When a man has express revelation for his faith and practice, he does not beg for charity, nor complain of being judged, if you differ with him. He rests with perfect confidence on the word of God, and enjoys “great peace,” because he accepts of and loves God’s law as it is. Hence the plea for charity, and the complaint of being judged, arise from a consciousness of the want of inspired testimony to sustain them in their course.
The plea for charity is always made upon the claim that all cannot understand the duties required in the commandments of God and the gospel of Christ, alike. Men differ; and it is thought that this must be so, and cannot be otherwise. But you never heard a Baptist talk in this way when gospel baptism was the theme of conversation; neither did you ever hear a keeper of the seventh day as the Sabbath make this plea when speaking of the moral law of God, the ten commandments. And why is this so? Because that when men have the word of God for their faith and practice, they are conscious of it; and when they have not, they are conscious of that too, and therefore ask for quarters, in a plea for charity. They will argue that all cannot see it alike, when in fact they know their want of evidence, and for this very reason feel their weakness, and their need of charity to cover their unwarrantable position. Yet I charitably hope that such ones think they are honest; but if they are, it is evident they are self-deceived.
Now this claim, that men necessarily differ in their understanding of the duties required in the plainly-expressed word of God, is false, and libelous against its Author. The necessity exists only in the fact that men have certain pre-conceived opinions and traditions which they feel must be sustained; and conscious of the fact that they are out of harmony with revelation, they can see no better way to defend them than to claim to understand the word of God in a different way. When they can take that word as it reads, and let it correct the errors of their education, they will find that it truly is perfect, and that all the fault is in the theories of men which contradict it.
I may be accused of want of charity and of judging, because I speak thus; but I judge no man; I only judge that the word and law of God is perfect, as it claims to be. “Let God be true,” though it prove every man to be a liar.
Those who have heeded the word of God, and have tried to persuade others to heed it, have always been accused of judging. When Lot, in Sodom, plead for the right and kindly remonstrated against the wrong, saying, “I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly,” the reply was, “This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he must needs be a judge.” Nothing could be more false. It is true, his right conduct condemned their sins. This was all. He did not assume to be the judge of men. Noah’s faith in the word of God and obedience thereto “condemned the world,” as Paul affirms; but God, and not Noah was their judge.
So it is now. If any do right, their course condemns the wrong; and wrong-doers feel the condemnation, and accuse them of judging. And how pathetically they plead for charity. They can fellowship you, and almost anybody that bears the Christian name. What difference does it make whether they obey what God has ordained, or no ordinances at all. If the heart is only right, who cares for externals? This is the way they talk. And the sort of Christian union which they propose, is to put truth and error upon an equal footing, calling the commandments of God and the ordinances of the gospel non-essentials. And thus the God of truth is traduced and his laws trampled under foot, under a pious plea for charity and Christian union. Seeing his word cannot be understood, they propose to ride right over it into a glorious Christian union! They pride themselves on their charity and liberality. Their mantle is broad. It covers almost everything.
And well it may be. They feel the need of a covering for their defenseless creeds. They want the mantle to cover themselves at least; therefore they should be willing for it to cover others in a like needy condition. And because the laws of God are so poor a guide, seeing they cannot be understood by all alike, they conclude that others, who differ with them, are just as honest as themselves. And so they are, without a doubt. They are equally honest; and all their erroneous traditions are equally valuable. These are truly non-essentials. Why not cast them aside and unite.
But true hearts cannot thus cast away the word of God for such a union—a union that is only a compromise between truth and error. That word reveals the errors of human creeds. No union is worth a straw that has not truth for its foundation. The word of God is truth. If men would come to that word, they would be united in a union that God could approve.
And that word will stand. And it will judge men; although they may unite to defame it; and agree to call truth and error equally good.
“Judging,” do I hear again? Not at all. The Lord is judge. But he has said, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” We can know men, as we would read a book, while we leave their judgment to God, who knows their hearts better than we. And instead of judging and wishing to condemn men, all we say is for the purpose of opening their eyes to every false way, and persuading them to renounce their errors, embrace God’s word, and escape the judgment unto condemnation of Him who is to be the judge of all.
R. F. COTTRELL.
The Advent Doctrine Known by its Fruit.
