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Review Herald, Vol. 54, No. 21.

General Conference of S. D. Adventists
Earlier text: General Conference of S. D. Adventists

FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE S. D. A. EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY.

By James White; Uriah Smith

Stockholders in the Educational Society assembled, according to appointment, in Battle Creek, Nov. 9, at 9 A. M. Hymn 7 of Spiritual Songs was sung, and the meeting was opened with prayer by the President, Eld. James White.
The roll being called, there were found to be present sixty-seven stockholders, representing 816 shares.
The President being called away, he requested Prof. S. Brownberger to occupy the chair.
Minutes of last yearly session read and approved.
The Chair, being authorized to appoint the usual committees, appointed Elds. S. N. Haskell, H. W. Decker, and D. M. Canright as a Committee on Nominations, and W. C. White, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, and C. W. Stone as a Committee on Resolutions.
A statement of the present condition of the College being called for, the Principal, Prof. S. Brownberger, gave a very interesting account of the workings of the institution, financial and literary. The debt is continually decreasing, having fallen from $12,000 in 1875 to less than $8,000 last year, to be reduced to about $6,000 the present year.
The attendance the past year has been 426, while the prospect for the present year is, that there will be a larger attendance than in any previous year.
He spoke of the additions which have been made in departments and teachers to meet the growing demands of the school. Three new departments have been added,—the Normal, or Teachers’ Institute, a Commercial and a Primary Department. He spoke also of the advantages of the new arrangement of terms, which makes it possible for those who wish to engage in winter teaching or summer labor to put in complete terms in the fall and spring without interfering with their engagements or plans.
Prof. G. H. Bell spoke of his encouragement in regard to the school. His courage and hope in this enterprise were never better. He spoke of the difficulties which have beset the efforts to maintain the moral standing and discipline of the school, and the success which has triumphed, and will triumph, over all these.
W. C. White spoke of the reason why the addition of new departments and extended courses of instruction must increase the expenses of the College without a corresponding increase of income. His explanation of the necessity of these departments, and his defense of them and statement of their advantages, were full and complete. At the conclusion of his remarks, he Moved, That the Secretary be hereby instructed to appoint a committee composed of one person from each State to look over the list of unpaid pledges, make such revisions as necessary, and suggest some means by which to collect the amounts due.
This was amended by substituting in place of one person from each State, a committee of three, to whom the presidents of the different State Conferences should report in this matter, so far as it concerned their respective Conferences.
As amended, the motion was carried.
In obedience to these instructions, the Secretary appointed Brn. A. O. Burrill, E. R. Jones, and D. M. Canright as said Committee.
Eld. D. M. Canright urged the necessity of ministers acting as special agents of the School, to labor to secure for it the requisite patronage.
Prof. G. H. Bell spoke of the necessity of a portion of the time being spent by students in physical labor, in connection with their studies, though he knew not how this could be secured.
Adjourned to 2:30 P. M.
SECOND MEETING, 2:30 P. M. Prayer by D. M. Canright. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
The Treasurer’s report being called for, it was presented by Dr. W. B. Sprague, as appended in another column.
The Committee on Nominations, being called for, reported by suggesting the following persons as a Board of Trustees for the ensuing year: Eld. James White, L. McCoy, S. Brownberger, J. H. Kellogg, W. C. Sisley, W. B. Sprague, and W. C. White.
W. C. White declining to be a candidate, the name of U. Smith was substituted for that of W. C. White.
Ballots being circulated, the nomination was confirmed.
It was then voted to instruct the Secretary to cast the ballot for the stockholders present in favor of the persons nominated, which vote was reconsidered, and the balloting proceeded in the usual manner.
The result showed 730 votes cast; necessary to a choice, 366. There were 490 in favor of the nominations, and 240 against. The persons named were accordingly declared elected.
The Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were separately considered and adopted:—
Whereas, The increasing demands for laborers in the various departments of the cause, and particularly in missionary fields in this and foreign countries, requires the preparation as soon as possible of a large number of well-trained workers for these several fields of labor, and
Whereas, The Lord has signified his approval of efforts in this direction by blessing in a signal manner the labors of this Society and the educational institution founded by it, therefore
Resolved, That each member of the S. D. A. Educational Society be hereby earnestly requested to labor more zealously than ever before for the advancement of the interests of education among us, and especially to induce young men and women who may be benefited thereby and become useful in the cause, to avail themselves of the excellent opportunities afforded at the College located in this place.
Whereas, In the past some who have moved their families to Battle Creek for the purpose of affording them an opportunity to avail themselves of the advantages of the College, have suffered much, pecuniarily and otherwise, on account of ill-advised moves in reference to purchasing or renting property, therefore
Resolved, That we recommend to those who are contemplating removing their families to Battle Creek for the purpose named, to correspond with some member of the Board of Trustees before doing so, and to confer with the Board respecting their plans, before settling, after their arrival.
Resolved, That this Society does heartily approve of the careful discipline enforced by the Faculty of the College heretofore, and recommend that no less vigilance in caring for the deportment of students be exercised in future.
Whereas, In most of the State Conferences there has been created an educational aid fund, therefore
Resolved, That we invite the careful attention of such State Conference officers to the selection of such persons in their midst as would be proper subjects for the reception of the designed aid, that they may be encouraged to prepare themselves for usefulness in the cause by taking a course of study at our College.
Whereas, Our College employs no special solicitors of its own, for the promotion of its interests among the people, therefore
Resolved, That we invite all of our ministers to labor in their respective fields for the interests of our excellent College, by soliciting patronage and support.
Resolution three, in reference to discipline, was discussed by D. M. Canright, Jas. White, and Mrs. E. G. White. A strong appeal was made by both Elder and Mrs. White in behalf of the College, setting forth the duty of the friends of education among us to give the school the influence of their moral support by sympathizing with the teachers in their arduous duties, and seconding their efforts to maintain a proper standard of discipline in the school.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
Jas. White, Pres. U. Smith, Sec.

