Earlier text: The Temptation of ChristEvery-Day Life in Palestine.
By W. M. Jones
A SYRIAN BISHOP AND THE DAYS OF THE WEEK. THE ARABS AND THE AYAM UL-USBOO-AH.
For several weeks past I have intended a visit to the patriarch of Antioch and the bishop of Jerusalem, ecclesiastics of the SYRIAN church, who have been some months in England on a mission in behalf of their schools. Their churches are few, and have been much oppressed, doubtless because of their independence of the papacy, which has done all it could to get every one of the ancient Eastern churches into its power. The patriarch is the acknowledged spiritual head of his people. The language of the church service is Syriac, or Aramaean, and is nearly, if not quite, the language spoken by our Lord and the Hebrew nation of his time. Once I listened to the church service, and was charmed by the music of the read and spoken tongue. I have often referred to the occasion, and at the time called the attention of my learned friend, the late Rev. John Mills, to what seemed to be one-third Hebrew, one-third Arabic, and one-third Chaldaic. The language is deeply guttural, but soft to the ear and very expressive. Three or four villages of this people in the Lebanon mountains, speak Syriac in common with the Arabic, which last is used by all the people about them. In the other localities the Syriac is used only in the church service. The Syriac is therefore to them the holy language; that is, it is for worship and religious purposes; just as Hebrew, Arabic, Armenian, Greek, and Latin, are used by the several religious faiths;—Jew, Christian and Mohammedan. The outgoing old year and the incoming new year brought with them an increased press of work; so that I began to despair of a chat with these native Arabs. But to-day I broke away from home. An hour’s walk, and half an hour on the underground rail-way brought me to their lodgings in Hammersmith. An English gentleman who was born and brought up in Jerusalem, was the first to extend to me the hand of welcome. The arrangement of the reception room was half oriental. Presently the bishop, with a pleasant countenance, and affable bearing, was ushered into the room and seated by my side on the divan. His dragoman followed and stood at a little distance, with his eyes intently fixed upon his master, otherwise, there was no show of dignity. I was instantly at home, and as the Arabic began to flow from the lips of the bishop, I thought (as in former years), that it was the most delightful music I had heard in a long time. I was embarrassed for words, and all the more because of my obliging English friend’s presence. He was perfectly at home in his native Arabic. To me fourteen years had caused quite a loss of the ready use of sentences. The bishop’s rapid utterance was distinct enough; but it would have been fun to have thrown me into deep water and to have allowed me to swim for dear life; yet my friend was so glib that I allowed him to row the boat while I took the helm; i. e., I managed the simple sentences and he the compound ones. In fact in three-quarters of an hour we had gone over enough Arabic for a student’s practice for a twelve month, and could the interview have been prolonged for another three-quarters of an hour I might have been nearly myself again in the practice of the wonderful tongue of that wonderful people—the Arabs. You must imagine the gestures, the one-sided tip of the head, and the shrug of the shoulders, the uplifted hands, the glistening eyes, the contrast in our dress, opinions, and dogmas, the gentleness and the fervor of the endeared companionship of that hour. You would have thought us old friends. At first, I arose to salute the dragoman, and meeting no recognition, I took my seat fully aware of my blunder, but the politeness of the company forbade any notice of the ludicrous mistake. The dragoman (turjoman—interpreter, but really a valet, a courier, and general manager) would have been unfaithful to have acknowledged a recognition which belonged wholly to his lord and master. Young, of a commanding physique, and neatly attired in native costume, not the least of which was the zunnar, or girdle, he was an important complement to the company. During our rapid conversation the dragoman stood at a distance intently watching the bishop for a movement of the hand to indicate anything that might be wanted. For the hundredth time I witnessed the illustration of Ps. 123: 2: “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters,” &c. The bishop is apparently forty, has dark, olive complexion, frank countenance, and very graceful manners. The patriarch was too ill, or too fatigued to be seen. Soon, however, I introduced the question of the Names and the Order of the Days of the Week. I asked him: “What do you call, or what other names do you give to the days of sevens?” The word usboo-ah or sevens is used in Arabic for week. “Shoof, ya akhee,” said the bishop; i. e., “look here, O brother,” and taking his left hand in his right, as the Arabs do when about to count, and touching each finger and counting, he said:— “El-had, (The First,
El-ithneen, The Second,
El-thalathee, The Third,
El-arbah, The Fourth,
El-khamees, The Fifth,
El-joomah, The Assembly,
