SABBATH, OCTOBER 11

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 16, 1879

SABBATH, OCTOBER 11.

For the first time since the 4th of June last, the church in Battle Creek had the pleasure of again listening to Bro. White, on Sabbath, Oct. 11. He comes out of the labor and fatigues of thirteen camp-meetings the past season showing that he has endured the strain of the long campaign remarkably well.

A full congregation assembled at the Tabernacle on the day above named, and listened to a discourse on Matt. 5:16. The text led him to take up the preceding portion of the chapter to ascertain who these are, and what character they exhibit, who are the light of the world; and from the great ocean of truth furnished by our Lord’s sermon on the mount, many gems were brought forth and set in pleasing array before us. The truth was presented in a close, searching, and pointed manner, and the solemn and important question was pressed home upon the congregation, Are we such characters as the salt of the earth and the light of the world? If not, we need to be in earnest haste to become such—to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek, to hunger and thirst after righteousness, to be merciful, pure in heart, peace-makers, and to so hold up the standard of godliness that the world will now, as it ever has done to the righteous in ages past, persecute us for righteousness’ sake. And if we are such characters as are here set forth, then our duty is equally clear to take that high elevation before the world which is here enjoined. We must not hide our light under a bushel, but let it shine to all around. God has made us debtors to the world by giving us a truth which is to test the last generation; and this can be done only by our boldly proclaiming it, and faithfully living it out, before our fellow-men.

In the afternoon further remarks were offered upon the same theme, supplemented by a social meeting.

In the evening a meeting was held to decide upon the coming anniversary meetings, and make provision therefor, as elsewhere noticed in this paper.

Sunday evening sister White spoke to a large congregation in the Tabernacle. Her discourse was based on Luke 21:34–36, and was an impressive delineation of the dangers which especially threaten the religious life of God’s people to-day. Intemperance, in eating as well as drinking, and in the cares of this life, was set forth as one of the great causes of spiritual apathy and blindness; and a strong appeal was made in behalf of Bible temperance as essential to the success of any efforts to live out the Christian religion.

A striking comparison was drawn between the days of Noah and Lot and our own time. This was forcibly presented as a significant sign of the times, inasmuch as Christ declared that as it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so it should be in the days just before his second coming. Luke 17:26–30. Then they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, planting, building, buying and selling—not that there is anything wrong in these things, in themselves considered, and when followed in a moderate degree and for the right purpose,—but in excess lies the sin and the evil; and this is the experience of many to-day; this is the tendency of the age; this is the danger.

The discourse was throughout a wholesome warning against those things which tend to hinder the spiritual advancement of professors of religion, and was listened to with marked attention.

After the discourse a committee was appointed to make preparations for the coming General Conference, and the anniversary meeting of the Educational Society, Health Institute, and Publishing Association, as appointed in this number. The resolution welcoming the General Conference and the Biblical Institute here, as found in another column, was adopted, also the following resolution inviting Bro. and sister White to remain with us during the winter and labor for the important branches of the work in this place, as much as is consistent with other duties.

Resolved, That we invite Bro. and Sr. White to remain with us through the winter, and labor so far as consistent with other duties in behalf of the church and the institutions located here, promising to second their efforts and co-operate with them to the extent of our ability.

Unanimously adopted by a rising vote.