Jesus loved the little ones. He took them in his arms and blessed them. It seems most natural that mothers should love our divine Lord, and desire to have his blessing upon the dear ones entrusted to their care. Though they may not be privileged as were the ancient women of Jerusalem, when Christ walked personally among them, yet by faith can they crave the blessing upon their helpless ones, and feel that though unseen, the loving Saviour gently leads them.
God pity the mother who depends upon her own wisdom to instruct and control the mind of childhood. The trust committed to mothers is most sacred. How watchful do they need to be, that they may be enabled to shield their loved ones in their innocence from sin’s pollution! She who has a little child to love is blessed indeed. Society may be harsh and cold, and even those who profess friendship may fail to comfort; but the children, dear, loving, trustful ones, how soothing is their caress. To them, mother is the dearest and best friend in the world, and they bring to her all their little grievances with the most implicit confidence that she can alleviate them.
It seems easy to understand the loving tenderness of Jesus manifested toward the children. What a relief it must have seemed to his weary mind, after meeting the cruel hypocrisy of the Pharisees, to have turned to the innocent children, who could appreciate his noble, generous nature! Their hearts had not become hardened by the spirit of pride and jealousy which characterized the chief rulers among the Jews. How truthful his word, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein”! Unbelief does not exist in the heart of a little child. God bless the children. Without them, home seems a cheerless place. Children, birds, and flowers, seem akin to each other. Imagine what our world would be without them. How dreary, how desolate!
Mothers, you who are care-worn and sorrowful, feeling that life’s burdens are heavy to bear, thank God for your children. Make home a place of love and beauty for them as far as lies in your power. Scatter sunshine in their pathway. Look back to your own childhood, and remember how comforted were your hearts by the loving word and kiss of mother. Children will not forget the home influence. If it has been kindness and love, it will follow them as they go out into a world of danger, and will shield them in the hour of temptation. Labor bestowed upon the children in the fear of God is not lost. Jesus himself will stand beside the patient, loving mother; and though her path may be a lowly one, unknown to fame, in the faithful performance of duty will she find consolation and peace. A. P. NASON.
HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE?
Many years ago a Welsh minister, a man of God, beginning his sermon, leaned over the pulpit, and said with a solemn air, “Friends, I have a question to ask. I cannot answer it. You cannot answer it. If an angel from Heaven were here, he could not answer it. If a devil from hell were here, he could not answer it.” Death-like silence reigned. Every eye was fixed on the speaker. He proceeded, “The question is this: How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” Reader, can you answer the question? “How shall you escape, if you neglect so great salvation?” In Christ alone is salvation to be found. Flee, then, to him.
The Letter and the Spirit of Scripture
ONLY when the commands of the Bible have become the soul of morality; only when its sublime truths have been translated out of verbal phrase into spiritual apprehension; only when its laws have ceased to be legislation and become inherent conscience; only when its faith has ceased to be belief and become, conviction and impulse,—only when these things have occurred, have we received what God intended we should from his holy word; and when these have been received the letter has answered its purpose, the reign of it has ceased; and in its place, and carrying on and up the superstructure of spiritual education, the foundation of which it laid, the spirit is substituted. And he who is a spirit is worshiped, not by the ceremony and enactment of the letter, but in spirit and in truth.—Murray.
Keeping the View of Heaven Clear
We hold to earth and earthly things by so many more links of thought, if not affection, that it is far harder to keep our view to Heaven clear and strong; when this life is so busy, and, therefore, so full of reality to us, another life seems by comparison unreal. This is our condition, and these are its peculiar temptations; but we must endure it, and strive to overcome them; for I think we may not try to flee from it.—Dr. Arnold.
Philosophy Against Past, Future, and Present Evils
PHILOSOPHY triumphs easily over past evils and evils to come, but present evils triumph over philosophy.
Appointments: Tract and Missionary Society Quarterly Meetings
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Dist. No. 3, Ill.
Quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 3, Ill. T. and M., will be held at Gridley, April 1. We want to see the workers from the southern part of the district present, and we want a report from every member in the district. Every report should be accompanied by a donation, and sent to the secretary, Emily Hibbon, Sheridan, La Salle Co., ten days before the meeting. Will Bro. Sloan, of Gridley, please appoint a place of meeting? Can Bro. Merritt be with us? Geo. A. Hobbs, Director.
Canasaraga, N. Y., March 9–12.
Genoa, “ 16–18.
Meetings will begin Friday evening, at 7; Sabbath and Sunday, at 9½ A. M. All the friends in reach are invited.
