Earlier text: THE CAUSE IN VERMONT.BE MERCIFUL,
By A. S. HUTCHINS
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Luke vi, 36. These words of the compassionate Redeemer, spoken to his disciples, while instructing them what course to pursue toward their enemies, should awaken in all of our hearts the inquiry, “Am I showing mercy to my fellow-men, as I would have the God of all mercies, show to me? Do I warn the erring, as I would be warned? Do I pity, and forgive those who trespass against me, as I would be forgiven of our Father in Heaven? Do I cherish a kind, tender, and affectionate spirit toward all, as I would have cherished toward me?” Says the apostle, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel [margin, complaint] against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Col. iii, 12, 13. Let each one of us dear brethren, examine our hearts closely, and try our lives by this scripture, and learn ere it is too late, whether or not, we are living agreeably thereunto. If we are, we may expect to obtain mercy; for says Jesus, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matt. v, 6. But let no one imagine himself possessed of this gracious-characteristic of the child of God, however compassionate or clement he may be to man, if he possesses not a spirit of kindness and tenderness to his beasts. To be merciful is to be “unwilling to give pain; to be compassionate; tender; not cruel.”—Webster. Now as I pen these few lines, more for the consideration of those who may read them than for those who never will see them, I ask you in love, dear reader, Does the daily treatment which your dumb beasts receive at your hand, show you to be a merciful man? Look at your noble ox or your patient horse; think of the care you give him; think how you drive and use him; and settle the question impartially. Are you unwilling to give him pain? Or do you in a manner most cruel, whip that poor, half-fed, and over-worked horse, simply because he gives back before the heavy load for want of strength, or because his pace grows tardy from hunger and fatigue? Look at that kind and faithful beast to which God has not given power to speak for himself. See his bony frame. Count the marks of the cruel lash which your strong hand has made while trying to whip life into him day after day. Think of the sad and pitiful tale that beast would tell, of the reproofs he would utter, could he speak for himself, as did Balaam’s, but once. He needs good care, a proper amount of good food, and tender treatment to give him strength, courage, and life, a thousand times more than he needs to be whipped all the way through life. Says Solomon, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” Prov. xii, 10. Taking this text, as a measurement of our righteousness, how does this matter stand with you, my dear friend and brother? You and I must soon appear before the Judge of all the earth, to give an account to him how we have improved our privileges here, and how used the blessings of this life. Shall we be prepared to hear it said of us, Well done, good and faithful servant? Hoping we may, and that our lives may ever give evidence of a subdued, sanctified, tender, Christian spirit, I leave this subject with you by adding the following lines from another who has thought and spoken on the same point: “A man of kindness to his beast is kind,
But brutal actions show a brutal mind;
Remember He who made thee, made the brute,
Who gave thee speech and reason, formed him mute,
He can’t complain; but God’s all-seeing eye
Beholds thy cruelty; he hears his cry.
He was designed thy servant and thy drudge;
But know that his Creator is thy Judge.”
Health Institute, B. C., Mich. THE CAUSE IN R. I.
By P. C. RODMAN
The state of the cause here is encouraging. On Block Island there is an advance in holiness with the most of the church. I think they are in the best condition I ever knew them. Curtis' Corner church is growing in grace and numbers. Two have been baptized during the last quarter. Exeter church is steadily growing in present truth. The Health Reform is deeply interesting them. The company at Green Hill are holding on and ready to advance, and do make some progress. At Ashaway they have been rather slow to move, but I perceive a disposition to come up in the good work. At Abington, Ct., the church have passed through much trial and is still subject to the same. Some of its members have shown indeed the martyr spirit, and I perceive a growth that to me is promising for a harvest. Kensington church was moving on when I was last there. I expect to visit them again soon. This church is composed of tried friends of truth. I have reason to hope they will all go through to Mount Zion. God is in this work, and it cannot fail. I hope to be in my place, humbly led of the Lord, that my labor may not be in vain. P. C. RODMAN.
Ashaway, R. I. THE REFORM DRESS.
