OHIO

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 9, 1879

Clarksfield.—We have packed our tent in fine condition for the winter. Our meetings still continue in the Congregationalist church, just across the street from where our tent was pitched. We expect to continue in this house until after our district quarterly meeting, which we have decided to hold here instead of at Wakeman, as first appointed. Since the weather is better our average attendance is about one hundred and fifty. Occasionally we hear of a new one deciding to obey the truth. People here move very cautiously. Four members were added to the Wakeman church last Sabbath.

Our brethren in this vicinity are taking active measures to erect a meeting-house this fall, on the site where our tent was first pitched this summer. We expect to hold our next series of meetings in the meeting-house in New Haven village. H. A. ST. JOHN.

Solon, Sept. 30.—Eld. Vogel came on the 20th, and spoke twice on the Sabbath question. We announced a review for the two following evenings. The Disciples kindly offered us their house, and Eld. Vogel remained to reply, which he did at the close of each discourse.

Eld. V. stated that he had learned some things by his discussion with Eld. Waggoner, and that some of the positions taken by himself in that debate were not correct. He made a labored effort to uproot the Sabbath in Eden, by trying to show that the days of creation were periods of thousands of years. He stated that the second and fourth commandments were not binding, because not found in the New Testament, thus giving us the liberty to make and worship idols of gold, silver, wood, and stone; for where there is no law, there is no transgression. Rom. 4:15; 5:13. His position upon the law placed God in the same light as that of a man who, having a disaffected finger or two that must be amputated in order to save his life, slashes off the whole ten of his fingers and thumbs at one sweep, and then goes to work and sticks on eight of them. In his reply to this he said that “God cut off all ten of the commandments and did not re-instate one of them; for he had no use for them whatever.” If this be true, the flood-gates of crime are opened to a fallen, sinful race, and God will have no means of bringing man to judgment. Rom. 5:13; James 2:12; Eccl. 12:13, 14. This was a stronger dose than is generally administered by D. D.’s, so it must be sugar coated by saying that “this is a dispensation of grace, not bondage of principles, not law.” But the Elder failed to give us chapter and verse where God has said that he will judge men by principles, and leave them to decide what those principles shall be. His effort only served to strengthen the cause.

The interest at North Solon remains good. One family have decided to obey, and others are on the point of decision. Pray for us. R. A. UNDERWOOD. J. C. BARTLETT.

Belleville, Oct. 2.—We have had a good Sabbath-school here since Bro. Reavis visited us in the spring. Although we are surrounded by opposition, yet one after another is joining our ranks, and taking the sword of the present truth in hand, and wielding it victoriously. Our school is increasing in numbers, and I believe in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The brethren of this class are very punctual in attending and holding their social meetings. Pray for us.

We are all on a journey together, Hand in hand to the same mansion bound; Then whatever the wind or the weather, Pressing on let us ever be found. Sometimes our blue sky is clouded, Sometimes storms of sorrow arise; Yet onward, still onward, our motto, To our beautiful home in the skies.

There is ever more sunshine than shadow, In all lives, more pleasure than pain; There's never a year without summer, And sunshine is brighter for rain. The roses have budded and blossomed, The leaves in their time all turned brown, Then after the blossoms, the winter; But after the trials—the crown.

And whatever here is our portion, Be it grief or bright pleasure that flows, All work for the good of the pilgrim Who loveth the Hand that bestows. Without faltering let us press onward, Whether life may be gloomy or bright; In the morn of the first resurrection, In Heaven we all shall unite.

HENRY H. BURKHOLDER.