Earlier text: SAMUEL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR;Michigan Camp-Meeting.
By M. L. C.
The camp at Lansing broke up on Monday morning, October 1. The meeting was from first to last a success. The weather was very fine throughout its entire continuance, and, in consequence, the outside attendance was large, the congregations averaging two thousand people. During the last week one hundred and fifty-two tents were on the ground, and fifteen hundred Sabbath-keepers were present during the last three days. The religious interest was very deep, especially among the students of the Battle Creek College. This interest was so marked that the school was virtually suspended during the camp-meeting, and the students’ boarding club moved its headquarters to the ground. A few of the students who still remained in town reviewed their studies, and recited as usual. In this way those who were at the meeting were able to go on with their classes upon their return.309 About one hundred and fifty students were seeking religion, and special meetings were held for them every day. The general social meetings were held in the pavilion, and, in order to give opportunity for the greatest number possible to speak, the people were divided into three companies, each having a separate leader, and being carried on simultaneously. As many as three hundred and sixty testimonies were given during a single meeting. Most of the principal ministers of the denomination were present. Elders Waggoner, Haskell, Canright, Decker, Colcord, Jones, Lamson, Corliss, Lane and many others. Elder White was not able to preach during the meeting; but he spoke briefly on several occasions, testifying to his devotion to the cause, and cheering the hearts of the people to go forward in the great work of truth and reform. Mrs. White was never more effective in her efforts than at this meeting. She seemed to rise above all infirmities and discouragements, and lifted her voice in denunciation of the wrong, and in favor of the right, with an eloquence and power that seemed to sway the multitude. On Tuesday, September 25, the S. D. A. Publishing Association held its eighteenth annual meeting on the camp-ground. On Wednesday, September 26, the Health Reform Institute held its eleventh annual session, Elder White, the president, in the chair. The roll call showed 738 shares represented, which was a majority of the stock. The auditor’s report showed the receipts the past year to have been $36,648.04. Expenditures $33,139.52. Cash on hand to balance $3,508.52. The Institute holds property above all liabilities amounting to $45,876.31. The record showed profits of $9,472.60 on the past year’s business. The physician-in-chief, J. H. Kellogg, M. D., presented a report of the medical management of the Institute, which showed that 493 patients had been treated the past year with very satisfactory results. The following persons were elected as directors for the coming year: Elder James White, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, Prof. S. Brownsberger, Dr. W. J. Fairfield, O. B. Jones, W. C. White, and Wm. Sisley, all of Battle Creek. The Health Institute which is now known as the Medical and Surgical Sanitarium, this being but another name for the same institution, operated by the original organization, has been overrun with patients the past year, rendering more room and greater and better facilities necessary to meet the demands of the business. A larger and handsomer building has consequently been erected on the Institute grounds at Battle Creek. It is 123 feet long by 120 deep, five stories in height, including the basement. This is to be furnished with an elevator and all the conveniences and appliances that have yet been discovered for the comfort of patients and the recovery of the sick. On the same day the Michigan Conference met in business session. Sixty-six churches were represented by seventy-five delegates. Other churches were represented by letter. Credentials were renewed to nineteen ministers; and eighteen persons were licensed to preach. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Elder J. Fargo, president; Elder E. H. Root and Prof. S. Brownsberger, executive committee with the president; A. B. Oyen, secretary; Mrs. F. H. Sisley, treasurer. The reports showed that the financial condition of the Conference is good notwithstanding the hard times. On Thursday the Tract and Missionary Society of Michigan held a meeting in which very many interesting facts were developed in regard to the T. and M. work, Elder Haskell addressed the meeting, showing the importance of this branch of the cause, and its steadily growing influence at home and abroad. He stated that the time was when the word missionary signified only a homeless exile among cannibals and heathen; but we now recognize that one of the most important missionary fields is in our own country, and within our personal influence. Especially is this true in America, where every nation is represented, and the influence exerted here, through these representative mediums will spread the truth of God over the whole earth. He stated that there was not a sea-port town, where any of the languages were spoken in which the S. D. A. publications are written, but was furnished with them. They had penetrated even to China and Africa. He encouraged the members of the society to greater zeal and more determined efforts. On Friday seventy-five persons were baptized in Grand river, and on the Sabbath fifty-eight more were baptized at the same place, and by the same administrators: Elders E. R. Jones and D. H. Lamson. This makes the aggregate