Review and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 3.
MAGNIFICENT AURORA BOREALIS ENCOMPASSING THE WHOLE FIRMAMENT TO ITS FARTHEST BOUNDS.—1837Page 1
Earlier text: MAGNIFICENT AURORA BOREALIS ENCOMPASSING THE WHOLE FIRMAMENT TO ITS FARTHEST BOUNDS.—1837Verse 14. “And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.” And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem] The margin seems to have the better reading: “Thou also, O Judah, shall fight AGAINST Jerusalem.” The Douay version is to the same effect: “And even Judah shall fight against Jerusalem.” The prophet seems to pen this clause with surprise, that even the Jews will be engaged in the last great battle. The wealth of the heathen—gold—silver—apparel] These terms show unmistakably that the scene is at the beginning and not at the end of the 1000 years. For at the second resurrection we hear nothing of wealth, or money, or apparel. Verse 15. “And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.” This verse simply states that the plagues shall affect those beasts that are used as cavalry and for other purposes of war—the horses, camels, mules, asses, etc. The prophet Ezekiel doubtless speaks of the same host of mounted troops in chap. 38: 15; and in verse 22 he says that God will visit them with pestilence, an overflowing rain, hail, fire, and brimstone. Compare also Rev. 19: 19, 20. Also it should be kept in mind that the use of the word “plague” locates these events at the time just prior to the second advent. Verse 16. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” The “left of the nations” here refers to the last generation of Christians—the 144,000 who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. They are mentioned as the “few men left,” when the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and as the “gleaning grapes” and “the shaking of an olive tree,” when the vintage is done; also as the “left in Zion.” See Isa. 24: 6, 13, 14; 4: 2. Other texts speak of the same company as “the remnant,” and “little flock.” Rev. 12: 17; Luke 12: 32. The last church will have nothing to do with the rushing of the nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat. See other predictions of this gathering in Isa. 17: 12, 13; 13: 2–5. Shall go up—to keep the feast of tabernacles] This is a plain prediction of what the redeemed will do in the new-earth state. See Isa. 66: 22, 23. The immortal saints, from Sabbath to Sabbath, and from one new moon to another, appear before the Lord for his worship. Note also Rev. 22: 2, 14, where the tree of life is mentioned, with its monthly products, which will be eaten by the redeemed. In Rev. 21: 3, it is said, “Behold the tabernacle of God is with men.” The feast of tabernacles will doubtless be some heavenly service connected with the city which may not at present be fully understood. Among the Jews it was one of their three great annual feasts. It commemorated the forty years’ wandering in the wilderness. Perhaps it here refers to the grand re-union in the redeemed state after the pilgrimage of the church militant is over. Verse 17. “And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” This verse, with the two following, teaches a fearful truth. Those “families,” or nations, or peoples, who do not heed the last merciful call to men, will have no part in the heavenly Jerusalem, and also upon them there will be “no rain,”—they will not share in the latter rain which ripens the saints for the heavenly city, and in the time of trouble they will die of thirst and famine, and wilt beneath the scorching rays of a burning sun. When the rivers of water are dried up, Joel 1: 20, and the streams are turned to blood, Rev. 16: 4, and the sun scorches men with fire, Rev. 16: 8, those who have rejected the last call to the marriage supper will pine, and wither, and thirst, and hunger, and miserably perish. Truly they will have “no rain.” Verse 18. “And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.” The same thought presented in the previous verse is continued in this, with the additional idea that the family of Egypt will not go up “that have no rain.” Mark, in Egypt it seldom or never rains, the country being nourished by the inundations of the Nile. But when the rivers of water are dried up, in the time of the plagues, it will be to them the same as if there was no rain. In the last call to men, Egypt, as a nation, will have no particular interest, and so will not be prepared to keep the feast of tabernacles in the kingdom of God. The word “if,” in verse 18, is used in a hypothetical sense, as in Heb. 4: 5. It amounts to a strong affirmation, that Mahometan Egypt will not “go up,” and so will not