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Signs of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 44.

DAVID'S EXPERIENCE IN PHILISTIA
Earlier text: PROBATION

NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.

THE COVENANT RENEWED.

(November 25.—Josh. 24:19-28.) THE time of the events recorded in these verses was B. C. 1426, or sixty-five years after the making of the covenant and the giving of the law at Mount Sinai. The covenant made at Sinai was an agreement between the Lord and the people relative to the law of God. The children of Israel had come into the wilderness of Sinai and the Lord called unto Moses from the mount, saying:—
“Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.” “And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” See Ex. 19:4-8.
THIS was the covenant; but at this time the people had not yet heard the law; they had promised to keep a law of which they had as yet only an imperfect knowledge. Three days later, however, the Lord spoke his law in the audience of all the people, and again the people promised that they would obey. See Ex. 24:3. “And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord” and the promise of the people in a book and read it to the whole congregation, and after the people had again promised to obey (verse 7) “he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people” (Heb. 9:19.), “and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” Ex. 24:8. Thus was the first covenant ratified; the people had repeatedly promised to keep the law of God, and God had promised that if they did so he would make them a peculiar treasure unto himself above all people.
BUT the people did not keep this solemn covenant. Their history during all these years was little but a history of backsliding; and now after they had entered upon the possession of the land promised unto their fathers, Joshua calls upon them to put away their strange gods and serve the Lord.
“And,” said Joshua, “if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; . . . therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God.” Josh. 24:15-18.
“AND Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.” “And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord.”
WE are not to suppose that Joshua intended to discourage the people and deter them from the service of the true God, but he did nevertheless state the truth when he said, “Ye cannot serve the Lord;” that is, they could not keep the covenant which they had made at Sinai. That covenant was an unconditional agreement on the part of the people to keep the law of God, but the people did not live up to their agreement; and it will be readily seen that when they broke the covenant, as they did almost immediately when they worshiped the golden calf, they had no more claim on the Lord, according to the covenant which they had entered into with him. They could not go on under that covenant, for no matter how perfectly they might abide by its terms in the future, the fact would remain that they had once broken it, and that was sufficient to forfeit all the blessings which God had promised. In fact, the old covenant was no longer of any service to them; they could repent of their sins and receive pardon, but not by virtue of the covenant made at Sinai; for forgiveness of sins they must look to Christ, or we might say to the second covenant, which, though called the “second” because it was ratified after the covenant at Sinai, was in point of fact the first covenant, for it was made with Abraham (Gal. 3:19), and was the covenant under which Abraham’s faith was counted unto him for righteousness. Gen. 15:6.
THIS Abrahamic covenant is the one “established upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6); and chief among these “better promises” is the promise of the forgiveness of sins. It was in respect of the promises that the first covenant was faulty. If the first covenant had not been thus faulty, there would have been no place for the second. There was in the first covenant no provision for forgiveness of sins. It was ratified by the blood of beasts, which could never take away sin. But the second or Abrahamic covenant was ratified by the blood of Christ, which “taketh away the sins of the world;” and though not ratified for nearly 1,500 years after the covenant at Sinai, it was “confirmed of God in Christ” to Abraham by an oath. See Heb. 6:13-18. This covenant is made concerning the same law; but if people break it, they may by repentance obtain pardon, and so still remain in covenant relation with God. This is a wonderful exhibition of the mercy and love of God. First, he consents to make a contract with the people concerning that which it is their duty to do; and then he provides pardon for them when they have not only failed to do their duty, but have also violated their agreement to do their duty. Surely love could go no further.
BUT some may wonder if God did not know that the people would break that first covenant. We reply, Yes; he not only knew that they would not keep it, but he knew that they could not keep it. In fact, they had broken the commandments, concerning which the covenant was made, before the covenant was made. It was utterly impossible for the people to keep the commandments by their own unaided efforts, yet that is what they promised to do. Then why did the Lord lead them to make such a promise? For the purpose of showing them their own weakness, and of directing their minds to the second or Abrahamic covenant, which already existed. This covenant was a covenant concerning Christ, and provided forgiveness for transgression of the law concerning which the covenant was made, and also help to keep the law. And so, when the Lord made a new covenant with Israel, he was simply directing their attention to the covenant made long before with Abraham. And the proof of this is the fact that all who are heirs of the promises are children of Abraham.
