p. 284 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 36. (9/26/1878)

The Order of Events in the Judgment.

By John Nevins Andrews

NUMBER SEVENTEEN.

The separation of the sheep and goats is effected by the angels. Matt. 13:49. It must, therefore, be accomplished when the saints are caught up to meet Christ in the air. Matt. 24:31. The placing of the righteous upon the right hand, and the wicked upon the left, cannot, therefore, have reference to the right and left sides of the Saviour. It must signify the exaltation of the one class in his presence, and the rejection of the other class to shame and final ruin. Even if we place the separation of the two classes at the end of the 1000 years, when all the righteous are within the city, and when all the wicked surround it on every hand, we shall still be compelled to interpret these words as above. Rev. 20:7–9.

Thus we find this term used in many places. At the right hand of the Lord are pleasures for evermore. Ps. 16:11. God saves by his right hand those that put their trust in him. Ps. 17:7. The right hand of the Lord holds up his servants. Ps. 18:35. His right hand is used for his saving strength. Ps. 20:6. The right hand of the Lord gave Canaan to Israel. Ps. 44:3. Christ is the man of the Father’s right hand. Ps. 80:17.

And as Christ, at the Father’s right hand, was a joint ruler with his Father upon his throne, Ps. 110:1, 4; Zech. 6:12, 13, so the saints, when they are placed at Christ’s right hand, sit down with him upon his throne, as once he thus sat down upon the throne of his Father, that they may be joint rulers with him, and may co-operate with him in the judgment. To sit at the right hand is the highest place of honor in the presence of one greater. Gresenius says: “To sit on the right hand of a king, as the highest place of honor, e. g., spoken of the queen, 1 Kings 2:19; Ps. 45:9, of one beloved of the king and vicegerent of the kingdom. Ps. 110:1.”

When the saints enter Christ’s presence they are immortal. They will be like him, for they will see him as he is. 1 John 3:2. They will behold his face in righteousness when they awake with his likeness. Ps. 17:15. One of the first events that follows the entrance of the saints into Christ’s presence is thus stated:—

2 Cor. 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Though our Lord comes to execute the judgment, John 5:22, 27; Jude 14:15; 2 Tim. 4:1; Matt. 25:31–46; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Ps. 50:3–5, and though he makes his people immortal before he gathers them into his presence, 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; Matt. 24:31; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17, yet it is certain that every one, even of the righteous, shall stand at the judgment-seat of Christ. Rom. 14:10. It is not, however, that their cases may be decided for salvation or for perdition, but “that every one may receive the things done in his body.” Even all the wicked shall stand thus in his presence, that they may receive for their deeds of evil, which have not been repented of; and so, neither pardoned nor blotted out. But the wicked will not stand thus before Christ till the resurrection of the ungodly at the end of the 1000 years. The righteous will appear at Christ’s judgment-seat, that they may receive the reward of well-doing; and at a later time all the wicked shall stand in his presence, that they may hear their sentence and receive their just reward. In executing the judgment, our Lord is to reward every man according to his works, Rev. 22:12; Matt. 16:27. Then the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to Paul a crown of righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:8. To all his saints he will in like manner give crowns, but of very different brightness, 1 Cor. 15:41, 42; and assign to each a reward proportionate to their labors and responsibilities. Luke 19:15–19.

When the Saviour, in the work of executing the judgment, which has been already determined by the Father, pronounces the heavenly benediction upon his people, he does it in his Father’s name. Thus we read:—

“Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

This plainly indicates, 1. That the record of their good deeds has been already examined. 2. That this examination has been made in the Father’s presence, by whom they have been pronounced innocent; and upon whom his blessing has been conferred. The saints will have boldness in the day of judgment, 1 John 4:17; for their sins are all blotted out before the Saviour ceases to act as priest; and they are made immortal before they stand at Christ’s judgment seat; and when they thus stand before him, it is not to have decision rendered whether they shall be saved or lost, but it is to hear the Saviour enumerate their good deeds, and to receive from him their great reward. Matt. 25:34–40.