By C. O. TAYLOR
This is just the dress, at least in my judgment, in length not too long, in shortness not too short. Long enough to be modest, short enough for comfort and convenience. It cannot be said of it as the man did about his new coat, “It is too big and too little, too long and too short; it don't suit any way; here, John (speaking to the hired man), take it.” I repeat, it is just the dress. I have seen no female dress that I like better. Mrs. T. is wearing it in this section for the first time. I have heard of no one speaking ill of it. A number have spoken well. Some that would not think of wearing the American costume say they must have one of this style. A very influential minister of the Episcopal order, was asked by one of his members how he liked it. He remarked, “Well.” “Would you like to have your members wear it?” “I would,” was his prompt reply. “But,” remarked the member, “What gazing and looking there would be, as we came into church.” “Oh! that would soon pass away, the novelty would soon be gone.” I would say to all that put it on, Get it up in good taste. Don't think that any thing nine inches from the floor is the reform dress. Other things are to be considered. Let there be neatness and good taste in the waist and in the hanging. Don't get on a shawl. Pay good attention to these and many other things, and you will save much prejudice. Get one up in good shape. Wear it. Be independent in what is right and just. Hold up your head. Walk erect. Don't think everybody is looking at and thinking about you. Rouse's Point, N. Y., Aug. 20, 1867. QUARTERLY MEETINGS IN MINNESOTA.
By Henry F. Phelps
A GOODLY number of the Oronoco church, went to Greenwood to unite with the little church there in the worship of God. We were all very greatly disappointed in not meeting with Bro. Pierce, as we had heard that he intended to come. Yet we tried to do the best we could, exhorting one another, praying with, and for, each other; and we are sure the time was not spent in vain; for says Jesus, “Where two or three are met in my name there am I in the midst of them.” Blessed promise! and it never yet failed. Aug. 24, 25, at Oronoco, Bro. Ingraham was present to give the word of life as meat in due season. The church was well represented. The Brn. from Greenwood favored us with their presence. This was a good meeting; immediately after the forenoon discourse we repaired to the water, where three were buried by baptism, and we hope, rose to walk in newness of life; one, a brother who has lately embraced the truth, who, to use his own expression, has been a hardened sinner all the days of his life. Oh! may his life be consistent, never looking back, but pressing forward, shedding a good influence over his former associates, and at last he reign with the redeemed. The other two a brother and sister who had been dissatisfied with their former baptism, came forward and took up the cross, thus removing what had seemed to them to be a hindrance to their advancement in the divine life, feeling that they were free in Christ. Oh! that all this dear people may continue to work over against their own house removing every hindrance of whatever nature, and grow up into Christ their living head. We then went to the school house where we all united in the ordinances of the Lord’s house. The cementing Spirit of God was there. Union prevailed. Four were admitted into the church. That we may all continue to press together, and be at last an unbroken company upon Mount Zion, is my prayer. It being in the midst of harvest, it was thought best not to have any meeting upon first-day. The Sabbath being passed when the last meeting closed, we attended to S. B., when we all went home feeling refreshed and encouraged. Thus closed the first Quarterly Meeting at Oronoco for this Conference year. Owing to the bad weather, deep snow through the winter, and the extremely heavy rains and high water through the fore part of the season, our Monthly Meetings have been entirely broken off. It is thought best to commence again. The next will be held at Oronoco, Sept. 21, 22, Sabbath and first-day. We hope to see all our brethren and sisters who have the cause of God at heart, present at this meeting. Come prepared to stay through the entire meeting, as there is some important business pertaining to the interests of the cause, to be attended to. MISREPRESENTATION.