WHOEVER will read attentively the proclamations embraced in the fourteenth chapter of Revelation, cannot fail to notice their vast importance. At whatever period in the history of the church these proclamations are made, from their very nature they must constitute the great theme of interest for that generation. Whenever the angels of this chapter are commissioned by God to announce to the nations of the earth that the hour of his Judgment is come, or to proclaim the fall of Babylon, or to utter against the worshipers of the beast the most dreadful threatening which the Bible contains, no man can disregard their work, or treat their warnings as non-essential, except at the peril of his soul. If it were merely possible that these warnings were addressed to ourselves, it would become us to examine this subject with serious attention. But if this point can be proved by decisive testimony, it is certain that we cannot too carefully attend to the warnings here uttered.
It was but a few years since, that all Advent believers were united in applying this prophecy to the present generation. But in the period of trial that has followed their disappointment, many of them have, to a great extent, lost sight of their original faith. A considerable number now contend that these angels are to utter their voices of warning in the future age; that is, in a period subsequent to the second advent. Another class attempt to show that they had their fulfillment many ages in the past—the first angel beginning in the days of the apostles, the second, in the time of Luther, and the third, at a period somewhat later.
As proof that these angels belong to the future age, the fact is adduced that John saw them flying through the midst of heaven immediately after having seen the Lamb stand upon Mount Zion with the 144,000. As the latter event is future, it is concluded by them that the angels of this prophecy must be future also. If it were a fact that the events predicted in the book of Revelation were there given in consecutive order, there would be some force to this argument. But it is evident that that book is made up of many distinct views, usually introduced by the expression, "And I saw," or something of that kind, as in Rev. 14:6. The series of events, which begins in chap. 12, with the dragon, evidently extends through the work of the beasts in chap. 13, and ends with a view of the remnant in their glorified state, Rev. 14:1-5, upon Mount Zion. Then begins a new series of events with the angel of chap. 14:6.
The following reasons forbid the application of this prophecy to the future age:—
1. This view would make the angel with the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, and tongue, an angel from heaven with another gospel, Gal. 1:8, for the apostolic commission extended only to the harvest, which is the end of the world. Matt. 28:19, 20; 24:14; 13:24-30, 36-43. Paul participated in this commission, 1 Tim. 1:11, and he thus declares its import: that God "now commandeth all men everywhere to repent; because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness." Acts 17:30, 31. The apostolic commission extended only to the end—the day in which God shall judge the world by Jesus Christ. A gospel preached in that day would be another gospel than that preached by Paul, and one that has no Saviour in it. This would indeed show that the angel of Rev. 14:6, was the very being on whom rests the curse of Paul in Gal. 1:8.
2. The second angel announces the fall of Babylon Verse 8. After this proclamation a voice is heard from Heaven, Saying, "Come out of her, my people." Rev. 18:1-4. That the absurdity of placing this transaction after the second advent may be seen, please read 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. It is there plainly stated that at the coming of Christ, his people shall all be caught up to meet him in the air, and thenceforward be forever with the Lord. Will the Lord take his people to Babylon when he comes? Never. He says, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also." John 14:2, 3. Then the Lord will not have occasion to call his people out of Babylon after the second advent; for from that time onward they are to be forever with him.
3. Let us now see whether the third angel's message can be applied to the future age with any propriety. Those who will compare Rev. 14:9-12; 13:11-17, will see at once that the warning voice of the third angel relates to the fearful scene when the two-horned beast is to act its part in oppressing the saints of the Lord. But if the third angel's proclamation relates to the period which follows the second advent, then the work of the two-horned beast must also transpire in the future age. And what a scene must the future reign of the saints present, if Rev. 13:11-17, is to be fulfilled in that time! But by turning to Rev. 20:4-6, it will be seen that the period for the triumph of the beast and his image, and for the reception of his mark, precedes the thousand years' reign of the saints. And when the reign of the saints commences, the triumph of the beast is past.271The beast doubtless represents the papal power. Rev. 13:1-10; Dan. 7:8, 20, 21, 25, 26. But by turning to 2 Thess. 2, we learn that the papacy is to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. Further, we learn from Rev. 19:19-21, that the final overthrow of the beast and false prophet, or two-horned beast, takes place in the battle of the great day of God Almighty, in immediate connection with the second advent. By these plain testimonies we establish the fact that the beast will be destroyed at the second advent. Therefore we ask, What danger will there be that men will worship the beast at a time when there will be none for them to worship? God will never send an angel to warn men against the worship of the beast when the beast does not exist.
