p. 414 | Review and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 26. (6/16/1868)

A TOKEN FOR GOOD.

The church in Battle Creek have again been graciously favored with the presence of the Lord. Bro. and Sr. White returned from Monterey June 10, according to previous arrangement, to spend another Sabbath with this church. At the evening meeting commencing the Sabbath, a large congregation assembled at the house of worship. After some timely and close remarks by Bro. White, Sr. White arose to free her mind from a great burden resting upon it for this people. Wrongs were faithfully pointed out and reproved. Two personal testimonies for persons in the congregation were read, followed by most stirring appeals and exhortations. And while Sr. W. was thus speaking, reaching a point in her remarks of most intense solemnity, instantly, and unexpectedly to all present, she was taken off in vision, and fell to the floor. Judging from her appearance and occasional expressions, while in vision, scenes of a different character, some terrible to behold, and others of surpassing glory, passed before her. The scene was most impressive. Many were present who had never before had the privilege of witnessing a manifestation of this kind; and to these the privilege was given of coming forward and beholding for themselves the various phenomena attending it. Their testimony is that though they had before no occasion to doubt the visions, now they can look upon them as a reality. They see not how any one, witnessing the manner in which they are given, can for a moment doubt them to be the work of the Holy Spirit. People may talk of mesmerism, clairvoyants, and spirit mediums; but this has nothing in common with them. It is something else entirely, as different from any thing of that kind, as the heavens are higher than the earth; and those who attribute the visions to any of those sources, are only suffering the Devil to deceive them.

The power of the Holy Spirit was present too manifestly to be mistaken. We doubt if there were many in the house, who did not feel that the Lord had drawn near for the especial instruction of his people. It was good to be there. What a privilege as well as necessity it is to be instructed from on high; for we are engaged in a work, not of building ourselves up in self-righteousness, but in trying to discover and put away our wrongs, and secure a moral preparation to enter, in a little from this, into the presence of the King of glory.

What has been shown will be made known to those whom it may concern as soon as possible. Meanwhile let us remember what a vast amount of labor is entailed upon Sr. White on account of the position she is called to occupy; and let us all endeavor to stay up her hands. All can do something in this respect, if in no other way, at least by holy living. Let the church, let all far and near, come up to a position of acceptance with God, and it will lift from her one of the heaviest burdens she now has to bear.

Sabbath was a profitable day. Besides the good words spoken by Bro. and Sr. White, over a hundred bore testimony to their determination to live a more consecrated life. And though there was not all the promptness to take hold of the work, that the occasion demanded, yet there was evident progress through the day. The turning point in the religious experience of the Laodicean church must soon come; the point from which they will rise to that glowing zeal and fervor which the True Witness requires, or be spued out of his mouth; and it seems as though even now enough had been said, and seen, and done, to leave all of us who shall fail of everlasting life, without excuse.

We shall look for good fruit from this meeting. To-day, the 14th, Bro. White baptized twenty-five, most of whom have but recently commenced to live the Christian life.

REPORT OF MEETINGS.

By John Nevins Andrews; Merritt E. Cornell

We left Battle Creek, Thursday, May 28, for our appointments in Allegan Co. We arrived at Allegan village about 8, P. M., and were kindly received by Bro. and Sr. Burnham. Next day we went on to Monterey, where four discourses were given; beginning the evening of the Sabbath, and ending with the evening after it. These meetings were of a solemn, heart-searching character, and we trust that they left a lasting impression for good.

On first-day we returned to Allegan village, and spoke in the afternoon and evening, to a good congregation. A spiritualist lecturer was present, who challenged for a discussion. As we must leave in the morning, in order to fulfill our appointments, we deemed it entirely improper, and unwise to enter into the discussion of so extensive a subject, with only a single evening to spend upon it.

In the morning we took the steamboat at Allegan, and had a very pleasant ride, of about 50 miles, down the narrow, crooked Kalamazoo, to Lake Michigan. Here we took a lake steamer, at sunset, for Chicago, and arrived at C. about seven next morning.

