We protracted our meeting at Sand Prairie till the 19th of August. Over twenty came out and took a stand on the Lord's side. Oh that they may have grace to perform their vows and live faithful till Jesus comes. There are others convinced of the truth, who we trust will soon be led to see the importance of obeying it. Although right in the midst of harvest, this was one of the most interesting meetings we ever attended. Much now depends on the course taken by those who profess to believe and obey the truth here. Dear brethren and sisters, "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," and thus "show forth the virtues of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
We left for Dell Prairie the 20th, where we arrived on the 22nd. We were glad to see these dear brethren and sisters once more. Bro. Steward had been in the place two days when we arrived, and had a meeting in progress at the school-house. The truth, and those who love and obey it, are much opposed here. Evening after the Sabbath we went to the school-house as usual, to hold our meetings, and found it locked against us. One of the neighbors kindly opened his house for us, and permitted us to use his grove next day. He also furnished lumber and helped us to seat it. We pray that God may reward him for this act of kindness. We held twelve meetings during our stay in the place; baptized two, and organized a church of thirteen members. There were two more who made a start to serve the Lord at this meeting. We hope they will be faithful to the end, and at last reap the rich reward of eternal life in the kingdom of God.
As we parted from these dear brethren and sisters, and friends, we felt attached to them more than ever before. Their kindness and attention to us were greater than we deserved or could expect. We pray that God may abundantly reward them for their kindness to us, and that they may be kept pure and spotless till the appearing of Jesus.
We left for Fish Lake the 29th and arrived at Bro. Thurston's about dark. On the 30th, we wrote some, visited, and made preparations for the Sabbath. When we arrived at the place appointed for meeting Sabbath morning, we found the school-house locked, and the brethren preparing an empty house to hold the meeting in. Here we held our meetings on the Sabbath and evening after the Sabbath, but could have the house no longer. Through the influence of a kind friend, we had the privilege of occupying an unfinished building belonging to the Christian church in Hancock, during the remainder of our stay in the place. Our congregations were small and we could not expect it otherwise, on account of the poor accommodations. The house had not a single light of glass in it, the seats were very uncomfortable, and the evenings quite cool. Still we hope our effort will not be entirely lost. A number are convinced on the Sabbath question, and we have reason to believe that some, at least, will be led to embrace it. The burden of our testimony was the nearness of Jesus' coming, and the necessary preparation for that solemn event. We pray that God may bless these dear brethren and sisters, and help them to labor for themselves and their families, that they may be prepared to meet the Lord when he comes.
We left Fish Lake, Sept. 9th. Traveled to Bro. C. Wright's. Held a meeting at the school-house near his place in the evening. Spoke to a few of his neighbors that came out to hear, from Matt. vii, 21.
The 10th, we traveled to Bro. Farrar's at Kingston. Were glad to meet this dear family once more, and find them still striving for a place in the kingdom of God.
The 11th, we resumed our journey southward, traveling through a very rich farming country. Still, when night overtook us, we could not prevail on any of the inhabitants to entertain us for the night. As our horse was very tired, we even offered to sleep in the barn, but were refused. The people here do not live up to Heb. xiii, 2. We at length reached Waterloo, where we found entertainment at a rum tavern, it being the only hotel in the place.
At 5 o'clock next morning, resumed our journey, breakfasted and fed our horse by the road-side at 7, and a little before noon reached Bro. Olson's, at Oakland, where we were in the midst of kind brethren and sisters once more. Tarried with them over the Sabbath, and tried to encourage them to pursue the narrow path that leads to everlasting life.
Drove to Johnstown Center the 16th, where we expect to stay till after our Convocation Meeting. We hope and pray for a revival of the work of God in all our hearts at this meeting.
H. C. BLANCHARD,
R. F. ANDREWS.
REPORT OF MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.
