p. 5 | Review and Herald, Vol. 48, No. 1. (6/29/1876)

A PAINFUL SCENE AND A TOUCHING CONFESSION.

We find in the Maroa (Ill.) News of the 25th of September, an account of the resignation of Eld. — as pastor of the Christian Church of that village. For some time past the reverend gentleman’s habits have been such as to cause great grief to his friends, and bring reproach upon the church. At the close of the sermon which was preached by a neighboring pastor, Eld. — made the following address which he gave as a warning to all men, both young and old, to avoid the sin and shame which have come upon this man:—

“As a man, I have the highest conception as to what the life and character of a minister of the gospel should be. I know that he should lead a consistent and an upright life, that can be looked to by the community, as an example of purity and righteousness. Knowing that my life has not been such in all respects, I desire to tender to this church, for which I have labored so long, my resignation.

“You are aware that I refer to my sin of intemperance. This may be my last opportunity of addressing you, and I want to ask you that you will not charge this great shame to the religion of Christ. It teaches better things. Charge it all to my own depravity and sinful nature. To you who have not this habit, it is strange that I should thus yield to temptation. I well remember the time when I thought it strange that others drank and ruined themselves with alcohol. I am glad there are so many young men here this morning, that I may lift my voice in warning, and beg them to profit by my example. You think now that you are strong and in no danger. I well remember the time when I believed the same. Twelve years ago, when I reached forth my inexperienced hand and took the intoxicating cup, I thought I was strong; but I developed a habit that now holds me in chains, and in the most awful slavery that humanity was ever subjected to. It holds me in its embrace when I seek my bed for repose; it disturbs my dreams during the weary hours of night, and seizes me as its prey when I rise up in the morning to enter upon the duties of the day.

“Profit, oh! profit by my example; see what it has done for me. There was a time when I stood as fair as any minister of the church in Illinois; there was a time when I had as bright prospects and as cheering hopes of the future as any of my classmates. But now they are all gone because of intemperance. Oh, that I could bring the whole world to hear my warning voice. Young ladies, you can do much to remove this curse from the world, by not countenancing its use among your companions.

“Brethren, I sever my connection with you as your pastor with a sad heart. It would be sad under the most favorable circumstances, but much more so as it is. But I shall remain with you in the church, and labor in the community for a livelihood; I will come to your social meetings and work with you in the Sunday-school, and will do all I can to atone for the great sin I have committed.

“God knows I do not wish to injure his cause. Pray for me that I may yet overcome this besetting sin. I trust that I shall be able to conquer. But should I go down under the withering influence, I ask that you will remember me kindly. Whenever you meet me, and under whatever circumstances, remember there was a time when you were proud of me. But treat me as you may, act toward me as you choose, I beg that you will remember my wife kindly. Do not give her pain and sorrow because of my wrong doing.”—Sel.

DON'T BE TOO SENSITIVE.

There are people—yes, many people—always looking out for slights. They cannot carry on the daily intercourse of the family without finding that some offense is designed. They are as touchy as hair-triggers. If they meet an acquaintance who happens to be preoccupied with business, they attribute his distraction in some mode personal to themselves, and take umbrage accordingly. They blame others for the results of their own irritability. Indigestion makes them see impertinence in every one with whom they come in contact. Innocent persons, who never dreamed of giving offense, are astonished to find some unfortunate word or momentary taciturnity mistaken for an insult.

To say the least, the habit is unfortunate. It is far wiser to take the more charitable view of our fellow-beings, and not suppose that a slight is intended unless the neglect is open and direct. After all, too, life takes its hue in a great measure from the color of our own mind. If we are frank and generous, the world will treat us kindly; if, on the contrary, we are suspicious, men learn to be cold and cautious toward us.

Let a person get the reputation of being “touchy,” and everybody is under restraint, and in this way the chances of an imaginary offense are vastly increased.—Sel.

