FROM BRO. Waggoner's Review of Baird, pp. 39-43, we give the following respecting the definiteness of the seventh day:—
But the statements already noticed are scarcely equal, to the following:—
“From a perusal of the 12th chapter you will see that in connection with the institution of the feast of unleavened bread both the first and the seventh days were to be days of holy convocation, but regarding the seventh day it is said: ‘For in this self-same day I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt, therefore ye shall observe this day in your generations, as an ordinance, forever.’ Both of these passages occur in connection with events that transpired before the giving of the law, and in neither of them is the slightest reference made to the creation rest, as that upon which their Sabbath was grounded, or their observance of it enjoined.”
If any excuse can be offered for the above, we would like to know on what ground it rests. Every reader of the Bible must know that the passover feast was one of seven days, always falling on the fifteenth and twenty-first days, inclusive, of the first month. But as the fifteenth day of the month cannot fall regularly on any day of the week, of course this record concerns, not the first and seventh days of the week, but the first and seventh days of the feast. And it came only once a year. Hence it has no possible connection with the weekly Sabbath. Mark the words of Mr. Baird: “Regarding the seventh day it is said, ‘For in this self-same day I brought your armies out of Egypt.’” This is not true. It was not said of the seventh day—not even of the seventh day of the feast. The words of the Lord are these: “Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this self-same day I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt.” Ex. 12:17. Now mark the order of events. The lamb was slain on the fourteenth day of the month; that evening the blood was sprinkled on the doorposts; that night the angel slew the first-born of Egypt; the next morning, the fifteenth day of the month, Pharaoh thrust them out of the land. And this fifteenth day of the month was counted for the first day of the feast. If Mr. Baird honestly and with good intent made this statement, it was only because his ignorance was beyond all parallel. If he has a friend who can show that our judgment is unjustly severe, we will withdraw our decision and make honorable amends to him. And what is true of his remarks on this feast is true of those on the feast of tabernacles.
And Mr. Baird seems to be as deficient in knowledge of natural truth as of the Bible. Remarking on the “utter destitution of argument” of Seventh-day Adventists, he says:—
“The same might be said of all their attempts to explain away obvious facts by reference to an imaginary day line somewhere on the Pacific Ocean, on crossing which some erroneously suppose that there is a sudden transition of twenty-four hours’ time.”
It is true that a Seventh-day Adventist, Eld. J. N. Andrews, has examined this subject more closely, and written upon it more largely, than any other person within our knowledge. But justice will not permit us to say that it is original with him, nor with any other one of this generation. It is a fact well known to scientific men and to navigators that each day of the week commences in the Pacific Ocean. If the reader will take the trouble to examine past volumes of the Scientific American, he will find the subject treated on by different writers at different times. The conclusion of all is the same, because it is not a mere theory—“an imaginary day line,” as Mr. Baird says—but a settled fact.
It is well known that in traveling either east or west we find our time-pieces continually varying from the time of the different localities through which we pass. To keep our watches with sun time, that is, true or correct time, we must often set them by local time. The whole amount of such changes in traveling around the world will be 24 hours. For if we travel eastward, we must correct our time-pieces by setting them forward four minutes to each degree, one hour for every fifteen degrees, and of course twenty-four hours for the complete circle. Having changed our time twenty-four hours in going round the world, it is evident that, on returning to the locality whence we started, we find there the same time with which we started, and to conform to that time we must drop out of our count all the variations we have made in traveling. The effect is the same in traveling westward, but the order is reversed.93
It is always a fact that a person starting in China and traveling westward will find that his enumeration of the days of the week will agree with that of every place through which he passes until he again reaches the Pacific, in California. And reversing the order, starting at San Francisco, he may travel eastward, and he will find that his days of the week agree with those of every place through which he passes, until he reaches the other shore of the Pacific. Through Asia, through Europe, across the Atlantic, and through America, no change is found. But let him start from the coast of China and cross the Pacific Ocean and the case is different. On landing at San Francisco he will find his week one day in advance of those living there, unless he corrected his count, by one day, on the ocean. And in like manner, if he crosses from California to China, he will find himself one day behind the inhabitants of China unless he corrected his time, by one whole day, on the passage. This is not “imaginary.” The providence of God has preserved the certain knowledge of the order of the days of the week by indicating where each day begins, and where the correction must be made.