By I. Sanborn
I commenced preaching in the Town of Claysville, Grant Co., Wis., the eleventh of August. It being in the midst of harvest I could only have meetings on first-day for two weeks, but I spent the laboring part of the two weeks in visiting from house to house and helping to harvest. Then I commenced holding meetings every evening except Monday. I have now preached twenty-six times, and the interest has increased all the time.
Yesterday, Sabbath, we had a prayer and social meeting with a short sermon between, which occupied about four hours, in which forty-three publicly, by speaking and standing up, declared their determination to keep God's holy Sabbath and all his holy commandments, and the faith of Jesus Christ, and thus be prepared by the grace of God for a home in God's everlasting Kingdom. We then repaired to the Grant river, where five willing souls were buried with Christ by baptism, and rose to walk in newness of life. This was truly a happy day for me, another bright spot in my ministerial experience.
Three weeks ago not a Sabbath-keeper in this section of country, and now so many, and still many more that we are confident will yet obey. Oh, praise the Lord; to his holy name be all the glory forevermore.
To-morrow, Sept. 16, I start home to the Convocation Meeting leaving an appointment to return here and commence meetings again with the commencement of the Sabbath, Oct. 5, and continue till the work here is established. On the 20th of October there will be another opportunity for those who wish to be baptized. We expect by that time there will be quite a large company desiring baptism.235
There will be prayer and social meeting each Sabbath while I am gone, at two o'clock in the afternoon, and prayer meetings on Wednesday evening.
Since writing the above I have listened to a sermon against the Sabbath by one Elder Ball, Methodist, which the Lord helped me to candidly review last evening before a large audience, after which I requested any man or woman in the congregation who did not believe that the fourth commandment was now binding, to hold up their hands, but not a hand appeared. I then took an expression to see how many believed that the seventh day is the Sabbath and that it is the duty of God's people to keep it, and nearly all the congregation arose.
I never have seen God's power more manifestly displayed with his truth among the people than I have seen it here. To the Lord be all the praise for ever and ever. Amen.
I. SANBORN.
Cassville, Grant Co., Wis., Sept. 16, 1867.
LOOKING FORWARD.
By V. O. Cross
Days, weeks, and months, how fast they fly,
They linger not for mortal man;
Oh! let me then with ardor try
To improve aright, my little span.
What is the record for this day?
These precious moments to us lent?
Are they in folly thrown away?
Or by me to God's glory spent?
Oh! let me ever bear in mind,
That for each vain and idle thought,
Each base desire, or word unkind,
We must be to the judgment brought.
Then give me grace and wisdom, Lord,
That I may perfect victory gain,
Over each wrong and fretful word,
Or rash, impatient, idle, vain.
But little space is left us here,
A sinless character to form;
And for the Judgment to prepare;
Oh! then in haste the work perform.
Soon will be passed the great decree,
He that is holy so remain,
He that is filthy let him be,
And Jesus quickly comes again.
Yes, comes again to give reward,
According as our deeds shall be,
Oh! help me then my blessed Lord,
To give my willing heart to thee.
That I may then before thee stand,
When heaven and earth shall pass away,
Be owned of thee at thy right hand,
In the last great decisive day.
V. O. Cross.
West Enosburgh, Vt.
THE GOLDEN RULE.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
The following article from the pen of Bro. Hutchins, appeared in the Review eight or ten years ago, but for the sake of its good common-sense ideas, it is herewith printed again.—Ed.
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke vi, 31. The principle here laid down by the Saviour, is, by the way of convenience, sometimes called the “golden rule.” And well it may be. Says Jesus, “This is the law and the prophets.” Here is the substance of our duty to our neighbor.
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.” Lev. xix, 18. “And let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.”
But, brethren, how many of us walk by this rule? If each of us were accurately measured by it, would not the measurement show a great deficiency? Let us examine ourselves closely on this point.
“As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
This rule is to be lived out in all our deal with all men at all times and under all circumstances, with the saint and the sinner, friend and neighbor. “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”
Let us here notice a few texts of Scripture teaching our duty to our brother. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Matt. xviii, 15–17.