Living for the Glory of God

Be your hearts young and green, or scarred and withered, lay them at a Saviour’s feet. Let his glory be your glorious aim! Raised far above the common objects and base pursuits of the world, this is an end worth living for. A life such as that, elevating and ennobling the humblest lot, shall command the regards, and fix on man the gaze of angels. Lofty ends give dignity to the lowest officers. He who lives for the glory of God has an end in view which lends dignity to the man and to his life. Bring common wire into proper contact with the magnet, and it will borrow the strange, attractive virtue, and become itself magnetic. The merest crystal fragment that has been flung out into the field and trampled on the ground, shines like a diamond, when sunbeams stoop to kiss it. And who has not seen the dullest rain-cloud, when it turned its face to the sun, change into glory, and, in the bow that spans it, present to the eyes of age and infancy, alike of the philosopher who studies, and of the simple, joyous child who runs to catch it, the most brilliant and beautiful phenomenon in nature? Thus, from what they look at and come in contact with, common things acquire uncommon glory. —Church Union.

WE ARE WAITING.

By Lilla D. Avery

We are waiting, yes, we're waiting, For the glorious time to come, When our King shall reign in beauty, And shall take his children home.

We are waiting for that kingdom Which by prophets was foretold; For we long to see its beauties, And to walk its streets of gold.

We are waiting for the tumult And the strife of men to cease, We are waiting, and we're longing For that glorious reign of peace.

Yes; we wait to dwell with angels In that land of pure delight, Where bright flowers bloom forever, And the “Lamb shall be its light.”

And we wait to hear His welcome, Bidding us to come and share Mansions built for the believing; We are waiting to be there.

LILLA D. AVERY.

Locke, Ing. Co., Mich.

THE KANSAS T. & M. SOCIETY.

By J. LAMONT

Although in the past we have not accomplished all that we might desire, yet something has been done, enough to assure us that we may in the future, with God's blessing, do a great work. We are just learning how to work in this glorious cause. Some, perhaps, are learning slowly, thinking there is not much to be learned. But there is a great deal. This is important work. It is God's work. Let us not do it negligently.

The requisite skill to successfully approach our fellow-men is possessed by very few. It is an art; and can be acquired only by persevering effort. See the politicians, how friendly they are, how cordially they shake your hand, what an interest they manifest in yourself, your family, and your friends! They have a cause to advance. Have not we? And ours is as much higher than theirs as heaven is higher than earth. Let their zeal and skill put to shame our lukewarmness and awkwardness.

At our late annual meeting, our Constitution was so amended as to dispense with our general quarterly meetings. These, being no real profit, seemed to be a burden we were not able to bear. With this exception the duties of the officers and members are the same as heretofore. Our next district quarterly meeting will be held, I suppose, about the last of August. How much will each member set himself to do by that time?—how many paying subscribers obtain for our periodicals?

If every member obtained one during each quarter of the present year, it would almost double the subscription list in our State. Littles foot up well. Do not be afraid of the littleness of obtaining only one subscriber in three months. (Get a dozen if you can, but be sure of the one, anyhow.) Distribute a few tracts, as you have opportunity, where they will do good. Make a donation to the Society. Let it be a small one, if need be. Twenty-five cents from every member during each of the four quarters of the year would make quite a handsome sum. Some are able to do much more. Let them do so, of course.

When we cannot do great things, let us do small things just as heartily.

Let us think occasionally of the great Syrian captain who desired to be cured of his leprosy, but was not willing to simply wash himself in the river Jordan. Some great thing was on his mind; but he was persuaded to give it up. Shall not we? and then do a little in each branch of our missionary work every quarter? To those who are not members I would say, Unite with the Society the first opportunity, and thus put yourselves in a place to really take a part in God's great closing work for this world. J. LAMONT.

READ YOUR BIBLE DAILY.