D. M. Canright.
Meeting of Dist. No. 3, Mich. T. and M. Society, at Hastings, March 17 and 18. Librarians, please report to the secretary, M. Sisley, Battle Creek, in season for this meeting. Hope the librarians will give notice to their Societies, without delay, to hand in their reports.
I. A. Olmstead, Director.
The next quarterly meeting of the Mich. T. and M. Society, Dist. No. 6, will be held at Orleans, March 17 and 18. We hope every member will come to this meeting. Please hand your reports to the librarians by the 12th, that they may be sent to the secretary in time for him to make his report.
Franklin Howe, Director.
I now design meeting with the friends of the cause in Nebraska as follows: At the quarterly meetings of the Valparaiso, Saunders Co., church, March 10 and 11; Seward, Seward Co., March 17 and 18.
Also with the Decatur church, March 24 and 25. There are important matters which demand our attention at these meetings. Let all make a special effort to be present, and come seeking the blessing of the Lord. Opportunity for baptism will be offered at each of these meetings. Meetings to commence with the Sabbath.
Chas. L. Boyd.
Quarterly meeting of the church of Serena, La Salle Co., Ill., will be held March 26 and 27. Those that cannot attend, are expected to report by letter. Eld. G. W. Colcord is expected to be with us. There will be opportunity for baptism.
A. Nettleingham.
The T. and M. quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 12, Ia. and Neb. T. and M. Society, will be held at Stromsburg, Polk Co., Neb., Mar. 18. Let us have a report from every member. Hope each librarian will be present to hand in his report. If not, send your report to Mrs. Jennie Smith, Ceresco, Saunders Co., Neb.
E. D. Hurlburt, Director.
Quarterly T. and M. meeting for Dist. No. 2, at Roosevelt, N. Y., March 10 and 11. Eld. B. L. Whitney is expected to attend.
Daniel Bowe, Director.
Quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 9, Ia. and Neb. T. and M. Society, at Fonda, Ia., March 10 and 11. Do not forget to report.
W. B. Everhart, Director.
Quarterly meeting of the Ia. and Neb. T. and M. Society, Dist. No. 7, will be held at Adel, March 17 and 18. Let us have a report from every member.
A. J. Stiffler, Director.
Monthly meeting at So. Norridgewock, Me., commencing March 16, at 7 P. M., and continuing over Sabbath.
J. B. Goodrich.
The quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 13 will be held at Memphis, Mich., March 17 and 18. Let every member of the T. and M. Society report at this meeting. A general attendance is desired.
Wm. C. Hebner, Director.
I will meet with the church at Flint, Mich., Sabbath and first-day, March 24 and 25. Let all the scattered friends attend.
D. H. Lamson.
Providence permitting, the general quarterly meeting of the Iowa and Nebraska Tract and Missionary Society will be held at Sigourney, Iowa, Sabbath and Sunday, March 24 and 25. We desire a general attendance of the brethren and sisters from the surrounding country. We hope there will also be as many of the directors present as possible, to consider important business likely to come up. Arrangements should be made at this meeting for the purchase of a new tent for Nebraska; and the Conference camp-meeting committee should also be present, as this will be the last general meeting before the camp-meeting. Let there be a general rally.
Geo. I. Butler, Pres.
By request, Bro. O. A. Johnson, of Battle Creek, will speak at Ceresco, Mich., next Sabbath, March 10, at half-past 10 A. M. The brethren living near are requested to attend. Probably several from Battle Creek will be at this meeting. Let the appointment be thoroughly circulated in and around the village.
Quarterly meeting Dist. 3, Ia. and Neb. T. and M. Society, at Sigourney, Ia., Mar. 24, 25, in connection with general meeting. Send reports to T. P. McReynolds in season.
J. W. Adams, Director.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
By Uriah Smith
THE 144,000. H. YOUNGS: The statements respecting the 144,000 found in Thoughts on Revelation pp. 243 and 258, new edition, are explained in this way. The 144,000 are spoken of as translated from among the living, as they will all be alive when Christ appears; and this number can include those who have died under the third message, because, as we understand, they are to be raised before the Lord comes in that special resurrection spoken of in Dan. 12:2. Being then alive they witness the general resurrection of the righteous at the second coming of Christ, and are themselves then translated with the living. With this view, it is easy to understand Rev. 14:13, and Dan. 12:2.
