We wish to call the attention of the brethren to the arrangement of our labor in Ohio. The State has been divided into six districts, and one of our ministers placed over each district.
Eld. H. A. St. John has Clyde, Norwalk, New Haven, Troy, Cleveland, Wakeman, and the adjoining towns.
Eld. R. A. Underwood has Peninsula, Solon, Parkman, North Bloomfield, and all in this region.
Eld. A. O. Burrill has Corsica, Bellville, Waterford, Appleton, Newark, and all that section.
Eld. E. H. Gates has Springfield, Bowersville, New Antioch, Leesburg, Sabina, and this region.
Eld. G. G. Rupert has Dunkirk, Unipolis, Mendon, Van Wert, Paulding, and all that region.
Eld. O. F. Guilford has Hamler, Liberty Centre, Gilboa, Bowling Green, and this region.
The above includes all the State. These brethren will have in their respective districts the entire oversight of the work. This will include, of course, the spiritual wants of the churches, systematic benevolence, the tract and missionary work, the Sabbath-schools, and the labors of other brethren who are in their districts. We wish the brethren to give them their hearty co-operation. As each will live in the district assigned to him, the brethren can greatly lessen their expenses by looking after their families, and donating to them any useful articles, such as food, fuel, furniture, articles of clothing, and the like. They should also, as far as possible, carry them with their teams, so as to avoid railroad expenses.
When the tents are pitched, the brethren should carry in provisions, and furnish them lumber, so as to save expense to the Conference. Every tent will, if possible, be located where there are brethren. We expect the brethren in such places to bear the whole burden of that meeting. This is but just and right, and we shall be disappointed if it is not done.
Again we earnestly appeal to every Seventh-day Adventist brother or sister in the State to faithfully set apart one-tenth of his or her income this summer, to be paid into the S. B. treasuries for the support of the ministers. This will be absolutely necessary in order to meet our greatly increased expenses.
Consider a moment that we have six tents in the field, with two ministers and a tent-master with each tent. Besides this, Bro. Reavis and myself will labor constantly with the churches, making twenty laborers in all. The best we can do, our expenses for time and all will be over a hundred dollars a week. We have risked a great deal on our confidence in the liberality of our brethren. We have not been disappointed thus far, and hope we shall not be this time.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
LOVERS OF PLEASURES.
By E. W. Whitney
In Review No. 15, present volume, appeared two articles, one headed, “The Last Days,” and the other, “Denying the Power,” calling attention to two important points in Paul’s declarations concerning the last days in 2 Tim. 3:1-5, and noting their fulfillment at the present time.
About the same time I clipped from the Syracuse Journal of March 17, 1879, the following item, which certainly indicates a condition of things necessary to the fulfillment of another specification of Paul’s prediction, viz., “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God:”—
“HAPPY TIME.”
“The happiest time of the season in the Young Men’s Christian Association was last Saturday evening. Over one hundred young men were present. Games, singing, and refreshments made up the programme. Secretary Sayford is puzzled to know where to get sufficient room to entertain the large number of young men now seeking the pleasure of the Saturday night social. We hope the friends of the Y. M. C. A. in our city will come to his support, and rescue him from his dilemma. His works are beginning to bear rich fruit, and his friends should see to it that he wants for nothing.”
The association referred to above has been making strong efforts during the past winter to awaken a religious interest, especially among the young people of Syracuse—holding daily prayer-meetings and other religious services. We do not learn, however, that these have proved successful; but when it comes to the “social,” the programme of which is given above, room is wanting, even in their spacious building, for the accommodation of those seeking the “pleasure” of the occasion.
This is only an instance of what we can see about us everywhere. Any careful observer cannot fail to be convinced that we are living in the time to which Paul referred. We are indeed in the “last days.” The end is right upon us! May the Lord help us to arouse, and be prepared for it.
E. W. WHITNEY.
Manlius Station, N. Y., May 1.
