A few days since, we were pondering the question why it is that, with few exceptions, every one is under the thumb of Mrs. Grundy, when we called to see a friend. Her little child was playing in the room. Presently the nurse girl came to take him away and prepare him for dinner. But the young gentleman preferred to remain with the company, when mamma interposed in this manner:—
“Oh! Willie must go and have his hair brushed. Why, that lady thinks Willie has not had his hair brushed to-day. See how astonished she looks! And [to the nurse], Mary, every one will think Willie has no more clean aprons unless you put one on him right away.”
This had the desired effect. The child went at once to be brushed and dressed, from fear of what persons would think of him.
The next call made was on a poor, sick woman. She had a child somewhat younger than the other—two years old, perhaps. Soon the little one began to cry, interrupting our conversation.
“Oh, my!” said the mother. “See Gampa looking at you. He thinks it is awful queer Minnie should cry.”
Now, Grandpa was a surly old man, sitting in the corner of the room, reading his newspaper, and paying no attention whatever to the child. But Minnie straightened her face, and wiped her eyes, to see whether “Gampa” didn’t think her “awful queer.”
This visit finished, we returned home, and proposed to take Ethel, our own little girl, out for a walk. We asked the lady who has her in charge to put on her coat. But Ethel said,—
“Oh, no! I want to wear my ’ittie boo shawl!”
Immediately the lady exclaimed: “Mercy on us! If the little girl should go out with only her little blue shawl on, everybody in the street would look at her. And they would say to themselves: ‘Is it possible that little girl hasn’t got her winter coat yet?’”
At this Ethel laughed. The coat went on, and the walk proceeded. The young lady carried herself and eyed every passer-by in a manner that said, “Look at me. I’ve got my winter coat on.”
Returned from the walk, her wraps were removed, but her mittens, being a novelty from gloves, she did not wish to relinquish.
“Mercy on us!” was again exclaimed. “Did I ever hear of a little girl wearing her mittens in the house? What would everybody think?”
At this point we sat down, with the clear conviction that we had arrived at the solution of the question previously pondered. From the earliest dawn of consciousness up to maturity, the motive most frequently held before our children is the opinion of others. What wonder that so many of us are slaves to Mrs. Grundy? Boys and girls thus trained will be at fourteen years of age thoroughly unconscious, and will ask themselves, in regard to every action, not what is wise and right, but “What will people say?” If parents and all who have the care of children will watch themselves, they will probably be surprised to discover to what an extent they present this motive. It is so easy in this manner to stop children from crying, or to induce them to conform to our wishes, that the temptation is great. But a very little thought will obviate this, and offer true motives of action.
For instance, take the case of Ethel. The very next day she was going to play in the yard, and her warm coat was needed; but again she preferred her shawl, and was cute enough to suggest,—
“Nobody can see me in the yard.”
We drew her into our arms, and said: “Our little darling must wear her coat because it is right to do so. Does she not remember how bad a cold and cough and sore eyes she had when she came from the asylum to live with us? She is now strong and well, and we love little Ethel too much to let her get so sick again. At that time, you know, Pet, you had no warm clothes to wear; but now our Heavenly Father has given you home and friends, and nice warm things, and he expects you to wear them and keep well. Is it not kind in our Heavenly Father to take such good care of little Ethel?”
By this time the coat was on and buttoned, and the child’s lips were held up to us for a kiss, as she said,—
“I ’ove Heav’nly Father most, and ’ou next.”
And thus, with her thoughts drawn off from herself to the goodness of God, she went out to her play.
Now we submit if such motives are not far in advance of the former. Besides, the former are not true. People are not thinking about us, are not talking about us. If we pause to reflect, it is very apparent that the world—a few gossips excepted—is thinking of itself, not of us.
The one general reason to be given to children, however young, for any course to be pursued is, because it is right. Why it is right can also usually be explained to them. If we had one generation trained to such motives, we would need fewer prayers against a “man-fearing spirit,” and heroes would be more common, who would “dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone.”—N. Y. Independent.