Mark well these steps. 1. Go to thy brother and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. Not proclaim it upon the house-top. You may gain him; but if not, 2. Take with thee one or two more, patiently continuing to labor for his recovery, for his salvation. But, 3. If he neglect to hear them, tell it to the church. The trial is now church property, and should not be before. 4. If he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
A want of brotherly love, a substituting the iron for the golden rule, may lead us to count an erring brother as a heathen man and a publican, before taking the first step. Not perhaps till we have talked about him sufficient to have reclaimed him, had we followed the above directions, given by our heavenly Master.
The golden rule embraces a spirit of forgiveness. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.” Matt. vi, 14, 15.
“Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn to thee, saying I repent, thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke xvii, 3–5.
Peter on one occasion asked the question, if he should forgive his brother “till seven times.” “Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.” Matt. xviii, 22.
In connection with this answer the Saviour spake a parable showing the contrast between the immense sum which our heavenly Father forgives us, and the small amount we are required to forgive each other. Verses 23–35.
The spirit of the gospel leads us to labor also for the salvation of such as may err from the truth, or be overtaken in a fault, though his trespass be not personal. “Brethren any if of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James v, 19, 20.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, least thou also be tempted.” Gal. vi, 1. Important injunction: “Considering thyself, least thou also be tempted.”
Oh, for more of that love which enables us to feel our brother’s woe. For more charity which suffereth long, and is kind; seeking not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Rom. xii, 9, 10. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Phil. ii, 3.
“Let brotherly love continue. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” 1 Pet. iii, 8. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Ps. cxxxiii, 1. For this sweet union the Saviour prayed. “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John xvii, 21.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
BRO. J. F. HAMMOND writes from Rhode Island: I feel to thank God with all my heart for the privilege I have had in reading the Advent Review and Herald, from the first one Bro. White published in Connecticut to the present time. I find so many encouraging letters written by the brethren and sisters that are keeping the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. My love for the truth of the commandments has been increased since God in his goodness to me suffered the light of the Sabbath to shine upon my pathway in 1847. Light and truth is constantly increasing, and all who walk in the light as it shines upon their pathway will soon be fitted for their heavenly inheritance. I am satisfied that the Health and Dress Reforms are fitting the saints for the great day of trouble. I feel to praise God that I have been permitted to behold the light of present truth, and by the help of God I am striving to live it out, that I may hear the welcome sound from the lips of Jesus, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.” My heart is pained every day to see many professed Advent people following the foolish fashions of this world, and breaking the commandments of God.
REPORT FROM BRO. STRATTON.
By Chas. Stratton
My last report was from Topsham, Aug. 8. Our next appointment was at Falmouth. Here our good Bro. and sister Barnes joined us. We held nine meetings, baptized four, organized a church of nine members, and broke bread to them. I was much pleased with this little church. Do not know of one of more promise that numbers so few.
On Sunday the congregation was large and attentive. Labor might be expended here with good results. The people in this place received their first light on the third angel's message from our dear Bro. Cornell, who makes so many mad, and some glad. May the Lord bless him in his arduous work.
Friday, Aug. 16, in Portland at our Monthly Meeting. On account of a severe storm we could not meet on Sabbath evening. The morning prayer-meeting was rather dry. We talked to them on the present duty of the church, the Reform with the rest. One good sister had been severely tried for some time about the Reform Dress. But on Sunday morning she confessed her wrongs and received a great blessing. Others took hold of the work in earnest. One came out on the Sabbath. These things added greatly to the interest of our meeting. The congregation increased till it was the largest we have had at a Monthly Meeting in that place. The Lord breathed new life and power into the church. We attended to the ordinances in the evening, and added two to the church. This church has been rent by many a storm in the past. I pray the Lord it may now be preserved till his coming.
CHAS. STRATTON.
Cornville, Me., Sept. 12.
“Give me to feel my brother’s woe
And lightly him condemn,
If from the channel he should go,
As we the current stem.
I’ll kindly whisper that he must
The shoals and breakers flee;
And when I need it, I would trust
He’ll do the same by me.”