Es-Sabt,”. (The Sabbath.) The more literal translation is the one, the two, the three, the four, the five, the assembly, the Sabbath—with day understood, but pronounced when required, before the words one, two, three, &c., thus making the meaning to be—day of the ONE, day of the TWO, &c.; so with the last, yom, or day, is understood to belong to the word, or name Sabbath, as much as to the other days: thus yom es-sabt or day of the Sabbath. My next question was: “Do you ever call them by the names, Sunday, Monday, and Saturday?” Bishop. “Never, never, in every place among the Arabs, no matter where, nor what the dialect may be, among all Arabs it is the same: THEY KNOW NO OTHER NAMES BUT THE NUMBERS AND JOOMAH and ES-SABT.” “Do you ever speak of El-had (the first) as yom ir-Rub (day of the Lord)?” At this the Bishop slightly shrugged the shoulder, and replied quickly: “It is not the custom to speak of it as such. You may sometimes hear it, but only occasionally, and then when treating of religious matters; but even then only rarely.” “It is found in your church books or liturgy?” Bishop. “It can be found in our writings, but rarely, yet we give it no heed, or rather it has no effect to change the universal practice of calling it El-had (the first).” As it was Wednesday, I said, what do you call to-night? Bishop. “What, the night that is coming?” Yes. Bishop. “Why, El-khamees” (the fifth). And what do call this night? (That is the night belonging to this DAY.) Bishop. “Layl-at-El-ar-bah;”—i. e., night of the fourth day. Observe, that these questions were not leading ones. The bishop is a responsible representative of the oldest of the Christian churches in the East, if not of the first church at Jerusalem. Whatever of error that church has, it has never been guilty of robbing the first day and the Sabbath day of their scriptural names, and more, of attempting to blot out the name Sabbath and foist into its place the name of an idol. During my residence in Jerusalem, had I been impressed with the importance of an accumulation of evidence, I might have made a record of thousands of instances where these old scriptural names were used by all classes. The only exception being the case of appointments for the first day by foreign Protestant missionaries who sometimes used “Lord’s day,” but not Sabbath. Even this had no effect upon the natives; and God grant that it may never affect them in the way of sanctifying what he has not ordained. The Syrian church like all Eastern churches is not a Sabbath-keeping church. Its worship day is the first day. But let the reader bear in mind, that more than one hundred millions of Arabs, and those influenced by their customs, inhabiting nearly all of northern Africa and western Asia, use the names of the days of the week as stated above. I asked the bishop: “Have you books published in English which give an account of your church?” His answer was: “There are such, but unfortunately they abound in mistakes.” At parting, our brother of the cloth, inquired if I had children, and how many. He wished very hearty blessings for them and for my wife,—blessings expressed in a style purely, biblical and oriental, but at which Western usage hints silence; we bade each other farewell with a Kheirak and a Salaam—good will and peace. THE reader will remember the article entitled, “An Interesting Letter,” published in present volume of REVIEW, No. 6, from a friend in Madison Co., O., who was then feeling his way from the darkness and labyrinths of popery to the light of the gospel, and who having accidentally met with a pamphlet from this Office, wrote asking for more light. We sent him some books which he has since been perusing, and under date of March 19, 1875, he again writes. Not having room for the entire letter, we give the following extract from it:— “I have found them. Here they are. Here is the little band, marching on to victory, on whose banner is inscribed the ten commandments of the living God and the gospel of his dear Son Jesus. Here are they that ‘keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ Here are they ‘for whom I long have sought, and mourned because I found them not.’ But, thank God, I have found them at last. I have found a people who are earnestly teaching all men to obey all the commandments of God, who are loudly calling for all people to search the holy Scriptures, to believe in God, and prepare for the soon coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Our brother appreciates the position the message calls upon us to take on the Sabbath question, and the bearing of the religious amendment movement on this question. On this point he says:— “The pope of Rome has created a commandment that makes void the fourth commandment of God, and if we keep this command of the pope then do we each of us make void God’s commandments which are holy, and of more value than gold, and silver, or any or all earthly treasures. We make void God’s holy Sabbath, trample upon his holy and just law, and worship the beast. When America, or any of the States of America compel us to keep the pope’s Sunday in place of God’s holy Sabbath, I ask from my heart, Is she not compelling us to worship the beast, and receive his mark? And there are many who hope soon to establish a Sunday law throughout our country. Then can we say that the prophecy of the two-horned beast is truly fulfilled.” “Pray for me, and all others who, like me, stand alone; yet I am not alone; for God is with me; but pray that I may grow strong in knowledge, faith, and love, and pure, and undefiled religion. J. R. PURINTON.” R. F. COTTRELL