The Advantage of Courtesy in Life
A COURTEOUS man often succeeds in life, when persons of ability fail. The experience of every man furnishes frequent instances where conciliatory manners have made the fortunes of physicians, lawyers, divines, politicians, merchants, and, indeed, individuals of all pursuits. In being introduced to a stranger, his affability or the reverse creates, instantaneously, a prepossession in his favor, or awakens, unconsciously, a prejudice against him. In fact, civility is to men what a pleasing appearance is to women; it is the general passport to favor—a letter of recommendation written in a language that every person understands. The best of men have often injured themselves by irritability and consequent rudeness; whereas men of inferior abilities have frequently succeeded by their agreeable and pleasing manners. Of two men, equal in all other respects, the courteous one has twice the advantage, and by far the better chance of making his way in the world.
Attacks Rarely Harm a Man's Reputation
By Macaulay
I have never been able to discover that a man is at all the worse for being attacked. One foolish line of his own does him more harm than the ablest pamphlets against him by other people.—Macaulay.
Making the Best of Our Conditions
By Rufus Ellis
WHAT we have to do in this world is not to make our conditions, but to make the best of them.—Rufus Ellis.
Early Morning Devotions Commended by Matthew Henry
It is good to be early at our devotions. The morning is as good a friend to the graces as it is to the muses.—Matthew Henry.
WANT OF REVERENCE.
There have been ages—history denominates them dark—when men, enshrouded in superstition, shuddering amid the shadows, recognized the working of supernal or infernal power in all the varied phenomena of nature, and, filled with dreadful awe, abased themselves not only beneath “the hosts of heaven,” but before “four-footed beasts and creeping things,”—a lizard or a toad.
It is perfectly clear to any casual observer in America, that we at least have got far beyond that. We have swung to the other extremity of the arc; and though the most of us profess to believe in God Almighty, who is “glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders,” yet, so far from exhibiting such reverential awe as is becoming in his august presence, it is the rarest thing to see him treated even in his own house with anything approaching to decent respect. We remember the awe which he formerly demanded and inspired—Jacob at Bethel, Moses at the burning bush, Israel at the base of Sinai, when “so terrible was the sight that even Moses said, ‘I do exceedingly fear and quake.’”
We remember the sudden smiting of Uzzah, because, in an unguarded moment, he touched the ark with forbidden hand; and how, for a similar offense against this sacred symbol of God’s presence, more than fifty thousand men of Beth-shemesh perished. We remember how Isaiah in his presence-chamber became as a dead man before him, and how Daniel worshiped him as the “great and dreadful God,” and how John was overwhelmed with the glory of his majesty, in the isle of Patmos; and then, with all these records fresh in memory, we repair on the Lord’s day to the Lord’s house.
It is the hour devoted to the study of the Bible lesson. We are at the threshold. But who are these that stand without? They must be the sons of Eli, or near akin to them, judging from their manners in the precincts of the sanctuary. You press through the group, your nostrils offended with tobacco smoke, your ears with jests unseemly. You might think this the entrance to a Bacchanalian club-house, if you did not know it had been dedicated to religious uses. You enter. “Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, forever.” Such is the motto inscribed upon the wall, but it seems to have made little or no impression on anything but the wall. Before the school comes to order, if indeed it ever does, there are loud and boisterous demonstrations, frivolous laughter, and general jocularity, which are often only slightly intermitted during the opening exercises.
While prayer is being offered, many, even of the teachers, gaze vacantly around, as if the prayer were no concern of theirs, as is probably the fact. And the singing is done with a ring and a swing, and a jolly sort of sleigh-bell jingle, as if it were the glee of a carnival carousal, instead of a sacred song of praise offered up by grateful hearts unto the God of Heaven.
