Respecting the 2300 days, introduced for the first time in verse 14, there are no data in this chapter from which we can determine their commencement and close, or tell what portion of the world's history they cover. We are obliged, therefore, for the present, to pass them by. Let the reader be assured, however, that they are not left in this indefinite condition. The declaration respecting them is a part of a revelation which is given for the instruction of the people of God, and is consequently to be understood. They are spoken of in the midst of a prophecy which the angel Gabriel was commanded to make Daniel understand; and which instruction we may be certain that the angel at some time carried out, and hence that somewhere the necessary information is given respecting this important period. We shall look for something further on this point in subsequent portions of the prophecy of Daniel; and we shall find that the mystery which hangs over these days in this chapter, is dispelled in the next.
The Sanctuary. Connected with the 2300 days is another object of equal importance, which may at this point be legitimately made a subject of inquiry; namely, the sanctuary and its cleansing. As we examine this subject we shall see the importance of having an understanding of the commencement and termination of the 2300 days, that we may know when the important event called the cleansing of the sanctuary is to transpire; for all the inhabitants of earth, as will in due time appear, have a personal interest in that solemn work.
Several objects have been claimed by different ones as the sanctuary here mentioned: 1. The earth. 2. The land of Canaan. 3. The church. 4. The sanctuary, the “true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man,” which is “in the Heavens,” and of which the Jewish tabernacle was a type, pattern, or figure. Heb. 8:1, 2; 9:23, 24. These conflicting claims must be decided by what the Scriptures say on the subject; and fortunately its testimony is neither meager nor ambiguous.
1. The word sanctuary occurs in the Old and New Testaments one hundred and forty-six times; and from the definitions of lexicographers, and its use in the Bible, we learn that it is used to signify a holy or sacred place, a dwelling-place for the Most High. If, now, the earth is the sanctuary, it will answer to the definition, and the Bible will somewhere speak of it as such. But we do not find a single characteristic pertaining to this earth which will satisfy the definition. It is neither a holy nor a sacred place, nor is it a dwelling-place for the Most High. It has no mark of distinction except as being a revolted planet, marred by sin, and scarred and withered by the curse. Moreover it is nowhere in all the Scriptures called the sanctuary. Only one text can be produced in favor of this view, and that only by a false application. Isa. 60:13, says: “The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.” This language undoubtedly refers to the new earth; but even that is not called the sanctuary, but only the place of the sanctuary, just as it is called the place of the Lord’s feet; an expression which probably denotes the continual presence of God with his people, as it was revealed to John when it was said, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Rev. 21:3. All that can be said of the earth, therefore, is, that when renewed it will be the place where the sanctuary of God will be located. It can present not a shadow of a claim to being the sanctuary at the present time, or the sanctuary of the prophecy.
2. Is the land of Canaan the sanctuary? So far as we may be governed by the definition of the word, it can present no better claim than the earth to that distinction. If we inquire where in the Bible it is called the sanctuary, a few texts are brought forward which seem to be supposed by some to furnish the requisite testimony. The first of these is Ex. 15:17. Moses in his song of triumph and praise to God after the passage of the Red Sea, exclaimed: “Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.” A writer who urges this text, says, “I ask the reader to pause, and examine and settle the question most distinctly, before he goes further—What is the sanctuary here spoken of?” We think it would be safer for the reader not to attempt to settle the question definitely from this one isolated text, before comparing it with other scriptures. Moses here speaks in anticipation. His language is a prediction of what God would do for his people. Let us see how it was accomplished. If we find, in the fulfillment, that the land in which they were planted is called the sanctuary, it will greatly strengthen the claim that is based upon this text. If, on the other hand, we find a plain distinction drawn between the land and the sanctuary, then Ex. 15:17, must be interpreted accordingly. We turn to David, who records as a matter of history what Moses uttered as a matter of prophecy. Ps. 78:53, 54. The subject of the psalmist here, is the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian servitude, and their establishment in the promised land; and he says: “And he [God] led them on safely so that they feared not; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain which his right hand had purchased.” The “mountain” here mentioned by David, is the same as the “mountain of thine inheritance” spoken of by Moses, in which the people were to be planted; and this mountain David calls, not the sanctuary, but only the border of the sanctuary. What then was the sanctuary? Verse 69 of the same psalm informs us: “And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established forever.” The same distinction between the sanctuary and the land is pointed out in the prayer of good king Jehoshaphat. 