p. 312, para. 1 | Untitled article by J. H. W.

Untitled article

J. H. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 29, 1867

The friend who is sending us copies of the Saint Paul Daily Press, containing articles on the Sunday question, will please accept our thanks. The article on this subject in another column is from that paper of Oct. 2, 1867. It shows that in the popular churches the current is setting strongly toward compulsion in the observance of their institutions.

The course of people in these last days reminds us strongly of the description given in the Revelation of certain nations who, though brought under the terrible scourge of God, repented not to give him glory. In times calculated to cause the greatest depression, distress and mourning, people manifest the most gayety, lightness, extravagance, and folly. Can anything give a sadder view of the infatuation of the present generation? A writer speaking of the late scourge of yellow fever in New Orleans, fears it will lead to no serious reflections on the part of the people, and adds:—“It is said that the winter succeeding the summer of 1857, when ten thousand persons had died of the fever, was the gayest winter ever known in the Crescent City; and it is to be feared, that were it announced to-day that the epidemic had entirely passed away, the city to-morrow would be a scene of worldly festivity. The churches would hardly be open, and if opened, but poorly attended.”

WATER TRIUMPHANT. Water does now and then, either accidentally or providentially, get a chance to show its superiority over mineral or vegetable poisons, in arresting the progress of disease. During the fatal prevalence of the yellow fever in New Orleans the past summer, the following incident is said to have occurred:—

Near the residence of a friend of mine, a policeman, who had recently married an Irish woman, was taken suddenly and desperately ill. In vain his wife endeavored to “sweat” him, and in her despair gave herself up to drink. In a state of intoxication, she came into the sick man’s room, and threw a pail of water upon him; he remonstrated, but the woman threatened his life. He then arose, and went to the corner, blew his whistle, called a policeman, to whose custody he committed his drunken wife, and then returned to his bed, and is now on duty again.”—Rev. Dr. Newman, in Methodist.

How many others might likewise have now been on duty again, instead of falling victims to the disease, if they had received treatment any where near as sensible as this which was administered by a drunken Irish-woman!

In Review, No. 17, p. 269, article “Palestine and the Jews,” first line, for increasing read unceasing. Although the advocates of the Age-to-come have not ceased to promulgate their errors, it is gratifying to know that their efforts have not increased for some years past. On the contrary, as the light of present truth has shown out more clearly and fully exposed the fallacy of their system, they have been less boastful and vaunting. We have reason to rejoice over this, for it was a specious deception in which many were being ensnared. J. H. W.