We might quote from the Scientific American to verify this fact, but for brevity’s sake will content ourselves with an extract from the remarks of a correspondent of the Buffalo Express, who crossed the Pacific in July 1874. He thus gives his experience in crossing the day line:—
“No one thing on shipboard creates so much excitement, or gives rise to so much discussion, as the dropping of a day on the 180th parallel of longitude; and particularly to those who have been several times over the route are these arguments laughable. The more people argue upon it the less they seem to know, though the whole of it is just this: Buffalo is in about 79 degrees longitude west of Greenwich. As we travel west we gain four minutes for every degree; hence in traveling 300 miles per day we lengthen it twenty minutes, and, by the time we have reached the 180th parallel, we are six hours and forty-four minutes behind Buffalo time. In other words, we are five o’clock and sixteen minutes in the morning when you at Buffalo are noon of the same day. It is evident that a uniform place must be established for days to begin, and mariners—or astronomers, I don’t know which—long ago agreed upon the 180th degree as that place; and they decided that ships going east should there pick up a day, and those going west should drop one. This point we reached about eleven o’clock, P. M., Saturday, 25th, and over we skipped into Monday, July 27th. We had gone to sleep on Saturday night, and waked up on Monday morning, much to the disgust of the Rev. Mr.——, a missionary from Siam, who had prepared a sermon for the lost Sunday. On Saturday we were six hours and forty-four minutes behind our Buffalo friends; on Monday, seventeen hours and sixteen minutes ahead of them.”
The true line is somewhat east of the 180th degree west from Greenwich; but as longitude is generally reckoned from Greenwich, navigators, for convenience’ sake, have adopted the even 180th degree as the place where the change shall be made. But Mr. Baird says this is all “imaginary,” and attributes it all to the ignorance of Seventh-day Adventists!
And yet he contradicts himself, and again admits that the change is made, and because of this fact he says that we ought to keep Sunday instead of Saturday, as that would more nearly conform to the true reckoning! That is nothing less than silly. Every one is aware that the variation is in opposite directions according as we travel east or west, and that this correction preserves the true enumeration of the days of the week.
The Missouri and Kansas Camp-Meeting.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
I ARRIVED upon the camp-ground at Mound City, Kansas, Thursday afternoon, and found a good number already there. Many more came Friday, so that in all about three hundred were encamped upon the ground. We were glad to see so many; and yet had it been a less hurrying time there would have been a greater number. For many reasons, it was very necessary that Bro. and Sr. White should attend this meeting. Hence all came anxiously expecting them. When they learned that they were to be disappointed, it seemed as though it would about ruin our meeting, and things moved hard and slowly the first day or two.
But on the Sabbath the clouds began to break away, the Lord gave good freedom in speaking, and all began to cheer up. In the afternoon the Spirit of God attended our exhortation. The hearts of the people were deeply moved, and many wept. Some seventy-five came forward to confess their sins, to seek the Lord, and to make a start for the kingdom. Then two hours were crowded full in listening to the confessions of these persons. Every moment was occupied; and yet many could not speak. The work seemed to go deep and thorough. Companions confessed to each other, parents to their children, and brethren and sisters to those of their own church. Those who had backslidden from God and the truth returned to the Lord, and others started for the first time. Some here took their stand with us upon the Sabbath and were baptized. In all, fourteen were baptized by Bro. Rogers on Monday. The outside attendance was fair, though not large. The best of order was maintained on the ground throughout the meetings.
This Conference had become so large that all agreed that it ought to be divided, which was accordingly done. Now Kansas and Missouri each has a Conference of its own. The T. and M. Society was also divided in the same manner. This leaves each Conference more than a dozen churches, six preachers, and about three hundred Sabbath-keepers. Nearly every one of these preachers in both Conferences has begun to preach within the last two or three years; yet the Lord has blessed their labors, and new churches are coming up everywhere. Evidently this is a good field of labor. If all these young men energetically devote themselves to the work, as men in this message ought to do, we shall expect to see strong Conferences here in the future.