2 Chron. 20:7, 8: “Art not thou our God who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham, thy friend, forever? And they dwell therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name.” Taken alone, the inference might be drawn from Ex. 15:17, that the mountain was the sanctuary; but when we take in connection with it the language of David, which is a record of the fulfillment of Moses’ prediction, and an inspired commentary upon his language, such an idea cannot be entertained; for David plainly says that the mountain was simply the border of the sanctuary; and that in that border or land, the sanctuary was built like high palaces, reference being made to the beautiful temple of the Jews, the center and symbol of all their worship. In view of this testimony, we must attribute the peculiar phraseology of Ex. 15:17 to the supposition either that in the first flush of his great triumph, or the freedom of poetic license, Moses applies the word sanctuary to the mountain where it was to be located, just as the tribe of Judah is called Mount Zion, because Mount Zion was the all-important place in that tribe, Ps. 78:68; or he uses the word sanctuary in an indefinite sense, to denote simply a consecrated place, or a hallowed spot, which is one of the definitions of the word ἁγίασμα which the Septuagint here use. The three texts, Ex. 15:17; Ps. 78:54, 69, are the ones chiefly relied on to prove that the land of Canaan is the sanctuary; but, singularly enough, the two latter in plain language clear away the ambiguity of the first, and utterly disprove the claim that it is based thereon. Having disposed of the main proof on this point, it would hardly seem worth while to spend time with those texts from which only inferences can be drawn. As there is, however, only one even of this class, we will refer to it, that no point may be left unnoticed. Isa. 63:18: “The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while; our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.” This language is as applicable to the temple as to the land; for when the land was overrun with the enemies of Israel, their temple was laid in ruins. This is plainly stated in verse 11 of the next chapter: “Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire.” The text therefore proves nothing.
Respecting the earth, or the land of Canaan, as the sanctuary, we offer one thought more. If they constitute the sanctuary, they should not only be somewhere described as such, but the same idea should be carried through to the end, and the purification of the earth, or of Palestine, should be called the cleansing of the sanctuary. The earth is indeed defiled, and it is to be purified by fire; but fire, as we shall see, is not the agent which is used in the cleansing of the sanctuary; and this purification of the earth, or any part of it, is nowhere in the Bible called the cleansing of the sanctuary.
3. Is the church the sanctuary? The evident mistrust with which this idea is suggested is a virtual surrender of the argument, before it is presented. One solitary text is adduced in its support: Ps. 114:1, 2; “When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.” Should we take this text in its most literal sense, what would it prove respecting the sanctuary? It would prove that the sanctuary was confined to one of the twelve tribes; and hence that a portion of the church only, not the whole of it, constitutes the sanctuary. But this, proving too little for the theory under consideration, proves nothing. Why Judah is called the sanctuary in the text quoted, need not be a matter of perplexity when we remember that God chose Jerusalem, which was in Judah, as the place of his sanctuary. “But chose,” says David, “the tribe of Judah, the Mount Zion which he loved. And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established forever.” This clearly shows the connection which existed between Judah, and the sanctuary. That tribe itself was not the sanctuary; but it is once spoken of as such when Israel came forth from Egypt, because God purposed that in the midst of the territory of that tribe, his sanctuary should be located. But even if it could be shown that the church is anywhere called the sanctuary, it would be of no consequence to our present purpose, which is to determine what constitutes the sanctuary of Dan. 8:13, 14; for the church is there spoken of as another object: “To give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot.” That by the term host, the church is here meant, none will dispute; the sanctuary is therefore another and a different object.
Practical Thoughts on Scripture Subjects.
By John Nevins Andrews
REDEEMING THE PAST.
