Review and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 14
A FEW THOUGHTS ON REV. XXI, 7.Page 1
Earlier text: CONVERSATIONS ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS. NO. 5.TEMPERANCE.
By Francis Gould
TEMPERANCE is a Christian grace, and has more to do in forming and developing moral character, shaping and directing the minds of men into a correct, consistent, and Christian course of life, than most people are aware. The Holy Spirit has seen fit to place it among a catalogue of Christian graces, as a prominent stepping-stone upon which we are to plant our feet, in order to bear away a glorious victory, and secure a home in the earth made new. Peter declares this fact when he says, “Add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance,” and so on, until the list is complete. See 2 Pet. i, 5–7. Temperance means moderation, sobriety, calmness, which is the result of self-denial. Self-gratification is one of the greatest sins of the present time; hence there never was a time when the graces of the Spirit, and especially that of temperance, were more adapted to the spiritual wants of the professed followers of Christ to direct them how to live, and to teach them how to overcome their selfish desires and propensities, and fit them for the society of holy angels in the kingdom of God. Paul, in teaching a preparation for the coming of Christ, exhorts the young men to be sober-minded, and then adds, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus ii, 11–14. In looking over the condition of human society at the present time, as apart from the effects of Christianity, we find, at least, two general characters exhibited before us. One character, or class, comprising those who are proud, ambitious, selfish, covetous, grasping after the things of the world, and bowing at the shrine of pleasure and fashion, while the other class are low, vile, reckless, and far below the common level of mankind. The great object of the plan of salvation, and of the grace of God, when the Spirit of God operates upon the mind, is to level up and level down, until we are brought upon one common basis, the Christian level, the holy standard, the rule of perfection, where our minds will be equal and well balanced, where we shall develop an excellent and holy character, and secure us health and strength to perform those Christian duties which shall be well-pleasing and commendable in the sight of God. Temperance acts a conspicuous part in this matter. Hear Paul: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery, is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.” 1 Cor. ix, 24, 25. The antediluvians were noted for intemperance and self-gratification. Says Christ: “For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and knew not until the flood came and took them all away.” Matt. xxiv, 38, 39. “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” Luke xvii, 28, 29. But what next? “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” We who live in this age are not left in darkness in relation to duty. The light of present truth shines clearly upon our pathway. The third angel’s message is especially designed to correct God’s erring people, and a course of self-denial is enjoined upon us. We are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. iii, 16, 17. The work of overcoming is not the work of a moment. It is a progressive work, and is accomplished according to the grace given us. To illustrate: A building is to be erected. The timber for the purpose is taken from the wilderness in its rough and crooked state. The rule and line are stretched upon it, and its crookedness, deformity, and unfitness appears. The master-workman with his broad-axe hews it down to the line. Next comes the smoothing-plane, which works off the rough edges, making it smooth and uniform, so that it corresponds with the standard of measurement. It is then placed upon the spot, and the level is placed upon it. If it is too high, it is lowered; if too low, it is raised. Thus the stick is finished. Man, in a state of nature, is crooked, rough, and sinful, unfit for the society of Jesus and holy angels. The law of God, the rule of moral action, and line of measurement, shows him his true condition. He sees that he is a sinner, and feels the need of pardon through the blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The gospel axe is then laid at the root of the tree. The hewing, smoothing, refining and leveling process goes on, until he is fitted for his place in the spiritual building. Faith leads out in company with virtue and knowledge to do the first part of the work, temperance leading out in connection with patience, godliness, and brotherly-kindness, to do the smoothing and leveling, while charity (love), the crowning grace, does the purifying and refining. The prophet in referring to John the Baptist, and speaking of the work of grace, says: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” Isa. xl, 3, 4. May the good work among the remnant go on, until the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. Eph. ii, 21. ARE THERE FEW THAT BE SAVED?