The drought last year, with the grasshoppers last fall and this spring, has hindered the work some, and discouraged the people a great deal. We felt this sensibly in settling with the ministers. Many of the brethren were unable to pay their s. B., hence the preachers have been paid but little during the whole year. And now there was but little in the treasury with which to help them. Putting together all we could raise by donations, s. B., &c., still they could only be paid from four to six dollars per week for time actually spent in labor. I felt sorry for them, as I saw their clothes worn out and no money to buy new ones; debts on their hands and nothing to meet them with; and a winter before them unprepared for.
But their crops are abundant. The grasshoppers left early enough so that they have raised a large crop of all kinds of grain and vegetables. The finest peaches I ever saw can be bought for twenty-five cents per bushel. Other things are in proportion. So there is little chance for raising money, even for taxes, at present. I have stated these facts to Bro. White, and he feels that something more must be done for them. It certainly is needed, and I hope it may be done soon.
At the close of our meeting, Bro. J. H. Cook was ordained. Others will be at the first convenient opportunity.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Shall we Have a Museum?
By S. Brownsberger
The Catalogue of Battle Creek College contains a request to the brethren and all the friends and patrons of the school to send in specimens of interest as contributions to a proposed museum. A similar request has been published in the REVIEW AND HERALD. A few have nobly responded.
Bro. M. E. Cornell has most liberally added his fine California collection to this youthful enterprise. This munificent donation contains over three hundred specimens. A case of mounted birds, bird’s eggs of various kinds, turtles, minerals, fossils, sea urchins, wood and bark from the big trees of California, alcoholic specimens, gold and silver ores, various coins, shells, over fifty stereoscopic views, relics, &c., &c., gathered chiefly by the untiring personal efforts of the donor. The money expended by Bro. Cornell in obtaining this collection, though by no means a trivial sum, is insignificant compared with the unabating zeal and persistent effort required in gathering together such a variety of curiosities. By resigning the pleasure that would naturally result from being in possession of so fine a collection, he has shown unmistakably his appreciation of the proposed plan of having a museum and a liberal heart in furthering this plan.
Now I ask again, Are we going to have a museum? If our friends assent, I would recommend that they follow the example of those who have responded so generously to our call. We have no doubt that should our friends send in what is now in their possession, or within their reach, our collection would far surpass anything of the kind in Battle Creek.
The Central School Building of this city at present contains a fine museum of rare specimens from various departments of nature. This collection has been made with facilities far inferior to ours. The friends of that enterprise may be limited to the citizens of a country town, our friends and facilities are world-wide.
If any should inquire, What do you want a museum for? we would briefly reply, To look at, and think about; to carefully study and admire the beautiful; and to wonder at all that is curious and grand. But these are hardly to be mentioned in comparison with the fact that in some departments of science it is absolutely necessary, to a full understanding of the subject, that it should be illustrated by specimens. Looking at and examining the different specimens arouses questions concerning the different departments of nature and art to which they belong; these questions naturally result in the investigation of the subjects which they illustrate. Thus knowledge is gained that might not otherwise be sought for. By admiring the beautiful and wondering at the curious and grand, the heart is led to look up from nature to nature’s God.
The College grounds and building are attractive, and beautiful. It is our aim not only to make our school as instructive but as interesting and inviting as any school in the State. Why should we not, brethren? Are you willing to help? If so, send along your specimens with a brief history of each. Our ministering brethren should not forget that they have superior opportunities for assisting in this enterprise.
S. BROWNSBERGER.
Let me Share in the Work.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
THE LORD, as I verily believe, is doing a great and infinitely important work in the earth. By the last merciful warning he is drawing a line between the righteous and the wicked, between those, whatever be their profession, that serve God and those who serve him not. And it is my heart's desire and prayer to God that I may have some humble part in his work. For this I pray, and for this I labor; and I believe my prayer will be heard, and my labor will not be in vain.