WHEN we fail at important points in our experience, if God does not give us up to ruin, he opens the way for us to have a new trial in the matter. Our first trial was designed to enable us to overcome some evil thing, or to discover and supply some serious lack in our Christian character. When we allow Satan to defeat us in these critical moments, we make it a matter of necessity that the trial be in some form repeated. And certainly this consideration ought to prompt us to make most earnest efforts not to fail in the next trial. God is infinitely merciful, yet he cannot be trifled with. He gives opportunity to redeem the past, but he requires us to improve it. If we trifle this away, we shall find that the long-suffering of God does not last forever. If we have made serious failures in the past, what can we do to redeem those errors? This should be our never-ceasing inquiry. The days of our probation are soon to end. What use have we made of the space already granted to us? If the past has been wasted, shall we thus treat the little time yet remaining29to us? If God still calls after us, shall we not be in haste to act in seeking his face?
OUR RECORD.
Our Work must be done faithfully. Soon we shall be called to our account; we must meet it just as it is recorded. The record will be according to the facts. We cannot be too careful to have our conduct such as will bear the inspection of the day of God. May the God of Heaven help us to make clean work for the Judgment.
THE DECEPTION OF THE DEVIL.
We cannot stand against the power of the devil only in the strength of God. There is no safety for us except to stand with the armor of God girded upon us. Satan will otherwise deceive us with his wiles. We shall mistake the right path and take the wrong. We shall be led into evil even when we think that we are doing right. We shall put darkness for light, and light for darkness. We shall fail to see the proper work to do, and shall do that which we ought not to engage in. We can never sufficiently realize the power of our great foe. We must stand wholly in the strength of God. It is in vain that we go forth to the work unless we have the complete protection of Almighty power.
DISTRESS OF SOUL.
God gives us deep distress that we may be led to see our wrongs and repent. We are made to feel anguish of spirit, that we may realize our sinfulness in the sight of God. Pain is inflicted as a means of arousing us from carnal security. Thank God for anguish of spirit. Now let us act with deep humiliation in making genuine repentance of our sins. We may be sure that God sends our distress in mercy.
J. N. ANDREWS.
Western Tour.
By James White
THE WISCONSIN CAMP-MEETING.
THIRD-DAY morning, June 28, we packed up, and left the Minnesota camp-ground, rode six miles to Kasson, where we took the cars at 12:30 for Winona. The boat for La Crosse was waiting for us. The day was terribly hot, and we were weary; but we whipped up flagging energies, and, as the boat reached the railroad depot, hastened to the cars. The train was standing near the river, and the high bluffs cut off the breeze on the prairie beyond. The terribly-heated air was still. The cars were crowded, and had been full for half an hour, so that the air in them was not only literally hot, but extremely impure and oppressive. This was beyond anything we had ever experienced. We were in so exhausted a condition that we could not long breathe inside of the car. We therefore supported Mrs. W. for about one-fourth of an hour upon the platform of the car. A gentleman stood near me, supporting his daughter, while the sweat was literally running down his face. The heat was wonderful. This suffering gentleman remarked, as he saw us nearly dissolving with the heat, that should we be compelled to stand there much longer, there would be but little left of either of us. But the train moved off, and gradually the state of the air improved.
At 12, midnight, we reached Kilbourn City, and found a few hours’ rest at a hotel. The reader can here get some idea of the fatigues of our work. We rose at 4 A. M., on the Minnesota camp-ground, attended a meeting of an hour, spent two hours at the book stand, crowding business to the utmost, packed up, took the carriage at 11 A. M., rode six miles to the cars, sixty-five by railroad, forty by steamboat, ninety again by cars, got to rest at one o’clock at night. And this was on the hottest day of the season, after laboring to the very extent of strength on the Minnesota camp-ground for nearly one week.
Fourth-day morning, a brother took our trunks and hand-baggage, and our tent’s company, up to the Wisconsin camp-ground with his farm wagon. This ground is on one of the highest points of land near the Wisconsin river. The situation is rather fine. The only real failure of its being one of the best places for a camp-meeting is, that the trees on this sandy height are feeble, scrubby, and too much scattered to form a complete shade. The sixty-feet tent is pitched where there is some shade, and close to it is the best shade of this eminence, which is also seated, and has a good stand. A few brethren are coming in, and several tents are pitched.
