Earlier text: SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM.—CONTINUEDSYNOPSIS OF THE PRESENT TRUTH.
By Uriah Smith
NUMBER TWENTY-TWO.
* THE CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY. HAVING become satisfied of the existence of a Sanctuary in heaven, a true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man, the subject of its ministration and cleansing can furnish little ground for dispute. On this point, as on every other concerning the glorious heavenly things, and the more excellent ministry of the Malchisedec priesthood, in the person of our Lord, we must reason from type to antitype, from earth to heaven. The priests on earth, says Paul, serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. This being so, it follows that the work connected with the earthly tabernacle, was the example and shadow of a like work in heaven. Listen, then, to a brief and simple statement of The Ministration and Cleansing of the earthly Sanctuary. This ministration was accomplished by the Levitical order of priesthood, and consisted of two great divisions: the daily ministration in the holy place, and the work in the most holy place at the end of the year. The daily ministration embraced the regular morning and evening burnt offering (Ex. 29:38-43), the burning of sweet incense on the golden altar, every morning when the high priest dressed the lamps, and every evening when he lighted them (Ex. 30), also, the additional work appointed for the Sabbaths of the Lord, and the annual sabbaths, new moons and feasts (Num. 28; 29), besides the particular work to be accomplished for individuals as they should present their offerings throughout the year. This latter was an important part of the service and was performed as follows: Whoever had sinned brought his victim, that was to be offered up for him, to the door of the tabernacle. He then laid his hand upon the head of the victim and confessed his sin, when the victim was accepted in his stead. The offering was then slain on account of that persons transgression, and the blood was used by the priest in his ministry for the penitent at the Sanctuary. Lev. 1; 3; 4. Thus the sin of the individual was transferred first to the victim, and then to the Sanctuary itself. In this manner went the typical service forward throughout the year. Day after day, week after week, month after month, we behold the victim of expiation brought up before the door of the tabernacle. We see the transgressor confessing over him his sin, and thus transferring to him his guilt. He hereby acknowledged that he had sinned and was worthy of death. The law demands the life of the transgressor. But a substitute was provided. The guilt was imputed to the victim and his life paid the forfeit. The priest took of his blood (and the blood of it is the life thereof, Lev. 17:11, 14), and with the sinners confession of sin, and the blood as an evidence that life had been taken for that sin, acted as a mediator in behalf of the sinner before the Lord. These three things were necessary in this work: the confession of sin, the blood of the sacrifice, and the work of the priest. The confession without the sacrifice would have accomplished nothing. The blood without the confession would not have availed anything, and the confession and blood both, without the ministry of the priest would have been ineffectual. But with all three combined, the service was accepted, and the sin was transferred from the sinner to the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary thenceforth became the receptacle of the offender's sin. A continual transfer of sins from the people to the Sanctuary, thus went on through the year. But what at length became of these sins? Were they suffered to remain perpetually in the Sanctuary? They were not. There was another ministration at the close of the year, by which they were forever removed from the Sanctuary, and a final disposition made of them. This was the yearly ministration or the cleansing of the Sanctuary. Lev. 16. It took place on the tenth day of the seventh month. Verse 29. To accomplish this, the work of the high priest was changed from the holy place, to the most holy, within the vail. Here he entered with the blood of a bullock as a sin-offering for himself. Verse 3. He was then to take of the congregation of the children of Israel, (verse 5,) two kids of the goats for a sin-offering. Upon these he was to cast lots, (verse 8,) one lot for the Lord and the other for the scape-goat. He then offered up the goat upon which the lot fell for the Lord, for a sin-offering for the people, (verse 15,) and bore his blood within the vail, and sprinkled it with his finger upon the mercy-seat eastward, and before the mercy-seat seven times. This blood was offered for two purposes: 1. To make an atonement for the transgression of the children of Israel in all their sins. 2. To cleanse, or make atonement for the holy Sanctuary. This fact is plainly stated in Lev. 16:15-22. In the foregoing testimony, we have presented before our minds a general outline of the ministration and cleansing of the earthly Sanctuary. This was performed unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. From this, therefore, we are to reason concerning.