From Bro. Town.
BRO. SMITH. I would like to say to the brethren scattered abroad that I am encouraged to press my way on through every opposition, that I may with them stand on Mount Zion. I am one of the lonely ones, myself and wife being the only ones in this part of the town that have professed to be Sabbath-keepers until quite recently. There are now three or four more that have commenced keeping it. Some of them appear to be very strong and determined to overcome the world and wear the crown. Others are now investigating with deep interest, and my prayer is, Lord sanctify them through thy truth, for thy word is truth.
We have no preaching here. All the light we have besides the Bible is the Review, and a few little books that I obtained from the office three years ago. The books and papers are nearly worn out, for they have been in constant use.
I feel very thankful for the little light I have on the Health Reform. My health is still improving. I have done a great deal of hard work this summer and have not tasted any kind of meat since last winter.
One of my neighbors has a family of half a dozen children who love the truth and, with their mother, are trying to keep the Sabbath. I hope it will not be long before there will be enough here to have a Bible Class and prayer meetings. I feel that the lonely ones have a great responsibility resting upon them, and I would say to them, Fear God and take courage. Let your light shine, for light hath no fellowship with darkness. The scoffing world cannot hurt you, and think it not strange concerning your fiery trials, for when you are tried you will receive a crown of life. If you lack faith and wisdom, look to the source of all light. If you want to enjoy the smiles of the Saviour, live for it. Our trials are but for a moment; they will soon be over. Soon we shall see the King in his beauty and say, Lo! this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us.
RICHARD TOWN.
Franklin Co., N. Y.
BRO. FORREST H. RICHER, from Deerfield, Mich., writes: I have not met with those of like faith for a long time, but would like to attend meeting again and hear the blessed truths spoken. It is lonely here in the woods now. I still love the commandments of God; and am still striving by his grace to gain a home in the earth made new. The Review comes every week, and is a welcome visitor.
MEETINGS IN EASTERN DISTRICT, MICH.
By Joseph Bates
Our last report of meetings was from Woodhull, Shiawasse Co., Aug. 14. From thence Bro. J. H. Burlingame brought us to Lock, twelve miles. Here we visited and held five interesting meetings with the church and people, who seemed anxious to hear what the Lord is doing and will do for his people that love and serve him. During our series of meetings, Bro. Bailey of Bunkerhill, Ing., Co., came for us twenty-five miles to accompany him to attend the funeral of his wife's father, Bro. D. H. Beers. (See obituary notice in Review, 10th inst.) On our return the 21st inst., we filled our appointments. After speaking on the Health Reform, a Methodist minister who had attended two of our meetings said he was pleased with the subject, and urged the necessity and importance of knowing ourselves.
From Lock, Bro. J. M. Avery and wife took me to S. Genoa, Liv., Co., some twenty-six miles, where we found a hospitable home at Bro. A. Carpenter's. Brn. who compose the church here are living some distance from the meeting, consequently they meet on the Sabbath only, except at Quarterly Meetings. We visited and prayed with them and endeavored to instruct them on some points of present truth, and held four meetings, and celebrated the ordinances. Some testified that they were strengthened and encouraged to go forward.
August 26, Bro. and Sr. Carpenter started to take me nineteen miles to Dexter on the Central Railroad. Stopped on our way for the night at Bro. Poss's, who on the 27th took me to Dexter. From thence we came to Jackson and Leslie. Here we spent two days visiting brethren and sisters who are not organized with any church since the Tompkins church united with the Jackson church.
Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, visited members of the church, in Bunkerhill. Our meetings in the district school-house on the Sabbath and first-day were well attended, and many seemed anxious to walk in newness of life. Some had been waiting for baptism at the Quarterly Meeting. Six united with the church. On the death of Bro. D. H. Beers, above referred to, his son acknowledged and fully decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and thus fill his father's place in the church. His companion also decided to keep the Sabbath, and they offered themselves for baptism. Also a young man who had been keeping the Sabbath with his father and mother, and seven others, came forward for baptism.
