p. 180 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 23. (6/13/1878)

The Special Work of the Spirit Attends Every Special Work of God.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

MANY have rejected the third angel's message, and many stand aloof and in doubt concerning it, not because its teachings in respect to the law and the gospel are false, but simply because the work is accompanied by a special manifestation of the Spirit of God. If there was nothing of this kind in the work, they think they could receive it as the truth, and as a genuine work of God. Take away the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy—rob the work of its special credentials as a special work of God—and they could receive it. Then they could number themselves with the remnant of the woman's seed, "which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Now it is self-evident that the proclamation of the last message of probation is a special work. In its importance it is not exceeded by any work ever performed among men upon earth. At different times in the past, when the special promises of God became due, there have been special interpositions of God's providence in their fulfillment. The fulfillment of these special promises in the development of the great plan of salvation is what I call special works of God. And I affirm that God never performed such a work without the presence of direct and special inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Let us notice some examples.

God made a promise to Abraham that after his children should serve the Egyptians four hundred years, he would bring them out of their bondage to the land he had promised to give them. And when "the time of the promise" was come, he sent Moses, filled with the Spirit and endowed with miraculous powers, and with the promise, "I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say;" and so redeemed the promise which he had made.

Another instance we find in the fulfillment of the promised restoration after the seventy years' captivity in Babylon. Few and feeble were the Israelites that returned to build again Jerusalem and the temple of God. Their enemies stood ready to oppose the work by every available means. There was much to discourage the people; but God had promised; and it was not by the power of the people, but by the Spirit of God, that the work was to be accomplished. Zech. 4:6, 7. But for the prophesyings of Haggai and Zechariah, it is evident that the work would not have been accomplished. But "they prospered through the prophesyings of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel." Ezra 6:14. Can the exceeding great and tremendous work of the closing messages of probation be accomplished without the gift of prophecy to unite and encourage feeble laborers? No. With emphasis all must say, No! Without it the work could never have been brought to its present state of development; but with it, it will prosper to its completion.

We have another instance in John the Baptist. The Lord had promised to send a messenger before the Messiah to prepare the way. In order for Christ to be the Christ of promise, the promised messenger must precede him. There was no greater prophet than John; and yet it is expressly affirmed of him that he "did no miracle." The light of prophecy, without the aid of miracles, was sufficient proof of his mission. It was by the inspiration of the holy Spirit that his work was accomplished.

No special message, no special work was ever done without divine inspiration. Will the closing messages, than which there has been no greater, be an exception to this general rule? The idea would be preposterous, had not the Spirit described the remnant of the church as having "the testimony of Jesus," which is "the spirit of prophecy."

The work in which we are engaged is a work of promise; and it is second in importance to no other, from the beginning to the end of the world. It should have the special sanction and aid of the Spirit of God. This is promised in the Scriptures of truth. And it is not only reasonable and scriptural that it should be expected, but the promise is being fulfilled. The builders in this work know what is promised in prophecy—that such a work must and will be done; but they would lack the essential unity and courage to prosper in the work, and might in discouragement conclude, as the returned Israel of old, "that the time is not come" for the work to be performed. Hab. 1:3. It is encouragement to put forth united effort that is needed. It is the assurance that the builders will be successful when they put all their energies into the work. Encouraging words like these: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbable thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." The hands of Zerubbable have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it."

If God spoke through the gift of prophecy to aid and carry forward the work of rebuilding the temple, that his promise might be fulfilled in its restoration, will he not speak in that way to those who have the last message to proclaim to mankind—a message upon which the destiny of the last generation living is to be decided. Reasoning from analogy the conclusion is inevitable; and besides this we have the sure promise of God's word for it. The presence of the gift of prophecy, therefore, is no objection; on the contrary, its absence would be the greatest objection against the genuineness of the work.

R. F. COTTRELL.

Afflictions.

By M. M. C.

"I AM the true Vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." These are the words of the Saviour, yet how often we fail to see the hand of God in our afflictions! How often we are impatient under the pruning knife! How often we fail to realize in times of trial that our afflictions are according to God's holy will, and that, rightly borne, they will purify us and make us meek and humble.