U. S. FALSE VIEWS OF PAUL'S WORDS
OF all the unscriptural views now prevailing, none resorts to weaker refuges and to more untenable positions than that which opposes the perpetuity of the law of God. Every position taken by the no-law teachers on Paul's letter to the Romans, may be fairly turned against them. Every text which they claim as teaching the abolition or non-obligation of the law, is found, when fairly considered, to prove the very reverse. Perhaps no objection is put forth with less thought and reason than that which is based on Paul's words to the elders of the church of Ephesus, Acts 20:20-27. They claim this: that Paul said he kept back nothing that was profitable to them, and shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God; but that he said nothing to them about keeping the law, and therefore it is not profitable. A conclusion more at variance with the facts cannot easily be drawn from any premise. 1. Paul preached some three years or more in Ephesus, and we have no record of anything which he preached during that time except what is said in verse 21, namely, that he taught repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. But this is plainly an enforcement of the law, for we must repent toward him whose law we have transgressed; and Paul did not teach repentance towards Jesus Christ, because he is the Mediator. By the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3:20, and we must have faith toward Christ, by whom we receive remission of sin. Therefore, from all that we are able to learn of Paul's teaching at Ephesus, we find that he did enforce the commandments of God in distinction from the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12. And this "publicly and from house to house," showing that these two principles, the law of God and the gospel of Christ, were the burden of all his work. Besides this, no one of the objectors can possibly tell what Paul did, or did not, preach during his three years' labor at Ephesus. 2. Or, if they apply his words to what he wrote to the Ephesians as well as to what he preached to them, the objection is equally faulty, for he wrote many profitable things in his other letters which he did not write to the Ephesians. 3. Or, if they, without any warrant, refer his words to all of his letters, the objection is contrary to the facts; for he did most emphatically teach the perpetuity of, and our obligation to, the law. He said the law proves us sinners; the object of the gospel is to have the righteousness of the law fulfilled in us; the law is spiritual; the carnal mind is not subject to it (as carnality and spirituality cannot agree); God is dishonored by those who break the law; and the law is not made void. 4. And, if his words be applied to what he wrote to the Ephesians and to what he wrote in all his other letters, the objection is faulty in this respect, that James, Peter, Jude, and John, wrote many profitable things which are not contained in the writings of Paul. To maintain this objection the objector is obliged to take the position that the writings of James, Peter, John, and Jude are not profitable! and he must reject the book of Revelation, which will shut him out of the holy city and from the tree of life. Rev. 22:19. Surely no intelligent Bible reader can honestly and conscientiously take a position involving such awful consequences. And so, looking whichever way we will, the objection is weak and inconclusive, and can be used only by those who are not particular as to the means employed to further their own object. We think, as Dr. Doddridge said, that he did not shun or decline to tell anything which was to profit them. But that we have in his writings all things which are profitable to us we know is not true, as others wrote many things of equal profit which he did not write. What he preached at Ephesus, as to particulars, we do not know; but we do know that there and elsewhere, he maintained the integrity of the law in the most direct and unequivocal manner. Work Speaks Better Than Criticism
Those who do nothing are generally the first to find fault with those who work. They can tell just what needs to be done, just when it ought to be attended to, and if any failures are made, they would have known better, they would not have acted so unwisely. What a pity those persons who understand so well how to work should remain idle; if only they would be persuaded to teach by example the blunderers who are willing to work, how much might be accomplished. IT IS A TERRIBLE DAY
By R. F. Cottrell
THE DAY OF THE LORD. NO. 1.
