[THE following good article I find in the “Union Hand Book” of the Cincinnati Times. I commend it to the careful attention of the readers of the REVIEW. D. M. CANRIGHT:]
For a Fit of Passion.—Walk out in the open air; you may speak your mind to the winds without hurting any one, or proclaiming yourself to be a simpleton.
For a Fit of Idleness.—Count the ticking of a clock. Do this for one hour, and you will be glad to pull off your coat the next and work like a hero.
For a Fit of Extravagance and Folly.—Go to the work-house, or speak to the ragged and wretched inmates of a jail, and you will be convinced—
Who makes his bed of brier and thorn
Must be content to lie forlorn.
For a Fit of Ambition.—Go into the churchyard and read the grave stones; they will tell you the end of ambition. The grave will soon be your bedchamber, the earth your pillow, corruption your father, and the worm your mother and your sister.
For a Fit of Repining.—Look about for the halt and the blind, and visit the bedridden and afflicted and deranged; and they will make you ashamed of complaining of your lighter afflictions.
For a Fit of Despondency.—Look on the good things which God has given you in this world, and at those which he has promised to his followers in the next. He who goes into his garden to look for cobwebs and spiders, no doubt will find them; while he who looks for a flower may return into his house with one blooming in his bosom.
For all Fits of Doubt, Perplexity, and Fear.—Whether they affect the body or the mind; whether they are a load to the shoulders, the head, or the heart, the following is a radical cure which may be relied on, for I had it from the Great Physician: “Cast thy burden on the Lord, he will sustain thee.”
Right Living.
By M. J. C.
No one claims to live right; hence we conclude no one does so live, and that because no one does, no one can. Consequently we lay down our watch, and if we make any efforts they are so weak and faint that Satan smiles in triumph. He is sure of his prey when the professed Christian pays so little heed to his doings, as to be unable to tell whether he is denying self or yielding to self. Ah! where is the watching! We must watch. If we want to labor for the Lord, watch for opportunities. When another spoke to you in such a fruitful way of a mere trifle, and you with such an effort kept back the quick self-justifying reply, and answered instead, calmly and kindly, was there not something gained in the work of dying to self? True, it was not your own strength that accomplished the little. Thank your Heavenly Father for the strength that enabled you to die to self in this little trial, and when another comes, trust and pray.
When the children fret and try you, and you in haste and anger reprove, do you not give way to self? Yes; you know it, if you will only pause in your haste and consider. Here was work to do for the Lord, but you failed, failed to watch and pray, and self-conquered. Oh self! how easily it comes in. Before we know it, self has the ascendancy. "It is the daily dying to self in the little transactions of life that makes us overcomers." Here is the secret, in the little things. There is a vast sermon in the little sentence I have quoted above. Study it, act upon it, and then with God's help you will have the unspeakable joy of being an overcomer.
M. J. C.
Home Life.
By Hepworth
The other day I chanced to enter a friend's house. He did not know I was in the parlor, and I overheard his conversation. He was very harsh in his dealings with his child. He was "out of sorts" that morning. "The wind was east," and the east wind blew into his lungs, and into his soul, and soured his mind, and soured his heart, and so, like a base miscreant, as he was, he vented his bad temper on his wife and children. It is a bad habit some men have.
This man was talking in a hard, unchristian manner—talking as no father should talk. He had lost his temper. He was saying what he would be sorry for in a few moments. And then the servant announced my presence. Mind you, the man would have said he could not help it: “The boy teased me! He did what I cannot endure, and on the impulse of the moment I spoke my anger. I could not control myself.”
There was a frown on his face; but when I was announced, being more or less of a stranger, demanding of him certain courtesies, he at once smoothed his face as though nothing had happened—as though the sun was shining brightly in the heavens, and the wind was south and not east. He came into the room where I was, and, in the most cordial and courteous way possible, gave me his hand, and smilingly bade me welcome.
He could not control himself, simply because he did not think enough of his boy—because he did not sufficiently appreciate his family; and because he thought that his home was a den in which he could roar with impunity, and not the great temple of God, where he should walk as priest and king.
And yet I, almost a stranger, was strong in my presence, to cause him at once to cool down into courtesy, into affability, into politeness.
I tell you that many and many a man, and many and many a woman, in this strange world of ours, in which many things seem to go wrong, will be gentle, and kind, and charitable, and full of smiles outside of their houses, with strangers, for whose opinion they do not care one jot or one tittle, and in the houses where the happiness of years depends upon their sweetness of soul, and where they are constantly shedding influences that will ripen into the good or bad life of a boy or girl, will yield to a pettishness and peevishness, unworthy of them as men and women, and wholly unworthy of them as Christians.—Hepworth.