No greater honor can one attain than to be a humble servant of the Lord, have his approving smiles, and be owned of him as a helper in his work. This honor all may have who will seek it by yielding themselves to God to do his will in all things. Those, and those only, who make a covenant with God by sacrifice, can share in this glorious work and in the special honors that will soon be conferred on those who have fully overcome and endured to the end. I seek no higher honor, but I feel that I must have a part in the work of the Lord. And since it is possible to all, I hope in the mercy of God to be accepted of him. We sing:—
“Oh, give me a part in thy kingdom.”
And I would as earnestly pray for a part in the labor and the crosses and struggles that lie between us and the kingdom. Brethren, pray for me. And let us
“Toil on till the sheaves of the Lord are bound,
And joyfully borne from the harvest ground.”
R. F. COTTRELL.
Camp-Meetings.
By Jos. Clarke
THESE yearly gatherings of the S. D. Adventists in the different parts of our land are indicative of a very extensive work; and the manner in which they are conducted and the estimation in which they are held show that the hand of God is in the work. No one who has attended these meetings can say that aught of evil has ever followed them, but their results have been good in every sense of the word. It is by this means that union, and harmony, and peace, are enjoyed, and privileges are brought within the reach of all which would otherwise be possessed by but few.
Our camp-meeting in Ohio is now close at hand. Let all who possibly can attend this meeting. Let not Satan blind our minds by causing us to find or frame excuses for being absent; or cause us to be late in preparing for it or early in departing, but let us be in time and improve the whole of this great blessing.
Death and destruction haunt our footsteps. We know not that another such privilege will be granted to each of us. Some may by another year be cut down by the destroyer. Be that as it may, let us, as a people, appear before God at this meeting in humility and love with our lamps trimmed and burning, and praying for the blessing of God to attend his work in Ohio.
Are we blind and destitute of spiritual things? We need not be. Never was God more ready to hear prayer and forgive than now; but we must arouse and get on the whole armor, and keep it tightly about us. We cannot put it off and on as we do our garments, except at a fearful risk. Jos. CLARKE.
The Decay of Romanism
WHAT was Rome in 1790, and what is it now? Within these eighty years the Church-State and the temporal power of the German Episcopate have been dissolved. The possessions of the church in France, Spain, and Italy, have been sold as national property. Everywhere has Protestant heresy obtained civil rights. Protestant chapels flourish in Rome as well as in Madrid; the Protestant clergyman walks about unmolested, and disseminates his Bibles by thousands and tens of thousands. Had not—since Napoleon's Consulate in France, and in the other Catholic and Protestant States since the Congress of Vienna—political power steadily stood up for the church; had not, after 1848, political reaction leagued itself with ecclesiastical reaction; had we done what the spokesmen of Ultramontanism now so earnestly, so persistently demand—left the church to herself—the veil of the temple had long since been rent asunder.
The German Catholic movement of 1840 by no means foundered on Peter's rock; it was first hindered, then repressed, and finally strangled, through police measures, by State persecution. To the church's advantage, in the very heat of the contest, a pope pronounced from the pulpit the word “Reform”—a pope who at that time loved that his name should be connected with that of Ganganelli. The infallible Pope Pius IX. was in the year 1849 the ideal of Italian Liberals whom to-day he curses. The transformation which the world then hoped for at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church already cast widely before it its majestic shadow. “Wherefore secede from a church which intends to make its peace with modern culture and society?” so said quiet, thoughtful people—and remained. The Syllabus, the “Non Possumus,” and the Infallibility Dogma were necessary to prove that between modern society and Rome nothing real or durable can exist except war.
Roman Catholicism is being surely driven to take up that position which fifteen hundred years ago perishing heathendom occupied with regard to ambitious Christendom. It is the religion of the uneducated. . . . So long as Rome could dispose of the secular arm in her service, and the night of ignorance enshrouded the world, her mastery was easy. No intelligence was required to burn dissidents. The conflict in which we are now engaged in Germany derives the desperation of its character only from the fact that the State has too long favored and furthered the aggressions of the church. . . . The Liberals over-estimate the strength of their adversary. In the end, this battle must become a battle of intelligence; and upon that territory the Jesuits, ghostly as well as worldly, with all their dogmas and the miracles of the saints to boot, cannot but quickly come to grief.
