[BROTHER STONE: We have just had an excellent letter from your father, which we read in our Tract and Missionary quarterly meeting. It was there voted to send it to the REVIEW for publication; and I enclose it in this to you requesting you to see that it is done. It was read yesterday in our social meeting, and we all felt that it was too good not to be divided with others. C. R. AUSTIN.]
To the church of Seventh-day Adventists of Berkshire, Christian salutation.
DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Though absent in the flesh, yet am I present with you in spirit beholding your order and the steadfastness of your faith. I thought it meet, both for your encouragement and my own, to address you this brief epistle.
The cause of God is the Cause of causes. It is the sum of all excellence. Well might the poet exclaim, “Salvation, oh! the joyful sound.” Salvation—it stoops to find the sinner on the verge of the lowest hell, and exalts him, first, to friendship and reconciliation, then to heirship with Christ. The peace and the promises of God are the legacy of the saints during their minority. Peace is the foretaste of Heaven, while the promises, together with the witness of the Spirit, are the surety. Christ is our bondsman, and God his indorser. The promise is of life from the dead—eternal life. It includes the kingly office and the kingdom. It includes admission through the pearly gates, the sight of the King in his beauty, an introduction into the presence of the Father, the privilege of plucking fruit from life’s fair tree, and drinking the waters of the river of God.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Let us keep in view the truth for the time. Let us not forget that the three messages of Rev. 14 are the grand nucleus around which all saving truth is now crystallizing. God’s principal method of vitalizing the church during the “time of the end” is through present truth. To this the state of the nominal churches bears witness.
Dear brethren, let us have faith in God, in his word, and in his providence. Not a dead faith (devils have enough of that), but a living, practical faith. If God says in his word, “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you; seek, and ye shall find,” if he says, “Ask and it shall be given you,” he requires that we credit him, that we believe his word. The basis on which to rest faith is so broad that prayer without faith is an insult to God. Hence we read, “He that believeth not shall be damned.”
Brethren and sisters, let us seek God daily. Time is hastening. Probation will soon close. Christ is viewing the guests. Let us have on the wedding garment. Let our loins be girt with truth, our lights burning, and our feet shod. Christ is coming, coming quickly.
“Be patient, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” Remember “here is the patience of the saints.” In the exercise of patience, great perplexities become small, and small ones vanish entirely. Christ was patient. We must be like him. Let your prayers be frequent, fervent, and full of faith. In a little while the faithful will be bidden to put off their armor. Those who have gone forth weeping, with their little bundles of tracts and papers, and those who have patiently labored to make known to others the word of truth for this time, will return with joy bringing their sheaves with them. They who have sown in tears will then reap with joy. The conflict with the flesh and with Satan will be ended. No more fightings without or fears within. “Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Were I to speak to you of my personal experience and hope, it would be to say that I am of good courage in the Lord. God is being very gracious to me in my declining years. More than sixty years have passed since I put on Christ by profession. My experience has been varied, but never more hopeful than now. I have felt, especially during the past year, and still more so of late, that it is my privilege and duty to be fitting up, and getting ready, for the coming of the Lord. And I thank my God through our Lord Jesus Christ that I have this feeling more deeply fixed than ever before. I am daily trying to seek God to this end. I want a treasure in Heaven, but I cannot have it unless I lay it up there. I want Jesus for my chief Friend, but I cannot have him unless I do the things he commands me.
It is my earnest prayer and labor that I may finally inherit the kingdom of God at whatever expense. Next to myself in this respect are my brethren and sisters in the Lord, especially those of the churches with whom I have labored in time past.
Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: if it be the will of God I would come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
Farewell, ALBERT STONE.
Eden Mills, Vt.