number of one hundred and thirty-three who were baptized during the meeting. This approaches the work of the apostles when they baptized three thousand in a single day. Most of those baptized had arrived at an age of discretion, and all were of good standing in society. Many were students at the College. On the Sabbath at 5 P. M., while many of the congregation went to witness the second baptismal scene the Scandinavians held a meeting in the students’ chapel-tent. There were about twenty-five present of the three nationalities, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes. Elder Johnson, a Norwegian of Wisconsin, led the meeting. As many of the Americans were present it was thought best that those who felt free to speak in the English language might do so. Many expressed their gratitude to God for permitting the truth to be preached to them and for the help the American brethren had given them by opening these missions. Elder Johnson related the close relation in which Elder Matteson was held by his brethren among the Danes and Norwegians, and how that when the cause was in its infancy a few brethren prayed that an efficient laborer might be raised up. Their prayers were answered, and Elder John Matteson who is now a missionary in Denmark has been a successful laborer. He said there were already about eight hundred believers of the Seventh-day Adventist faith among the Scandinavians. Elder S. N. Haskell being present made remarks that this branch of the work among other tongues had held an important place in his heart. He looked upon it with great pleasure as he saw the opening providences of God in leading out companies here and there in different parts of the world. It was only the fulfillment of the prophecy: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached as a witness to all nations and then shall the end come.” Some of the American brethren spoke of the interest they had in watching the spread of this message among these different tongues. Earnest appeals and prayers were made that more laborers be raised up to go among these different nationalities. The Scandinavians entered into the spirit of this camp-meeting with as much zeal as the Americans, and perfect harmony exists between them and the Americans. On Sunday, September 30, the crowd was even larger than on the previous Sunday. Excursion trains were run over the Lake Shore road, and also over the Chicago and Lake Huron road. Thirteen cars, crowded with people came from Port Huron, a single station on the latter road. Probably more than ten thousand people were on the ground during the day. Every vehicle in town was employed in conveying people to and from the grounds. The speakers for the day were Elders D. M. Canright, U. Smith, Mrs. White, Elder J. H. Waggoner, and S. N. Haskell. Mrs. White resumed the subject of Christian temperance where she left it the previous Sunday. The two lectures, taken together, made a very broad and thorough exposition of what true temperance is, in the most comprehensive signification of the word. The speaker was heard with the deepest attention by the vast crowd in and around the pavilion. The most perfect order prevailed during the day; and indeed this is true of the entire camp-meeting. There was no symptom of disturbance from first to last. Only two of the camp-meeting committee were able to be on the ground. Elder Fargo, the president of the Conference, lay sick with typhoid fever at the Sanitarium in Battle Creek. Elder E. H. Root of Wright, and Elder M. J. Cornell of Battle Creek, bore the whole burden of the management of the camp, and their indefatigable industry and energy deserves the highest commendation. The camp broke up on Monday morning, and the inhabitants took their departure for their various homes. One of the pleasant features of the camp-meeting was the cordial good-will evinced by the citizens of Lansing for the people in camp, and the evident respect in which they held them. The acquaintances made last year at the former camp-meeting, seems to have prejudiced the Lansing people in favor of Seventh-day Adventists. The meeting was reported in nearly all the daily papers in the State including those of Detroit, and in the Chicago Times, Tribune and Inter-Ocean. (Condensed from Review and Herald.) DANVERS.—Elder Canright reports the work advancing here. A subscription of fourteen hundred dollars has been received for the purpose of erecting a house of worship. A fine lot has been purchased near where the tent stands, and the job let of building a meeting-house, 32x52, 18-ft. posts, with a good gallery arranged for a prayer-meeting room. The cost of the house all completed, except the seats, done in the best manner, will be $1,700. House to be done December 15. Some help from the brethren in the Conference has been calculated upon. He further states: “On Sunday three sermons were preached against us. We dismissed our meeting, and gave all a chance to hear them. Monday we scattered bills in all the towns around, announcing a reply. Everybody is excited over the matter. The last two nights we have had as large congregations as at any previous time during our meetings. The tent was crowded, and many stood outside. I had freedom in reviewing the orthodox minister on the Sabbath question, and the Methodist on the advent. So far as we can learn, it has been the best thing for us that has happened to us during all our meetings. These things have seemingly raised the interest higher than ever.” Later, Elder Stone writes: “The past ten days have been filled with interesting events. The review of the discourses of the Congregationalist and Methodist ministers by Elder Canright had a most excellent effect, serving to establish more firmly the friends of the truth. These ministers spoke again last Sunday, September 23, upon the Sabbath question. We had a good audience but told them if they desired we would all go across the street to hear the preaching, adding that I would like much to hear what these ministers could say on the Sabbath question. So I asked those in favor of adjourning to arise. Not one moved; and we went on with our meeting.” BLOCKVILLE.