Let Roman Catholicism look which way it will, it can claim as its own no great man of learning, no great poet or painter. Its most distinguished theologians have fallen away from it; the absolute contradiction in which, silly enough, it has set itself against modern discovery and natural science, presses it hardly even upon its own special field—theology. No man of learning can approach the Bible now-a-days in the naive manner with which the book was wont to be interpreted at the beginning of this century. . . . The sorties of Ultramontane journals and orators against the professors of theology are well-known; but how much is wanting ere one of the partisans of Infallibility shall equal or surpass Dollinger in erudition! When they throw dirt at an artist like Kaulbach they truly manifest a vulgar vigor; but they cannot set up against him a painter of equal eminence. There were once a Catholic erudition, a Catholic poetry, a Catholic school of painting and music; but they exist no longer. The last blossoms on the life-tree of Catholicism were Manzoni, Chateaubriand, and De Maistre.—Berlin National Zeitung.
CAN I ATTAIN UNTO IT?
Victory is a fine watchword for armies, and sounds well in poetry. Why not make it the daily aim? The combination of outward circumstances and inward temperament furnishes abundant foes and obstacles, and we are either conquered or conquerors continually. To maintain cheerful serenity in spite of discomforts, failures, and opposition of every sort, is to approach divinity. To hope, though disappointment thrusts us through and through; to strive, though failure is our daily portion; to toil, and see no fruit; to love, and be unloved; this is to be victorious indeed. It is sublime to conquer defeat.—Sel.
Report from Germany.
By J. Ertzenberger
Since my report of Aug. 5, I have continued my work in the same manner. And it is with great gratitude to God that I can say the good work in Prussia is not stopping, but moving on. The lectures at Solingen are well attended. The hall is literally packed with attentive listeners. Those who attend these lectures either belong to the leading national churches, Lutheran or Evangelical, or to the different denominations of that city, as Baptists, Darbyists, or Independents. Among them are educated people.
The interest to hear the truth is still growing; the Spirit of God is evidently moving on hearts; and the Lord is manifesting himself with his sweet presence. Souls are stirred from their indifference, and sinners aroused from their sleep. Hearts that mourned over the alarming state of the National Church are gladdened by the truth, and those who love the dear Saviour rejoice over the glad tidings of his soon coming in glory.
Invitations to visit are coming in from the poor and from the rich. Last week I commenced this kind of work. Made a few visits at the houses of those who wished me to do so, and also at the dwellings of others who had given no invitation. At the first place I had a lengthy talk on true Christian life. At the second house, I met only the lady with her servant. As they were rich people, I spoke of their conveniences and great privileges in order to introduce those which are far greater and more desirable. Asking the lady whether she had a sure hope of eternal life or not, she responded somewhat harshly, “Oh, yes! why not?” Then I took up the nature of the human heart, true repentance, the Judgment of God, and the coming of Jesus. Although this educated lady could tell me that she had a sure hope of eternal life, she could afterward say, “I cannot see the reason why Jesus should come a second time.” Having earnestly spoken with her of the necessity of repentance toward God and faith in Jesus, I admonished her to attend to her soul’s salvation, and left her. At my departure, she invited me to come again when her husband would be at home.
The next visits I made at the different dwellings of two pastors of the National Church. With one I could speak but little; with the second I conversed at length. He wished to know by whom I was sent, why I came to lecture in Solingen, and what we teach in general terms. To these questions I responded. Thus far all was right. But it is most alarming to learn that this pastor could tell me with laughter that St. Paul greatly erred when writing on the second coming of Christ, and that the Bible contains many contradictions. I asked him to show me one, but he did not. Then in a Christian manner I admonished him to pray God for light, to become converted to God’s word, warning him of the terrible retribution of the unfaithful shepherds, and then I left, he cordially accompanying me to the door. I went away much pained that any should teach the word of God and teach it thus. People are very careful to whom they intrust money. But they do not consider, or very seldom consider, to whom they intrust their souls. What a pitiful state of things!