THAT period of time called the day of the Lord will surely break upon our world in its appointed time. Those who live to witness it will know that the Scriptures, in giving such prominence to it, have not over-drawn, or too highly colored the picture, in the description of that tremendous day; but that a faithful delineation has been given, to warn men of its terrors, and cause them to stop and think, to consider and turn; that they might escape from being cut off with the transgressors. Although various figures are used to represent it, yet, in other instances, it is described in language the most plain and literal; so that whoever reads with care cannot well be ignorant of the dreadful realities which are so faithfully revealed. It is to be a terrible day, a day of wrath, even wrath without mixture, wrath such as earth has never known. Now mercy pleads. The Son of God has been offered a sacrifice for sins, as a lamb without spot or blemish, and our risen and ascended Lord pleads the merits of his own blood before the throne of mercy, in behalf of those who come to God through him. But in that day, mercy will no longer plead for the guilty, but he who now so affectionately pleads will put on the "garments of vengeance," and the "wrath of the Lamb" will be keenly felt by those who have spurned his offered mercy and trampled on his blood. Some flatter themselves, because "God is love," and "Christ died for all," that all will be saved—that the wrath of God and the Lamb against the incorrigible cannot be a reality. Such should read the word of God more carefully. Wrath means wrath, as certainly as love means love. And though Christ died for all, thus opening the way of approach to God, yet he pleads only for the pardon of those who "come unto God by him," and is the "author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him," and no more. The intercessions of Christ are just as necessary to salvation as the shedding of his blood; and when it is proved that he intercedes for all alike—that he prays for the eternal salvation of all, whether they come to God through him or not—I shall be a Universalist, and not before. He prays the Father to spare the sinner and give him time to repent according to the parable of the unfruitful fig-tree; but never for his pardon, unless he shall repent. Repentance is absolutely necessary: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." To ask then for the pardon of the sinner without repentance, would be to deny himself. This we are told he cannot do. Therefore the time will come when the unfruitful tree will be cut down and cast into the fire. But, returning from this digression, I cite a few Scriptures which speak of the terribleness of the day of the Lord. "Behold the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Isa. 13:9. "Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." "For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" Joel 1:15; 2:11. "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy; for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land." Zeph. 1:14–18. The Missionary.
By S. N. Haskell
A WORK FOR OUR V. M. SOCIETIES.
THERE are thousands of our publications remailed weekly by our missionary workers; nearly one hundred tents varying in size from 40 feet in diameter to 80x125 feet, in which the truth is preached each summer; twenty-five camp-meetings held annually in this country where the outside attendance varies from one thousand to ten thousand persons, many of whom listen for the first time to the truths of the message of Rev. 14: 9–12. In many of our principal cities there are tract distributors kept supplied with tracts and periodicals which furnish those running to and fro with a knowledge of present truth. Hundreds of vessels have furnished reading matter to different ports and islands of the sea, as well as to those who do business on the mighty deep. Thus the truth is constantly coming before hundreds of thousands of our judgment-bound fellow-men. As a result of this there are thousands becoming favorably impressed, and many convinced of the truth and some are embracing it and seeking to live it out. These are scattered like sheep upon the mountains everywhere throughout our land, and more or less throughout Europe. Some of those who have fully or partially embraced the truth of God are wives with unbelieving husbands, some husbands with unbelieving wives, children with opposing parents and vice versa. Many have embraced the truth in the cities and seek the country where they can obtain an honest livelihood. These are usually of the poorer classes in this world's goods. They therefore seek the border States where they can procure land at a cheaper rate or obtain government land. Such States as Nebraska, Minnesota and Oregon contain many people of this class. To look up these stray sheep and bring them to the fold of Christ is a work which can be successfully done by V. M. Societies. A great responsibility rests upon us as a people to look after such individuals. An encouraging letter with sample copies of our periodicals, would induce many to subscribe, and some to become settled and grounded in the truth. A large number have simply heard of the truth, are convinced of the perpetuity of God's commandments, and are hungering for a more thorough knowledge of God's work. Could a judicious correspondence be had with such individuals, and publications sent them, scores of them would be saved in the kingdom of God, who if left to themselves will fall a prey to the influences surrounding them, and finally lose their interest altogether. But who feels a burden to look after these precious souls for whom Christ died. Our ministers cannot fill one-twentieth of the calls which come from new fields. Were our colporters multiplied by hundreds, the field would not then be supplied. In this branch of the work our sisters can labor directly for the salvation of souls without leaving their homes for some distant field. But it may be said, send us the addresses and we will correspond with them. I have been, and am gathering such addresses almost constantly, but would not feel free to place them in the hands of those who have no burden of this work, or who have had no experience in it. But I send them to those V. M. Societies and individuals who feel in this matter, and I know would take their cases to God in prayer; those who would consult together and carefully