participate in the heavenly festivities of the nations of the saved. There shall be the plague] Note, the plagues will come upon all who do not enter heartily into the closing work of preparing for the feast of tabernacles. Also these plagues are at the commencement of the 1000 years. And mark, the Lord will smite ALL the heathen who do not have a part in the closing message. The difference between the righteous and the wicked in the time of trouble is well set forth in Isa. 65: 13, 14, which should be carefully read. Verse 19. “This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.” That is, the Egyptians and some other nations will take no special part in the closing work, and so will have no part with the nations of the saved when the tabernacle of God shall be with men. In this connection it may be proper to call to mind the prophecy of Ezekiel, that Egypt should be “a base kingdom,” “the basest of the kingdoms.” Chap. 29: 13, 14. It has been cursed by Moslem despots for many centuries. It is used in Rev. 11: 8 as a symbol of infidelity and lewdness. Verse 20. “In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.” This is a prophecy of the holy, happy state of the family of the redeemed, when He whose right it is to rule shall be seated on the throne of his father David and reign forever. Luke 1: 32, 33. Verse 21. “Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.” The idea presented in verse 20 is here continued. But in describing the heavenly rest, such terms are employed as have direct reference to the temple service. This kind of language is frequently used in the Scriptures when speaking of the worship under the new covenant. Every pot in Jerusalem] In the New Jerusalem, shall be holy. In that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord] This is equivalent to Isa. 52: 1, “Henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” The wheat and tares grow together only until the end. This verse looks forward to the time when the subtle principle of sin shall be entirely exhausted, and God again have a CLEAN UNIVERSE. May the glad time hasten, when both reader and writer shall keep the feast of tabernacles in the kingdom of God. RABBI SIMEON'S PARABLE
By Margaret J. Preston
And it came to pass, as the sun waxed hot,
And crowds in the synagogue came and went,
That under an oak they pitched his tent,
And the Rabbi sat and taught. And ever and oft as his eyes would stray
Beyond the circle that girt him round,
On Lebanon’s slopes they rested—crowned
With its silvery crown alway; As along by the brinded belts of green,
Leading their flocks from rill to rill,
Up where the grass shone lusher still,
Were the distant shepherds seen. Then lifting his voice, the Rabbi spake
To his young disciples: “Behold ye, now,
Those sheep new-washen, on Horon’s brow,
Each fair as a fresh snow-flake; “And mark in their very midst, as well
Ye wondering may, where, quiet as though
It followed beside the mother doe,
There browses a brown gazelle. “And Imlah the shepherd avoucheth thus
Concerning the dappled thing: One day
As it watched from a crag the flocks at play,
Gamboling and riotous, “From its rocky haunts and its bleating dam’s
Udder unweaned, it straightway sped
Down into the pastured plain, and fed
As a lamb amidst the lambs. “And at folding-time when the day is o’er,
Wild-natured still and as shy as erst,
It follows the flock, and is oft-times first
To enter the wattled door. “And therefore doth Imlah the shepherd shield
It even with yet a gentler care
Than any his bosom weanlings share,
As he leadeth them all a-field. “He hath cherished them alway; they have left
No wilderness mates—no coverts grown
Beloved by reason of use—alone
To break from their native cleft “And join them with strangers. Hearken ye
Now unto my parable’s lesson: God,
Who guideth his chosen with staff and rod,
Where fairest the pastures be, “Doth welcome the alien, who to dwell
Among them all other ties hath riven,
With love that is passing tender—even
As the shepherd yon brown gazelle.” Using a Black Muslin Announcement Sign
- A yard and a half of black muslin (get the best) makes a nice and serviceable sign to pin on the canvas at the entrance of the tent. It may be used to announce the time of meeting, subject each day, etc., and is very convenient if any special announcement needs to be made. Write or print with a chalk school crayon, and the marks can readily be removed with a damp sponge. The muslin, with care, will last two or more seasons. A little practice will enable any one to print quite neatly. Till this is learned, write plain and very carefully. Beginners had better use fine thread as a chalk line, so as to keep letters straight and of desired size.