We devoted several hours to attendance upon the closing session of the Methodist General Conference. Bishops Morris, Janes, Ames, Simpson, Kingsley, Thompson, and Clark, were upon the platform. Nearly all the speakers were D. D’s. Bishop Clark presided. He is entitled to much credit for his capacity to transact business with rapidity, in the midst of the direst confusion that we ever witnessed in a religious assembly. Their business was of much importance to the denomination; a large portion of it consisting of revision of the discipline. Many speakers claimed the floor at the same time, and the most contradictory motions and propositions were showered upon the chairman. Many of the votes were disputed, and the rival parties stood up to be counted by the secretary. Frequently eight or ten votes turned the scale on important matters. At last the business was all disposed of, and the time of adjournment came. The closing religious exercises were conducted by Bishop Janes. He made very appropriate and impressive remarks to the conference, and closed with prayer. The conference had been in session about one month, but it did not seem that they had come to the unity of the faith.

The remainder of the day was devoted to necessary business in Chicago. The following morning we resumed our journey, and stopped for the afternoon and night with the hospitable family of Bro. Williams, at Clinton Junction, Wisconsin. Our time, while there, was spent in necessary writing, and in other duties.

Thursday, June 4, we reached Little Prairie, the place for the meeting of the Wisconsin Conference. Our brethren here are not numerous, but they did what lay in their power to care for and entertain the conference. They have a moderate-sized house of worship, which does credit to this church for its neatness and modesty.

The preaching brethren, Sanborn, Matteson, Steward, Blanchard, and R. F. Andrews, were all present, also a good representation of the brethren and sisters. But the attendance of our people was not so large from a considerable distance as it would have been had the notice of the meeting been a little longer, and had the weather been less rainy.

The business meetings were hindered by a lack of order and promptness on the part of the churches and ministers during the past year in making report to the conference secretary, so that it was very difficult to get at the financial standing of the conference. The secretary should have stirred up these brethren to the performance of their duty, so that he could show the exact standing of the conference, and of the different church treasuries. The subject was so fully set forth in the business meetings that it is hoped the evil will be remedied. The religious meetings were all of a solemn, and we hope profitable, character. Many of our brethren renewed their vows of consecration to God, and his cause. We believe they mean to fulfill them. We were glad to meet quite a number of our Danish brethren, and to hear their testimonies for the truth. Some of these were given in the Danish language, Bro. Matteson acting as interpreter.

The brethren showed themselves ready to respond to the wants of the cause. About $625 were pledged for the California Mission, and the Benevolent Association, and the Book and Tract Fund.

We trust that real and lasting good has been accomplished by the meetings during this conference. They will be reported, perhaps, more fully, by the secretary.

The business of the conference being closed yesterday (Monday,) forenoon, we took the cars at 1, P. M. and came by way of Milton Junction, Clinton Junction, Beloit, Freeport, and Port Byron, to Rock Island, where we arrived last night about midnight. Today we came by way of Wilton Junction, Davenport, and Muscatine, to this place, reaching here about noon. We spend the few hours in this place in necessary writing, and go from here, if the Lord will, to the meeting at Pilot Grove. The blessing of God has rested upon us in this journey, and we pray that it may be granted to us in much larger measure.

J. N. Andrews, M. E. Cornell.

Washington, Iowa, June 9, 1868.

REPORT FROM BRO. VAN HORN.

By I. D. Van Horn

THURSDAY, May 28, I left Battle Creek, to attend my appointed meeting at Tompkins. On the Sabbath, most of the brethren and sisters composing the Jackson church, came together at the house of Bro. Weed, and we enjoyed a free time in the worship of God. The Lord helped us to speak to them the word of truth in its clearness, and as we touched upon the subject of disinterested benevolence, the hearts of all were touched with the force of the truth, and the most manifested their feelings in tears. It was a good meeting. I here feel to acknowledge the goodness of God to me in giving me a new interest in the cause, as the result of the privilege I enjoyed with the ministering brethren and others, the week after Conference. I believe I now see the cause of truth in a different light than ever before.

At the close of our Sabbath meeting, we ascertained that five had come prepared to go forward in baptism. After taking some refreshments, we went about two miles to Sandstone Creek, where, with a clear sky overhead, and the blessing of God resting upon us, we buried these candidates with their Lord, and we trust they all arose to walk in newness of life. One of these was my own brother, who had been keeping the Sabbath for nearly a year, and now concluded to move on further with the people of God. It was thus these five united with the church, and may the Lord help

them to be a strength to it, and be successful to go through with the remnant to Mount Zion.