TREASURER’S REPORT.

W. B. Sprague in account with the S. D. A. Educational Society, for the year ending July 1, 1879.
Dr.
To cash on hand July 1, 1878, $69.00
To cash received on pledges, 1,391.59
To cash received for tuitions, 4,095.27
To cash received from sale of real estate, 550.00
To cash received on bills receivable, 800.00
To cash received for rent and interest, 1,089.43
To cash received from book sales, 1,101.92
To cash received for College Record, 319.53
Total, $9,416.74
Cr.
By amount paid janitor & teachers, $4,077.84
By amount paid on accounts, 355.19
By amount paid for improvements and incidentals, 3,991.11
By amount paid for school books, 569.08
By amount paid for interest on account, 419.91
By cash on hand to balance, 3.81
Total, $9,416.74

INVENTORY.

Amount
Real estate, College grounds, 12,400.00
Real estate, buildings, 28,323.32
Real estate, detached lots, 2,850.00
Real estate, cottages, 4,025.00
Philosophical apparatus, 1,150.00
Museum, 550.00
School books in stock, 446.33
Bills receivable, 3,010.00
Cash on hand July 1, 1879, 3.81
Total, $52,758.46
Indebtedness, 6,334.74
Net assets, $46,423.72
W. B. Sprague, Treasurer.
This is to certify that I have carefully examined the books and accounts of the S. D. A. Educational Society, and find them correctly kept, according to my best knowledge and belief.
F. H. Sisley, Auditor.

THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL FOR JEWS ONLY.