By D. T. Bourdeau
A TREE is known by the fruit it bears; so a doctrine is known by the fruit that those bring forth who live it out. And certainly the fruit and tendency of the Advent doctrine can be none other than good. The Advent doctrine is highly practical. If the shortness of human life and the certainty of death are strong incentives to repentance, are not the near coming of Christ, the close of human probation, and the unmingled wrath of God preceding it, still greater motives to lead men to turn away from their sins and give their hearts to God?
If the doctrine of Christ's first coming led John the Baptist to strongly call upon men to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, should not the belief of his speedy second coming have at least a similar effect on those who entertain it? John the Baptist preached the coming of the Lamb of God who was to take away the sins of the world and open to the world the fullness of gospel blessings, yet he laid the axe at the root of the tree. We believe in the advent of Christ as King of kings to punish the ungodly and reward the saints, and that before Christ comes, mercy will cease to be offered, and there will be no hope of pardon to the sinner. How doubly compelling is this doctrine in leading to repentance and holiness of life.
Again, some who have not gone too far in presumptuous sins may possibly find mercy on a dying bed. They have a merciful High Priest and advocate who may then be prevailed upon to plead in their behalf the merits of his death as they confess their sins to him. But not so with the presumptuous sinner who lives till the coming of the Lord. He will then have no Mediator, no High Priest, to plead his case. The atonement will then be past. The filthy must his filth retain and receive the just but awful wrath of God. How important then it is to improve the few lingering, merciful moments as they pass.
Accordingly, as we might expect, those who heartily receive the Advent doctrine, whether they have been professors or not, to feel the importance of repenting, and leading more devoted lives in the service of God. They see they are unprepared for the time of trouble, and for the day of God. They see errors in their past lives, sins to be confessed and overcome, to stand the scrutinizing test and fiery ordeal of the Judgment, and be without spot and blameless at Christ's appearing.
But some will refer to the crooked course of those who profess the Advent doctrine, or who have given it up as the legitimate fruits of Adventism. This is very unfair. As well might they charge to Moses the unbelief and fall of the Jews in the wilderness, and to the Saviour the infidelity of the Jews at his first advent, and even their great wickedness in slaying him.
It is not because the Israelites received the testimony of Moses that they fell in the wilderness; but their fall was the result of their rejecting his testimony—the result of their unbelief.
So in regard to the fall of the Jews at Christ's first advent; and so in regard to the bad fruit of some who profess the Advent faith and do not live it out, or of some who have given up the Advent doctrine. The proper way to judge of the nature of a doctrine is to look at the fruit of those who live it out. And even the fall and crooked course of those who reject the truth verifies the truthfulness of the saying of Paul, that the gospel is as much a savor of death unto death unto those who reject it, as it is a savor of life unto life to those who truly receive it and carry it out in their lives.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Rebellion.
By Jos. Clarke
Some thirty-four years ago, a young man, J. A.—left college, somewhat shattered in mind, and went to work at hard labor, on a canal then being constructed in Ohio.
Soon his fellow-laborers appreciated the state of the case, and began to ridicule and annoy him, as he was decidedly of a religious turn of mind. At one time, his comrades requested him to preach, merely to see what he would do. He accepted the invitation, on condition that they would listen quietly to him, for one hour and a half.
As the man had been really a fine scholar, he began a discourse, very deep and searching; and it was not long before his audience began to be impatient, hearing his convincing and truthful arguments.
Soon they began to interrupt him, and by their frequent disturbance, so annoyed the preacher that he paused in his discourse and reminded them of their promise to listen quietly to him for one hour and a half; and again he proceeded with his powerful demonstrations, showing them the wickedness of man, and his utter hopelessness out of Christ. Again he was interrupted, and so noisy did they become that the preacher was forced to cease; but with the remark that he had only begun to show them the terrible nature of sin. They replied that if he had only begun, what would he prove? and when would it end? they did not want to hear more. Here we have an index of the rebellion hidden in the human heart.
It is not pleasant to hear about the corruption of the human heart, especially if it is proved, that we are the sinners ourselves. It is extremely painful to the carnal heart to have its carnality exposed to view; it rebels against it; none but the humble, contrite soul rejoices in the plain testimony. The ancient prophets were often persecuted because they plainly spoke the counsel of God. May the people of God now be able to receive the testimony now being given to them.