—Elder Reynolds writes that tenting here for the season has closed. Wednesday, September 19, sixteen persons were buried with their Lord in baptism. A large number gathered and lined the shore of the beautiful stream selected. A deep feeling of solemnity seemed to rest upon the people, and a calm serenity and holy joy animated the candidates. There are now thirty-three keeping the Sabbath; twenty-eight have signed the covenant. WELLSVILLE.—Brother Brown reports the work here advancing. There are new and valuable accessions to the number that promise to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The work on the new church is progressing. MT. VERNON.—Brother I. G. Colcord writes: “We have been here eleven days, and have held sixteen meetings. We commenced with about two hundred hearers, but we now have four hundred. On Sunday evening last we had our largest congregation, notwithstanding there was an M. E. camp-meeting in session at the same time. The interest is good. The people show sincerity, therefore we hope for good results in this place. We have discussed the prophecies, the law, and the Sabbath.” DARLINGTON.—Brothers Bartlett and Caldwell write: “The work here is onward. Great increase in attendance and interest. Our last Sabbath meeting was one long to be remembered. Aged soldiers of the cross, with tears streaming from their eyes, thanked God for the light of present truth. The middle-aged were equally affected, and several youths have taken their stand for Jesus.” HALF ROCK.—Brother Chaffee writes: “We closed our meetings in the tent, September 16. The interest was good to the last. Twenty-six have embraced the truth, and united with the church. Twenty-one have been baptized, and several more are keeping the Sabbath, who, we hope, will unite soon. We now have a church here of forty-four members, and the best of feeling prevails among them.” PEORIA.—Elder Kilgore writes: “We have been at work here just a week. About two hundred and fifty were out the first evening. Our congregations have increased at each meeting, and last evening the tent was full. The prospects for good are better than they were at Cleburne at this stage of the meeting.” The New York Camp Meeting:
By B. L. Whitney
This meeting was held in a beautiful grove near Carthage, Jefferson county, N. Y., a fine location in all respects. The grove itself was all that could be desired for the purpose. It was located directly on the Utica and Black river Railroad, and all trains stopped at the ground. The Black river forms a bend a few rods from the camp, furnishing a convenient and beautiful baptismal ground. About thirty tents were pitched—less by twenty than at the Aurora meeting in June, but they were larger, and were well filled. By Friday night there were toward four hundred brethren and sisters on the ground. We were rejoiced to see the faces of Brother and Sister White again, and especially so as it seemed an indication that the Lord was raising his worn servants from their enfeebled state of health. The presence of Brethren Haskell and Smith was an encouragement to all, and their faithful and earnest labors were, we trust, appreciated. The reports from different parts of the field were encouraging. The truth is evidently taking hold in this soil, heretofore considered so hard and unfertile. The time has evidently come when the ears of the people are open to the truth. As at Aurora, the outside interest was deep. Every train left visitors at the ground, and those who came, came evidently not only to see but to hear, and went away with a favorable impression. Some fifteen thousand pages of tracts were taken—mostly from the Distributor, which hung in an accessible place—besides a large number of papers. The freight trains would occasionally stop at the ground, all hands rush up to the tent, listen for a few minutes and off again; and the last morning after the meetings had closed and all were prepared to leave, the engineer of a freight train stopped his engine, and beckoning to one of our brethren called for some tracts on the Sabbath, and passed on with his train. Sabbath and Sunday the pavilion was full through all the services. No trains were running on Sunday, but people came on foot and with teams, bringing their lunch baskets, and though five sermons were delivered during the day and evening, there was very little strolling about the grounds, but the multitude of people under the canvas sat eagerly listening. One of the city papers gave the following favorable editorial comment:— “The sermon delivered by Rev. Mrs. White at Jefferson Park, Sunday afternoon, was one of the grandest efforts of a woman. She commenced by speaking on temperance, but afterward spoke on general topics, and in a manner so interesting that not one of the two thousand people assembled left the spot. She spoke for upward of two hours, and at the close of the address every person wished her to continue. It was a remarkable address. Mrs. White is a remarkable woman; but the most remarkable of all is, that the auditors should sit for two hours, and then express a willingness to sit two hours more, and listen.”