THE LAW OF GOD.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
One of the greatest of the wonders of human depravity is the idea, that the moral law of God is subject to abolition or change. To suppose that that law, which was distinguished from all typical, ceremonial laws, that owe their existence to the fact that sin had entered into the world, being given by the Almighty in person, by his own voice, and in his own handwriting, was only designed for a section of our race, and was subject to change or abolition, is one of the most marvelous absurdities that ever disgraced the human intellect. There is disloyalty—treason against High Heaven—in the very thought! All would know this, if they would stop to think upon it. But an eagerness for self-justification in following the customs of the world and the corruptions of apostate Christianity, blinds the mind and perverts the judgment; and the result is that we hear from the desk consecrated to the proclamation of the everlasting gospel, and from the lips of those sworn to be faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, that the holy law, the transgression of which made it necessary for the Son of God to die in order to the redemption of the transgressor, has been in part, or wholly, abolished! Yes, many are the professed friends of God, who are engaged in the work of undermining and overthrowing his holy law, the only moral code he ever gave to man, and of which Jesus said that one jot or tittle should not pass from it till heaven and earth pass.
The difficulty is, they blindly work for the support of creeds and custom, not looking at fundamental principles, nor giving a thought to the character of God, the nature of his law, and the probabilities or improbabilities of a change of the moral code of Him who has said, “I change not,” and of which law the Holy Spirit testified by David that it was “perfect.” Ps. 19:7. They go to work to pervert and prostitute the utterances of the New Testament which relate to the law of types and shadows that all know have been abolished, applying them to that law which is declared to be holy, just, good, spiritual, and by which is the knowledge of sin, and which is declared to be perfect and the truth itself. Rom. 7:12, 14; 3:20; Jas. 1:25; Ps. 19:7, and 119:142. They do not stop to consider how that which is perfect can be improved by a change, or what effect it must necessarily have upon the truth of God to change it.
But why all this blind antagonism to the law of God? The whole strife is concentrated upon a single point—the Sabbath of the Lord our God. But for the Sabbath, and the fact that the church, as well as the world, are trampling it under their feet, there would be no open controversy in respect to the perpetuity and immutability of the decalogue. And why should the Sabbath be singled out as unfit to have a place in the moral law, and consequently as something that must be abolished? No other answer can be given but that men have abolished the Sabbath of the Lord and substituted one of their own.
We first find the Sabbath in Eden, before sin entered the world, Gen. 2:2, 3; we trace it through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, and find it one and the same thing. No other weekly Sabbath is once named in all the Book of God. And as we look to the promises of the world to come, we find the Sabbath still in existence, and all the redeemed and holy inhabitants of that bright world keeping it. Isa. 66:22, 23. Ah! if men could see the value of a part in that world, they would be willing to bear the cross of unpopular truth here. They would leave their strivings against self-evident truth, and choose the blessedness of those who keep the commandments of God, “that they may have right to the tree of life.” Rev. 22:14. “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17.
R. F. Cottrell.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
By Geo. I. Butler
This paper should have a large circulation; and I feel very anxious that the Iowa Tract and Missionary Society shall make a special effort to extend it. I do not believe there is any object more important for the Society to take hold of with vigor than this. Bro. White’s recent remarks on this point were excellent.
I have been a reader of the SIGNS whenever I could get it; and I can truly say it is just the paper to circulate among those desiring to investigate. It is better in this respect than the REVIEW. It is a clean-looking, high-toned paper that will favorably impress any sensible person who takes it up. It has a plenty of good thoughts on leading points of present truth, enough in each number to set the people thinking of these things.
It also has other excellent matter, not strictly denominational, of interest to all religious people. It has good health items, well calculated to help the people where they need help. Its selections of secular and religious news are always interesting to all classes. It thus presents a good variety of reading matter such as the times demand. No sensible person could read this paper six months or a year without being favorably impressed with it and the people it represents. We ought as a people cordially to second the calls for an increased circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Now that the price is reduced to $2.00, very many of our people who do not take it should at once subscribe for it.