HATTIE T. SANBORN
By Hattie T. Sanborn
The year half gone, and what is its record? How have its days been employed? How have its hours been occupied? How have its moments been spent? What has the recording angel penned opposite our names? yes, my name? Might I not blush and hide my face in shame if I were to hear a semi-annual report of my life deeds? Have I done all in my power to “Let my lips and life express
The holy gospel I profess,
To let my works and virtues shine
To prove the doctrine all divine”? Many of us made New Year resolves to live more faithfully during the coming year than in the past. We reconsecrated ourselves to the work of the Lord, and really felt that we would double our diligence, accomplishing far more than ever before. Have we done this? Have we been redeeming the time? Have we been “buying up opportunities” for doing good? A retrospective view does not reveal to us a satisfactory record. A penetrating glance all along our path discovers to us steps taken which lacked the unyielding firmness that would have given character to our work. Moments of hesitation have resulted in lost opportunities for doing good to those who were perhaps sighing for an encouraging word, or reaching out for a helpful hand. The golden moment was not improved, and eternity alone can tell the result. Shall we continue a similar course throughout the year, impoverishing our own spiritual life, and giving occasion for stumbling to those who rightly enough look to us for an example? or shall we learn lessons from the past, and by a faithful performance of every known duty, gain strength daily, permitting the discipline of life to accomplish for us the design of the great Refiner? OUR WORK IN EUROPE.
By John Nevins Andrews
I esteem it a great privilege to set before the friends of truth in America a statement of our work in Europe and of the progress that we are making. If we cannot speak of as much accomplished as we could wish, we can yet say that something has been done, and that we are by no means disheartened. The past year has been a year of severe labor and of toil that has never seen an hour for cessation. Twelve numbers of our French paper have been issued in as many months; also a considerable number of tracts in editions of five thousand each. When we began to print our paper I had no just idea of the serious task upon which I was entering. I believed it possible to get out a monthly paper the size of the ADVENT REVIEW, and to print one or more forms of a tract each month, and yet have considerable time to devote to the public ministry of God’s word. If this work of printing had been in the English language, I could easily have done this. I did not for a moment cherish the idea that my work in Europe was simply to get out a paper and tracts. Nor did I suppose that in the work of publishing I was taking upon myself a burden that would tax my strength to the utmost and leave me no time for other work. I believed it possible to get ahead of my work and to have time to devote to public labor, and also to give a portion of my time each day either to the German or the French grammar. From necessity, I gave up nearly all correspondence, and even the reading of the Bible except for family worship or when studying it in the preparation of articles for our paper. But I could not get ahead of my work though I began very early and worked very late. In fact, it was a question whether I could get through with what I had undertaken. Twice, from exhaustion, I had periods of sickness, the second being a dangerous attack. But from the second sickness I have arisen with renewed health and strength that has been to me something wonderful. I can only say that it must be in answer to prayer. Though I had fallen much behind with the paper in consequence of my sickness, I have been able to print our twelfth number so as to mail it at the commencement of our twelfth month, and what is of great interest to me, for some weeks past I have been able to go out and give the Sabbath and first-day to the preaching of the word of God. I have found much help from God. And so I can say that a new era is commencing in my experience in Europe. With God’s blessing we can keep up the paper, and from this time forward I can give several days each week to the preaching of the word of God. I cannot express the joy that this thought gives me. The first number of our second volume is nearly finished. As soon as this is printed, if God permit, I shall go to visit Dr. Ribton, of Naples. I have been in correspondence with him concerning such visit for a considerable time. His last letter mentions one fact that greatly cheers my spirit. He has been sending LES SIGNES DES TEMPS to Bro. Bertoli, of Alexandria, in Egypt, whom Bro. Ribton terms a true and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Bro. Bertoli has embraced the Bible Sabbath. Let God be praised for this. I hope to remain in Italy two or three weeks. This will bring our second number a little behind, but we can soon get up again. Our paper goes to many countries. It is sent to many parts of France, to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey on the coast of France, to the West India Islands, to various places in Africa, to Canada, to the United States, and to most of the countries of Western Europe. In the last number of LES SIGNES, I requested those who were not interested to receive our paper to notify me by returning their paper, and only three have been returned. Nearly all who receive our paper in Switzerland, in Italy, in Alsace, and in Germany have paid for it. So, also, have a considerable part of those who receive it in France and in