Sister White’s efforts were untiring. Brother White’s feebleness forbade his taking his usually active part in the meetings, and she seemed to lift for both herself and him. That her efforts were appreciated by those who had never heard her before, the above paragraph witnesses, and we have been glad to see that some, at least, among our own people, are endeavoring to put in practice the lessons heard at the meetings. We were sorry not to see a deeper feeling manifested among our people throughout the meeting. In view of this state of things, Sister White was moved to give a pointed and searching testimony at the early meeting on Monday morning just before leaving the ground. At the nine o’clock meeting a deeper feeling seemed to prevail, and some were moved to confession of backsliding from God, and a covenant was entered into by most of those present to seek the Lord more fully. This was considered the best social meeting of the week, and the Spirit of the Lord seemed nearer than at any previous meeting. About one hundred and twenty-five brief, pointed testimonies were borne in forty-five minutes, evidently with deep feeling. The daily papers of Utica and Watertown, published a preliminary article, giving a sketch of our faith and the progress of our work, and full reports of the meetings daily. Monday, nine were baptized in Black river, five of whom were young men. Those who remained through to the close of the meeting felt that much would have been lost had they gone earlier. May God help us to keep the covenant we made to seek him, and devote ourselves more fully to his service. It was winter twilight. Shadows moved about the room with noiseless feet, while the ruddy light flickered pleasantly between the ancient andirons. A venerable old lady, whose hair old time had silvered, but whose heart he had left fresh and young, sat musing in an arm-chair, drawn up closely by the fireside. Suddenly the door opened, and fairy footsteps bounded to her side. “Well, Bessie,” said the old lady, laying her hand lovingly on the child’s sunny ringlets, “have you had a good slide?” “Beautiful, aunt Ruth; and now won’t you tell me one of your nice stories?” Bessie was an only child. Her mother had recently died, and Bessie had come to visit her aunt, of whose heart she at once took possession by her winning ways and affectionate disposition. But aunt Ruth’s eyes were of the clear sort, and she soon discovered that Bessie was not only unscrupulous as to the truth, but that she displayed little sensitiveness when detected in a falsehood. Now, if there was any one trait for which aunt Ruth was particularly distinguished, it was her unswerving rectitude; if there was any one thing that annoyed her more than all others, it was aught that came under the category of falsities. It was the language of her heart, “A liar shall not stand in my sight.” She determined, with the help of God, to root out from her darling’s character the noxious weed, whatever effort it might cost her. Of this she had been musing, and her resolve was formed. “Get your cricket, dear, and come close beside me;” and in a moment the child’s blue eyes were upturned to hers. “I am old now, Bessie,” and she tenderly stroked that fair brow, “and my memory is failing. But I can recall the time when I was a little dancing, sunny-haired girl, like you. You open your eyes wonderingly, but, if your life is spared, before you know it, child, you will be an old lady like aunt Ruth. “In those young days I was in a spelling-class, at school, with a little girl named Amy, a sweet tempered, sensitive child, and a very good scholar. She seemed disposed to cling to me, and I could not well resist her timid advances. Yet I did not quite like her, because she often went above me in the class, when, but for her, I should have stood at the head. Poor Amy could not account for my occasional coolness, for I was too proud to let her know the reason. I had been a truthful child, Bessie, but envy tempted me, and I yielded. I sometimes tried to prejudice the other girls against Amy, and this was the beginning of my deceit. She was too diffident to defend herself, and so I usually carried my point. “One day our teacher gave out to us the word, believe. In her usual low voice, Amy spelt ‘b-e-l-i-e-v-e, believe.’ Her teacher misunderstanding her said, quickly, ‘Wrong—the next,’ but turning to her again, asked, ‘Did you not spell it l-e-i-v-e?’ ‘No ma’am, I said l-e-i-v-e.’ Miss R——, still in doubt, looking at me, inquired, ‘You heard Ruth; how was it?’ A wicked thought occurred to me—to disgrace her, and raise myself. Deliberately I uttered a gross falsehood, ‘Amy said l-e-i-v-e.’ The teacher turning toward her, but, confounded by my accusation, she was silent, while her flushed face and streaming eyes gave her the appearance of guilt. ‘Amy,’ said her teacher sternly, ‘I did not expect a lie from you. Go, now, to the foot of the class, and remember to remain after school.’ “I had triumphed, Bessie; Amy was disgraced, and I stood proudly at the head of my class, but I was not happy. “When school was dismissed, I pretended to have lost something, and lingered in the hall. I heard the teacher say,— “‘Amy, come here,’ and then I caught the light footsteps of the gentle child. “‘How could you tell that lie?’ “‘Miss R—— I did not tell a lie,’ but even as she denied it, I could see through the key-hole that in her grief at the charge, and her dread of punishment, she stood trembling like a culprit. “There I stood, as if spell-bound. Stroke after stroke of the hard ferule I heard fall upon the small white hand of the innocent child. You may well hide your eyes from me, Bessie. Oh, why did I not speak? Every stroke went to my heart, but I would not confess my sin, and so I stole softly from the door. As I lingered on the way, Amy walked slowly along, with her books in one hand, while with the other she kept wiping away the tears, which yet would not cease to flow. Her sobs seeming to come from a breaking heart, sank deep into my own. As she walked weeping on, her foot stumbling, she fell, and her books were scattered on the ground. I picked them up and handed them to her. Turning toward me her soft blue eyes, swimming in tears, in the sweetest tones, she said,— “‘It made my guilty heart beat faster, but I would not speak; so we went on silently together. “When I reached home, ‘what is the use,’ said I to myself; ‘nobody knows it, and why should I be so miserable?’ I resolved to throw off the hated burden, and, going into the pleasant parlor, I talked and laughed as if nothing were the matter. But the load on my poor heart only grew the heavier. I needed no one, Bessie, to tell me the wages of sin. The eye of God seemed consuming me. But the worse I felt, the gayer I seemed; and more than once I was checked for my boisterous mirth, while tears were struggling to escape. “At length I went to my room. I could not pray, and so hurrying to bed, I resolutely shut my eyes. But sleep would not come to me. The ticking of the old clock in the hall seemed every moment to grow louder, as if reproaching me; and when it slowly told the hour of midnight, it smote upon my ear like a knell. I turned and turned upon my little pillow, but it was filled with thorns. Those sweet blue eyes, swimming in tears, were ever before me; the repeated strokes of the hard ferule kept sounding in my ears. At length, unable to endure it longer, I left my bed, and sat down by the window. The noble elms stood peacefully in the moonlight, the penciled shadow of their spreading branches lying tremulously on the ground. The white fence, the graveled walks, the perfect quietness in which everything without was wrapped, seemed to mock my restlessness, while the solemn midnight sky filled me with awe I never felt before. Ah! Bessie, a reproving conscience and an angry God are too hard for a child to wrestle with! “As I turned from the window, my eyes rested on the snow-white coverlet of my little bed, a birth-day gift from my mother. All her patient kindness, rushed upon my mind. I felt her dying hand upon my head. I listened once more to her fluttering voice, as she fervently besought the blessing of heaven upon her first-born. ‘Oh, make her a truthful, holy child!’ I tried to banish from my thoughts this last petition of my dying mother; but the more resolute was my purpose, the more distinctly did those pleading tones fall upon my heart, till, bowing, upon the window, I wept convulsively. But tears, Bessie, could give me no relief. “My agony became every moment more intense, till at length, I rushed, almost in terror, to my father’s bed-side. “‘Father! father!’ but I could say no more. Tenderly putting his arm around me, he laid my throbbing head upon his bosom; and there he gently soothed me, till I could so far control the torrent, as to explain its cause. Then, how fervently did he plead with Heaven, that his sinning child might be forgiven! “‘Dear father,’ said I, ‘will you go with me to-night to see poor Amy?’ “He answered, ‘To-morrow morning, my child.’ “Delay was torture; but, striving to suppress my disappointment, I received my father’s kiss and went back to my room. But slumber still fled from my weary eyelids. My longing to beg Amy’s forgiveness amounted to frenzy; and after watching for the morning, for what seemed to me hours, my anguish became so intolerable that I fled once more to my father, and with tears streaming down my cheeks, I knelt by his side, beseeching him to go with me to Amy that moment; adding, in a whisper, ‘She may die before she has forgiven me.’ He laid his hand upon my burning cheek, and, after a moment’s thought, replied,— “‘I will go with you, my child.’ “In a few moments we were on our way. As we approached Mrs. Sinclair’s cottage, we perceived lights hurrying from one room to another. Shuddering with an undefinable dread, I drew closer to my father. He softly opened the gate and silently we passed through it. “The doctor, who was just leaving the door, seemed greatly surprised to meet us there at that hour. Words cannot describe my feelings, when in answer to my father’s inquiries, he told us that Amy was sick with a brain fever. “Bessie, may you never know how his words pierced my heart! “My earnest pleas to see Amy just one minute, prevailed with her widowed mother. Kindly taking my hand, she led me to the sick chamber. As I looked on the sweet sufferer, all hope deserted me. The shadows of death were already on her forehead. No Bessie, I was never to be comforted by the assurance of her pardon. “When I next saw Amy, she was asleep. The bright flush had faded from her cheek, and her aching heart was still. Never again would tears flow from those gentle eyes, nor that bosom heave with sorrow.—That was the sleep of death. “What a long, long winter followed. My sufferings threw me into a fever. But God listened to the prayers of my dear father, and raised me from this sickness. And when the light foot-steps of spring were seen upon the green earth, and early flowers were springing up around the grave of Amy, for the first time, I was allowed to visit it. “Beside that fresh turf I knelt down, and offered, as I trust, the prayer of faith. I was thereby relieved, and strengthened too, Bessie,” said aunt Ruth, as she laid her hand tenderly upon that young head bowed down upon her lap. Poor Bessie’s tears had long been flowing, and now her grief seemed uncontrollable. Nor did her aunt attempt consolation; for she hoped there was a healing in that sorrow. “Pray for me!” whispered Bessie, as, at length, looking up through her tears, she flung her arms about her aunt; and from a full heart aunt Ruth poured out her petition in behalf of the weeping child. That scene was never forgotten by Bessie; for in that dim hour, from the depths of her repentant tears, a light dawned upon her, brighter than the morning. And, although it had cost aunt Ruth not a little to call up this dark shadow from the past, yet she felt repaid a thousand-fold for her sacrifice. For that sweet young face, lovely as a May morning, but whose beauty had been often marred by the workings of deceit and falsehood, grew radiant in the clear light of that truthful purpose which was then born in her soul. ALL things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings. The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at the gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate. The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky; The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water
We gather every day; He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips, that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well. In an ancient city of the east, two youths were passing a beautiful garden. It was enclosed by a lofty trellis, which prevented their entering; but, through the openings they could perceive that it was a most enchanting spot. It was embellished by every object of nature and art that could give beauty to the landscape. There were groves of lofty trees, with winding avenues between them; there were green lawns, the grass of which seemed like velvet; there were groups of shrubs, many of them in bloom, and scattering delicious fragrance upon the atmosphere. Between these pleasing objects, there were fountains sending their silvery showers into the air; and a stream of water, clear as crystal, wound with gentle murmurs through the place. The charms of this lovely scene were greatly heightened by the delicious music of birds, the hum of bees, and the echoes of many youthful and happy voices. The two young men gazed upon the scene with intense interest; but, as they could only see a portion of it through the trellis, they looked about, for some gate by which they might enter the garden. At a little distance they perceived a gateway, and they went to the spot, supposing they should find an entrance there. There was, indeed, a gate; but it was locked, and they found it impossible to gain admittance. While they were considering what course they should adopt, they perceived an inscription over the gate, which ran as follows:— “Ne’er till to-morrow’s light delay
What may as well be done to-day;
Ne’er do the thing you’d wish undone,
Viewed by to-morrow’s rising sun.