By William Carthy
This question was once asked our Lord while he went through cities and villages, teaching, and sojourning toward Jerusalem. Undoubtedly he was able to answer it correctly; and we learn from his reply that but few will be saved, or at most, but a small portion of the inhabitants of this world; not many, even of those who are seeking to be saved. Jesus said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. It is evident that a desire to obtain an object will never secure it to us unless we exert ourselves to obtain it. Neither can we reasonably expect eternal life by merely desiring it. We must strive for it, and that lawfully. To strive lawfully would be to act agreeably to that law which will bring eternal life within our reach. We read in Rev. xxii, 14, Blessed are they that do his [God’s] commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. We learn from this language that we must keep the commandments of God in order to have eternal life granted us; and to do this will cause a constant striving on the part of the one that is so doing: for it is not agreeable to the natural man or carnal heart to be subject to the law of God. When we see the beautiful and sublime truths of the third angel’s message presented to the people, we think that most every one can but see and embrace them; but it is not the case, and we should not be fearful of the success of this message, though the majority will turn away from it. We may expect this according to the language of our Saviour. Especially may we look for a hardening of the heart, and a turning away of the ear, in these last days, when those who profess to be seeking for the strait gate, have only a form of godliness, denying the power thereof. And as I have heard some of this class laugh and chuckle over miserable slang, thrown out against the perfect law of God, I have thought, Truly Babylon is fallen; her cup of iniquity is nearly full; yet many of these poor deluded souls expect to enter in at the strait gate into the city. Jesus says in connection with the injunction to strive to enter in at the strait gait, in the thirteenth chapter of Luke, that after the door is shut many will stand without, knocking and desiring to come, thinking that they ought to be admitted because they had some acquaintance with the Lord, and had eaten and drank in his presence as they supposed. But alas! they were deceived. Jesus could not be the guest here of those that would scoff at his coming, and make derision of his Father’s just and good law; and they cannot be with him in his glory. THERE is a living power in true sentiments. When we hear them spoken, they take their place in our memories, and seem often to hide themselves away out of sight. But in times of trial, temptation, or suffering, just when they are needed for strength or comfort, some angel-hand turns the leaf on which they were written, and lo! they are ours again. The essence of true nobility is neglect of self. Let the thought of self pass in, and the beauty of action is gone, like the bloom from a soiled flower. A MISTAKE OF PARENTS.
By John H. Waggoner
WHEN we consider that an error on the part of parents is very likely to prove fatal to the eternal interests of their children, we can but feel sad when we see parents living and acting under a continual mistake in regard to what is necessary for the salvation of their offspring; for whose salvation they are in a great measure responsible. One very common and very serious mistake we wish to point out. The importance of keeping the Sabbath can hardly be over-estimated; but to make its observance a substitute for any other duty, or an excuse for the neglect of any other duty, is to abuse and pervert it. The commandment makes it the duty of parents to enforce the proper observance of the Sabbath on their children; but those who stop at this point, as many do, deceive themselves, and neglect the most vital interests of their children. Many parents manifest a great anxiety to have their children keep the Sabbath, and feel deeply troubled over any prospect of their disregarding it, but their minds are perfectly quiet in regard to them so long as that duty is observed. We would like to impress upon the minds of such parents the evident truth that keeping the Sabbath will not save their children. The fourth commandment is a moral law, and to observe the Sabbath is a moral duty. Some seem to think if the observance of the Sabbath will not save them, it is, therefore, of no use to keep it. This is very unreasonable. Mere honesty toward your fellow-men will not save you, yet who considers himself at liberty to steal on that account? The Lord reproves such as are “partial in the law.” Mal. ii, 9. Children, as well as adults, need to be converted. Their hearts are wrong and wicked in the sight of God. Their tempers and dispositions are displeasing to him. They incline to evil, and are daily led astray into sinful thoughts and desires, if not into sinful actions. Without the forgiveness of their sins, they will most certainly be lost. God is strict in his justice, and his requirements must be complied with. He has made provision for the young in the gospel of his dear Son, and if they continue to neglect it, they will surely suffer the consequences. All our children