Deeds Are Fruit, Words Only Leaves
Deeds are fruit; words are but leaves.
NO ALTERNATIVE.
By GEO. D. BALLOU.
To him who has espoused the cause of the Master, there is opened an infinite field of spiritual development and progress. The Christian never reaches so great a moral elevation that he does not see heights of spiritual excellence towering beyond. “Forward” is the Christian’s watchword. His very life consists in action, and that, too, in something besides a repetition of the forms and ceremonies of religious worship. There is no treadmill process about Christianity; when it approximates to such a condition, it soon ceases to be Christianity.
One whose heart and mind have been subdued by divine grace and love, is continually inquiring, “What more can I do to honor my Creator, who gives me life and every blessing? and how can I show my love for Jesus, who has shown me the way of life by his pure and holy example, and by his death and resurrection has opened a way of redemption, so that I may live with him in immortal glory?” To such a one no duty which the word of God makes plain is ever irksome; but with cheerful, joyous gladness will he walk in the ever-increasing light of divine truth.
How differently the unconverted receive this heavenly light. Said one recently who had heard the claims of God’s holy Sabbath presented, “What shall I do? I wish I never had heard that sermon.” Oh! sad will be the condition of such, as they meet the fearful doom which awaits the self-willed and unrepentant. The remark of another who was present on the same occasion suggested these thoughts. As he returned home, on meeting his companion he said, “There is no other way, wife; we have either got to keep the Sabbath or stop being Christians.” He thus saw that to follow Christ is to keep the Father’s commandments; and he yielded obedience, as all honest professors of Christianity will, when they plainly see the claims of God’s law.
Oh that there was, in all those who call themselves Christians, more of the spirit of Him who said, “I came not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me”!
GEO. D. BALLOU.
THE MESSAGE IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT.
By H. P. Ribton
I FEEL I am a debtor to my dear brethren in America, not having for some time sent any accounts from this most interesting country. Work has so crowded upon me that I have been obliged to steal hours from the night, even for the necessary correspondence with the churches in Italy, every hour in the day and evening being occupied in the labor of preparing souls for the coming kingdom. Our hall is most invaluable for the work of the Lord; all day long we hold school in it, and in the evening we have either Bible-class or preaching of the present truth.
I have now been here three months, and although Satan has used mighty efforts to overthrow us, my encouragement is great. This town is crowded with people from every nation of the three continents (even from Sweden, China, and Madagascar), and perhaps no other town offers such facilities for the wide diffusion of the message which it is our all-important duty to announce. It is time that the truth should flow forth from Egypt. From Alexandria were poured into the early Christian church the anti-biblical doctrines of the school of Plato; and now in Alexandria we have firmly established a school which teaches in five languages that immortality will be the gift of Christ at his coming, and that the wicked will perish from off the new earth.
I have sought in the beginning to consolidate our center, before laboring to increase our circle. It is necessary that our fortress should be firmly established, and provided with spiritual armor both defensive and offensive, before seeking to extend our lines. And this object is already nearly accomplished; for I have now around me several brethren well grounded in present truth, whom I have labored to instruct in the deeper subjects of the advent announcements given us by Daniel and John, and especially to show them the importance of the Sabbath as the seal of God. I have witnessed with pleasure their increasing fervor, and their desire to impart these truths to others. They have already voluntarily adopted the custom of opening and closing the Sabbath with prayer; and have begun to hold meetings from house to house in the houses of brethren who are prevented by illness or other causes from attending at the hall, thus increasing prayer and opening new centers in distant parts of the town; and having thus employed our first quarter, during which God has increased our number to double what it was when I came, we are now prepared to announce the truth in five languages to all who will come.
For this purpose I have announced a series of lectures on prophecy in English next month, and requested our sisters in Bale to print the announcements, as printing is enormously expensive here. I have already found several English friends who read our tracts with interest, and have also, through them, sent several addresses of influential people to Bro. Loughborough in England. I have found among others a Scotch lady who has for several years observed the Sabbath alone, having recognized it as God's day from reading the Bible.
