Earlier text: The Shortness and Great Value of TimeI Must Do More.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
When I come to Battle Creek and see how much there is to be done in the various departments for carrying forward the present truth, and also see how few there are to do all this, and how hard these few are constantly at work to do it, I feel condemned for my lack of zeal, and energy, and usefulness in the cause. Would that I could carry this feeling with me through the entire year! After I have been out in the field laboring alone a long time, seeing nobody else doing anything, I often lose my zeal and energy, and come to think that I am working very hard and sacrificing much, when in fact I am not doing half what I might. Do my brethren also feel the same in their labors? I must not let these feelings overcome me, quench my zeal, dwarf my powers, and dry up my life. What can a man accomplish who becomes possessed of the idea that he is really having a very hard time, is very much worn, very tired, working harder than he ought, &c.? A man in such a condition will only discourage others by communicating his spirit to them. It is wicked to indulge such a feeling. But how shall we improve, and when shall we begin to reform? 1. Time. Time is one of the most precious gifts God has bestowed upon us. A few days will number all any one of us can have. How important to use every moment of time aright. Five minutes lost now, half an hour then, two hours at another time. How fast this will count up! I must use these golden hours, yes, even the minutes, as they go by. They will not stop for me to lounge and laugh and play; nor will they come back for me when I am ready to use them. On, on, they glide, rapidly one after the other. I must use them now or never. Lord, help me, and I will try. I must rise earlier in the morning. How easy to let a few minutes, an hour slip away while we are in bed after we ought to be up! One hour each morning, three hundred and sixty-five hours a year. This divided by twelve, the number of actual working hours in a day, gives thirty full working days lost in bed! Is it possible! A whole month of the very best of time for hard work thus carelessly lost. Then how much time we lose in careless, unprofitable, light conversation. Ten minutes here, an hour there—how much in a year, in a life-time is thus squandered! I must prize these moments more, and make a better use of them. While traveling among our friends, how many I see idling away hours every day. They will sit around and stand around talking and hearing the light stuff that benefits no one, but brings barrenness to the mind and soul. How much better to be reading the Bible or some good book! But when death comes, how precious these wasted moments will appear! While I write, I firmly resolve to reform in this important matter; and I ask my brethren and sisters where I shall labor, to help me by giving me a chance to do it. Doing this will enable me to be of much more use to this holy cause. More anon. D. M. CANRIGHT. Who are the People!
By R. F. Cottrell
“No doubt but ye are the people.”—Job. We quote the following from W. S., in The World's Crisis, to endorse its sentiment and inquire concerning the people alluded to—the “prophetic people” of our time. “In the great system of truth, we have practical truths and doctrinal truths adapted to all ages of the world; but in addition to these, we also have prophetic truths adapted only to certain periods of time; and whenever those prophetic truths are due, they always develop a corresponding prophetic people—a people called out by these truths to take a new stand before the world. As for instance, the predicted message in the wilderness of Judea was due at a specific point of time, and when that message was delivered, it called out a class of people corresponding with the prophetic proclamation given by John the Baptist,—a people that took a new stand before the world. “So it has ever been; whenever prophetic truth has been due, it has always developed a corresponding prophetic people. So with the proclamation of Messiah's future coming. A people have been called out to sympathize with the proclamation, and to spread the message far and wide. As it is an unwelcome message to unconsecrated men, it is an unpopular announcement, but none the less truthful. We have really reached the time when the prophetic programme demands the immediate advent of the Messiah to fill the last mold of prophecy; and we are the people to hold up this truth to the world; and we cannot be excused, as we see the sword of wrath coming, if we neglect to give the warning faithfully. Prophetic truth has here developed a prophetic people, and there is no concealing the fact that we are the people.” Those who heeded the prophetic message of John the Baptist, who was sent before “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” were doubtless believers in the truth that the Christ was about to be manifested, and consequently “were in expectation,” waiting to see him. And it is also very clear that believers in Christ, who live when the signs of his second advent, as given by himself, are fulfilled, will “know that it is near, even at the door,” and consequently will be Adventists. But if Adventists are divided upon vital