Unbelief.
By Thirza M. Foster
“TAKE heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” Heb. 3:4.
It was unbelief that overthrew the Israelites in the wilderness. Because of unbelief they could not enter the land of promise. They limited the power of God. They did not place dependence on his word. They were continually murmuring and complaining of him. They distrusted divine Providence. They would say, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? They feared that God was going to starve and kill them. By their unbelieving spirit they became a prey to Satan and evil angels. Their example is written for our admonition. Satan is still seeking whom he may devour. He makes his first advance upon us by exciting unbelieving thoughts in our hearts. When we begin to disbelieve or doubt some point of present truth, he is encouraged. When he sees us falter, and hears us begin to say, Who knows whether these things are so, he rejoices; and when we murmur and complain about the strait way in which God is leading his people, he multiplies his temptations. Then we lose the power to resist his assaults, and soon we become his victims.
Oh, the sin of unbelief! Let us watch against it, and bar it from our hearts. We want to be able to go up and possess the goodly land. We do not want to be among the fearful and unbelieving who will be left outside the city of God. We want to place our feet upon Canaan’s fair plains. We want to enjoy its blissful clime, eat of its immortal fruit, and drink of its crystal stream. Then let us believe God, believe his Son, believe his truth. Let us not be of them who draw back to perdition; but of them who believe to the saving of the soul.
THIRZA M. FOSTER.
Walworth Co., Wis.
A Small Sabbathkeeping Company in Kansas
By Mary L. Hoover
From Sr. Hoover.
Dear Brethren and Sisters: As I read the cheerful communications from the little flock, I feel like casting in my testimony with theirs, on the side of truth.
My husband, brother, and myself, commenced keeping the Sabbath about seven months ago. There are only two families here. We meet every Sabbath for social meetings and Bible Class.
We are only five in number, but the Lord meets with us, and we are strengthened to fight on in the battle against the many opposers which we have. We have great pleasure in reading the REVIEW, which we have received only a short time. We would be glad if we could have some help here. I think there might be a great deal of good done. We are anxious to hear preaching, and willing to do our part toward supporting the cause.
I am determined to strive to overcome, that I may be found with the redeemed on Mount Zion. Pray for your unworthy sister, MARY L. HOOVER.
Riley Co., Kansas, May, 1870.
When Religion Doesn’t Agree With You
S. C. HALL related the following anecdote at the dinner-table of a distinguished poet in London: “A worldling was once visited, in his illness, by a well-meaning but dolorous clergyman, who disfigured his countenance and wore a face of perpetual mourning. As his sad visage appeared in the doorway, the sick man started up and exclaimed: ‘Why! what’s the matter? You look as if your religion didn’t agree with you!’”
Home Life
The article on “Home Life,” in another column, deserves to be written in letters of gold on every door of every man's dwelling.
Great Words of the Little Horn.
From Dan. 7:11, we can easily infer that the presumptuous and blasphemous utterances of the Papal power would continue till very near the point of its utter destruction at the second coming of Christ. Its horrid presumption was bad enough in the blackest period of the dark ages. How it sounds in this age of light and freedom! And what a commentary upon the state of the world, even at the present time, is the fact that nearly one hundred and eighty-six millions of the human race will receive it all as the voice of God. A late New York paper has this paragraph:
“Archbishop Manning has a high opinion of ‘His Holiness’ the Pope. In speaking of him recently he used the following language: ‘The Roman Pontiff—that is, the whole church of God, for it is all contained in him—and where the head acts, all act with him.’ A very comprehensive individual is this Pope. Further on, in the same discourse, he quotes him as saying, ‘I claim to be the supreme judge and director of the consciences of men—of the peasant that tills the field, and the prince that sits on the throne; of the household that lives in the shades of privacy, and the legislature that makes laws for kingdoms. I am the sole last supreme judge of what is right and wrong.’ Verily, history is repeating itself. These sentences read as if they might have been written in the fourteenth century instead of in these days of light and religious knowledge, and civil liberty. But still, it is but the outspeaking of the sentiments which lie at the foundation of the Romish system.”
Note from Bro. Byington.
By John Byington
Our Monthly Meeting in Newton, May 14, 1870, was well attended, and a searching, practical discourse given by Bro. Waggoner, from Heb. 10:35-39. Remarks on faith and the trial of the faith of the people of God in the time of the end were made, which should be remembered by us all. After the sermon, nearly all professing the truth took part in a social interview. We think all were encouraged to try more fervently to overcome.