The articles from the pen of Sister White are alone worth far more than the whole paper costs. Those who do not subscribe little know what they are losing. As president of the Iowa Tract and Missionary Society, I call upon all our directors and workers to make a special effort to circulate the SIGNS OF THE TIMES this fall and winter. We shall greatly neglect our duty if we let the time pass away and we make but little effort to sow the seeds of truth. It seems to me the Tract Societies should make a special point to circulate the SIGNS and REFORMER. Periodicals will interest people when a tract or pamphlet will not. There is something “newsy” about them as they are taken out of the post-office, which will always call attention, while a tract or book would be laid away.
The REFORMER is well worthy of extensive circulation. There may be occasionally some pretty strong meat for us slow ones; but there is always a plenty of most useful matter which all must admit is sadly needed in this age. The REFORMER is interesting, entertaining, and highly instructive on many things sadly demanding instruction, in this age of appetite. But the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, especially as the organ of disseminating the light of present truth, demands strong efforts to secure a large circulation. We shall find no better opportunity to scatter the light than by its means. Come, brethren and sisters of the Iowa and Nebraska Conference, let us take hold of this good work with cheerfulness and energy. It is high time to awake out of sleep. Our salvation is much nearer than when we first believed. The night of darkness will soon be upon the world. The day of rejoicing will soon come for the believer. Let us secure many subscribers for these excellent periodicals this fall and winter.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
SOUTHERN FRANCE.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Dear Readers of the Review: I arrived here with my family last Thursday and spoke in the evening to a large and attentive congregation. I spoke to a few in another neighborhood Sabbath afternoon and evening after the Sabbath, and the next day, yesterday, I spoke three times in this place. I have the privilege of occupying a temple, and have received urgent invitations to preach in other meeting-houses. Of course there will be a change when the people come to the cross. But at present the prospect seems rather flattering. As the message is entirely new, and as the influences that bind the people are stronger here than in the New World, we expect to see the work advance by a slower process than in America. We propose to take time to move cautiously, gain the hearts and confidence of the people, and lay a foundation for a permanent work. We commenced with practical subjects. Our last discourse was on the second coming of Christ, and was appreciated, as appeared from the eagerness with which the people listened, and from the warm greetings and expressions of gratitude at the close of the meeting.
The people here are generally poor. Their main dependence is making wine, and their vineyards are nearly ruined by a dearth, and especially by a worm that works on the root of the vine. The farmers here depend as much on the fruit of the vine as Western farmers do on their corn crops and as the people of New England do on their dairies.
Mrs. B.'s health is feeble. Pray that God may give us each strength, wisdom and consecration for the work. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Oct. 16, 1876.
THE BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE.
By J. T. Richards; James Bartholf; O. A. Johnson; A. H. Wood; Augustus Sweedburg; Eli Miller; Wm. Gregory; Ira J. Hankins
Realizing to some degree the importance of education, and appreciating the facilities and advantages over other institutions of learning in our land, afforded at the Battle Creek College, which we are now attending, we appeal to our people everywhere, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to send their children, that they too may enjoy the advantages of this excellent institution. We have here a large, commodious building, capable of seating at least four hundred students, situated in the most beautiful part of the city. There is no finer locality for a school in the State of Michigan.
Prof. S. Brownsberger, a graduate of Michigan University, is a teacher of several years’ experience. Prof. G. H. Bell is a teacher of nearly twenty-five years’ experience. The others are highly educated in their several departments. Such thoroughness in instruction and such clearness in imparting the same we have never found in other schools.
As the school is based upon Christian principles, and the faculty connected with it are all God-fearing men and women, parents need not fear to send their children. Here they will be free from the corrupting influences with which students are surrounded at other schools.
Few are too poor to come. The students’ boarding clubs are in active operation, and are proving a success; so that the expense for board necessary in attending this school is less than one-half that of any other in the land.