When invited to inherit the kingdom, it is said to be that prepared for them from the foundation of the world. This cannot signify that they are at once to inherit the new earth; for the new earth cannot exist till the sentence has been passed upon the wicked, and executed upon them; as the lake of fire, where the wicked are punished, is our earth in its final conflagration. 2 Pet. 3:7–13; Mal. 4:1–3; Prov. 11:31; Rev. 20:21. Indeed, the new earth can hardly be said to have been prepared from the foundation of the world. But paradise, which contains the tree of life, and is now in the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12:2–4, was prepared for mankind in their innocency when the earth itself was founded, Gen. 2:8–15; 3:1–24, and is to be given as a part of the overcomer’s reward, and will be reached by their entrance within the walls of the heavenly Jerusalem. Rev. 2:7; 22:2, 14. Paradise, the blissful abode of our first parents, and rendered infinitely more glorious by being now situated within the New Jerusalem itself, being that place from which Adam the first was expelled, will be that place to which Adam the second will first introduce the saved of the human family. The giving of the kingdom to the saints begins with the capital of that kingdom, but will not be finished till they take the kingdom under the whole heaven, to possess it forever, even forever and ever. Dan. 7:18, 27; Rev. 21. The Saviour’s act of giving the kingdom to his saints is a part of the work of executing the decision of the Father respecting his people; for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give them the kingdom. Luke 12:32.

When our Lord was about to leave his disciples to go to his Father, he told them that he would go to prepare a place for them, and would then return and receive them unto himself, that where he was, they might be also. John 14:2, 3. And on this very occasion he told Peter that he could not follow him then, but should follow him afterward. That is, when he should have completed the preparation of the place, he would return for Peter and for all the saints, and they should follow him thither. John 13:36. Thus it is that our Lord is the forerunner, and his entrance is, therefore, the pledge that his people shall afterward follow him. Heb. 6:20. In this connection let us notice, 1 Thess. 4:14: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

Many read this text as teaching that at the second advent, Christ will bring the souls of his sleeping saints from heaven. But let it be observed, 1. That heaven is not a place of soul-sleeping. 2. That the sleep of the saints is in the dust of the earth. Dan. 12:2, 3. That the sleeping ones cannot be brought from heaven, for they are not there when Christ descends for his people. 4. That they cannot be brought to our earth at that time, for they are at that moment asleep in its dust. 5. The one who brings the saints is God the Father. 6. To bring them, he must do one of two things: either he must come with his Son at the second advent, and take along with him as he thus comes his sleeping saints, or else he brings his saints to himself by sending his Son to awaken them, and then to take into his presence. 7. Two reasons forbid the idea that the Father brings the sleeping saints to the earth. One is, that the Father does not come to our earth, but sends his Son, Acts 3:20; and the other is, that the sleepers are not in heaven, but already within the bosom of the earth. Isa. 26:19. 8. We cannot, therefore avoid the conclusion that the act of bringing the saints is into his own presence. 9. The saints are to be brought according to a certain example, which is the resurrection of Christ. 1 Thess. 4:14; Heb. 13:20. 10. The very act of bringing the saints by God the Father, is wrought by sending his Son after them, as described in this chapter, and by this means taking them into his presence. So that this chapter brings to view the great facts taught in our Lord’s promise that he would go into the Father’s presence to prepare a place for his people, and then return after them, to take them to this prepared place. So Christ will present his saints unblameable in holiness before his Father as he bears them up with him to the heavenly Jerusalem. Compare John 14:2, 3; 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:14.

That the Saviour takes his people to the house of the Father, the New Jerusalem, immediately after he has made them immortal, and invited them in the Father’s name to share Paradise with them, is further proved by what is said respecting the marriage supper. This is eaten directly after the saints are received into Christ’s presence. Luke 12:36, 37. But the marriage supper must be eaten where the bride is. The saints are the invited guests. But the bride, the Lamb’s wife, is that holy city, the New Jerusalem. Rev. 19:9; 21:2, 9, 10; Gal. 4:26–28; Isa. 54.

The saints are in the Father’s presence, near the throne of God, when they eat the marriage supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19:1–9; Luke 12:36, 37; 22:16–18. Our Lord does, therefore, introduce his saints to the holy city, and to the presence of his Father, where they eat the marriage supper, in the kingdom of God. This is the grand celebration of our Lord’s assumption of his own throne and of his royal city, the metropolis of his everlasting kingdom. When this is past, the great work of the judgment upon the wicked remains to be entered upon by Christ and his saints.

The coronation of Christ is for the execution of the judgment. Dan. 7:9–14; Ps. 110; 45:1–7; 2:6–9. Our Lord makes his people sharers with him in the judgment work. That they may be such, he exalts them to participate with him in his kingly dignity. Rev. 3:21; 2:26, 27. This exaltation is given them in the morning of the great day. Compare Ps. 49:14, 15; 110:3; 30:5; Isa. 21:11, 12; Rom. 13:11, 12.