I must make special mention of one brother whom the Lord has given us. He is of the house of Israel according to the flesh. His father still reads Moses in his native Hebrew, with the vail upon his heart. But God has taken the vail from before the son. I have found in him a very valuable assistant in the school, and being well acquainted with Arabic and modern Greek, he labors much at evangelization in both of those languages, as well as in Italian. He has also brought his sister and his younger brother to our school, where both have learned of Christ, the promised Messiah.
Our school is by far the most important work that we have yet undertaken. The chief schools here are that of the Roman Catholic Church, an immense establishment, where some five or six hundred children are brought up under the banner of antichrist; the Greek school, overflowing with saint worship; the schools of the German and Scotch churches, where the children are brought up in Platonism and in the veneration of the day of the sun; and the Italian public schools, where atheism is openly taught. Our brethren could not educate their children save by sending them to one of these roads to soul-ruin.
It was urgent in the extreme that we should open a school where the children of our brethren might learn the truth as it is in the Bible. But how was it to be done without teachers and without means? Well, we thought we would begin in God's name and look to him for help, and so we opened a school in our hall on the first of February, and have undertaken to do the teaching until help comes. And now we have already four or five precious little souls that give marked tokens of birth in Christ, who scarcely knew the existence of a God two months ago. They can now find chapters and verses in the Bible, and with their little lips they express their hope in the resurrection, and their esteem for God's day.
Our situation, however, is difficult in the extreme. The number of our scholars is increasing rapidly, the hall will soon be too small to contain them. I have the whole burden of the school on my shoulders; and unless I can soon employ some experienced Italian teachers, I know not how we will be able to get along. We have a very experienced minister in the number of our Sabbath-keeping brethren at Naples; I hope we may be able to employ him. I ask most earnestly the prayers of our brethren, and the help of all who can help us; for I have already been obliged to refuse several children from not having the means or accommodations for taking them.
Our sister churches at Bari and Naples in Italy are holding firm in the Sabbath. Our brethren there are still firm in their zeal to announce the truth. Two or three new brethren have joined our meetings at Naples since I left.
Bro. Bertola writes that in Greece there are many who observe the Sabbath, and gives us hope that there also we may obtain fruit in the preaching of the commandments. I still keep up correspondence with Malta, where, although it is a most worldly and bigoted place, there are a few who take an interest in the Sabbath and advent questions. Our tracts have also gone to Cyprus, and I have obtained a correspondence with Melbourne in Australia. I have recommended friends there to write directly to California for tracts, as it is nearer to them.
The time has now come when we require tracts in modern Greek. We have had much discussion already upon the Sabbath with Greek friends, of whom there is a great number here, but many of them do not understand any language but their own. I find I can acquire their language easily, and hope to be able to preach in it shortly. They are a very interesting people, and there is much encouragement to work among them; for their church, unlike the Latin one, favors the reading of the Bible, and many of them are well versed in the Scriptures. Moreover, many of them recognize the Sabbath, and as for baptism, it would be impossible for them to read the New Testament in their language and sprinkle infants. It is true, they immerse them, but they are very open to conviction on the subject, and their word βάπτισμα has already gained half the argument. I remain with Christian love,
Yours sincerely in the Lord,
H. P. RIBTON.
PENNSYLVANIA
East Otto, N. Y.—The State quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania T. and M. Society held at this place May 3, 4, was well attended, being the largest meeting ever held here by our people. All the directors except one, the Conference Committee, all the preachers belonging to the Conference, and other leading brethren from the different parts of the Conference, were present, and so good a degree of interest was manifested in the important work of the meeting that it was continued until Monday evening.