Perilous times are upon us, and more perilous times are yet at hand; darkness covers the earth. May we as a people, let our light shine before our fellow-men, in such a manner that God may be glorified. Jos. Clarke.
Our Platform.
[At a meeting of the friends of Reform, held at the Health Reform Institute, Battle Creek, Jan. 1, 1872, this Platform was unanimously adopted.]
1. God, in the creation of man, established laws pertaining to both his moral and physical natures, which, had he always obeyed them, would have given him immunity from sickness, and would have perpetuated his life. Sickness and suffering had their origin in the violation of these laws.
2. As man cannot have eternal life without strict obedience to moral law, so he cannot have deliverance from the terrible bondage of sickness and premature death in this world without strict observance of physical law.
3. The moral and physical natures of man are so intimately related that it is impossible to live in violation of either of these laws without doing violence to the other. Physical law, therefore, in its sphere, is as sacred and binding upon man as moral law.
4. The gospel teaches that man should live healthfully as well as righteously.
5. We recognize in nature the power to restore to health without the aid of medicines. The true Physician supplies conditions: Nature cures.
6. Our materia medica: Good food, pure air, pure, soft water, light, heat, exercise, proper clothing, rest, sleep, moral and social influence.
7. Our motto: Temperance in all things. Not only in eating, drinking, and in labor, but in everything that tends to exhaust the vitality of the system.
8. It has been well said: “A contented mind is a continual feast.” A well-founded trust in God is the best and surest promoter of cheerfulness of mind; and without this all other means, may fail.—Health Reformer.
The Effort in Monterey, Mich.
By W. H. Littlejohn
After the General Conference, I returned to Allegan, where I spent several days with the church, and in making preparations to leave home in order to labor in other places.
On January the 13th, I went to Monterey, agreeably to appointment, for the purpose of assisting in the effort which was then entered upon for the benefit of the people in that place. On Sabbath and Sunday Bro. and sister White were present, and the commodious house of worship was well filled with brethren and sisters from different parts of the county, some of them having come a distance of twenty-five miles. The work on these two days was solemn, and gave evidence of the anxiety on the part of God to work by his Holy Spirit with the people. Had they discerned this fact more clearly, and felt their need of help more sensibly than they did, much more might have been accomplished than was realized at that time.
The scarcity of laborers among us, and the worn condition of those who stand at their posts, as well as the increasing desire to hear on the part of those not yet reached, combine to make it a serious offense in the sight of God for those who believe in the present truth to relapse periodically into a backslidden condition, where nearly all the resources which God has provided for the conversion of men should be expended on those professedly in the faith, before any attention can be given to those who are not. How much better it would be every way, if the servants of God, instead of being prostrated by special efforts for the brethren, would look to them with confidence while feeling assured of their acceptance and power with Heaven; and they could reverse this order of things, and say as did one of old, and he even an apostle, “Brethren, pray for us.”
On Monday morning, Bro. and sister White returned to their home in Battle Creek, while I remained in Monterey to continue the meetings, preaching each evening and the forenoons of Sabbath and Sunday, until Jan. 26.
During this time, my labors were wearing, and yet they were agreeable, because I realized the help of God, more sensibly, perhaps, than I ever had previously. While it was manifest that the condition of the church was deplorable indeed, it nevertheless seemed as if the Spirit of the Lord brooded over the congregation, and yearned for the salvation of all present. Before I left, there was a manifest change for the better. That cold formality which ever characterizes a backslidden people, had given way, measurably, and that warmth of affection and love for one another which is always apparent in those who stand near the Lord, had begun to re-appear. Difficulties of long standing, in some cases, were settled in a few moments, when the heart had been softened by the Holy Spirit. Several who had backslidden altogether, and had departed a great way from the Lord, confessed their wanderings with tears of contrition, and returned once more to find a place in the fold of the Master. Others who, while still clinging to the external form, had lost the power of the message, received the anointing which enabled them to discover the ruin just before them, and return trembling to the side of the Lord.
On the whole, I find great occasion of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the striking manifestation of his long-suffering toward his children, as manifested during these meetings. I left the brethren, Jan. 26, visiting from house to house, and praying and counseling with one another, in order to get light as to the proper manner in which to proceed for the future. Since then I have been rejoiced at hearing that several days subsequent to my departure, they were carrying forward the work. I never felt nearer to the church in Monterey than I do now; and I have great hope for their future success, if they will accept the whole truth and hold it in that Christian fellowship without which there is no power in the church of God. They have numbers, ability, and means, and by concert of action, their influence will be felt in the community in which they have been raised up.