On first-day, we held two meetings in the schoolhouse, which were well attended, and we trust some good was accomplished by the way of removing prejudice. I had one evening meeting through the week, and on the Sabbath following, it being the regular time for Monthly Meeting, we all gathered at Bro. Palmer's, in Jackson, where, in our meeting, we tasted some of the rich blessing of Heaven. The Lord gave me freedom in speaking of the remnant, Rev. xii, 17, in regard to the responsibilities that rested upon them, and some of the trials they must pass through. Oh! that we all might feel that it is our work to gather with Christ, and not scatter abroad. The loving Spirit of Jesus was in our social meeting that followed. With weeping and confession we tried to draw near the Lord, and he gave us his blessing. Truly the Lord is good to us, and we will praise his holy name forever.

On first-day, I gave two discourses in two different school-districts, to large and attentive congregations. I enjoyed good freedom, and, from the close attention paid by the hearers, it seemed the truth had a good effect. To the Lord is all the praise.

I. D. VAN HORN.

Cedar Springs, Mich., June 9, 1868.

P. S. My Post Office address, and also that of Bro. S. W. Rhodes, till further notice, will be Croton, Newaygo Co., Mich.

I. D. V. H.

Article on File for Future Insertion

By Roswell F. Cottrell

R. F. COTTRELL. We have the article you mention, on file for insertion at some future time.

A Spiritualist Critique of the Advent Herald

FOR the following complimentary notice we are indebted to the Banner of Light, Spiritualist paper of Boston, Mass. Just think of Spiritualists charging any class of religionists whatever with “strange freaks,” “going it blind!” or “ridiculous folly!”

“THE ADVENT HERALD AND SABBATH REVIEW, the religious character of which may be known by its name, is printed at Battle Creek, Mich., and is still waiting for the Advent of its Saviour, and its editor is hoping if not looking for the coming of the Lord ‘in the clouds of heaven,’ which the poor deluded mortal is destined never to witness. It is to us a mystery how intelligent persons can be found in this country to get out and to support so large and mechanically well executed a paper as the Advent Herald; but religion does cut up the strangest freaks with the human intellect of any subject or influence in our world. Men and women who on all other subjects are rational and intelligent, seem to lose all power and use of reason on religious questions, and ‘go it blind’; and this is the only explanation we can find to excuse our Advent friends, many of whom seem rational on all other subjects, and yet ‘stick’ to this ‘ridiculous folly.’”

The Close of Another Volume

By Editor

We come, this week, to the close of another volume, making in all thirty-one volumes of the Review that have been published. The rapid lapse of time reminds us that its last volume will soon be published, and its testimony finished forever. We labor on with an ever-deepening conviction that time is closing, and the great consummation is drawing near.

To the Churches in Minnesota.

By H. F. Phelps

Dear Brethren: I have for some time in the past been thinking over matters in regard to the cause of God here in Minnesota. While I write and you read, I hope we may all be directed by the Spirit of God, without which we can do nothing acceptable to him. We all know that the cause of present truth is, or in years gone by has been, advancing but very slowly. You have had sore trials to encounter. The enemy has ever been on the alert, and as yet we have the same enemy to contend with. Still we can feel that, in the midst of adversity God has been with us. We can say of a truth, God has not forsaken us. And our blessings have not all been spiritual blessings merely. God has blessed many in temporal affairs. How many in looking over the past five or ten years, can count an increase in their goods of twenty, thirty, and, in some cases, even a hundred fold. Some during this time have given nobly for the cause, and have marveled that they were greatly blessed in store; while others have been toiling almost night and day, and clinging to the things of this world as though they were their all, and their only hope lay in this life. As I have witnessed these things, the words of the apostle James, concerning riches, have come to my mind with wonderful distinctness. I would ask those who put down their property on S. B. account at the one half, and even less than one half, of what they would take for it in cash, and not even pay, from one year to another, what they do put down, and those who put down liberally, but who also do not pay;—I would ask them to look for one moment at our preachers in the wide harvest field, whom you have believed God called to the work of reaping in the harvest. See their labors, their tears, their privations; how they go out and labor with you and others night and day, till worn by toil, fatigue of body and mind, they return to their homes to—rest? No; to labor still harder. They, perhaps, find their families destitute of even the necessaries of life, and they, with little or no means with which to provide for their wants, are compelled to go to work; not that they are above work, no, but what man is there but what needs rest? Release them from the duty of preaching the gospel, and they would soon soar above want. Look at these things, and ask yourselves if they ought so to be.