America. I must beg the friends in America to have all patience possible. You justly look for progress in the work in Europe. Your anxiety that we who are here should accomplish something for the cause of God is great, I know; but if you knew our anxiety, you would be satisfied we are not at ease in Zion. The burden is heavy upon our hearts when we fall asleep and heavy when we awake. But the Lord gives courage and strength and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is a greater task to really master the French and German languages than I supposed. But I must accomplish it. Others could do this with less labor than myself, but I do not believe that many would try harder than myself or make more persistent efforts. Errors are readily pardoned in a foreigner who tries to speak a language not his own, but they are not pardoned if he writes for the public. They will inevitably render the writer and his subject a matter of ridicule. We must not print the truth of God in a foreign language, unless we can do it with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Bro. Ertzenberger has taken time to revise three of our German tracts. I have taken the responsibility of printing Elihu for him, as he must have something to give the people when he preaches upon the Sabbath. He has begun a course of lectures in the city of Essen, with a good prospect of success. I think our brethren in Germany who have shared Bro. Ertzenberger’s labors have profited greatly by them. No means are required for his work in Germany. Bro. Bourdeau has labored under great disadvantages in France. He has put forth as great efforts as were possible for him to make. God has given him some success. I think twenty persons have embraced the Sabbath since he began to labor at Valence. The future of France now looks very threatening. If I go to Naples, I shall probably see Bro. Bourdeau within a very few days. I am grateful to God that the time has come that I can give a part of my time to the preaching of the word of God. I shall put forth my utmost efforts to keep up both branches of the work, the publication of the paper and the preaching of Christ and his truth. There are several in Switzerland who could render valuable assistance if they could give their time to the work. But some cannot because of worldly embarrassment, and others because of having to care for sick parents. Bro. Aufranc has rendered great assistance. Without his help, I could not have got along with our work. But with my approval, he has devoted a large part of his time to giving instruction in French in this city. He has thus earned a large part of the means necessary for the support of his family. We have practiced economy in all our personal expenses. I have used my best efforts to conduct our business in a prudent manner. We have had nothing destroyed, broken, or lost. I think the prices paid for labor and for materials are such as will bear examination. I recognize the hand of God in the wonderful restoration of my strength. God has heard prayer, I am certain. I ask that prayer may be offered, that God will give me the command of the German and the French languages. I shall put forth my best efforts; but there is nothing like the help of the Spirit of God. It will henceforward, as I trust, be possible to sustain both branches of the work, the printing and the preaching, and this, with the help of God, I shall strive to do. J. N. ANDREWS. 68 Müllerweg; Bâle, Suisse, June 21. SCIENTIFIC FOLLY.
By Uriah Smith
If Paul was living to-day, we think he would have more occasion than ever to reiterate what he said to the Romans: “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Read the following which a correspondent from Illinois says is going the rounds of the papers in his section:— “It is asserted by scientific writers that the number of persons who have existed on our globe since the beginning of time amounts to 66,627,843,237,075,256. These figures, when divided by 3,095,000, the number of square leagues on the globe, leaves 11,320,689,732 square miles of land, which being divided as before, gives 1,414,626,075 persons to each square mile. If we reduce these square miles to square rods, the number will be 1,853,174,600,000, which divided in a like manner will give 1,373 inhabitants to each square rod, and these being reduced to feet will give about five persons to each square foot of terra firma. It will thus be perceived that our earth is a vast cemetery. On each square rood of it 1,283 human beings lie buried, each rood being scarcely sufficient for ten graves, with each grave containing 128 persons. The whole surface of the globe, therefore, has been dug over 128 times to bury its dead.” We could scarcely believe that such nonsense had ever been published, had it not been sent to us in print. First look at some of its figures. The first figures are to be divided by the second, and the writer says it leaves the number expressed by the third array of figures. What does he mean by leaves? It cannot be the remainder, for the sum given is more than three thousand times as large as the divisor. He probably means the quotient. But let the reader divide the first by the second, and get the result for himself. He will not find a single figure correct. The quotient is nearly double what is there stated. But what is most marvellous in the matter is this: The first figures represent human beings; the second square leagues of land; and the third, resulting from the division of the first by the second, represents square miles. How it is that dividing the number of inhabitants, by the number of square leagues on the globe, will give the number