By H. Wren

It is claimed that there was but one system of law in the old dispensation, and that it never was binding on anybody but the Jews. It is also claimed, that, at the death of Christ, that system was done away entirely, and that the new dispensation is a creation de novo.
There are many ways of showing the erroneous character of this position; but perhaps there is no single idea that sets its fallacious character in a clearer and stronger light than the following:—
If the law under which the Jews lived was binding on none but Jews, then there is no salvation for any but Jews.
Is it asked, How does that appear? We answer, In this obvious manner:—
Christ bore the curse of that law, and of no other. His death had sacrificial relation to, or connection with, no other law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Gal. 3:13. Would any one assert that this law, of which Christ bore the curse, was not the law that was in force among the Jews? Antinomian daring would certainly pause here.
But where is it stated in Holy Scripture that he bore the curse of any other law? There is no such statement in the Bible. Hence it is a simple fact that Christ’s death pertains to no law but that which was binding on the Jews. Gentiles, then, are not within the scope of the sacrificial offering of Christ; and they are not only outside of the law, but also outside of the provisions of the gospel, if that law was in force only over Jews.
If it be said, that, while Christ’s death related only to the old law, his mediation under the new covenant is broader, then we refer to the Scripture again, which says, “And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Heb. 9:15.
Here it is asserted that not only his death, but his new-testament mediation, has reference to the transgressions (and if to the transgressions then to the law) that were under the first testament.
In the light of the above scripture, where is there any gospel or any hope for a Gentile, if the law was binding on none but Jews. Antinomianism not only nullifies the law, but the gospel also, except for Jews. And the very arguments used to prove that God has an entirely new order of things for the Gentiles, prove that there is nothing at all for them but to remain “without God and without hope in the world.”
We lay down this proposition, as a corollary to the above: No man ever will be saved except by virtue of the death Christ has already died. “But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. . . . So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Heb. 9:26–28.
Will he ever die again, and bear the curse and penalty of another law for the Gentiles? No; for he says, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” Rev. 1:18. See also Heb. 9:25, 26.
But if the new covenant has a new law, then Christ must yet die, or the new covenant is of no force.
“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” Heb. 9:16, 17. But, as we have seen, “Christ dieth no more.” Rom. 6:9, 10. Hence, again, upon the antinomian principle, the new covenant is nullified.
This proposition is also true: Every passage of Scripture which shows that Christ died for all, shows, also, that all were under the curse he died to remove; which, we have seen, was the curse of the law of the old dispensation, and no other.
“That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Heb. 2:9. “If one died for all, then were all dead.” 2 Cor. 5:14. “He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2.
If Christ’s death was sacrificial for all men, as the passages last quoted show, and if that death was sacrificial by reason of his bearing the curse of a certain law, then all men were under the condemnation of that law. But we have seen that the law whose curse he bore was the old-covenant law. Hence all men were, at the death of Christ, and still are, under that law.
How broad, and deep, and harmonious, how rich and blessed, are all thy ways, thou King of saints! “All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18, 19. H. WREN.