The celebrated painter, Benjamin Robert Haydon, gave the following admirable advice to his son at a very critical time of his life:—

“You are quite right to read history; make yourself master of the histories of Greece and Rome. The English people are in many respects not unlike the Athenians without their art, and like the Romans without their profligacy. Read your Bible daily. There is no more interesting book in the world, and it is becoming more necessary to read and study it, because I already perceive a tendency among our scientific men, in all their pride of knowledge and what they call discovery, to set the Bible aside as an oriental legend. Do not believe them. The Mosaic account of the creation is the most simple and the most natural, and will be found, you may rely on it, confirmed by science, when science has got down to the real facts. Generalization, founded on our present knowledge of the laws of nature, is the very thing which our present acquaintance with those laws does not justify. I am convinced that no thoroughly established and settled theory will be found to contradict the truths revealed in the Bible. But you are too young yet for me to enter further on the subject. I only tell you of it to put you on your guard. You will find many men, old and grown-up men, who will laugh at the Bible. Don’t believe them. Mathematics are all very well; but the differential calculus, my dear boy, can never prove or disprove the existence of God. Read your Bible, do your duty, and leave the rest to God.”—Sel.

The Strength of Candor

It is great, it is manly, to disdain disguise; it shows our spirit, or it proves our strength.—Young.

THE SANCTUARY.

By V. S.

Twenty-sixth Paper.—Ministration of the Sanctuary.

So far as the object itself is concerned, we have now before us the sanctuary of the Bible in its entirety. It consists, first, of the earthly sanctuary as embodied in the tabernacle of Moses, and the temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel, and Herod, and, secondly, of the more perfect tabernacle, temple, and sanctuary in Heaven, which the Lord pitched and not man, and which took the place of the former when the typical dispensation gave place to the true. The Bible nowhere recognizes any other objects as the sanctuary of the Lord, and these cover both dispensations. Whatever, therefore, is said of the sanctuary which has its application in the former dispensation, refers to the sanctuary of that dispensation; and whatever has its application in this dispensation, refers to the sanctuary of the present dispensation, the sanctuary in Heaven. This is a self-evident conclusion from the premises already proved.

Another conclusion as speedily follows; namely, that the declaration of Dan. 8:14, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,” has its application in this dispensation, and hence refers to the sanctuary in Heaven. For it has been before shown that only 490 years of the 2300 belonged to the Jews and the earthly sanctuary. There remain 1810 years extending far down into this dispensation, even to 1844. There the 2300 days terminated, and there we come to the cleansing of the sanctuary, the sanctuary, of course, of this dispensation.

Gabriel himself showed this, before he completed his instructions to the prophet Daniel. He showed him, first, that the earthly sanctuary would be destroyed shortly after the rejection of the Messiah, by his people, and that it would never be rebuilt, but be desolate until the consummation. Dan. 9:26, 27. Secondly, he brought to view the new covenant: “He [the Messiah] shall confirm the covenant [the new covenant] with many for one week.” Verse 27. Thirdly, he brought to view the new covenant church, or host, namely, the “many,” with whom the covenant was to be confirmed. Fourthly, he brought to view the new covenant sacrifice, namely, the cutting off of the Messiah, but not for himself. Fifthly, he brought to view the Mediator of the new covenant, who should cause the sacrifices and services of the former to cease. Verse 27. See also Dan. 11:22; Heb. 12:24. And sixthly and lastly, he brought to view the new covenant sanctuary when he said that seventy weeks were cut off . . . “to anoint the most holy.” Verse 24. This brings to view an act which was performed preparatory to the commencement of the ministration of the sanctuary, which was to anoint both the holy places and all the sacred vessels. Ex. 40:9–11. On this point the Advent Shield, No. 1, p. 75, contains the following:—

“And the last event of the 70 weeks, as enumerated in verse 24, was the anointing of the ‘Most Holy,’ or the ‘Holy of Holies,’ or the ‘Sanctum Sanctorum.’ Not that which was on earth, made with hands, but the true tabernacle, into which Christ, our High Priest, is for us entered. Christ was to do in the true tabernacle in Heaven what Moses and Aaron did in its pattern. See Heb. chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9; Ex. 30:22–30; Lev. 8:10–15.”

