BATTLE CREEK CONFERENCE.
By Editor
AT the hour appointed on the 10th inst., the Conference in this place commenced its session. Although the call for the meeting was quite specific, amounting almost to a negative invitation, yet brethren promptly assembled, as many, not only as could be comfortably seated, but we might almost add, as many as could possibly be packed, in our house of worship,—brethren whose warm greetings of each other, and manifest love of the truth, evinced that their hearts were united in the same great and glorious cause, and that their faces were firmly set towards Mt. Zion. Three social meetings were held, on the afternoon of the tenth, the evening commencing the Sabbath, and the following morning. They were meetings of much life and spirit and interest. There was no lack of pointed and cheering testimonies from those assembled from different parts of the field. Another feature of the meeting, especially pleasing, was the zeal manifested by many who were young in the truth, as some of them were also in years, to learn the way speedily and redeem the time. We trust they will have occasion to praise God through the endless ages of eternity, that after the second invitation to the supper had gone forth, [Luke xiv.] the announcement was still heard, "And yet there is room;" and that there is opportunity offered even at the eleventh hour, for laborers to go and work in the Lord's vineyard and receive their reward. We have said that these meetings were meetings of interest. Why should they not be? The Lord will meet with a faithful company of his children, who assemble for his worship; and while we have so much light shining upon our pathway amid the darkness of the earth, and behold the prospect before us if faithful, why should we not entertain a feeling of fervent zeal and good courage? This feeling did indeed prevail. Our hope has consolation alike for the old man bowed with years, for the middle-aged and the youth, for the bereaved, the weary, the afflicted and the oppressed. This was realized, as we felt that as a company of travelers we were nearing a land where the ills of the present life cannot enter. The aged pilgrim is going to a land of eternal youth; the youth, to a land where age can never weigh down his vigorous form; the weary, to a land of rest; the bereaved, to a place where parted friends again shall meet; the sorrowing and cast down, to a land of perpetual delight and glory. This is our prospect. It is no wonder then that a smile of joy, should be seen upon the care-worn countenance, as from these hilltops of our earthly pilgrimage, we get nearer views of that great city whose glories light up the whole heavens before us. Sabbath forenoon, Bro. Waggoner gave a very instructive discourse from these words: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," [Phil. ii, 12.] showing that we have something to do, a work to perform to secure our soul's salvation. It was shown by most forcible illustrations that none can be justified by the law; for all have transgressed it, and are held by it as sinners. We are to be justified by faith in Christ; but by this faith we do not make void the law, by any means. We are under no less obligation to keep the law. Sabbath afternoon, Bro. White spoke with much freedom upon the three angels' messages, showing that two are in the past, that now is the time for the third and last, which is fulfilling before us; and he waxed warm while presenting, and his hearers also while listening to, this glorious theme. The evening following was occupied by Bro. Holt on the subject of faith, to whose discourse we were prevented from listening, by other duties. Owing to the fact that our limited house could not possibly contain all that would wish to hear on First-day, it was thought best to dispense mostly with preaching on that day; accordingly there was but one discourse given, which was preached by Bro. Waggoner, in the forenoon, and the remainder of the day was devoted to business matters. At 4 P. M., we repaired to the river, where six, desiring to follow the injunction, after having believed to be baptized, were planted in the likeness of Christ's death, designing also we trust to walk in newness of life. The meeting has left a good influence upon all who attended, and will doubtless result in much good to the cause of truth. A desire to be zealous and repent, and to obtain those treasures which the True Witness now counsels his church to buy of him, seems to be uppermost in the minds of all, that they may be prepared for that great conference that will soon take place around the great white throne.