AGE

Dim aged eyes, Gazing across the wreck of broken ties, What do you see? Behind, dead leaves that withered fall, A fading wilderness where all Is vanity; Before, to gladden weary sight, A glimpse, a promise of the bright Eternity. O dim and tearful aged eyes, If waiting till that dawn shall rise, Blessed are ye!
—Selected.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN RHODE ISLAND.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Providence (R. I.) Daily Journal, in its issue of August 27, 1879, thus pointedly states the condition of religious liberty in Rhode Island, and appeals for justice:—
A few days ago I was at Newport, and while there met Solomon R. Edwards, who keeps a store on Washington square, where, in a small way, he sells meat, milk, etc. He is a member of the Seventh-day Baptist church of Westerly, which comprises (as no doubt you know) many of the most prominent citizens of that town. Mr. Edwards observes very faithfully the seventh day as the Sabbath, in obedience to the fourth commandment of the decalogue, but has no scruples against working on Sunday, though not so as to disturb the quiet of his neighbors or the peace of the community. Not long ago he was sued before a Justice for a breach of the Sunday law, and paid a fine of $5 and costs. The following Sunday he pursued his usual business, was again sued, and fined $10 for this second offense. I learn that the act for which this Christian man was prosecuted was selling a quart of milk and a couple of beefsteaks to one of his neighbors, on Sunday morning.
I state this fact so that people who read the Journal may know that religious bigotry has not died out in the Roger Williams State, and also to inquire why this one man, who keeps the Sabbath prescribed by the fourth commandment more scrupulously than we first-day people keep Sunday, should be fined, not for annoying or disturbing his neighbors, but for supplying them with the necessaries of life, while the steamboats are permitted to land hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of excursionists at the Newport wharves every Sunday, and railroads run their morning trains, and ice-men deliver their ice, cigar stores sell their wares, and hackmen carry their loads all over the city, without let or hindrance. The writer is a first-day observer, but believes in granting to others the same rights of conscience which he claims for himself. If the officials of Newport are resolved to carry out the Sunday law, let the city marshal detail a force of his police to visit Commercial wharf, or the railroad depot, or the Ocean House, every Sunday, and arrest those who disturb the peace and quiet of the day. Let them visit the cigar stores. None of these open transgressors of the Sunday law can claim the same exemption which Mr. Edwards claims; for he has kept, and does keep strictly, his Sabbath, while the others keep none. If the law is not obsolete, let it be fully enforced against the first-day as well as the seventh-day Christian, and in Providence as well as Newport.

THE WANTS OF THE CHILDREN.

By Mrs. Lilla D. A. Stuttle

The wise man says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” If this language is true, as we must admit, what fearful responsibilities rest upon us as teachers and parents. God has kindly given us the little ones, that by wise and judicious training we may prepare them for a life that is eternal. Oh, how carefully ought we to live before them! How quickly their little faces reflect the ill-tempered frown, or the pleasant smile! It is my serious opinion that a child, of all others, should never be addressed in any other than a pleasant tone of voice.
Jesus says it were better that a millstone were hanged about our neck, and that we were drowned in the depth of the sea, than that we should offend, or discourage, one of his little ones. Parents, some of our own dear children have lately evinced a love for their Saviour. Shall we, by our coldness and inattention, chill all the love and tenderness in their young hearts? This may be done much easier than we at first imagine. A frown may do it. A harsh word may do it. A neglect of duty on our part may wound the tender spirit beyond hope of recovery.
If the mother daily permits the petty cares of life to worry and annoy her to that degree that she becomes peevish and irritable, the sensitive little ones very soon think, if they do not speak, something like this: “I wonder if mother is really a Christian! If she is, I don't want to be one!” I do not think the angels come very near people that scold.
I once heard a very affecting story of a dear little girl. She had one day, by accident, overturned a dish of flour, when she received such a harsh rebuke from that mother who should have been all love and tenderness toward the little plant God had given her, that the grieved, broken spirit of the child could never recover from the smart. The little one was taken with a fever, and in her wild delirium she would murmur over and over again: “Mother, will there be room for little Mary in Heaven? Won’t I be in the angels’ way?” And oh how mournfully those words sounded in the mother’s ear, years after her little one was sleeping ’neath the daisies. She would give worlds to recall them, but in vain.
Again, do not forget to pray with your children. In after years, when temptation comes, as it surely will, mother’s prayers will be to your child what the pole-star is to the storm-tossed mariner. Teach them to believe that the great God hears their little prayers, and that the answer to the prayer of faith is sure and certain. A child is easily encouraged, but just as easily discouraged.
Parents may think they have done their duty by their children; but just so sure as the child wanders from the good way when he becomes older, it is good evidence that there is a serious fault somewhere. Had nothing essential been omitted by the parents, the child which is now the shame and reproach of their declining years, might have been a crown of glory to their head. Then do not neglect the children now, as you value your eternal peace. Pray with them; talk with them; sympathize with them; appreciate and prize them tenderly, that should the hand of death rudely snatch them from your arms, you may not feel the pangs of remorse added to those of sorrow.
Many changes have taken place since I was a child; but neither time nor trouble can ever efface from my memory the many times my mother has taken me by the hand, and leading me to a quiet place, has there knelt down before God and earnestly commended her child to him. I believe God heard those prayers, and answered them.
There is much to encourage us to faithfulness in this matter. Shall we not feel well repaid for our labor and prayers, if, by-and-by, we may, with the dear little ones by our side, sit down in the kingdom of glory? God grant that there may be an awakening on this subject, of all others the most important, that at last we, with the children whom God has given us, may shine as the sun and the stars, forever, even forever and ever, in our Father’s kingdom.
MRS. LILLA D. A. STUTTLE.