Jan. 26, I returned to Allegan, and held meeting with the church in that place on the Sabbath.
Jan. 27, in company with J. Kellogg, I started for Wright, Ottawa Co., Mich., where I am now laboring. As I shall probably be moving from place to place for some time to come, it will be well for those desiring to address me, to direct their letters to Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich., from which place they will be forwarded to me wherever I may be.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
Vermont.
By A. S. Hutchins
On the 17th ult., I attended the funeral of a child in Wolcott, also preached there in the evening. Sabbath, the 20th, spoke in Sutton, at the house of Bro. G. M. Dean. The Lord has graciously manifested his love and sustaining power in behalf of this brother and his companion (the only surviving sister of Mrs. H.) since our last camp-meeting, where he decided henceforth to keep the Bible Sabbath.
Circumstanced as he was, by occupation a miller, it was a gigantic struggle to decide on that course which would so greatly endanger him in his business. For a season, that which he feared came upon him. He rested upon the holy Sabbath, and his mill rested most of the time. But, with his companion, he stood firm and unshaken in Him in whose cause they had enlisted, with increasing confidence in the truth, and the power and willingness of God to sustain the faithful. Happy in the service of the Lord, and prosperous in his business, they are now able to say, “Our trials have been nothing compared with the blessings received.” “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” Bro. Dean’s parents are keeping the Sabbath. These additions to the number of believers in S. gives a thrill of joy to the hearts of the old, tired friends here.
By request of the Free-will Baptists, I spoke to them in their meeting-house on first-day, P. M. The discourse was well received. The next morning, being urged by some of these friends to remain and speak again in the evening, I consented, though laboring under the influence of a bad cold and general prostration of the system. Considering the time for the notice, there was a good attendance. Never did I speak to any people with greater freedom. The subject, repentance and faith. Prejudice gave way, precious souls came near, my heart was drawn out in love for them, and I felt deep solicitude for their salvation.
Some in this large church believe as we do on the nature of man, and on future rewards and punishments. And some see considerable light on the signs of the times. To remain here, fearing to speak on these important truths, seems much like putting new wine into old bottles. Who, oh! who will lead the honest out into the clear light and freedom of the gospel?
An anxiety was awakened to hear more, and the next morning several friends offered very liberally, in fare, board and means, if I would stay longer, or come again. It would have been a matter of great satisfaction to have been able to remain awhile, visiting and speaking what I could, had it seemed right to leave the friends here now. Oh! that many faithful shepherds may be raised up to gather from thousands of hills and plains the scattered and hungering sheep.
Sabbath, the 27th, spoke twice at the house of Bro. H. W. Barrows, in Irasburgh. Freedom in the presentation of the truth, and a ready witnessing to it from believers, rendered this a good meeting to all. Brethren, sisters, friends, and backsliders, could all testify to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Oh! may it ever be with us.
In my absence, Eld. A. Stone spent one Sabbath and first-day here. His labors were well appreciated. The interest remains good in our midst. Some new ones have commenced to keep the Sabbath, since my last. We hope to be remembered by those who have access to the throne of grace in fervent prayer.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
West Bolton, Vt., Feb. 5, 1872.
Iowa.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Jan. 9 to 17, was some five miles south of Pleasantville and eleven miles west of Knoxville. The friends came in from all around on the Sabbath, and we had a sweet and solemn season. One family came out on the truth, also another person from Sandyville. There were some dozen or fifteen Sabbath-keepers near here before. So it was decided to have regular meetings here in the future instead of going further away.
Jan. 20 and 21, at Osceola. Preached several times, and held a number of meetings for organization. Outside attendance still good. One more came out on the Sabbath. All seem to be coming up well and getting into the work. Nearly, if not quite, all now have overcome their tobacco, taken up family prayer, bear their testimony in meeting, &c. We have partially organized the church, and shall take time to finish it.