In company with the church and some interested friends we rode eight miles on Sunday afternoon to Pleasant Lake. Others joined us there and we enjoyed a precious season and blessing from the Lord. The water in the lake was so low we had to wade a long distance to find the proper depth. The first Bro. that was baptized assisted me by leading the candidates a part of the way to meet me, and return with the baptized ones, and so on till the ten were all immersed, and raised to walk in newness of life. Our meeting in the evening was deeply interesting. Monday morning, Sept. 2, Bro. Bailey brought me to the cars at Leslie, seven miles. Stopped at Otsego to visit our afflicted sister Leighton, and came home Sept. 4, after an absence of twelve weeks, in which time we held series of meetings with fifteen churches of Seventh-day Adventists in the eastern district of Michigan.
On our return to Monterey we met with Bro. Loughborough, who had been holding a series of meetings here, and Bro. and Sr. White, just come to spend a few days with the church. On Sabbath and first-day, 6, and 7, we enjoyed an extra Monthly County Meeting; large congregations, good, experimental and practical preaching; hearing ears and falling tears. Bro. White's last discourse, connecting law and gospel from the fall of Adam to 1867 and onward, was listened to with profound attention.
Yesterday (Sabbath) was a good day with us. At the close of the Bible Class, Bro. C. Jones, the leader, proposed to commence with the book of Revelation, next Sabbath, and all the class try and furnish themselves with 'Thoughts on Revelation,' to aid them in getting its clear exposition. I hope they will, and all our brethren will have one in their libraries and love to study and feast on its contents. To those who love the 'present truth,' it is worth five times the price it is offered for. And we think we can say with safety that all those who have a heart-felt desire to learn the clear exposition of the prophecy of this book, will find it rich, and far beyond any other thoughts ever presented on this subject.
We thank God through Jesus Christ our blessed Lord, for what he has done, and is still doing, to prepare his willing people for the marriage supper of the Lamb.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Sept. 15, 1867.
“LET EVERYTHING BE DONE IN ORDER.”
By James White
I AM sorry that some have misapprehended my remark recently made in the Review, that I was fearful of the standing of those who sympathized with a fault-finding, censorious, bitter spirit. I will try to make myself understood.
In order to pass safely the perils and deceptions of the last days we need discernment to distinguish between the Spirit of God and the spirit of the enemy. I have seen some, and with deep regret, too, who would cling to, and choose for their most intimate associates, those who made a loud profession and claimed to be led by the Spirit of God, whose harsh, jealous, denunciatory manner proved that it was not the Spirit of God that moved them. Such lack discernment in regard to the movings of God's Spirit, and accept every manifestation of mental or nervous excitement as from God. I have seen more than one individual “fall” by “the power” in camp meetings, whose daily lives gave evidence that they were not chosen instruments of Heaven. This was a warning to me. And in these last days we need to be specially careful and try the spirits whether they be of God, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; “for by their fruits shall ye know them;” not by their professions.
And I have seen those who separated themselves from the church; who, like Diotrephes, would have the pre-eminence or take no part, and refused to meet with their brethren; who divided their time between praising their own graces and complaining of others; I have seen such go to neighboring churches and there take a prominent part in meetings and even be invited to lead them. This is disorderly, and will not be countenanced by any well-informed and well-governed church.
Every church must judge of the standing of its own members; and it does not belong to some other church to rise up in judgment against its action on floating reports. Our Conferences have Committees appointed to take the oversight of such matters, and all errors of discipline should be referred to them on appeal.
I knew a church in the West almost broken up by persistently retaining a member who had been disfellowshipped by another church. They might have expected such a course to bring upon them the frown of the Head of the church, as it tends to destroy all order and bring confusion. One of the most difficult trials ever had in Ohio grew out of the same ill-advised action of a certain church receiving as a member one who moved among them, and refusing to recognize the237action of the church where he moved from. And yet that same church whose action was thus set aside—who had witnessed all the trouble that arose from such a disorderly course, have run into the same error and confusion by sympathizing with one who had been justly disfellowshipped by another church; and suffering complaints to prejudice them against that other church without knowing anything of the merits of the case. If they refuse to profit by the experience of others, and will learn wisdom only by their own suffering, we hope they will not complain when the trial comes upon them.