In this utterance, the Shield was not far from the kingdom of God; and it seems almost marvelous that any upon whose minds the truth had begun to dawn so clearly, should not have followed on to the full light on this glorious subject. No doubt, certainly, can remain concerning the object which the angel had in view when he said, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”

But it is at once objected that this application cannot be correct, and this cannot refer to any sanctuary in Heaven; for there is nothing there that needs cleansing; nothing there impure to which such language can apply. And in some minds this mole-hill becomes magnified into a mountain, which they forever try in vain to surmount, and which eclipses from their minds all the strength of proof and array of evidence which may be brought upon this question from any other quarter.

It is not strange that upon the first introduction of this subject, this thought should arise as a seeming objection. But it can, upon a little thought, be fairly met and fully disposed of. It would be anticipating to enter at length upon the question here, inasmuch as it involves an examination of the ministration and cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, where it will receive due consideration. Suffice it to say at this point that this cleansing is not a cleansing from any physical impurities. It is not accomplished with soap and sand, and mops and brushes. It is a cleansing accomplished with blood. But the use of blood is for the sake of remission, or forgiveness of sin, nothing else; hence the cleansing is a cleansing from sin; and Paul testifies that such a cleansing does pertain both to the earthly and the heavenly building. He says, Heb. 9:23: “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the Heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” That is, to paraphrase and express more fully the meaning of this language, “It was therefore [because there is no remission or forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood, verse 22] necessary that the patterns of things in the Heavens [that is, the earthly sanctuary] should be purified [or cleansed] with these [the sacrifices of calves and goats, verse 19, with which the earthly sanctuary each year was cleansed]; but [it was necessary for the same reason that] the heavenly things themselves [the true sanctuary in Heaven, should be cleansed] with better sacrifices than these [even with the precious blood of Christ].”

We confidently submit, to every one capable of understanding the meaning of language, that this is the exact idea which Paul here expresses; and this being so, Paul affirms in the clearest manner that the sanctuary in Heaven must be cleansed. Consistent or inconsistent, this is what Paul says. We leave the objector to settle the matter with the apostle.

We wish to know what this cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary is, which is predicted in Dan. 8:14; for this is the great event to which the prophecy points us. To learn this we must acquire an understanding of the ministration of that heavenly sanctuary; but we can learn of this only from the ministration of the earthly sanctuary; for Paul says that the priests who here ministered, served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” Heb. 8:5. We therefore go backward in history thirty-three hundred years, to that law which was given to lead us to Christ, through which there was spread out here upon earth a shadow of heavenly things, and inquire into the services and ceremonies connected with its sanctuary, how they were performed, and what they signified.

The ministration of the earthly sanctuary was accomplished by the Levitical order of priesthood, and consisted of two great divisions: first, the daily ministration in the first apartment, or holy place, which went forward through the entire year, with the exception of, secondly, a special service in the second apartment, or most holy place, into which, says Paul, the high priest went once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and the errors of the people. This yearly day of service in the most holy place was called the day of atonement, and fell each year on the tenth day of the seventh month. Lev. 23:27.

The daily ministration embraced the regular morning and evening burnt-offering, Ex. 29:38–43, the burning of sweet incense on the golden altar of incense every morning when the high priest dressed the lamps, and every evening when he lighted them, Exodus, chapter 30, the additional work appointed for the Sabbaths of the Lord, and the annual sabbaths, new moons and feasts, Numbers, chapters 28 and 29, besides the particular work to be accomplished for individuals as they should present their offerings throughout the year.

This latter was the larger and more important part of the service. It consisted of several impressive and solemn steps, chief among which were the following: When a person had sinned he procured for himself such a victim as the law prescribed, which was to be put to death in his stead. This victim he brought to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle. He then laid his hand upon the head of the victim and confessed over him his sin, through which act his sin was considered as transferred to the victim. With his own hands he then took the life of his offering, a most striking confession that through his sin he was worthy of death; and the priest took of the blood, and dipping his finger therein, sprinkled it seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary, as near as he could approach to the ark till the great day of atonement. Thus was the sin transferred, first to the victim, and then through its blood to the sanctuary itself, and the transgressor went free.