Fifth-day, it is terribly hot, and preparations necessarily move off slowly. The better way is to have a competent man come on the ground one week, at least, in advance, hire help, if need be, and make full preparations before the day of meeting arrives. Then let the brethren at the camp-meeting pay the expense. This would be very much better than to have the interests of the meeting injured by preparations after the time of meeting has arrived. In consequence of making preparations to-day, services have been very short.
Again, we suggest that the Camp-meeting committee furnish everything that should be sold on the ground, at the usual rates, and let the profits pay much of the expenses of the meeting. At the Minnesota Camp-meeting there were two stands doing a large business, at a good profit, yet the Camp-meeting was not in the least benefited. When our people spend time, and toil, and money, to make preparations for the crowd, why not have the benefits of furnishing them with everything that should be sold upon the ground at all? Those things which our people cannot in conscience sell, should not be sold on, or near, the ground, by others.
Sixth-day morning, the air is cool. It is even chilly. There has been quite a fall of rain during the night, which has relieved us of the terrible heat. The change has been sudden, and very great. Yesterday we were suffering from heat while thinly clad; this morning we are trembling with cold with an overcoat on. During the night the railroad trains brought many brethren, which have increased our camp about one-third. We spoke to the people at half-past eight; and after a short intermission, Bro. Littlejohn spoke an hour. At two this afternoon, Mrs. W. spoke to the tent full of interested listeners. We hope for a good meeting.
There are ten family tents upon the ground, some of them very large, besides the large tent, under which many sleep. A large tent had on its front, at an early date of this meeting, the name of the church represented by it, in large letters neatly formed of oak leaves,—“Fish Lake.” Neither city nor country ever afforded a painted or printed sign more truly beautiful. The same artist sisters have given our tent the name, “Battle Creek.” We hope that the cause in Battle Creek will ever stand so high that this name may be our choice, at home or abroad. Our neighbors are following the example, and already at our right, three tents have the same beautiful signs, “Dell Prairie,” “Marquette,” and “Mackford.” In the evening we spoke to a tent full of eager listeners.
Sabbath morning, it is comfortably cool. The early morning meeting was good. At half past eight we are again assembled in the large tent for public social service. Many good testimonies are given. Several are up at the same time. After enjoying an hour in an interesting social meeting, we called backsliders and sinners forward for prayers. Many came forward. We spoke in the forenoon, to a good congregation, upon the three messages. Mrs. W. spoke in the afternoon, after which we again called on those who wished to seek the Lord to come forward. There is evidently a lack of power with the church. Sinners are convinced, but not much moved. There have been, in the Wisconsin and Illinois Conference, elements of weakness for a long time. May God in his providence remove them. And may he bless this people with a consecrated, self-sacrificing, united ministry. Bro. Sanborn has labored under great discouragement; but as he has gone out into new fields, God has blessed his labors, and thus he has been kept comparatively free from the discouraging influence of others. Bro. R. F. Andrews is an efficient laborer when free from the binding influence of others. May God bless him with sanctified independence to move forward in His name and strength.
But to return to the camp-meeting. At the right time, Bro. Sanborn exhorted sinners with power, and many came forward. But what was most needed was a spirit of devotion on the part of the brethren and sisters. How difficult to bring sinners and backsliders to Christ over the heads of a powerless church!
But here are many good souls sighing and struggling for freedom; and others are more to be pitied than censured, on account of bad example set them by those who profess to be leaders of the people. It is no time, however, to withhold the truth relative to those who stand in the way of the work of God. These have had sufficient warning; and unless they will reform, they must be exposed. The cause must be relieved from embarrassments. May God help. The Sabbath-afternoon meeting held several hours. Many spoke. There was evidently great advancement. The erring felt their errors, and confessed. In the evening Bro. Littlejohn spoke with freedom.