J. BYINGTON.
Quarterly Report Blanks
By W. C. Gage
Clerks of churches in the Michigan Conference who are not provided with blanks with which to make their quarterly reports to the Conference, can receive them by sending their address and a stamp for postage. W. C. GAGE.
First Appearance of Northern Lights in New England.
By John Nevins Andrews
THE Northern Lights were not seen in this country till ninety-nine years after the landing of the Puritans at Plymouth. The following important statement is found in Willard's “Abridged History of the United States,” edition 1869, p. 146:
“A phenomenon, singular at the time, and not yet satisfactorily explained, alarmed the people of New England in 1719. This was the Aurora Borealis, first noticed in the country, on the night of the 17th of December. Its appearance, according to the writers of the day, was more calculated to excite terror than later appearances of the same kind.” J. N. A.
A Lie Is Like a Snowball
A LIE is like a snowball; the longer it is rolled the larger it is.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Care for the Children.
“It is right to learn even from an enemy,” says the old proverb. The following paragraph shows how a Romanist came to reveal the secret of their policy toward their youth and children, which is the great source of strength with that colossal system of iniquity. How many Protestants might learn a lesson from this disclosure:—
“A Romish priest on a certain occasion, was journeying in company with several Protestant clergymen, and in the familiarity growing naturally out of the intimate companionship of travel, was betrayed into a disclosure of their sentiments. ‘How utterly silly,’ he said, ‘are all you Protestants! You give up the children till they have grown up possessed of the devil, then you go at the work of reclaiming them with horse, foot and dragoons, and find that your grown-up devil is too much for you. We know the difficulty of doing anything with adults, and devote nearly all our energies to the children, well knowing that every child is as plastic clay under our hands.’”
Notice.
By THOMAS LANE; CYRUS JUNE; AMBROSE WHITE
We, the undersigned, appointed a committee at the Monthly Meeting held in Newton, May 14, 1870, to arrange for the general meetings of the churches of Calhoun County, report that in our judgment our general meetings should hold two days; and as, probably, a two-days' meeting would not be well sustained monthly, therefore we recommend once in two or three months, and this to be decided at our next meeting, to be held the second Sabbath in June, in Convis, commencing on Friday, at six o'clock, P. M., and continuing two days. Will brethren, coming to this meeting, bring grain for their teams, as some families may not have it.
THOMAS LANE,
CYRUS JUNE,
AMBROSE WHITE, } Committee.
Save your Breath.
By R. F. Cottrell
The man that is troubled with doubts concerning the inspiration of the Bible, who will candidly state his difficulties and listen to arguments calculated to remove them, is deserving of all the aid we can give. I can freely converse with such, and feel in duty bound to labor to present arguments that may remove their difficulties. But when I see one who not only disbelieves the Bible, but delights to speak against it, venting his rage in contradicting and blaspheming, I feel no duty or disposition to talk with him upon the subject. I would rather change the conversation to other themes—the weather, crops, markets, enterprises and worldly business—and leave the conversation, and cut his company the cheapest way I can.
There is an injunction to cast not your pearls before swine. If you have any choice pearls, brother, sister, keep them for those who can appreciate them. It is said that praying breath is never spent in vain. But when you meet with bold blasphemers, my advice to you is, Save your breath.
R. F. COTTRELL.
English Bibles.
We will furnish by mail, post-paid, the following-named English Bibles, on receipt of the name and address of the purchaser, and the amount of money set to the kind ordered.
General Camp-meetings of S. D. Adventists are to be held in the West as follows:—
Marion, Iowa, June 9-14.
Nora, Ill., " 16-21.
Wasioja, Minn., " 23-28.
Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, June 30, to July 5.
These meetings are designed to be occasions of a general rally of the Sabbath-keepers in their respective States. See more particular notice in previous Reviews.
Providence permitting, I will meet with the brethren at Matherton, May 28. The Monthly Meeting for Fair Plains, Orleans, Bushnell, and Stanton, will be held at Fair Plains, June 4.
S. H. King.
The Lord willing, the next Monthly Meeting, for the friends of the cause in the vicinity of Nora, Ill., will be held, in our new tent, near Nora, June 4 and 5. We expect to continue the meetings up to the time of our Camp-meeting, and after, if the interest demands. Dear brethren, pray that the blessing of God may attend our efforts to extend the knowledge of the truth, and to try to persuade our fellow-men to prepare for the coming of our Lord.