—An old elder once said to a young preacher, “I am afraid you do not perform your whole duty, for everybody speaks well of you.” It startled the preacher; he was afraid the text, “Woe unto you when all men speak well of you,” would apply to him. Suffice it to say, it was only a few months until the dogs of Satan were barking at his heels. Count Bismark, the Prussian minister, is not only a great statesman, but seems to entertain sound ideas in other respects. The views which he entertains of the medical profession, are not calculated to unduly flatter the members of that profession, as indicated in the following:— The wife of Hon. Joseph A. Wright, Minister to Berlin, writes concerning the illness of her husband: “Last week, Count Bismark called and spent an hour or two, and tried to persuade him to change his physicians for the homeopathic school, saying that since he (the Count) had changed his, his health had vastly improved—though he thinks the less one has to do, generally, with the doctors the better.—Chicago Journal. TURKEY has refused to enter into any consultation with the other Powers relative to Crete. The obsequiousness which greeted the Sultan in the Christian capitals of Europe seems to have been thrown away. He is no more disposed to act like a Christian than before he learned that Christians saw nothing out of the way in his inhuman treatment of their brethren. This is entirely natural. As he expects to subdue in time the revolt in Crete, there is no use in his deferring to feelings that are not strong enough to resent his brutality by even so much as a refusal of hospitalities and a refraining from the most fulsome adulation of his goodness as a ruler and a man. In some respects the means taken by Omer Pasha are well adapted to the end he has in view. He is determined to subjugate the Island, even if he “makes it a solitude and calls it peace.” He has blockaded it from within and without. He will not permit the women and children to leave the Island because they consume the scanty provisions and help bring the whole population to the point of starvation and surrender. But, on the other hand, the natural ferocity of the Turks is counterbalancing this policy by their wholesale massacre of women and children in the interior of the Island. Even the foreign consuls in Canea not favorable to the insurgents have been forced by the atrocities committed, to protest against further slaughter. A joint telegram from them says: “The massacres of women and children are going on in the interior of the Island. The government can neither suppress the insurrection nor prevent the occurrence of these atrocities. Humanity demands imperatively the immediate suspension of hostilities, or the transportation of the women and children to Greece.” The American Consul writes that “the Turks are preparing similar massacres for the submitted villages, in the neighborhood of Rhetymo and Canea. We are all wearied and sick at heart at the alarm and distress, and the uncertainty of the position. I do not, nor do any of the consuls, regard the insurrection as any nearer an end than before Omer Pasha attacked Spakhia.” There are indications of a revolt of the Christians in Thessaly and Epirus. If this takes place it may require a part of Omer Pasha’s army to put it down. The correspondent of the Boston Advertiser says the blockade-runner Arkadi is cursed by the Turks and denounced by the diplomats for breaking through a paper blockade. He adds: “She doubtless does naughty things, and deserves to be condemned for ‘irregularity,’ but the All-seeing Eye reads upon her log many such entries as these; Nineteenth voyage, July 11, brought away two hundred women and children; July —, 20th voyage, brought off seven hundred women and children; and these entries will go far to effect changes on the other side of the ledger. Verily this modern Argo brings home cargoes to Greece more precious than the golden fleece! But where is the great leader in this struggle between Moslems and Christians for what was Christian soil, and what still is the fairest of all European islands? He is the honored guest of Christian kings, queens and princes who all rise up to do him honor. Verily the days of chivalry are fled, but the days of reckoning are to come!” The sailors of the Christian navies that cruise around the Island are very anxious to take off the starving women and children, but diplomacy forbids, and they are compelled to see them dying, as it were, before their very eyes, and are unable to save them.190 Church Property in Italy.