In view of these facts, we invite our young brethren and sisters to come and fill up our fine building. We promise you a hearty welcome. But especially we invite and urge our young brethren upon whom great responsibilities are resting in view of the shortness of time and the great work yet to be accomplished, to come and stay one term if they cannot stay longer, and prepare themselves to labor more successfully in the great harvest field.
Eld. Uriah Smith will begin his Biblical lectures about the first of January, and he can talk as well to the large hall full as to a few. Especially should those who contemplate entering the ministry, and those also who have been laboring with some degree of success, have the benefit of these lectures. It is unnecessary to say that as a lecturer and instructor Eld. Smith cannot be excelled even in the ranks of S. D. Adventists. As he is released from the duties of local editor of the REVIEW, he will have more time to devote to this important branch of the work.
This winter we hope to see no less than one hundred and fifty in this class. And why not? The work of the third angel’s message is fast advancing. The Lord is soon coming, and in what condition will he find us?
Shall we hoard up our riches, and neglect to secure such cultivation of the mind as will enable us to work acceptably for the Lord? In view of these great considerations, we would make an earnest appeal to our young brethren to make an especial effort to come to our college this coming winter, to attend the Biblical lectures.
J. T. Richards, James Bartholf,
O. A. Johnson, A. H. Wood,
Augustus Sweedburg, Eli Miller,
Wm. Gregory, Ira J. Hankins,
Niels Clansen, W. B. Smith,
E. H. Gates, D. W. Reavis,
Wm. Ellsworth, Martin Olsen,
Leroy Nicola, Knud Brorsen,
J. S. Shrock, O. A. Olsen,
Joseph Haughey, George Gilbert.
FRANKLIN CO., IOWA.
By G. V. Kilgore
Another week has passed. The interest has been good. Last night the house would not hold all the crowd. The Sabbath was the question. The greatest objection urged against it yet is, “Why have not learned men found it out before?” The people seem to be honest; and from their anxiety to hear we think some at least will obey the truth. Some have been in such a hurry to get to meeting some evenings, that they came without supper, after being away all day without dinner. Some women keep their children awake all day, so they will sleep at meeting at night.
We pray for God to unite his honest people in his sacred truth. Brethren, pray for the cause and its laborers.
G. V. KILGORE.
Hampton, Oct. 30.
Hamler, Oct. 30, 1876
By H. A. St. John
OHIO, DISTRICT NO. 2.
The quarterly meeting in this district was almost a failure, so far as being of benefit to the T. and M. Society. The director was not present, nor were but four of the members. The meeting was appointed at a considerable distance from the body of the membership, which was the main reason of so small an attendance. The church which had been fully granted for this meeting, was closed against us before our first meeting. We went to a school-house which proved too small to hold the people. There is certainly a good degree of interest to hear the truth in this place, but at present no suitable place can be obtained for meetings. We had but two public meetings at this point. On Sunday, in company with Bro. Francis, we visited Frazeysburg and vicinity, and held one meeting on Sunday night. Eld. Wm. Cottrell had a good interest here when called to the side of his unfortunate wife. Sr. Cottrell is slowly recovering, and we hope Bro. Cottrell will not much longer remain away from this field of labor.
From Monday until Thursday, we were occupied in visiting the directors and members of the T. and M. Society in the district, endeavoring to accomplish by visiting what we had failed to do by the meeting. In this we were largely successful. Three or four persons in this district will take a special interest in getting subscribers for our periodicals during the next quarter. We obtained an order for books, tracts, etc., and an order for 1600 almanacs. We expect to hear from Dr. Mitchel, of Zanesville, soon, that he will want at least 200 for his city, which will make at least 1800 almanacs for Dist. No. 2. We think our arrangement of the matter is such that the almanacs will all be put into the field during the next quarter. The last night of our stay in the district, we had a T. and M. meeting with the Bellville church.
Upon the whole, we are some encouraged by our visit to Dist. No. 2. The director's report will soon be ready and forwarded to the secretary. Although the general quarterly meeting is taken up, our faithful secretary will make our regular State quarterly report for publication just as soon as all the directors' reports reach her.