The language of verse 12, "Here is the patience of the saints," is sufficient of itself to overthrow the application of these messages to the future age. The following scriptures clearly teach that the patience of the saints refers to the present time, and not to the period of their future glorious reward. "Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise." Heb. 10:36. "In your patience possess ye your souls." Luke 21:19. "Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." James 5:7. Will the saints have need of patience in the kingdom of God? Will they have to possess their souls in patience after they have received the promise, even life everlasting? 1 John 2:25. It is tribulation that worketh patience. Rom. 5:3; James 1:2, 3. Are the saints in tribulation after they are made immortal, and crowned with everlasting joy? No, never. Isa. 25:8, 9; 35:10; Rev. 7:13-17. But the saints are in their patience when the third angel's message is given. Hence that message does not belong to the future age.
But verse 12 concludes thus: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." It is evident that this refers to the period when the remnant are keeping the commandments of God, while exposed to the wrath of the dragon, Rev. 12:17, and that it does not refer to the period when the commandment-keepers shall have entered in through the gates into the holy city, Rev. 22:14; and that it refers to the period when the saints are living by faith, Heb. 10:38, 39, and not to the period when they have received the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls. 1 Pet. 1:9.
But verse 13, which pronounces a blessing on the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, that is, from a point of time as late, at least, as the third angel's message, presents a testimony which cannot be evaded. It demonstrates that this part of John's vision relates to a period prior to the first resurrection; for the saints cannot die after being made immortal. 1 Cor. 15:51-56. Our Lord testifies that they can die no more, but are equal unto the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Luke 20:36. If any are still disposed to locate these angels' messages in the day of God itself, let them carefully read the following scriptures: Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30; Gen. 7:21, 22; Luke 21:35; Ps. 2:6-9; Rev. 2:26, 27; 19:11-21; 22:11, 12; 2 Thess. 1:6-10.
Without Excuse.
By Uriah Smith
WE are drawing near to the day of God. The decisions of eternity are upon us. The Master standeth at the door. The day of the Lord is not an uncertain object in the dim and distant future; but it is, to him who reads aright the page of prophecy and history, a vivid reality, even now throwing the beams of its approaching glory, and the light of its consuming fires upon a slumbering world. It comes not without a numerous array of precursors and heralds; yet it will come to many suddenly and unexpectedly. With what real and unfeigned surprise will multitudes awake to their condition, as the terrible realities of this coming day burst upon them. So different from what they expected! So contrary to all their plans! So fatal to all that they had hoped for or believed! What astonishment, what amazement, what terror, will seize them! At once they find themselves in the unrelaxing grasp of eternity, its irrevocable decisions upon them, and they among the lost! And how many, in the agony of their despair, will put the question to their own souls, Why should I be found in this condition? And what would be their reply to such a question? Should the judge of all meet them with the solemn inquiry why they had not made preparation for that day, what answer would they return? What excuse would they render?
Would they say, Lord, this day of all days, this day which forever concludes all human history, this decisive day for all the human race, should have been clearly set forth in thy holy word; the answer would be, It was thus set forth. From Genesis to Revelation, that word was full of it. That solemn moment which should close probation and bring its terrible retribution to the ungodly, and its glorious reward to the righteous, was everywhere kept in view, with warnings and exhortations to all the race to prepare for its solemn scenes. Bibles were in your hands, and you could have read them for yourselves. Would they not thus stand speechless and condemned?
Would they say that signs should have been given of so momentous an event, some strange phenomena in nature to mark the approach of the end; the answer would be, Such signs were given. The sun was to be darkened, the moon withdraw her shining, the stars fall from heaven, and strange sights appear above, and strange convulsions be felt below. And ere probation closed, while yet you could have escaped the coming wrath, the land was full of Bibles containing these predictions, and full of histories recording their fulfillment. Did you care to trouble yourselves to compare the two? And again they would stand speechless and condemned.