THE Church Property Bill, which has passed the Lower House of the Italian Parliament, and is now pending in the Senate, in which body there is probably no doubt of its success, is a very sweeping measure, and not at all calculated to increase the confidence of the Pope in the Italian Government, to whose “protection” he has been turned over by the wily Emperor of France. The ministry made the passage of this measure a question of life or death, and the all but unanimous vote in its favor in the popular branch of the National Legislature, reveals the great religious revolution that has taken place in Italy, and the indifference of even the professed friends of the church to its temporal welfare. The great majority by which the bill was passed seems to have been the result of some kind of a compromise between Rattazzi, the minister, and the leader of the opposition, by which, probably, the latter is to secure some political leaves and fishes for himself and his friends. This shows that the opposition to the bill was not founded on any reverence for or attachment to the church, but was merely held as political capital in the struggle for the “ins and outs.” The bill insures the suppression of all religious corporations, and provides for the administration of their property by the State—that is, by the local commissions, “composed of the Prefect, Syndic, Fiscal Advocate, agent of the crown lands and two upright citizens.” These local commissions are to be superintended by a central commission, consisting of the chief Director of crown lands, the Treasurer of the Religious Worship Fund, two Deputies and two Senators. All the personal property and five per cent. of the revenue derived from landed estates are to be applied to the expenses of religious worship, and to the life pension of members. The church lands are to be put up in small lots at public auction at a minimum price, bidders to deposit a tenth of that price in the provincial treasury on the day of sale, a tenth of the actual purchase money ten days after, and the remainder to be paid in eighteen years, in fixed rates, at six per cent. If paid down, seven per cent. discount will be allowed. Charitable institutions are to be left unmolested for the time being. “The Government is authorized,” says the bill, “to emit at such epochs, and in such manner as it sees fit, a sufficient number of five per cent. bonds to insure the entry into the Treasury of the actual sum of 400,000.00fr. These bonds shall be accepted at their nominal value, in payment of the lands whose sale by this law is decreed.” There were present in the House when the vote was taken on the most vital proposition of the bill, 284 members, of whom only four abstained from voting. The result was, yeas, 265; nays, 15. A writer who was present when the vote was announced, states that “wild cheers rang through the house, and the sitting was suspended for one hour.” The wisdom of this bill as a financial measure of course remains to be tested. Its enemies say the bonds will rise and fall with Italian stocks; that foreign speculators will purchase them at low figures and buy the lands, paying down and thus getting a discount of seven per cent. on the nominal value of the bond, and that the lands will sell at less than half their original value, and, what is worse, pass into the hands of foreigners. Rattazzi and the friends of the measure, on the other hand, claim that these lands, guaranteed by the immense wealth of the church, will be taken up almost at par by the Italians themselves, and that the sale, in small lots, and the long respite afforded for payment, will create a great number of small proprietors, and lay the foundation of new and great prosperity. Whichever of these prophecies shall prove nearest correct, the property is lost to the church, and the people not only acquiesce but rejoice in the fact.—Chicago Tribune. MONTHLY MEETING IN RHODE ISLAND.
By J. S. Miller
After an interval of nearly a year since the last Monthly Meeting in this part of New England, it is again our privilege to send the report of our Monthly Meeting at New Shoreham, which commenced on Sabbath evening, Aug. 16, and held over first-day. The churches of Ashaway, Curtis' Corners, and Exeter, R. I., and South Lancaster, Mass., were fairly represented. Our social meeting on Sabbath evening was both interesting and profitable, and indicated that our coming together was not to be in vain. Sabbath morning we met again at 9 o'clock for social exercises. At half past 10, we were favored with a discourse by Bro. Rodman, from 1 Pet. iv, 17. All were deeply interested as he dwelt on the duties of God's people in the judgment hour, prominent among which he placed the Health Reform. At the close of his discourse, Bro. S. N. Haskell followed with appropriate remarks. In the afternoon, Bro. H. spoke from Rev. iii, 21. After giving some general ideas on the testimonies to the church, Bro. H. entered into the subject of the Laodicean testimony, and among other things gave us some valuable information relative to health and how to regain and preserve it. I cannot help thinking that the Spirit of the Lord directed his mind, for nothing was more needed by us all, and especially by those on the Island, than the information he imparted. In the evening, Bro. H. spoke again from Rom. viii, 28, and gave us some much-needed