points of faith and practice, especially on questions of moral duty toward God, the “one Lawgiver,” the question still demands consideration, Who are the people? The “prophetic programme” which this people are to fill out is most distinctly laid down in the three advent messages of Rev. 14: 6-12. The genuine Adventists will read their prophetic history in these messages, and will be able to show their present position in the fulfillment of this chain of consecutive prophecy. Those who cannot do this, are not the “prophetic people.” From 1840 to 1844 the Adventists were one people. They were united in proclaiming “the hour of Judgment” and the fall of Babylon, and could point the people to the prophetic programme, and show them where they stood, even in the fulfillment of the first and second of these three messages. But after the ending of the 2300 days in 1844, those who professed faith in the advent doctrine became divided upon the subject of the sanctuary and the third and last message. Who are now the “prophetic people”? They are described in the following language: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” It is a present fact that the most prominent point of difference between professed Adventists, is the question of the perpetuity and immutability of the commandments of God. Can it be possible that those who teach that the commandments of God have been abolished and superseded by the faith of Jesus, as W. S. and his party do, are the ones described in the last prophetic message of probation, as those that “keep the commandments of God, AND the faith of Jesus”? There can be no doubt that the leading question and the distinguishing mark of the “prophetic people” of the final message of probation, will pertain to these commandments. And the question of the obligation of these commandments is now the grand theme in dispute—the bone of contention. Now if our friends who take the negative side on the obligation of these commandments, are “the people,” as they claim, should not the prophetic description have read, “Here are they that break the commandments of God, because they have been superseded by the faith of Jesus”? But the inspired word as it stands describes the opposite class. Dear reader, can you not see that the only safe position is with those who keep the commandments which are now in dispute, the agitation of which is now developing the last prophetic people? If you are blind to truth so well-defined, will you not be wilfully blind, and justly exposed to the wrath threatened in the last message! With no spirit of denunciation I earnestly invite and entreat you to make a saving choice. Atonement for the Sin of Sabbath-breaking.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
SABBATH-BREAKING was once a sin. The Sabbath commandment was written in the midst of the moral law, in the former dispensation, which was placed in the ark of the covenant, and covered by the mercy-seat. No one could come to that mercy-seat but the high priest, and he could only come with the blood of a sin-offering to make atonement for the transgressions of that law which was beneath the mercy-seat in the ark. But all the blood that was there offered could not take away a single sin. The blood could only typify the blood of Christ, the real sin-offering, and the high priest in offering the blood to atone for sin, could only typify Christ as our real high priest, as offering his blood in behalf of all his people, from the beginning to the end of the world. The Jews were often guilty of the violation of the fourth commandment—the sin of Sabbath-breaking. Blood was offered for their cleansing; but it could avail them nothing, only to point them to the blood of Christ. The priests offered the blood for them; but this could only point them to the fact that Christ would offer his own blood for that sin. Hence, unless Christ shall offer his blood for their sin, not one of those Sabbath-breakers can be saved. Christ shed his blood for man's violations of the ten commandments; and this act did not blot out or change any one of those commandments except the fourth. He offers his blood for the violations, in these days, of nine out of the ten commandments; and, in behalf of the ancients, for their sin of Sabbath-breaking, besides. Is it not barely possible that such a sin exists at the present day? and that it consists in the same acts; viz., the profanation of that very day which God reserved to his own special honor at the beginning? There will be Sabbath-keeping in the future world. Isa. 66 : 22, 23. Will there be two classes of Sabbath-keepers, and two days in the week kept? “All flesh” shall observe the Sabbath—there will be none that neglect it, none will hold the doctrine of “no Sabbath” there. May God bless these suggestions to the opening of some eyes. Is it not possible, friendly reader, that that law, for the transgression of which a real atonement was shadowed forth in the former dispensation, is still the moral law of God, without the abatement of “one jot or one tittle”? Matt. 5 : 18. And does it not consequently bind us to the observance of the same day which it required the ancients to keep? Is not sin the same thing in all dispensations? and will not Sabbath-keepers in the world to come all observe the same day? The Sixth Seal.
