A CORRESPONDENT of the Congregationalist makes the following remarks on Matt. vi, 27: “The passage is doubtless incorrectly translated. The word [Helikia] which is rendered ‘stature’ means also ‘age.’ John ix, 21; ‘He is of age, ask him;’ and again in the 23d verse. Heb. xi, 11; ‘When she was past age.’ Men, though not commonly anxious to increase their stature—especially by twenty inches—are anxious to lengthen out their life. And our Saviour’s question simply means, ‘Which of you, by indulging anxiety, can add even a span to his life.’”
We may add that the passage referred to, is translated in the “Diaglott” as follows: “Besides which of you, by being anxious can prolong his LIFE one moment?”
THY name is Peter, the fragment of a rock—(“and” has sometimes the force of “but”) upon this, THE ROCK which thou hast confessed, I will build my Church.—Godkin.
The rock was Christ—whom Peter confessed; the church was built not on what Peter was, but on what he confessed.—Augustinus.
What Can We Do for Jesus.
By Wm. Bourkland
WE sometimes hear people saying, “What can I do for Jesus?” as though they were placed here upon this earth, to fold their hands in idleness; or that they were to engage them only in those things which should be for their pleasure and comfort, regardless of the welfare and good of mankind; thinking that they have nothing to do in the drama of life as light-bearers, or as meek and humble followers of the blessed Saviour, that men might take knowledge of them and turn and glorify God. I sometimes think if we were sensible of what the Lord of glory has done for us, such expressions would never escape our lips.
After we had fallen, as a race, and lost our first estate by sin, he pitied and loved us, and prepared a way of escape from death for us. He established and set forth a perfect plan of salvation, that through faith and by obedience we might be restored to the favor of God, and at last have eternal life. He left his Father’s kingdom, where he was highly exalted and honored, laying aside the glory that was his, condescending to take upon himself the form of fallen man and bear our iniquities upon the tree, offering his life as a ransom, and pouring out his blood for the washing away of sin. And all this for sinful and rebellious man.
As we recount the trials and sufferings of our blessed Saviour while here upon this earth; the many mighty miracles which he wrought in attestation of his benevolent character; his going about doing good, preaching the gospel of the kingdom unto the poor and needy, healing the sick, making the lame whole, giving eyes to the blind, unstopping the ears of the deaf, restoring the dead to life again, confirming the sayings of the prophets by his acts; his love unmeasured; his mercies unnumbered; his kindness untold, and all because he loved us, who can say, that they can do nothing for him? A thousand lives, like the lives we have here upon this earth, could not repay the debt of gratitude and love we owe to him.
As we look upon the Lord’s extensive vineyard, with the few laborers therein toiling on through the dust and heat, spending their lives in gathering the jewels of the Lord, how can we say, we can do nothing for him?
The sands in the hour-glass of time are almost run out. The earth has been rolling round for nearly six thousand years, but now the day of the Lord is at hand. The harvest of the earth is fast ripening, preparing for the day of destruction, when the unmingled wrath of God shall be poured out, and the fury of his power manifested in the mighty whirlwind that shall sweep over the earth, and engulf all the wicked in the vortex of destruction. There are many honest souls walking in the ways of death who would delight themselves in the Lord, and walk in his commandments if they were but instructed in the truth. False theology must be exposed, and the gospel in its purity set before the people. All have, or may have, an influence on the side of the Lord; and in order that it may tell, our lives must first be right. Some may do little, others more, and many can do much. Let us, therefore, as God hath given, glorify him in doing good in proportion as he hath given. All ye that have lost your first love, ye backsliders, ye cold and formal professors, ye that are discouraged under trials and temptations, lift up your heads and rejoice; be encouraged; start anew in the way of eternal life; be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, like trees planted by the riverside that do flourish. And ye that regard your flocks, your cattle and horses, houses and lands, before the Lord your God, tear down your idols and worship the Lord God, lest he turn and speedily cut you off and leave no remembrance of you in the earth. Yes, we can do something for him if it be nothing more than to give a glass of water to one of his disciples, or to speak a word of encouragement to the discouraged, despondent ones.
We may help fill up his suffering while on earth with patience and meekness, that we may be with them that glorify him when he comes to be admired by his people. Wm. Bourkland.