The quarterly report of labor in the tract society showed a good degree of interest in this work, and very harmonious action was taken in reference to the plans for labor for the summer. Four, and perhaps five, tents will be run in this Conference this present season, and laborers and fields were assigned to each.
By unanimous vote of the brethren, it was decided that the camp-meeting should be postponed till fall. If our brethren labor during the coming season with the spirit manifested at this meeting, we shall look for great success to attend their efforts. J. N. ANDREWS. B. L. WHITNEY.
Sunderlinville.—The Sunderlinville church held their quarterly meeting April 26 and 27, as the brethren from Sabinsville could not attend earlier. This was indeed an interesting meeting. Four from Sabinsville joined the church here, and four more intend to do so at the next quarterly meeting. The Sabbath-school is in a flourishing condition, numbering between thirty and forty members. Our first-day neighbors are sending their children, and a general interest is being awakened, which we are glad to see. May the blessing of God rest on the Sabbath-school here, and make it a powerful agency in removing prejudice, and uniting hearts in the study of the word of God.
I have spent the most of the past winter in trying to build up the cause in the Port Allegheny, West Pike, and Sunderlinville churches, and in doing missionary work. We earnestly desire the prayers of God's dear people. J. G. SAUNDERS.
DAKOTA
By S. B. Whitney
Among the Russians, April 29.— In company with Bro. John Richards of Lincoln, who speaks the German language fluently, I started the 25th on a visit to this people, with whom I have long desired to form an acquaintance. We found a very interesting company of about thirty-five Sabbath-keepers. With one exception, they greeted us cordially, and seemed ready to receive instruction. Their experience in the old country has been such as to make them somewhat distrustful of strangers, and in addition to this they are a little inclined to superstition in their faith and worship. This was especially manifested in their aversion to the use of the charts, but by the blessing of God we were enabled to overcome their prejudices in a remarkable degree; and, as these yielded, the melting Spirit of the Lord came into our midst, inditing earnest prayer, and causing our hearts to run together, until we wept like children. Altogether, our visit to them was a success, and I am satisfied that there is an excellent field for a competent, judicious laborer, and one that should be improved.
Bro. Richards rendered valuable assistance, not only as an interpreter, but in his labors both public and private; and our success in gaining the confidence and affection of the brethren is largely due to his efforts and influence among them.
On our way back we called at Olivet, where there are two or three keeping the Sabbath, and found them anxious for meetings. Here we met a Free Methodist exhorter and his wife who are deeply interested in the truth, and who told me that that church is breaking up, and that some of their best members are leaving159them and looking toward us, hoping to find a more spiritual people. Our season with them was a precious one, and we hope to provide them with meetings soon.
Last Sabbath, May 3, I was with the friends in Finlay, and found their meeting and Sabbath-school prosperous. Opposition meetings have been held lately, and quite a bitter feeling has been raised in the community, but the friends all stand firm, so far as I know.
S. B. WHITNEY.
Howard, May 5, 1879.
MINNESOTA
By W. T. Henton
Beaver Creek, Rock Co., May 5.—I have given twenty-one discourses in what is known as the Schofield neighborhood, and three have signed the covenant, and three more have promised to do so, and still others are almost decided. Cannot some one come, and organize this little company? I would suggest that this field be joined to the Dakota Conference, as it is so far detached from the body of the Minnesota Conference, and so near the head-quarters of the D. T. Conference. W. T. HENTON.
THOUGHTS IN A WHEAT FIELD.
By Miss Mulock
“The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels.” Matt. 13:39.
In his wide fields walks the Master,—
In his fair fields, ripe for harvest,—
Where the evening sun shines slant-wise
On the rich ears heavy bending,
Saith the Master, “It is time.”
Though no leaf shows brown decadence,
And September’s nightly frost-bite
Only reddens the horizon,—
“It is full time,” saith the Master,
The wise Master, “It is time.”