By Jos. Clarke
It is a solemn consideration, that we are living near the close of the sixth seal. Those familiar with the exposition of this subject given in “Thoughts on the Revelation,” will readily appreciate this position; but it is probable that many readers of the REVIEW have never seen that work. All should study it. The seal referred to covers the period from the great earthquake of 1755, to the time when the great day of God's wrath is come. No one who has a heart to feel, and a mind to comprehend, can contemplate this subject unmoved. To realize that such events are imminent, yet uncared for; that the signs are so clear, yet unnoticed; that destruction is at hand, yet undreaded; these thoughts that force themselves upon us at this moment, under such circumstances, are sad, and can hardly be expressed. What must have been the feelings of Noah, as he entered the ark, amid the taunts and ridicule of his contemporaries? Such will be the feelings of those who now conscientiously study this subject. To Noah, the subject of the coming deluge was terrible. No words could express his emotions, as the ark rose slowly from its base to its roof; and as the timbers were hewed and fitted, and as the various arrangements for his stay in the ark were accomplished, a holy calmness and serenity filled his soul. An elevated, noble spirit marked his whole career; but how deep were his regrets for those who only saw in his active obedience weakness and fanaticism. But as the time for the deluge approached nearer and nearer, as the work of constructing the ark came to its completion, and its apartments were filled with occupants that came voluntarily and took their respective places, from air, and forest, and plain; and, finally, as the massive door was closed by angelic hands, how deep and profound were the experiences of the much-abused preacher of righteousness. What must have been his feelings, then! But, alas! the revulsion in the feelings of those who had ridiculed the proceedings of Noah! Words are feeble, language is a mockery, when we attempt to portray their feelings, as the fiat of Heaven let loose the elements upon a doomed world. We may imagine a part; but the reality may we never know! “As it was in the days of Noah,” says Jesus. Yes, dear reader, the whole scene is to be repeated under the sixth seal: all the zeal, and love, and power, of Noah, and all the contempt of his foes, and all the terrible reality of the sequel. Who can contemplate it? Jos. CLARKE. The Gospel of the Grace of God.
By D. H. Lamson
MANY are satisfied with a religion of feeling, simply, without any reference to real moral worth, scarcely thinking that the real life of the Christian is made up properly of duties done. It is not alone a desire for holiness of heart, but an attaining to it that meets the mind of the Spirit of God, and the requirements of his word; for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. And this is not an ideal, but real, holiness, in word and deed, in heart and life. God's grace can accomplish all this, with the willing, earnest, and sincere cooperation of the believer. There may be difference in temperament and organization; yet “He giveth more grace,” if needful; and whatever may be the lack, it will be made up, after all has been done that can be by the individual. So there can be no excuse if all do not come up to “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Some of us have still a long way to travel; and the difficulties of the journey depend much on ourselves. Let us consider, moreover, that we are all to be gauged by the same rule. D. H. LAMSON. Good Pay.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THERE is better pay than money can give, richer, sweeter, more enduring—the sense of having done some one some good. The other day I met a dear brother, who, with his family, had been led to give his heart to God, and break off his sins and bad habits, through my feeble efforts and the blessing of God. Years had passed since then. God and the truth had done much for him and his family. As we met, he threw his arms around me, and told me what God had done for him. Said he, “My home is a heaven.” What better pay could I want than that for my labors for him? Oh, how sweet it is to feel that you have made some soul happy! Yet how slow we are to engage in such work, work that pays so well and so surely. When we do a selfish deed, one that benefits us at another’s expense, how mean, how contemptible, how unhappy, we feel! Oh, for more of the disinterested love of Christ in our hearts! Is there a poor, unhappy, discontented soul that reads this? Go, and do some one some good, and the sunshine of joy will rise in your heart. Cheerfulness in Misfortune
If misfortune comes into your house, be patient, and smile pleasantly, and it will stalk out again, for it cannot bear cheerful company. “Thy Commandments are Exceeding Broad.”
By C. LAWTON
DAVID says, “I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy commandments are exceeding broad.” Ps. 119:96. No doubt David had on his mind the first great commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt. 22:37–40. Well might David say it is exceeding broad. No doubt it may look so to many of us, and we may think we never can attain to the high and holy standard of God’s word. Certainly we never can in our own strength. But perhaps the most difficult part of the work is the renunciation of self. When we arrive at a point when our love to God, and a desire for purity of heart, exceed our love for self, the world, and every other creature, then may we indeed feel that a genuine work has commenced in the heart. Then shall we begin to see more clearly the depth of our depravity, and the exceeding sinfulness of sin. This will cause a loathing of self, and of sin in every form, and a hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Our desire for purity will not be simply that we may be saved; but because we have a love for it. The heart will go out with earnest longing, for a full salvation from all sin; and this will be the desire of the heart; all else will be secondary. Yes; by faith we have caught a glimpse of the love of Christ—of the great price paid for our redemption; and here we see we are no longer our own. Therefore the justness of God’s great claims upon us, that he should have the supreme affection of our hearts. Our bodies and spirits, time, talents, and possessions, all belong to him. Let us consider the holiness of God’s character, and of the angelic host that surrounds his throne, which has never felt the slightest touch of sin; and the innumerable company of those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, apostles, prophets, and martyrs, who, for their love to God and his word, have cheerfully given up their lives. Who among us can expect to be fitted for such holy society, without entire consecration to God, a thorough renovation of our fallen natures, and sanctification through the truth? We may be made partakers of the divine nature, and bear the impress of our divine Lord and Master. But as this is a progressive work and cannot be accomplished all at once, how important that we make a wise improvement of the little space of time left us before the close of probation. In Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II. p. 225, we find the following: “If the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to the straight work of God, it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, or be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord.” Also on p. 226, we find these words: “Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will be fitted by the latter rain for translation.” Oh! the solemnity of the work in which we are engaged. May the Lord help us to give good heed to it, that we may finally secure eternal life. “The day approaches, O my soul,
The great decisive day,
Which from the verge of mortal life
Shall bear thee far away.