These are more than private matters. Order must be observed or the work will be marred, and our time spent in settling difficulties which a little wisdom and prudence would have prevented. Let all the churches learn to walk in harmony, and be at peace one with another, and the God of peace will bless and prosper them.
J. H. W.
Bowersville, Green Co., O., Sept. 12.
“NONE SHALL HELP HIM.”
By W. C. G.
More than two thousand years ago, an inspired prophet of the Lord uttered against a power which should “magnify himself above every god,” the following prediction: “Yet he shall come to his end and none shall help him.” Dan. xi, 45. As the seal was removed from the book of Daniel, and knowledge on the prophecies increased, it became evident that the power here referred to could be none other than the Papacy, and the careful student of prophecy has been watching with eager interest the events which mark the fulfillment of this prediction.
The close observer cannot fail to see that the temporal power of the Papacy is steadily but surely crumbling away. The troubled state of things which exists in Europe is causing those which have lent it their support to withdraw their countenance from it, to attend wholly to their own affairs, as self-preservation is the first law of Governments.
The following will be of interest to those who are interested in the event which is to immediately follow the entire desertion of the Papal power by the governments of earth, i. e., the deliverance of God's people when Michael shall stand up. W. C. G.
A Word of Caution.
By John Nevins Andrews
In many parts of the country our brethren are purchasing sewing machines that have never been patented or licensed. These machines cost from $10.00 to $25.00, but those who purchase them are in danger of prosecution from the sewing-machine companies whose patents are infringed upon by these cheap machines. In New Hampshire the agents of these companies are compelling the owners of these unlicensed machines to pay $10.50 or to stand a suit at law, with fine and costs as the certain result. I wish therefore to caution the readers of the Review against the purchase of machines that do not have engraved upon them the name of the manufacturer and the date of the patent or license under which they are manufactured.
J. N. ANDREWS.
As an argument in favor of Sunday keeping we are often cited to the beneficial effects of Sunday observance on communities and individuals. We admit all this, but there is another idea in connection with it which is certainly worthy of consideration. If all these blessings are realized for the observance of a day which does not and cannot carry out the purpose of the true Sabbath, how much more would the world have been blessed and benefited by observing a day which would have all the advantages claimed for Sunday, together with the grand idea for which the Sabbath was originated, viz., the memorializing of the Creator's rest, and which could not be realized by keeping any other day.
And in addition to all this it must be apparent that a special blessing must follow the observance of a day which is commanded, rather than one for which there is not a single word of command in the word of God.
W. C. G.
A MAN passes for a sage if he seeks for wisdom; if he thinks he has found it he is a fool.
THE LAST DEFEAT OF ROME.
Another and terrible blow has recently fallen upon the Papacy, a blow which will affect its authority more directly than the series of reverses which have followed the great defeat at Sadowa. Since that battle, Venetia has been liberated, and the last hope of regaining power in Italy finally swept away. The Polish Church has been virtually released from Papal authority, the Clerical power has been utterly overthrown in Mexico, Church property has been sequestered throughout Italy, and Ultramontanism has been expelled from the kingdom of Hungary. The Concordat, which had been octroyed there while the Hapsburgs were absolute, required the sanction of the Diet, and with the revival of constitutional life it silently disappeared. In less than twelve months the Papacy has lost the control of three great kingdoms, a province nearly as large as a kingdom, and property which in Italy, Mexico, and Poland, must be worth, at the very least, a hundred million sterling, and might, twenty years hence, have been valued at thrice that sum. It is a frightful list of misfortunes, yet we doubt if the whole together will be so bitterly felt in Rome as the decision of July 26th, when the Austrian Reichsrath, by a vote of 130 to 24, solemnly decreed that the Concordat should cease to exist.—The Spectator.