BIBLE CHRONOLOGY. A. M. FARNSWORTH: What is called Bible Chronology, is not a chronology given us by inspiration, but simply a chronology which men have supplied, so it is of no more authority than any other chronology unless it can be shown to rest on better grounds. The chronology adopted by the translators of the Bible, is based on that of Archbishop Usher, and is hence commonly called Usher’s Chronology. But other chronologers have detected a number of serious errors in this. Wherever the Bible chronology agrees with the deductions of the best chronologers, it can of course be used to good advantage; where it does not, it must give place to that which is better authority. The best chronology places the commencement of Christ’s ministry in the autumn of A. D. 27, and his crucifixion in the spring of A. D. 31. Where the chronology given in the Bible does not agree with this we set it down as wrong. See Hales and Bliss.
THE SANCTUARY. “It is stated by a leading first day Adventist here in opposition to our view of the cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary that in the original Dan. 8:14 the word Sanctuary does not occur, but the word ‘Holies’ is used instead. Please explain through the REVIEW. One has received the Sabbath from among them here lately and others are much interested.” Wm. J. Boynton.
ANSWER: There are two words rendered sanctuary in the Old Testament: mikdash and kodesh. The latter is the word used in Dan. 8:13, 14. It is defined by Gesenius as follows: Holiness, sanctity, a holy thing, something sacred consecrated to God; a holy place, sanctuary, as the tabernacle. Ex. 28:43; 29:30, &c. And among the instances where it has this meaning, Gesenius mentions this passage, Dan. 8:14. It is sixty-three times rendered sanctuary in the Old Testament referring to the tabernacle built by Moses, and to the temple. It corresponds to the Greek, hagion, plural, hagia, the holies, or holy places, which Paul uses in Hebrews to describe the sanctuary of the new covenant. There can be no question whatever in regard to the object to which these words were applied, and if it is ever proper to call that the sanctuary, the translation of Dan. 8:13, 14, is correct.
S. A. SNYDER: See reply to your question in the note on the 144,000 in this number.
U. S.
Rutherford B. Hayes Declared Elected President
By C. W. S.
THE question of the presidency is at last decided, and RUTHERFORD B. HAYES is declared elected president of the United States for the next four years. It is to be hoped that the best men of both parties, having seen enough of wrangling and the fool-hardy attempts of narrow-minded, scheming politicians to plunge the country into confusion and anarchy, will unite their wisdom to calm the waves of passion and preserve the dignity and prosperity of the government and people. C. W. S.
Interesting: Health Reformer Magazine March Issue Review
By C. W. S.
Interesting.
THE HEALTH REFORMER for March comes out full of interesting matter. Under “Life Sketches,” the incidents in the life of Eld. Joseph Bates are given in a very attractive manner. The sketch of his eventful and exemplary life is finished in this number. “The Duties of a Mother,” by Mrs. E. G. White, should be read by every mother. The narrative style is pleasantly blended with the descriptive in the account of the “Visit to Middle Park,” by Mary L. Clough.
An interesting description of the “Big Trees” of California is given by Eld. J. H. Waggoner, who has lately visited them. The editorial, “Parlor Lectures,” &c., are clear and instructive, while the “People’s Department,” “Questions and Answers,” “Farm and Household,” “Popular Science,” and other departments, are well arranged, and calculated to edify and inform the reader.
Now is a good time to subscribe. Price $1.00 a year. Address, HEALTH REFORMER, Battle Creek, Mich. C. W. S.
Leaving Her to Her Fate.
By Uriah Smith
A DISPATCH from London, Eng., of recent date, says:—
“The Eastern question came up again in the house of lords last night, and a warm discussion took place, but no decisive action followed other than the defeat of a motion for an address to the queen, praying that she would adopt measures to prevent hostilities in the East, secure adherence to the treaties of 1856, and promote the welfare of the races subject to Turkey.”
The writer may not have regarded this as a very important matter, yet it looks to us most significant. A motion was made that the queen be solicited to take measures to stop hostilities, and cause Russia to adhere to the treaty of 1856, a treaty which closed the Crimean war. This treaty forbade Russia's making any warlike demonstrations in the Black Sea, against Turkey. The vote by which this motion was lost was in reality a declaration to this effect: Let hostilities go on; let Russia disregard the treaty of 1856; let Russia move from any and every quarter against Turkey; and let Turkey take whatever may come.
Another dispatch, dated Feb. 26, 1877, says:—
“LONDON, Feb. 26.—The Roumanian railways have been instructed to prepare within a few days to carry large transports of Russian troops to the Danube.”
This is regarded as a sign of imminent war.
U. S.
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 2 Recommended
By J. O. Corliss
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2.