In this manner went the typical service forward through the year. Day after day, week after week, month after month, we behold this round of service performed, the victims coming in solemn procession to the sanctuary, the work of confession going on, the crimson tide of expiation flowing, and the solemn-visaged priests in ceaseless service sprinkling this token of forfeited life before the broken law. There was thus a continual transfer of sins from the people to the sanctuary through the year. What became of these sins? V. S.

THE SPARTA CAMP-MEETING.

By Uriah Smith

This meeting commenced on the ground occupied last year, at Sparta, Wis., at the appointed time, June 15, 1876. Owing to unfavorable connections on the cross roads which we were obliged to take, to reach this place from Marshalltown, Iowa, we did not arrive at the meeting till Thursday evening.

The next morning we were awakened by the heavy pouring of the rain upon the canvas; and it has rained almost incessantly from that time to this present writing, Sunday, June 18, with not much prospect even now of soon abating. In addition to the rain, the temperature suddenly changed to a November chilliness, which made outward circumstances about as unfavorable as they well could be. This, of course, cut off almost entirely outside attendance, and put the endurance and cheerfulness of the brethren and sisters to no light test. But all have endured it remarkably well. Every face looks pleasant and every heart seems to be full of good cheer. This is at once a testimony to the power of the truth, and to the interest of the meeting. While there are clouds and rain without, there are cheerfulness, sunshine, and joy within.

The preaching so far has been with freedom, and has been well appreciated by the brethren; and the cheering testimonies of the brethren and sisters, the fervent prayers and stirring words of those who labor in word and doctrine, have caused the people while in the tent to forget the forbidding aspect without, and lifted them above the depression which these circumstances were calculated to produce.

At an early hour on Friday labor was commenced for the special benefit of the unconverted and backsliders. The convicting Spirit of the Lord was powerfully present. More than eighty came forward for prayers. Seventeen of these were making their first move in the service of religion. On Sabbath afternoon a similar call was made, and about fifty responded. Among these were many who did not come forward the first time; and many of those who came forward at first did not come at this second appeal, for the reason, they said, that they felt that their prayers had been answered, and they had found peace in believing. It was touching to see parents arise and acknowledge with tears their gratitude to God that some of their children were here making a start in the service of God; others, that their friends were turning to the truth. Some bore testimony who said they had never heard a word on the third angel’s message before coming to this meeting. These seasons were as satisfactory as any of the kind we have ever witnessed.

This meeting is larger than the meeting held here last year. There are forty family tents besides the sixty ft. preaching tent, and two forty ft. tents, occupied by families; and had the weather been favorable, the outside attendance, judging from what we hear, would have been unprecedentedly large. As it was, the best use was made of the occasion possible for the benefit of the church. The preaching was largely practical in its nature; and the occasion was, perhaps, more profitable to the church than it would have been had the presence of a promiscuous multitude called for a different kind of labor.

Tuesday, June 20. The meeting has closed very successfully for one held under such circumstances. On Monday forenoon, Brn. Geo. C. Tenney and O. W. Olds were ordained to the work of the ministry. A description of this scene may be read in the account of the ordination at the Iowa meeting given last week; for it was a repetition of that scene, with all its cheering features brought out in full measure. In the afternoon, following a discourse by Bro. White on the subject of baptism, thirty-three went forward in that ordinance.

Considerable of the time Monday was devoted to the necessary business meetings of the Wisconsin Conference, and of the Tract Society. The utmost union prevailed in all the counsels and actions of these two organizations, and the brethren evinced that they had a mind to work, and that, too, with increasing hope and courage in the good cause. Five churches were added to the Conference, and calls and openings everywhere abound.