encouragement and instruction, which was followed by a few short testimonies, the tenor of which showed that these meetings were having the desired effect, to increase the interest in the good cause, and to nerve us up to more united efforts for its advancement. First day, at 10 o'clock, we met at the Town House, near the center of the Island, where Bro. R. spoke to a large congregation, from 2 Pet. i, 19. The people were attentive, and it is hoped that the truths presented on the prophecies were not all lost, even on those who were not fully with us in the truth. Our object in removing to the Town House was to allow the Freewill Baptists the use of the school house, which we used on Sabbath. This changing the locality of the meeting some two miles affected somewhat the interest of our meeting, as is always the case, which led us to sensibly feel that our brethren on the Island should have a house of their own; and if each brother will take hold and do what he can, I see no reason why they may not soon have a convenient house. In the interval between preaching, we had a social meeting in which a good number participated. At 3 o'clock Bro. H. spoke from 1 Thess. v, 23. The testimony on this occasion was meat in due season, for the church especially. On the morning of second-day, Bro. H. and his company, and the brethren from Exeter and Curtis' Corners left for home on the Newport boat. After bidding our brethren and sisters an affectionate farewell, we that remained went to perform a still more sad and chastening duty in attending the funeral of Bro. Abraham Mott, who died evening after the Sabbath. Bro. M. was the first to embrace the third message on the Island, and his loss will be severely felt. The funeral was largely attended, and Bro. R. gave a short, but deeply interesting address from 1 Thess. iv, 17. On second-day evening we that remained had a farewell meeting at Bro. C. Champlin's, in which nearly all took part, and while all felt sad at the thought that we were so soon to part, we rejoiced in the thought that it is our privilege to be overcomers. On third-day morning we bade farewell to this island of the sea, feeling that the islanders had been much refreshed by our visit, while all, both islanders and visitors, had expressed resolutions to start anew in the warfare. May the Lord help us all to keep the resolutions thus formed, and may this Monthly Meeting be the beginning of better days, and a more rapid rise of the third message in this part of New England. Whene’er a duty waits for thee,
With sober judgment view it,
And never idly wish it done;
Begin at once and do it.
For sloth says falsely, “By and by
Is just as well to do it;”
But present strength is surest strength;
Begin at once and do it. QUARTERLY MEETING AT PILOT GROVE, IOWA.
By Henry Nicola
According to appointment, a few of us met in the evening of the commencement of the Sabbath and enjoyed a good season of prayer. Sabbath morning our hearts were encouraged to see nearly all the brethren and sisters from Washington and a few from Iowa city church assemble, at the place of worship at an early hour. As we had no minister present, the time was all taken up in prayer, and social meeting. But we had just passed through a very busy season of the year, and the most of those present had been very actively engaged in taking care of the bountiful harvest of hay and grain of this rich prairie country. During this busy time many of us left off to some degree the study of God's word, and neglected secret prayer, and devotion, and perhaps other duties necessary to give life to the Christian. Consequently we found that our minds were somewhat engrossed by worldly things, our sensibilities more or less blunted to spiritual things, and our hearts in rather a poor frame to enter heartily into the worship of God. But as we tried to exercise the same zeal in the worship of God that we have in our worldly pursuits, we felt that God heard our prayer and accepted of our worship. As we had been so active in attending to the perishable things of this world, and thereby neglected to some degree the wants of the soul, we thought that it would be consistent, and might be to the glory of God, and good of our own souls, for us to spend two days in the worship of God, even if we had no preaching. So the time was well occupied both days with earnest prayers and exhortation. The testimony of all that engaged earnestly in this meeting was that they had gained new strength, and felt like starting with new zeal to be overcomers, and reap the overcomers' reward. Our meeting closed first-day in the afternoon, by celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house while we tried to bring afresh to our minds the great sacrifice that has been made for poor fallen man. As we had not had a meeting of this kind for the past six months, this was truly a solemn and important meeting. The only discouraging features in these meetings was to find when we came to the last and most important meeting, that our numbers had decreased nearly one half, nearly all the brethren and sisters from Washington, and some of this church, having their business in such a shape that they could attend meeting only on the Sabbath. Is this as it should be? Would it not be well for all as far as possible to so arrange their worldly business, that they may go to meeting as free from worldly