THUS it appears that the words of Joshua were strictly true; they could not serve the Lord in the sense of keeping the covenant made at Sinai; they could serve him only by availing themselves of the help promised in the second covenant, and becoming not only in name but in fact “children of Abraham,” by faith in Christ, the promised seed of Abraham. Gal. 3:7.
WE would not be understood as teaching that it was impossible to serve God just as well in the days of Joshua as it is now, but that it was impossible to serve him without the aid of divine grace, and that while that grace was not promised in the covenant made at Sinai, it was given to Abraham and to his spiritual seed both before and after the making of what is called the first or old covenant, and that it was always to be obtained through faith in the promised Saviour. God’s promise to Abraham that he should be a great nation and that in his Seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed, was a promise of Christ; and Abraham so understood it, and it was that faith that was counted unto him for righteousness, and no man has ever been accounted righteous in any other way.
THE idea that under the first covenant people were saved by keeping the law, and that now they are saved by faith without obedience, is contrary alike to reason and scripture. God has provided but one Saviour and but one plan of redemption, and in every age the conditions of salvation have been faith and obedience. Abraham was a man of faith, but his faith did not excuse him from obedience. Said the Lord to him: “I am the almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and I will multiply thee exceedingly.” Gen. 17:1, 2. And in describing the people of God down in the last days, the seer of Patmos says: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.
As the conditions for covenant relation with God are the same as in the past, so the reasons for serving him to-day are identical with the reasons for choosing his service in the days of Joshua. No doubt the people had a deep realization of their obligations to God as they renewed their vows of loyalty to him. The remembrance of his long-suffering and tender mercy toward them, his care that had borne them as an eagle beareth her young, his solicitude, his manifest providences in leading them, in subduing their enemies, in bringing them into the land flowing with milk and honey, in making them the repository of his law, and in revealing himself to them as the covenant-keeping God, the living God who could do exceeding abundantly above what they were able to ask or think,—all this must have given fervency to their response in choosing him who had only wrought them good. Perhaps, too, the thought of their backsliding, their indifference, their frequent rebellion and transgression, served to arouse them to a more intense determination to walk in the commandments of the Lord.
JOSHUA presented before them the awful consequences of forsaking Jehovah. To forsake him and serve other gods means only despair and loss, both now and forever. The Lord describes the condition of those who leave his service in the pathetic words of the prophet, “They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” And again he cries, “Turn ye, turn ye; for why will ye die?” “O that thou hadst harkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”
WE were created to serve God, not from constraint, but willingly. No service but that which springs from love is fulfilling the purpose of our creation. Nothing but this can be accounted as service. John writes, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” But it can be no pleasure to him whose nature is love, to have the unwilling, grudging offering that is sometimes designated as service to God.
IN all the service of Christ to his Father his language was, “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” And this condition of true service is provided for in the new covenant. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” Love to God and love to fellow-men measures the infinite scope of the law that is exceeding broad, and that discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. In seeing something of the depth of the commandment, we behold our own utter inability to keep it without divine aid; but our weakness has been provided for. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.”
WHILE sin has brought us helpless and condemned before God, yet his grace, through the merits of the Lamb of God, and through the might of his spirit, has availed to cleanse and strengthen us, that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit;” for under the provision of the new covenant, the law is written in our minds and affections. The truly consecrated heart can say, his yoke is easy, and his burden is light; for Christ, abiding in the soul, brings every thought into subjection, and the language of the Christian is like his. “I delight to do thy will, O my God.”