Would they say that the state of the world, moral and political, which was to mark the last days, should have been clearly described; the answer would come, It was so described. It was declared in the word of God that iniquity would abound, that evil men and seducers would wax worse and worse, that the nations would be angry, that there would be wars and rumors of wars, and that there would be distress of nations, with perplexity. And in your own days every paper groaned with a record of these things, and all the land was startled at the fearful spectacle which the world presented. Did you not see it, and wonder? And why did you not read its import aright? Would they not again stand speechless and condemned?
Would they say again that the history of nations, and the course of empire, in consecutive order, down to the end, should have been given, that the world might know when the last nations were on the stage of action, at the end of whose history the kingdom of God should be set up; again the answer would be, Such information was given in the prophetic word. Beginning 600 years before Christ, step by step, kingdom by kingdom, event by event, the student of prophecy is brought down even to the closing scenes of trouble, the dashing of all the nations to pieces, and the standing up of Michael for the deliverance of his people. And you saw the last kingdoms of earth in a condition such that even human foresight scarcely failed to discern the very day of their dissolution. Did you take the trouble to inquire what was to follow? And again they would stand without answer and without excuse.
Would they say further that messengers, divinely sent, should have given warning of the approach of the great and dreadful day; that the proclamation should have been made through all the land when that day was near; the answer would be again, Such proclamation was made. The world heard; the honest, humble seekers after truth believed; and scoffers everywhere raised the inquiry, Where is the promise of his coming?
Thus their last excuse fails them; for what could they say more? Speechless and condemned they stand throughout.
And, reader, so far as the evidences of the near coming of Christ are concerned, they stand to-day just as set forth above. The declarations of God's word, the signs in the natural world, the state of the nations, the moral condition of mankind, and the proclamation of the coming of the day of wrath, the last message of mercy, are all before us. And the eyes of all the world are now watching for the final destruction of those powers at the termination of whose career the Bible places the opening of the day of God. Look at the papacy and the Ottoman power. The prophet declared that as we reached the last days, the dominion of the little horn, the papacy, should be consumed and destroyed unto the end. And what has been the leading feature of its history for the past fifty years? Answer: The falling away, one after another, of its strong supports. And what was witnessed only as recently as 1870? The most sudden and tremendous revolution in Europe that has perhaps ever transpired in the world's history, the overthrow of France, the last prop of the pope's temporal power, in the Franco-Prussian war. And now his temporal dominion is taken entirely away, nevermore, as the king of Italy emphatically declared, to be restored to him again. This is an event which takes place in close connection with the end. At the same time we hear him uttering those great words (papal infallibility), in the Ecumenical Council of 1870, of which the prophet speaks, words which he utters in so close connection with his destruction by devouring fire that the prophet says that both the utterance of the great words and the destruction in the burning flame were to occur almost at one and the same time.
Equally startling is the aspect of affairs in the Ottoman Empire. That power we understand to be symbolized by the great river Euphrates, in Rev. 9:14, and 16:12, and to be referred to as the "King of the north," in Dan. 11:43-45. When it meets its final overthrow, the sixth of the seven last plagues will be falling upon the world; for it is at that time, according to Rev. 16:12, that that river is to be clean dried up. But the Ottoman or Turkish Empire is tottering to its fall. Its speedy overthrow is on all hands expected. Russia, immediately following the humiliation of France in 1870, announced her intention to disregard the stipulations of the treaty of 1856. That treaty restricted, among other things, the warlike operations of Russia in the Black Sea. Her announcement was, therefore, simply a declaration that she was about to restore her armaments in those waters and on their shores; which she has since done; and this was tantamount to a declaration of war with Turkey; for it was for the purpose of making a conquest of the Turkish possessions in Europe, so long coveted by Russia, that this move was made. And the war which this foretokened followed in 1877. And in what condition is Turkey to-day? It is well known that ever since the summer of 1840, when the Ottoman Empire fell, that power has been sustained by the influence and arms of other nations. She has not resources of her own to meet the emergency. And other nations which would be likely, from inclination or obligation, to come to her rescue, in case of future difficulty, are either crippled by recent wars or engaged in present ones. Turkey, therefore, cannot expect much aid from them; and if trouble comes, which now seems so imminent, there appears for her no hope. She must fall. And the fall of Turkey is the signal for the standing up of Michael, or the beginning of the everlasting reign of Christ. Dan. 12:1.