After the discussion of the lesson, in which things sacred and profane, things serious and ridiculous, have been recklessly jumbled, the school is dismissed, and the scholars tumble about as though it were a week-day school just dismissed for a Christmas holiday. Nor are the scholars the only sinners against the sanctities of the day and place.
Even the officers think it not amiss to have a little “religious fun.” If a Sunday-school address is to be made, the funniest man that can be found is the man to be sought; but such is his popularity, so great is the rage for fun, that it is difficult to secure his services unless you engage him months beforehand, in which case he will be likely to forget it, for which all good people ought to be thankful.
When even in circles professedly religious we listen to the quips and puns that are based upon the Scripture; when we mark the familiar and flippant way in which men pray, and the frivolous way in which they conduct themselves in the sanctuary of the Most High, and then think of the awful majesty of “the God of the Hebrews,” the God of the gospels, the God of the Apocalypse, we are ready to ask, “Has God come down so much, or has man come up so much, in this nineteenth century of the Christian era, that the creature can afford to treat the Creator with such jocose familiarity, as if he were altogether such an one as ourselves?” The fact is, this whole business of fun in religion is beginning to be serious; and, unless we are wise enough to consider our ways and reform our habits, to “stand in awe and sin not,” we have need to fear that God will come and smite the earth with a curse, such as will turn our unseemly merriment into dreadful mourning.—Selected.
GROW OLD GRACEFULLY.
By James White
“Old men for counsel, and young men for war,” is a time-honored maxim. With the Christian, however, the war is excluded, making it necessary to modify the latter part of the expression so that the whole may read: Old men for counsel, and to lay plans, and young men to take good heed, and to execute.
There is work enough for all to do. As a people we are pressed with labor almost beyond measure, demanding the united efforts of all, both old and young. There is one thing, and only one, that is worse than a careless, indolent, lazy young man, and that is an old man who has been worn with both cares and labors to that extent that his nervous and mental powers have become weakened, his spirits broken, and his temper soured. Such an one is worthless to any cause as a laborer, or as a counselor.
The years of a man’s activity, till he reaches the noon of life, is the time for him to form a character, for his mental powers to ripen and become balanced by study, deep thought, and experience. By these, and the grace of God, his mind and heart become right before his God and before his fellows, and he is prepared for the responsible position of a framer of plans, and a counselor to the people of God.
The men of this world are wiser than the children of light. They never send green boys to the halls of legislation, and old men to the field of battle. But those who have made a success in life, and have, by close application and untiring effort, formed well-balanced characters, are the choice of the people to represent them in the great councils of the nation.
No man really becomes a man of power among men, who seeks to go through the world light loaded. It is the exercise of every muscle to its full extent that develops and balances the physical powers of the athlete. The great reason why there are so many feeble thinkers and feeble care-takers is because they have not trained themselves to think and take care while standing under a load of responsibility. They were too indolent to secure mental culture and strength by patient thought. But there is a period in the lifetime of every man who has trained himself to be a successful burden-bearer and care-taker, when he should seriously consider the fact that the time is not far distant when the feebleness of age will compel him to let those burdens he has well borne pass to the shoulders of others. Here comes in the careful study of every discreet man when to begin to lay off the burdens, and how fast; or, to learn to grow old gracefully.
The writer has been studying this matter several years. At the age of twenty we put the armor on, and for thirty-eight years ours has been a life of toil, care, perplexity, and sickness much of the time. Our nervous system has been shocked three times with paralysis, and three times the arm that traces these lines has fallen, for a time to be raised and moved only by the other. These dangerous attacks have usually occurred after severe mental strain, such as has ever been our portion at General Conference. We were reported absent from the late Conference in consequence of ill health. Thanks to that worthy body for the vote of sympathy. It is our duty, however, to state that our absence was through fear of another break down.