The Missionary.

By Editor

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

THE twenty-seventh annual session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which convened at Minneapolis October 17, adjourned sine die at noon of the 4th inst., having transacted a great deal of important business pertaining to the various branches of the work. An account of the organization of the Conference, with a list of the delegates and committees, was published in these columns two weeks ago.
Early in the session the Committee on Missions made a very interesting report concerning the work in various parts of the great field, and upon their recommendation it was decided to purchase the vessel on which Brethren Cudney and Tay sailed for Pitcairn, in case the same should be found suitable for missionary purposes.
A number of interesting reports were presented from various missionary fields. C. W. Olds described the progress of the work in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Brother Rupert, who had labored four years in the South, gave an account of his trip to South America and the West Indies. Brother Lane, who has also been in the South, made encouraging remarks concerning the canvassing work in that field. Brethren Reese, Henderson, and Gibbs also presented interesting facts. Financial reports were given, which will be published in full in the Year Book.
W. C. White, the foreign missionary secretary, presented a report. Among other things, he said that the Christmas donations last year amounted to the generous sum of $27,162.89, without which our faithful missionaries could not have kept the field without actual suffering. He stated that the recommendation of the financial committee that our people everywhere literally carry out the advice of the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 16:2, has been quite generally followed. Over 23,000 boxes, prepared for the reception of these offerings, have been distributed, and the amount received for the first quarter was $1,231.46; for the second quarter, $2,960. He also spoke of how the recommendations for labor in the various mission fields had been carried out. He made very interesting statements in regard to the work in London, Hongkong, and various other places. Altogether the report was most encouraging. He also presented an interesting statistical report, which will be printed in full in the Year Book.
The question of how our foreign publications might be made self-supporting was discussed, as was also the necessity of establishing schools in the various countries of Europe, where our young people can be properly educated for the work. In this connection Elder Conradi, of Germany, made some pertinent remarks on mission schools and the canvassing work. He stated that last year our agents had sold nearly $10,000 worth of books in the European field.
Resolutions were adopted acknowledging the hand of God in carrying forward the work, and pledging the members of the Conference to renewed zeal in disseminating the truth. The officers of the various Conferences were urged to provide for instruction at our camp-meetings relative to church discipline, and the duties of church officers. It was also recommended that Sabbath-school, church, and missionary officers meet together at least once a month for prayer and counsel. The principles of the American Health and Temperance Association were heartily indorsed, and the following resolution was unanimously passed:—
Resolved, That while we pledge ourselves to labor earnestly and zealously for the prohibition of the liquor traffic, we hereby utter an earnest protest against connecting with the temperance movement any legislation which discriminates in favor of any religious class or institution, or which tends to the infringement of anybody's religious liberty, and that we cannot sustain or encourage any temperance party or any other organization which indorses or favors such legislation.
It was advised that suitable young persons be encouraged to attend the Sanitarium Training School, as a knowledge of how to care for the sick renders missionary laborers more efficient.
The work of the National Reform Association was also discussed, and the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:—
WHEREAS, We see in the fast increasing strength and influence of the National Reform party a menace to religious freedom in this country, and also a proof of the correctness of our positions; and WHEREAS, Many are not aware of the results which will follow when this party shall secure its aims; therefore, Resolved, That we will awake to the importance of this question, and will put forth greater exertions to scatter the light of Bible truth upon it by circulating the American Sentinel and other literature of a similar nature.