They are to sit with Christ in the judgment, but not to determine who shall be saved or who lost. God the Father has already pronounced the decision who shall have immortality, and the Son has executed that decision by immortalizing his saints. And thus all others are counted unworthy of eternal life, and must receive the second death as their portion. But there are degrees of punishment. Some shall receive greater damnation than others. Luke 20:47; Rom. 2:6, 8, 9; Luke 12:47, 48.

Bear it in mind, therefore, that the saints have not the determination of the salvation or damnation of any one in their hands. The Father has decided this when he made them immortal and left all the others as unworthy. Also bear in mind that God keeps books of record, Isa. 65:6, 7; Jer. 2:22; Dan. 7:9, 10; Rev. 20:12, and that he weighs men’s actions, so that they are set down for their true amount. 1 Sam. 2:3. If the reader will do this, it will not seem strange to him to learn that the immortal saints, with Christ at their head, should be commissioned by the Father to determine the measure of punishment which each wicked man shall receive.

As we have already shown that the final perdition of the wicked is determined by the Father before he makes his saints immortal, if we now clearly prove that the glorified saints are to sit with Christ and determine the measure of guilt of each sinful man, it will be a most convincing proof that there is to be a resurrection of the unjust, that God may inflict tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil. Rom. 2:5–9.

J. N. A.

The Maine Camp-Meeting.

By Uriah Smith

This meeting was held at Waterville, Me., according to appointment, September 4-9. The ground was pleasantly situated within easy access of the village. As in Massachusetts, there was a larger number of tents on the ground, and a far more full attendance of brethren than at any previous meeting.

The attendance from without was very good. On the Sabbath a large congregation was present. On Sunday about four thousand people were out. They were a fine, intelligent-looking class of people, who evidently came to hear. The best of attention was given to the word spoken, and if we may judge from the many admissions made after the day was over, strong conviction was fastened on many minds.

Five discourses were given on Sunday on the following subjects: 1. The explanation of the past Advent movement, as embraced in the question of the sanctuary. 2. The first day of the week in the New Testament. 3. Who changed the Sabbath? embracing the claims of the papal power in this respect. 4. Temperance, by Sister White. 5. An examination of Matt. 24, in the evening.

These themes were new to most of the people here; and they have awakened earnest inquiry in many minds. Waterville is a place of literary institutions and mental culture; the citizens generally show marks of intelligence and refinement; but a good impression has been made by the camp-meeting in favor of the truth. In this respect the meeting has been all that could have been expected or perhaps desired.

In regard to our brethren themselves, they still manifest firm faith in the truth, and a love for it; but they have seemingly become too much satisfied with the theory without a corresponding consecration of heart and zeal of action. There was not, consequently, that breaking away, and yielding to the melting influence of the Spirit of God, and the coming in of spiritual triumph and victory in the meeting that was desirable. Nevertheless, we look for good results to follow from this meeting touching the prosperity of the cause in this State. A solemn and searching testimony was borne by Sister White, on Monday morning, just previous to her departure, over which there was deep feeling during the remainder of the meeting. The testimony was well received, and strong desires were expressed to act upon it. Many began to feel their lack and turn to the Lord with confession. A large portion of the forenoon on Monday was spent in this manner, and some excellent testimonies were borne.

The benefits of a camp-meeting are not so much what is accomplished on the ground, as the carrying out afterward of the truth presented and the counsel and admonition given. In this respect the meeting was a success, as many resolutions were formed, which, if carried out, will result in the spiritual advancement of those who made them, and thus cause the work in this State to prosper. May the brethren ever remember these vows as solemn covenants between themselves and God, not to be broken.

The parting meeting on Tuesday morning was a sweet and precious season. The testimony of some who had been drifting back, was such as to cause the friends of the truth to feel more than paid for the time and expense of the meeting.

The same ground will be used next year, and the Conference voted to commence the meeting on Friday and close it the second Monday following, thus holding it over two Sabbaths and first-days. This was adopted because it was thought that more time would be desirable, the brethren now being just prepared to work as the meeting closes. U. S.

Signs! Signs!! Signs!!!