By Roswell F. Cottrell
In a recent discourse, H. W. Beecher is reported as saying in reference to a man who gave him encouraging words while a student at college, “He is dead now and hears me, and I thank him.” How appropriate just at that moment would have been three distinct knocks which might have been heard by all. But the demons, as well as men, let slip some favorable opportunities for making an impression. Perhaps they were careless, thinking all would go right, and there was no special need of exercising a guardian care. Toward the close he said, “I do not wonder when the earthly part fades away that the spirit does sometimes catch a glance of the invisible. Children when dying hold out their hands to their mothers that have gone before, and mothers call upon their children. Like the bird that has hopped up from branch to branch until it has reached the top of the tree, it pours forth one song and springs into the far away; so a soul having scaled the hight of earthly communion, springs into the full companionship of God when life ceases.” Where, in the Scriptures, is found a parallel to such language, if not in these words: “Ye shall not surely die;” but “ye shall be as gods”? Am I referred to Paul desiring to “depart and be with Christ”? The apostle did not teach that he should be immediately with Christ at his departure, but has told us plainly when the dead in Christ shall be with the Lord, namely; at the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. 1 Thess. 4:13-18. See also John. 14:1-3; 1 John 3:2; and 2 Tim. 4:6-8. But the religious literature and funeral sermons of the present day are so full of such ideas as the above, that children imbibe from infancy this unscriptural and unreasonable doctrine concerning the dead, and regard their dead friends as guardian angels, and talk of their looking down from Heaven upon them and hearing their prayers. Why not, then, pray to them, as the Catholics to Mary and the saints, since they as gods can hear them? Perhaps some do. If the above report is correct, Mr. Beecher did publicly set the example of giving thanks to the dead, asserting his faith that they hear. Shall we not cease to wonder that the heathen had their groves and high places for the worship of Baalim? Varley at the Hippodrome.
While Messrs. Moody and Sankey, Americans, are addressing large crowds in England on religious subjects, Mr. Varley, an Englishman, is doing the same thing in America. At the Hippodrome, in N. Y. City, on the evening of March 21, he addressed a congregation of 20,000 people on the second coming of Christ. From a synopsis of the address, as reported in the N. Y. Daily Witness, of March 22, we make the following extract:— We are now come nearly to the end of THE SIX THOUSAND YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY, at the close of which time it is the deepest conviction of the most thoughtful students of the world that we shall have the finishing of the toil and turmoil and strife of sin, and the incoming of the great Ruler, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then the Sabbatical year shall be fulfilled, when righteousness shall reign throughout the world, from the river to the ends of the earth. I am aware, in entering upon this subject, of the prejudices existing in some minds on account of certain events. Remember this, that if a man makes a caricature of a thing, however honest he may be, it does not necessarily take away from the reality of the matter itself. It does not follow that because Charles Dickens never drew a Christian character that there are not Christian characters in the world. I want you to remember that the sign of the Lord’s coming will be of the greatest moment and import to us all. First of all, he will come as a thief in the night. The thief chooses the very time when men do not anticipate his approach. When men shall say, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child. It will be a time of universal wickedness, when infidelity will be rampant. It will be a time in which the forces of human power will be set in solid array against God’s Christ. This is no ipsit dixit of mine; it is written in the book of God, Rev. 6:15, 16: “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Did you ever read anything like that? The wrath of the Lamb! A contradiction in terms, you will say. No, sir. He came before as a lamb for mercy. He comes again as the Lamb of God for judgment. Listen again: “The Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God.” Is that the millennium? Is that the overspreading of the gospel? The world with its boasted greatness supposes there is to be an indefinite progress on the human side. After all the years of man’s government there is not a nation under heaven can touch the question of its people’s righteousness. All that you can attend to here in your great Republic is to look after property and life, and that very imperfectly. I do not blame you. I can say that of my own country. Christian England! No, sir. It is a lie. Cross the Channel; Christian France! No, sir! emphatically, no. Christian Spain, Austria, Italy! No! Come over the Atlantic—the United States—No! distinctly, no. I do not speak hastily. As God lives, the time of human rule has reached its crisis. It is breaking down the world over. Why, they are PUTTING GOD’S BOOK OUT OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS.