Observe these rules a single year,
And you may safely enter here.” The two youths were very much struck by these lines; and, before they parted, both agreed to make the experiment by trying to live according to the inscription. I need not tell the details of their progress in the trial; both found the task much more difficult than they at first imagined. To their surprise, they found that an observance of the rule they had adopted required an almost total change of their modes of life; and this taught them what they had not felt before, that a very large part of their lives—a very large share of their thoughts, feelings, and actions—were wrong, though they were considered virtuous young men by the society in which they lived. After a few weeks, the younger of the two, finding that the scheme put too many restraints upon his tastes, abandoned the trial. The other persevered, and, at the end of the year, presented himself at the gateway of the garden. To his great joy he was freely admitted; and if the place pleased him when seen dimly through the trellis, it appeared far more lovely, now that he could actually tread its pathways, breathe its balmy air, and mingle intimately with the scenes around. This garden fitly represents the happy home promised to those who conquer selfishness, those who conquer their passions, and do their duty. The tall gateway is the barrier interposed by human vices and human passions, which separates mankind from that peace, of which we are all capable. Whoever can conquer himself, and has resolved firmly that he will do it, has found the key to that gate, that he may freely enter here. If he cannot do that, he must continue to be an outcast from the Garden of Peace.—Youth’s Instructor. A CLUSTER of young girls stood about the door of the school-room one afternoon, engaged in close conversation, when a little girl joined them, and asked what they were doing. “I am telling the girls a secret, Kate, and we will let you know, if you will promise not to tell any one as long as you live,” was the reply. “I won’t tell any one but my mother,” replied Kate. “I tell her everything, for she is my best friend.” “No, not even your mother, no one in the world.” “Well, then I can’t hear it; for what I can’t tell mother, is not fit for me to know.” After speaking these words, Kate walked away slowly, and perhaps sadly, yet with a quiet conscience, while her companions went on with their secret conversation. I am sure that if Kate continued to act on that principle, she became a virtuous, useful woman. No child of a pious mother will be likely to take a sinful course, if Kate’s reply is taken for a rule of conduct. As soon as a boy listens to conversation at school, or on the play-ground, which he would fear or blush to repeat to his mother, he is in the way of temptation, and no one can tell where he will stop. Many a man dying in disgrace, in prison or on the scaffold, has looked back with bitter remorse to the time when first a sinful companion gained his ear, and came between him and a pious mother. Boys and girls, if you would be honored and respected here in this life, and form characters for heaven, make Kate’s reply your rule: “What I cannot tell my mother, is not fit for me to know;” for no other person can have as great an interest in your welfare and prosperity as a true Christian mother. A pious mother is your best earthly friend, from whom no secret should be kept. But who the melodies of morn can tell?
The wild brook babbling down the mountain side,
The lowing herd—the sheepfold's simple bell;
The pipe of early shepherd dim descried
In the lone valley; echoing far and wide
The clamorous horn along the cliffs above;
The hollow murmur of the ocean-tide;
The hum of bees, and linnet's lay of love,
And the full choir that wakes the universal grove. Sorrows That Awaken Noble Endeavors
God meant our life to be a power, and he has so formed us that our noblest satisfaction is found in what we are able to accomplish for His glory. Sorrows are the spurs which goad to our sublimest endeavors. They freshen and purify the soul. They wake its powers into activity. They set in motion its deepest springs. They crystallize its slumbering desires into stern resolves, which, in turn, they shape into mighty deeds. In evil times it fares best with them that are most careful about duty, and least about safety.