First-day, the social seasons were interesting, and the public services at the stand were good. We spoke in the morning, Mrs. W. in the afternoon, and Bro. Littlejohn in the evening. The congregations were not large, but were very attentive. Probably not more than fifteen hundred were on the ground at any one service. This is attributable in part to a want of advertising. The brethren even neglected to obtain the large posters usually used at all our camp-meetings. Where our brethren find best localities, make seasonable and ample preparations, and then do all they can to call the crowd, there it is our duty to labor. Such places of labor we shall seek; for it is our duty to labor where we can do the most good.
Second-day, our meetings were of still deeper interest. Seven were baptized. Several who were partially convicted that we are correct on the fundamental principles of the present truth, at this meeting took their stand. Here was also a French sister, by the name of Capman, now living at Fond du Lac, Wis., who was baptized seven years since in Vermont by Bro. Bourdeau. She had two sons with her, very interesting lads, who were her interpreters. This woman has an opposing husband, and yet has observed the Sabbath, and has led her children also in its observance. She has stood alone these long years, without the assistance of our publications. Noble woman! At this meeting one of her gentlemanly boys was baptized. She asked us to sell her a French and English Bible. We have found, and sent her, a New Testament in both languages, and shall send her the Bible as soon as we can obtain one. Her sons seemed delighted with several publications we gave them, and expressed much gratitude.
Such cases seem to us nothing less than miracles of the power of God. Who can believe that simply the influence of Eld. Bourdeau’s preaching upon the mind of this poor woman, has sustained her in her position, and led her to bring up her children in the fear of God, in the observance of all his commandments, for these seven long years? There can hardly be found a person so credulous as to attribute the course of this woman simply to the influence of man. The evidence to our mind, in such cases, is overwhelming that God sustains and leads them, and that they are miracles of the power of God. The Lord wants to do great things for his people. Oh! that all would consecrate themselves to him, and his work, that he might work mightily through them.
It is a pleasure to express our gratitude to those brethren and sisters who gave us many kind attentions upon the Kilbourn Camp-ground, in the line of fruit, and many other things which we needed. And to none are we more indebted than to sister Lynnell, of Kilbourn, and the very attentive friends of the Dell Prairie tent. May the Lord reward them.
Third-day morning we had an early parting meeting, took down our tents, packed up, and were at the depot at 10 A. M., waiting for the cars to take us to Chicago. We stopped for the night at the Massasoit House. Willie saw Bro. Littlejohn safely on the train of the Michigan Southern road for Allegan at 7 A. M., and we took the fast train at 11:30, and reached Battle Creek at 4:24 P. M. Thank God for his sustaining grace during this tour in the West of five weeks. Thank his name for his work which we have witnessed. We never returned from a tour so well satisfied with,30and feeling such a degree of gratitude for, what we have seen, felt, and heard, of the glorious work of God. Thank God that we are still able to do something in his precious cause.
Sixth-day, July 8, we pitched our tent on the north side of Goguac Lake, about two miles south of Battle Creek, where we are now writing. We have enjoyed a good night’s rest in this beautiful location. Sabbath, the 9th, we drove to our place of worship in the city, and Mrs. W. spoke to the people in the forenoon. We design to enjoy a blessed lonesome in this retired place for a few weeks, write and rest, till time to leave for the Eastern camp-meetings. Our tent’s company here will consist of four, wife, sister Hall, Willie, and the writer. May the blessing of the Lord abide with us, and may the Spirit of God help us in our writings.
JAMES WHITE.
Goguac Lake, Battle Creek, July 10, 1870.
Basket Meeting at Orleans.
By Wm. C. Gage
FRIDAY, July 1, I started from Battle Creek, via Peninsular Railway, to attend the monthly meeting at Orleans on the Sabbath, and the basket meeting the Monday following, July 4. At Lansing, the trains of the Peninsular Road make close connection with those of the Ionia and Lansing Railroad, a new and pleasant route, now open as far north as Ionia, and being rapidly extended to Greenville. In connection with the Peninsular, this route very materially shortens the time and reduces the expense between Battle Creek and the northern part of the State. Instead of a tedious journey by way of Jackson and Owosso, as formerly, we now reach Ionia in a few hours, through as pleasant a section of country as any in Michigan.