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Yes, let there be signs! There shall be signs, for God has said so. Our good paper is called the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. May it ever be true to its name. May it never fail to point to every sign of our times; to raise its voice on high and cry aloud till men shall stop and give attention.

God has said that there shall be signs in the sun, moon and stars; signs in the heavens above, signs in the earth beneath, and signs everywhere. Jesus said, “Can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Thank God that there is a people who are awake to the signs of the times, who have their eyes open, and who can say that there is a paper which is not afraid to publish the signs of the times. This is our mission. God has inspired us for the work, and we will cry aloud whether men will hear or forbear.

But what about these signs? what are they for? We have proved in previous article that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming the second time literally. Now I will make a plain proposition to which we ask the particular attention of the readers; namely, God will give signs just before the second advent to indicate when that day is near. This proposition is more important than many would think at first. One of the most common sayings of the opponents of Second Adventists, a saying which we hear on every hand—in every mouth is, that the coming of the Lord may take place any day. It may come to-night, or it may be ten thousand

years before it comes. This is what they assert, and they seem to think they are talking in harmony with common sense and the Bible. These, as it will be seen, are supposing that that time will come without any signs being given concerning it.

When we ask these men if they have seen any signs of the second advent they will say, “No.” Well, the Lord may come to-night. May he? Yes, so they say. No signs have appeared yet, indicating it? No. Now the reader will see that these men affirm that there will be no signs of the second advent. It will come suddenly, unexpectedly, like a peal of thunder in a clear sky at noon day. God will give no signs. The saints will see no signs. Now we ask the reader to go with us to the word of God, and see how squarely the Lord has contradicted this false position. We affirm that there will be signs. Let the Bible settle it:—

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matt. 24:3. Here the question is asked, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Did Jesus reprove them for this question, and tell them that there was to be no signs? No indeed; but he immediately proceeded to give a whole chapter of signs. Luke sums up his answer thus:—

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25–27.

This declaration of the Son of God is emphatic. There shall be signs. Notice how prominent they are to be. They shall be hung out in the sun, upon the moon, and among the stars. Also upon the earth there shall be signs. Once more the prophet of God says, “And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.” Acts 2:19, 20.

This text is just as plain as the other. God has solemnly promised that there are to be signs in the heavens above, and signs in the earth beneath, before the great and notable day of the Lord come. And so we might give text after text from the oracles of God, clearly stating the same thing; but these are sufficient. God has said that there shall be signs, and signs there will be. The signs that are spoken of are the signs of the end, and of the second advent. Jesus says that immediately after these signs, they shall see the Son of man come again. He farther says, “When ye shall see these things come to pass know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Then, some one will see these signs. When they do, it is their duty to believe what Jesus says, and to know that the kingdom of God is at hand. But what is the nature of the signs? What are they for?

Passing down the streets of a village, you see numerous signs out. Here is a sign of a dry-goods store, next of a hardware store; then here is a sign of a hotel, and sign of a saloon. What do men place those signs right out in front of the shop or store for? They are placed there in the most conspicuous position that everybody can see them. Why are they put there? It is to call the attention of the people to the things which they signify. The design of the owner of that building is that this sign shall call the attention of the people to what he has within. He wishes everybody to notice that sign, to talk about it, and call the attention of the public to it, and that they may be ten thousand years hence? What nonsense to talk so.

This is not what God says. He says that you may know when that day is near, even at the doors. Will these signs ever come to pass? The Lord emphatically says they will. Do you believe God? When the time shall come, and the Lord shall hang out these signs, is it not the duty of every man to pay attention to these signs, to look at them, to talk about them, to call the attention of others to them, and to understand what they mean? Every honest man must admit that this is the case.

Suppose now that the time has come as it will come some time when these signs actually appear. Remember the Lord has placed them there as a sign of the second advent, that it is near at hand. Now a certain class of believers fix their attention upon these signs. They look into the Bible. They see now the very tokens of the end there mentioned. They believe from these signs that the Lord is to come soon. They begin to talk about it and to warn others of it and to point to these signs.

Another class are indifferent to it. They do not care to look at these signs; and if they do have their attention called to them, they don’t take much interest in them. They don’t believe they are the signs spoken of. They argue against them. They say they don’t care any way. If that event is coming, let it come. They don’t care if they are only prepared to die. This is enough for them. Thus they entirely ignore the signs that God has given. Now reader, which class pleases God do you think? It seems to me that the answer is manifest. When God does a thing he does it for a purpose. When God gives signs he does not give them to be neglected or despised.