When our union with the true Vine is perfect, we shall bear in our lives the fruits of the Spirit. We shall abound in good works. The sick, the afflicted and the poor, are always with us. Have we hearts of deep gratitude for the privilege of being co-workers with Christ, and of ministering to their needs?

Would you know whether you are being grafted into the true Vine? Here is the test, given by the high and holy One, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love." The disciples who met Jesus as they went to Emmaus said, "Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way?" It is our privilege to live so we may know for ourselves that the love of the dear Saviour warms our hearts. We may enjoy great peace and comfort in communion with him. We may have Him for our friend, who owns the cattle upon a thousand hills. He will provide for all our wants, and sustain us in every trial. The pruning knife may wound, but it cannot destroy as long as we "abide in the Vine."—M. M. C.

Faith Unites the Soul to Christ

FAITH is the bond that unites the soul to Christ.

The Order of Events in the Judgment.

By John Nevins Andrews

NUMBER ELEVEN.

The act of blotting out is not the only event in the final disposal of the sins of those who overcome. The removal of their sins from the sanctuary, at the conclusion of the high priest's work therein, is followed by a most remarkable transaction. The sins thus removed from the temple of God are placed upon the head of the scape-goat. But our Lord Jesus Christ cannot be typified by this goat; for the sins of men were laid upon him before the work of his priesthood began in the sanctuary; but the scape-goat receives the sins from the sanctuary after the whole work of the priest is completed therein. The sins thus placed on the scape-goat never pass from him to any other being or object.

But those goats which were slain in sacrifice for sin, had the sins of the people laid on them before the high priest entered the sanctuary to sprinkle the blood of sin-offering before God. Indeed, it was by this very means that the sins of the people were transferred to the sanctuary. This work represents the sacrifice of the Son of God for us, and his ascension to heaven to plead the cause of his people. But when his work therein is accomplished, and the sins of the people of God are removed thence (see Heb. 9:22, 23), that being who receives them at the hand of our High Priest to bear them to a land not inhabited, can be no other than Satan, the author of sin. The fulfillment of this will be when Satan, at the commencement of the 1000 years, is confined to the desolate earth, his dreary prison during the long space between the two resurrections. Rev. 20:1-7.

That the ancient people of God understood the scape-goat to represent not Christ, but Satan, the following testimonies will show. It will be seen, moreover, that there is direct evidence that Satan is intended in the very signification and use of this word.

Charles Beecher, in his work entitled, "Redeemer and Redeemed," pp. 66-70, says:—

"Two goats were to be presented before the Lord by the high priest. They must be exactly alike in value, size, age, color,—they must be counterparts. Placing these goats before him, the high priest put both hands into an urn containing the golden lots, and drew them out, one in each hand. On the one was engraven, La Yehovah (for Jehovah), on the other, La Azazel (for Azazel)."

"The goat on which the lot La Yehovah fell was slain. After its blood had been sprinkled in the holy of holies, the high priest laid his hands on the head of the second goat, confessed the sins of the congregation, and gave him to a fit man to lead away and let go in the wilderness; the man thus employed being obliged to wash his clothes and person before returning to the congregation."

Mr. Beecher states two views respecting the meaning of this term, Azazel, each of which he shows to be manifestly untrue. He then gives his own view as follows:—

"The third opinion is, that Azazel is a proper name of Satan. In support of this, the following points are urged: The use of the preposition implies it. The same preposition is used on both lots, La Yehovah, La Azazel; and if the one indicates a person, it seems natural the other should, especially considering the act of casting lots. If one is for Jehovah, the other would seem for some other person or being—not one for Jehovah, and the other for the goat itself."

"What goes to confirm this is, that most ancient paraphrases and translations treat Azazel as a proper name. The Chaldee paraphrase and the targums of Onkelos and Jonathan would certainly have translated it if it was not a proper name, but they do not. The Septuagint, or oldest Greek version, renders it by a word applied by the Greeks to a malign deity, sometimes appeased by sacrifices."

"Another confirmation is found in the Book of Enoch, where the name Azalzel, evidently a corruption of Azazel, is given to one of the fallen angels, thus plainly showing what was the prevalent understanding of the Jews at that day."