Battle Creek, Mich.
Report from Bro. Whitney.
By S. B. Whitney
My last report left me at Bro. Kinne's in Kirkville. Had a sweet season with the little church there, Sabbath Nov. 17th; and on first-day and evening spoke twice in a school-house near Bro. K.'s, and held a business meeting with the church. The weather and roads being very bad, none came from Verona except Bro. Parmalee who assisted much by his prayers and testimonies. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings I spoke in the meeting-house to large audiences, considering the circumstances. I came to Verona the 22nd. Sabbath morning a number of the brethren came from Kirkville. The meeting through the day was not as free as some I have enjoyed, but in the prayer-meeting at Bro. Satterlee's in the evening, the cloud removed a little and a sweet blessing from the Lord rested down upon us. The husband of sister Hoag from K. expressed his determination, for the first time publicly, to live differently, and with tears he acknowledged his sinful condition and requested the prayers of God's people. We had but one public meeting on first-day and in the afternoon attended to the business of the church.
While visiting the Glass Factory near Bro. Satterlee's I providentially became acquainted with a Bro. Gregory who formerly belonged to the church in Avon Wis., but had under temptation given up the Sabbath and attendance to christian duties. I labored with him as best I could, and when I left him he expressed a strong desire and determination to get back to the truth and church. May the Lord enable him so to do.
The 28th I came to Brookfield, where I found a pilgrim's home at Bro. Abbey's, as usual. I remained with this church over two Sabbaths, and visited the brethren in Winfield during the interval. I found the church here in darkness and bondage on account of outside influences; but the Lord seemed to give discernment and help to rise above them, and freedom was the result. One was baptized and received into the church.
I started for home Dec. 10th, calling at Mansville and Adam's Center. Sabbath the 15th, I was with the church at home, and had a profitable season. The 22nd and 23rd, attended the monthly meeting at Bangor, which was pleasant and profitable, though not a large gathering.
As I look over my labor for the last quarter, I deeply regret my unfaithfulness, while I remember with gratitude the tokens of favor I have received from the Lord. My mind is deeply impressed with the idea that we have come to the Jordan of our experience, and that Satan is doing all he can to hinder our progress. May the Lord help us to labor for the rest that remains.
I am now at home preparing to leave whenever I get my appointments. S. B. WHITNEY.
Grass River, Dec. 30, 1866.
Meetings in Maine.
By Chas. Stratton
I LEFT home, Dec. 12, to fulfill my appointment. Met in the evening with Bro. Canright at Norridgewock. Assisted in organizing a church. The 13th, went to Albion. Stopped one night with my brother. Found him interested in the present truth. Oh, that there were more messengers to carry the truth to the people who sit in darkness! From thence to China, Deer Hill, the 14th. Enjoyed a very pleasant interview with Bro. Hammon and his family. Our union was sweet as we bowed around his family altar. I learned that there were eight Sabbath-keepers in this place, but in rather a discouraged condition. Sabbath, met for worship. The weather was extremely cold, consequently the house was in a like condition, and I fear some of the hearts of the brethren also. First-day, held a meeting of profit, I hope. Preached twice. Prayer-meeting in the evening, very interesting.
Meeting in the evening of the 18th, composed of Sabbath-keepers, First-day Adventists, F. W. Baptists, and Spiritualists; but the Lord gave us some victory. Evening of the 19th, meeting very solemn. Sabbath evening, a meeting of very deep interest. One brother preached us quite a sermon, giving us some evidence that he had a gift to labor more publicly. An old lady in her seventieth year arose and requested an interest in our prayers. Sabbath morning, met in a school-house. Organized a Bible Class and Sabbath School of twenty-two members. In the afternoon, talked on the present duty of the church, with good effect. Evening meeting at Bro. Hammon's. Organized Systematic Benevolence to the amount of $48.00. As the First-day Adventists had a meeting on first-day, by previous appointment, we thought best to meet with them. But a rain storm prevented many from getting together. We listened attentively to the speaker, as he took his text in 2 Pet. i, 12. One thing of which he was not negligent to put us in remembrance was, that the old covenant of ten commandments could only pardon sins in the past, but the new covenant could pardon sins in the past, and save us from sin in the future. But before he sat down, he told us that present truth was repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I felt like praying, Lord give him present truth, and help him to preach it. We left the Sabbath-keepers steadfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord.