Minnesota has been considered missionary ground; but why consider it so longer? We have preachers in our midst and means to keep them at work, if it were brought in. But, say some, those who now preach, do but little. They work on their farms most of the time, and young men who wish to preach, they hinder. Why are they on their farms? I answer, Because they see no other way to do. Do you wish to see laborers raised up to preach the truth? Then support those already in the field. Do you wish to see them in the field all the time? Then raise your own S. B. to their honest amount. “Bring in the tithes,” and prove God, and see if he will not pour you out a blessing. This Conference has been much in debt. Last year we were over $300 in debt, and I doubt not but the coming Conference meeting will find us still in debt. We say we believe we love the cause of God; and that it lies near our hearts. Then let us prove it. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” “Actions speak louder than words.” Let us lay up bags in Heaven. Oh! what treasuries are there. Transfer your gold and silver to the bank of Heaven, by using them in God's cause. Now, they are needed; soon, they will not be. You can now secure a treasure that will not corrupt.

A word to the officers of the different churches. According to our constitution, it is the duty of all treasurers to report to the State Secretary, every three months. Who have reported? Who have not? The Greenwood and Oronoco churches have reported each quarter; Deerfield once; and the remainder have been silent. Where is the fault? Perhaps nothing has been paid in, so there has been nothing to report. But I would say, Report every time, even if you have to report a cypher; then the State Secretary can make his report properly. It is too late to mend the matter this year, but whoever may be Secretary next year, report to him promptly.

H. F. PHELPS, Sec'y.

Pine Island, Minn.

Reduced Prices.

By Trustees

The Publishing Association will furnish its tracts to ministers, and all who wish them for gratuitous distribution, at the following rates: One-cent tracts, 50 cents per 100. Two-cent tracts, $1.00 per 100. Three-cent tracts, $2.00 per hundred. TRUSTEES.

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.

A limited space will be given under this head for Business Notices from the brethren, at 20 cents per line for each insertion. Parties must give good reference as to their standing and responsibility.

To all wishing Hygienic treatment, the subscriber offers his services. Terms, one half usual rates. Address by letter, or telegraph, J. H. GINLEY, M. D., St. Charles, Saginaw Co., Mich.

HAVING taken a partner into business with me, those corresponding with me on business matters, will please address Kinne & Hoag, Kirkville, Onondaga Co., N. Y. P. Z. KINNE.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money received pays, which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. J M Adams 30-1, Wm Wayne 33-1, J Warren 33-10, A Babcock 32-26, K Covert 33-1, C Rogers 33-1, W D Williams 35-1, E A Sturdevant 33-1, P W Baker 33-1.

$1.50 each. A Robinson 33-1, Jas Hackett 33-1, J Inglisby 34-1, E P Sandborn 32-11, H W Marden 33-1, W Garbutt 32-1, A B Brant 33-1, Geo W Frank 33-1, A Hayes 33-1, W E Cavanaugh 33-1, Mrs L C Wordell 33-1.

$2.00 each. S E Edwards 33-1, A Tubbs 32-9, M H McGillivray 33-1, A Horr 32-10, E O Nelson 32-14, D W Clay 33-9.

$3.00 each. E W Bliven 33-14, Mrs J Avery 33-1, J L Baker 33-13, W P Merrifield 34-1, M Beach 36-1, L C Williams 34-19, L Green 33-14, M Fields 34-1, C Lawton 34-21, N Clarke 34-1, J M Ferguson 33-13, A A Farnsworth 33-1, J T Berridge 33-12, P Scarborough 34-1, J L Locke 34-1, E Macomber 33-13, E L Bliss 34-1, B F Bradbury 34-1, E Johnson 34-1, L A Kellogg 33-1, F J Goodrich 32-1.

Miscellaneous. F Greenman $5.13 35-1, J L Miller 3.10 38-18, M C Butler 5.75 34-1, A M Cornwell 4.00 32-17, T A Russ 5.00 33-9, W Haviland 5.00 34-17, W Dawson 2.60 33-7, S Dana 2.75 32-1, S J Twing for E M Buckley 1.64 34-1, I O Hammond 3.25 33-5.

Shares in Publishing Association.

A C Raymond $10.00.

Cash Received on Account.

D M Canright 92c, John Matteson $18.00, J McMillan for T M Stewart 20.00.

Books Sent By Mail.