Has God’s book no reference to the history of the world? Are you going to bring up your children idolaters? You answer, No. Well, remember the first commandment is God’s protest against idolatry. The second, against idolatry in detail. The third is a protest against blasphemy. The fourth constitutes a day of rest, which is a necessity for our physical well-being, as well as a moral responsibility. The fifth touches our filial relationship. The sixth touches the defense of life. The seventh inculcates chastity. The eighth protects property. The ninth protects character, and the tenth is God’s protest against selfishness. And are you going to put that out of the schools? You will then have a society constructed without backbone—a society that, as God lives, you will live to rue. You sow to the wind, and you reap the whirlwind. But I have words of blessed comfort and solemn warning. I shall not be surprised to see Jesus in person before this hair is gray. J. O. CORLISS
By J. O. Corliss
Jan. 13, went to assist Bro. Lamson in the north-eastern part of the State, but on account of stormy weather and bad roads no general interest was awakened in new fields. Visits were made to Smith’s Creek, Greenwood, and Grant. At the last-named place but little could be done as the house was constantly occupied with protracted meetings, and when one minister gave out, another was found to supply his place. Such persistent opposition is rarely met; however, a goodly number seem firmly fixed to obey the truth and go through to the kingdom. Feb. 2, went to Dryden, and held twelve meetings. Found the most of those who took their stand at the tent-meeting firm in the truth and of good courage in the Lord. Others commenced to obey the truth at these meetings. Spent three Sabbaths with the brethren in Genesee Co., in the meantime holding evening meetings at the Judd school-house, in Hazelton. Two embraced the truth fully. By request of Bro. E. B. Lane, came to Lapeer to assist in the work a few days. Found him and sister L. very much worn from excessive labor. For certain reasons they have been obliged to remain here. Many acknowledged the truth, and seemed to be deeply interested, yet something was evidently holding them back, and but little progress was made until last evening. After a short stirring discourse the front seats were vacated, and opportunity given for sinners and backsliders to come forward, when a break was made by some who had been long on the background, and soon more than fifty (about two-thirds the entire congregation) were forward for prayers, many of these for the first time. The scenes of the Judgment seemed a solemn reality to all present, and it was truly a touching sight to see hardened sinners moved to tears as they yielded to the influence of the Spirit of God, which seemed to pervade the entire house. Had the effort here closed with two or three weeks’ labor, as is sometimes the case when the work seems to drag, much would have been lost. The interest will be followed up a week or more, after which it is designed to commence a series of meetings in the Disciple church at Pine Run, Genesee County. May the Lord direct in the work. Kentucky Meetings at Powder Mills and Colesburg
By S. Osborn
I WENT to Powder Mills on the 27th of last November, being led thither by the circulation of some tracts and two trial volumes of the REVIEW. In the midst of my meeting, sickness broke out in the neighborhood and stopped us. Meantime I went to Crawford Co., Ill., to see my brother. While there I gave eight discourses in the Christian Union meeting-house, but on account of the weather we were obliged to close our meeting. By this time I had found out who was interested and I then labored from house to house. The prejudice here is very great. Lectures have been given here in the past; and, as is usual, those that were not for, were very hard against, the truth. However, one family came out on the Sabbath and we have strong hopes for another. This will be a source of strength to Bro. Heiston and family, who have kept the Sabbath alone for ten years. On my return, I stopped and held a meeting at Colesburg, Warden Co., Ky. All the brethren and sisters were together here; and on the Sabbath at our social meeting the Lord blessed us much. I gave two discourses here on Sunday with freedom. On account of the weather I did not commence my meeting again at the Powder Mills chapel until the evening of March 10. The Methodist minister was present at each meeting until Sabbath evening, and replied to me after each discourse in a Christian manner. At this time the Baptist minister made a grand rally. His party numbering five or six, was headed by one Mr. James. Mr. James pretended to be a graduate (it is certain he lived in sight of a college) and a missionary for this part of the State. He said he came to expose the sophistry