"Still another evidence is found in the Arabic, where Azazel is employed as the name of the evil spirit."

"In addition to these, we have the evidence of the Jewish work, Zohar, and of the Cabalistic and Rabbinical writers. They tell us that the following proverb was current among the Jews: 'On the day of atonement, a gift to Sammael.' Hence Moses Gerundinenses feels called to say that it is not a sacrifice, but only done because commanded by God."

"Another step in the evidence is when we find this same opinion passing from the Jewish to the early Christian church. Origen was the most learned of the Fathers, and on such a point as this, the meaning of a Hebrew word, his testimony is reliable. Says Origen: 'He who is called in the Hebrew Azazel is no other than the devil.'"

"Lastly, a circumstance is mentioned of the Emperor Julian, the apostate, that confirms the argument. He brought as an objection against the Bible, that Moses commanded a sacrifice to the evil spirit. An objection he never could have thought of, had not Azazel been generally regarded as a proper name."

"In view, then, of the difficulties attending any other meaning, and the accumulated evidence in favor of this, Hengstenberg affirms with great confidence that Azazel cannot be anything else but another name for Satan. . ."

"The meaning of the term, viewed as a proper name, was stated in 1677, by Spencer, Dean of Ely, to be Powerful Apostate, or Mighty Receder."

Mr. Beecher, on the seventy-second page of his work, states that Prof. Bush considers Azazel to be a proper name of Satan.

Gesenius, the great Hebrew lexicographer, says:—

"Azazel, a word found only in the law respecting the day of atonement. Lev. 16:8, 10, 26. . . . By this name is probably to be understood originally some idol that was appeased, with sacrifices, as Saturn and Mars; but afterwards, as the names of idols were often transferred to demons it seems to denote an evil demon dwelling in the desert and to be placated with victims, in accordance with this very ancient and Gentile rite. This name Azazel is also used by the Arabs for an evil demon."

Milton represents Azazel as one of the fallen angels, and the standard-bearer of Satan:—

"That proud honor claimed Azazel as his right, a cherub tall; Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurled The imperial ensign." —Paradise Lost b. 1.

The "Comprehensive Commentary" has the following important remarks:—

"Scape-goat. See different opinions in Bochart. Spencer, after the oldest opinions of the Hebrews and Christians, thinks Azazel is the name of the devil; and so Rosenmuller, whom see. The Syriac has Azzail, the angel (strong one) who revolted."

"Cassell's Illustrated Bible" speaks thus of the scape-goat:—

"We offer the following exposition as much more likely, and much more satisfactory: That Azazel is a personal denomination for the evil one."

Certainly, these are very important testimonies to show that Satan is typified by the scape-goat. To show the reasonableness of that act which rolls back upon Satan the sins of the people of God, and also to define the nature of the act, let us carefully state the case. Every sin committed by men is instigated by Satan. This part of the transgression is the sin of Satan alone, and belongs solely to him whether men repent or not. But consenting to the tempter, and obeying him, is the sin of the one tempted. This part of the transgression will, in the case of all who avail themselves of the work of our High Priest, be placed upon the antitypical scape-goat, Satan, and he will have to bear the full punishment of all such sins.

One of the most important events, therefore, in the opening of the great day of judgment, is that of placing the sins of the overcomers upon the head of the great author of sin. The fallen angels will, no doubt, share with their great leader in this fearful burden of guilt. Satan and his angels are reserved to the judgment of the great day. And one of its first events after the righteous are made immortal, is that they are exalted to sit in judgment upon the fallen angels. Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3.

J. N. A.

The Sonship of Christ.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

AT THE CLOSE OF HIS MEDIATORIAL WORK IN HEAVEN, JESUS CHRIST WILL RECEIVE THE DOMINION OF THIS WORLD AS HIS KINGDOM, WHERE HE WILL REIGN OVER THE SAINTS ETERNALLY.