Jan. 26 to Feb. 5, at Decatur City. Found a good little meeting-house, well finished and furnished all but seating. There were good temporary seats however. The debts are all paid. Bro. Caldwell has done generously in carrying this through. The weather was very cold much of the time so that the outside attendance was small, but our friends all attended promptly, and we had many plain talks with them on practical subjects. Here were some who had known the truth for years, and were still using tobacco, tea,79and coffee, having no family prayers, &c., while others, who have but just come into the truth, have reformed on all these things. Christians who are looking for translation must clean up, and straighten up on these points. We talked these things over plainly, and they were kindly received, and all resolved to reform. Tobacco was laid aside, and all took up family prayer. This encouraged us much.
We organized s. B. to the amount of $160. Organized a parish to hold and control the church property; also organized a church of twenty-four members. Sold a good number of books, and obtained several subscribers for the REVIEW, Reformer, and Instructor. Some one must return there shortly and administer the ordinance of baptism.
Sunday afternoon, came to Leon with Bro. and sister Dawson, and stopped all night. I enjoyed the visit very much and felt that the Lord was working for them. They seem very near to me for the love they show for the truth. If they now bear the test well, I feel very hopeful that God will make them useful in his holy cause. I now go to Richland.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
GOING HOME.
Let worldly minds the world pursue;
It hath no charms for me;
Once I admired its trifles too,
But grace hath set me free.
Cho.—Going home, going home to dwell where Jesus is.
Going home, going home, going home to die no more.
Its pleasures can no longer please,
Nor happiness afford;
Far from my heart be joys like these,
Now I have seen the Lord.
Cho.—Going home, &c.
As by the light of opening day
The stars are all concealed,
So earthly pleasures fade away,
When Jesus is revealed.
Cho.—Going home, &c.
Creatures no more divide my choice;
I bid them all depart;
His name, his love, his gracious voice,
Have fixed my roving heart.
Cho.—Going home, &c.
—Sel.
JAMES ERTZENBERGER
By James Ertzenberger
Switzerland.
Since my note of December 25, I have continued lecturing at this place, as well as at the other one named near by. During the second week of January I was obliged to suspend on account of prayer meetings, which were held every evening from the 7th to the 14th of this month.
Recommenced lecturing January 15. And although there existed some discouraging circumstances on that evening, the congregation was even larger than it had ever been before, and has increased every time since, so that the number is now double. Instead of eighty persons, I have now at this place one hundred and sixty, and at the other, instead of one hundred listeners, two hundred; and all are very attentive to the word spoken.
It is indeed encouraging to see these, although I have not yet tested them on the Sabbath question. That question will be treated next week. However, I believe there will be a considerable number still to hear the word.
I can but see the hand of God, and do firmly believe the Lord is in the work. Worldlings, who were very indifferent to the word, are becoming interested in the truth. The neglected Bible is taken up to be studied and searched. Slumbering ones are becoming aroused, and even pastors of the National church try to speak the word more earnestly.
The devil, too, is trying his might and influence. I shall continue lecturing at both places as long as the interest may demand, or permission may be granted to occupy the Colleges. May the Lord help in all things. May dying souls be turned to him. And may great good be accomplished. I hope and pray you to remember me and the work in Switzerland, in your prayers.
Yours with much love,
JAMES ERTZENBERGER
Chaux de fonds, (Neuchatel), Jan. 23, 1872.
Milford, Ontario.
By R. F. Cottrell
It has been some time since I have reported labor through the REVIEW; but I have not been idle, though having nothing special to report. I have attended the monthly meetings in our part of the State of New York, written for publication in the Sabbath Recorder, as well as for our papers, and have made efforts to get our neighbors interested in the truth, with some apparent success, so much so that on giving an appointment at our house it was well attended and a deep interest manifested.
On the 18th of January I left home and came here to Prince Edward Co., Canada West. I have had a series of meetings in a country place, some three miles from Milford, without very marked success, though the few who attended gave good attention to the word. Snow storms and winds prevailed almost continually, and the roads were blocked up with drifts, which made the attendance small and irregular. But I had the opportunity to advertise the truth both by distributing tracts in the meetings and from house to house where I visited. I hope that some seed has fallen into good ground.
Now the weather is fair, and leading men in the township have freely offered me the use of the town hall in the village of Milford. I have given three discourses to good and very attentive congregations, and there seems to be reason to hope that good will result. I continue as the interest may demand, hoping that souls may be saved as the result. To-morrow and next day is the season for fasting and prayer to the Lord of the harvest. Though separated from my people and among strangers in another dominion, I shall not forget these solemn days of prayer.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Milford, Feb. 9, 1872.