CHAS. STRATTON.
China, Me., Dec. 24, 1866.
Report from Bro. Ingraham.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
As the friends of the cause would like to know my whereabouts, I submit a few lines for the Review.
I have moved my family into Minnesota, where I am permanently located for the present. It has consumed some little time to change my location and prepare for the cold weather, and driving winds of a Minnesota winter.
I have labored most of my time since my arrival in the state, in preaching the word. I met in Quarterly Meeting with the churches at Greenwood Prairie, Oronoco, Deerfield, Bass Lake, and Brush Creek.
Our meeting at Greenwood Prairie was one of encouragement. The church was prompt in paying up their s. b. fund, and also in engaging in the services of the meeting. All were encouraged.
Oronoco meeting was quite good, but not so interesting as the first. Here we passed by the ordinances in consequence of the funeral of sister Harlow. This church has been distracted in the past by trials, and some have become very slack in paying their s. b. funds, and have run behind a whole year. We hope this church will come up, and with renewed vigor take hold of the work.
Deerfield meeting was not so well attended as on some other occasions. A large number of this church have moved away, some to Cleveland and some to Mantorville.
Bass Lake meeting was well attended. This church was organized in part last fall when I was there. I found all striving to walk in the light. Bro. Kunselman, formerly from Michigan, was appointed elder. If this church moves on in harmony, others will soon join them. Two of late have received the Sabbath. I am now at Brush Creek. Last fall I gave a few lectures here and the result was good. Some decided at once to obey the commandments; others soon after. Nine or ten have commenced to keep the Sabbath. As soon as the Seventh-day Baptists heard some had come out on the commandments, in our absence two of their preachers came into the place, not to lead people into the great truths of the third angel’s message, but to stop the work where it was, and keep the people from embracing the kindred truths that cluster around the present truth. The first thing was to imbitter the minds of honest souls against the visions. One of them having Experience and Views, but admitted he had never read the visions at all. Solomon has expressed his opinion in relation to those that judge a matter before they understand it.
Our meetings here are interesting, and the people begin to see that God requires them to advance and keep pace with present truth. When an interest is awakened and not followed up, how easy it is for some one to cause the honest soul to halt, by presenting a lower standard of truth; but the work in which we are engaged is of God, and will move on. Calls are coming for help from every quarter.
I have a circuit of two hundred miles to travel, in attending Quarterly Meetings, and this by private conveyance, crossing unsettled prairies, meeting howling winds that sweep over miles of land without anything to stop their force, sleeping in houses where the wind finds you in your sleeping hours, leaving you to awake to find your beard frosted in the morning.
Whoever preaches the truth in new fields in Minnesota, will find a great amount of hard labor to perform. Brethren pray for me.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Brush Creek, Minn.
What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?
By Roswell Fenner Cottrell
THIS is the inquiry of every true heart. Especially does this question arise when convictions that we are not in the path of duty press upon the mind. Saul was thus deeply convicted when the Lord Jesus, whom he was persecuting, appeared to him in the way as he was going to Damascus. The way of duty was pointed out to him; and he proved, by his self-sacrificing life, that he was sincere in asking the question, and willing to do whatever the Lord should bid him.
We may inquire what the Lord would have us do, and still not be willing to follow his instructions. We may get a fancy that if the Lord required us to do some great thing, we would willingly do it, while some of the clearest duties of the Christian life are neglected. Naaman the Syrian, when he went to the prophet Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, would willingly have done “some great thing,” had the prophet required it, but the simple, easy, requirement to wash seven times in the Jordan, fell so much short of his exalted ideas and expectations, that he rebelled in his spirit, and would have gone away in a rage, had not his servant been more reasonable than he, and persuaded him into compliance with the simple prescription of the prophet.