May God’s Spirit be given to me more and more, and may I be guided in wisdom and in judgment, and have grace to labor successfully at Solingen. I hope that souls may be gained for the eternal kingdom! Dear brethren, pray for me.
J. Ertzenberger.
Vohwinkel, near Elberfeld, Prussia, Aug. 23, 1875.
Southern Michigan.
By M. B. Miller
After considerable perplexity in regard to deciding on a locality, we pitched the tent in Bronson, Branch Co. The way for public labor here had been opened by scattering tracts, and a few had commenced to observe the Sabbath.
Meetings in the tent commenced July 1, and continued until August 24. During this time, sixty-three discourses were given; also social and other meetings were held. It fell to our lot to do all the speaking, with the exception of two discourses, yet we were not without efficient help to assist in conducting the effort in this place. Our meetings were well attended from the first, our tent at times overflowing with eager listeners. As the result of the labor here, twenty-five or more, including the few previously mentioned, are now trying to obey all of God’s commandments, and others acknowledge the truth and feel its force to a great extent. We still entertain hopes that they will yet obey it. Regular meetings have been appointed, and a Sabbath-school organized; also a Tract Society.
Several incidents of great interest occurred in connection with our meetings in this place, but I will mention only one, which I think is of such a nature as to interest all. A man called at the tent who was on his way to Holland. His object in calling was to converse with us on the Scriptures. He was an intelligent man, being able to converse in, and read, the English, German, and Holland languages. His half-brother has embraced the Sabbath and become a member of the Tract Society. He now expects to send some of our publications to a half-brother in Holland, thus introducing the truth at a new point in a far-off land.
Our meetings were held during that very busy season, harvest; and when we saw the continued attendance of the people, we were led to confess before them that it was not us but God’s holy truth that was in this wonderful manner attracting their attention. To-day, as we look back upon our effort in Bronson, we give God all the glory for what he has done for us and the people.
At the present time, we have our tent pitched in Allen, Hillsdale Co. People looked on us with suspicion at first, but now we have a good interest. Bro. John Sisley is assisting in this meeting.
M. B. MILLER.
Allen, Sept. 9, 1875.
Illinois Visits: Belvidere, Cherry Valley, and Roscoe
By G. W. Colcord
Illinois.
IMMEDIATELY after the Monroe, Wis., Camp-meeting, I went to Belvidere, Ill., where I visited the few who are still professing to love the truth. Sin had made inroads among them, causing blight and discouragement. On Sabbath, June 26, spoke on “The Love of the World.” 1 John 2:15. I tried to point out the insanity of those who transgress, and the awful doom that awaits the finally lost. The Spirit pointed out sin, and it was confessed. Now, if confession be followed by reformation and reparation (see Prov. 28:13; Jas. 5:16; Lev. 6:1-7; Luke 19:8, 9), we may entertain hope of Heaven.
On first-day, Bro. Bennett and myself went down to Cherry Valley and called on sister Craig, who has commenced to keep God’s rest-day. In the afternoon, I spoke in the school-house near Bro. B.’s, and later we held a business meeting at Bro. B.’s house.
June 29 to July 5, I spent at Roscoe, Rockton, and Durand. Visited nine families, preached twice, held one social meeting, besides doing some business for the Conference and the Tract and Missionary Society. The brethren and sisters faithfully promised to redeem their s. s. pledges. This district (No. 2) has paid all its dues into the State treasury. Which will be next? Which district will fail? “Pay that which thou hast vowed.”
July 10, spoke to the small remnant of the Clyde church. One brother said, “Point out our part of the work, and we will do it.” If all will entertain this spirit, the Lord will surely designate our part in this closing work. Another thought: If we stand connected with this saving effort, in a certain sense it is our work. Then let us have a living interest in it, press it to our hearts as a sacred treasure, and love and cherish it to the end. Brethren and sisters of the Illinois Conference, I appeal to you, one and all, especially to the scattered ones whom I have not seen and may not see for some time, will you see this precious cause in your midst languish for means? Will you withhold God’s tithe? If not, pay into the church treasury nearest to you, or remit to our State treasurer, J. R. Whitham, Aledo, Mercer Co., Ill.