Lo, he looks. That look compelling
Brings his laborers to the harvest;
Quick they gather, as in autumn
Passage-birds, in cloudy eddies,
Drop upon the sea-side fields;
White wings have they, and white raiment,
White feet shod with swift obedience,
Each lays down his golden palm-branch,
And uprears his sickle, shining,—
“Speak, O Master, is it time?”
O’er the fields the servants hasten,
Where the full-stored ears droop downward,
Humble with their weight of harvest;
Where the empty ears wave upward,
And the gay tares flaunt in rows:
But the sickles, the sharp sickles,
Flash new dawn at their appearing;
Songs are heard in earth and Heaven;
For the reapers are the angels,
And it is the harvest time.
O great Master, are thy footsteps
Even now upon the mountains?
Art thou walking in thy wheat fields?
Are the snowy-winged reapers
Gathering in the silent air?
Are thy signs abroad,—the glowing
Of the distant sky, blood reddened,
And the near fields trodden, blighted,
Choked by the gaudy tares triumphant?
Sure it must be harvest time.
Who shall know the Master’s coming?
Whether it be at dawn or sunset,
When night-dews weigh down the wheat-ears,
Or while noon rides high in heaven
Sleeping lies the yellow field?
Only may thy voice, good Master,
Peal above the reapers’ chorus,
And dull sound of sheaves slow falling,—
“Gather all into my garner,
For it is my harvest time.”
—Miss Mulock
CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By John G. Matteson
The past week has been much occupied with meetings, nine being held in five days. This is the passover (easter) week, during which work is forbidden except on the Sabbath. On the Sabbath we had, nevertheless, a larger congregation than usual.
On easter-day it is the common custom to bring an offering to the meeting. The friends brought Kroner 92 ($25) to our meeting, besides Kr. 10 ($2.66) being placed in the contribution box.
Among the Sabbath-keepers in this place we have a good representation of Swedes and Danes as well as Norwegians. And we have already good evidences that we could find no better place in the three Scandinavian kingdoms from which to spread the truth than this city. During said meetings a number of hearers have been present from other places, among whom was a member of the legislature—our friend Jaabak—and a Baptist brother from Sweden who came on purpose to hear and understand the truth. He returns home with a number of tracts, and in union with the truth. He has preached some. Another brother from Sweden, who is preaching, writes that he is fully convinced of the truth except on the end of the wicked, and he wants books and help through correspondence. Another young brother, who has preached with good effect, has also through reading accepted the light. He is a Swede, lives now in a small city in Norway, but has expressed a desire to come here and gain some needed information, and then go into Sweden to help spread the truth.
The religious movements among the people in Sweden are such that there can be no doubt that Sweden will be the best field, at last, in Northern Europe, when proper help can be obtained. JOHN G. MATTESON.
April 15, 1879.
MICHIGAN
By E. R. Jones
Douglas.—After several months’ absence, I met with the church here Sabbath and first-day, May 3, 4. I found them prospering far beyond my expectations. Not one of those who received the truth when the tent was here last summer has given it up. All are firm in the truth, and growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. Several have been added to their number since our tent-meeting. Quite a number are waiting to be baptized. The meetings are interesting and spirited. All are actively engaged in the missionary work. No church trials. The Sabbath-school is excellent. Some who do not keep the Sabbath send their children to the Sabbath-school. I remain in this vicinity to hold meetings till tent season, if my health will permit. E. R. JONES.
TEXAS TENT.
By B. M. Kilgore
Denison, May 2.—I am still here with the tent. Since the first lectures by Bro. and Sr. White, the interest has been small, and upon the departure for Colorado of both them and Bro. Corliss, I anticipated a much greater reduction in numbers; but by the timely assistance of a small opponent in a public manner the attendance is augmenting. Our congregations are averaging about one hundred. Bro. T. T. Stevenson, of Terrell, is with me as tent master.