Both Mrs. W. and the writer have important writing to do, books to complete which should be in the hands of the people. If we attend the Conferences and camp-meetings at the call of our people, we shall never do this work, which is not second to any other. God gave us helpers in sisters Ings and Hall, and in our own children. Sister Ings was sent to Switzerland, though it was not her choice, and as much may be said of sister Hall, reported through the Signs of the Times as appointed for another year to fill an important place at the Office of the Pacific Press. And General Conference assigns posts of duty to our children at Battle Creek, Mich., and Oakland, Cal.
The persons mentioned are eminently qualified to assist us in the preparation of works for the press. And we very much need the assistance and counsel of our own dear children. But if the highest earthly authority of our people take these from us to occupy positions we cannot fill, we shall submit, and shall from necessity retire from the front to do what we can alone to finish the work God has given us to do in the line of preparing works for the press. Thus retired, with the blessing of God, we hope to restore that “lost art” in this fretting generation, of growing old gracefully. J. W.
DEPARTING FROM THE FAITH.
Some, said Paul to Timothy, “shall depart from the faith.” By “the faith” he of course means the truth of God as preached in its purity, and as pertaining to the time to which the declaration applies.
But he speaks this in reference to the last days. “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith.” Then some right in that critical and solemn period when the end is upon us, and all our eternal interests depend upon our being faithful to the truth, will depart from that faith which sets forth and enforces these solemn realities.
This is no exception to what has happened throughout the whole gospel age. The net has always gathered in some bad fish. Some seed has always fallen upon wayside places, and upon thorny and stony ground, and come to naught.
But it seems more strange that this should be so in the last days. Here the overshadowing approach of the great day, the concentration of the light of six thousand years of the church’s experience, the long lines of fulfillments of God’s word, and the unmistakable developments of his great plans, all conspire to produce the clearest convictions, and awaken the strongest motives to a continuance in a genuine Christian life. Yet even under these circumstances, some shall depart from the faith.
It seems truly unexplainable that any, after having once embraced the truth of the Sabbath, and rejoiced in its blessed rest, should turn away from the holy commandment, and deliberately trample it under their feet. It seems strange that any having once come to see the evidences of the near coming of Christ, should shut their eyes to all the concurrent testimony of prophecy and history, and place themselves among the unbelieving. Yet this should not surprise us. When the Son of God himself was proclaiming his own truth in all its purity and power, and seconding the word by his gracious dealings with the children of men, and his own spotless life, men even turned away from him, and walked no more with him. If they could take this course then, in what generation since that time might we not look for them to do the same?
But our wonder is in no wise lessened when we look at the excuses which some render for departing from the faith. Says one, I did not consider sufficiently the step I was taking; I moved hastily and now conclude that I was wrong. But we ask, How long should it take a man to consider the fourth commandment? When God commands us to keep his Sabbath in language so plain that any one who can count seven, and knows the meaning of the little words “remember,” and “rest,” and “work,” cannot fail to understand it, how long should it take us to decide whether we ought to obey it or not? Away with such excuses; they are all sham.
Perhaps some of these persons, when they embraced the truth, gave up the use of tobacco, and with a great flourish of trumpets trampled the weed beneath their feet. That was well enough, if supported by the constancy of subsequent life. But do they now think this was wrong? Will any man deliberately pronounce this filthy and hurtful habit of tobacco using right? Then what does all this talk about having moved too hastily amount to? The man only shows that he lacks strength of character, and is still a helpless slave before his lust. He prefers his idol to the grace and truth of God.
There are some persons in reference to whom, when they embrace the truth, all probabilities point to a short continuance therein. We generally know how it will be, as well as we know a few weeks later how it is, when their faith collapses, and they disappear like a bubble on the wave. Such generally make the most noise for the time being. Like a bundle of shavings they blaze up for an instant with great fury, and then are gone, leaving scarcely an appreciable residuum of ashes. They are mere creatures of influence. With Sabbath-keepers they keep the Sabbath; with opposers they do not. Like the little weather vane, they obsequiously follow the shifting wind; or like the chameleon, green on the leaf, and gray on the rock, they take the color of whatever object they happen to be in contact with. This vacillating, unequal, halting, shifting course in one who claims to be, and should be, a free moral agent, is truly a pitiable sight. Such persons might and should know, that their first lesson is to learn to be men, to have stamina in themselves, to be able to stand though there should be a gust of opposition now and then. And they will have to learn this, or never reach the kingdom of Heaven.