“Yet does one short preparing hour—
One precious hour—remain;
Rouse, then, my soul, with all thy power,
Nor let it pass in vain.” SEEKING the good of others, gives a man tact, makes him amiable, and fills him with the most exquisite sense of propriety. He knows how to do good in the right way. There is ever so much Scripture against 'doing good with noise and racket. I HEARD a sermon once from a venerable itinerant preacher, on benevolence. I thought the effort was very lean; but one thing impressed me a little. “Go,” said he, “and do something after I have done preaching. Have it to say when I come back, four weeks hence, that you have done something, and my word and God’s word for it, you will be a better and a happier man.” I knew a poor widow living on the edge of some woods about a mile from my home. Her husband had been dead two or three years, and with three helpless little girls she had a hard conflict with poverty. I had often spoken kindly to her, and thought my duty ended when the words were uttered; but when the sermon of the white-headed preacher was done, the resolution was formed to go and do something. Next day, I visited the cellar and measured out a bushel of potatoes, a bushel of apples, and a variety of other things, and having put them into a wagon, started for the cottage of the widow. A load of wood for which I paid $3 preceded me. An hour’s drive brought both loads in front of the house; and when my explanation was given, there were wet eyes and warmer hearts in the parties. The widow wept for joy, and the children joined in; while I, finding my feelings too much for my strength, had to give way also to tears. The fact was one that gave me a new spiritual start, and when the preacher came back, I thought the discourse one of the most eloquent I had ever listened to. The change was in myself, not in him or his preaching.—The Standard. Work in the Vineyard.
By W. H. Littlejohn
On the 26th of December last, I was called to Otsego, to preach a funeral discourse. From that point I went to Bunker Hill, Ing. Co., for the same purpose, one of our brethren there having been suddenly killed by a sad accident. It was our design, when we started from home, to go to Orleans, Montcalm Co., with a view of giving a course of lectures in that place; but on reaching Bunker Hill, Providence seemed to point decidedly in the direction of this place, and, consequently, in company with Bro. Briggs, who is one of those men whose religion finds expression in a willingness to sacrifice for the truth, we rode thirty miles across the country to this point. The day but one after our arrival here, we delivered the first of a series of discourses on present truth, in what is known as the Stone school-house. Last evening, we concluded our labors in this place, having delivered in all, thirty discourses. From the outset, the attendance has been large, for a country place, and the attention good. Several times the house has been filled to its utmost capacity; and on one occasion some of the people were compelled to stand in the entry. Night after night, when the weather was such as to admit of it, persons have been in attendance, living from one to five miles from the school-house. But we were especially gratified with the zeal of two of our own brethren, one of whom, living at a distance of twelve miles from the meeting, has been in attendance repeatedly, driving for this purpose, each night, a distance of twenty-four miles. Another, whose place of residence is about seven miles from here, has, we believe, been present at every meeting in the series, with the exception of one or two. Nevertheless, our experience here has not been without its trials and difficulties. From time to time we have seen manifested that same bitter opposition to the truth which has in all ages afforded good proof of its genuineness; but perhaps the most withering and blighting influence of all with which we have had to contend, has been that of the recollection, on the part of the people, of the unfaithfulness and apostasy of one who, in the providence of God, had once stood as the representative of the cause in the same desk which we occupied. But God has brought us safely through, and we think much has been done in the direction of removing the prejudice of the people. Some eight or ten have declared their intention to keep the Sabbath, and if the little church which the Lord has planted in this place, and to whom we have become very much attached during our labors, shall prove faithful, we shall hope to see many more still gathered into the fold. From the outset, we have made our home at the house of Bro. Alexander Carpenter, who, together with his family, has spared no pains to make us comfortable. The remaining brethren in the church, also, have at all times shown themselves ready and willing to do anything which the interest of the cause demanded. As it would have been impossible for me to carry on a series of meetings without the assistance of an amanuensis, the Lord, in his good providence, has provided me with one who has, in every respect, been such as I could have desired. And having concluded my work in this place, I shall go forth with new courage, and with a heart full of gratitude to the God of Heaven, for the goodness which he has manifested to me in this my first attempt to present the truth independently of the assistance of others, watching his opening providence in order to the selection of new fields of labor. My address for the present will be Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich. Genoa, Mich., Feb. 13, 1871. The Cause in Cornville, Me.