Here, as in Iowa, the presence of Bro. and sister White constituted in a large measure, the life of the meeting, their counsel and labors giving tone to the exercises and progress of the work. Sister White, especially, was at times called out in powerful appeals, and most forcible descriptions of scenes in the life of Christ from which lessons can be drawn applicable to every-day Christian experience. These were of absorbing interest to all the congregation. These servants of the church, though now of so long and large experience, and notwithstanding all their wearing labors, are still growing in mental and spiritual strength.

Tuesday we left Sparta, heavy clouds still darkening the heavens, and occasionally discharging their superabundant moisture which they had so copiously poured upon us during all the last four days of the meeting. And no special signs of cessation yet appeared. Now in Minnesota, on the cars, hastening to the next meeting, we have run into clear sunshine from a cloudless sky; but how long it will continue to rain in the vicinity of Sparta, our limited philosophy cannot determine. Fortunately, the soil was sandy and drank up the rain as fast as it fell, so it was not in the least muddy. If such a storm was to strike any of our camp-meetings, it could not have come in a better place.

Between four and five hundred brethren and sisters were present. Another meeting is to be held in Wisconsin in two weeks, at Ripon, and if that shall be as fully attended as this, it will show a degree of strength in the State most encouraging.

We see no evidence on the part of any that their confidence in the truth is abating; but, on the contrary, those exhortations which looked to more consecration to the work, and a better living out of the great truths of the message which we claim to be giving, met the promptest and heartiest response from all present.

U. S.

OUR FRENCH PAPER.

By John Nevins Andrews; D. T. Bourdeau

AFTER so long a time we have reached the point at which it seems proper to commence the publication of a paper in the French language. We therefore enter actively upon this work the present week, and hope to have our first number ready for the mail within a short time. After consultation with the General Conference Committee, we decided to have our paper the size of the REVIEW, and to publish it monthly. It will bear the name of our California paper. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, a name especially revered by us as that of the first Advent journal ever published in America. May as great a measure of God's blessing attend it as attended that journal in the first proclamation of the Advent faith in America, and may it be successful in warning the people of Europe that the hour of God's judgment has come, and in leading many to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Should the blessing of God attend this enterprise, we hope at no distant day to have also an edition of our paper in the German language. But for the present we must be content with an edition in French, or rather must make it do till it shall be possible to have the German also.

We think to publish an edition of 2000 copies. Of course a large part of this edition must be circulated gratuitously. The expense for paper and the work of the printer will be for one number about $54.00. This includes nothing for our own work and nothing for our personal expenses. The General Conference Committee have already sent us means for this work of publication which we hope to use with prudence. But it is our great desire to render our paper self-supporting as soon as possible; though some time must elapse before this can be accomplished. We shall use our best endeavors to make our deficit as small as possible.

We expect to enlist every French friend in Europe, and we hope to do the same in America. We earnestly invite all the friends of the cause who can be benefited by a French paper, or who have friends that read the French language, to co-operate with us in this work by becoming subscribers for our paper. If there are any who are able to send several copies to their French friends, we invite them to do it. We do not

ask this as a favor to us personally, but as an act performed for Christ's sake. This paper is not our personal property, but the interest we feel for it is greater than though it were such. We hope that it may have an extensive circulation among those who speak the French language, whether in the old world or the new, and that it shall give instruction of priceless value concerning the near advent of Christ, and concerning the principles of the law of God, and of the gospel of Christ, and in particular concerning the fourth commandment;—all this, if God shall be pleased to add his blessing.

We propose to furnish a monthly paper as above set forth, to subscribers in America for $1.25 (currency) per volume of twelve numbers, postage paid. To save the trouble and expense necessary for each person to send us a draft for so small a sum we request all who are interested to receive our paper to send their address and the subscription price to the REVIEW Office, if the secretary will consent to act as our agent. And now we ask the prayers of those who are interested in this mission. Our hope of success is in the blessing of God. We believe that with this we shall not fail. And so we give ourselves with good courage to the work before us.