July 17 to Aug. 1, spent in Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties, holding meetings in three neighborhoods. Although the condition of things in this part of the field is not what it should be, yet we hope for better days. If at last we would stand together on Zion’s hill, we should work in unison here; in truth, this is God’s requirement. This district (No. 1) paid in cash and pledges all its dues to the T. & M. Society State treasury. But, brethren, if I correctly understand the matter, we should not only pay off all our district debts, but should ever have on hand a surplus fund from which to draw at any time. Let us work by this rule.
Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 14, 15, spent in quarterly meeting at Lovington. One was immersed, and the rites of our dying Lord were celebrated.
Aug. 17 to 29, aided Bro. Bliss in holding a series of meetings in the tent at95Oakland. Several of these were free social meetings. I believe the Lord has blessed the effort here. Ten have been immersed by us. A band of worshipers has been organized and a lively Sabbath-school. This place and Lovington will constitute (for the present) Dist. No. 10 of our State Missionary Society.
Instead of going to Cerro Gordo, as intended, we commenced here last Sabbath evening. Have spoken eight times. The interest appears to increase. Have already sold six dollars and forty cents’ worth of books. I shall be compelled to leave Bro. B. next week; yet we need not work alone; for the Lord will help us each.
G. W. COLCORD.
Dalton, Moultrie Co., Ill., Sept. 10, 1875.
HYMN
By Marian Bernstein
Servants of God, awake!
The Master draweth near!
Your careless slumbers now forsake;
For he will soon appear.
The tasks are still undone
That he hath left to you;
Awake, and hasten, every one,
Hasten your work to do.
In the declining day,
Pause not to mourn in vain
The hours that you have slept away,
And cannot now regain.
But use the present time
With diligence and care;
And earnestly, with all your power,
For his return prepare.
MARIAN BERNSTEIN.
Glasgow, Scotland.
Inwood, Indiana.
By W. W. Sharp
Commenced meetings in a school-house two miles north of Inwood, July 10. The congregations were quite large till they heard on the Sabbath, when they became small. Sold some books, and left seven trying to keep “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Shall commence meetings, Providence permitting, in Syracuse on the 14th inst. Pray for me, brethren and sisters, that I may be humble and earnest, that the Lord may use me to his glory.
W. W. Sharp.
Syracuse, Sept. 13, 1875.
Among the French in Wisconsin.
By D. T. Bourdeau; O. A. Olsen
CAME to this State last week; and after stopping one day at Bro. Olsen’s, proceeded by private conveyance to the Bay settlement—a distance of sixteen miles—where our Belgian brethren reside. We were glad to find all the brethren holding on to the leading features of our faith, though they had had no preaching since we left them twenty months before. We were made sad, however, by seeing them divided in consequence of their leader’s having pressed them beyond their experience on matters which, though important in their season and when properly applied, should not be held as the leading message for the times. But at our third meeting perfect union was restored, and all was accomplished that I had desired. Such a season of humble and heartfelt confession I have seldom witnessed. I could not help exclaiming, How much has been lost to the cause by this state of things! Souls might have been gathered in that are now outside the ark of safety. We hope that the brethren have learned a lesson which will not soon be forgotten, and that they will now endeavor to redeem the time.
We have now pitched our tent in the city of Green Bay, which has eleven thousand inhabitants, to accommodate both the French and the Americans. We could find no other means to present the truth to the people. We know our tent season must necessarily be short, but we felt that something must be done to get up an interest, and to fairly introduce the message in this section. We have pitched our tent mainly with reference to the French. We wish to be prompt and thorough in following the openings of Providence, and in following up the interest which we earnestly desire may be created at other points by this meeting. The French Protestants are scattered at different points. Pray that we may have wisdom and help from on high.
D. T. BOURDEAU,
O. A. OLSEN.
Green Bay, Wis., Sept. 9, 1875.