News and Miscellany.
Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi, 3.
Potato Rot.—A writer from Maine, under date of Aug. 28, says, “I am sorry to announce to you that a great calamity has befallen the industrious farmers of Maine, viz., the total destruction of the potato crop by that great scourge, the ‘potato rot.’ Its operations are most singular. The day before the disease struck the vines they were perfect and promising; the next morning whole fields appeared as if a scorching fire had run through them, the foliage black and crisped. In one week after, the potato in the hill became discolored and was soon a mass of decayed matter, fit for food for neither man nor beast. From what I can learn, the disease has swept over the whole State.”
Forewarned, Forearmed.—In an article on the situation and prospects in this country, Harper’s Weekly of Sept. 14, 1867, says:—
We learn, upon good authority, that there are ten thousand men in Maryland called militia, armed and under the command of Rebel officers. Not long before Mr. Stanton was suspended, a requisition came from the Governor of Maryland to the War Department for batteries, which the Secretary refused. For what purpose is such a body of men so armed and so officered? We do not mention this to excite a foolish alarm, but an alarm which is not foolish. It may be an untrue story, but it is not in the least improbable that the President intends some action hostile to Congress. It may be in the guise of resistance to the process and results of impeachment. It may be in pursuance of a plan to issue an amnesty and to assemble a new Congress. The wildness of the plan and its futility do not make it improbable. If the President knew the feeling of the country he might pause. But he does not know it. He can not know it. He is surrounded and led by men who misrepresent it; and to General Grant, the true friend of the country in the Cabinet, he does not listen.
The times are grave. No man should deceive himself or “deride,” with the New York Tribune, the imminence of trouble. To be forewarned against danger we must be forearmed. We need not, indeed, imagine that we are already Mexicanized; but we ought certainly to reflect that, in a revolutionary period, when the country still trembles with civil war, and peaceful order is not yet restored, a desperate, ignorant, and obstinate Chief Magistrate may plunge us into very serious difficulty.
A Reminiscence of the War.—The scene on the 6th of October, 1864, when Sheridan’s army deployed across the forty miles of valley and moved slowly northward, touching the Blue Ridge on the east, the Alleghany on the west, was of the most thrilling character that this historic region has to remember. Almost four years of war had left this garden of the continent as beautiful and fertile as the peace it threw away. The barns and bins were bursting with good cheer. Stone walls that the armies could not burn, protected the high rolling villages. All the harvests had been gathered. Men and women sat waiting for the frosts to come, and snow to cap the mountain spires, that they might glide into the gossip of winter nights, and see their boys come home on furlough to share the apples roasted in the fire and the blossoming of popcorn on the hearth. The cattle were lowing in the straw; the pigs were plump for the butcher; the horses and mules were munching for the long rest of half the year. Across the stubbled upland the white turnpikes leaped from crest to crest, vanishing in the mountain gaps, or leading straight as beams from the North Star into the land of the invader. Like a more baneful beam of a more lurid tint, the Army of the Shenandoah unfolded, and out of its forty darkening miles the flames of mills, and barns, and railway ties leaped up. Column and plumes moved northward, as if the forces of Sampson swept on with their fire-brands blazing, and before them cattle and mules, and sheep and teams were driven like the funeral of the animal creation; behind them were women wringing their hands, and a pall of smoke like a cloud on the mountains. The streams by night were of burnished gold, palpitating with their reflected flashes, and by day the broad marching dragon for the Potomac, breathing gray and cindery. When he had passed, the summer had gone out of the winter nights, the familiar beasts were departed; only the dogs howled to see the women weeping.—G. A. T. in the N. Y. Tribune.
—In a free nation it matters not whether individuals reason well or ill; it is sufficient that they do reason. Truth arises from the collision, but from hence springs liberty, which is a security from the effects of reasoning.—Montesquieu.