J. N. ANDREWS, D. T. BOURDEAU.

Bâle, Switzerland, June 8, 1876.

P. S. We trust that it is not necessary for us to say that we desire the active co-operation of the several tract societies and of the officers of the several Conferences in obtaining subscribers. We ask this most earnestly, as we also ask the assistance of all the judicious friends of the cause of truth. We shall send to the REVIEW Office and to many of these officers specimen copies of our first number. But we ask that none wait for these, and that none who fail to receive such copies shall regard themselves slighted. J. N. A.

A CORRECTION.

By W. M. Jones

A STATEMENT from the rounds of the papers appears in the REVIEW of the 18th of May that every day of the week is observed as follows:—

“Christian nations generally, Sunday. Greeks, Monday. Persians, Tuesday. Assyrians, Wednesday. Egyptians, Thursday. Turks, Arabs and Mohammedan nations, Friday. Jews and S. D. Baptists, Saturday.”

From the reading of this tabular statement one is led to think that the Greeks do not belong to the Christian nations, that Persians are not Mohammedans, that Egyptians are neither Arabs nor Mohammedans, and that there is such a nation now as the Assyrian! Many a schoolboy of twelve can see that this is a rattle-brained statement, and whoever first penned it was probably laughing in his sleeve at the gullibility of people in the rural districts.

Please to observe that the old Assyrians devoted every day of the month of 30 days to some deity, and four days of the month were Sabatu or Sabbaths. There is no nation now existing by the name of Assyrian.

The ancient Egyptians knew the week, but they did not keep Thursday any more than they did Wednesday. The fact that the nations of antiquity regarded Saturn as the god of rest and sloth is presumptive evidence of the seventh day being regarded as an idle or non-working day. With the Egyptians all the days of the week were dedicated to the gods. (A list of them is published in the 5th number of the Sabbath Memorial.) They were the most horrid of idolaters, but have long since disappeared from the face of the earth, unless some of the modern Gipsies are a remnant of that noted people. The Egyptians of to-day are Arabs. The Persians, Arabs and Turks are Mohammedans. Friday is usually called by Christian nations the Mohammedan Sabbath; but Sabbath-keepers should note that only an hour or two hours of Friday mid-day is used for public prayer. In all other respects, except by the Ulemas (the clergy), the people are found at their work on that day. It is simply a day for assembling at mid-day for prayer; hence its name Junah, i. e., Assembly day.

The Greeks are Christians, and keep the Sunday which they call resurrection day. In Russian and Polish it is also called “non-working day” and “do-nothing day.” It was under the Greek Empire that the Sunday was brought into prominence as a Christian festival and the rival of the Sabbath. The Greeks have not changed from the Sunday to the Monday, nor do the Persians keep the Tuesday. The facts are that Christians generally make some sort of a keeping of Sunday; Jews, Abyssinians, S. D. Baptists, and S. D. Adventists keep the Saturday; and Mohammedans of all nations keep, where it is convenient, an hour of mid-day on Friday, as a season of prayer. We know of no other day of the week required to be kept as a weekly day, by Jew, Christian, Mohammedan, or Pagan. Excepting S. D. Baptists and S. D. Adventists, each of the foregoing has yearly festivals as all know; but Red-Letter-Days, Candlemas and Christmas, the Mohammedan fast of Ramadan (30 days), and Pagan days are quite beyond the ken of the article in question.

We are pained to know that Protestant Christian communities are so generally demoralized on the real merits of the Sabbath question. All sorts of quibbles, burlesques, throwing dust in the eyes of those who desire to see, a reckless perversion of foreign customs, and a ridiculous jumble of the true and the false—all this is the ill-gotten gain from the attempted overthrow of the fourth commandment. Our Sabbath-keeping friends are fast being taught that the subterfuges of the Sunday party are many and devious, subtle and obstinate; but the realm of invention is becoming exhausted, and sooner or later must fall like Dagon before the ark. The Sunday is in an agony of peril, and is determined to die hard. Its friends are getting out of heart, and more are the thousands than we number all told, who in their hearts believe that we are right in keeping the Lord’s own Sabbath day. W. M. JONES. 15 Mill Yard, Goodman’s Fields, London.