THIS is a work long needed by the Christian world, and one that will be appreciated by all who read it carefully. Those who love the teachings of our Saviour will in this book see his daily life portrayed with such vividness, that it will seem a living reality to them; while the sublime truths inculcated in his earthly ministry are presented with a clearness that takes one seemingly into the very presence of Divinity.
Every family of Seventh-day Adventists should have a copy of this excellent work, not only to read themselves, but to lend to their unbelieving friends. Brethren, send one dollar to the Review Office and procure the book, and I think you will never regret it. J. O. CORLISS.
F. Urgos' Book.
By D. A. Grant
WE have read with much interest this sad story; and while it is deplorable that such terrible atrocities have been committed, yet we are glad to have them exposed. Who among us has passed through what this man has? May prayers go up to God in his behalf, and may those sightless eyes soon receive sight from the hand of the once crucified Saviour, and behold the King in his beauty. D. A. Grant.
Attention, Directors.
By J. Fargo
WE call the attention of the directors of the Mich. T. and M. Society to the remarks of Bro. Haskell in this number of the REVIEW in regard to the circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in this Conference, and the plan he suggests by which it can be accomplished. Will all the directors please estimate immediately the number that can be used in their respective districts, and either inform me immediately that I may order, or order themselves directly from the SIGNS Office. Let all act, and act at once, that there be no delay. Address me at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.
J. FARGO, Pres. Mich. T. and M. S.
FRANKLIN HOWE
By Franklin Howe
Mich. T. and M. Society, Dist. No. 6.
We have appointed our quarterly meeting at Orleans, this being the most central point, not following the order of change as has been our custom, hoping to have a general attendance which we have not had for the two last meetings. Brethren, this will be our first quarterly meeting for this year. There has not been as much done in this district as we all hoped at the commencement of the quarter would be done. We hope every member will make an effort to attend the meeting. Come, praying, and we will together seek the Lord for help and courage to go out, and wisdom to direct our steps, that more may be accomplished during the next quarter than has been done in the one that is now nearly past.
FRANKLIN HOWE
Jefferson, Marion Co., On.
THIS town is situated about nineteen miles south of Salem. Bro. A. T. Jones closed a course of fifty lectures there Feb. 12. Fifteen signed the covenant. Feb. 15, he commenced a course of lectures at the Spring Valley meeting-house six miles N. W. from Salem.
The P. O. address of Eld. E. B. Lane is Dayton, Rockingham Co., Va.
RECEIPTS
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money received pays—which should correspond with the Number of the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should be given.
$2.00 EACH. Elmina M Jackson 51-9, L G Tracy 51-9, Isaac Kaufman 51-9, J B Mock 51-9, C B Osborn 51-9, Eliza Rotch 50-25, H F Phelps 49-16, Mrs C Morton 51-9, H A Craw 51-3, James Sawyer 51-7, Sarah Richmond 51-9, Langdon Miller 49-1, Edgar Hoagland 51-7, Carroll Uhler 51-10, E S Kinney 51-9, Sarah Lane 51-9, E C Loughborough 51-10, Nerva Fouse 51-9, Wm Irwin 51-10, F Ferry 51-9, J B Trim 51-9, Leonard Sheldon 51-22, Robert Patton 51-9, M H Bates 51-7, Mrs M Slayton 51-12, Mary Reader 51-9, Gustavus Bernard 51-7, E B Lane 51-10, G H Hall 51-10, J Lowrey 51-10, A M Taplin 51-12, D Hutchinson 51-11, S Martin 51-9, L W Hastings 51-14, Mrs Sarah Hubbard 51-10, Freeman Nichols 51-8, J M Cady 51-1, H C Green 51-7, Johanna Ericson 51-9, August Peterson 51-9.
$1.00 EACH. E P Giles 50-1, John S Johnson 50-9, Elvira A Nutting 50-13, Perry Holloway 50-4, Mrs Ruth Parker 50-18, F C Castle 50-10, Mrs Wm Sprague 50-9, A R Knight 50-16, Geo M Dean 50-9, M A Holt 50-9, T Pritchard 50-9, Albert W Nary 50-9, A K Crosby 50-9, A B Oyen 50-7, John Montgomery Jr 50-9, Mrs M A Reed 50-9, L M Ogden 50-7, C Craft 50-9, Wm White 50-8, S E Deihl 50-7, Dwight Crumb 50-9, E Lake 50-9, B Morrill 50-9, C F Benton 50-18, J H Murray 50-11, M E Harmon 50-12, R Loveland 50-14, Mary Castle 50-9, L C Slawson 50-10, Ephraim Macomber 50-9, Alfred D Cox 50-9, Mrs Louisa Edwards 51-10, Marion Colwell 50-10.