We will remember how this same God gave signs of the first advent, and how the professed people of God refused to discern these signs, to pay any attention to them or believe them. And we all remember what a terrible rebuke the Son of God gave to them for indifference. Thus he says:

“When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather; for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather to-day; for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Matt. 16:2, 3.

Now reader, if it was so wicked in that generation to refuse to discern the signs of the times, why is it not just as wicked in this generation to refuse to discern the signs of the second advent? We warn you to be cautious how you neglect and dispose of these things.

But you may say, I do not see any signs of the second advent. That may be true, and yet there may be plenty of them all around you. It is your duty to open your eyes to an investigation of these things. Have you studied the Bible to know what the signs of the second advent are? Have you prayed to God to enlighten your mind? Have you then examined carefully to see whether these signs are now being fulfilled? or are you so buried up with the love of the world and the cares of life that you have no time nor inclination to look at these things? This is the condition of the great mass of men. If you are not careful it may be your condition. Men are not apt to see what they are not looking for, and that in which they have no interest, and it may appear and pass away without their ever noticing it.

There may be innumerable signs of the second advent, and yet if you have not studied the Bible concerning them, you may not know that they are signs of the end. The Lord did give many signs at the first advent to mark the coming of Messiah; and yet the people said, Show us a sign from heaven. Matt. 16:1. He rebuked them sharply, saying, “O ye hypocrites, can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

Reader, we beseech you to awake and open your eyes, and you will see that there are plenty of signs unmistakably indicating the end of all things at hand. D. M. CANRIGHT.

The God We Choose.

By R. F. Cottrell

When Israel chose the service of the true God, he delivered them from their enemies and caused them to prosper; but when they forsook his commandments and served other gods, he said he would deliver them no more. Said he, “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.” Judges 10:14.

The ancient form of idolatry may not appear among us; yet many prefer other gods to the Lord. Gold may be a god, though not molded in the shape of ancient idols. Many choose wealth as their god; and give their whole lives to this object. Covetousness is idolatry. Farms, merchandise, cattle, horses, and even swine, may be first in our hearts. Fine houses, costly furniture, or a splendid equipage, may be the supreme object of our devotion. Fashion and fame and the applause of men may be exalted in the mind above all that is called God, and worshiped with a hearty devotion. And not the least exalted and adored is pride of self. Self is idolized; our own will and way, desires, appetites and passions, are first of all in esteem.

But however much the gods of this world may be esteemed, the time of tribulation is coming, from which they will fail to deliver us. If we turn now to the living and true God, we shall have a shelter in the day of wrath; but if not, his language to us will be, “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen.” But how vain the cry! Neither silver nor gold nor any earthly god shall be able to deliver in that day. Have you chosen any of these gods? Be persuaded to abandon them at once, and serve your Creator, and him only. He can deliver; but pride and passion, and all the world, will prove vain and worthless; they cannot deliver. R. F. COTTRELL.

The Missouri Camp-Meeting,

This meeting was held from September 4 to 10. Brother Stone reports that nearly every church in the State was represented. Some drove their teams over one hundred and fifty miles, and several of the brethren walked from seventy to a hundred and twenty-five miles. Scarcity of money and anxiety to attend the meeting prompted such efforts.

In the course of the meeting the interests of the Sabbath-school were considered. A State Association was formed, and a delegate chosen to represent the Association at the General Conference. Special attention was given to the missionary work. Elder Haskell’s discourses were not only calculated to give valuable practical ideas of how the work should be done, but were especially intended to convert the heart to the work. Reports showed that under the labors and management of Elder Butler this work has attained a very encouraging degree of prosperity.

Brother S. writes that from the beginning of the meeting, a spirit of union and harmony prevailed, and on Sabbath afternoon there was a general breaking down before the Lord. Eighty come forward for prayers. Many of them confessed in tears their sins and expressed a desire to enlist in the service of God. About forty had embraced the Sabbath at Sedalia the past summer. Many of these were among those seeking the Lord during this meeting. Eighteen were baptized. All were united in pronouncing this the best camp-meeting ever held in Missouri.

The Illinois Camp-Meeting.

This meeting, held in the immediate vicinity of Bloomington, closed September 4, after having continued nearly one week. Elder W. H. Littlejohn reports in Review:—

“During the whole of our meeting the weather was delightfully pleasant, there being no rain worthy of mention. Three excursion trains were run which enabled our brethren to reach the grounds at reduced rates.