G W Mitchell $2.00, L H Winslow 25c, F Greenman 30c, O F Tripp 2.75, M P Stiles 15c, C W Bishop 60c, Geo Smith 15c, J H Hoffer 25c, A Pardee 25c, J Butolph 3.10, J J Miller 15c, E Styles 15c, H G Washburn 15c, M M Stowell 35c, J M Adams 35c, J Hackett 5.00, L H Mann 15c, N Grant 15c, E Mayhood 15c, G L Holiday 15c, L F Haynes 45c, W Wheeler 15c, B A Seal 15c, F A Ross 15c, S A Bartlett 35c, W S Lane 15c, S P Dutton 45c, W Bannon 45c, Mrs S M Holly 25c, L G King 15c, S Vincent 30c, J DuBois 1.00, A P Van Horn 2.00, D W Johnson 1.00, J H Bedford 25c, Mrs A Serger 15c, G W Strickland 15c, J M Wilkinson 30c, L H Robinson 30c, E Lobdell 15c, H Smiley 20c, D Malin 60c, J L Baker 50c, M A McGilvray 81c, C C Van Dorn 2.44, O E Merrifield 4.25, L Babcock 25c, C W Moreton 15c, M P Marten 75c, P Bryant 35c, D Newcomb 65c, S D Salisbury 1.00, J G Connett 1.00, Dr A Robinson 90c, G G Green 50c, J Green 28c, D M Canright 1.83, J W Raymond 1.45, B Castle 30c, J Youll 15c, N A Lord 35c, A W Smith 15c, R Griggs 50c, L M Locke 2.00, S Dana 25c, A W Smith 1.50, J Nelson 50c, M Sanderson 1.12, T H Babcock 50c, M E Terry 50c, S W Francis 7c, M Van Dorn 33c, J McMillan 30c, A E Elton 75c, D M Canright 1.83, W E Cavanaugh 15c, S J Twing 2.34, S B Whitney 1.00, G W Newman 15c, J King 20c, H A Fenner 90c, Hattie Parsons 3.20, A G Carter 15c, H B Hayward 17c, S A Merrill 15c, P Robinson 15c, H White 15c, E Hutchins 25c, C S Mott 30c, E M Kimball 15c, S W Willey 15c, Mrs M J Swartwood 44c, D Barrows 44c, J Gulick 2.45, P A Foster 60c.

Received on Book and Tract Fund.

A Graham $10.00, E Booth 2.00, L C Williams 1.00, J M Ferguson 3.00, R Ferguson 5.00, O Eddy 4.00, D Webster 50c, C Webster 25c, H Webster 25c, L Apley 50c, A Woodward 50c, M K Bates 50c, O Brooks 50c, C W Stanley 1.00, H Stanley 1.00, J F Ballenger 1.00.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

Wisconsin Conference $50.00.

For Eld. N. Fuller.

Nicholas Smith 2.00.

Receipts for Testament Fund.

M E Stewart $10.00, M A Steward 10.00, S W Harris 5.00, L C Williams 1.00, A C Raymond 10.00, Truman Nichols 5.00, J W Raymond 5.00, Mary L Priest 1.00, Emma E Sturges 1.00, Anna H Hale 1.00, L H Priest 1.00, Lucy R Holden 75c, Jennie Nelson 2.00, Fannie Glascock 4.25, Emily Lawton 20.00, O H Pratt 10.00, A Olson 10.00, A D Smith 5.00, S C Bartholf 2.00, T Loomis 10.00, J M B 1.00, C W Stanley 1.00, McConnell's Grove Church 5.00, A A Foss 1.00, C Manley 5.00, E Bolser 1.00, B F Bradbury 4.00, J Bolser 2.00, Isaac Sanborn 5.00, H B Hayward 1.25, T Brown 10.00, Susannah Brown 10.00, Geo L Brown 10.00, T L Brown 10.00, J F Ballenger 5.00, M J Bartholf 10.00.

For California Mission.

Mrs S Vincent 2.00, S M Booth 5.00, J W Barker 1.00, I Babcock 5.00, D M Canright 10.00, E F Reynolds 5.00, J Youll 2.00, Mary L Priest 1.00, Emma E Sturges 1.00, A H Hale 1.00, H G Buxton 1.00, S N Haskell 4.00, L H Priest 1.00, Lucy R Holden 75c, Mary E Haskell 1.00, O A Brooks 75c, Lizzie Buxton 1.00, Church at Buck's Bridge, N. Y. 19.00, I Sanborn 5.00, O H Pratt 5.00, A D Smith 5.00, S C Bartholf 5.00, A King 5.00, T Lewis 10.00, C W Stanley 1.00, H Stanley 1.00, M J Bartholf 10.00, H Hull 5.00, J Loudon 2.00, McConnell's Grove Church 5.00, C Manley 5.00, E Lawton 5.00, A Hayes 2.00, G M Bowen 5.00, G W Colcord $3, B F Bradbury $3, E Bolser $1, J Bolser $1, A Patten $5, T Brown $20, A W Smith $25.