of square miles, is a sort of arithmetical jugglery, we are not acquainted with. It is the same as it would be to say, Divide the number of horses in N. Y. city by the number of stables in said city, and it will give you the number of hen-coops in Boston! This astute calculator continues, “Which being divided as before.” Divided how? Divide the inhabitants again? What will this give us? If dividing inhabitants by leagues gives, first, square miles, dividing them again by the miles will probably give us square rods! Dividing by the square miles as he gives them, he says gives 1,414,626,075 persons to the square mile. Let the reader try this calculation, and he will find only 5,885,493 inhabitants to the sq. mile, over fourteen hundred millions less than this mathematician says! Again he says, “If we reduce these sq. miles to sq. rods the number will be 1,853,174,600,000.” Test this computation, and the reader will find 1,159,238,628,556,800 sq. rods, being 1,157,385,453,956,800 more than he has given us. He then proposes to divide the inhabitants by the number of sq. rods, and says it gives 1,373 inhabitants to each sq. rod; but taking the numbers he gives us as a basis, we can get no such result; we find instead, 30,557. So far he has not a single figure correct. Again, after stating that there have been 1,373 inhabitants buried upon every sq. rod, a little further on he says, “On each sq. rood . . . 1,283 human beings lie buried.” In one rood there are forty sq. rods, but the number he here gives for a rood, is 90 less than he had just claimed for each sq. rod! He goes on, “Each rood being scarcely sufficient for ten graves.” There being forty sq. rods in each rood, this would give us four square rods, or a space 16½ ft. wide by 66 ft. long for each grave! Surely he was making calculations for men in comparison with whom Goliath was a mere grasshopper. But if, as he says, there are 1,283 human beings in every rood, this would not give as he asserts 128 persons in every grave, but it would give every person 8½ feet for his own individual use. So much for the ridiculous absurdities of this piece of science which depend on the simple rules of multiplication and division. But what about the assumption with which this calculation starts out? How does this writer know that the number of persons who have lived since the beginning of time amounts to the quadrillions he names? Oh! scientific (?) writers assert it, and there are some folks, who, if you will only label it “science,” will swallow a chestnut burr and call it a cherry! Let us then look at this matter a little further. There are according to the most careful estimates, about thirteen hundred millions (1,300,000,000) of human beings on the earth to-day. We will suppose that the race started with this number, instead of a single pair as the Bible asserts, and that a generation has passed away, according to the present short-lived standard, every thirty-three years. How many human beings will this calculation give us to the present time? Make what concessions we will to the pretensions of geology, it cannot be claimed that any traces of human beings are found farther back than 6,000 years ago, the length of time given us in the Mosaic record. On our calculation of a generation for every thirty-three years, or three generations for each 100 years, this would give us 180 generations of 1,300,000,000 each, amounting to two hundred and thirty-four thousand millions (234,000,000,000) of human beings to the present time. This is certainly a very liberal estimate, much more than the reality demands; but for the sake of satisfying the most extravagant claims, we are willing to go upon this basis. Now how much land would it take to give this company decent and uncrowded burial room. A space 2 ft. wide and 6 ft. long, 12 sq. feet, for each one, considering the many children who die, would be an abundant average. This would call for 2,808,000,000,000 square ft. =312,000,000,000 square yards =10,314,041,322 square rods, =257,851,033 roods, =64,462,758 square acres, =100,723 square miles. How much of the earth’s territory would this take up? There are in the United States alone 3,611,689 square miles, and in the single State of Colorado 104,500 square miles. Therefore there is room enough in Colorado alone, for every being that has ever lived, to find a grave 2 ft. by 6, and occupy it alone with none above or beneath him. These are plain facts which any schoolboy can easily figure out for himself. How inconceivably ridiculous, and how imposing in its scientific pomposity, is therefore, the statement that the whole surface of the earth has been dug over 128 times to bury the dead! Reader, lay this fact up on some prominent shelf in your memory, where you can look at it when you will, that the single State of Colorado, is sufficient to give to every one who has ever lived in this world a clear title to twelve square feet, and have abundance of room to spare besides. And when science arises with such absurd pretensions to cloud the record of Moses, or the doctrine of the resurrection, smite its putty face with this iron-fisted fact. U. S. LOOKING FOR CHRIST AND LOVING HIS APPEARING.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