“One of the marked features of the meeting was a daily paper entitled, ‘The Camp-meeting Record,’ which was published by Elder B. F. Merritt. Thousands of copies of this little sheet were distributed gratuitously to the crowd. On Sunday there were present from three to five thousand people, who listened with marked attention to the preaching of the word. On Tuesday Brethren Ballenger, Shonk, and Johnson were ordained to the ministry. The latter of these brethren is a Dane by birth, and we trust he will be of great service to his people in Illinois.”

“During the progress of the meeting, some sixty or seventy came forward for prayers, and at times a deep sense of unworthiness seemed to pervade all hearts. Elder G. W. Colcord, an active worker, was re-elected president of the Conference. About seventeen hundred dollars was pledged to the English mission, five or six hundred for the tract work in Illinois, and over fifty dollars for the Dime Tabernacle. The meeting, on the whole, was, we believe, one whose results will be both marked and permanent in the Conference. The last exercise held upon the ground was a praise meeting, in which eighty-five testimonies were given in thirty-five minutes, all of which were filled with expressions of gratitude to God for this convocation and the numberless other benefits received from his hand. The cause in Illinois is rising, and will continue to rise, if all of its leading men will forget themselves, discourage in all the spirit of partyism, and unitedly work for concord and victory.”

“As it was decided that Elder U. Smith should attend the Eastern camp-meetings, Elder G. I. Butler was telegraphed for, and reached the ground Thursday evening where he remained and labored hard until the following Monday evening. We were glad to meet our old yoke-fellow, and labor together in the camp-meeting service.”

Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Alabama.

Atalla.—Elder Burrill writes, September 9, that during eleven weeks of labor at this place there has been a good hearing. Thirty have expressed their determination to keep the Sabbath. The yellow fever has come within twenty miles of them. Every day the cars are loaded with those who are fleeing from it.

Virginia.

Page County.—The cause in Virginia is reported onward. There are calls for labor from every quarter. Brother Fultz writes that one man came twelve miles to get some one to come and preach to them. The invitation was accepted, and the appointments published in two of the county papers.

New Brunswick.

Undine.—Brother Sawyer writes, September 8: “On my way here, in company with Brother Gelotte, I visited the French settlement where we had left tracts and the priest had forbidden the people to read them. One man requested us to explain the chart in his family. He seemed interested, and we left him a French paper. The postmaster takes Les Signes des Temps. In New Brunswick we found a home with the Danish minister. He and the leading man of the colony questioned us very closely. After we had explained the chart, and had conversed with the minister in regard to the signs of the times, he said he agreed with us except on the Sabbath.”

Michigan.

Douglas.—Elders Jones and Daniels report: “Sabbath and first-day, September 7, 8, were profitable days with us. The blessing of God was in our midst. A goodly number expressed a full determination to obey the truth. Evening after the Sabbath several came forward for prayers. Sunday morning we spoke on the subject of baptism, after which twelve were buried with their Lord by this solemn rite.”

Pontiac.—Brother Corliss reports, September 9: “Our meetings here closed last night, and we now remove the tent to the camp-ground at Orion. The congregations were good to the last, and paid the best of attention. Some noble minds have become permanently interested in the truth. Thirty have promised to obey, and twenty-one have signed the covenant.”

Antrim County.—Brethren J. and R. T. Sisley report: “We have been holding meetings in two adjoining districts in Central Lake township, and as the result twenty have determined to observe all the commandments. Our last Sabbath meeting was one of unusual interest. The house was well filled, and several took part in social worship.”

Pennsylvania.

Coudersport.—Brethren Whitney and Robinson report: “The interest here is still good. There has been but little open opposition, but considerable of the opposite kind. One minister spends much of his time visiting among the people, trying to quiet their consciences by telling them that it makes but little difference which day we keep, if we are only sincere. This, however, does not satisfy all; at our last Sabbath meeting about forty were present, and fifteen arose to express their determination to keep all the commandments.”

Iowa.

Bonaparte and Bentonsport.—Elder McCoy writes: “We closed our meeting at Bonaparte, Sunday, the 8th. Our Sabbath meeting was good. Nine more signed the covenant, making sixteen. On the 7th we organized a church of eighteen members at Bentonsport, and baptized eight persons; five or six others will soon unite with them.”

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