So it is with individuals who think they are anxiously inquiring the way of duty. They have their minds upon some great thing, perhaps the ministry, and if they could ascertain that the Lord called them to that, they would willingly engage in it; while they overlook, in a great measure, the humble, every-day, duties of every Christian without exception. Such are mistaken in regard to themselves. They should first reduce the teachings of Christianity to faithful practice, and thus prove the efficacy of our religion in reforming and purifying them, so that all can see its converting and ennobling effects, then if the Lord has further duties for them to do, the calling will be obvious to themselves and others.
When we are at a loss to know what great things the Lord would have us do, we can still busy ourselves with the little things which we know is the duty of every one who has named the name of Christ. If we are unable to tell what particular duties devolve upon us, we can still strive to draw near to God by prayer and a devoted life to all those duties which all must do, or fail of the kingdom of God. And in the way of humble obedience and constant communion with God the way will open and the path of duty will, more and more clearly, develop itself. Let us all do this by the help of God.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Take My Hand.
In the dead of night I am frequently awakened by a little hand stealing out from the crib by my side, with the pleading cry, “Please take my hand, papa!”
Instantly the little boy’s hand is grasped, his fears vanish, and soothed by the consciousness of his father’s presence, he falls into sweet sleep again.
We commend this lesson of simple, filial faith and trust, to the anxious, sorrowing ones, that are found in almost every household. Stretch forth your hand, stricken mourner, although you may be in the deepest darkness and gloom, and fear and anxious suspense may cloud your weary pathway—and that very act will reveal the presence of a loving, compassionate Father, and give you the peace that passeth all understanding.
The darkness may not pass away at once, night may still enfold you in its embrace; but its terrors will be dissipated, its gloom and sadness flee away, and in the simple grasp of the Father’s hand, sweet peace will be given, and you will rest securely, knowing that the “morning cometh.”—Congregationalist.
Happiness and Holiness
The desire for happiness is natural; the desire for holiness supernatural.
Should Believers Marry Unbelievers?
By R. F. Cottrell
It would be entirely unnecessary to tell the truly virtuous that they should not choose to associate with the most vicious and abandoned. They would have no disposition to do so. Those who voluntarily choose to associate with the low and degraded, are certainly, to say the least, tending downward to the lowest level.
There is as marked a difference between the Christian and the unbeliever, as there is between the upper and lower classes of unbelievers. All our voluntary associations with them should be for the express purpose of recommending to them the faith of the gospel, to induce them to believe and obey. Faith and unbelief are opposites. There is no more concord between them than there is between virtue and vice.
If all who profess the faith of the gospel were fully imbued with its spirit, no one would need to be cautioned against marrying an unbeliever. They would feel no inclination to do so. Those whose supreme love is fixed on God will not choose to set their highest earthly affection upon an enemy of God. If we really love God, we shall love what he loves. If we choose to love what he hates, we cannot love him with undivided affection. To make a marriage happy there must be congeniality. And I think Lorenzo Dow was right when he said that “a happy marriage is the greatest blessing this side of Heaven, next to the love of God shed abroad in the heart; and an unhappy marriage the greatest curse this side of hell, next to the horrors of a guilty conscience.”
The relation of husband and wife is the most powerful for good or evil that can be. A truly believing and pious companion is the greatest help in the Christian life possible. If this is so, a companion the reverse of this, is the greatest possible hindrance. Who is so strong as to desire the greatest possible hindrance to his salvation? Let such a one marry an unbeliever, or equally bad, if not worse, a false professor of religion, or, rather, a zealous professor of a spurious or counterfeit religion.
Those who at their conversion find themselves bound in such a relation, may hope for divine grace suited to their condition; but those who are free from such shackles when converted, ought certainly to know that they imperil their own salvation, if they connect themselves thus intimately with one who still possesses the carnal mind, which is enmity against God, is not subject to his law, nor can be. One who undertakes to serve two masters whose requirements are directly opposed to each other, does not act wisely. The experiment of voluntarily going into temptation is a hazardous one. Yet some imagine they have strength to resist temptation and get safely out of it, when they have not power of resistance sufficient to keep out of it. If they would carefully examine themselves on this point, they might discover the fallacy of their position, and know that such logic is deceptive.
