could they have been suddenly placed, we say, in such a scene as this, would they not have thought that the loud cry they were expecting had already come? It will be safe to say that S. D. Adventists never held a camp-meeting like the one just closed. We know not in what respect it did not surpass all its predecessors. We have reason for gratitude to God, and courage, in his name. U. S. GRATITUDE TO GOD.
By George I. Butler
NEVER did I feel more grateful to God for the present truth than I do this season. Never before did the REVIEW seem so full of encouraging reports as during the present season. I have been taking it for about twenty years, and it has always seemed precious to me, and full of interesting matter, so much so that I could hardly wait for its weekly visits. But this season it has seemed specially precious. And when the “Special Notice” appeared in the last issue, stating that there would be no paper for two weeks while the faithful workers on it take a little rest and attend the camp-meeting, I said to myself, How can I wait two weeks before seeing another paper? The reports from all parts of the field of openings for the introduction of the truth, of the work in foreign lands, of the hundreds embracing the Lord’s Sabbath, of the stir among the masses in the eastern field, fill my heart with joy and gratitude to God. The cause does move, the doubters cannot deny it. I know I love this cause, because nothing makes me so happy as its prosperity. I feel like praising the Lord specially for what he is doing in old New England. A long time ago, in some of the old Testimonies, statements were made that God would yet greatly bless his work in New England. There was not much outward evidence of this being true; for that has seemed to be about the hardest field in which to convert souls to the truth that could be found in the whole country. Very little fruit seemed to follow the labor bestowed there. The Advent doctrine has been preached there so much that it seemed as if the whole country was burnt over, and little could be done. I have waited years, wondering if those statements would ever be verified. And now one of our most experienced lecturers states that he has never seen such an interest to hear as in this very hard field of labor. Nowhere else have such crowds turned out to our camp-meetings, and nowhere have they paid better attention. These things show that the angels of God are troubling the waters. Another most interesting point to me in this connection is the evidence this furnishes of God’s willingness to work with us when we work. For years the brethren and sisters of New England have been taking the lead in the tract and missionary work. They have done far more in proportion to their numbers and means than any other Conference in scattering tracts, giving for the benefit of our institutions, and in personal efforts generally. I very well know they have labored under many discouragements in trying to work for God. For a long time their labor seemed largely fruitless. In my weak faith I almost began to doubt if any special results ever would be seen. But the result shows God will vindicate the faithful, sacrificing efforts of his people. He will always work when we work. I greatly rejoice at these manifest evidences of God’s favor in New England. How good it seems to hear from our faithful missionaries in Europe. How evident it is becoming that the prophesying “again to peoples, nations, tongues, and kings” is now in progress. The third angel’s message is rising. My heart says, Praise the Lord; for his work is moving on. It will triumph gloriously. Though laboring in a field where everything seems behind, where many have not even interest enough to take the paper, where there is a great lack of faith in the instrumentalities God has used in other places to build up his work, and where the battle seems to go rather hard for the present, yet I will have faith that we shall see better days, and show my faith by working to that end. Brethren and sisters, everywhere, let us thank God and take courage, because his work is moving onward. Let us work while the day lasts; for the night soon cometh when no man can work. Brethren and sisters in Missouri, let us make a special effort to heal our divisions, close up the ranks, enter anew into the work of God, and keep pace with this glorious message. We can see prosperity here as well as elsewhere if we “watch, pray, and work.” Above all, may gratitude fill our hearts for what the Lord is doing. GEO. I. BUTLER. QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
By Stephen N. Haskell
In Review, No. 23, of last volume, it was recommended by the General Conference Committee that each church hold a quarterly meeting in the first Sabbath in the quarter; that is the first Sabbath in January, April, July, and October. At this meeting the elder of the company will read the names of each member of the church, and it is expected that the members will respond. If each member cannot be present, then he should send a letter, so that the standing of each individual connected with the church may be known every three months. In the absence of an ordained elder the leader can conduct this meeting, although the ordinances should be postponed until the church is visited by either a minister or a local elder. Then a business-meeting should be held, and the S. B. of the quarter promptly paid in the evening, or on the following first-day as the church may arrange. Also it is the duty of the church librarian to place in the hands of each Tract Society member a blank report, which should be filled out and read at the business meeting, and then passed into the hands of the librarian, who will immediately forward all reports to the district secretary. A summary of labor performed by each church should be read at the district quarterly meeting, and forwarded to the State secretary. The district quarterly meeting should be held the second Sabbath in the quarter. Then comes the State quarterly meeting, on the third Sabbath in the quarter, unless especial arrangements are made by the president or board of directors otherwise. Even in that case no disarrangement should be made in the church quarterly meetings. It is recommended that all our churches in every Conference adopt this plan. Where there are unorganized companies, or those having no ordained elder, in the absence of a minister the leader of the meeting will perform all these duties, except administering the ordinances. The minister laboring in the vicinity of such company, or the director of the district in which they are located, should see that some minister or local elder visits them, and administers the ordinances, some time during the quarter. It should be remembered that next Sabbath, Oct. 6, is the first Sabbath in October, and therefore the day for the church quarterly meeting. The Sabbath following, the district quarterly meeting is held, and the Sabbath following that is the time for each Conference to hold its quarterly meeting. S. N. HASKELL.