Thus the Father says: "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree, the Lord hath said uuto me, thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Ps. 2:6-9. The Father sets Christ as king in Zion; then he asks of the Father, who gives him all the nations of the earth for his possession. This same truth is illustrated in Christ's parable of the nobleman. "He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return." "And it came to pass that when he was returned having received the kingdom," &c., Luke 19:12, 15. Jesus then went into heaven to receive for himself a kingdom. This kingdom he receives before he returns. Then he comes to take possession of it.

Speaking of this same event, the prophet Daniel says, "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." Dan. 7:13, 14. The extent of this kingdom is stated in verse 27. It is a kingdom "under the whole heaven." It is an everlasting kingdom, which shall never pass away.

The nature, extent, and glory of this kingdom of Christ are stated in the language of Gabriel to Mary. "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:31-33. This glorious personage is to sit on the throne of David, and reign over the house of Jacob, and of his reign there is to be no end. Notice how prominent and emphatic the truth is made, that it is a son, Jesus, who is conceived by the virgin Mary, and boru of her, and yet he is the Son of the Highest, who is to have this honor. When thus the Son of man shall be honored and glorified, all his saiuts and faithful servants will be exalted and honored with him. How anxiously and yet tenderly Jesus refers to this in his pathetic prayer to his Father. "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24.

Dear reader, what a Saviour we have! mighty, glorious and divine! Who would not love him? Who would not serve him? Who would not trust in him? He is worthy of the best affection of our hearts, of the entire service of our lives, and of all the honor we can possibly give him. May it be ours to follow him here, and to reign with him hereafter.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Appeal From Italy.

By John Nevins Andrews

THE following appeal for help comes from those who have embraced the truth through the labors of Brother Ribton, at Naples. It was written by them of their own accord, and not at the request of Dr. Ribton. They sent it to me to be forwarded to the General Conference Committee, at Battle Creek, Mich. I send the original with twenty-two names appended, and I send also a translation for publication. I know not what words I can use that will add to the force of this appeal. When I was in Naples a small hall was found that could be had if we would lease it for nine months. But it was not even furnished with seats, and it was very uninviting. Just opposite to this hall is a Roman Catholic church, with an image of the Virgin in front, and this prayer to her inscribed in stone: "Show thyself to be a mother."

I could not regard such a hall thus situated as a promising place for the preaching of the truth. It would cost fifty francs ($10) per month, and it must be furnished with seats and lamps and other necessary things by us. But Brother R. had sought a hall for many months, and this was the first one that could be had. It was first offered while I was there, and there was no other which we could obtain. At first I was averse to hiring the hall. I told Brother R. that if the hall was hired I feared that I could do nothing for his personal expenses, and that he would suffer for means to sustain his family. But he said nothing could be done in Naples without a hall, and that he would trust God to sustain him in the work. I was at last perfectly satisfied that it was duty to hire the hall. But as it is easy to make mistakes even when we think we are right, I determined in my own heart that if there should be nothing accomplished by the preaching in the hall, I would as soon as possible replace in the funds of this mission all the money that I should take for the expense of the hall.

Our lease expired May 4, and cannot be renewed only at much higher figures; but it is not desirable to continue in that hall. Now what has been accomplished? Brother R. has preached in it a great number of times. In one letter to me the past winter he says: "The past fortnight I have preached sixteen times, written many letters, and made many visits." The opposition has been so violent that they have been obliged to have the police station guards at the door. Stones have been thrown through the windows, and on one occasion a quantity of fire works were exploded within the hall, so that his congregation was obliged to disperse. It has been at the peril of assassination that Brother R. has continued his labors. And now behold the result. Here is a company of twenty-two persons who unite in such a declaration of their faith as is expressed in the following appeal. Several of these persons are able themselves to become teachers of the truth to others.

These brethren ask that means shall be sent to sustain and enlarge the work in Italy. I second this request with as earnest entreaty as my heart can utter. Naples is one of the dark corners of the earth; but there God is causing the light to shine. Is it not a great privilege to do something to help in such a work? But why not let the Italian converts sustain the work in

Italy? Those who ask this question know not the situation of Italy. The wealth is all in the hands of a few wicked men. The mass of the people are extremely poor. There are no openings as in America, for men who live by their labor to ever gain even a moderate competency. I will say in behalf of these friends that they will do all that they can; but they must have help for the present. I have hitherto taken great responsibility with regard to the work in Italy. It would be a great relief to me if some member of the General Conference Committee would visit Italy, and make report as to what ought to be done.