A FRANK ADMISSION.

WE find the following in the Christian at Work of Oct. 23, 1879, in an editorial headed, “The European Outlook.” The last paragraph contains a very frank admission, and we heartily indorse the assertion, “Truly the millennium does not seem imminent.”
The European outlook is serious, at the best. Lord Salisbury made a speech at Manchester on Friday which will go far to confirm the impression, already wide-spread, that an understanding exists between England and Germany, looking to unity of action on all matters relating to the East. This, with the fact that a defensive treaty between Germany and Austria has just been signed by the respective emperors, gives a new triple alliance, with England as the third factor. Whether this will result in a second triple alliance, with Russia, France, and Italy as principals, remains to be seen. In any event, the outlook is anything but peaceful. Never before has Europe so bristled with bayonets as now. The Austro-Hungarian empire has accepted estimates for an effective force of 800,000 men, Germany is keeping up an armed force of 1,200,000, France has 1,600,000, and Russia will have 1,800,000 men of all grades in service in the event of war, while Italy has an effective force of 1,500,000.
Of course these immense armies are a fearful drain upon the resources of the people, who have to pay the cost. Probably the burden is the least onerous upon France, which is a nation of small farmers, and is the severest tax upon Germany, which can with great difficulty provide for so large an army, the immense cost of which is doubtless the source of much of the Socialistic troubles of the empire. What the result will be, it is not easy to forecast; there will be fierce conflict, treaties will be torn asunder,—as they often have been,—and the map of Europe will be changed.
While the world is given to boasting of its advanced civilization, the fact remains that gunpowder is still regarded as the great arbiter of the destinies of nations; and these all Christian peoples, whom the Son of God died to redeem! Truly the millennium does not seem imminent, and it sometimes seems as if it were a laggard pace at which “the Cross leads generations on.”

TWO TRAVELERS.

By Alice Cary

Two travelers, meeting by the way, Arose, and at the peep of day Brake bread, paid reckoning, and, they say,
Set out together, and so trode Till where upon the forking road A gray and good old man abode.
Then each began his heart to strip, And all that light companionship That cometh of the eye and lip
Had sudden end, for each began To ask the gray and good old man Whither the roads before them ran.
One, as they saw, was shining bright, With such a great and gracious light, It seemed that Heaven must be in sight.
“This,” said the old man, “doth begin Full sweetly, but its end is in The dark and desert-place of sin;
“And this, that seemeth all to lie In gloomy shadow,—by-and-by Maketh the gateway of the sky.
“Bide ye a little; fast and pray, And ’twixt the good and evil way Choose ye, my brethren, this day.”
And as the day was at the close, The two wayfaring men arose, And each the road that pleased him chose.
One took the pathway that began So brightly, and so smoothly ran Through flowery fields,— deluded man!
Ere long he saw, alas! alas! All darkly, and as through a glass, Flames, and not flowers, along the grass.
Then shadows round about him fell, And in his soul he knew full well His feet were taking hold on hell.
He tried all vainly to retrace His pathway; horrors blocked the place, And demons mocked him to his face.
Broken in spirit, crushed in pride, One morning by the highway-side He fell, and all unfriended, died.
The other, after fast and prayer, Pursued the road that seemed less fair, And peace went with him unaware.
And when the old man saw where lay The traveler's choice, he said, “I pray Take this to help you on the way;”
And gave to him a lovely book, Wherein for guidance he must look, He told him, if the path should crook.
And so, through labyrinths of shade, When terror pressed or doubt dismayed, He walked in armor all arrayed.
So, over pitfalls traveled he, And passed the gates of harlotry, Safe with his heavenly company.
And when the road did low descend, He found a good inn, and a friend, And made a comfortable end.
—Alice Cary.