consider what kind of publications to send and what to write. It is not every one who is qualified to correspond with such individuals. But there are those in every company of Sabbath keepers, who, if they would take the burden of the work, and obtain an experience in remailing our periodicals and in corresponding, could take such by the hand and not only be a source of great encouragement to these lonely ones, but through them might reach many others. Companies have been raised up in some instances by this means alone; Tract Societies and Sabbath-schools organized, and thus they have become channels of light to others. There should be those in every church disciplining themselves in this kind of labor. This is the work of the V. M. Society. Perhaps some will say, why not place addresses in the hands of any one and set all to work, indiscriminately. Without some system where there can be counsel and much prayer, there would not be one-twentieth as much accomplished, and much that was done would result in more harm than good. There would be just as much propriety in encouraging every man out to preach without any system by which their qualifications might be known or the evidences of their calling to the ministry be given. My soul is pained while I write, as I think of individuals who have gone to ruin, who might have been helped had any felt the burden of their cases. Thousands of people to-day are going to ruin who might be helped by this kind of labor, did our brethren and sisters feel its importance. Our ministers do not feel the burden of educating our people in this branch of the work. Many of these souls thus reached would be of value to the cause of God. Each V. M. Society is a school to educate members how to labor in this feature of the work. It should be a nucleus around which the youth, and all who have a heart to feel for the cause of God should be gathered. The sacredness and importance of this work is not realized as it should be. We are fast approaching the judgment. In a short time more the work will be over. Those who have thus connected with Jesus Christ, suffered with him in laboring for the salvation of souls, will reign with him in glory. It was long a matter of regret that so little missionary work was being done among the ships in San Francisco Bay. For a long time there was no organized effort made, and after missionaries were appointed to the work it did not appear possible for them to give much time to it. Bro. Partridge has always taken an interest in this branch of our missions, and lately he has given considerable attention to it. And quite recently Bro. Palmer, of Oakland, has assisted him. Bro. Partridge has received some cheering letters, showing that the labor has not been in vain. From a letter just received we copy the following:— “Without doubt I believe that you have the Sabbath of the Lord; and I must admit, after careful reading and thinking, and prayer, that the great reward of the believer is immortality at the resurrection and unquestionably not before. “‘Oh, what raptures I have been in when reading ‘Thoughts on Revelation.’ I thank you for the address of J. N. L. in Southampton. I do not suppose I shall come to Oakland again, although I should like to. I trade now up the Mediterranean in steamboats. I hope you will not give up visiting the vessels, for, although you may get a cold reception at times, there may some little seed spring up to bear an hundred fold. Cling to the sailors, for under the weather-beaten countenance of Jack oft beats a true and noble heart.’’ Bro. Ings writes an encouraging letter from Southampton, addressed to the V. M. Society of Oakland. This is entirely concerning the ship work. The following is part of his letter:— “I have an item of encouragement for your society. I am well aware by experience that we often become almost discouraged by not seeing immediate fruits of our labor; but it is for us to sow the seed and leave the rest with the Lord. The following facts will strengthen and encourage you in your work. Some five months ago your ship-visitor, Bro. Partridge, placed a package of reading matter on the ship Gold Hunter, and for some reason it was transferred to the ship Archibald Fuller, which was taking in a cargo of wheat for this port. Some three weeks ago I visited this ship. The captain being ashore, I directed my conversation to the mate. I handed him the Signs which he recognized immediately by Sister White’s articles. He informed me of the great interest these papers had raised in all on board. He desired me to call again as the captain would be pleased to see me, which I did, and I will assure you it did my soul good to hear him relate the wonderful things he had found in the papers and tracts you had caused to be placed in his hands. The papers he had arranged in order and stitched together, when he examined the articles in their respective order, commencing with sister White’s, which he read with wonder and amazement. The next point of interest was the Sabbath question. He saw readily that the pope was the one who had set aside the Sabbath and had set up the first-day as a rival institution. Other questions were then taken up until he had digested the contents of the reading matter left with him. “He is so full of the doctrines held by us that he cannot contain it. Wherever he goes he will leave a trail of truth on his track, and thus make impressions not easily erased. To-day I sold him Spirit of Prophecy, volumes 1, 2 and 3, History of the Sabbath, Sanctuary, Age to Come, and plain Facts, and placed a volume of Review and Herald on his ship. The Signs you gave him have been missing since coming to this port. The crew was discharged here and he thinks some of them took them to their homes,—perhaps to stir up the community where they live. “The Captain and vessel will make another trip to San Francisco. If nothing befalls them you may expect him there in the course of three or four months. He is intending to visit the office at Oakland, and is very anxious to hear Sister White preach. He is perfectly familiar with the names of Brn. White, Bates, and others of our people. He is independent, speaks freely to all, of the things he has learned, says we are the people whom God has intrusted with his truth. I could mention other items of interest from work done by you on ships, but will forbear and say, be of good courage.” EASTERN OREGON CAMP-MEETING.