A letter from my wife brings the sad intelligence that our good meeting-house at Peoria has been fired by an incendiary, and destroyed. No insurance; a total loss. The brethren now talk of building a better one. This is the right spirit,—better than to sink down in discouragement. Many offer to help with their means. I hope the brethren will take advantage of the sympathy expressed by all around them.
B. M. KILGORE.
OHIO STATE QUARTERLY MEETING.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
This meeting was held at Clyde, May 2-6. The weather and roads were fine, and we had the largest turnout from all parts of the State that we have ever had except at a camp-meeting. Nearly all the leading brethren from the various parts of the State were here. The whole burden of the meeting was, how to labor to the best advantage, and what arrangements to make, so as to push forward the work most effectually in all parts of the Conference. Reports from the ministers and the churches were listened to. All felt that the Lord had greatly blessed the cause here since last camp-meeting. Seven or eight new churches have been raised up, most of the churches have been revived, and nearly two hundred, in all, have embraced the Sabbath. The most promising fields are opening in every direction.
Financially, the brethren have done better than we had dared expect. The entire S. B. receipt for last year was only a little over $1400; but during the last eight months the receipts have already amounted to over $1700, cash received. This sum is nowhere near what it ought to be, but it is a great improvement on the past. The T. and M. reports show a corresponding improvement. Nearly double the work has been done during this quarter that was done in previous quarters. The receipts for the T. and M. work, and on different pledges, have run up to nearly $2000 in the last eight months. We have paid up for the Signs, and are six months ahead, and I believe our treasurer is able, or nearly so, to pay our entire debt at the REVIEW Office.
We have purchased and paid for two new tents, and paid for the fitting up of two old ones. All these things encourage us and our brethren to enter upon the summer campaign with renewed zeal. Six tents, well manned and rigged, will be in the field in Ohio this season; all of them will be started by the first of June.
We divided Ohio into six districts, and placed one leading minister over each district, giving him the entire oversight of all the churches and laborers in that district. He will be responsible for everything pertaining to the cause in his field, and will see that every church is visited at least once a quarter. So no churches will be neglected. I am now visiting the churches as rapidly as I can, hoping to see every one of them before camp-meeting. Bro. D. W. Reavis will also visit all the Sabbath-schools in the State, and look after that branch of the work. Many interesting things occurred at the Clyde meeting which we cannot even mention. Eld. S. Shreves, Methodist minister at Newark, has just embraced the truth, and resigned his charge there. He now goes out with Eld. Burrill.
Five were licensed for the first time at this meeting, and Brn. G. G. Rupert, R. A. Underwood, E. H. Gates, and O. F. Guilford were ordained. At our last meeting, Monday evening, the house was full. The Lord gave good freedom in a short, appropriate discourse. Two had been baptized at noon; at the close of the sermon, these, with one other, were formally admitted into the church. Then took place the solemn ordination of the ministers, and indeed it was a solemn and touching season. Heaven seemed to draw especially near, and all hearts were touched and softened. At the close of the ordination we all engaged in celebrating the sacred ordinance of the Lord's supper.
Thus closed one of the sweetest meetings we have ever attended in Ohio, as all the brethren unanimously testify. We thank God, and take courage. D. M. CANRIGHT.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.
‘A REPORT from Bro. Loughborough, coming too late for this department, will be found in the editorial pages.
Notes of News.
—Some parts of India are suffering from a famine.
—Dr. Talmage has been acquitted by a vote of 25 to 20.
—A Belgian physician attributes color-blindness to the excessive use of tobacco.
—The grand jury of New York City demand a more rigid enforcement of the liquor laws.
—It is expected that the Prince of Wales will visit the Australian International Exhibition.
—The government of Japan has appropriated $100,000 for the expenses of General Grant’s entertainment.
—A statue to William Tyndale, the Bible translator, is to be erected on the Thames Embankment, London.
—The Greek Archbishop of Cyprus permits an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society to sell the Scriptures there.