BALTIMORE, MD.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

[The following report came after the Progress Department was full; so we give it a place here.]

On my way to Maryland, I stopped over one day in Washington City, at the pleasant home of Bro. and Sr. Cook. I found sisters Cook and Dillon intelligent and earnest workers in the cause of present truth, though alone in the city. They have done much in the tract work, and not without fruit. One who embraced the truth here has gone West. A Bro. Pope here became convinced on the Sabbath, but did not keep it. Returning to Baltimore, he began to advocate it together with the rest of the message.

Several families became deeply interested in the truth; and after investigating for months, three whole families left the Methodist church, and began the observance of the Sabbath a few months ago. One of these brethren was superintendent of the Sunday-school and otherwise prominent in the church. As is generally the case with those who embrace the truth by reading, all three families are first class people—all mechanics.

I found that a certain fanatical Adventist preacher, who has embraced the Sabbath but opposes about everything else in the message, had been among them and got them some confused, as they were so young in the truth and had no help. He teaches that the Lord has already come, the righteous have been raised, the stone has smitten the image, and other such wild and fanatical notions. As soon as we showed them the truth on these points, they all gladly received it and felt greatly relieved and rejoiced to find such a blessed harmony in the Bible and the truth. I think they will not be easily deceived again.

A minister owns a small meeting-house near where these brethren live. This he freely gave us the use of while I was here, and he attended all my lectures himself. I remained over two Sundays, speaking every evening. The attendance was not very large, yet there was some interest. The above-mentioned minister said it was the most pleasant week he had ever spent; that he had learned much; that we had done much good, etc. He was sorry that every body did not hear us. He takes no exception to any part of the truth, but rather advocates it.

Another minister whom I visited told me that he had believed for some time that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and that if it was not for his business (he is county recorder of wills) he would keep it. Strange position! His wife has been keeping the Sabbath some months. Still another minister here admitted the truthfulness of all our positions on the advent, the Sabbath, the fall of the churches, etc., and even argued these questions for me.

But, alas! it seems to be very hard for these ministers to break away from their old traditions. I fear that it will end here with them all. However, three persons took their stand to keep the Sabbath, making in all ten Sabbath-keepers now in this city.

Sabbath, June 17, we went to a pleasant place on the river and baptized seven souls. This was the first baptism among our people in Maryland, but we hope it is only the beginning, to be followed by many more. To me, one beautiful and touching feature of it was this: Six out of the seven were the united heads of three families, husbands and wives, all about the same age, about thirty-five, and all in harmony in the truth. Each husband led his wife down into the water, and there together they were baptized. May they all go into the city together.

The next day we organized them into a church. Bro. Jones was elected and ordained elder. They also organized a T. & M. Society, which all joined. After setting before them the Bible plan of benevolence, they all most heartily endorsed it, promising to give one-tenth of all their income to the gospel. But as times are now so remarkably dull, they are liable to be out of employment, more or less, at any time; so they all pledged to take out one-tenth, each week, of whatever they do receive. As I am sure they will do just as they have promised, I could see no better plan to go by. As they are now earning, this will amount to about $150 per year.

Thus a good beginning is made in this old State. Quite a number more are almost persuaded to keep the Sabbath, and we hope for some of them. The church will go to work now more thoroughly in the tract work. Baltimore is a very fine city and has some of the most beautiful parks and residences I have ever seen. It abounds in wealth, rich churches, and abundance of pride. Yet there are honest souls here who can be reached. Is not the Lord's providence indicating that we should enter these cities more than we have?

I am happy to state that Bro. Pope, who brought the truth here, took a firm stand with us on the Sabbath at these meetings. I go now to visit another company across the bay.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Continue reading: TO THE FRIENDS OF THE CAUSE IN IOWA AND NEBRASKA