A WARNING.

By E. H. Gates

I am often pained to see how lightly religion rests on most of our young Sabbath-keepers. They can laugh and jest with other young people, with scarcely a thought of the Judgment, or of the great responsibility resting on them to set a right example before their young associates. They can deck their bodies with all the fashionable abominations of the age, talk about parties, rides, marriage, beaux, and other foolish things, little thinking that they are telling to the world by their actions that they do not believe a word of what they profess.
If they wish to be like the world, why not give up the name of Christian, and thus cease to be a stumbling-block to their young associates? If they believe the Bible, and that Christ is soon coming, let them give some evidence of it to the world; for no one will ever believe in a profession that does not make a radical change in the professor.
Many of the young seem to think that their probationary time is one grand holiday. Many parents who are asleep, excuse their children by saying that young folks must have their fun—must sow their wild oats. But what says the Scripture? “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks.” Eph. 5:4. The wise man says: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” Eccl. 11:9.
These passages of Scripture are just as true as any others, and just as important. Then why are they not heeded by young Sabbath-keepers? Christ says that “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment.”
The young can have a great influence for good if they will carry out the instructions of God’s word; but none need expect a place in God’s kingdom, who have spent butterfly lives here, and have done nothing to bless fallen humanity. E. H. GATES.

THE LORD'S MONEY.

A GREAT deal of money that ought to be sent out doing good, is hoarded by very well-meaning Christians, who persuade themselves that by-and-by they will devote it to the Lord's cause. They fully intend to bestow it wisely and liberally sometime. But at present, says the S. S. Times, they propose to keep it in their own business, hoping to make more money by its shrewd use. They admit that it is the Lord's money, and that it is to be paid over to him at some future day; but just now they think they can use it to better advantage than he can, although there are urgent specific calls for it, which under other circumstances ought immediately to be heeded. If they should put their reasoning on this subject in plain, blunt words, they would say: “It is the Lord's money, and he shall have it in due time. It is true that he seems just now to be calling for a share of it; but the Lord couldn't use it so profitably as I can, for I have great business capacity. So the Lord must give me an extension.” After all, the Lord can do better with his money than the shrewdest of his children can. When he calls for it, the safest way is to give it to him.

Our Casket.

“A little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts and almonds.” Gen. 43:11.
—NOTHING ages like laziness.—Bulwer Lytton.
—BE wisely worldly, but not worldly wise.—Quarles.
—WHEN the Breton mariner puts to sea, his prayer is, “Keep me, my God; my boat is so small, and thy ocean is so wide.”
—IF the stone strike against the earthen jar, woe to the jar; and if the jar strike against the stone, woe, not the less, to the jar.—Spanish Proverb.
—WE are not saved by faith without works, for there is no such faith in Christ. Nor are we saved by works without faith, for no works but those that flow from faith are acceptable to God.—Bethune.
Largely thou givest, gracious Lord; Largely thy gifts should be restored. Freely thou givest; and thy word Is, “Freely give;” He only who forgets to hoard Has learned to live. —Keble.
—BLESSED are they to whom people go when they are in distress! Blessed are they around whom little children flock! Blessed are they upon whom grateful eyes look, saying, “Come again; I am better for your coming.” Blessed are they whose eye is serene; whose voice is gentle; whose heart is sweet; whose life makes happiness!
—WE may see God in this world, not directly indeed, for he dwells in light inaccessible and full of glory. He is not hidden from us by darkness, but by light. In the order and wonder of creation, in the majesty of sunrise and sunset, in the infinite range of the midnight heavens, we see God’s presence.
—TO do good to men is the great work of life; to make them true Christians is the greatest good we can do them. Every investigation brings us round to this point. Begin here, and you are like one who strikes water from a rock on the summits of the mountains; it flows down the intervening tracts to the very base. If we could make each man love his neighbor, we should make a happy world. The true method is to begin with ourselves, and so extend the circle around us. It should be perpetually in our minds.—J. W. Alexander.

