p. 128 | Review and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 16. (10/9/1879)

Earlier text: CONSTITUTION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE

WHO ARE CHRISTIANS?

By G. W. Rogers

While trying to procure a house for Bro. M. E. Cornell to preach in, I asked one of the trustees of the United Presbyterian church for the use of their house. He asked, “What order or what society is to occupy the house?” I replied, S. D. Adventists. Said he, “No; I will not consent to let any one who is not Christian (?) preach in our house. Any one that denies the fundamental principles of our holy religion, or Christianity, cannot use the house.” I inquired what it was that S. D. Adventists denied. His answer was, “They deny the ‘Christian Sabbath,’ or first day of the week.” I asked him if there was any proof in the Bible that the first day was called a Sabbath. He said there was plenty of proof. I then requested him to produce one single instance where Christ or any of the apostles ever held a religious meeting on the first day of the week. This he failed to do.

Let us consider for a moment who are Christians according to the word of God. John says, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman [church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12 : 17. Again he says, “Blessed are they that do His [the Father’s] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22 : 14. Thus we find that Christians are those that keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as S. D. Adventists are trying to do. May the Lord pity those who are willingly ignorant.

G. W. Rogers.

Loveland, Col.

CONSCIENTIOUS COURTESY.

The little things of life, after all, are its great things; at least on them greatly depends its pleasure and its pain. The whole day is brightened by a cheery “Good morning!” or darkened by the surliness or snappishness of one member of the home circle. My little two-year-old neighbor, toddling through the gate which separates my home from his, in which the small, sweet courtesies of life are almost unknown, replies to my accustomed “Good morning,” “It’s a good thing to say Good morning.” Yes, my little man, it is a good thing to open the day with a benediction, spoken as well as thought.

There are a thousand little courtesies which make home-life pleasant, and which cost nothing. Why not make it a matter of conscience to observe them? Surely nothing which gives pleasure to those we love can be too slight a thing for an appeal to conscience. We believe these little courtesies are neglected, not from any lack of kindly feeling in the heart, but from sheer heedlessness. We surely do wish that our children or parents, our husband or wife, our brothers or sisters, may have a good morning, a good day. Doubtless in our chamber, on bended knee, we have asked the dear Father to grant it to them,—why not, then, express “good morning” to them, as naturally, as heartily, as we do to any chance acquaintance?—Our Home Monthly.

GEMS FROM CHANNING.

ONE great and kindling thought from a retired and obscure man, may live when thrones are fallen, and the memory of those who filled them obliterated, and like an undying fire may illuminate and quicken all future generations.

A HUMBLE spire, pointing heavenward from an obscure church, speaks of man's nature, man's dignity, man's destiny, more eloquently than all the columns and arches of Greece and Rome, the mausoleums of Asia, or the pyramids of Egypt.

GOD be thanked for books! They are the voices of the distant and the dead, and make us heirs of the spiritual life of past ages. Books are the true levellers. They give to all who will faithfully use them, the society, the spiritual presence, of the best and greatest of our race. No matter how poor I am. No matter though the prosperous of my own time will not enter my obscure dwelling. If the sacred writers will enter and take up their abode under my roof, if Milton will cross my threshold to sing to me of Paradise, or Shakspeare to open to me the worlds of imagination and the workings of the human heart, and Franklin to enrich me with his practical wisdom, I shall not pine for want of intellectual companionship; and I may become a cultivated man, though excluded from what is called the best society in the place where I live.

Notes of News.

—London, Sept. 30.—A Berlin dispatch says the elections show a proportion of 28 to 3 in favor of the Liberals.

—Orders were issued Sept. 29, to the treasurer of the United States, and to the assistant treasurers, to pay out both gold and silver upon all government obligations.

—The people of Deadwood are pluckily rebuilding their town, in the neighborhood of a hundred shanties and inclosures of some sort having already been put up, while the saw-mills in the vicinity are running day and night without being able to supply the demand for lumber.

—A cable dispatch brings the information, that in consequence of the discovery of the foot and mouth disease in a lot of sheep, recently arrived at Liverpool from this country, the Privy Council is about to issue an order placing the importation of American sheep under the same restrictions as are put upon the importation of American cattle.

—The fair grounds at Adrian, Mich., were the scene of a dreadful disaster, Oct. 2. The grand stand collapsed under eight hundred men, women and children. It is reported that thirteen deaths have occurred, and that two hundred and twenty-four of the injured are under medical treatment in the city, besides numbers who have been removed to their homes in the country.

—Constantinople, Sept. 30.—The ambassadors of the great powers here and at Athens have been instructed to make a joint and identical representation, with a view of bringing about an understanding between Turkey and Greece. The situation in eastern Roumelia is considered very critical, and the Porte has sounded the great powers touching the recall of Governor-General Aliko Pasha, but Russia and some others of the powers oppose such a measure.