Further Resolved, That we believe it to be the solemn duty of our ministers and laborers to qualify themselves to present the correct views of the relationship between religion and the State in their labors everywhere.
WHEREAS, Many have not the books of reference necessary to obtain full information on the subject of National Reform and, WHEREAS, We deem the instruction given on this subject by Elder A. T. Jones very important; therefore, Resolved, That we request that the same, or the principal part of it, be furnished in pamphlet form.
The action of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, in establishing a branch office in New York City, was heartily approved, as was also the proposal of the Review and Herald to establish branch offices in London, Chicago, Toronto, and in some Southern city.
It was advised that a ship mission be established at Hamburg. It was also recommended that the General Conference Daily Bulletin be published at every session of the Conference, and that it be of a size sufficient to admit the insertion not only of a full account of all the business meetings, but also of an outline of the principal sermons preached, and the general instruction given.
The Conference expressed its appreciation of the generous action of Brother Burgess in providing a vessel to enable Brother Cudney to reach the islands of the Pacific.
Recommendations of the Committee on Finances were adopted, to the effect that December 15-22 be set apart by our churches as a week of prayer, and that December 19 and 20 be appointed as days of humiliation, fasting and prayer, that God may raise up laborers, and sustain those already in the field; and that December 22 be observed as a day of thanksgiving to God for blessings received during the past year, and that praise services be held on this day in all our churches. It was also advised that articles and Bible readings be prepared to be read in the churches, setting forth the wants of the foreign mission fields, and the duties and dangers of the present time. It was recommended that a committee be appointed to arrange a program for Christmas exercises, and that on Monday, December 24, or on Christmas-day, the people assemble in their respective churches to demonstrate their interest in the cause of God by liberal donations to the foreign missions.
It was advised that the recommendation passed by the last General Conference in regard to first-day offerings be more fully carried out. Also that a series of lessons, presenting the principles of love and sacrifice as exemplified in the life of Christ and his followers, and presenting the Bible plan of supporting the ministry, be issued as speedily as possible.
It was urged that all ministers and Conference laborers become informed in regard to the work in foreign fields, in order to be able to present it properly before the people, and that they become so familiar with the details of Sabbath-school and missionary work that they may be qualified to instruct others.
A resolution passed by the California Conference, requesting that a delegation be appointed to appear before the Senate Committee on Education and Labor, at the next session of Congress, and in the interests of religious liberty, to use every reasonable effort to secure the defeat of the Blair Bill, was referred to the General Conference Committee.
The Committee on Distribution of Labor presented the following recommendations:
  1. That J. W. Bagby of Kansas go to North Carolina, and make that his field of labor.
  2. That T. H. Gibbs of Louisiana labor in the Nebraska Conference.
  3. That J. M. Rees of Tennessee make Indiana his field of labor.
  4. That R. S. Donnell go to Tennessee to take the place made vacant by Brother Rees, and to take the oversight of the work in Kentucky.
  5. That S. H. Lane of Georgia go to New York and labor in that Conference.
  6. That M. J. Huffman of Virginia occupy the field made vacant by Brother Lane.
  7. That B. F. Purdham of Indiana make Louisiana his field of labor.
  8. That G. H. Rogers of Illinois labor in the Upper Columbia Conference.
  9. That W. B. Hill of Minnesota go to Iowa and labor in that State.
  10. That W. A. Colcord of Iowa go to Battle Creek to connect with the Review and Herald office.
  11. That H. R. Johnson of Iowa return to Wisconsin and make that his field of labor.
  12. That O. A. Johnson of Montana attend Elder Matteson's training school in Chicago, and then make Iowa his field, and labor exclusively in the Scandinavian language.
  13. That John Covert of Indiana connect with the Michigan Conference and labor in that field.
  14. That C. W. Flaize of Kentucky make Minnesota his field of labor.