—A Chinese school and mission is to be opened in New York City under the charge of Moy Jin Kee, a converted Chinaman.
—Mr. Henry M. Stanley has arrived at Zanzibar, to act as guide and interpreter to the Belgian Exploring Expedition to Central Africa.
—No less than 13,000 persons have died from hunger at Mogador, Morocco, and the famine still continues; thousands more are starving, and animals of all kinds have perished.
—Official reports of the earthquake at Mearah, Persia, March 22, show that 21 villages were totally destroyed, and 2,660 sheep, 1,125 oxen, 124 horses, and 55 camels killed.
—The balance of trade in favor of America has increased from $200,000,000 for the year ending March 31, 1878, to $284,000,000 for the past year. This is among the better indications of the times.
—General Garibaldi’s scheme for arming Italy has failed. The Italian government assures the other nations that it “will vigorously repress any attempts to disturb the harmony existing between Italy and other nations.”
—Not only has the new government four per cent loan been promptly patronized by Americans, but large sales have been made in London. This is a gratifying evidence of the public confidence in our national credit.
—An exchange states that the poet Longfellow has received a gift of a pen made from the iron fetters of Bonivard, the prisoner of Chillon. The socket is made of gold, set with three rare gems, and the handle is a piece of oak from the old frigate Constitution.
—The Main Building of the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia cost $1,750,000; but it can be bought for $250,000, and could be removed to New York for $100,000; hence there is a proposition to remove it to the latter city, for the world’s fair to be held there in the next decade.
—Large numbers of the police in Moscow have been transported to Siberia for supposed complicity in conspiracies. In many of the chief cities the police force is being continually changed, to prevent any tampering with these officials, who in Russia are peculiarly open to the temptation of a bribe.
—Signor Costanzi, the proprietor of two of the largest hotels in Rome, while excavating for the foundations of a new theater, discovered an ancient street eighteen feet wide, and a noble private palace with rows of columns forming its peristyle, pavements inlaid with the rarest marbles, beautiful frescoes, statues, and other works of art.
—Seven coal-miners working in a mine near Wilkesbarre, Pa., 1,200 feet below the surface, were suddenly entombed, April 22, by the falling in of the roof. By the brave and persistent efforts of their comrades, who worked night and day, forcing a passage through 1,200 feet of rock, slate, and coal, they were safely rescued, after being confined five and a half days.
—It is reported from Rome by a correspondent of the London press, that the progress of Catholicism in the United States has induced the pope to arrange for a complete organization of the hierarchy, and a more intimate union with Rome. New bishoprics will shortly be created, and the establishments of the Society of Jesus will be more satisfactorily organized.
—Counsellor D. H. Wells was imprisoned two days for contempt of court in refusing to answer questions concerning the Mormon marriage ceremony, in the Miles polygamy case. In consequence, the Mormons, who consider Wells a martyr to the oppression of the government, observed the 6th of May as a holiday, and a procession of over 10,000 persons, with bands of music, marched through the streets to do him honor.
—The Christian Weekly says editorially, “As if the wholesale spoliation of our Indian tribes and the violation of sacred treaties were not enough, greedy and unscrupulous speculators, lusting for the 14,000,000 acres in the heart of the Indian Territory, are organizing a movement to take possession of it. The unlawful plans are so nearly matured that President Hayes has been compelled to issue a proclamation warning them to desist.”
—A dispatch from London says, that private letters received by bankers and others in London from correspondents in various parts of Russia contain accounts which would be almost incredible, were not the accuracy of the letters beyond question. The accounts which have been permitted to be transmitted by telegraph give an inadequate idea of the fearful condition of affairs which exists throughout the empire. The terror that prevails is extreme, and cannot be exaggerated.