On Shares in the H. R. Institute.

The following amounts are subscribed for shares in the Health-Reform Institute, at 25.00 each share.

J M Ferguson $25.

Charitable Fund of the Institute.

E R Whitcomb $10.

Impeachment Investigation Continues

—The Impeachment Managers persevere in their investigation, with a determination inspired by the great results already obtained. Their mouths are sealed for the time being as to the progress of the examination, and the paid gossips of the lobby have it all their own way. Enough, however, is learned from authoritative sources to make it certain that, despite the contumacy of most of the witnesses, the Committee’s report will make such revelations as have never been paralleled in the annals of legislative corruption.

Turkey and Greece Facing War

TURKEY.—A letter from Athens, just received, says: “The Greek Government has received Cretan deputies, thus virtually recognizing Crete as a part of the Greek nation.” The writer says: “This event is almost certain to lead to war between Turkey and Greece, to be followed by a general European war, with France, Austria, and Great Britain on the side of Turkey.”

France

FRANCE.—The American fleet, Admiral Farragut, is still riding at anchor in the harbor of Brest. The Americans are the objects of much attention. It is said that Admiral Farragut will visit Paris before his fleet leaves Europe. Le Nord (newspaper) asserts that the opinion widely prevails in Paris that war will break out in Europe before the close of next autumn.

Grove Meeting

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Grove Meeting.

PROVIDENCE permitting, we will hold a Grove Meeting at Bushnell, Montcalm Co., Mich., Sabbath and first-day, June 27, 28. Brethren from Greenville, Orleans, and in the region round about, are invited to attend. The editor of the REVIEW designs to be present. JAMES WHITE, ELLEN G. WHITE.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the churches thus: Washington, N. H., June 20, 21. Amherst, N. H., 27, 28. South Lancaster, Mass., July 4, 5. Peterborough, N. H., July 11, 12.

The meeting at the last place will be a monthly meeting. We want to see as many from the surrounding places as can come. The scattered ones are especially requested to attend. Bring your unconverted and unbelieving friends with you. Come to work for God and his cause. Bro. Haskell will be at this meeting. D. M. CANRIGHT.

A New Torpedo.

Letters from Brest mention the extraordinary effects produced by a new kind of torpedo tried in the river of Landerneau, which flows into the bay. The vessel selected for destruction was an old ship, the Wagram, of 100 guns, the first tier of which had been cut down. The new torpedo, it is stated, is far superior to either the English or American and Russian one. The former is only efficacious when the vessel is passing over it; the latter are so contrived as to stick to a vessel and cause a shock. But the new French torpedo produced its effect at a distance of 12 metres from the hull, and six metres below water. There were four torpedoes thus placed around the vessel, and connected by wires with an electric battery on shore. On the signals being given, three immense sheaves of water were seen rising to the height of a sixth story; the wire of the fourth torpedo being broken, it did not go off. Nevertheless, the effect was astounding; the ribs and planks of the vessel were shivered, and there was barely time, owing moreover to the precautions taken, to run the vessel on shore. Such torpedoes will henceforth prove excellent safeguards to ports in time of war.

THE LOUD CRY.

By Susan Elmer

As we long for the glory that will be revealed At the time when the saints of all nations are sealed, We must seek preparation, and watch unto prayer, That we may be ready the refreshing to share.

How bright is the vision, not long to delay, 'Ere the beams of that morning will light up the day, The work is progressing, the near latter rain, Will fall in soft showers to ripen the grain.

Then the hills and the valleys will echo with praise, As thousands their voices in harmony raise, While all are united in heart and in hand, And pressing together, a pure, social band.

The watchmen will lift up their voices and sing, And each a pure offering in righteousness bring, Nor schisms nor fractions shall longer divide Those who in the love of their Saviour abide.

Then the cry will be heard through the breadth of the land, Come out, O my people, her plagues are at hand, And each of the honest respond to the call, And the seven last plagues upon Babylon fall.

Oh! come let us gird on the armor anew, And the way to the kingdom with ardor pursue, For if we are faithful it cannot be long, Ere we shall join in the conqueror's song.

SUSAN ELMER.

INFLUENCE OF NEWSPAPERS.