God specially warned his ancient people against intermarrying with the surrounding nations. He told them that such marriages would be a snare to them, seducing them from their allegiance to himself. Ex. xxxiv, 12-16; Deut. vii, 3, 4; 1 Kings xi, 1-4. And it was no better for them to marry idolaters, who would lead them to the worship of their false gods, than to marry infidels, who profess no faith in any God. So it is now. To marry one who makes no profession of religion at all, is no more objectionable than to choose one who is bound up in a religious profession at variance with the truth. One that has no God and no Sabbath is a no more powerful opponent of God and his Sabbath than one that has a false god and false Sabbath to oppose to the true. The former seems the more hopeful case of the two. False religion is ever the most violent opponent of the true.
In the New Testament, we find an apostle giving the largest liberty in respect to the choice of a companion in marriage, with this restriction: “Only in the Lord.” 1 Cor. vii, 39. Again he says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols,” &c. 2 Cor. vi, 14-16. This is the true state of the question. If any one can harmonize things so totally inharmonious, then may they hope for an agreeable union between a believer and an unbeliever. Those who disregard this apostolic representation of the case, venture upon a dangerous experiment, and one that has generally proved disastrous, and often ruinous.
This writing is not to add grief and affliction to such as have already involved themselves in this terrible difficulty. May God forgive and save them. But my object is to warn others against a step that is sure to bring trouble, and, more probably than otherwise, eternal ruin. Those who choose to set an idolatrous affection on one that is not of God, but of the world, undertake a task which this very act proves they have not the adequate power to perform. Nothing but deep repentance, and the obtaining of the pardoning love of God, and help from his grace, can enable them to overcome. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
R. F. COTTRELL.
Shall I Backslide?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
In this land of Bibles and gospel privileges, a majority of those who come to years of maturity, sometime during their lives, make a profession of faith in Christ, and endeavor to serve God and gain immortality. But again, a large majority of these always backslide, give up their profession, and become wicked again. To prove this, you have only to think of the revivals which have occurred in your own neighborhood, and what the result has been. Some continued in the faith only a few weeks, some months, and some even years, and then gave up. Doubtless many of them were once truly Christians, and earnestly desired to hold out to the end. But they have fallen.
Now, here is a young man or young woman, or even one of riper years, just starting to be a Christian. To such an one, it becomes an all-important inquiry, Shall I backslide? Will the day come when I shall again be a wicked person, without God and without hope in the world?
Well, my brother or sister, thousands have also started with just as good a determination as you now have, and yet the most of them have backslidden. You do not wish, nor intend to do so. Neither did they. Then, you see, this question, “Shall I backslide?” to you is an important one. Yes, you certainly will if you do as they did. There was a cause for their backsliding. What was it? Neglect of duty; small ones at first, then larger ones, till they fell entirely. Now, from my own experience of several years, and from what I have observed in others, I think that I can give you a few simple rules, which, if practiced, will always keep you from backsliding. Do you wish to know what they are? Will you live them out when you do know? If in your heart you feel that you are not going to do it, you may be sure that your Christian race is not a long one; you are soon to fall.
1. Establish, and never neglect, daily, secret prayer. Without this, you never can live a Christian. With it, you will never fail. It has a restraining influence which nothing else can have. If during the day we sin or yield to any temptation, we cannot go into the presence of God alone without confessing that sin to him, and resolving not to commit it again. If we are tempted to sin during the day, the thought that we are in a few hours to go alone before God in secret will restrain us. Secret prayer is the strong fortress of the Christian. If you neglect this one day, you have reason to fear that you are backsliding.
2. Always maintain family prayer. Neglect this, and you live in continual condemnation. When maintained, it restrains you from sin. You cannot pray before your family when they know that you are not right. Hence you will be careful before them in your walk. When you let the family altar go down, you have reason to be alarmed at yourself, for you are backsliding.
3. Do your duty in the prayer-meeting. Neglect this, and you are condemned. You neglect it once, then again, till before you will own it to yourself,79you are backslidden. In neglecting these small duties, is the way persons backslide. My brother, or sister, how is it with you in these things? Are you going to make sure work for Heaven? Well, you are not doing it if neglecting any one of these duties. You are in the way in which men backslide. Beware, before it is too late.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Hartland, Me.
The New Translation.
