Our much esteemed brother in Christ, Eld. Stephen Maxson, died of erysipelas, at his residence in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, Sept. 28, 1879, aged 62 years, 11 months, and 21 days.
Bro. Maxson was born in Berlin, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. His parents were members of the Seventh-day Baptist church, and at the early age of thirteen he found favor with God, and from this time to the day of his death he lived an active Christian life. He ever kept the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, and was a firm and zealous advocate of it, both by precept and example. Soon after his marriage he moved to Milton, Wis., and in 1859 to the Walla Walla Valley, being one of the pioneers of this new country. In 1868 he embraced the views of the Seventh-day Adventists by reading, and rejoiced greatly at the prospect of the Lord’s soon coming to give reward to all his saints. He was ever ready at his post of duty, and foremost in every enterprise to advance the cause he loved.
When the Seventh-day Adventist Conference was formed here, he was placed in a position of trust as one of its chief officers, which position he filled to the satisfaction of all up to the time of his death.
The cause he so much loved, the community in which he lived, and his family, have all met with a great loss. We mourn, but not without hope. He gave the best of evidence to all who were with him during his short sickness of only eight days, that the Saviour in whom he had trusted for fifty years was very near to him in the dying hour. His labors are done. He has gone to his rest. But soon the Lifegiver will come and call him forth with all the redeemed of the Lord, and with them he will share in the glory and joy of the eternal world.
Words of comfort were spoken on the funeral occasion, by the Rev. P. B. Chamberlain, pastor of the Congregational church of Walla Walla, W. T. I. D. Van Horn.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW ENGLAND TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
By S. N. Haskell
It will be seen from this week's REVIEW that this meeting will be held at So. Lancaster, Mass., commencing Dec. 5 and continuing till the next Tuesday. We are anxious to see as many of our brethren and sisters of this Conference present as possible. Come prepared to remain until the meeting is over. It is now expected that Bro. and Sr. White will be present; if they attend, it will be one of the most important meetings of the kind ever held in the New England Conference.
Our brethren cannot afford to lose this meeting. Advance steps are being taken. The cause is rising everywhere, and now is the time to rise with it. Bring with you bedding, and provision will be made for all.
S. N. HASKELL, Pres. N. E. T. and M. S.
OUR H. AND T. ASSOCIATION.
If any of our people had a doubt of the propriety and need of this association when it was first formed, the good that it has already done is sufficient, it seems to me, to dispel all doubt. The influence of this movement has decided many to lay aside useless and hurtful articles which were occasionally indulged in and to which they were in danger of becoming slaves; and this will promote their health and also save much means that may be used for the advancement of the cause of truth and human salvation. To turn the use of means from an evil channel into a good one is certainly a desirable thing. To pledge ourselves against evil habits is right; and it is a help, because it makes an end of all questions concerning indulgence.
In this movement we give our influence on the side of right and induce others to take a stand. An apostle speaks of the zeal of some that it had “provoked very many.” There are some sections of our country where the use of tobacco is more general, especially among females, than in our northern sections—the women eating it in the form of snuff. The reports from these places of the general signing of the teetotal pledge is an argument in favor of the
AN APPEAL.
By H. Nielson
Most of our German brethren are probably aware of the fact that it is contemplated that the Stimme shall visit our friends once a month from the beginning of next year, instead of once every three months, as heretofore.
Now, we wish to know the opinion of our German brethren and friends about the contemplated change of interval between each number of the Stimme. We have already several letters requesting to have it appear monthly,—several, even, wish to hear the voice (Stimme) once a week!
Now if the paper is published monthly next year at 50 cts. a year, will all our German brethren and friends take hold and work for the Stimme?
What do you think of this, German brethren? Can you not send us a few lines, stating your opinion? May the Lord bless our work among our countrymen. H. NIELSON.
WILL YOU DO IT?
By A. O. Burrill
1. WILL all the church clerks, S. B. treasurers, librarians, and Sabbath-school secretaries in Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Clinton, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Newaygo, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanaw, and Charlevoix counties please send me their addresses to Marshall, Mich., as soon as they read this.