Others stumble because they think that some do not set a good example, and have no religion; or at least such is their claim now. Dare they offer to the Master such a reason for disobeying him? Has he not indicated his will to us so far as the actions of others are concerned in the rebuke, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.” When God tells us to keep his Sabbath, and prepare for the coming of his Son from Heaven, we had better attend to that instruction whatever course others may take. Otherwise we show that we do not serve him from principle, and are rendering no acceptable obedience to him.
Now and then one is shaken from his moorings on present truth by the idiotic frothings of such men as Ingersoll, or by the assumptions of science falsely so called, or by the pollutions of spiritualism. Departing from the faith, “giving heed to seducing spirits.” Any one who wants to depart, can find an excuse in the validity of which he can bring a perverted conscience to believe. And he can do it in one place as well as another; in Battle Creek, with all the advantages, and evidences, and light concentrated here, as well as in other places. If a person wants to depart, if his desires are in that direction, if the carnal mind which is not subject to the law of God, is allowed to control, he will depart in the very face of circumstances and influences best calculated to lead him Heavenward. Yes, even from the feet of Christ himself some turned away to the fellowship of darkness and error; and from the very gates of the Heavenly city some will turn away to the region of despair and death. But woe to these deceived unstable souls who thus make shipwreck of their faith. It were good for them in the end if they had not been born.
RUSSIA'S TROUBLES.
Russia has been subject to a series of calamities since the beginning of the Turkish war which invite comment. That war, though successful, was attended at times with humiliation and disaster for Russia. As it closed, the plague appeared. This plague is checked only, not extirpated. Then Nihilism suddenly became rampant, so that the government has been obliged to proclaim a practical state of siege throughout the empire. Indications portend that the conspiracy is so formidable and wide-spread that civil strife may break out at any moment.
Two remarkable conflagrations, at this juncture are naturally attributed to incendiaries, the first destroying Orenburg, the largest city of southern Russia, the second, Gratcheuka, a village on the Volga. And mysterious whisperings now mention the names of Moscow and St. Petersburg, as the next objects of the incendiary's torch.
A late issue of Harper's Weekly contained an impressive cartoon on this subject. In the foreground was the Russian bear sitting bolt upright. In the background, a flag staff over a fortification contained the Turkish flag at half mast and the Russian flag over it. But the bear had one eye bandaged, and one paw muffled up to signify the wounds received in the Turkish conflict, and each paw vehemently clasping the opposite side, his good eye rolling in its socket, and his tongue protruding, to denote intense bodily pain. Beneath were the words: “More Trouble Bruin—Something the matter inside now.”
To throw off the figure, into what this “more trouble brewing” may extend, and that speedily, it is difficult to tell.
TAKE HEED.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
T. AND M. LIBRARIANS.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Perhaps the most difficult office in the church, the one which involves the most work, and which will require the most attention and care, is that of the librarian, the one assigned to you. You will have to study your books carefully to know how to do your work properly. Be careful not to scratch or mar your books in any way. Do not fill them with pencil marks.
Be sure to keep an accurate account of every little item of business you do. Give the date, and make a note of just what you did. When you receive any business, attend to it at once. Do not put it off a single day. Keep on hand a good assortment of our publications, and everything needed in your office. Talk with every member of your society personally, and encourage them to work. Just before the end of the quarter furnish each one with a blank, and if necessary help him to fill it out. Be on hand at every meeting, and furnish members with what they need. Send all your business to the district secretary.
Much of the success of the tract and missionary work will depend upon the way you discharge the duties of your office. Go to the Lord much in prayer, and take time to attend to your work. Look after every family, and see that they take our periodicals. Keep all your pledges and debts collected up. Do not let your church get behind, and thus become discouraged.