SEVENTH-DAY BAPTISTS AND SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.

By James White

The growth of the Seventh-day Baptists as a denomination has been slow. The labor of centuries has brought to them numbers hardly equal to those of the Seventh-day Adventists, whose organization dates back but a score of years. In point of numbers both are feeble.
But the fact that both denominations are small does not constitute evidence of errors in the fundamental principles of their religious faith. If numbers be regarded as proof of correctness in doctrine, then the Romanist is not so wide of the mark on the question of infallibility; and the Methodist and some of the other old denominations may safely take stock in a modified view of the same heresy.
Seventh-day Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists stand united in sentiment on the great fundamental doctrines of the perpetuity of the moral code, and the changeless character of the ancient Sabbath of Jehovah. The Baptism of the one is also the baptism of the other. Both hold that immersion is Christian baptism. In this both denominations adopt the literal and most obvious interpretation of the declarations of Christ and his apostles upon the subject. These naturally form a strong bond of union between the two people.
The principal differences between the two bodies are in regard to the nature and destiny of man, the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and the doctrine of the trinity. These, not being practical in the strictest sense of the word, should not be regarded as tests of Christian character and fellowship. Therefore, while a strong bond of fellowship and union should exist between the two bodies, standing on so broad a platform as the practical doctrines of the nature and perpetuity of the law of God, and Christian baptism, the indulgence of a spirit of controversy and contention upon these lesser points of doctrine upon which a perfect agreement does not exist should be regarded by both bodies as a violation of the principles of forbearance taught by Christ and his apostles.
The widest difference between the Seventh-day Baptists and the Seventh-day Adventists is in the manner of labor. For want of sympathy from other denominations, and for pecuniary and religious advantages, the S. D. Baptists, at an early date in their history, collected in certain localities. Their influence upon the world at large has consequently been small, hence their growth very slow. Thus situated, they turned their attention to education, to mental and moral culture. The cross which they have borne for centuries has been a heavy one, and has required men and women of firm principle. They have had their trials, and in these trials the chaff has been separated from the wheat until the S. D. Baptists of to-day, as a body, are far in advance of the other denominations in education, moral principles, and culture. Their missions and their churches, however small, are very dear to them; they have cost them much.
The growth of the S. D. Adventists has been rapid. Our existence as an organized body dates in the year 1860. We have no settled pastors; but like John Wesley, our ministers regard the world as their parish. They go everywhere preaching the word, and everywhere find converts. The field is a broad one, and the laborers are few. S. D. Adventists regard the press as the right arm of their strength. Every minister is a colporteur. Our books, tracts, and papers go everywhere. Instead of colonizing, our people remain in the localities where they embraced our views, excepting those who are pressing their way into the new countries of the West. In recent years members of the S. D. Baptist churches East have located in the West, and in many places have organized churches that barely maintain an existence, while there are a few scattered here and there where there are no S. D. Baptist churches.
In this situation of things it is no marvel that the scattered S. D. Baptists, and even some of their churches, are brought under the influence of the publications and preaching of the S. D. Adventists. In fact, with the evidence before us that not a few of the S. D. Baptist people are as anxious to read our books and listen to our preachers as we are to have them, we can hardly see how it can be avoided that S. D. Baptists, as individuals and even churches, should become S. D. Adventists.
As a delegate to the S. D. Baptist General Conference in 1876, we sympathized with that body in their grief that some of their feeble churches had suffered from the loss of certain members who had gone over to the S. D. Adventists, and we there pledged our influence to prevent our preachers, as far as possible, from selecting fields of labor where there are S. D. Baptist churches. This pledge we have kept. Our statements relative to this sensitive question have been frank and full in the REVIEW.