Such is the present condition of two powers, to say nothing of others, the history of which brings us to the end of all things. No observer can fail to see their doom approaching. But who takes the trouble to acquaint himself with what the word of God declares is to follow these events?
And to the thoughtful reader, we put the questions, What more evidence could God have given of these things than he has given? What other kinds of evidence could be given, or in what respect could that which is given be more full? And if these things are so, and you come to the Judgment unconcerned and unprepared, will you not be without excuse? U. S.
Probation.
Probation.
By Joseph Clarke
BY JOSEPH CLARKE.
OUR first parents were perfectly happy in their Eden home, and might, with all their posterity, have been there still, in the enjoyment of all that is pure and holy if they had appreciated the importance of that one word, "probation."
Webster defines probation, thus: "The act of proving." God was proving Adam and Eve; but having failed in this their first probation, they were placed on probation again; and we all believe that our first parents knew full well the value of such a favor, and let us hope they improved it. But few of their posterity valued probation; they believed the world to be their own, and in a few centuries, had so far forgotten its value, that they provoked the Lord, who gave them this precious boon, to destroy them by a flood.
So it has been all the way down the ages of time. The regularity of the seasons, and the exact movements of the heavenly bodies, and the greatness of God's works, tempt men to think that he will not care how so insignificant a creature as man, shall conduct his course. He believes that amid the multiplicity and magnitude of God's affairs, he will, not notice how carelessly man may walk.
Probation signifies to us eternity of life or of death; it means a life of infinite glory and excellence beyond the eras of time; a life with God, and the good of all ages, and the companionship of angels, and an acquaintance with all of Jehovah's works; to see with our own eyes the vast universe of which the telescopes of Resse and others, give but the faintest outline. The distant stars with all their glory, will all be within the scope of all who gain the prize of eternal life. Probation means to those who undervalue and neglect it, tribulation and wrath, anguish and sorrow, and finally the second death.
Dear to us are the joys of friendship and home, but far dearer to us are the moments as they fly rapidly into the dim regions of the past, never to be recalled. Swifter than an arrow, and unrelenting as death, is the passage of time. No wealth or influence can recall the272past. The past, if only yesterday, is a matter of history; the present is probation; the future is prophecy.
Dear reader, let us so value the present, that its history may be written by our recording angels, with tears of joy; and thus let us press into the present all we can of usefulness and devotion to the cause. Then shall our future light up with a radiance heavenly and divine. "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation."
San Francisco.
By M. C. Israel
The meetings at the tent, corner of Larkin and Washington Streets, are increasing in interest. The average attendance is about 200. The same persons largely make up the congregation every evening. Some of these attended our Sabbath meeting at the church yesterday. During the last week quite a number have remained after the services, to talk with Elder Van Horn and others of the tent company, and to ask questions on Bible subjects. On Friday evening fifteen thus remained.
Brother and Sister McClure report quite a number of interested persons found in visiting. One family from Denver, Colorado, express thankfulness that in God's providence they are here and have attended the tent-meetings, and that their attention has been called to the truth.
A Brother Allison, from Arizona, who had received the Signs and Review from friends in the East, commenced keeping the Sabbath, came to the city, found the tent, and heard his first sermon. He expects to remain during the meetings, to learn more about the way of life, and how to become useful in the service of the Master.
In a box placed near the speaker's stand, for the purpose of holding the contributions of those who wish to help defray the expenses of the meetings, was found a five-dollar gold piece. This shows that some one is interested.
We feel to praise the Lord for the evidences we see of interest in these meetings, and we hope many precious souls will be made to see and obey the truth, as the result of them.
June 11, 1882. M. C. Israel.
Northern Europe.
By John Gottlieb Matteson
ON the Sunday after Easter, I again visited the friends in Moss, and held two meetings. The weather was unfavorable, and few met in the forenoon; but in the evening the meeting was well attended. We cannot, at present, obtain a suitable place for meetings, and they are postponed until we can find one. Not a few are interested, and read our books and periodicals. I will visit this place again as the way may open.273Last Friday I went to Tonsberg, about sixty miles distant. This is the oldest city in Norway. It is surrounded by a picturesque and beautiful country, presenting a variety of mountains and valleys, fruitful fields, and sounds or bays. Here I met our colporteur, Bro. V. Berg, who had invited me to come to this vicinity. It is now three months since he left Christiana. In all that time he has been selling tracts and books, and getting subscribers, in the villages and country places between Christiana and Tonsberg. In that time, he has sold tracts and papers to the value of $124.85. He goes to every house and family, and intends to go through all of Norway in this way. In most places they will take at least a tract on the coming of the Lord, the prophecies, the Sabbath, or the immortality question. Thus the truth finds its way into many homes; and although some oppose it and others are careless, yet some become interested and search their Bibles. Bro. B. seems to have put his whole life and energy into this work, and we pray that God may richly bless his efforts. He has always been a very successful colporteur. When I ask him what he considers the most necessary qualifications for a good colporteur, he answers, "Constant zeal, and true interest in the work."