This work is of the Lord, brethren; let it move harmoniously and steadily forward.
H. A. St. John.
Hamler, Oct. 30, 1876
TRUTH
By Joseph Clarke
In a world like this, where error and sin abound, and where false systems of morals are endorsed by chief men, and where oppression and misrule are the common events of the ages, and where paganism and Romanism and Mahometanism and other vile systems of religion have ever deluded and held in subjection the greater part of our race, it seems reasonable to find that the truth has been generally kept in the background, or has been actually trampled under foot.
This indeed is a fact, which history asserts and experience proves, that Truth has been crushed to the earth, while Error has been applauded and honored. Tyrants have deluged the earth with blood, while Truth and Love have fled before the conqueror to deserts and the wilderness and solitary places; and there in the lonely mountain gorge, or the secluded valley, they have sat in sorrowful, subdued resignation, and contemplated their future high and joyous state, or planned some holy enterprise for the good of their friends.
Truth, ever patient and hopeful, has never submitted to Error; she has languished in dungeons and suffered the torments of the rack, and men and devils have ever racked their fertile brains to exterminate her in vain. Subdued she might be, but not conquered. In the fires, her countenance showed no pain nor anger, nor did she recant, but shouted aloud to her persecutors in a voice of warning, to her friends in a voice of encouragement, and to all, in tones of love.
Her most precious words have often been looked upon as sedition and heresy, because her hearers were wicked, and their plans were likely to fail if they listened to the warnings of the faithful monitor whose voice sounded like a trumpet through the earth reproving error and sin.
Politicians, moralists, statesmen and philosophers, poets and sages, warriors and men of peace, old and young,—all have heard her voice. Some applaud her teachings, but neglect to heed them; some deride and mock; some deem it a virtue to be deaf and insensible; others are angry and storm at the sweet messenger of Heaven; while a few, a very few, listen and joyfully obey.
From the time of Cain and Abel, it has been the same old story. Truth, calmly, lovingly, firmly, pleads for the right; Error151doubts, hesitates, opposes, objects, complains, murmurs, suggests compromise, then rebels, and swells with self-esteem and pride. Truth is unmovable and stern in herself; and then with a loving smile she asserts her high-born qualities; with humility she puts forth her reasons and arranges her strong arguments. Error now grows wrathful and declares war. Thus Abel fell before Cain; thus truth has often fallen; but the resurrection morning will restore both. Truth reserves her loudest thunder for the final day of doom. To-day she seems (as she is) a friend, a kind and loving friend, to warn and instruct and reprove; but when the summer is past, she will then condemn, and pass sentence upon, those she once entreated and warned of the coming evil.
Jeremiah warned the king of Israel of impending evils; but his reproofs seemed like the words of an enemy to him, he was so steeped in sin, so habituated to the practice of evil; and good Jeremiah was deemed a traitor, and his words were dreaded and feared, because they were not to the mind and taste of Zedekiah and his nobles.
The laws and statutes of our land are not dreaded or hated by good citizens; but to thieves and murderers nothing is more annoying than the sight of the ministers of the law, or the mention of those laws which condemn them in their ways of sin.
Truth speaks to mortals now in tones of love and pity. She sets forth the rewards of virtue, and the consequences of sin; she speaks with wisdom to all, to abstain from evil, and to practice virtue; she speaks of the errors of the times, and of the sins which we have been guilty of, and of the sins of which we have been participants.
At no time since Adam fell has Truth been more diligent to hunt up the sins of her votaries than now,—now that the judgment is set and the books are opened.
Let us be ready at all times to receive the words of Truth. We need to repent of all sin, whether our sins are civil or political, private or public, individual or social.
JOSEPH CLARKE.
“NOT SPEAKING THINE OWN WORDS.”