By S. N. Haskell
Our trip up the Columbia river was every way pleasant, the scenery was delightful. The Steamship Navigation and R. R. Company showed us every courtesy we could ask. Our publications for the missionary work were transported by the different companies from San Francisco to Milton, Oregon, free of expense. This was highly appreciated, not only by ourselves, but by the friends of the missionary cause east of the mountains. Notwithstanding there is no competing line from Portland to Walla Walla, W. T., as much willingness was manifested to favor any religious enterprise as though there were. Meetings were held in the city of Walla Walla, commencing Friday, May 14. On Sabbath and Sunday Sister White spoke to a crowded house, also Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday evenings. A good impression was made upon the people. Our camp-meeting at Milton was held in Bro. Nichols' grove, commencing May 20. No pains were spared to make the grounds pleasant and attractive. The different companies of our brethren in this part of the State were well represented. One brother came on horse-back, walking a part of the way, one hundred and fifty miles. Forty tents were on the ground, besides covered wagons; and there were over two hundred persons encamped. The brethren being young in the cause and having scarcely any labor during the past year, they were not prepared to appreciate a meeting of this kind as they would have been had they had labor which would have given them a clearer understanding of the nature of our work as well as a theory of the truth. Home cares and duties had kept Eld. Van Horn west of the mountains during the past year. However he accompanied us to the meeting. Eld. Jones and Raymond were also present. Eld. Colcord and wife from the East arrived in season for the meeting. His assistance in preaching was appreciated by the brethren and sisters. Most of the preaching was of a close practical character. At times great freedom was enjoyed and the Lord came especially near. This was so in a marked degree upon Sabbath, May 22. As Sister White appealed to our brethren to connect with God, and live holy and righteous before him, a general move was made. About one hundred came forward for prayers; among these were the grey headed, the middle aged, the youth, and the children; humble confessions were made, some expressed themselves blessed of God. This was repeated a number of times during the meeting with good result. Upon each Sunday there were from one thousand to one thousand five hundred present, who paid close attention to the preached word. On Sunday May 29, at the close of a temperance discourse by Sister White, the temperance pledge was passed through the congregation. Many signed it although most of our brethren had signed it before. A temperance organization was effected. Bro. Wm. Russel was chosen president, Bro. Wm. Smith secretary, both of Milton. Ninety-six persons upon the ground signed the pledge, some had previously signed. All except nine became full members by paying 25 cents. Nearly all signed the teetotal pledge. A Bible class was held at regular seasons, in which much interest was taken. Also instructions were given in the missionary work. Nearly all who had not previously joined the tract society did so at this meeting. Between five and six hundred dollars was pledged toward a reserve fund for the tract society of this conference. It was thought advisable under the circumstances to divide the Conference, and steps were taken accordingly. The territory east of the Cascade range including Idaho, to be known as the Columbia Conference. Eld. Colcord was chosen president; he was also chosen president of the Tract Society and Sabbath-school Association. The last day of the meeting a paper was passed around by Bro. Wood for subscriptions to meet the traveling expenses of Eld. Colcord to this place. Although no request of this kind had been made by any one, in a short time the paper was returned with a sufficient amount pledged to meet Bro. and Sr. Colcord's entire expenses from the East, and quite a portion of it was paid. Any laborer coming from the East with the sanction of the General Conference would be appreciated anywhere from Southern California to Eastern Oregon, as much as they are in this field. The brethren manifested a good degree of interest in the Sabbath-school work. Sabbath, May 29, while Sister White was addressing the Sabbath-school the Spirit of God rested down upon those present. Thirteen youths and children arose expressing a desire to become Christians. On Sunday Elder Colcord baptized six, while a number who made a start at the meeting could not be baptized then but will as soon as another opportunity presents itself. The brethren felt that the work would rise from this meeting. But a great drawback to the cause in this part of the country is in not having a paper in which they can have weekly reports while they are fresh. They are isolated to a great extent from both offices. It requires eleven days for the mail to reach either Oakland, Cal., or Battle Creek, Mich., from any part of this section of country. Thus a report would be at least one month behind the time it would be written. Although arrangements had been made to bring this about, it was evident the brethren were not prepared to act upon any such proposition at present in this part of the Conference. About seventy-five subscribers were obtained for our periodicals, principally the SIGNS, REVIEW, and INSTRUCTOR. Important resolutions were passed relating to the Sabbath-school interest which will appear in the S. S. Report.