are sinners, and no amount of future obedience will take away a single sin committed in the past. The blood of Christ alone cleanseth from sin, and to this they must look—by this be cleansed, or be forever lost. The Saviour calls them to him; he cannot save them unless they come. And they not only need the aid of Jesus to remove their guilt already incurred, but they need the power of his purifying blood to take away the sinful disposition, the love of folly, and vanity, and of self, and implant within them the love of God, without which all morality is mere formality. They need the Spirit of God to lead their hearts and minds aright, that they may be God’s loving, obedient children, and worship him in spirit and in truth. Children who keep the commandments of God, who love the Sabbath, are in a favorable condition to be led to the Saviour. If they truly respect and love the Sabbath, they may be easily impressed with a sense of the sinfulness of past neglect or transgression. “Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him.” “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” are easily blended; they are so harmonious and so inseparably connected in the divine plan, that the tender minds of the young will preserve their relations under proper instruction. Parents, the time is coming when your children will stand by faith in Christ, or fall under the seven last plagues; when the righteousness of “Noah, Daniel, and Job,” “shall deliver neither son nor daughter,” Eze. xiv; when utter destruction will come upon “old and young, both maids and little children, and women,” unless sealed with the seal of the living God. Eze. ix. Act now in reference to that day, and show your love to your children by bringing them to the Saviour, while he is offering mercy from the sanctuary above. Good reading and preaching may convict and convince the youth; but God requires the parents to “train up” their children, and this duty cannot be laid aside for any reason whatever. Convince your children that you are in earnest for their salvation, and they will seek for it. To tell them that they ought to obey God, or believe and love the Saviour, with about as much emotion as you would tell them to bring in an armful of wood or go to school, will do them no good. Your children’s hearts will move when they see your hearts moved. When you talk, and pray, and entreat, and confess, to and with your children, with weeping, and prove that you think they are in danger, and that you desire above everything to rescue them, then you may expect to see them turn to the Lord, and walk with you in love and obedience. But if you show by your actions that you care more for what they have to eat, drink, and wear, &c., than for their giving their hearts to God and seeking his kingdom, you need not be surprised if they receive these things at your own estimate, and choose the pleasures of earth rather than the joys of Heaven; but if they fall by your neglect or indifference, it may well be feared that their blood will be required at your hands. If you can once think of your children’s being lost by your carelessness, and yet rejoice in your own prospect of Heaven’s glory, you are greatly to be pitied. Bring them to Jesus in the arms of love and faith, and your homes may be the abode of Christian love and peace such as angels will behold with joy. J. H. W. OFFENSES MUST COME.
By R. F. COTTRELL.
Many seem to imagine that their prospect of salvation would be good, if it were not for the wrongs of others. If every one else would do as they think is right, they could bear all the trials of the way and overcome. In other words, if nothing occurred to try their faith and patience, they could get the victory. But others do so wrong that they are tempted to give up in despair, make up their mind to be lost, and charge the blame to the faults of others. It would be poor consolation to me, in view of losing myself, to think that some other poor sinner will be lost too, as the cause of my ruin. In fact I do not think my salvation or condemnation depends so much on what other people do, as on the course which I pursue myself. I think that with the light of the gospel which God has given, I may be saved, notwithstanding others may wrong me so much that it prove their condemnation. Therefore I make no calculation to be lost and charge it to others. There is a woe to him by whom the offense cometh, but that cannot reconcile me to the loss of myself. There are, on the other hand, many blessings promised to the overcomer. This intimates that there is something to overcome, and the possibility of success. How we would bear the cross, if there was no cross to bear, and endure trials, if there were none to endure! Trials are necessary for us. If we had none, we should not know ourselves. No trial can come too great to be borne, if our heart is right with God. He will not suffer it; but will provide a way of escape, that we may endure. Our worst foes are not without, but within. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ—no outward circumstance, neither principalities nor powers, tribulation nor distress. The Lord is with us, as long as we be with him. He desires to save us, and will, if we permit him to do it in his own way. REPORT FROM BRO. D. T. BOURDEAU.