The apostle Paul assures us that to those who look for Christ he will appear the second time without sin unto salvation, and that a crown of righteousness will be given in that day to all those who love his appearing. Heb. 9:28; 2 Tim. 4:8. And yet multitudes who profess to love Christ are not willing to hear the evidences contained in the Bible of the nearness of the coming of Him whom they profess to love. Is it possible that those who really love Christ can feel an aversion to his soon coming? Will the wife who loves her absent husband be averse to hearing the evidence that he is soon to return, sooner than she had hoped? Will she say to her children who come to her with the glad news that father is soon coming home, that she don't believe it, and that she don't want to hear anything about it? Would this evince a sincere love for her husband? Yet there are thousands upon thousands of those who profess to love Christ, who have a decided aversion—in plain English, hatred—to the preaching of the evidences found in the Bible of his soon coming. This being the case now, in case his coming should be deferred to some future generation, is it not probable, yes, certain, that this hatred to the doctrine will continue, so that when he does come he will find the mass of those who profess to love him still hating the doctrine of his soon coming? And if he is to come at all, this doctrine will be true at some time, if it is not now. Who knows that it is not true now? Professed Christians are not willing to hear the evidences on this point, and the prospect is that they never will be willing. They say, “He will not come in our day.” And so it will be; so that if he does not come till his professed people are willing, he never will come at all. But the prayer of the true believer and lover of Christ is, “Thy kingdom come.” “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Speaking of his second coming in glory to reward every one according to his works, Jesus asked the significant question, implying the most emphatic negative, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith upon the earth?” This shows that faith in that coming will be rare. By reading the discourses of devout ministers21 of a few generations in the past, we see that they had much more to say of the Judgment and of the coming of Christ than we hear in the preaching of to-day. Consequently, viewed aright, this want of a lively faith in the coming of that day does really constitute a sign that the day is at hand. Christian, arouse thee! Can you not see the increasing disposition of the professed church to close her eyes and ears to the increasing evidences of the nearness of the coming of Christ, an unwillingness to look for him, and a dread of the doctrine,—which implies hatred of, rather than a love for, his appearing? Shall our blessed Lord find you in this position at his coming? Look at the signs of our times—the fulfillment of the prophecies describing the last days. Seek a greater love for Christ, and cultivate, by frequent self-examination, a love for his appearing. In what other way can you be of that happy number who love his appearing? When you are really a lover of his appearing, you will love to hear the evidences of his soon coming proclaimed; for these evidences abound in the word of God. R. F. COTTRELL. SOUTHERN FRANCE.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
We are having profitable meetings with the Sabbath-keepers in Valence and vicinity. We are seventeen, in all, keeping the Sabbath. The believers are making advancement in spirituality, and indorse the Bible view on baptism. Some have already asked to be baptized. We purpose to comply with their request, even should we, on account of stringent laws, be compelled to do it in the night. Bro. Gabert has made two trips among his friends as a colporteur, and though he has met fierce opposition, yet he reports success in removing prejudice and in talking the truth in families. Several families appreciate his testimony, expressing a desire to hear him further. His courage is good. I shall probably accompany him on his next trip. Mrs. B. and myself have also had a very encouraging visit with several families in the city of Crest, some of whom are advancing in the study of present truth. Rue du Parc, 10, Valence, France, June 24. DON'T CURSE YOUR CHILDREN WITH MONEY.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Who are the well-to-do men of this generation? Who are the industrious, useful citizens who have homes, and are out of debt? Who are the teachers and business men, and persons filling honorable offices in our nation to-day? With few exceptions, they are children of poor men of the former generation. Look around you a little, and see if this is not the truth. It will be seen that property changes families every succeeding generation. The sons and daughters of the wealthy men of the last generation have become the bankrupt, broken-down, ruined, and poverty-stricken old men of this generation, while the sons and daughters of the poor men of the last generation are now the intelligent, industrious, well-to-do, and even rich persons of this generation. There are a few exceptions, to be sure; but this is the general rule. Observe, and see if this is not so. I have noticed it myself, and have often heard others remark the same. This is not astonishing. Indeed, it is a natural consequence from the conditions in the case. Here is a boy growing up. His parents are in easy circumstances, or, perhaps, wealthy. He is always provided with a good home, plenty to eat, good clothes, and lots of presents. He comes to look upon himself as a privileged character. He takes these blessings as a matter of course. As he grows up, he feels that he is not compelled to deny himself, to use strict economy, and to work hard, as poor boys have to do; hence he falls into the habit of always getting whatever he wants, spending money freely, and allowing himself to idle away much of his time. Moreover, he is constantly saying to himself that if he does not earn so much money himself, when