By Mary Stratton
The Lord has been pleased to look in mercy upon us once more in Cornville, Me. Our hearts have been made glad by seeing strong young men embrace the truth, and take hold of the work in earnest. Likewise the aged and the children have shared in this good work. To God be all the glory; for we truly have been unworthy. About six years ago, Bro. Cornell came here and gave a course of lectures which resulted in bringing out a company of Sabbath-keepers. We have had but few added to our number since that time, till recently. Good, true men from the West have recently visited us, and preached the blessed truths of the Bible, teaching us the way more perfectly, for which we feel very grateful. May the Lord reward them for their labors of love. When we first started out on the Sabbath, some opposition came up in the community as is usual in every place. But when it was seen that we were decided, and kept steadily on, we were given up in despair, and left to ourselves. The seventh-day Sabbath has been preached and talked here in all its clearness for a number of years from the pulpit and the pews; yet no minister of any other denomination has ever attempted to take up the subject in any form more than to give it passing remark, till the present winter. A man from Iowa was here transiently, who seemed to have a great zeal for God and his cause, something like Paul's before the scales fell from his eyes. He gave out an appointment to show that the first day of the week was the Christian Sabbath, and that they were not breaking the fourth commandment by keeping it as such, and working the remaining six days. We withdrew our appointment for prayer-meeting that evening, and all turned out to hear this attempt to make impossibilities possible. He said a succession of weeks from the creation was not necessary in order to keep the true Sabbath, it was only one day in seven to rest after six days of labor; a seventh part of time. Then, by sundry disconnected scriptures, he tried to prove that in the end of the old dispensation, all the Sabbaths merged into one, and went into the grave with Christ at his death, and at his resurrection he brought up the Christian Sabbath which had been kept ever since. He also magnified his Father's law, and it altogether went down with him, though the principles of it were brought over here. To abolish a law and bury it up out of sight is a strange way to magnify it.79 He also labored hard to show that after eight days meant seven days, and that the Lord's day, of Revelation, was the first day of the week. As he drew near the close, he became very enthusiastic in telling us that if we brought the old Sabbath over here, we must bring the sacrifices with it. It was very evident he thought here was a strong point. I thought of the old lady's dictionary. She said no doubt it was a very good book; but she failed to see the connection. He went on to say there was no express command for keeping the first day; for which he seemed very thankful. He saw in it such a wonderful display of the wisdom of God in making it a necessity to search the Scriptures for proof that it was so. He had been greatly blessed in so doing. It was very evident to every one that understood the question, that if he had found the proof, he was very unfortunate in presenting it; for he did not bring any that would stand the test of Bible criticism for a moment. All the positive proof he found, he read from Mosheim. But what does the testimony of one man amount to, if it plainly contradicts the whole tenor of the Bible? I looked around on an intelligent-looking congregation of Sunday-keepers, expecting to see an expression of mortification at the failure of the lecturer. Instead of that, they were congratulating each other on his success. I feel a deep interest for the dear friends in Cornville, and am sad to see them so much more ready to believe an error for which there is no real proof, than the truth, when there is a plain, Thus saith the Lord for it. Why hunt for, and be satisfied with, inferences for the first-day Sabbath, when the great God gave us the fourth commandment in awful grandeur on Mt. Sinai, and then wrote it on a table of stone with his own finger: “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” My heart is full of gratitude to God that he has enabled quite a large company of us in this place to take our feet off from the holy Sabbath. We mean to labor faithfully to bring others in to share in the great blessings that the truth always brings to the believer. MARY STRATTON. A gentle word hath a magical power,
The weary heart to beguile;
It gladdens the eye, it lightens the brow,
And changes the tear to a smile.