care and anxiety as possible, to stay until the meeting is out; for the best of the wine is generally reserved until the last of the feast; and those who leave too soon are the losers. Dear brethren and sisters, let me entreat you, Be not so taken up with things of this world that you will neglect the wants of the soul. Remember the words of our Saviour. “And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares; for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” What a solemn thought to be believers in the present truth, and yet be so taken up with the things of this life that the Lord will come, and find some of us unprepared. There is danger here. May the Lord help us all to take heed. —It is stated at the capital by persons well versed in the condition of affairs in Maryland, and who have spent considerable time in counties near Washington, that the opinion is very prevalent there that the President intends to resist the impeachment by force, and that nearly all rebel militiamen confidently expect to be called upon. As a significant coincidence, these opinions seem to have sprung up immediately after Montgomery Blair's late visits to Annapolis. The name of Jerry Black is also very generally used as one committed to this line of Presidential defense. Insurrection in Spain.—MADRID, August 23. A state seige is declared in all the provinces in consequence of anticipated insurrectionary movements. Spain.—Paris, Aug. 28.—Evening. Reports continue from rebel sources of the success of the insurrection in Spain, and especially in the province of Arragon. Latest advices report that the insurgents have captured and hold the city of Saragossa. Anxiety in Europe.—LONDON, August 28. The increasing bitterness apparent in the editorials of the Prussian journals on the Salzburg conference, causes much anxiety throughout Europe. —The N. Y. Independent closes an article on the great speech of M. Thiers, in the French Assembly, as follows: We have not pretended to give more than the slightest notion of this terrible speech, which was strictly parliamentary, contained no disrespectful word to the Emperor, and commanded perfect attention in a body devoted, as a body, to the Imperial will. The little light which Bonaparte has permitted to reach the French public, through the legislative debates, was sufficient to make this handwriting on the wall of his palace visible to all the world. The opposition in the Corps Législatif, though infinitesimally small, outweighs infinitely in point of ability the supple majority. These words may be seen soon to be prophetic of the sudden ruin of the monarch who won his throne by perjury, treachery, and murder. Having been won, it was maintained by the general opinion, in and out of France, of his longheadedness and cunning. This opinion has received many successive shocks. His plans have all turned against him—in Italy, in Germany, in America. He yielded to the implied menaces of the United States, and has just given way before the bullying of Prussia. A war with Prussia and a defeat in the field, would topple over his throne and send him to death or exile. It seems as if justice, though tardy, is at last likely to overtake him. —The fatal issue of the Mexican intervention continues to expose the French Government to powerful attacks from the leading men and organs of the Liberal Opposition. The speech of Thiers on the history of the intervention has been followed by a terrible exposition by Berryer of the financiering of the French Government in the bonds of the Mexican Empire. The language of most of the semi-official papers is exceedingly desponding. They generally own, with La France, that “the deplorable end of the Mexican Empire is for France an immense misfortune and an irreparable check,” but they insist that at the beginning of the intervention there was reason to hope for a better result. The Liberal papers find it, of course, easy to reply to such apologies; but the Press law prevents them from following up their victory. —It is stated that an agreement was arrived at between the two Emperors as to the policy to be pursued by Austria and France in the Eastern question. Reported Appearance of the Rinderpest.
—A disease, with symptoms similar to, and which is believed to be, the great cattle scourge so lately prevailing in Europe, has made its appearance in Bucks County, Pa. So far it has only affected the cows of two neighbors in Solesbury Township, three of each having been seized with the disease, and one of each having died. Of the others one or more it is thought will recover. The disease is supposed to have been communicated from a drove of cattle brought from near Philadelphia. If so, this would indicate its existence elsewhere in the State. We have heard of unusual numbers of deaths of cows in the western part of this county; but do not learn that it is imputed to rinderpest or other extraordinary distemper.—Rochester Express. —The cholera has made its appearance in the northwest portion of Gallatin county, in its most malignant form. Out of some thirty cases, twenty have proved fatal. Those who have died from the disease did not live over six to eight hours after contracting it. The people are fleeing from it. It is hoped that the disease will be confined to that locality, as but few persons remain, and there have been no new cases since Friday last.