T. M. Steward,
R. F. Andrews.
The Lord willing, I will meet the following appointments: Miller district, Oswego Co., N. Y., June 4 and 5; Happy Valley, 11 and 12. The ordinance of baptism, and other business for the good of the cause of truth, will be attended to at these meetings.
C. O. Taylor.
Providence permitting, I will meet with the brethren in Addison Co., Vt., where Brn. Hall and Prescott shall appoint, the third and fourth Sabbaths in May, 21 and 28; and in Jamaica the first Sabbath in June, and remain as long as may be duty.
N. Orcutt.
Died, in Blakeville, N. H., April 24, 1870, Moses, son of Samuel and Lovilla Martin, aged 17 years. May the Lord sustain the afflicted family.
Funeral discourse from Rom. 8: 28. S. N. Haskell.
On account of sickness in my family, I was unable to meet with the church in Quarterly Meeting at Gridley, in May. I now appoint to be with them June 4 and 5. Hope all the friends of the truth in McLean Co., and adjoining counties, will make an effort to come to this meeting. H. G. Buxton will be with us. The meeting will be held at the Gregory school-house.
Wm. H. Slown.
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 Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. G Glasby 37-22, Wealthy McNitt 35-24, Rachel F Cary 37-23, A W Cummings 36-14, S O Wiser 37-23, Margaret McColloch 37-23, J S Wilcox 37-23, Abel Fletcher 37-21, Robt Hardy 35-16, M Shallenberger 36-14, Mary Selby 36-25, A P Yerger 36-23, Francis Mortimer 36-23, J L Martin 37-23, E Fairbanks 36-12, Harvey Graves 36-12.
$2.00 each. Sarah Wilkinson 37-23, Dan Hewitt 37-23, J S Hight 37-18, Warren Coon 37-4, Asa A Lockwood 37-1, W Fairbanks 37-12.
Miscellaneous. L S Hopkins $4.00 38-8, W H Colcord 50c 34-20, G P Cushman 3.00 37-17, A Knowles 2.62 36-23, R R Glover 50c 36-23, W Eggleston 3.00 37-7.
Cash Received on Account.
I W Barker $1.00, John Atkinson 7.84.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church in Holly $39.10, Vergennes 20.00, Alma 15.00.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Michigan Conference $1000.00, C K Farnsworth 5.00, H W Dodge 1.00, A P Farnsworth 1.00, W Eggleston 25.00.
Received on Book and Tract Fund.
H Hilliard and wife $17.00, F L Hilliard 3.00, A H Hall and wife 8.25, Mary Tew 75c, S Crosbie 5.00, H Crisbie 15.00, T Coburn 1.00, Sybil Whitney 5.00, James Hackett 20c, Samuel Smith 3.00, N Ward 2.00, A Brant 5.00, S H Haskett 4.00, C D Rasmussen 5.00, J Peterson 2.00, N Hansen 2.00, P Peterson 2.00, L Peterson 2.00, S Hansen 1.00, N Christensen 2.00, A Friend 50c, Hans Nielsen 2.00, Sylvia 4.00, Mary A Chute 50c.
Books Sent by Mail.
Thomas Thornton $2.60, C E Lewis 34c, John Matteson 4.17, S Wilkinson 1.12, Pierce Hackett 50c, Elizabeth Gilbert 36c, Hannah Crandall 6c, Emeline M Woodruff 10c, Joseph Lawless 25c, James Lawlers 25c, Nelson Gabert 1.12, M W Kerns 1.58, R Quinling 15c, A B Kniffin 15c, Timothy Bryant 1.50, Elisha McMillan 3.25.
In Review
IN REVIEW, No. 15, an article was copied from the N. Y. Independent, in which strong ground was taken against the proposed religious amendment of the Constitution of the United States, showing that it was the very doctrine adopted by the Pope of Rome and his cardinals, and one which would tend toward the despotism of the dark ages. But we do not predict many such articles, even from the Independent. Public opinion is changing too rapidly, and seeking utterance too freely, in favor of the proposed change. In the Independent of May 12, 1870, is an article from Prof. T. Lewis, speaking in quite a different strain. He argues that the implied and tacit acknowledgment of Christianity in the Constitution is not now sufficient; that the enemies of good government and religion have forced the issue upon us; and that now there must be a formal and public assertion of the nation's Christianity, or we must “submit to a series of never-intermitting aggressions, which can only end in wholly dechristianizing and dereligionizing our political being.”
Let any considerable number of the American people become thoroughly possessed with this idea, and the constitutional recognition of Christianity, with all that it involves, will soon be secured.