2. All isolated Sabbath-keepers in those counties, who are not members of our churches, and who may desire ministerial labor, will please correspond with me at the same place.
A. O. BURRILL.
HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE.
By GEO. B. STARR
ALL the ministers and licentiates of Nebraska are requested to act as agents for the State Health and Temperance Association. They will please organize local societies in the different churches in their district, instructing the officers elected to report immediately the names and number of members to the State Secretary, C. P. Bollman, Albion, Boon Co., Neb.
GEO. B. STARR, Pres.
THY WILL BE DONE.
By R. F. C.
THE great lesson of Christianity is to give up our will and submit to the will of God in all things. This is to follow Christ, who came not to do his own will, but the will of the Father who sent him. The will of Christ as the Son of God was in exact harmony with the will of the Father; but in the form of humanity he was subject to the temptations of human nature, yet without sin; for the very reason that at all times he submitted his will to that of his Father.
The great lesson that the Son of God came to teach us is to renounce our own will and follow the example which he has given us. Firmness in regard to doing right regardless of opposition is a good thing. The Lord would have us firm and fixed as the hills and rocks in principles of right, which are clearly revealed in his word. But we should not mistake our stubborn prejudices for righteous principles. The Lord suffers these to be crossed, that we may learn to submit. In regard to those things in which others have a right to differ from us, the “I will” and “I won’t” must be taken out of us, before we are fit for the kingdom of God.
Therefore we must learn to bear with patience with those who differ from us. They may be wrong, and we verily believe they are; but if they are, the trial is just what we need to try our spirit of forbearance and submission. So we must not be too positive in these things, but follow our convictions and let others follow theirs. To be submissive in the circumstances which God permits to surround us, is to submit to the will of God. R. F. C.
General Conference Proceedings and Closing Business
The report of the proceedings of the General Conference, given on our first page, embraces all that was done up to the time this paper went to press. The delegates generally remain through the Biblical Institute, and more business will be done before the session closes.
Health Reform Institute Stockholders Annual Meeting
The stockholders of the Health Reform Institute have not completed the business proceedings of the present annual meeting, as we go to press, so that no report can be given in this number.
Bishop Gillespie Compares Adventists to Paine
Bishop Gillespie, according to a writer in the Allegan Journal of Nov. 8, 1879, classes S. D. Adventists and their publications with Thomas Paine and his Age of Reason, and warns his flock equally against “such vile trash.”
Christian Statesman on the Political Contest and Higher Questions
The chief interest the Christian Statesman takes in the political contest of the present and the coming year, is the hope that it “will settle the pending issues finally, and prepare the way for the discussion of other and higher questions.” But what the Statesman calls these “other and higher questions” are already largely involved in the political questions of the hour.
New Dutch Adventist Magazine De Stem Der Waarheid
By Editor
Bro. C. De Vos has issued in the Holland language, the first number of what we should be pleased to see become a permanent publication. It is in magazine form, 12 pages with cover, entitled, “De Stem Der Waarheid,” or “The Voice of Truth.” In arrangement, make up, and type and press work, it is a model of neatness; and its pages are filled with a good variety of articles on prophecy, the Sabbath, and other themes which are the present truth for this time. He has an edition of 500 copies, which should go at once to those who use the Holland language and are willing to read on these subjects.
Price 10 cts. Address this Office.
Death of Last Irvingite Apostle Sparks Church Crisis
Ed. J. N. Loughborough sends us the following curious item of English news:—
The announced death of the Rev. Nicholas Armstrong at Abney Heath is expected to mark a crisis, if not the last crisis, in the creed of the “Catholic Apostolic Church,” popularly known as “Irvingites.” Mr. Armstrong was the last but one survivor of the apostolic brotherhood, the apostle of England, Mr. John Bates Cardale, having pre-deceased him in July, 1877. A surpassing interest attaches to the sole remaining apostle, for a belief has prevailed that the second coming of Christ would take place before the last of the band of apostles had passed away. As it is nearly fifty years since the “resuscitation” of the apostolate, it will be seen that within a very short period, to be measured by the duration of a single and now protracted life, either a momentous event is to be realized or an article of Irvingite belief has to be exploded or modified.