S. N. HASKELL. ENGLAND.—MISSIONARY WORK.
By J. N. Loughborough
Our missionary meeting at Southampton, on Sunday evening, May 2d, was one of special interest. After the opening exercises considerable time was spent in reading interesting letters received by members (one having received thirty-two,) during the two previous weeks in response to papers sent. In several cases entire strangers have volunteered to sell, by the week, papers we may be pleased to send them.
To show the nature of most of the letters received, we give below a few of the many:— J. G. from Maidenhead writes: "I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you have shown towards me. I have had a considerable number of tracts sent to me, but they have all failed to be so interesting as those you sent. I am most happy to say they have led me to strive to live more Christ-like than ever I have done before. I have loaned three of those tracts to a fellow-believer. I should feel glad if you would send me a few more tracts." J. H. O. writes from London: Dear friends; "I thank you very much for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES which you so regularly send me, and from which a deal of Scriptural information can be gathered. I distribute your paper as soon as I have read it, with the hope of doing good." E. W. writes from Corfe: "Very many thanks for the tracts and SIGNS OF THE TIMES received this morning which I hope to read with profit. I see on the last page of your tracts a book entitled 'Thoughts on Baptism.' If you will kindly forward it to me I will return the price in stamps. I do so delight in reading and studying the tracts you have so kindly sent me. I do feel so thankful to God that you have been led to send them to me; it is He I know that leads all his children. What a blessed thought to know if we are faithful to the end we shall be his sons and daughters in glory. I often find that by a careful reading of the tract the second time, with prayer, I learn much that otherwise I should not." R. M. of Normanton says, "I have thoroughly perused the tracts you so kindly sent me comparing them with the Scriptures, and I must say they have greatly improved my mind. I never had such a clear view of the Scriptures before. I like your tracts very much indeed. I never had any like them before; I shall be glad of some more. After I have read them I give them away. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES also came safe to hand which I like very much. I can never repay you for the instruction it has given me." J. A. from Derby writes: "I am much obliged to you for the two copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I am much interested in the account of the immortality of the soul and would like a book treating upon the subject. There is much in the papers that I like to read." F. P. writes from London: I thank you very kindly for the tracts and the book that you sent me. I read the book and liked it very much indeed. I go out with tracts and an invitation bill before meetings, but if we had single leaflets they would not cost so much; and sometimes when we give the tracts having three or four pages they do not get read, whereas they might read a single leaf." Dr. J. L. W. London, writes: "Dear Sir; I have been much pleased with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and I find them highly appreciated by my dispensary patients. If you will kindly send them to me regularly I shall be glad to pay for them." E. S. Near Derby, writes: "The book you forwarded me, 'Man's Nature and Destiny' I find to be very good, and to contain a deal of very useful information for which I am much obliged. Of the five shillings and five pence to my credit take four shillings for the book and send me one tract, Second Advent, 18, Is Man Immortal? 12, Sinner's Fate, and 6, Thoughts for the Candid. I send you four names of those who will be interested to read the SIGNS." J. C. writes from Yorkshire: "I have received the papers you sent me and have sold thirteen. I have found three persons who will take in the papers by the week; please send them with mine. If I find more to take it I will let you know. I will send you all the money soon." H. T., Wolverhampton, writes: "I am obliged to you for the loan of the book 'Christian Experience.' I am delighted with it, and suffice it to say that it carries out ideas which I have had for a very long time. My faith is getting stronger with regards to the Sabbath question and I have had strong thoughts of taking determined steps to keep it. I trust faith in God will determine what course I am to take.