TO THE SABBATH-SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
DEAR BRETHREN: This spring we should make a special effort to revive the Sabbath-school work. Of course we must depend almost wholly upon the superintendents to oversee this work and put life into it. They must have the direction of the work in the school, visit all the brethren and sisters personally, lay before them157the importance of the work, urge them to attend the school themselves and bring their children, supply them with question books, and help them in getting their lessons. Then be on hand yourself. Study to make your school interesting by good singing, proper instruction, and good teachers. See that the school is supplied with the “Song Anchor,” Bro. Bell’s question books, etc.
We also request you to carry out the recommendation of the General Association in having every member of the Sabbath-school and Bible-class bring a small contribution, a penny or more, every Sabbath. Read the articles in the REVIEW and Instructor about Sabbath-schools. Fill your heart and mind with them. See that your secretary makes out a prompt report to the State secretary each quarter. You can do much in training the young people in the way of the truth. And may God bless you is our prayer. D. M. CANRIGHT.
A SPECIMEN OF KNOWLEDGE.
In the Scientific American of May 17, 1879, appears an article headed, “A New Estimate of the World’s Age.” From this it appears that a Mr. Millard Reade, of Liverpool, has contributed to the Royal Society, a paper in which he claims to have found a new and satisfactory clew to the age of the earth. His argument may be summarily stated thus:—
Limestone has been in process of formation from the earliest period. Mr. Reade “estimates” the sedimentary crust of the earth at one mile in average thickness. Of this he says, “probably one-tenth consists of calcareous [Limestone] matter.” Seeking the origin of this calcareous matter, the article continues, “it is assumed that the primitive rocks of the original crust were of the nature of granite or basaltic rocks.” Then the amount of lime salts in water drained from such rocks is found to be 3.73 parts to 100,000 parts of water. We quote again: “It is further assumed that the exposed area of igneous rocks, taking an average throughout all geological time, will bear to the exposures of sedimentary rocks a ratio of about one to nine.” From these and other data it is then “concluded” that the elimination of the calcareous matter found in the sedimentary strata “must have occupied about 600 millions of years.”
In the foregoing quotations, the italics are our own. The reader will see at once the basis of this wonderful conclusion: first, an “estimate,” then a “probability,” then an “assumption,” then a fact which is available only if the assumption is correct, then another “assumption,” then the grand “conclusion.” And having thus positively proved Moses to be five hundred and ninety-nine millions, nine hundred and ninety-four thousand years from the truth, they are happy! How nice it is to have such clear and positive knowledge about these things!
FREEMASONRY
DURING the past week, Mr. Edmond Ronayne, Past Master of Keystone Lodge, No. 639, Chicago, has given three lectures on this subject, in this city, working before the audience the first three degrees of the order. The object was to show the real character of the institution, as a safeguard to all who might witness its ceremonies against being drawn into its folds. Mr. Ronayne has been the “Worshipful Master” of a Master Mason’s Lodge, being as high in the order, and as low in the degradation it imposes, as he could bring his conscience to consent to his going. He now feels it to be a Christian duty to expose its character and warn all against it.
He proves most clearly from the testimony of their books, that modern Masonry is identical with the ancient worship of Baal, its ceremonies being the same as the orgies and mysteries of the old pagan world. The ceremonies of initiation into the various degrees are not only disgusting and degrading, but are fearfully blasphemous.
We would recommend all wherever Mr. Ronayne may give these lectures and exhibitions, to hear and see them without fail; not that any S. D. Adventist needs this instruction for himself; for as a body we stand opposed to all secret organizations on principle, and do not knowingly receive any as members who do not stand clear in this respect. But for the sake of being better able to help others it is well to be informed in regard to these things, when it can be done so safely and so fully as by attending Mr. Ronayne’s lectures. See Book Notice in Publisher’s Department.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.