I spoke twice on the Sabbath at Orleans, the afternoon being mainly occupied with the subject of Sabbath Schools. First-day afternoon addressed the Greenville church on the same subject, and assisted in the organization of their school. While here I highly enjoyed a visit at the hospitable home of Bro. White, which has sheltered so many wayworn pilgrims, Bro. Sawyer at present officiating as “mine host.”
The meeting on the fourth was well attended, and a quiet, orderly, and very pleasant occasion was enjoyed by all. As Bro. Bell was expected to be present, the brethren had made up their minds to hear on the subject of Sabbath Schools. Accordingly, the afternoon was devoted to this subject, and the requisites, the labors, and the necessary cost, of a successful school, were quite fully canvassed. Considerable interest was awakened, and the meeting voted to hold a Sabbath-School Convention, as soon as the circumstances will permit, and cordially invited Bro. Bell to attend. A request was also made that all the churches and scattered brethren within twenty or thirty miles of Orleans, take part in the Convention. We hope a successful and enthusiastic meeting may be the result.
WM. C. GAGE.
Battle Creek, Mich.
Report from California.
By John Norton Loughborough
AT the time of my last report our meeting here had been in progress about four weeks, with good interest. Then it was suddenly broken off by the small-pox breaking out in the place. There have been about 28 cases of small-pox and varioloid. Six persons have died. Three died before it was known what the disease was. A large number of the inhabitants had also been exposed.
We took down our tent. Bro. Kellogg went to caring for the sick. I visited what I could those interested who had not been exposed. Some have commenced to keep the Sabbath. We have commenced our meetings again with a few interested hearers. The mass however are in fear still, and do not venture out.
A hall was freely offered in which to complete our meetings, and we hope the labor will not be in vain in the Lord. Pray for us.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Bloomfield, Cal., June 28, 1870.
Report of the Illinois and Wisconsin State Conference.
By R. F. Andrews; G. W. Colcord; Isaac Sanborn; N. M. Jordan
THE seventh annual session of this Conference was held near Nora, Ill., June 17–20, 1870, in connection with the Illinois Camp-meeting, as appointed in REVIEW.
Conference convened in the Illinois tent, June 17, at 8 o’clock A. M. Bro. C. W. Olds in the chair. Prayer by Eld. T. M. Steward. Present, Elds. R. F. Andrews, I. Sanborn, and T. M. Steward, of this Conference. Credentials of delegates were called for, presented, and examined. A delegation of twenty-five, representing fifteen churches, came forward. One church was represented by letter; and eight were not represented.
Voted, That Bro. White, Littlejohn, and Lawrence, from Mich., and all the brethren present, in good standing with their respective churches, be invited to participate with us in the discussion of business.
Minutes of last session called for and read.
Remarks were made by several members of the Conference—including Bro. White—on the subject of division of Conference.
Adjourned to call of the Chair.
Conference called at 4½ P. M. Prayer by Bro. I. Sanborn.
Voted, That the following brethren act in connection with the Executive Committee, as an Auditing Committee to settle with the ministers; viz., P. S. Thurston, O. H. Pratt, and C. H. Bliss.31
Voted, That the Chair appoint a committee of three on Resolutions. Appointed Brn. I. Sanborn, T. M. Steward, and P. S. Thurston.
The subject of division of Conference was again introduced and discussed with interest for some time; but was satisfactorily disposed of, by
Voting, That this Conference be divided into two Conferences, one to be called the “Wisconsin Conference,” and the other the “Illinois Conference.” This resolution to take effect when this Conference adjourns sine die.
Voted, That the Chair appoint a committee of five on Organization; whereupon the following brethren were appointed: J. White, and W. H. Littlejohn, of Mich., M. J. Bartholf, and E. M. Crandall of Wis., and I. Colcord, of Ill.
Adjourned to call of the Chair.
Conference called June 19, at 8½ A. M. Prayer by Bro. Littlejohn.
Committee on Organization reported as follows:
Your Committee beg leave to report that, in their opinion, this Conference, composed of delegates from Illinois and Wisconsin, should elect two sets of officers; one for Illinois, and one for Wisconsin; that delegates from Wisconsin do not dictate to Illinois who shall be their officers; and that delegates from Illinois do not dictate to Wisconsin who shall be their officers. This done, when this body adjourns sine die, there will be two complete bodies.