"The Advent doctrine must be true since God has caused it to grow up amid such trouble as Bro. and sister White have passed through, nothing but the cause of God could have battled successfully with such adverse circumstances." E. N., near Bishops Waltham, writes; "With thanks I now beg to acknowledge the receipt of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and the tracts. Allow me to state that the subject with Scriptural arguments in support of the observance of the seventh-day as Sabbath is quite a new matter of deep study and consideration to me. Many of the tracts I should like to peruse. May we all be ready, waiting, looking till the Lord comes." The above are samples of the letters. We are very thankful to our friends in America for the copies of the SIGNS sent for this branch of the work. We are posting them to all parts of the kingdom. What is received here as subscription or sales of SIGNS is used in postage to forward the papers to other names, and so the truth is slowly, but surely gaining ground.
*J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Last winter the brethren in this State sent us an earnest invitation to come and labor for them, if my health would permit, and at least to visit them, in the hope that the change of climate would prove beneficial to me. In consultation with the California brethren it was decided best for me to come here and do what I could; returning to California in time for the camp-meeting. A return of the ague so prostrated me that I was not able to leave home until the 26th of May. Have now been here two weeks and preached twice in Reno, where there are some eight adults keeping the Sabbath. Have also met with the church at St. Clair station one Sabbath and first day, and am now holding meetings with them as circumstances permit. These two companies were organized two years ago and have labored under difficulties and unhallowed influences from which causes some have fallen away and others grown cold. But there is a power in this message and it has held some honest conscientious souls here who seem willing to know and do their duty, in which we hope to be able to correctly instruct them. Some of these brethren are old acquaintances from California with whom we feel much at home and they are very attentive to our wants. May the Lord guide in his work here. My health is again improving. Pray for us. CLYDE, MICHIGAN.
By H. M. Kenyon
HAVE just closed a ten-days' discussion at this place with Eld. Scott, on the Sabbath and law, and the state of the dead. The weakness of the positions taken by Eld. S. have greatly strengthened those who have recently embraced the truth here. The blessing of the Lord was with us Sabbath, May 22d. A church was organized with sixteen members; others will unite with them soon. On Sunday, twelve persons, all heads of families, were baptized in a beautiful lake six miles from the place of meeting. The baptismal scene was an impressive one. The concourse of people was large, and the best of order prevailed. At the close of the baptism we knelt at the water's edge, and an elder and a deacon were ordained. A Sabbath-school was fully organized, with a membership of forty. H. M. KENYON. MAPLE WORKS, WISCONSIN
By S. S. Smith
WAS with the church at this place Sabbath and first-day, May 22 and 23. The Sabbath-school is prosperous, and there is a good degree of interest in the church. Sunday morning we had business meeting and public preaching; the afternoon till four o'clock was spent in giving instruction in the T. and M. work. We then repaired to the water, where ten were baptized, eight of whom were youth in the Sabbath-school, five of them being members of one class. Surely such fruits should encourage us in our Sabbath-school work. S. S. SMITH. DISCOURAGED.
By H. W. Smith
ONE of the most fatal things in the Christain life is discouragement. A very wise man said that in overcoming temptation, cheerfulness was the first thing, cheerfulness the second, and cheerfulness the third. We must expect to conquer. When our hearts are faint then temptation has power. Satan knows this well, and he always begins his assaults by discouraging us. I once heard an allegory that illustrated this to me wonderfully. Satan called together a council of his servants to consult how they might make a good man sin. One evil spirit sprang up and said, "I will make him sin."
"How will you do it?" asked Satan.
"I will set before him all the pleasures of sin," was the reply. "I will tell him of its delights and the rich rewards it brings."
"Ah," said Satan, "that will not do; he has tried it, and knows better than that." Then another spirit started up and said,
"I will make him sin."
"What will you do?" asked Satan.
"I will tell him of the pains and sorrows of virtue. I will show him that virtue has no delights, and brings no rewards." "Ah, no!" exclaimed Satan, "that will not do at all; for he has tried it, and knows that wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." "Well," said another imp, starting up, "I will undertake to make him sin."
"And what will you do?" asked Satan.
"I will discourage his soul!" was the short reply.
"Ah, that will do! cried Satan. "That will do! We shall conquer him now!" and they did. An old writer says, "All discouragement is from the devil." I wish every Christain would take this to heart, and never forget it. We must fly from discouragement as we would from sin.—H. W. S., in Words of Faith.