—Russian life can scarcely be pleasant nowadays. A few weeks ago, as a young nobleman was entertaining a few friends at his home, the door suddenly opened, a handsome young lady came in, politely saluted the visitors, and then, drawing a pistol from her pocket, shot the host through the head. The fair assassin made no attempt to escape, and was, of course, arrested. It is said that the victim had two days previously received a threatening letter from the Executive Committee of the Revolutionary Society, which he had given to the police.
—Henry Kidder, for many years superintendent of public schools in the city of New York, has become a convert to spiritualism, and has published a book entitled, “Spiritual Communications.” There are in the book communications from Judge Edmonds and other deceased friends of Kidder; also from Shakespeare, Bacon, Queen Elizabeth, Sir Isaac Newton, Mozart, Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon, William Cullen Bryant, Byron, Martin Luther, Pio Nono, St. Peter, St. Paul, and a host of others, including Boss Tweed.
—The great metropolis of London has no less than 7,000 miles of streets, while on an average 28 miles of new streets are opened and 9,000 new houses built every year; 1,000 vessels and 9,000 sailors are in port every day. Its crime is also in proportion to its extent, no less than 73,000 persons being annually taken into custody by the police, while more than one-third of all the crime in the country is committed within its borders; 38,000 persons are annually found guilty of drunkenness by its magistrates. The metropolis comprises upwards of 100,000 foreigners from every quarter of the globe.
Harper’s Weekly of May 17 says: “Pope Leo XIII. has again given expression to his dislike of the Protestant schools in the city of Rome. In a letter to the Cardinal Vicar, dated March 25, he discusses the best means of counteracting their influence. He says with much feeling: ‘These schools are increased in number year by year by the work of strangers and by the aid of foreign gold, and that in a city where no teaching was set forth, or, in other words, permitted, but that pure doctrine willed by the Church. That these things exist affords proof how little the dignity and liberty of the Roman pontiff are provided for since the dominion of his states was taken from him.’ Leo has, therefore, appointed a commission of prelates and members of the Roman nobility, who are to assume the direction of Catholic primary schools in the city of Rome, and give unity to Catholic education there. The pope contributes for this purpose 100,000 francs from his own revenues.”
Leprosy in London.—A fearful disease, which has not been heard of in Great Britain for over seventy years, has reappeared in London, but only a single case has become known. A poor woman who had been for nine months an inmate of St. John’s hospital for diseases of the skin, suffering from leprosy in its most horrible form, died there on Saturday. The disease is undoubtedly contagious, and I have heard no particulars as to the isolation of the unfortunate victim, although I suppose that would have been provided for. In Cyprus, which I suppose we must regard as being in Asia, there is a village which is entirely inhabited by lepers. On the first symptom of the disease, the sufferer is driven from his native town, and gradually a colony of pariahs has been formed. A cordon is drawn around the place for miles, and it is to be hoped none of the British troops will wander into its precincts for curiosity.
IOWA
Kiron, April 30.—I have been here nearly three weeks, and have held nine public meetings, besides meeting with the Swedish Sabbath-keepers two Sabbaths. They have formed a Sabbath-school. Sixteen were present each day. Bro. Wakeham and his sister, who teach school in the settlement, have rendered efficient help. The school takes a club of six Instructors. The Swedish class use the questions in the Swedish paper. I have obtained four subscribers for the Swedish Herald. Some desire to know if it is the truth which is presented, and we pray daily for the Spirit of God to seal conviction to the hearts of the honest. JAMES SAWYER,
Monona Co.—I came to Onawa, Monona Co., April 18, but the Scandinavians here did not want to hear these doctrines. This was discouraging to me, but God is my helper. Praise his holy name.
On the 19th and 26th I spoke in English to the brethren of the Belvidere church, I trust with good effect.
In this vicinity, or near the Moorhead post-office, I have held six meetings among as many Danish families. They all think what I preach is good, but I am afraid there are some stumbling-blocks among the church members that will hinder the prosperity of the cause. I have obtained six subscribers to the Tidende. JOHN F. HANSON.