Voted, That Brn. I. Sanborn, N. M. Jordan, and P. S. Thurston, for Wisconsin, and R. F. Andrews, I. Colcord, and W. E. Bliss, for Illinois, aided by Brn. White and Littlejohn, from Mich., act as Nominating Committee to nominate officers for the Wisconsin and Illinois Conferences, for the ensuing year.
Adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Conference called 3½ P. M. Prayer by Bro. White. Report of the Nominating Committee called for, read, and accepted. Vote resulted in the election of nominees, as follows
WISCONSIN CONFERENCE.
President, I. Sanborn, Johnstown Center, Rock Co., Wisconsin.
Secretary, N. M. Jordan, Lodi, Columbia Co., Wisconsin.
Treasurer, Alexander Patten, Lodi, Columbia Co., Wisconsin.
Executive Committee, I. Sanborn, Johnstown Center, Wis., C. W. Olds, Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., and M. J. Bartholf, Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis.
ILLINOIS CONFERENCE.
President, R. F. Andrews, New Genesee, Whiteside Co., Illinois.
Secretary, G. W. Colcord, Coleta, Whiteside Co., Illinois.
Treasurer, I. Colcord, Coleta, Whiteside Co., Illinois.
Executive Committee, R. F. Andrews, New Genesee, Ill., J. H. Bennett, Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill., and Seth Newton, Freeport, Stephenson Co. Ill.
Treasurer’s report called for, read, and accepted.
Church reports showed a membership of 690, fellowshiped in twenty-five churches, to date, June 19, 1870. Whole amount of s. b., $3,418.99.
Report of Auditing Committee accepted.
Adjourned to call of the President.
Conference called second-day P. M., June 20, at 2 o’clock. Prayer by Bro. R. F. Andrews.
Voted, To renew the credentials of the following brethren: I. Sanborn, R. F. Andrews, T. M. Steward, H. C. Blanchard, and John Matteson.
Voted, To renew the licenses of the following brethren: B. F. Merritt, W. E. Bliss, C. H. Bliss, E. M. Crandall, O. A. Oleson, H. G. Buxton, and G. W. Colcord.
Voted, That the following brethren be licensed to improve their gift in publicly presenting the views of Seventh-day Adventists: C. W. Olds, and David Downer.
Voted, That P. S. Thurston, and O. H. Pratt, be added to the Wisconsin Conf. Executive Committee, for a Wisconsin Camp-meeting Committee.
Voted, That the Executive Committee of the Illinois Conference be authorized to select two brethren to act with them as a Camp-meeting Committee for Illinois.
Committee on Resolutions reported the following, which were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That we appropriate the whole of our S. B. for a Conference fund.
Resolved, That we donate to the General Conference all monies and dues belonging to this Conference, after paying present indebtedness; reserving one hundred dollars for each State to assist in defraying tent expenses this season.
Resolved, That we enter more heartily into the work of the third angel’s message in all its branches: especially the missionary work, and the circulation of our publications.
Resolved, That, in our opinion, our Camp-meetings should be held in the month of June.
Resolved, That we here express our thanks to the General Conference for the timely aid rendered by the labors of Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. W. H. Littlejohn.
Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude to God for the gift of prophecy, which he has placed in the church as a means of correcting faults and evils in our midst, and of calling our attention more perfectly to the true character of the work of preparation for the Judgment.
Resolved, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the REVIEW.
Adjourned sine die.
R. F. ANDREWS,
President Ill. Conf.
G. W. COLCORD,
Secretary Ill. Conf.
ISAAC SANBORN,
President Wis. Conf.
N. M. JORDAN,
Secretary Wis. Conf.
Report from Bro. Cornell.
By Merritt E. Cornell
THE NEW England tent was pitched, June 9, 1870, near the corner of 4th and I streets, South Boston; and twenty-four lectures have been given. In the beginning, it seemed as if the powers of darkness were combined against us. About two hundred Catholic youth and children gathered around and in the tent, and greatly annoyed us. But the police gaining confidence in us, came out in force, and the rabble seeing that the authorities were going to back us up, scattered.