of this whole matter. I gave him my place evening after the Sabbath. He occupied one and three-fourths hours in speaking on the nature of man. By permission of the house, I occupied an hour in reviewing him. The Lord gave us the victory; praise his name. We occupied Sunday and Sunday night, and Monday night in a discussion on the Sabbath and law, and Tuesday, day and night on the nature of man. Though he came here to stay two weeks, he was very willing to go home after two days spent in discussion. This discussion has had a good effect. There was very little excitement during the time. All that had come out on the Sabbath were fully established. Twenty-seven have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and four of these are colored. With but three exceptions, they are heads of families. Tobacco, tea, coffee, and pork, are being put away. One minister from the Baptists, of good standing, who has preached six years, is fully with us and has taken his stand on the Sabbath. The Lord is working. At the close of the discussion the friends raised $9.50 without my knowledge, and gave it to me. I feel like giving myself wholly to the Lord in this work. Shall we have a tent in this State this summer? On account of the drought last year, times are hard, and money is scarce. My P. O. address, for the present, will be Lynn, Greenup Co., Ky. Doings at the Hub.
By M. Wood
Doubtless many readers of the REVIEW are aware of the fact that even here in the puritanical city of Boston, there are those who have the audacity to transact their legitimate business on Sunday; much to the annoyance, though not to the disturbance, of their church-going neighbors. One brother in particular, being engaged in a mercantile business and centrally located, appears to be a source of great trouble to our first-day keepers, for his shamefacedness in opening his place of business on the so-called Lord’s day, not only sinning himself, as they think, but causing others to willfully violate the Sabbath (Sunday). Some months ago, twenty-five or more of professed Christians met at a private house in this neighborhood under the garb of a religious gathering, but in reality to devise ways and plans whereby to effectually prevent this Sunday-breaker from opening his store for the transaction of business, on what they call the Sabbath, although he in nowise interferes or meddles with their observance, creed, or doctrines. But to show the inconsistency of some people, yes, and some of the very ones who were loud in their denunciations against Bro. — for no other offense than that of following the example set by Jehovah himself, viz., of commencing his business upon the first day of the week (Sunday), it is but proper to say that they will, when, separated from their clique, purchase their Sunday dinners on their first-day Sabbath. Even while on their way to meeting, they will enter a side door, leave their orders, and pass out another way, after strictly charging the proprietor not to drive his111 team in front of their house to deliver the goods, exulting over the idea of not being observed by their brethren. Even the ministers themselves are guilty of this course. I have known one on a cold winter morning to go into the store in question, sit down by the register and carefully look over his written sermon before entering the meeting-house. Some two weeks ago I was in this same store when a Universalist minister entered to make some purchases. It was not long before he opened his batteries upon the proprietor of the store, and commenced with these words: “If I had the power, I would have no more Sabbath [Sunday] breaking in this vicinity, but would drive you Judaizing Christians to the forests for shelter.” This expression brought forth an outburst of merriment from the bystanders. But when our clerical friend was quietly informed that this power so coveted would soon be his; that the image to the beast was now in process of formation, and would soon be fully developed; that all who would receive the mark of the beast (and Sunday-keeping must be that mark) must ultimately drink of the unmixed wrath of God; and that the message of Rev. 14, was a merciful warning sent out to prepare the people of God for the coming danger, it was too much for him, he became confused, excited, and declared that the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were beyond our comprehension, and left the store slamming the door behind him; which brought the laugh on the other side of the house. But during the night our friend had time for reflection, and having forgotten a portion of his errand to the store, he sent his son, a lad of twelve years, to complete his purchase of Sunday morning. Is this not a fulfillment of 2 Tim. 3:5? The standard, raise it higher,
So that all the world may see,
That it is thy great desire,
More like Jesus still to be.