We had one meeting in Tonsberg. It was but poorly attended. I could not find any interest in the city. On the Sabbath we went out in the country three miles, and visited some. In the evening we had a meeting on Huso. This was well attended, and a good interest manifested. Here we had another meeting Sunday evening. We found some who desired to be directed by the truth. In the forenoon we had appointed an out-door meeting on Fojnland, another little island. No one would let us use their dwelling. The priest had warned them, and they were afraid. It was rather cold and rained a little, and besides there were services in the church. Nearly half an hour we were all alone, and could see no prospect of meeting. Then the people came from all sides, and the congregation numbered over seventy persons. Some sat on stones and pieces of boards, others stood up. Some had umbrellas. Now it was my turn. They did not seem to care for the weather. I spoke at first with some difficulty, being chilly, but commenced soon to warm up. By the blessing of God, the word made their hearts very tender, and much prejudice was overcome. I asked for a house to hold meetings in again in two weeks, but none dared to offer it, so I appointed meeting out-doors. But in the evening a man came and urged me to accept his house. He said he had plenty of room, and did not want to shut out the word of God. Both these islands are peopled mostly with seafaring men and their families.
On Monday we went to another place about four miles east of this. Found some large rooms for meeting, and went around inviting the people. The house was crowded in the evening, and there was a good interest to hear. The school teacher and a lay preacher were present. They had read several of our books, and were interested to know more about the truth. The people in this vicinity are mostly farmers. J. G. MATTESON.
Am I Alive?
By T. L. Cuyler
It is not a sufficient answer to this question to say, “I was once converted.” Thousands were born ten years ago that are now in their coffins. Granting you were once made alive, are you alive to-day? If so, how shall you keep alive? First of all comes prayer, the daily and hourly intercourse of the soul with God. Prayer is just as vital to my spiritual life as water is to the “monthly rose.” Prayer is the conduit pipe between my soul and Heaven. It is the outlet upward for gratitude and yearning desires for blessings; it is the inlet through which the supplies of grace pour downward into the heart. When the channel is allowed to freeze up, I am in the same condition with the house-keeper who inquires, “I wonder why the water does not run to-day? The plumber is sent for and he soon explains the difficulty: “Your pipes are frozen up; the connection with the reservoir is stopped.” Alas for the Christian who has broken his connection with Christ!
But with prayer the Master also coupled watchfulness: “I say unto all, watch.” The oversight must be close, constant, and wakeful. If you were set to keep a canary bird on the open palm of your hand, you would understand what is meant by “keeping the heart with all diligence.” You must not take off the spiritual eye for one instant. Watch the stealthy approaches of the tempter. Watch for the old habits of sin that will steal back again though they have been driven off a hundred times “from the premises.” Watch for opportunities to do good. Let the Mary side of your religion be ever at the feet of Jesus in humble devotion; let the Martha side of your piety be ever abounding in the work of the Lord. Let us use our knees for prayer, our eyes for watchfulness, our purses for liberal giving, our tongues for confessing Jesus, and both our hands in hard work to do Christ’s will, and to pull sinners out of the everlasting fires.—T. L. Cuyler.
SLIGHTLY SARCASTIC.