A SCHOOL-TEACHER who has enjoyed the benefit of a long practice in his profession, and watched closely the influence of newspapers upon a family of children, states, as the result of his observation, that, without exception, those scholars of both sexes who have access to newspapers at home, when compared to those who have not, are,

1. Better readers, excellent in pronunciation, and consequently read more understandingly.

2. They are better spellers, and define words with ease and accuracy.

3. They obtain a partial knowledge of geography in almost half the time it requires others, as the newspaper has made them familiar with the location of most important places and nations, governments, etc.

4. They are better grammarians; for the newspaper has made them familiar with every variety of style, from the commonplace advertisement to the finished and classical oratory of the statesman; they more readily apprehend the text, and consequently analyze its construction with more alacrity.

5. They write better compositions, using better language, containing more thought, and more clearly expressed.

From these important facts three important things can be deduced:

1. The responsibility of the press in providing literature which is both healthful in tone and understandingly expressed.

2. The absolute necessity of personal supervision of the child's reading by the parents.

3. Having once got a good, able paper, no matter what the price, don't begrudge it a hearty support.

THE EARNEST CHRISTIAN.

SAID a weary pilgrim in Chicago the other day, “I long to be rid of this world, and to depart where I may sing the praises of God forever and ever. Would to God that I were in Heaven!”

Said a brother who had been intently listening to his rapturous description of Heaven—“Better stay here, brother. You are wanted more in Chicago than in Heaven just yet.”

The former seemed the earnest Christian, the latter was one. The first requisite of an earnest man is faith. Men who need five hundred dollars a year, and the American Board to back them, don’t make very earnest missionaries. These are the kind that make out their yearly report of one convert from heathenism, and two deaths, three lapses from the faith and general declension. Think of Paul not starting out until he had drawn on five hundred dollars, to keep body and soul together. Paul had faith—so has the latter. One in God, the other in his salary.

To be really in earnest, a man must believe impossibilities. He must cut loose from his base entirely, and trust God to help him forage on the country. First of all it must be faith, not in himself, not in means, not in man, not in his word even exclusively, but what includes them all, faith in Christ. It must be an unreasoning, not an unreasonable faith.

Christian! you must ask no questions when you see a line of duty. Does God, or conscience, for that is his voice, say, Do this?—Do it, if the heavens fall. “Danger here!” is the Devil’s device to kill faith. No man ever went to ruin loving truth too much.

Anti-Secret-Society Convention.

This Convention met at Pittsburg, May 5, and was composed of 175 members, representing thirteen different denominations of Christians. The Convention was presided over by Bishop Edwards, of the United Brethren church. Two strong Essays were read—one by President Fairchild, on “The Operation of Secret Societies upon Social Life.” His object was to show that they were disorganizing in their tendency, and at war with Christian civilization. The other by President Blanchard, on “Secret Societies as Religion.” This is certainly the most vulnerable point of Secret Societies, for by this claim they array themselves in direct antagonism to the Church of Christ. The following resolution was passed unanimously by the Convention:

“In view of the fact that secret organizations are on the increase, and from a conviction that these organizations are exerting an influence most prejudicial to the interests of religion; therefore, “Resolved, That this Convention does most earnestly recommend to all churches of Christ, to unite in vigorous effort to arrest the progress of these organizations, and to adopt the most effectual means to exclude from the fellowship of the church all persons who persist in adhering to these secret orders.”

The Cathedral at Moscow.

A RECENT number of Macmillan's Magazine contains an interesting paper by Edward Dicey, from which we extract the following vivid description. The Kremlin is the great temple of religious worship in Moscow, and as long as you keep within it, the glitter of enchantment hangs over you:

“The very ground you tread on is holy ground. About you, you may see peasants turning, time after time, toward the East, crossing themselves with an infinity of signs, kneeling before pictures of the Saviour or the Virgin, lying at times prostrate upon the cold, hard stones which surround the sacred shrine. And here it is not as in Catholic lands, where the way worshippers are chiefly women and children, where grown-up men kneel but seldom in public, and where the prayers recited are gabbled over like a lesson learned by rote. Here, as elsewhere in Moscow—and to a great, though a less extent, in St. Petersburg—the major part of the population, no matter what their sex, or age, or rank, seem to share in this open-air worship, and pray aloud with a fervor whose accents are unmistakable. Entering the Kremlin shrine, the sense of glamour, of which I have spoken, increases on you. The building you look upon is the kind of edifice you see in dreams, and do not expect to meet in real life. Critics say it is of depraved style, false to every true principle of art, unsightly in construction, barbarous in ornamentation. It may be so. I do not dispute the verdict of experts; I can only say that I do not envy persons who are not carried away at first by its overwhelming gorgeousness.”