Potterville, Mich.
By E. B. Lane
THE interest here is still good. Although the weather has been stormy and extremely cold much of the time, our smallest congregations have numbered more than fifty, while during a portion of the time our house could hardly make them comfortable, being so crowded. Our investigation of the Sabbath question, the condition of the dead, and the second advent, has made a deep impression upon the public mind. Many are becoming convinced while some are obeying.
Last Sabbath, five or six more made a surrender, observing the Sabbath for the first time. We have strong hope of others taking hold of the truth. It was heart-touching to hear the earnest testimonies borne by the young who have made a start since these meetings commenced.
The United Brethren of this place having no house of worship, used ours Sabbath afternoon and Sunday forenoon, during which time their minister, an influential man, strongly advocated the claims of the moral law, pointing to the chart and telling his audience that none need expect to be saved in transgression of even one of those commands.
Our prayers are that he as a teacher may ere long set the example before his flock of allegiance to the down-trodden Sabbath of God's great moral law, by which means the force of his remarks will be felt and heeded by others.
We shall probably remain here over “fast-days,” and longer if duty demand.
E. B. LANE.
Locust Grove, Kentucky.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I CLOSED my brief effort at Sonora, with a discourse on the fifth kingdom. A good impression was left, and quite a number of our works were taken. We did not take up the Sabbath question, because we were well satisfied that the proprietor of the house would not permit us to do it justice, as he was bitterly opposed to our views, and had said he would close the house when he saw fit. We thought it wrong to speak on this question while knowing that we could not present it fully before the people, yet we cannot leave this important subject in the shade, as it stands prominent in the moral reform for these times.
January 23, I resumed my lectures at Locust Grove, having walked nine miles in melting snow and mud to reach the place. I have been laboring here ever since, with the exception of last Friday and Sabbath, which I spent in company with Dr. Combs, in going six miles into the country to have an interview with a Baptist minister, who, we had been told, preached mainly on the prophecies. It snowed all the afternoon Friday, during three hours of which we rode on horseback, facing the wind and storm; and the minister did not come. But we had an opportunity of hearing one of his members, who, being a firm believer, and well informed in many things, was fully competent to represent his views, some of which were rather novel. Here is a synopsis as far as they were expressed: 1. We are living in the last days. 2. Christ's second coming will not be literal and personal, 3. The first resurrection will be spiritual, and will be realized in glorious events to the church. 4. The world is to be converted by the power of God, without the special co-operation of man, as man is not a free moral agent. Yet in speaking on the degeneracy of our race as a sign of the times, he said he believed weakness and decrepitude would increase until children, as well as old men, would walk with staffs in the streets. A strange state of things in a temporal millennium! 5. The book of Revelation, which is their text-book, belongs exclusively to the Gentiles. The Jews have no part in it. But when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, the Jews will all come in and be saved. 6. Lincoln was Antichrist. 7. The Leopard beast, with seven heads and ten horns, is a symbol of the United States, the president and his cabinet answering to the seven heads, and the ten military divisions to the ten horns. Yet he claimed that the toes of the image represented the ten kingdoms of the Roman Empire. 8. The two-horned beast is also an emblem of this government, etc., etc. We set forth the Bible view of these subjects before this man and a few candid Baptists, who could not agree with him, removing, as we trust, some prejudice, and feeling very grateful for a clear, connected, and consistent system of truth.
Yesterday morning, in company with Dr. Combs, we came to this place, a distance of eleven miles, on horseback, and got here in time to hear Eld. Daugherty, a Disciple preacher, read and comment upon the third chapter of Galatians, to make the people believe that the law of God was abolished. He then gave a practical discourse, at the close of which he invited me to speak. I responded by giving a forty-five minutes' speech on the holiness for these times, defining the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and reading extracts from Alexander Campbell, John Wesley, and other reformers on the Law of God, to show that we simply carry out the fundamental principles of all true reformers. We also handed out forty tracts on the two laws, and gave our opening discourse on the law of God, last evening.