  15. That in harmony with the request of J. H. Durland, we recommend him to return to this country and labor in Ontario, under the direction of the Michigan Conference.
  1. That E. W. Whitney make Great Britain his field of labor as soon as he can be spared from the work in Basel.
  2. That H. M. Kenyon of Michigan labor in the Kansas Conference.
  3. That S. J. Shrock go to Germany to labor in that country.
  4. That L. R. Conradi spend several months in this country, holding institutes for the instruction of German canvassers and workers.
  5. That D. H. Oberholtzer of Indiana go to Pennsylvania to labor among the Germans.
  6. That John I. Gibson of California go to London as book-keeper, and to assist in the management of the office.
  7. That R. F. Andrews labor in Indiana.
  8. That M. B. Miller of Michigan take charge of the work in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
  9. That W. S. Hyatt of Wisconsin go to Texas to take the presidency of the Conference and Tract and Missionary Society.
  10. That O. C. Godsmark of Georgia make Illinois his field of labor.
  11. That C. P. Haskell of Colorado labor in the Kansas Conference.
  12. That E. P. Auger of Central Europe return to this country to labor in the French canvassing field.
  13. That D. T. Bourdeau go to Canada to labor among the French, under the direction of the Michigan Conference.
  14. That the Pennsylvania Conference take charge of the work in New Jersey.
  15. That A. T. Jones, if the way opens to do so, visit Boston, Chicago and other points, where local Conferences secure suitable places to reach the masses of the people, and present the subject of religious liberty.
  16. That R. A. Hart return to Norway to assist Eld. O. A. Olsen in the management of the Scandinavian printing house.
  17. That B. M. Shull of Wisconsin spend six months at the Review and Herald office, learning what he can, and then go to Norway to labor in the publishing house.
  18. That Rasmus Peterson of Minnesota go to the Review and Herald office to learn the book-binder's trade, with a view of going to Christiana to work in the printing office.
  19. That M. C. Wilcox of New York go to the Signs office to assist in editing the Signs of the Times.
  20. That J. W. Scoles go to Oakland and connect with the Signs office.
  21. That May Taylor of Central Europe go to England to labor in Bible work.
  22. That Elder J. F. Hanson attend the training school in Chicago, then to go to Denmark to labor in the great Scandinavian field.
  23. That the canvassing company in Iowa, composed of the following named persons: M. W. Lewis and wife, Arthur Herr, N. P. Long, Willis Adams, Lewis Sturr, and Laura Farris, make Maryland and Delaware their field of labor during the coming year, beginning work in the city of Baltimore; and that M. W. Lewis act as State agent.
  24. That S. F. Reader and E. Robb, with their wives, remove from Kansas to West Virginia, there to engage in the canvassing work, S. F. Reader to act as State agent.
  25. That C. D. Wolf and wife, and J. E. Frazee, of Kansas remove to North Carolina to engage in the canvassing work, C. D. Wolf to act as State agent.
  26. That A. F. Harrison and wife, J. B. Thayer, Thomas Stewart, Benjamin Hensley, and Moses Edwards remove from Kansas to Louisiana, there to engage in the canvassing work; A. F. Harrison to act as leader of the company; that I. L. Reynolds and wife and Geo. Winn of New Orleans connect with this company.
  27. That Chas. F. Curtiss devote his entire time to the canvassing work, acting as State agent for Georgia and Florida; and that Chas. E. Giles and Wm. Fenner of Michigan, and Luther Harmon of Indiana, make Georgia and Florida their field of labor.
  28. That J. H. Dortch devote his entire time to the interests of the canvassing work in Tennessee.
  29. That the Indian Territory be given to Kansas as a canvassing field.
  30. That Wm. Arnold return to Great Britain in the early spring.
South Carolina was added to the Florida and Georgia field. The following named persons were elected officers of the Conference for the ensuing year: President, O. A. Olsen; Secretary, U. Smith; Corresponding Secretary, W. H. Edwards; Home Missionary Secretary, Geo. B. Starr; Foreign Missionary Secretary, W. C. White; Educational Secretary, W. W. Prescott; Treasurer, Harmon Lindsay.
Executive Committee—O. A. Olsen, S. N. Haskell, U. Smith, W. W. Prescott, W. C. White, E. W. Farnsworth, R. M. Kilgore.
Book Committee—W. C. White, U. Smith, R. M. Kilgore, W. W. Prescott, A. T. Jones, E. M. Morrison, C. Eldridge, J. H. Kellogg, E. W. Farnsworth, J. G. Matteson, F. E. Belden, A. T. Robinson, C. H. Jones.
General Conference Association—Geo. I. Butler, U. Smith, A. R. Henry, W. H. Edwards, Harmon Lindsay.
Labor Bureau—A. R. Henry, C. Eldridge, H. W. Kellogg.