Live thy life as Christ would live it,
Never let thy sight grow dim,
So thou may’st to all exhibit,
Thou hast been and learned of Him. To his truth thou art a witness,
Boldly then that truth proclaim,
Hinder not by doubt of fitness,
Drawn not on by hope of fame;
But since Jesus died to save thee,
Be his glory thy delight,
Tell to others how he loves thee,
How he saves from Satan’s might. Bear thou witness for thy Saviour,
Not alone when friends are round,
Be as bold in thy behavior
When mid scoffers thou art found;
Fear thou not to kneel when praying,
Though the world may laugh and jeer,
Perhaps some tim’rous one’s delaying,—
Let thy strength his weakness cheer. An ambassador of Heaven,
Unto sinful rebels sent,
Tell—their sins may be forgiven
If they truly do repent,
And believing trust in Jesus,
As their Saviour, God and Friend,
He who said, He’d never leave us,
And whose love can have no end, Johnson Co., Mo.
By J. H. Rogers
Have been holding meetings at the Lincoln school-house, five miles north of Kingsville, since the 12th inst., with good congregations and interest to hear. Some are deciding for the truth, shall continue this week, or till the work is more fully developed. The church in this place have been passing through trials, but, by the pointed testimony and the Spirit of God assisting, light begins to break in, and we can claim the victory through our Lord and Saviour. How easy it is to dispose of all our trials when we let the sweet Spirit of Jesus into our hearts! Dear brethren and sisters, if we want to see our neighbors and friends take hold of the truth and become converted, how important it is that we live it ourselves, and thus imitate our divine Pattern; we could then have a gathering influence. But when we get into trial and sit down in darkness, and wait for the minister to come, to rouse up and warm the cold, frozen hearts, and melt an iceberg out of the church before sinners can be reached, oh! how hard the labor. And must this labor be repeated from time to time without awakening a feeling in us all to be zealous and repent? While we hear the Macedonian cry coming up from every quarter, how it pains my heart to think that some will have to wait without hope of “help,” for awhile at least. God is giving us the field. His providence is leading far in advance of our weak, trembling faith. May God help us all to arise with this message, and go forward in the work. SINCE my last report I have been at this place most of the time. I attended quarterly meeting at Waterloo, and we had a profitable time. Bro. Olsen was present, and made some stirring remarks. March 13, 14, attended quarterly meeting of the T. & M. Society. The reports were encouraging. All seemed to feel that the Tract Society is no longer an experiment, but a perfect success. There has been much opposition at Hurricane Grove. At times, since I came here, there have been three meetings within as many miles. The snow is very deep and badly drifted, and still it is snowing. I was snow-bound two days within fourteen miles of my appointment. I never have had greater liberty in working for God than here. The power of God often moves nearly the whole congregation to tears. I have had but little success in getting people to take hold of the truth. They are convinced, though only four or five are now keeping the Sabbath. Have obtained twenty-one subscribers for The Voice of Truth, and twelve for the Reformer, besides selling and giving away about four thousand pages of tracts. Shall soon close my labors here, and return to Northern Wisconsin to close up my work there. I hope much fruit may yet be seen here. The whole country have heard, and are now reading our publications. Hurricane Grove, Wis., March 17, 1875. Lyons, Wisconsin.