It seems from some facts which Dr. Ribton writes me that there is a providential call to send the truth to the island of Sicily. For a very small sum one of Brother R.'s helpers in Naples might be sent to do this work. There is a Baptist minister on the east coast of Italy who has had our paper for some time past, and who is convinced of the truth. He has a great desire to see Brother Ribton, so much so that he proposes, when he can, to visit Naples. But Brother R. ought to go at once and visit him. I have not been able to send him means for this.

For a year or more we have been sending the paper to certain friends in Alexandria, in Egypt. There is in that city a considerable number of Italians who associate together for worship, and who understand the French language. The reading of our paper has convinced this entire company that Christ is about to come again. Five of these persons have received the Sabbath. Dr. R. must go before long and visit them. We are sending a number of our papers to the island of Malta, and it is not unlikely that we shall soon have a call for help from that island.

We have printed French tracts till we have nearly all that are needed to cover all the ground of our faith. We have nearly a sufficient variety of German tracts to answer the same purpose. Our expenses in the publication of French and German tracts for some time to come will be much smaller than heretofore. But now comes the same work for Italy. We have printed an excellent thirty-two-page tract, "The Sabbath of the Bible," in the Italian language. We have also in type, "The Sunday." The expense of a sixteen-page tract, 5000 copies, for press work and for white paper, is about $20, the paper being of nearly the same quality as that used in our American tracts. We do all the work ourselves except that of the press, and as our printers work without wages the money expense on our publishing work is for press work and for white paper.

Yet the living expenses of those who do this work must be met. This means house-rent, fuel, food, and clothes, and whatever may be really necessary. We must take from the funds of the mission the greater part of this expense, but beyond this we are not willing to take anything. We study to make our living expenses as small as possible, and to practice the strictest economy. We know that the money raised for this mission is given by many who must deny themselves in order to give. We therefore seek to use it so that every dollar shall count.

I am fully in agreement with the caution of Brother White that those who are in want or in poor circumstances should consider themselves excused from contributing to this part of the work. In general, these persons are in danger of going beyond their duty. They may give where their brethren who know their circumstances can advise with them as to how much they should give. But if our brethren who have wealth, and who are adding to it from year to year, will open their hearts and their purses to supply the missionary treasury at Battle Creek, so that this Italian work can be sustained, we promise them that not a dollar shall be wasted. If you would like to have your money used for tracts in Italian, we will print them for you at the above rates. Or if you would choose to help in the living expenses of those who do the work, you can do so.

But we beg that the appeal of these Italian friends may be regarded. There can be no greater privilege than that of giving in so sacred a work. Our paper must soon be printed both in Italian and in German. It will cost some money; it will cost also much labor, and care, and patience to print in these languages. But we are sowing the seed in Europe, and it is already springing up in distant places. Whatever money our friends raise goes into the hands of the General Conference Committee to be appropriated from time to time, according to their best judgment. The following is the translation of the appeal from the Italian brethren.

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIANS OF NAPLES TO THEIR BRETHREN IN AMERICA.

Very Dear Brethren in Jesus Christ:

We, the undersigned, who have recognized the perpetuity of the moral law, the sacred duty to observe all the commandments of God, not excluding the fourth, that is to say, the sanctification of the Sabbath of the Lord, and who have received the doctrine of the near advent of Christ, unite to send you our fraternal salutation, and to express our gratitude for the interest that you, and especially our dear Brother Andrews, have had for our dear country, and for the aid you have sent us, by the means of which we have been able to hear these great doctrines. We are now desirous to unite as a church. It has been unfortunate for us that our hall which we have occupied hitherto has not, because of its unhealthful condition and its unfavorable location, permitted a numerous auditory. In a few days we must leave this hall; nevertheless we feel the need to meet together often to confirm one another in the faith and to instruct one another in the word of God, and to announce to the thousands who surround us, who are in ignorance, superstition, and idolatry, the good news, the commandments of God, the gospel of the kingdom, and to preach to them: "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

But besides ourselves who have already recognized these great truths, there are many persons who desire to hear these subjects preached, and to study all these questions; but we see that this is impossible without a better hall, and without an Italian journal equal to Les Signes des Temps, and without tracts in the Italian language. Without these, we fear that the good fruit already obtained will in part be lost.