It will take time to remove prejudice, and start the work in this State. Many are twenty-five years behind the times on the doctrine of election, thinking that their salvation is in the hands of God, that there is no falling from grace, etc., and, therefore, not feeling the importance of advancing in reform. Also, there is prejudice existing with reference to northern people, growing out of abuses, atrocities, and most cruel and unjust murders inflicted by unprincipled northern soldiers in connection with guerrillas. In a number of instances we find that some of the best and most harmless citizens have been slaughtered without mercy. We do not preach politics, but preach the word, and point the people to a better world. A few are being convinced that we have the truth on the Sabbath, and will embrace it. We meet but little opposition on the coming of the Lord. It is blessed to work in so good a cause. Our courage is good. God blesses. Pray for us.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Locust Grove, Ky., Feb. 5, 1872.
Quarterly Report of the New England Tract Society.
By S. N. Haskell; M. L. Huntley
At the time of the quarterly meeting at South Lancaster, Mass., Feb. 4, 1872, the Tract Society met at 9 A. M. Eld. Haskell, the president, being present, presided, and made some remarks at the opening of the meeting, showing the object and work of tract societies, and their efficiency in enlisting and uniting the efforts of all, men, women, and children, in the work of spreading light and truth, and also the benefit to be derived from the united judgment and counsel of different brethren upon subjects connected with present truth.
Report of the preceding meeting was then read and accepted. A report of missionary labor for the past quarter was called for and read. Number of reports received, 56, which showed that about 21,300 pages of reading matter have been distributed, besides 105 bound books, of which 53 have been presented to libraries. Number of new subscribers obtained, and copies furnished: REVIEW, 33; Instructor, 22; Reformer, 85. Number of sick visited, 46; families, 120.
Of the above, the R. I. district report showed that about 8,436 pages of our publications have been distributed in that State, and also showed a good degree of interest in other branches of the work. Number of members added to the society this quarter, 32. Whole number of members, 138.
A list of the present subscribers for our periodicals was compared with that of Jan., 1871, which showed that there has been an increase of 72 for the REVIEW, and 232 for Reformer. The Instructor has not received the attention during the year past that it will in time to come. One brother remarked that we might put him down for thirty new subscribers for the next quarter. This brother knew what he was talking about, as he had obtained thirty-two subscribers for the Reformer during the past quarter.
The Vigilant Missionary Society reported 88 letters written and 50 received during the past quarter. They have 17 corresponding agents, about 300 correspondents, and 31 members. The subject of health and uniformity in dress is more especially engaging their attention at present.
Widow and Orphan Fund stands as follows:
Cash on hand, Oct. 29, 1871, $53.39
Received on donations, 72.50
Total, $125.89
Paid for board and other expenses, $32.12
Cash to balance, 93.77
Total, $125.89
Delinquent's Fund.
Received on donations, 61.00
Paid for REVIEW on arrearages and to the poor, 20.21
Paid for Instructor on arrearages and to the poor, .88
Paid for Reformer on arrearages and to the poor, 28.50
Paid on last quarter, 11.43
Total, $61.02
Financial report for quarter ending Feb. 4, 1872.
Cash on hand, Oct. 29, 1871, $127.75
Received on membership, 31.00
“ “ donations, 202.00
Sale of books, 14.05
Books on hand, 69.31
Total, $443.50
Bound books presented to libraries, $24.00
Publications distributed, 35.30
Cash on Widow's Fund, 32.12
“ “ periodicals, 61.52
Printing, postage, &c., 16.12
Publications, 69.31
Cash on hand to balance, 205.13
Total, $443.50
Adjourned to 2½ P. M.
At the appointed time the society met again. The meeting being opened by prayer, the propriety of having a paper devoted to the interests of the tract enterprise and imparting information to those wishing to write for the periodicals was considered and discussed with much interest, which resulted in a unanimous vote in favor of such a periodical, and steps were to be immediately taken to ascertain how many subscribers could be obtained for it providing it should meet the mind of the Publishing Committee.
The V. M. Society then presented a lady's hat for the consideration of the brethren and sisters. After comparing it with different styles worn by the sisters present, it was favorably received, with the view of meeting a long existing want with reference to uniformity of style, &c.
The article in the report of the General Conference relating to the $10,000 health publication fund was then considered, when $614.00 were pledged to be paid during the present year.
Eld. S. N. Haskell, President.
M. L. Huntley, Secretary.