By D. T. Bourdeau
SABBATH, Feb. 1, I spent in Quarterly Meeting with the church of Richford and North Sutton, at the house of Bro. Cyrus Smith, and spoke twice, besides taking part in a social meeting. Eld. Albert Stone was also present, and preached with liberty. Since this esteemed brother and father in Israel has given himself wholly to the work, his labors have been greatly blessed to the strengthening of the churches and upbuilding of the cause. May the Lord still make him a blessing to his cause and people. While at this meeting, my mind was deeply impressed with two important points: first, the necessity of properly relating ourselves to our property; and second, the danger of resenting the plain testimony, and the evils resulting from so doing. Many do not realize the connection there is between their worldly affairs and their spiritual prosperity and their salvation hereafter. They do not stop to plan with reference to their age, health, and the shortness of time, but act in their worldly matters as though the Lord were not coming in this generation. Such are in great danger of getting overcharged with the cares of this life, so that the day of the Lord will come upon them as a snare and as a thief in the night; they having spent their best energies in a worldly direction, to the neglect of their health and best interests, and without making such sacrifices for the advancement of the cause as the Lord required at their hand. Some are too slack in their business transactions, and suffer means to leak out of their hands, that ought to benefit them and the cause, and that will be demanded of them with usury in the great day of final settlement; while others are too close and exacting, bringing reproach upon the truth by their selfishness and penuriousness, and will hold on to their means until they are not needed, to further the work of the last merciful message to man, and it shall be said to them, as they awake to their condition and urge their means upon the servants of God, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” James v, 1–5. Some make the cause an excuse for their closeness and grinding the face of the poor; but the cause is not dependent on covetousness and injustice. Better, a thousand times better, be just and benevolent, and exert a salutary influence, than to resort to closeness and penuriousness under the pretense of doing more for the cause. Again, when some have made a rash move, and lost thereby, the Devil would take advantage of their minds, and either lead them to discouragement, or to go to extremes in labor, etc., to make up for past losses. How many have lost their balance and lost their souls in consequence of a wrong course pursued in their worldly matters. But this need not be the case. Those who have erred, can learn lessons of wisdom from the past, and pray God to be kept from running into extremes.217 The aged who have means are not beyond danger. They are more liable to be controlled by their strong traits, and to be influenced by the counsels of the ungodly. This truth is clearly exemplified in the lives of many in the Bible, who were noted for their piety in early life; but when they came to old age, they failed so gradually that they did not realize the change they were undergoing, and could not guard against their strong tendencies, and were either led entirely away from the Lord, to be lost, or so backslidden as to be saved by the skin of their teeth, if saved at all. Hence in view of this danger, David prayed: “Cast me not off in time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not.” Ps. lxxi, 9, 18. How important it is for the aged to make a proper appropriation of the means the Lord has intrusted unto them, to meet the wants of their children, if they have any; and advance the cause of truth, that there may be no occasion for contention among their heirs when they are no more, and that in the day of final accounts, when all will be rewarded according to their works, they may be found to have laid up a treasure in Heaven. In regard to the danger of resisting the plain testimony, we read among other things, “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Prov. xxix, 1. Those who resent the truth spoken in love, and for whom there is still hope, can either learn to yield now and avert the threatened danger, or pass along until they will have to feel the scourge of the Almighty. As we read in Testimony to the Church, No. 7, pages 21, 22: “There was war, bloodshed, want, privation, famine, and pestilence in the land; and as these things were without, God’s people began to press together, and to cast aside their little difficulties. Self-dignity no longer controlled them. Deep humility took its place. Suffering, perplexity, and privation, caused reason to resume its throne, and the passionate and unreasonable man became sane, and acted with discretion and wisdom.” May God help us to submit ourselves now, that we may not realize by sad experience that it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Sunday, the 23d inst., having given two discourses at home the day before, wife and I went to East Richford, to rest our minds by visiting the brethren in that place. In a short time most of the brethren and sisters in the place were present, and I spoke to them over an hour with freedom on the reality and certainty of coming events. Our series of meetings in Enosburgh is still progressing. I have given thus far about fifteen discourses. The interest in the church is quite good, and I trust our efforts will have their designed effect. West Enosburgh, Vt., March 4, 1868. HOME AGAIN.