One young man whose profligate ways had already cost his father several hundred dollars this year, was arrested for disturbing us and taken away to the station. The next day he was fined $25 and costs. His father thought it best to let him go to jail, and see if he would learn better.
The great hail, rain, and wind storm, the 20th inst., broke down the tent and damaged it considerably. This broke off the interest, but still we have a good hearing. And the policemen say we have as good order as can be maintained in any of the churches.
Books are taken freely, and some have decided to keep the Sabbath.
A sea captain heard one lecture, and we conversed with him one whole half day. He admitted the truth. His vessel being ready to sail, he could not remain to hear more, but subscribed for the REVIEW, took books, and said he should do his best to make this port in time to attend the camp-meeting. Men with intelligent heads and honest, humble hearts, are the ones to be benefited by an acquaintance with this people and truth.
We thank the Lord for the many encouraging tokens we have, and pray that many more souls may be gathered to the fold of Christ by the power of the truth.
M. E. Cornell.
Boston, June 29, 1870.
P. S. Weekly meetings are being held in Boston, in the interest of the coming Evangelical Council, and large sums of money are being raised for the furtherance of their plans. “Saying to them that dwell on the earth,” &c. Now is the time to decide under which banner we shall rally. If God be for us, he is more than all who can be against us. Amen.
M. E. C.
The Cause in Indiana.
By E. B. Lane; S. H. Lane
OUR last report was from New London, Howard Co. Since then, we have labored at Russiaville, Sugar Grove, and at Moore’s Creek, in the southern part of the State. Some twenty have embraced the truth at these different places. From Moore’s Creek we attended the Conference. Since then we have been laboring at Spencer with the Michigan tent. Spencer is situated in the southern part of the State, is the county seat of Owen Co., and contains about fifteen hundred inhabitants. The interest in this place was good until interrupted by cold and rainy nights; but it afterward revived, and was quite good till the close of the meetings. We remained there nearly five weeks. A few have embraced the truth, as the result of our labors under the blessing of God, and to him be all the praise. Others are still investigating by reading our books. We disposed of over forty dollars worth of books and tracts, and obtained quite a number of subscribers for the REVIEW and Instructor.
We removed from Spencer to another village by the name of Patricksburg, where we now are. We have had but a few meetings here. It is harvest time, yet the tent is well filled at each meeting, and a great interest seems to be manifested.
While at Spencer, the county paper, of its own free will, gave us a very favorable notice, which helped us much. Since then calls have come from all quarters to come and pitch the tent in their respective places, mostly from villages. It has been remarked that the county was never aroused over any religious subject as over this doctrine.
We are now carrying on two courses of lectures; one here with the tent, the other nine miles from this place at Pottersville, in a school house. The interest at P. is also good, the house being incapable of holding the people at the evening meetings, and on Sundays hardly holding the female portion of the congregation; so of necessity they are turned into grove meetings.
We hope much good may be the result of all this, to the glory of God. We ask the prayers of the brethren scattered abroad, that the cause may prosper here in this part of the great harvest-field.
Yours striving to do the will of God.
E. B. AND S. H. LANE.
Patricksburg, Owen Co., Ind., July 1, 1870.
The Cause of Present Truth.
By I. D. Van Horn
It has been the good pleasure of the Lord in every age of the world, to employ human agency to carry forward his work on earth. This will continue to be so till the plan of salvation has done its work and all the people of God are saved. The plan of salvation is a great and noble work. It is the noblest work that man can engage in on earth. All the work of the Lord is important, but there is no part of it more so than that which pertains to the close of probation.
The third angel's message, the last of the three harvest messages, is now going forth. There is a large field open for labor. There is room for all to work; and let us work with all our power, interest and zeal.
The demands of the cause for a new building to carry on the publishing department has been set before us by Bro. White. This is a work that is much needed. I feel like doing all I can to help it forward, not only by my influence but by my means. It is the Lord's work, and may it prosper, and all of us have a part in it.