INTERNATIONAL SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

THIRD MEETING.

THIS meeting was held in Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 29, at 2:30 P. M. After the opening exercises and the secretary's report of the previous meeting, E. J. Waggoner said that the change that was made in the Constitution at the previous meeting necessitated still another. He thereupon moved that Article V, Section I, be amended by striking out all that matter relating to the duties of Treasurer. That a new section be added to this article, to be numbered Article III, and to read as follows:
Section III. The duties of the Treasurer of this Association shall be to receive and hold all moneys belonging to the Association, giving receipts therefor, and paying out the same as the Association or the Executive Board may direct, through the written order of the President.
The motion was carried. The Committee on Resolutions then made the following report:—
1. Resolved, That we recognize the blessing of God in the prosperity that has attended the Sabbath-school work during the past year, both in the line of the organization of new schools and associations, and in the increased interest on the part of those previously engaged in the work; further,
2. Resolved, That this blessing shall be received by us only as an incentive and an encouragement to greater consecration to the work.
WHEREAS, The sole object of the Sabbath-school should be to lead souls to Christ, and no one can lead another in a way which he himself does not know; therefore,
3. Resolved, That we again recognize and emphasize the necessity of having converted teachers in the Sabbath-school.
WHEREAS, The formation of new schools rests largely in the hands of the ministers, and the instruction given at the time when the school is organized has much to do in shaping its future course; therefore,
4. Resolved, That we urge all who labor in the field to become thoroughly and practically familiar with all branches of Sabbath-school work; and further,
5. Resolved, That we request the officers of the various Conferences to insist that such knowledge shall be a necessary qualification of those whom they send out to labor in the ministry.
WHEREAS, The experience of the past has shown that our Sabbath-schools have made the most progress when a systematic correspondence has been kept up with them by the officers of the Association;
6. Resolved, That, while we would most earnestly encourage personal work by the officers to as great an extent as possible, we express it as our belief that nothing can take the place of regular correspondence, and that we urge the State Secretaries to keep in constant communication with all the schools in their respective associations, so that they may know the exact standing of each, and be enabled to give the instruction that is needed; and further,
7. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Association, that when a State Association has secured a competent secretary, she should be encouraged to devote her entire time to this work.
8. Resolved, That the International Association send a representative to each State camp-meeting, to direct and aid in giving instruction to officers and teachers, and to counsel with the State officers concerning the best means to advance the Sabbath-school work in the State.
WHEREAS, The officers of the Association need a medium of communication whereby they may give instruction to the officers and teachers of the Sabbath-schools throughout the world; and WHEREAS, This medium needs to be in a form convenient for reference, and separate from matter that is designed for general circulation;
9. Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to revive the Sabbath-School Worker, as a quarterly, in such form as they may think best.
10. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to issue the Senior Lesson Pamphlet in such form that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket.
11. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to furnish, and the Review and Herald Office to publish in the Instructor, a continued series of children's lessons in place of the lessons for the senior division.
12. Resolved, That the Executive Committee be requested to have a series of lessons prepared upon the subject of tithes and offerings, to begin in July, 1889.
13. Resolved, That we request the preparation of lessons upon Health and Temperance, to be used as soon as practicable.
WHEREAS, The General Conference has voted to buy and use for missionary purposes, if found to be suitable, the ship in which Brethren Cudney and Tay sailed for Pitcairn Island; and WHEREAS, The work which has been begun in Russia, and which has prospered in the face of the greatest difficulties, is much crippled for lack of means; therefore,
14. Resolved, That we recommend that all our Sabbath-schools throughout the world devote their missionary contributions for the first quarter of 1889 to the purchase of the above-mentioned ship; that the contributions for the second quarter be given to the Russian Mission; and that the contributions for the remaining half of the year be devoted to the establishment of a city mission in Hamburg, Germany; and further,
15. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to prepare, as soon as possible, a statement containing as much information as can be secured concerning the Missionary Ship, and also interesting items relating to the situation and work in Russia and Hamburg, which shall be sent to all the schools, in order to make more real to the pupils the objects for which they contribute.
It was moved by Brother V. H. Lucas that the resolutions be adopted by acting upon them separately. Carried.
The first and second ones were, without comment, unanimously adopted.
The third resolution called forth some interesting remarks by E. J. Waggoner and others, and was unanimously adopted.
Quite a number entered heartily into the discussion of resolutions 4 and 5; and at the close of the discussion the motion to adopt these two resolutions was then carried.
Several ministers expressed themselves as heartily in favor of resolutions 6 and 7. They thought that letters should be written, not only to the organized schools belonging to the Associations, but also to the families of lonely Sabbath keepers, and to the isolated schools which belong to no Association. They said that it would also be a great encouragement to the ministers to receive letters once in a while, containing hints and suggestions about the Sabbath-school work, and copies of all the circulars sent to the schools. They could then keep up with the work and know how to start their new schools in harmony with the most approved methods. The resolutions were adopted.
Several said they thought that the different States would very much appreciate the help promised in resolution 3. It was adopted by a unanimous vote.
On resolution 9, Captain Eldridge asked why it was necessary to make any change in the Worker. The president showed that it is very important for the officers of the Association to have a medium of communication; that there are a great many things which they wish to say to the officers and teachers which they do not wish to say to all the school, and which it is to the advantage of the teachers that the schools do not read; and that it needs to be printed in a form that may be preserved in a convenient size for future reference. The motion to adopt was carried without a dissenting voice.
Resolution 10 was adopted, and pending discussion of No. 11 the meeting adjourned to call of chair.