By John Norton Loughborough
Since my last report two more have commenced the observance of the Sabbath with us. Our Sabbath-school has increased in numbers until we have four large classes and a Bible-class. The children are especially interested in attending.
New parties are attending the discourses given in our house, and our congregations are about as large as we can accommodate. Our tent is now completed, and is really the best one for a single top I ever had. All the ropes and the lacings of the top are on the inside. On the outside, the lacing seam is covered with a strip of duck four inches in width. Between each section seam is worked in, showing on the outside, a cord of red bunting, which gives it a very neat appearance. The tent-maker requested the privilege of putting this in.
The wall is buttoned into loops in the top of the tent. These loops are about eighteen inches apart. The buttons, or toggles, as they call them here, are made about the shape of a gimlet handle, only some smaller. Once in three feet, at the bottom of the wall, are loops of rope passed through two brass eyelets, to be used in pinning the wall to the ground. Each hole in the canvas, in lacing seam and all, is furnished with a brass eyelet.
The side poles of the tent are of the straightest grained pine, eight feet in height and three inches in diameter. These are bound at each end with galvanized iron bands. At the bottom of each pole projects an iron pin six inches in length. This is to keep the pole in its place in case of wind. At the top of the pole is an iron pin five inches in length, which passes through a brass thimble in the top of the tent. On this pin, outside the tent, is placed an acorn of oak about seven inches in length and four in diameter. Around the neck of this acorn the guys of the tent are spliced, which holds the pole in place, and holds the acorn down upon the canvas. This gives the tent a very neat finish on the side poles. Ten of the twenty side poles are furnished with small tackle blocks for tightening the tent. The apparatus for hoisting the tent is peculiar, and consists of a traveler finished with an eye on each side. To this traveler is attached a tackle on each side of the pole, so as to prevent all springing of the pole, and there is no rope bale to the traveler to be sawn off on the pole. The tent is furnished with a superb center pole seven inches in diameter, straight as an arrow, and with a full complement of strong oak stakes all iron bound at their tops. These bands, as well as every iron about the tent, is galvanized, to prevent rust.
As we examined our tent, with flag, poles, stakes, all completed, with sacks, in a substantial and tasty manner, for $425, we were thankful that we decided to purchase it here.
I wrote Bro. White that I thought it would cost about $600 here to purchase a tent and seat it, and get it ready for meetings. We have succeeded in finding favors to that extent that we decided to add to our furniture a harmonium. The price of such an instrument in America would be about $125. We paid $40. It has an excellent tone, and is just the thing for a tent. We trust with its use to add to the interest of the meetings.
The cost of our tent, with seats, lamps, stand, carpet, harmonium, etc., will not probably exceed $575 or £115. We have received donations toward the tent of £15, and others are planning to make sacrifices for the work.
One sister writes from the north of England: “I have dedicated a plot of our garden to the Lord, for the English mission, and have planted it with snow drops. They look very promising. You shall have what they make for your tent. I think my bed of bulbs will make £1. If it makes more you shall have it.”
I mention this to show that those here who receive the truth seek to do all in their power to advance the cause. We ask the prayers of all God’s people that access may be gained to hearts and minds here.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
IOWA CAMP-MEETINGS.
By E. W. Farnsworth
It is, perhaps, impossible for us to set before our brethren the importance of these meetings more clearly than has already been done; and yet we wish to add a few words. It is unnecessary to speak of the need of these meetings. This is more easily felt than told. These local camp-meetings are becoming more and more important; and it is not to be doubted but they will in time, to some degree, take the place of our more general meetings. By these local meetings, we are able to reach a class that is difficult to reach otherwise; and we hope all our brethren will exert their influence to get those who hardly ever attend such meetings to come.
At our general camp-meetings there is usually a great amount of business to attend to, and sometimes this has detracted from the religious interest; but at these meetings there will be no Conference business to look after. The great object will be to seek God. The T. and M. work will receive its share of attention. The Sabbath-school work will not be forgotten. The cause of health reform and Christian temperance will be remembered. But, while we shall talk of these things, we shall not cease to plead for more of the good religion of Jesus Christ.