By James White
We reached home Feb. 5, by driving about sixty miles. Many roads were blocked up with snow, compelling us to go out of our way to find passable roads. We broke down once, and were all driven out into the deep snow to repair, and got nearly stopped in drifts several other times. When we were within five miles from here it began to rain, and has continued forty-eight hours, until most of the snow is gone, and small lakes of water lay all along the roads. We escaped home from our northern tour just in time. Sabbath, the 7th, we spent at home, the first rest from the labor of Sabbath meetings we have enjoyed since last May. We are both quite as well as usual, and hope to enjoy home, and rest, and writing for several weeks, when we may leave for General Conference, via Wright and Monterey. We were glad to find on our return twenty-eight letters, and hope to hear from friends often. Mrs. W. will do up her writing as fast as possible, and prepare for Test. No. 14. Our principal work will be to carefully revise chapters of Life Incidents, and prepare the work for the press as soon as possible. Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., March 3, 1868. Come in the spirit of prayer, expecting a blessing, and you will certainly receive it. Come to meet Jesus, and you will not go away, saying “he was not there.” The Lord fulfills all his appointments, let him not wait for you and you be absent. If you pray in secret before going to meeting that the Lord will manifest himself as one of your company, then you will have a blessed realization of his presence. If you speak, avoid all attempt at oratorical display; it is out of place—in fact it awakens disgust in the meeting for prayer; have in view the spiritual profit, the edification of every brother and sister present and absent, and let nothing be said for the sake of mere effect.218 IS IT I?
By L. C. Hutchins
Oft amid my daily labor, does the solemn thought come home,
Shall I be an overcomer, or shall I be overcome?
Shall I persevere in walking in the way of truth and love?
Shall I see the heavenly mansions, shall I reach the home above? Oft the frame is worn and weary, and the mind is racked with care,
And my heart is sad and dreary, when I think how few there are
Who shall in the end prove faithful to the calling true and high,
And I ask again the question, Is it I? oh! is it I? Oft I wound my blessed Master, sinning here, and sinning there,
In a word unfitly spoken, in the mirth I sometimes share,
In a rash or hasty spirit, in an uncurbed appetite,
Both the enemy find entrance, to assail me in the fight; When the signs, so fast fulfilling, plainly tell the time of night,
While the message that is sounding, points us to the morning light,
Some will stop to cull earth’s pleasures, and forget the warning cry,
To prepare to meet the Bridegroom—Is it I? oh! is it I? Oh! the world is dark around me, like a wild and tangled copse,
And with winning voice, the siren calleth to delusive hopes.
Snares there are for heedless footsteps, planted all along the way;
And in each enchanted arbor, it is death for those that stay. There’s a lamp to light the trav’ler as he walks the weary road,
And the Master’s kindly-promised help, to bear each heavy load;
Yet shall some turn back and leave him; for earth’s fleeting treasures sigh,
Wail at last with bitter weeping—Is it I? oh! is it I? Oh! the promised help is waiting, only waiting for our call;
Who shall stand the fiery trial, buy the pearl that costeth all?
Messengers have sometimes fallen, way-worn pilgrims too may fall;
For the fearful times before us shall make sternest faces pale, If we’re wearied by the footmen, and e’en now of trials tell,
Who shall stand the race with horsemen, and abide ’mid Jordan’s swell?