By I. Sanborn
I COMMENCED meetings at Lyons, one mile from Baraboo, on the 19th of February. As the first-day Adventists had held meetings there and created a great amount of prejudice, it was a hard place to begin labor, and get an interest started. But it was the only opening near Baraboo, there being a union meeting in progress in the city. But, notwithstanding all the unfavorable circumstances, the Lord blessed his word and created a good, healthy interest. The first-day Adventists then threw in five appointments, and last Sunday evening Eld. Hitchcock, Jr., and Eld. Barnes made one of the meanest and most determined efforts against the law and the Sabbath, and the visions, that I have ever witnessed. They carried the effort so far beyond reason that even those who made no profession were disgusted with them. I reviewed them in two discourses which gave good satisfaction. I find several excellent families are already keeping the Sabbath, and many others are deeply interested. I have meetings there every Sabbath, although I am now giving a course of lectures four miles east of Baraboo, near Bro. Coles. I have had two meetings here with good interest. I shall probably remain in these parts till warm weather. Pray for me. Baraboo, Wis., March 26, 1875. Howard Co., Kansas.
By J. Lamont
Six more are rejoicing in the present truth in this vicinity. Interest still good. Missouri: Church Strong Amid Opposition in Franklin County
BRO. N. W. ALLEN reports the little church that has come out in Franklin Co., still strong in the truth, though suffering strong opposition; and the interest unabated, but spreading all through the country about Allenton, where he is now laboring. Report of the General Quarterly Meeting of the N. E. Tract and Missionary Society.
By L. W. Hastings; Mary Martin
The general quarterly meeting of the N. E. Tract and Missionary Society met at New Ipswich, N. H., March, 7, 1875. The condition of the roads was very unfavorable, and the attendance not as large as usual; the snow in some localities being three feet deep on a level and badly drifted. Some were prevented from sending in their reports, being so hemmed in by snowdrifts, that the post-office could not be reached. Meeting opened in the usual manner. The report of the previous meeting was read and accepted. The report of missionary labor during the last quarter showed that 646 subscribers had been obtained for our periodicals, and 119,409 pages of reading matter distributed; 169 families had been visited, and 193 letters written. Amount received during last quarter from donations, sale of books, etc., $118.83; expenditures $500.97. Report of labor performed by the V. M. Society during the last quarter is as follows: Letters written 167, subscribers obtained for periodicals, 40; tracts and pamphlets distributed, 22,056. On account of the unusual severity of our northern winter, and the ill health of many active members of the Tract Society, or sickness of their families or friends, there has not been so much accomplished by way of obtaining names for our periodicals as otherwise would have been. Efforts have been made to procure such names as would probably become permanent subscribers, which has had a tendency to prolong the work, so that in the end, more in reality would be accomplished than by any spasmodic effort. The remarks made evinced much interest on the part of all present. The suffering condition of friends in Kansas was introduced, and remarks made manifesting sympathy, and a desire to help bear others’ burdens. It was voted that where it has not already been attended to, each director should call the attention of the brethren and sisters in his district to the matter, to be acted upon as each should deem it duty. The religious services in connection with this meeting were seasons of interest. One who had become interested by reading, having never seen but two Seventh-day Adventists, was present. Though the meeting was comparatively small, he expressed surprise that so many could be found to meet in this section of country, and said he felt well paid for coming. On account of other matters of interest, the Health Association did not hold its regular meeting as usual. Several essays and a letter were read which added to the interest of the meeting. L. W. HASTINGS, Vice-Pres. Revival Meetings and New Church in Waterford, Ohio
By H. A. St. John