FOURTH MEETING.

This meeting was held Thursday, November 1, at 9 A. M. Hymn 1198 was sung, and prayer was offered by Elder Geo. Starr. After the secretary's report, resolution 11 was again brought up for discussion. M. B. Miller wished to know more about the lessons that they proposed putting in the Instructor. The president said that as but a small part of the series was written he could not tell exactly what they would be, but as was voted last year it was intended to be a series on the Old and New Testaments, a little like our old question books, only introducing Christ sooner, and oftener, and leaving out some things that were unnecessary, the first lessons being adapted to still younger children than the books.
The question was asked, "Will all grades of children study these lessons in the Instructor?" The president said that those with whom he had consulted thought it would be best for those studying the books to remain in them until the series becomes advanced far enough to fit their age and capabilities.
Brother Lindsey asked what those schools would do that were organized after the series had been running awhile in the Instructor. Brother Jones answered that they would have to take up the lessons right where they were, or else use the question books until the new series is printed in book form.
Several spoke about having the Youth's Instructor made into a children's paper. The president said that there had been a call for a paper adapted for little children, from all parts of the field, and he thought perhaps the Instructor might be changed so as to meet this want. Brother Belden said, "I am heartily in favor of having this change made. I believe that the publishers of the Instructor will be glad to receive any suggestions, and to make any change that will be for the good of the children." Brother M. B. Miller said, "We need the child's paper, and if possible arranged so that it will come a little cheaper. We are trying to do missionary work with it, and use it in organizing Sunday-schools, etc., so it ought to be adapted to that, and then we could get it a wide circulation." Resolution 11 was then adopted.
Resolutions 12 and 13 were adopted without comment.
On resolutions 14 and 15 Brother Frank Starr asked if it would not be well, since the greater part of the contributions is going to the proposed Hamburg Mission, to have Hamburg mentioned in the preamble. Brother M. H. Brown moved that a clause be inserted in the preamble referring to the mission to be established in Hamburg. Carried. The resolution as amended was then adopted. The president said, "I trust that you will all try to properly represent the importance of this one when you go home to your schools. We intend also to have all of these resolutions printed and sent to each school." In answer to a question, he said that the contributions and reports for the quarter ending December 31, 1888, would be sent to Oakland, California, instead of to Battle Creek, Michigan.
The following resolution was offered and unanimously adopted:— WHEREAS, There is an urgent call from all parts of the field for a paper devoted wholly to the interests of the children, therefore, Resolved, That we request the Review and Herald to adapt their excellent paper, the Youth's Instructor, to meet this want.
The rest of the meeting was taken up in answering questions which had been found in the question-box.
Meeting then adjourned to call of chair. C. H. JONES, President. JESSIE F. WAGGONER, Secretary pro tem.

MEETINGS IN FRESNO, CAL.

By J. H. Cook

WE have been having some deep heart-searching meetings here at Fresno for the past two weeks. There has been a general turning around, facing about, removing the stumbling-blocks of our iniquities, confessing our sins and seeking God for pardon, for purity of heart, and restoration to the divine favor. God has heard the penitential confession, the earnest cry for pardon, and to many souls have been restored the joys of his salvation. Others have found it for the first time in their lives. The presentation of the solemn realities of the judgment at hand has set many to work to rectify their past wrongs, both with members of the church and with the world. Elder Daniels has been the leading instrument in the hand of God in these meetings. I was away at the commencement and again for several days at the close of the meetings; but I feel to say, to the praise of God, a good work has been done for the Fresno Church.
We hope and pray that those who have turned their faces Zionward will press forward. Elder Daniels leaves immediately for his special field of labor. Our prayers will go with him. J. H. Cook.

PIERCE COUNTY, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

By Isaac Morrison; H. A. Baxter

We held tent-meetings the past summer, in Sumner, Orting, and Buckley. Eleven persons signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We have received $32 cash donations besides fruit and vegetables; and sold $14 worth of books from the stand. Sumner has about two hundred inhabitants. Orting and Buckley are little railroad stations that have been built up within a year.
One family who signed the covenant in Orting were first interested in the truth through reading matter that they bought from Brother L. A. Scott while in the Sandwich Islands.
ISAAC MORRISON. H. A. BAXTER.
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