We are exceedingly grateful to our dear Brother Ribton that he has, with zeal worthy of a Christian in apostolic times, instructed us in the word of God, and given discourses of profound interest upon the prophecies, upon the fourth commandment, and upon the striking signs of the near advent of Christ. He has labored beyond his strength in this work; and though he has an ardent desire to preach the word of God, he is not able to dedicate himself entirely to the work of the Lord, because he must also labor for the support of his family.

Though we have lacked the means necessary to work to good advantage, yet in a few months' time we have accomplished relatively greater results than any of the evangelical churches of this city; though they have existed here for many years, and though they have sufficient means. It is with profound grief that we see that we are not able to respond to the growing demands of this work in its present state.

For these reasons we make appeal with confidence to you, dear brethren in the same faith, in the hope that with the fraternal love that you have already testified in our behalf, you will be able to aid us to obtain a hall suitable to receive the people that desire to attend, and so that Brother Ribton may be able to devote all his time to those who desire to learn the great facts concerning the advent of our Lord.

We all believe that the Son of man is near, even at the door, therefore we burn with desire to announce, while yet there is time, this great truth to our brethren.

We regret extremely, dear brethren, that we have not the means necessary to sustain the work ourselves, as do our brethren in other places; but owing to the peculiar situation of our country, we are all poor; a part of our number are students who receive from their parents scarcely the means to live; the others are persons who by their labor sustain their families with difficulty.

Receive, dear brethren in Jesus Christ, our salutation and love which abides forever.

[To the foregoing appeal were appended twenty-two names of the brethren and sisters in Naples.]

J. N. Andrews.

The Pacific Press.

By James White

Wʜᴇɴ we first contemplated establishing a press in California, we had no idea that in so short a time a publishing house could be erected and completely furnished with printing presses, types and complete book bindery, stereotypic apparatus, and foundry for the manufactory of type, and nearly paid for in so short a time, but we are happy to report that this is the case. Every available foot of room in our large house from garret to cellar is occupied, besides furnishing rooms in the lower part of the tank house and barn for the manufacture of type and stereotype plates. This last work, recently introduced is very profitable and can be increased to almost any extent. Not only can type be manufactured for our own Offices, but can be held for sale both at Oakland, and Battle Creek. The brother employed to make the type learned the trade of Miller and Richards in Scotland, therefore makes the Scotch type now in use by both our American Offices.

The outside book and job department has so increased as to demand a smaller and more rapid cylinder press for which there is no room in the present buildings, neither is there room for the number of hands required in the finishing of the type. We therefore decided and recommended just before taking a seat on the train, that an addition to the present building extending to 12th street, two stories 30x85 feet, be immediately erected. We have $1,000 deposited at the Sɪɢɴ's Office, which we recently received from the sale of property and loan to the Pacific Press without interest. May God bless and prosper this good work. J. W.

Going East.

By James White

Not realizing the desired benefit from a winter's sojourn in California, we decided the next best thing for us to do was to spend June and July at the Sanitarium under the care of Dr. Kellogg. In company with Brother Gillett, we left Oakland, California, Friday, May 31, 1878. This journey we have dreaded very much, but Providence has been better to us than all our fears. Thus far the journey has been more comfortable and pleasant than we expected to find it. The weather has been cool, we have rode in sight of snow the most of the way. As we write acres of snow are before us. Frequent rains all the way since leaving Sacramento have completely laid the dust, and we have but two more nights out, when we expect to sleep in our good home in Battle Creek, Mich. We are not going to work at present. Our first business is to rest, recreate and get well. Dear brethren, let your prayers unite with ours that the means employed may be effectual.

JAMES WHITE.

Ringsted, Denmark.