he becomes of age his father will help him, and when father dies he will have a good property any way without working for it. Habits of idleness and luxury are formed, and he grows up without knowing how to economize closely. He does not learn to lean upon himself and make his own living. Now it often happens in such cases that when a man comes into possession of property, he does not know how to take care of it. It slips through his fingers, here a little and there a little. Bad moves are made, poor trades are entered into, and the first he knows, he is a poor man, perhaps now in the middle of life. Now it is too late to form habits, and learn what he might have learned when he was a boy. The consequence is, he has to eat at a poor man's table the remainder of his life. But worse than this, how frequently it is the case that children of wealthy parents learn to look forward with some interest to the death of “the old man,” when they shall have the property for themselves! The sooner that event occurs the better they like it; and if there are several children, there is quite certain to be hard feelings, wrangling, and quarreling, over the property as soon as the father is dead. He cannot please them all, and often pleases none of them. They curse him in their hearts, and soon squander what he left them. I can call up case after case which I have known myself where property left in this manner has been a very great curse to the children. Brethren, you know that this is so. You see many illustrations of it all around you. You talk about it yourself, and tell how foolish it is; yet a good many of you are doing this very thing. I can go from church to church, and find brethren who already have more than enough to keep them comfortable the remainder of their lives, and yet these men are practicing the most rigid economy. They dress very plainly, cut down their expenses everywhere they can, and work very hard all the time. They are so anxious about their affairs that they cannot take proper time for the worship of God. They are so tired with the week's work, are so tied at home with worldly cares, that they can hardly get to the Sabbath meeting. As to the prayer-meetings, they cannot possibly find time to attend them; and often family worship is dropped because they are so hurried that they have not time to attend to it. Secret prayer is neglected almost entirely, the word of God is read but very little, and their thoughts are on these worldly things. They have children. For them they are saving their few thousand dollars. In many cases, these very children are growing up selfish, proud, and worldly, and even disobedient. By and by they will be anxious for their parents to die, that they may step into their shoes; and they will curse them then because they did not leave them more. Are you acting wisely in this matter? If you stop and think soberly, your conscience and better judgment will convict you of taking a foolish course. Of course, it is a man's duty to help his children to a reasonable extent. His first duty is to bring them up to be industrious and to work for themselves. Then give them a good, thorough education. His duty is then largely done, so far as the world is concerned. If you ever intend to help them, when they start in business or commence housekeeping is the best time to do it. While you are alive and with them, and can give them good advice and see how they practice it, is the time to do for them nearly all you ever expect to do. Don't calculate to leave a large sum for them when you are dead. Better leave it to the cause of God; or rather, and this is really the only safe and sensible plan, you had better donate to the cause of God, with your own hand, while alive, a good share of what you ever expect to do for it. My brother, don't keep several thousand dollars, to be turned over to the cause, all in a lump, when you cannot hold it any longer. It may go where you want it to, and it may not; besides, you lose the satisfaction of seeing it do good while you live. How much better to slice off a little every year, and put it in now, while the cause needs it so badly. Suppose your property is cut down a little? Your years are also becoming very short. Is there any sense in a couple sixty-five or seventy years of age hoarding up from five to ten thousand dollars, to be kept until they die? They never will use all that, nor scarcely the interest on it. How much better it would be to wear it down a little every year by giving liberally to the cause! Come, brethren and sisters, do not let the love of money blind your eyes in this matter. How can you read the solemn warnings in the Bible with regard to covetousness, and never take them to yourself? How can you read the solemn appeals for means to help the cause, and never have them move your benevolence? It is time that many in the State of New York awoke upon this point. I know of some in other States who need the same advice; but this is particularly applicable in New York. There is a large number of aged brethren and sisters here who are worth their thousands, from whom I see no contributions to any branch of the cause, or, at least, none to amount to anything. Perhaps five or ten dollars, here and there, three or four times a year, is about the extent of what they give, and even this comes like pulling teeth. Brethren, if the cause of God is to be revived in this Conference, you must do your duty. While you pray, season your prayers with your free-will offerings. Brother or sister, you who are reading this article, don't say that it does not mean me. All might say that, and then I should lose my labor. D. M. CANRIGHT.