By Julia E. Duffie
How constantly we are forgetting this admonition, and profaning the Sabbath with unnecessary, secular conversation, or perhaps even with silly and mischievous gossip or scandal! and perhaps we are thinking at the same time that if we do not engage in actual physical labor, we are doing pretty well, and are model Sabbath-keepers. But if we could see at the close of the Sabbath all the words that have escaped our lips through the day, I fear we should blush to meet the record. Are there not plenty of good themes to talk upon? plenty of good subjects upon which we need to be informed? Is there any excuse for our passing the hours of the Sabbath in idleness or talking upon unprofitable matters?
If our minds were on any subject appropriate to the day, it would not be so difficult to control our expressions. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.” If we are thinking of, or planning our work for the coming week, or anything of a like nature, our words will be quite likely to betray the drift of our thoughts. But what shall we do when we see that the conversation is becoming unworthy of the day? Shall we coarsely, or sharply reprove our superiors or equals? Oh, no! Let us humbly and cautiously seek to introduce some better subject.
Nor is the Sabbath the only day that this “unruly member” requires watching. How often in an unguarded moment we let fall words of sarcasm, low jest, or scandal!—and they are gone, gone forever; we cannot recall them; and their influence, who can tell? Is it to gather with Christ, or to scatter abroad, to honor or dishonor the cause of the Master? The tongue of the wise is health. God help us to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy in word as well as deed, and that our speech at all times may be such as we shall at last wish it to have been. JULIA E. DUFFIE. Francisco, Mich.
D. T. BOURDEAU
By D. T. Bourdeau
FROM SWITZERLAND.
Although I have not labored much in new fields for the past three months, yet I have tried to employ my time and strength to advantage in aiding Bro. Andrews on the French paper, and in translating several works which are very much needed. Where we do not enjoy liberty of speech, the necessity of having a paper and tracts is very apparent. The difficulties realized in some countries in obtaining a legal permission to preach call loudly for reading matter. It is not always an easy matter to get a certain number of responsible persons to sign a petition to be presented to the authorities that we may get permission to speak in public. But the way seems to be lightening up before us. Our paper will make us friends at different points, and it will be easier to obtain signers.
As the way is now prepared for me to enter new fields, I feel the importance of moving in the counsel of God. I must know that God is leading, and that his good Spirit goes before us to aid us in our work, which will be attended with dangers and difficulties. I believe God has grace in store which he is more than willing to bestow on those who fully consecrate themselves to him. This I am determined to do. I have no other intention than to press on with the body; for in union there is strength, and that happiness which sweetens the cup of trials, lightens burdens, and lessens the painfulness of separation.
D. T. BOURDEAU
Bâle, Sept. 27, 1876.
CATTARAUGUS CO., N. Y.
By R. F. Cottrell
IN the providence of God, a Methodist meeting-house has been built at Sugartown, in which I am to commence a series of meetings Oct. 26. Since I first preached here nearly three years ago when some embraced the Sabbath, some of them have been trying to mix oil and water, by maintaining a regular standing in a Sabbath-breaking church. The danger has been that the cup being so nearly full of water, the oil, rising to the surface, would run over and be lost. Still I hope it will be saved.
My address is now Ellicottville.
R. F. COTTRELL.
INDIANA
By Arthur Bartlett
Commenced laboring at Perrysburg, Oct. 22. We secured the Presbyterian church of this place in which to hold our meetings. The attendance and interest have steadily increased from the beginning. At our last meeting there were about two hundred and fifty present.
The Presbyterian minister has preached two discourses against the truth as it is found in the Bible in regard to the cleansing of the sanctuary in Heaven. I shall answer to-night.
May the lovers of present truth all over the wide harvest field pray that the Spirit of God may work mightily upon the hearts of the people in this place; also that I may speak as I ought to speak. ARTHUR BARTLETT.
MORRIS CO., KAN.