A correspondent of the Christian Intelligencer has a new theory of creation: "Mr. Darwin has discovered that earth worms bring to the surface from seven to eighteen tons of mold per acre annually; and this spread out evenly would produce in every ten years a layer of soil of from one to more than two inches thick. Suppose the layer to be only one inch thick. At this rate in 120 years the worms could raise the soil one foot; and in 633,600 years they would raise it one mile; and in 2,500,000,000 years they would raise the surface 4,000 miles—about the distance of the surface of the earth from its center. My hypothesis is that this earth was made by earth worms in the period mentioned. Of course the number of workers increased as the surface and room for working grew larger; so we may go back in the history of our planet and find it a mere lump of earth, and upon it a pair of worms at work. Whence the worms came, and where they got the lump of earth, are not explained by the hypothesis, which starts after they began their work. But every other hypothesis of creation also starts after the beginning, except the Bible account, which is by many regarded as more than a hypothesis. Other theories of creation have their difficulties; so has the one presented. To an unscientific mind, its difficulties seem little, if any, greater than those in the way of others that are celebrated. But this has advantages that should at once commend it to persons who are not satisfied with the Scriptural account; it is simple; it is built up with mathematical accuracy; it is based on facts, and, best of all, it is founded on the latest scientific discoveries."
Be Ready for Christ’s Coming
"MANY that are looking at me may never die; we are near the end of this dispensation. The coming of the Lord in the clouds to take his church to be with himself, is the Christian's hope. Oh, to be ready! In the Master's name I tell you, be ready. I charge you to prepare for his coming."
Seaman's Mission, San Francisco.
By H. C. Palmer
ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR MAY.
On the ship C—, a man in the forecastle is much interested. He is a skeptic, but when certain points were explained he decided to investigate, and report when he got home. He seemed candid, but his mind had been turned away from religion by the conflicting teachings of different expositors. May our Heavenly Father direct him in his search for truth.
Ship T— S—. The cook on this vessel was interested. He was not a religious man himself, but said the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was a good paper, and asked to have some copies sent to his sisters in Dublin. Said he would get his sisters to write. He was promised extra reading matter, on condition that he would read it before giving it to his sisters. This he promised to do. May he see the light.
Ship I—. The men in the forecastle of this ship seemed possessed of very inquiring minds, and anxious to know the truth. The first mate promised to visit me, but has not done so yet. The captain said he had read all our tracts and papers on his voyage from here home, last year, but had not decided what to do. He wanted to examine the Sabbath question more fully. There is a germ of religion in this ship, which may ripen into good fruit. We must pray for it.
The limited number of ships in this month, lessens the interest of the report, but we know that the seed of truth is being sown, and are not discouraged. A stewardess on a steamer is about to take a vacation, and she evinced much interest, and promised to investigate during her leisure. She said she would want further information.
Elder Loughborough writes from England, that six persons have bought books and subscribed for papers, as the result of the work here. Some of the names were obtained directly through the ship work, and this gives us courage and hope. He also writes, in answer to my inquiry, that ship work will be commenced in Liverpool as soon as laborers can be obtained. This is very necessary, so that interested readers on this side can be visited on their arrival there, and vice versa. There are some of the Lord's jewels on board the ships; may we, as his servants, have the privilege of finding them.
The time for the harvest is now, the working time is upon us. All our powers of mind and strength are necessary to advance the work of God. Diligence and the love of souls should stimulate us to see how well we can do the Lord's will. Can we read of his great love and devotion to man, without feeling a desire to follow in his footsteps, and submit to his guidance? Let our faith be looking forward to that hour when the King of glory shall say to his worthy people these words of welcome: "Well done, good and faithful servant." This should be our position before our Heavenly Father; we should be in such close connection, that our every hope should be centered in rescuing souls from darkness and bringing them into this great light. Mind, means, strength, all are the Master's; he has bought us; we are not our own. He has paid the price in his precious blood, and we must be so that His mind can direct everything we do.
This theme is a grand one, and we can pray that the Lord may purify us, so that we may be worthy to continue labor in his vineyard.
H. C. PALMER.
Salinas, California.
By G. D. Ballou
Our meetings continue with a degree of success that is quite encouraging. The temperance talks every Tuesday night, have taken hold of the people far beyond our expectations. Many are cutting off their tobacco by degrees, others have broken square off, and tea and coffee are going out of some families. And best of all, some begin to see the present truth and declare their intention of keeping the Lord's Sabbath hereafter. My health is better than it has been before in two years, and we continue to labor with courage and hope. Bro. Brorsen is with me.
June 6, 1882. G. D. BALLOU.
From The Field.