By John G. Matteson

WE arrived at Sjælland last Thursday. I have held two meetings at Ordrup, at the house of a brother of Brother Anders Petersen, Iowa; and I have visited several friends who believe in the truth. There are some Sabbath-keepers here, but they are rather scattered. One brother who lives north of Sorö has kept the Sabbath more than four years. Another brother in Ordrup has kept it two and a half years. There is one more Sabbath-keeper in Ordrup and two at Ringsted.

Our opponents dislike to have us so particular concerning the Sabbath (though we do not consider the other commandments of any less importance; would that we could regard them all much more sacred than we do!); but we do not make void the law through faith. Rom. 3: 31. We believe that it is the love of God that we keep his commandments, 1 John 5: 3; and we know that the Papacy has tried to change times and laws, Dan. 7: 25; and that we worship God in vain by teaching for doctrines the commandments of men--commandments which God has not given. Matt. 15: 9. We are therefore very happy sometimes to find a faithful soul who loves the Lord's Sabbath. For we can in no better way show our love for God than by trying continually to do his will as we find it revealed in his holy word.

We have received a letter from the brethren in Alstrup and Tylstrup. They assemble every Sabbath to receive strength and encouragement from the word of God. We consider it our duty to try to encourage the few souls at Sejælland, who have the same precious faith as we, and, as far as God will give us grace and opportunity, to preach the Second Advent to our dear countrymen on this island. It is quite difficult for us to work in a place altogether strange to us; but we try to rely upon the living God, who is the only one that can save souls, and who can cause his down-trodden and despised truth to shine forth among the people of the last generation.

We have rented a small room in this city, and intend to stay here for the present.

JOHN G. MATTESON.

Ringsted, May 15, 1878.

The Kansas Camp-Meeting.

By George I. Butler

IN company with Elder E. W. Farnsworth, President of the Iowa Conference, I attended this meeting held May 22-28. Preparations were quite well advanced at the appointed time, and Elder Ayers gave a discourse on the evening of the 21st. Though we had a long rain the first night, yet we were mostly favored with fair weather. Nearly three hundred Sabbath-keepers camped on the ground. Some of these came three hundred miles with teams, many of them half that distance, and the going was very bad at that. This shows a good degree of zeal truly.

I saw many encouraging omens at this meeting,—evidences of progress since I met with these brethren three or four years ago. There has been a large increase of numbers, and many good, sensible people have been converted to the truth. The cause has made a very encouraging growth. People from all parts of the country are gathering into Kansas. This year the emigration has been very large. It must be that many of these can be reached by the truth.

In financial matters the Conference has hardly kept pace with its other growth. The s. B. was not sufficient to settle up with the ministers, but three hundred dollars were promptly raised on the grounds for this purpose, more than covering the deficit. A fund of $1000 for the better carrying on of the T. and M. work was also started on the ground, and about $500 subscribed. Times are not as hard in Kansas as in Iowa, as Kansas has been reasonably favored with crops since the grasshopper raid, and the large emigration brings means into the State. Some of the brethren could do much more than they are doing financially to build up the cause.

We tried our best to care for the spiritual interests of the meeting, and found Brother Farnsworth most efficient help. The Spirit of the Lord came in with power several times during the meeting, and souls melted under its influence. On Sabbath, some fifty were forward for prayers, and these souls sought the Lord with tears.

On Monday about as many came forward as on the Sabbath. The Spirit of God was present. Several made a start in the religious life for the first time, and backsliders were aroused. Eleven were baptized. The brethren seemed to be of good heart to go on in the work. We were compelled to leave for the next appointment at 8 P. M. Monday, very weary from the anxieties of the meeting, hence were not present at the close Tuesday morning. God bless the Kansas Conference. Men of promise are taking licenses this year, and we wish them great prosperity.

Our meeting at Appleton City will be very small, as the fearful rains of a week or two past, west of here, have raised the streams. The Osage river bottom was covered with water five miles wide in places, and trains could not cross it for nearly a week. The railroad had to ferry for two and a half miles. The streams are much lower now, but few can come.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Appleton City, Mo., May 29.

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