By N. W. Vincent
The brethren here have the rich blessings of God in their Sabbath meetings and in their Wednesday night prayer-meetings. The Sabbath school prospers. Five have recently joined us in covenant relation. Closed our meetings at Pleasant View last night. Five or six families came about ten miles to attend. N. W. VINCENT.
DAKOTA
By D. T.; G. W. Pond
Dear Review: I thought it might interest some of your readers to know how the cause of truth is progressing out here in Dakota. About three years ago, Bro. Gipson's family moved to this place, and like earnest laborers in the cause of truth they scattered the tracts, which prepared the minds of the people to receive Brn. Farnsworth and Barlow in Elk Point this summer. Five persons from this place signed the covenant at their meetings and organized a class at the school-house here in Pleasant Grove; and we have had Sabbath-school and class meetings every Sabbath, and prayer-meetings Tuesday evening ever since, and the Lord has greatly blessed our effort. We have added to the list from Sabbath to Sabbath until there are sixteen who have concluded to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and more seem about to follow.
Brethren and sisters in the Lord, pray for the class at Pleasant Grove. D. T.
G. W. Pond.
Elk Point, Union Co., Dakota.
QUARTERLY REPORT OF MO. T. & M. SOCIETY.
By Wm. Evans; D. C. Hunter
The general quarterly meeting of the Missouri T. and M. Society met at Nevada, Vernon Co., Mo., Oct. 15, 1876, according to appointment, the president, Wm. Evans, in the chair. Opened with prayer by Bro. Chaffee.
The secretary read a condensed report from districts 1, 2, 4 and 6, as follows:—
Families visited, 131; letters written, 133. No. paying subscribers for REVIEW, 4; INSTRUCTOR, 6; REFORMER, 3; SIGNS, 3. Copies sent to friends, REVIEW, 5; INSTRUCTOR, 5. Periodicals distributed, 143; tracts distributed and loaned, pages, 107,629.
Received on membership, $13.00
“ “ donations, 41.11
“ “ book sales, 4.85
“ “ widow and orphan’s fund, .25
Total, $59.21
D. C. Hunter resigned as director of Dist. No. 4, which was accepted; and Bro. John F. Klostermyer, of Rockville, Bates Co., Mo., was elected to fill the vacancy.
Adjourned.
Wm. Evans, Pres.
D. C. Hunter, Sec.
To the Kansas Tract and Missionary Society, District No. 3
By A. W. Cone
TO THE KANSAS T. AND M. SOCIETY, DIST. NO. 3.
Dear Brethren, we are once more entering the season of the year when the long evenings afford ample time for reading; and all have more or less time to investigate the great truths of these last days. Now, shall we let this opportunity pass unimproved, or shall we do our whole duty in the fear of God? The world must be warned. God has called us as a people to this work. Will we do it? It calls for time. Can we spare it? It calls for means. Can we give that? It calls for self-denial. Can we stand that. It calls for one long, patient, united effort. Will we all unitedly do what we can? The result will be grand. The reaping time will soon come. Eternal life will be the reward for doing just the work the Lord has for us. It may be small, but however small, it will never lose its reward. Oh! how precious to hear the words of the Saviour, “Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me!”
Then let us not forget the work before us in sending out the precious truth. You say, My neighbors are all supplied. But have you not a friend or an acquaintance to whom you can send something? “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand. Thou knowest not which shall prosper, this or that.”
If you cannot distribute tracts, perhaps you can give something to help pay for them. Then send in your reports with that part of the blank filled, at least. I find there are members of our churches in this district who are not members of the T. and M. Society, who are more able than some that are members. I think it a great privilege, yea, more, the duty of every member of our churches, to belong to the T. and M. Society. I hope all will take a part in this noble work.
If there are any scattered brethren in this district, I should be glad if they would correspond with me. My address is Uniontown, Bourbon Co., Kansas. In conclusion, brethren, I say, Let us march to the front; let us write the truth, talk the truth, live out the truth, and become sanctified through the truth, and finally saved by it in the everlasting kingdom. A. W. CONE.