Who shall stand amid those perils—quaking earth, and darkened sky,
Ready then to meet the Master? Is it I? oh! is it I? Listen to the rumbling earthquake. Angry nations surge and roar,
While volcanoes sympathizing, belch forth now their fiery store;
And the burdened earth seems rocking with premonitory throes,
While around us now are flocking, myriads of spirit foes. The prophetic word proclaimeth trials ere we’re purified;
Many shall walk boldly forward, who the trial shall not hide;
Often, then amid the conflict, does the wearied warrior cry,
Who at last shall basely falter? “Is it I? oh! is it I?” When, at last, the Lord descending, comes to meet his waiting band,
And before his august presence, saint and sinner both shall stand,
When ’mid thunders loud, the heavens, like a scroll, shall pass away,
And for mount and rock to cover, shall the trembling sinner pray, Some shall lift their heads to greet him, and with hearts forever glad,
Cry, “We long have waited for thee,” never more shall they be sad.
Who shall feel his blessed welcome dry the tear, and hush each sigh?
Who shall then be overcomer? Is it I? oh! is it I? REPORT FROM BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH.
By John Norton Loughborough
At the time of my last report I was in Battle Creek. Jan. 25, I went to Windsor to attend the Monthly Meeting for Eaton Co., at the Potter School-house. This meeting, which was held Sabbath, and first-day, Jan. 25 and 26, was quite well attended, and the Lord gave me good liberty in speaking to the people assembled. I believe the effort was not in vain, but that some good was accomplished. Especially were those encouraged who had of late commenced to keep the Sabbath. But in the churches of Windsor, and Charlotte, who are embraced in this Monthly Meeting district, there is much disaffection, doubting on the health reform, Gifts, Systematic Benevolence, &c. A work needs to be done here for those who have long professed to keep God’s law, before the church will be prepared to care for others who might be brought into the truth. I tried to do what I could for them in preaching, but my experience with such cases has learned me that many can be reached by visiting them at their firesides, and there prayerfully taking away their objections, and appealing to them to yield to God. I learned, during my stay at Windsor, something of what was needed, but as I had other engagements I passed on, hoping, and praying that God, in his own good time, would open the way for further labor in Windsor and Charlotte. Jan. 27, Bro Howe met me at Windsor, and conveyed me in his sleigh some 42 miles to his own home in Orange. Here Bro. Strong had already given six lectures in a neighborhood where they had earnestly requested preaching. After attending one or two meetings, and learning the state of interest, I took hold to speak in the meetings. We continued our labors there together for four weeks. We had a number of day-time meetings with the church, and in these meetings some good was accomplished. Some who had not spoken in meeting for many months, were induced to take hold again of the work of the Lord. We believe some good impressions were made, also, on the minds of the young, some of whom expressed their desires to go with the people of God. The Lord gave some freedom in our public labors, still there was not that interest we desired to see. This is a place where an interest was once raised to a high pitch, by one of our ministers giving about 10 discourses, then going off and leaving the work. Opposition discourses were preached with no one to defend the truth. The result was, those who were church members, almost to a person, decided against the truth, so much so that hardly a professor was seen in our meetings, aside from Sabbath-keepers, during the whole series. Those who were the most deeply interested in the ten lectures first given, carried such subjects as the Sabbath, immortality, &c., into their debating society, where it was “made a subject of repartee, and laughter,” and, as Bro. Waggoner said in his report of Feb. 19, “I have noticed that such debates tend to a spirit of lightness and irreverence in speaking of Bible truths. Where reverence for the word of God is destroyed, preaching is almost useless.” I think this was one of the main difficulties we had to contend with, in the effort in Orange. But we are not left to record, as the result of this meeting, “nothing.” Many were convinced of the truth, and a few expressed their determination to obey, before I left the place. The seed sown with care, will, we trust, still more of it, bear fruit to God’s glory. Toward the last of this meeting my mind was deeply exercised that it was my duty to return to Windsor, and try to help things here in the church. I decided to leave Orange, Bro. Strong still remaining there to labor as the way might open before him. I came to Lansing, by R. R. Feb. 27, where I met Bro. Newman who conveyed me to his home in Windsor, and his house has been my head quarters while I have been here this time. My design was to hold meeting each Sabbath, at the Potter School-house, which is a central point for the