Under date of Sept. 12, Bro. B. adds the following:—
We came to this place with trembling, knowing it to be a large place, and an important point for the work for different nationalities. We have now spoken five times in English and once in French, and the prospects are that a church will be raised up here that will be composed of French, Americans, and a few Norwegians. God helps in preaching. We were encouraged greatly in speaking to at least one hundred candid French listeners this afternoon, one-half of whom were Roman Catholics. Four different kinds of French tracts were taken quite freely. Pray for us.
D. T. B.
H. A. ST. JOHN
By H. A. St. John
Ohio.
LEFT home Aug. 25, to join Bro. T. J. Butler in tent labor in Ohio. Found the new tent pitched in Fostoria, Seneca Co., where Bro. B. had been preaching about one week. There was so little interest here, and the site of our tent, which was the best that could be obtained in the city, so uninviting, it was deemed advisable to move to a better locality. Accordingly, on Monday, Aug. 30, we moved to the village of West Mill Grove, Wood Co., about seven miles distant, and commenced meetings on Tuesday evening. Up to the present writing, we have had ten meetings, with fair-sized congregations.
We ardently hope, and sincerely pray, that in this place souls may be gathered out from the world by the last warning message, and fitted to stand when Jesus comes. We earnestly desire that our brethren in Ohio, especially, will remember this meeting at a throne of grace. Forget not the languishing cause in Ohio, brethren, but plead earnestly with God for the revival of his work in your midst.
I would take this opportunity, also, to earnestly solicit a general attendance at our soon-coming camp-meeting. It is indeed a disappointment to us all that Bro. and Sr. White cannot meet with us, but we sincerely hope that none will remain away on that account. We expect the efficient labors of Elds. U. Smith and D. M. Canright, and if we all come humbly praying that God will bless us and use us to his glory, nothing need hinder our having a good and profitable meeting. May God bless and speed the good work in Ohio.
H. A. ST. JOHN
West Mill Grove, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1875.
Milford, N. H.
By E. B. Lane
We pitched one of the New England tents at this place June 11, and remained nine weeks. Mrs. Lane and myself were sick four weeks with ague and diphtheria, which hindered the interest of the meetings, but we finally succeeded in securing a good attendance, and some half dozen have taken their stand with us. Mrs. Lane has been laboring with them since camp-meeting, endeavoring to get them established and in working order. Leading men of the place have proposed hiring a hall and inviting us to return. I never labored in a place where there was stronger prejudice or a more complete victory gained than here.
The editor of the Milford Enterprise spared no pains to help by publishing favorable reports of the meetings and giving items of our faith and history from week to week. This is also true of the Amherst Farmer's Cabinet.
Mrs. Lane gave a health and temperance discourse in the tent, and by special request of over fifty of the leading citizens repeated it in the Town Hall, which will seat over one thousand, and which was well filled. The renowned Hutchinson family visited the place and attended our meeting, singing several of their beautiful sacred pieces, and at the close of the meeting Mr. Asa H., from Minn., made some very feeling remarks before a congregation of about three hundred concerning his love and esteem for us as a people, repeating the dying request of his beloved son: “Father, always be kind to those Seventh-day Adventists, never speak a word against them, but love them as brethren; for they were so kind to me and mother while we were at their Health Institute.” Mr. H. spent a few days at Battle Creek on his visit East, and spoke in the highest terms before the congregation of the work going on there, and entreated of them to look into the things we were presenting and extend toward us Christian sympathy and fellowship. Many other items of peculiar interest transpired which added to the advancement of the cause.
Although we were there a long time, and but few embraced the truths we preached, I still feel that Milford is a good field of labor, and have a desire to return as the providence of God may open the way. We felt God’s blessing and Spirit with us. I am now laboring with the tent at Leominster, helping Bro. D. A. Robinson. Four have already decided to observe the Sabbath. Many more are convinced. Cold evenings and rains reduce our congregations, still we design to continue as long as duty requires. The Spirit of God seems to take hold of hearts, and we are of good courage in the Lord. Brethren, pray for us.