Our meeting in the western part of the State will probably be held at Dunlap. We request Brn. A. W. Bunnell, Leonard Smith, and S. M. Holly to act as camp-meeting committee.
We would suggest to all the camp-meeting committees the importance of strictest economy in the management of the finances. Several such meetings have been held in Missouri, with no expense to the Conference. Perhaps Iowa can do as well.
We shall be disappointed if we do not see a general gathering of our brethren at these meetings. You cannot be benefited to any great extent unless you are there. There are a few things we wish you to leave at your homes when you come, and a few things we wish you to bring. First, leave your farms, and cattle, and your church trials, and your neighborhood difficulties. We have no use for these at a camp-meeting, unless you propose to donate the first mentioned to the cause; if so, bring them along; we will take them. But we have no use for the other things named, in all the work of God. So leave them at home.
The things we wish you to bring are, first, your children; secondly, your brethren who are on the back-ground, with hardly interest enough to go to meeting at home; thirdly, your neighbors and friends; fourthly, and the most important of all, bring Jesus and the holy angels with you. And may each morning and evening from this time till the meetings are past, be a witness that you have wrestled with the angel of God for his blessing to rest upon you and all who may attend. E. W. FARNSWORTH.
AMERICAN HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.
By R. F. Cottrell
THERE may be objections in the minds of some of our people against giving this Association their support. It may be said to be unnecessary, since the church itself is the best and purest temperance association possible; and hence the propriety of mixing with the world outside, recognizing three degrees of temperance by three different pledges, is questionable.
Such objections may seem quite plausible to some; but let us remember that our leading brethren have proposed this Association, and our General Conference, when gathered in council, and aided, as we trust, by the Spirit of God, have given it their recommendation. Our highest earthly authority sanctions it; and we have reason to believe that, as our cause is of God, this measure has the divine approbation. If we recognize the hand of God in our work, believing that he is bringing his people into unity of faith and action, we shall see the propriety of pulling together in measures thus recommended.
Trials as yet unseen, except by the eye of faith, are before us. Sunday laws and temperance principles are being mixed together in the minds of the people; and as we stand against Sunday legislation, a prejudice will be raised against us, if possible, on the ground that we favor the cause of intemperance and lawlessness also. Now, that we are publicly known as decidedly standing on temperance principles will serve to repel this charge, and convince honest men that it is false.
Again, there are various professedly temperance organizations, and we are solicited to unite with them; and our refusal may be taken as a sign that we do not favor temperance principles; but we can say that we are united with an Association founded for the express purpose of promoting these principles, and we are laboring specially to extend these principles, and thus save men from the evil and degradation of intemperance.
Many of these temperance associations are oath-bound, secret societies. Into these a Christian, who realizes his obligation of loyalty to his Master, cannot enter. And the meetings of many of them are absolutely a public nuisance in the neighborhood, demoralizing the youth and leading them into evil habits, well calculated to lead them to ruin. They get together to spend their evenings in idle and demoralizing conversation, and the fumes of tobacco, from its juice on the floor and sundry cigar stumps, attest the next day to their temperance and purity. I do not say this of all; but it is a sad fact in some places.
Now we have a means to show our hand on temperance, and at the same time avoid the evils to which I have referred. I believe the present organization will do much good. We, as a people, cannot object to the good it will do us as individuals, by bringing us up to a higher degree of advancement, in a reform which we acknowledge to be an essential part of our work in preparation for our coming King. There has been retrograding, though it is sad to say it, instead of advancement. Some have back-slidden, while others have hardly taken the first step from which to backslide. Let us come up to the help of the Lord in this, a thing which has been taught by the Spirit of God, and prove that we believe that God is leading in this work, and the consequence will be a genuine revival of religion among us.