“From the pavement to the summit of its lofty domes, supported on its vast porphyry pillars, it is one mass of gold and color. You can hardly put your hand upon a place not decorated with stones and jewels. Amethyst and onyx, jasper and opals, and all the stones whose names are recorded in the adornment of Solomon's Temple, seem to have been employed to make the shrine more splendid still. Upon the dusky portraits of the Virgin Mother and her child, with which the walls are covered, you see hanging necklaces of diamonds, strings of jewels, each one of which must be worth a fortune. It is a common saying that all the wealth of all the Russians could not suffice to buy the treasures in this cathedral church of Moscow; and I suppose that, if purchasers could be found to buy all the articles contained there, at their nominal price, the amount realized by the sale would be something fabulous. The very walls are wrought of silver; the roof is of solid gold. The odd thing is, that all this gorgeous splendor harmonizes with itself. There is nothing tawdry or gew-gawish about it at all. The dim twilight in which the church is always sunk, subdues the glare of its colors; and when at times, as I chanced to see it, a ray of the setting sun shines through the windows of the lofty cupola, golden beams shoot through the gloom, and are reflected back again by the burnished walls.”

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

On and after Friday, May 1, 1868, Passenger Trains will run on this road as follows:

GOING WEST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EXP.
Detroit,.....	7:05 A.M.	10:00 A.M.	5:45 P.M.	9:30 P.M.
Battle Creek,	1:10 P.M.	2:48 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	2:42 A.M.
Chicago, Arrive,	8:15 P.M.	9:00 P.M.	6:30 A.M.	9:30 A.M.

GOING EAST.


Chicago,.....	4:20 A.M.	7:00 A.M.	5:15 P.M.	9:30 P.M.
Battle Creek,	11:35 A.M.	1:10 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	3:40 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive,	5:30 P.M.	6:00 P.M.	3:40 A.M.	8:30 A.M.

☞ THESE trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.

The Steel King of Prussia.

We are accustomed to think that we are a great manufacturing people; but our large establishments, particularly in the working of metals, are entirely overshadowed by some of the huge English workshops. And even the English are left behind now, and little Prussia, which has lately grown to be great Prussia, boasts an establishment for the working of steel alone which surpasses any general manufactory in the world. Krupp, the steel king of Essen, has, within the past forty years, built what is in effect a town by itself as his workshop. He employs 10,000 workmen; add to them their wives and children, and there is already a respectable population. Last year he turned out 62,500 tons of cast steel, valued at $7,500,000, and involving a daily consumption of 1,000 tons of coal. Of guns alone he has delivered 3,500 altogether, valued at $5,250,000. Such facts as these should make us ashamed of the restricted use we are able to make of the vast resources confided to our hands.

News and Miscellany.

Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi, 3.

There is a difference between happiness and wisdom—he that thinks himself the happiest man, really is so; but he that thinks himself the wisest man is most generally found to be the biggest fool.

When Professor Webster was awaiting his trial for murder, he is said to have complained of his fellow-prisoners for insulting him through the walls of his cell, and screaming to him: “You are a bloody man.” On examination, the charge was found wholly groundless. The accusing voices were imaginary—merely the echoes of a guilty conscience. But it is a fearful thought that the soul can be made to ring with such echoes. Surely it is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” It is so constituted as to register its own crimes, conduct its own trial, and pronounce condemnation against itself.

—Twenty-one divorces were granted by the Supreme Court of Vermont, at its February term in Windsor County. In delivering the judgment of the Court in one case, Judge Barrett remarked: “My associates think from the evidence, a divorce ought to be granted, and I think so too, from what I know of the parties. I don’t think those parties ought to be yoked up together any longer, any more than any other cattle.”

—The agricultural press of America is equal in ability, circulation, and capital, to what the newspaper press in the whole world was at the commencement of the century.

—East Saginaw has 11,000 inhabitants, and church accommodations for only 2,400 people. There is a bar for every 100 persons, and a minister for every 1,100. The amount paid for church expenses last year was $16,500, for amusements $28,000, and for liquor $125,000. Of 2,600 children, only 1,000 are members of Sabbath Schools, and of the 11,000 inhabitants, only 785 are church members. Of lager beer, 3,900 barrels are consumed yearly, or 175 glasses for every man, woman and child in the city.