Miscellaneous.
Wm Magee $4.00 48-1, Sarah Symonds 1.50 51-9, C Stiles 1.50 51-9, D T Sherman 50c 49-21, Susan Foale 50c 51-1, Y M C A 1.50 51-9, Ann Wilson 75c 50-9, A M Burden 1.50 51-9, James Hilton 50c 49-21, Asenath Barrows 1.50 51-9, Prudence Gay 1.50 51-9, Thos Thornton 5.25 49-7, Laura Ableson 1.50 51-9, Mrs E Temple 1.50 51-10, A Tubbs 1.50 51-9, Josiah Noel 1.50 51-10, M Edwards 50c 50-14, Betsey C Ward 1.50 51-10, Daniel Wood 95c 50-9.
Books Sent by Mail.
A M Goodwin 50c, John E Cash $1.00, G I Butler 3.00, Samuel K Pottenger 10c, Albert C Hardy 1.00, Wm White 2.00, A M Taplin 50c, J H Cook 9.60, Chas De Long 25c, Ole Martenson 25c, S H Merrill 1.00, Ella B Hollenbeck 28c, L C Hart 10c, M Wing 50c, Helen Smith 55c, S B Dyer 1.00, Mrs James J Finn 1.00, E W Farnsworth 4.96, Miss N E Johnson 10c, I T Vincent 10c, S L Vincent 10c, Geo Edgar 10c, Dr E J Hall 10c, M E Gilbert 10c, Wm Hosford 10c, Mrs R C Porter 10c, M Wheeler 10c, S A Baker 10c, W H Haskell 10c, Mrs P Haskell 10c, Mrs E A Stark 10c, J E Whiton 10c, J W Hadley 10c, M Augusta Green 1.00, Abner Bliss 1.00, B Sweat 1.00, G H Rogers 30c, D Laman 25c, E M French 1.00, Mrs Emma J Bane 1.00, M E Trefethen 15c, Mary E Sharp 16c, Miss E I Harris 1.00, Mrs C M Butterfield 10c, B H Lawrence 1.00, S P Nelson 15c, S D Payne 25c, Wm Parshall 1.00, J J Tay 1.50, C B Osborn 10c, F R Richmond 1.00, J S Maile 21c, W E Dawson 30c, J W Heath 4.29, Mrs C W Bainbridge 25c, Sarah F Owen 2.00, P G Carter 25c, Allie Rousseau 40c, Sada Moushent 25c, J D Rathburn 35c, Wm Chapman 1.00, James Sawyer 30c, Lamart Lancher 1.00, A Smith 50c, A D Jones 4.80, Mrs Horace Bristol 25c, H Smith 10c, James A Smith 25c, M E Cowell 15c, B F West 1.00, G T Berg 4.00, Fayette Kingsley 2.00, A S Perrin 25c, E D Hoagland 10c.
Books Sent by Express.
B L Whitney $5.75, M B Miller 3.75, Gustaf Freeman 5.00, A W Bunnell 9.76, Albert Avery 7.50.
Books Sent by Freight.
H E Hanson $2.10.
Cash Rec'd on Account.
H W Decker $50.00, D T Bourdeau per Bettie Coombs 5.00, A J Stover 62.50, N Eng T & M Society per S N Haskell 1200.00, Smith Sharp 3.20, Vt T & M Society per C L Bean 10.00.
Mich. Conf. Fund.
St Charles $40.00, Ovid 25.00, Greenville 128.42.
Mich. T. & M. Society.
Dist 2 E P Giles $1.00, Dist 8 H L Morse 1.00, Dist 6 34.81, Dist 7 30.00.
Book Fund.
Mrs Stephen Perkins $5.00, W J Reed 15.00, Chas Cowles 5.00.
Gen. T. & M. Society.
Stephen Pratt $1.00.
S. D. A. E. Society.
“A brother in New Eng” $10.00.
European Mission.
‘A brother in N Eng’ $10.00, C R Davis 25.00.
THE PACIFIC COAST.
(Abridged from SIGNS OF THE TIMES.)
Solano Co., Cal.
For a few weeks past, Bro. W. M. Healey has been laboring near Dixon, where the interest has been good, and several have decided to obey the truth. Meetings are to be held alternately at Dixon and Binghamton, six miles distant, these companies being united in one church, known as the Solano church. They number twenty, with twenty-five or thirty Sabbath-school children. Their S. B. for 1877 is $200.