Those who have the truth can afford to be fair. The field is a broad one. And while we have no fears that the S. D. Baptists can take from us valuable members, we should not take advantage of the desire on the part of many of the S. D. Baptists to hear our ministers, and thus grieve a people that we should respect and love for their intelligence, moral worth and long adherence to the Sabbath we revere, by selecting as fields of labor the very localities of S. D. Baptist churches.
We shall continue to issue our publications, and to send them out where they are wanted; but we do not see the necessity of urging them upon our S. D. Baptist brethren. If they want them, they shall have them. Our ministers will continue, with the blessing of God, to go forth preaching the word. Should S. D. Baptists come to hear them, we would repeat, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” If they are invited to speak to S. D. Baptist congregations, they should not refuse, unless duty demands their labors elsewhere. We were happy to accept the invitation of Eld. N. V. Hull to speak to his people at Alfred Center, N. Y., in September. It was our pleasure to present Christ before those who in some respects were our superiors, and receive from them a hearing, attention, sympathy, and love, more than any humble servant of Jesus Christ could ask. And should we be so happy as to speak to that or any other congregation of S. D. Baptists many times, we should not feel called upon to introduce those subjects upon which S. D. Baptists and S. D. Adventists differ.
With feelings of pleasure and tenderness we mention the names of brethren Allen, Wardner, Rogers, Burdick, Whitford and Hull, delegates from the S. D. Baptists to our General Conference in years past. Did these brethren come to us with feelings of sorrow that S. D. Adventists hold views which they regarded as error? Did any of them come to us with any degree of prejudice? They came to us as Christian gentlemen of high culture, with full command of their feelings of sorrow and prejudice, if they had them. These they waived, for the time being, at least. They came near to us, and did us good. They preached Christ, and our people listened with pleasure and profit. They were men of too much good sense and Christian politeness to bore our large audiences with arguments to show that S. D. Adventists were in error on the immortality theme, the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, or to explain the mystery of the trinity.
Those who have come among us, and best understand the doctrines, work, and spirit of S. D. Adventists, are not the men who are prejudiced against us and our views. We need not be anxious about the S. D. Baptists, only to do to them as we would have them do to us. God’s truth is free for all, and all should have time to investigate, and to be impressed by the spirit of truth. We hope to mingle with that people more in time to come than we have in the past. Next week we shall treat this subject more fully, in view of statements recently made in the Sabbath Recorder, prejudicial to S. D. Adventists. Let there be no strife among us, for we are brethren. J. W.

THE CONFERENCE.

We cannot say, as we sometimes do, that our good Conference is in the past, though much of it is so. The past two weeks have been busy weeks with us in Battle Creek. Some of the organizations have completed their business sessions, as will be seen by reports in this number. Others are partially through with their work. A good degree of interest has been manifested in the Tract and Missionary, Health and Temperance, and Sabbath-school work, which will be reported in due time.
Fifty-two ministers and fifteen licentiates are in attendance. As many devotional meetings have been held as could be, and give time to the many business meetings necessary to dispose of that branch of the work. Harmony and union of feeling have prevailed throughout.
The preaching has thus far been done by Bro. and Sr. White, who have not sought to spare themselves, but have been indefatigable in the work. The instruction already given by these veterans in the cause to those who labor in the public field, is worth the time and attendance of all the ministers present, if they will but carry it out.
Thirteen were baptized by E. R. Jones, Sunday, the 16th.
We believe all can but be pleased with the meetings thus far, and with the prospect of those which are to come. The proceedings are now largely turning into the regular work of the Biblical Institute, of which we say a few words elsewhere.
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