A correspondent writes: “Will you please answer the following questions through Review, and oblige me and some others: Do you consider the new translation of the Bible by the Bible Union an improvement over the common translation? In it you will find Rev. xx, 4, translated as follows: ‘And I saw thrones and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them, and the souls of those beheaded on account of the testimony of Jesus, and on account of the word of God; and whoever did not worship the beast neither his image, and did not receive the mark upon the forehead or upon their hand; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.’”
ANSWER: In some instances, confined chiefly to the use of different words, we think the common translation might be improved. But what we regard as the great fault of all the translations we have seen, is an attempt to vary from the common translation wherever possible; for by so doing translators have more than counterbalanced their improvements, by the numerous instances in which they have failed to come up to the excellence which the common translation possesses. As a whole, for strength and smoothness of language, sublimity of conception, and general fidelity to the original, we do not consider that the common version has ever been equaled; nor do we believe it ever will be.
The Right Spirit.
By Editor
We love to receive communications from those who feel from the heart to accord to us the full liberty in disposing of them that is expressed in the following. We believe it to be just the right spirit, making their transactions with the Office pleasant, both for themselves and the editor. A correspondent writes:
“Bro. Smith: Let me thank you for your help and patience in preparing and binding my scattering thoughts; and when I send you articles that are too rambling for publication, please cast them out, or tell me to keep them at home. It will all be right with me.
“Please excuse penmanship. Perhaps my hand will be steadier when I get well over tea.”
With the penmanship of this note, we had no fault to find. But even if it had been faulty to such a degree as to render an appeal to our guessing powers necessary, we are prepared to exercise the largest amount of patience and forbearance toward those who give evidence that they are making commendable efforts in the good work of reform.
The Health Institute.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
THERE can be no reasonable doubt that our people have moved in the order of Providence in undertaking the enterprise of establishing this Institution. Success thus far has attended the effort beyond, perhaps, the expectation of the most sanguine. But the work is not yet completed. It needs to be pushed forward with unabated zeal and energy. The stock is not all taken up by any means. Those who wish to dispose of their means in a way to do much good, are requested to take shares; not merely for the purpose of a fair compensation for the use of their money, by way of dividends, but to benefit and save men, soul and body, and provide for themselves “bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens.”
Who that is in comfortable circumstances cannot afford to have, at least, one share in this Institution? To those who have their thousands, that in a little while will be as worthless as the mire of the streets, I would say, Now is a good time and opportunity to invest it to advantage; now it will do vast, almost incalculable good; soon it will be worthless.
Venture out, brother, in a cause that is so evidently under the guiding and controlling hand of God.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Meetings in Tuscola Co., Mich.
By John Harvey Waggoner
According to appointment, I met with the church at Tuscola, Dec. 22. Our meetings commenced Sabbath evening and continued till Tuesday night, during which time I endeavored to present such practical truths as were calculated to encourage and strengthen the children of God. On Sabbath and first-day some were present from Vassar and Watrousville. The effect of this meeting was good; the brethren and sisters renewed their covenant to walk in all the truth; a good interest was awakened on the Health Reform, and Systematic Benevolence adopted, over $90.00 being pledged, which I trust will be increased as they have time for consideration.
As I was a stranger both to the brethren and to the locality, it became an anxiety with me to know how to lay out my work to the best advantage. On careful deliberation I concluded to pass to the extreme north-east to Centerville, for the second Sabbath, 29th. Sending my appointments forward, I had a meeting at Vassar, Wednesday night, the 26th. Good attendance and good interest. Thursday night, at Watrousville; this was also a good meeting. Here a messenger came requesting me to return to Tuscola to preach a funeral sermon on the Sabbath. As Bro. Byington had once been called from an appointment in Centerville in the same manner, I considered it duty to go up there on sixth-day and see the brethren and make arrangements for meetings. This proved to be the prudent course, so far as meetings there were concerned, as there could have been no definite appointment given had I not gone. The Universalist House, where the meetings were held, was to be occupied Sunday, both day and evening, but the minister gave me the time Sunday night, and the owner of the house extended the favor as far in the week as we wished. I immediately returned to Watrousville; this was, I think, the coldest day of the season. I suffered much from the exposure. Being rather feeble when I went to that County, I had calculated my appointments so that I need not be long exposed in traveling. But such events cannot be calculated for. The Lord gave freedom on the occasion of the funeral, and I trust the truth was honored and the cause benefited; but from the effects of this trip I am still severely suffering. I regretted to find some discouragements resting on the minds of the brethren at Centerville, which I hope they will rise above, and press together with all the remnant toward the everlasting prize. Being almost unfit for public labor, myself, tended also to prevent the awakening of that lively interest in the meetings which I would have been pleased to see. I continued till Wednesday night, and went to Watrousville Thursday, Jan. 3.