TEXAS, Prairieville, May 15.—Our tent is now erected in this place, and we have spoken four times. The people are kind, and ready to help us by supplying our wants. Prairieville is a little country place containing only four stores, but the country around it is thickly settled. Judging from appearances last Sunday, a good interest has been awakened, which is largely due to our faithful vigilant missionary workers in sending the SIGNS here in advance of us. Dear brethren and sisters, if we are faithful to the end, then, whether sowers or reapers, we shall rejoice together. John 4:36-38. We ask an interest in your prayers.
NEW YORK, Steamburg, May 22.—We have now held meetings here eight weeks. Sixteen have signed the covenant. Several others are keeping the Sabbath, who will soon unite with the class. The interest still holds good. We have received donations to the amount of $16.75; book sales, $10.65. Have received three subscriptions for the SIGNS, and are to have a club of ten Instructors for the use of the Sabbath-school.
DAKOTA, Brookings, May 22.—Since my last report, the weather has been unfavorable, raining much of the time; yet we have had some encouragement. Three families have decided to obey the truth. They give evidence of conversion, and are trying to consecrate themselves to the Lord. Others are very favorable, and almost persuaded. We have had two Sabbath meetings, in which nearly all present took part in prayer. The Lord was very near to us. May the good work go on.
Advent Tidende has done a good work here, in removing prejudice, and in making people willing to hear. May the Lord bless our Danish paper; and may we, as T. and M. workers, not grow weary, even though we do not see immediate results of our efforts.
A Vicious Ox.
Reader, I live in one of the richest counties in Missouri. A little over fifty years ago, the U. S. Government put these lands on the market. Our fathers (hardy, honest pioneers), bought, paid for, and improved them. Since then, they and we (their children) have paid annual tribute, not only on them, but also on our improvements and farm products. We prospered—we were happy.
Twenty-five or thirty years ago, certain persons seeing our "goodly tents," coveted them. They could have procured homes like ours by the same means, but, unfortunately, they had an aversion to labor—they would prefer to use their wits. Seeing that ours was a rich pasture, they applied to the government for permission to graze on our lands—to turn an ox into our fertile fields.
The government inquired:—
"What is the nature of your brute?"
The answer was given:—
"He is vicious, he is wont to push with his horns; he has gored many aforetime."
The government hesitated—said it doubted the right of treating peaceable, loyal, prosperous people in that manner.
The witty, lazy applicants replied:—
"But we wlll pay you big money."
That "made the mare go." The ox was turned loose upon us.
But oh! merciful heavens, what a change he hath wrought! The house of the Lord, built by our fathers, stands moss-grown and dilapidated, while the ox-owners hold liens on our once thrifty farms.
Our children are homeless, shiftless, and uneducated. Quite a number of the brightest of them having been gored by the ox, have been carried by broken hearts to infamous graves—“unwept, unhonored, and unsung.”
Yea, the terrible beast gored to death a goodly brother and brother-in-law of mine, while a nephew, of extraordinary ability is mortally wounded, and only lives as a warning to others.
When, oh, when, will the people's government cease to devour the people? And when, alas, will the people in might demand the death of the ox?
To arms! to arms! that ox or our children must die? Which? Let the people say.—Sel.
A Profitable Loan
A PROFITABLE LOAN.—While Pastor Gossner, the well-known evangelical minister of Northern Germany, was living with Fenneberg, another man of similar apostolic zeal, one day a poor traveler asked the latter to lend him three dollars, that he might be able to continue his journey, as he had expended all his money sooner than he had calculated. Fenneberg at the time possessed only three dollars, but as the poor man asked him in the name of Jesus, and with much importunity, he lent him all he had, even to his last penny. Some time after, when in extreme want, not knowing what to do, or how to help himself, he recollected this fact while at prayer; and with child-like faith and simplicity, said, "O Lord, I have lent three dollars, and thou hast not given them back to me, though thou knowest how urgently I need them. I pray thee return them to me." On that very same day a letter arrived, containing money which Gossner delivered to the good man with these words, "Here, sir, you receive what you advanced." The letter contained two hundred dollars, which were sent him by a rich man, at the solicitation of the poor traveler to whom he had lent his all. Fenneberg was quite overcome with gratitude to God.
The Dignity of Every Office
THERE is no such thing as a menial office, when you put a true man into it. A menial office is an office with a mean man in it; and it makes no difference whether it is a king's office or a scavenger's office.