MEDITATIONS
By J. F. Bahler
If you go to a quarterly meeting you will notice that usually the brethren manifest considerable interest during the prayer and conference meetings and the preaching; but when the T. and M. work should have attention, some of the brethren get tired, act indifferent, and go to sleep. When this subject, which requires all our zeal and energy, and to which we should give our best attention, comes up for consideration, how well it must please the devil thus to be able to seal our senses, and shut out from our minds the vast importance of this great, useful, mighty, and glorious work! It is the great work of God allotted to man. Let us awake to it, and engage in it with zeal, and learn all the ways that God would have us know to bring souls to his precious and glorious truth.
I have sometimes thought that the person who does not like a tract meeting needs to be converted. Let us work diligently before probationary time shall close; for soon the great Missionary, Jesus, will appear, to reward us for toiling in his vineyard.
J. F. BAHLER.
GUARDIAN ANGELS.
By Eliza H. Morton
Unseen, yet near, an angel stands,
With wings of purest white;
Each child of earth is guarded well
By a messenger of light.
When Satan strives to press and crowd,
With dark, malicious art,
Temptation’s dire and sinful thoughts
Into the Christian’s heart.
A whisper low, an influence sweet,
Is felt within the soul—
If we resist the thought of sin,
The clouds all backward roll.
The angel smiles benignly down,
And waves her snowy wings,
The darkness gone, the glory come,
The voice in triumph sings.
But if the chiding voice we slight,
The angel turns away
With drooping wings and weeping eyes,
And has no more to say.
O child of earth! the warning heed;
Hold fast the Heavenly hand;
Be faithful, true, and ne’er give o’er;
And you’ll reach Immanuel’s land.
ELIZA H. MORTON.
Allen’s Corner, Me.
“THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME.”
By J. M. Gallemore
Professed Christians, since about A. D. 321, have been so much averse to having anything in common with the Jews that they not only reject God’s Sabbath on the plea that it is Jewish, but they are also choosing to serve other gods than the God of the Jews. This they do by rejecting the Sabbath.
If God says the seventh day is his hallowed Sabbath, and commands all his subjects to remember it, as he most clearly and unmistakably does; if that anti-christian power, the Roman Catholic Church, says, Remember Sunday, the first day of the week, to keep it a Sabbath over the Lord’s Sabbath (a thing which that power has dared to do, in fulfillment of Dan. 7:25); and if intelligent men and women, in the face of these indisputable facts and in the light of all that has been revealed on the subject, choose to keep the day thus exalted in preference to the one God has blessed and commanded men to keep holy, then we ask in the name of reason, honesty, and truth, Are they not serving other gods in preference to the true and living God who reigns in Heaven above? Is there any way of evading this conclusion? There certainly is not. Facts are facts; deny them as often as you may.
Truly, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” Men are choosing to reject the light of salvation on this subject, and to follow the traditions of their fathers; they are making void the commandments of God through the traditions of men; and the professed people of God love to have it so. Light is going forth to the world on God’s Sabbath and other important subjects; but the great majority of mankind prefer to walk in darkness. Sad as it may appear, such is the case. Who will be wise, and turn from trampling upon the Lord’s sacred Sabbath? Who will discard all false gods, and seek unto the only true and living God? Who will come out of the moral darkness that enshrouds the world, and walk in the clear light of God’s revealed truth? Who will take heed to the sure word of God, and cease trusting to the wisdom of this world? The wisdom of this world is but foolishness before God. It is true wisdom to know God, to accept his truth, and to conform to its requirements.
Who, then, will be wise? Time will tell. The great day of the Lord, which hasteth greatly, will reveal who have been wise and who have been foolish,—who have taken God at his word and who have trusted to worldly wisdom. J. M. GALLEMORE.