I had made arrangements for a general meeting at Watrousville, Jan. 5 and 6, which was well attended, and was decidedly successful in every respect. I had good freedom in speaking the truth, and think I enjoyed it as highly as others did hearing it. The social meeting on Sabbath afternoon was spirited, and the feeling seemed to be deep and substantial. The interest increased to the close. Brethren and sisters came from Tuscola before the Sabbath, and remained till Sunday afternoon. Such a course, where it is practicable, always insures a good meeting. Here we made arrangements for regular monthly meetings of the churches of this county, which I trust will be of great benefit to the cause.
But the labor of this meeting was all I could possibly endure. On Monday morning I could scarcely converse; my throat was inflamed, lung painful, and voice almost entirely gone. By resting and carefulness, I was enabled to give them a brief sermon on Tuesday evening, which closed my labors in Watrousville. Their memory will long be with me.
Some of the friends advised me to take up all further appointments, and get rest. While I appreciated their kindness, and felt much the need of it, I did not think circumstances would fully justify it. However, I changed my course somewhat. As the ordinances had never been observed in Tuscola, I went there and had a meeting for that purpose Thursday evening, Jan. 10th. This time I chose rather than wait till after the meetings at Vassar, as I was anxious to close up as early as possible for my own health, and also to get to Holly in time to see Bro. Loughborough there. This was a pleasant and profitable meeting for the church in Tuscola, all joining heartily in these exercises so well calculated to bring us nearer to a meek and suffering Saviour. Three united with the church. Next day I returned to Vassar and had a profitable meeting at a private house. Sabbath morning, with a large attendance from Tuscola and Watrousville, we convened at the old Court room, where I preached to them in considerable pain, but in freedom of spirit, after which, as usual, we had a short social meeting. Expecting the friends from other places would leave, I chose to have the evening meeting at a private house, where I could talk to the church alone. But others seemed interested also; the house was densely filled, and, for the time, I lost sight of earthly afflictions while speaking of the 'blessed hope,' of the Lord's coming, and the certainty of God's promises. After the congregation was dismissed, the church being invited to remain, three were received into the church, and it being yet early, arrangements were hastily made to attend the ordinances of the Lord's house. This was another good season. A number from Watrousville remained at this meeting, and we rejoiced together before our God for the power and consolations of the present truth.
With this I closed my labors in Tuscola County, not deeming it advisable to have any meeting on Sunday, the 13th, and the decision was heartily endorsed by the brethren and sisters. To those meetings I look back with a pleasure only alloyed by the thought that I could not do in Gratiot Co. what I did in Tuscola Co. I went there an entire stranger; I left as parting with the members of a closely united family. When I consider the number that had never made any profession of religion, many of them opposed to the Bible and to all religions truth, when Brn. Van Horn and Canright first went there, who are now devoted, praying people, growing up into Christ through obedience to all the truth, I feel to praise God for the work he has done in Tuscola County. Many are bearing trials with fortitude and patience; and though, while there, trials were pressing sorely to my own heart, I felt to sympathize with the tempted ones there, and often we all together lost sight of 'these light afflictions,' as we viewed by faith the 'far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' Though I may never see them again in this state of trial, I expect to meet them with joy where that glory is revealed.
Monday, the 14th, I went to Holly, well pleased to meet and enjoy a visit with Bro. Loughborough. I would have been pleased to prolong my visit, but as my throat was very sore, and I coughed so much as to lose my rest at night, I thought it necessary to finish my journey as speedily as possible. I arrived in Battle Creek the 16th to go home and attend to the wants of my family, expecting to resume public labor as soon as the condition of my throat will admit.