In the genial sunshine it sheds around,
The shadows of care depart;
And we feel, in its soothing and friendly tone,
There's balm for the wounded heart. Oh! watch thou, then, that thy lips ne'er breathe
A bitter, ungentle word;
For that which is lightly and idly said,
Is often too deeply heard.
And though for the moment it leaves no trace;
For pride will its woes conceal,
Remember the spirit that's calm and still
Is always the first to feel. It may not be in thy power, perchance,
To secure a lofty place,
And blazon thy name upon history's page,
As a friend of the human race;
But oft in the daily tasks of life,
Though the world behold thee not,
Thy gentle and kindly words may soothe
A desponding brother's lot. 'Tis well to walk with a cheerful heart,
Wherever our fortunes call;
With a friendly glance, and an open hand,
And a gentle word for all.
Since life is a thorny and difficult path,
Where toil is the portion of man,
We all should endeavor, while passing along,
To make it as smooth as we can. Selected for REVIEW by LAURA V. SMITH. Vermont.
By A. S. Hutchins
Since my last report several weeks ago, we have had some good and refreshing meetings in Vermont. Such was the quarterly meeting at Charleston in December. The Lord gave his Holy Spirit to aid in speaking the truth, and to give edge and power to the testimonies of the brethren and sisters. Several of the young acknowledged in tears the melting, elevating influence of the meeting; some of whom were moved to express a resolution to go with the people of God. May they not forget to pay to him all their solemn vows. The quarterly meeting at Wolcott closed with a sweet, refreshing season in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house. I have also met once with the friends at Stowe, Irasburg, and Johnstown, on the Sabbath. In each of these meetings, we had some fresh evidence of the love of our Heavenly Father to his believing, obedient children. In company with Bro. D. T. Bourdeau, I spent the last Sabbath in December with the friends in Jericho. While here, we preached some six discourses. These meetings were sweet and precious. It was a pleasure to form an acquaintance with these dear brethren and sisters, and to hear them speak of their strong attachments to the truth, upon which they have taken so firm a stand. Inward temptations, and conflicts, and bitter opposition from without, have served to draw them near to the great Head of the church, and to unite their hearts in his service. The last Sabbath in January, I was again at Jericho. Spent some days with the friends, preached four times. The Lord met with, and blessed, us. The weather was intensely cold. The meetings being held in dwelling houses, for want of a more suitable place, but few, except the real friends of the cause, were out. Yet I learn there are men of candor and high respectability, who wish to hear and learn more of the truths presented by the Bro. Bourdeau, when here. We hope and trust the way may yet open for public meetings in this section. And may all the brethren and sisters, who have embraced the truths of the last, solemn message, stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free. The Danes.
By John Matteson
Among the Danish friends in the vicinity of Poy Sippi, Wis., I labored about two weeks. The interest to hear was good, and ten more have started to keep the commandments of God. Things here have looked very dark for some time past. Mistakes have been made. Much opposition has been encountered. And for two years and a half they have had no labor or encouragement. But the prospect is brightening above our expectations. The Lord has moved on the people. The brethren feel encouraged. Some have commenced to serve the Lord, and there is a good prospect of others’ coming into the truth if the brethren will be faithful. I am now attending the meetings in this place, which, so far, have been very profitable and deeply interesting. Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 9, 1871. Fosterburg, Ill.