Commenced meetings in Waterford, Knox Co., Feb. 6. Continued without interruption, till March 7. Here the brethren have erected a neat, comfortable, and well-built house of worship, 28x38. Dedication services on Sunday, Feb. 7, were well attended. At the close of these meetings, five were added to the church. Five received baptism. Among the number received into the church was Bro. E. Martin, an aged Baptist, who sacrificed, believed, and rejoiced, in the first angel’s message. He was personally and intimately acquainted with Bro. Wm. Miller. Bro. Martin, after having groped in darkness for about thirty years, now rejoices in the clear light of the present truth, the Lord’s holy Sabbath—the third angel’s message. He takes great satisfaction in reading “Life Incidents.” His testimony in our meetings was very cheering. Feb. 13, 14, closed our meetings in Waterford. We hope some permanent good was accomplished. If this dear people walk in the light, as they have received it, others, I have no doubt, will be added to their number. H. A. ST. JOHN. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Died, of inflammation of the bowels and typhus fever, in Orleans, Mich., Jan. 19, 1875, our daughter, Alta B. Eckert, aged thirteen years and four months. We trust that our loss is her gain. We pray that we may meet her with joy when the Lifegiver shall come. Appropriate remarks by Eld. Carroll, Methodist, from Num. 23:10. J. & S. P. Eckert. Died, March 10, 1875, near Washington, Iowa, Mary Ann, wife of John L. Kilgore, in the 58th year of her age. Our dear mother, after a short illness, but severe suffering, has closed her earthly career. From her youth she has tried to serve the Lord. In 1862 she embraced present truth, during the tent labor in Washington, Iowa. Since that time her heart has been in full sympathy with the message, and she has rejoiced in its advancement. In doing for others she sacrificed her life, which had been characterized by self-denial. She leaves a husband and eight children to mourn their irreparable loss. But we mourn not without hope; for if faithful we shall meet her again when the Lifegiver shall come. Remarks on the occasion by Rev. Taggart, of the United Presbyterian church. R. M. Kilgore. Died, of congestion of the brain, at Bridgeville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Jan. 3, 1875, Mary Ann Hall, aged seventy-five years and six months. She was a member of the Baptist church many years, and came to a knowledge of the truth by reading the Bible. When I first talked with her, I found her in possession of nearly all the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventists. She never heard any preaching, yet she was well-informed on the truth, and lived it out. She had a limited education, but a giant mind, and could present the truth, in a very forcible manner. Sister Hall passed through severe trials, as she has lost all of her own family. But her trust was in the mighty God. We hope to meet her in the bright morning of the resurrection. G. W. Mitchell. Died, in Clyde, Oakland Co., Mich., March 14, 1875, George E. Cogswell, aged 23 years and 11 months. Bro. Cogswell was the son of Edwin H. and Clarissa M. Cogswell, and son-in-law of the writer. He was taken ill while on a visit to his brother, at Clyde, and suffered intensely for two weeks. While at my house in June last he became interested in the Sabbath and kindred truths. He attended the Ohio Camp-meeting in September, and there resolved to live for the Lord the remainder of his days, which we believe he endeavored to do. He left this life in full hopes of a better one, and we believe that he will come from the land of the enemy at the first resurrection. He leaves a wife and many relatives to mourn his loss, but not as those who have no hope. Funeral discourse by the Methodist minister in Wayne, from John 13:7. A. Gleason. Died, of liver and lung disease, in Dekalb Co., Mo., Feb. 28, 1875, Blanch Estella, infant daughter of S. R. and H. J. Johnson, aged 7 months. This is the third little one whose loss we have been called to mourn—the third tie that binds us to the Lord. May we love Him with the whole heart fervently, that we may be prepared to meet them when he shall gather his jewels. S. R. Johnson, H. S. Johnson. Died, in Sigourney, Iowa, Dec. 10, 1874, Lydia Ann Howell, aged 30 years, of consumption. She leaves a husband and two children. Sister Howell embraced the present truth when the tent was first pitched in Sigourney in 1869. She died in the full hope of immortality and the soon coming of the Lifegiver. Words of comfort from 1 Thess. 4:14. L. McCoy. Died, in the town of Hickory Hill, New Franklin, Wayne Co., Ill., March 9, 1875, of croup, Ada Alice, infant daughter of James J. and Catharine Shreve, aged 3 years and 3 days. Little Ada’s illness was very brief. She now sleeps in Jesus, and her parents are earnestly looking for the soon coming of Jesus our lifegiver; and are anticipating the time when their precious little one will come from the “land of the enemy,” clad in immortality. Syria J. Brunson.