churches of Oneida, Charlotte, and Windsor, to assemble. And as this is the breaking up season of the year, when it is difficult to hold a series of meetings, especially in the country, this seemed a favorable time to go from house to house, to labor for the disaffected ones. I have now spent some 10 days here. Heavy snow first blocked me in. Next protracted rain, yet I have had opportunity to speak in public four times, with freedom, especially the funeral discourse of Sr. Kelley, on first-day, March 1. I have also visited several families, which has not been in vain, as some fruit appears. Still I press on in the work here, expecting the blessing of God to attend the efforts put forth in humility to advance his truth, whether those efforts are public or private. Brethren, pray earnestly that success may still attend the efforts made in all directions to advance this truth. Windsor, Mich., March 8, 1868. REPORT FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
I HAVE been laboring in connection with Bro. Steward, about six weeks among our brethren in this State. The first of January, Bro. Steward going to Prescott, Wis., came to our place. I took my team with the intention of carrying him to his field of labor, and if it was the mind of the Lord, to tarry with him awhile, and then he go with me on my tour west. We had traveled only six miles when we found the roads were so blocked up with snow that we could not get through to Prescott. We then started west. Our first meeting was at Mantorville. In this place we stayed three days. We found the brethren pressing forward for the kingdom. Our meeting was of much profit to us all. Our brethren in this place are consistent in their manner of life. They keep up their Sabbath meetings, and have a good Sabbath School. We organized a church in this place. Their number is few, but union and peace prevail. We left this place for Deerfield. It was a bitter cold day. We thought of our preachers that speak of cold weather, when the mercury is thirteen degrees below zero, but when it runs down to 30, 39, 40, and until it freezes up, we think it is quite severe, especially if on the open prairie, riding in a cutter. Some in this State have frozen to death this winter. In Deerfield we found the church in trial, which seems to be their element, but had made some advancement since our last meeting with them. They seemed to take fresh courage. We think if this church will learn to manifest greater Christian forbearance, and strive to get nearer the Lord, they will yet come out of the furnace, like gold tried in the fire. We tarried here four days, and then started for Shelbyville; after traveling 25 miles we put up with Bro. Church’s family. Were glad to see them in earnest for eternal life. The next day we went to Mankato. We found Bro. Hackett and family who embraced the present truth when we lived in Ulysses, Penn. They are still living with reference to the kingdom of God. As we passed through St. Peters and Mankato we had some serious reflections in regard to the great Indian massacre. In Mankato we visited the spot where thirty-eight of these red savages were executed in 1862. Leaving Mankato we passed within fifteen miles of New Ulm on our way to Garden City. We crossed over the prairie where, in time of this Indian raid, some innocent ones perished by the tomahawk. We conversed with one who had lost a companion and children on this field of blood. According to the best estimate, two thousand whites lost their lives by the cruel hand of the wild savage. In Garden City we visited Bro. Rew and family; here we found a good home, and a shelter from the storm which raged about two days. After leaving Bro. Rew’s we came to Bro. Kunselman’s in Shelbyville. We tarried here three days, and then leaving our good friends we went to Blue Earth City. Out of the city about 5 miles we found a company of Sabbath-keepers, about 14 in number. Nearly all had embraced the truth by reading our works devoted to the third angel’s message. We spent four days with them, and it was a time of interest. The people in this vicinity are very poor, having just commenced on their homesteads. But the poor must have the gospel preached unto them. The interest among the people to hear the truth increased, but we were under the necessity of going to Bass Lake. In this place we found the church in great trial, in consequence of some committing sins worse than the Gentiles are guilty of. The cause of trial was so clear that it was decided to drop the names of two, and have no fellowship with them. Two others were guilty of covering up this crime, and bringing reproach upon the innocent. It was thought best to have them stand out by themselves, and their names dropped from the church book. We trust that this church will recover from their trials, and move on with great caution hereafter. We left them much encouraged. Last Sabbath, Feb. 21, was our Quarterly Meeting at Pine Island. It was a very interesting time; our meeting was in the Methodist meeting-house. Bro. Steward has rendered me much service on this tour. May the God of all grace reward him. Cherry Grove, Minn., Feb. 28, 1868.