By G. W. Colcord
LEFT home, Nov. 29, for South-western Ill. Stopped with friends in Moline and Rock Island, till after the Sabbath, Dec. 3, when I started down the Mississippi, not knowing where I should terminate my journey, but asking the Lord to guide me aright. Came to Woodburn on the 8th, having been detained on the Lower Rapids one day. Spoke to the church fourteen times, met with them in their Bible-class and social meeting six times, and in ordinance meeting once. Dec. 18, in company with Bro. Young, went to Fosterburg, Madison Co., to make arrangements for meetings there. Found favorable surroundings, a class of people ready, and even anxious, to hear, and a village school-house voted open to all. Commenced to labor here Dec. 22. Closed the effort Feb. 1. Good interest to hear from the first, which continued to increase to the last. At our last public meeting, Jan. 31, had a good congregation of attentive hearers; feelings of friendship were manifested with ardor and warmth. Such manifestations are worth far more than argument to a people already convinced. The like, they say, was never known in Fosterburg. To the Lord be all the praise. One of the causes which led to such pleasing results, was the unwearied effort of our Woodburn brethren and sisters to be present, and aid in the singing. This showed them to be in earnest; and I pray that this good example may be followed by our brethren all over the wide field. Tried to speak to the people twenty-six times, besides twice at “Mt. Olive Church,” by invitation. Gave away several dollars’ worth of our tracts to those who were not able to buy. Sold five dollars’ worth. Received five new subscribers for the REVIEW, and two for the Instructor. Twelve, or more, have said they would keep the Lord’s Sabbath. A few more are to be hoped for. They stand in need of efficient aid, which we hope may be sent them. The Lord repay the kindness I received, both at Woodburn, and Fosterburg. Bristol, Vermont.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I HAVE now been laboring over three weeks in Bristol and vicinity, and am giving lectures in a large and commodious school-house at Bristol Flats, half a mile north of where our lamented Bro. Sperry used to live. The new converts are feasting on the truth; the old pilgrims are being revived and encouraged; and some unbelievers are manifesting an interest in the truth. The friends in this section have had but little ministerial help for the past ten years; and as they have evinced a measure of love for the truth by a promptness in meeting their pledges to sustain it, worthy of imitation, and there seems to be some anxiety to hear the truth at different points, I have decided to labor among them awhile. I feel my inability, and earnestly desire to overcome, lead a more humble, self-denying life, having no other object than to glorify God, and help advance the interests of his cause in the sphere he has assigned me. My health is improving. I can speak seven times a week without suffering any inconvenience. D. T. BOURDEAU. Bristol, Vt., Feb. 7, 1871. I. D. VAN HORN
By I. D. Van Horn
SINCE my last report, I have held a twelve days' meeting in Mendon, Mercer Co. During this time I gave sixteen discourses, and held four other meetings. A good work was accomplished. Two were baptized, and a church of six members organized. Our meeting for organization was public, and a large school-house was filled with witnesses. A favorable impression was made on the minds of nearly all. This church heartily adopted the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and put down their figures to the amount yearly of $51.48. The people listened with deep interest to the truth from evening to evening. Quite a good number became convinced of the truth and of their duty to obey. At our last meeting we made a call for all those who had made up their minds to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and go with this little company whom they had seen enter into covenant to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, to manifest it by rising up. Twelve or more immediately arose to their feet. This gave joy to all our hearts. May God bless them, and may they be steadfast in their purpose to serve him unto the end. There are a number of good openings in this part of the State for labor, and the people seem to have a decided interest to hear the truth. They have also a willingness to read our publications. This was shown by their purchasing of me some $15.00 worth during my short stay among them. May the work move on in this place till many shall walk in the light of present truth. Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 8, 1871. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
By John Norton Loughborough
SINCE my last report, I have made a hasty trip to all the churches in the State, and commenced in a new field. Tuesday, Jan. 24, we had a meeting at Santa Rosa, to elect a trustee. In that meeting, the matter being talked up, it was decided to finish off the meeting-house in season to be dedicated at our next quarterly meeting, April 1 and 2, and to be occupied the Sabbath following for our State meeting. Sabbath, Jan. 28, I spent with the church in Petaluma. Although one or two, during recent trials, have left them, the remainder of the company are of good courage, and more determined than ever to persevere in the work. We had a very precious season in attending the ordinances of the Lord's house. Sunday, Jan. 29, I held two meetings in Bloomfield. The Lord gave freedom to his truth, and the little company there seem to realize the importance of carefulness in their lives, that their influence may be salutary on all. We trust that their numbers will increase as they persevere in the work. Tuesday evening, Jan. 31, I spoke in Green Valley. Quite an effort has been made at this point to prepare a house of worship, and we hope that the good work begun there may be watered by heavenly grace; and this will be, if all have a mind to the work. At Healdsburg, the brethren are still of a disposition to do all they can to forward this truth. God blesses them as they meet from Sabbath to Sabbath. Yesterday, our hearts were encouraged by another one's taking his stand upon the truth, who had been investigating since the tent meeting. We have now held six meetings in this neighborhood, seven miles from Healdsburg, which have been well attended. We are now in the midst of the investigation of the Sabbath question, and trust that some will take their stand to obey God. Pray for us. McPherson's School-house, Alexander Valley, Feb. 5, 1871.