—The terror that reigns in Russia is indicated in a line in the cablegrams October 2, with a graphic force that no words could increase. During the summer, from the central prison at Moscow, 10,447 persons have been sent into exile in Siberia. And yet Nihilism is unchecked, and continues its work of undermining the empire, which, with its condemnation of conspirators by the thousand, but makes public confession at once of its alarm and incapacity to deal with the situation.

—The effect of the business depression in England is further manifest in the strike, Sept. 29, of all the workmen in the shipbuilding trade at Grimsby. The strike was not for an increase of wages—the workmen evidently realize that that cannot by any means be brought about—but against an increase of four hours and a half a week in the time of labor. By this increase of the working hours of the week the masters sought to sustain themselves against the competition that is undermining their trade. The success of the strikers would be a serious blow to the trade. Their failure would signify a material addition to their tasks without any additional compensation.

—Another Indian war is reported to have broken out, on Milk River, Montana Territory, in which Major Thornburg and others were slain, and his forces repulsed by the Ute Indians. For several weeks this tribe, who had heretofore been friendly to the whites, have manifested an insurrectionary spirit. Their grievances were that for a year and a half they have not had enough to eat. The Ute agent was accused of withholding supplies; and the Indians, in order to save themselves from starving, were at times forced to leave their reservation. Sept. 10, the Indian Agent at White River was assaulted by Indians, and further work prohibited. Sept. 14 the agency buildings were burned, raids were made, several prospectors shot, and the woods around the agency set on fire. It was to punish the ringleader and restore peace that the expedition under Major Thornburg was sent to the Ute Agency. It was feared some time ago by the military authorities that the whole Ute tribe would be driven to the war-path, and that the bloodiest of Indian wars be inaugurated. The disaster to the Thornburg command seems to indicate that a large number of warriors are in the field.

Obituary Notices.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth.” Rev. 14:13.

BANNISTER.—Died in Watson, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1879, of cholera-infantum, Alvah P. Bannister, a twin son of Geo. L. Bannister, aged 2 months and 26 days. May the consolations of the gospel sustain the bereaved relatives. J. WILBUR.

ABBEY.—Died of diabetes, in Hamilton, New York, Sept. 9, 1879, Alonzo Abbey, aged 61 years. He had been a strict observer of the Bible Sabbath since about 1846, was a firm believer in the third message and kindred truths, and cherished a hope of a part in the first resurrection. Remarks, at the funeral, from Job 14:14. J. Q. FOY.

MORRISON.—Died of typhoid fever and spinal affection, at Centerville, Linn Co., Kansas, Sept. 23, 1879, George J. Morrison, son of Frank and Mary Morrison, aged 8 years, 7 months, and 28 days. While in health he loved to read the Instructor and to attend the Sabbath-school. He patiently bore all his sufferings. He expressed his faith in Christ, and said that he was not afraid to die. Funeral discourse by Eld. Blake, United Brethren. F. AND M. MORRISON.

BULLOCK.—Died of scrofulous consumption, at his residence near Waukon, Iowa, Sept. 21, 1879, Lewis Bullock, aged 63 years, 6 months, and 11 days. He professed faith in Christ in his youth, and united with the M. E. church. In the spring of 1860, under the labors of J. N. Andrews, he embraced the truths held by S. D. Adventists. He leaves a wife and two daughters to mourn his loss; but we mourn not as those without hope; for we believe that he sleeps in Jesus. Funeral services were held in the S. D. A. church, and conducted by O. E. Hart, Presbyterian. J. AND S. A. COLE.

DISTRICT QUARTERLY MEETINGS

Appointments.

“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matt. 10:7.

DISTRICT QUARTERLY MEETINGS.

To be held Oct. 11, 12.

Dist. No. 8, Mich., at St. Charles. John McGregor.

Dist. No. 4, Iowa, at Bonaparte. Preaching at 10½ A. M., Sabbath. We hope to have a full attendance. Jas. S. Houseman, Director.

District quarterly meeting with the church at Lancaster, Erie Co., N. Y. R. F. Cottrell.

Dist. No. 4, Pa., at Randolph, N. Y. O. F. Bowen, Director.

Dist. No. 2, N. Y., at Roosevelt. S. N. Wright, Director.

Dist. No. 5, Pa. Conference, Blockville, N. Y. J. B. Stow, Director.

Dist. No. 10, Iowa, at Marshalltown. J. D. Pegg will be present to preach the word. Hope for a full attendance. S. M. Holly, Director.

Dist. No. 14, Mich., at Dimondale. Bro. Fargo is expected to attend this meeting. There will be opportunity for baptism. J. F. Carman, Director.

Dist. No. 4, Mich., with the church at Douglas. Bro. and Sr. Lane will be present. Alex. Carpenter, Director.

Dist. No. 9, Mich., at Vassar. Hope to see every T. and M. member in the district present, as this is to be an important meeting. Let all the librarians bring their books for examination. Wm. Ostrander, Director.

Dist. No. 8, Kan., with the Sterling church, near Sterling, Oct. 12. Hope there will be a general attendance. Cannot Bro. Dawson be with us? John C. Evans, Director.

Dist. No. 1, Mich., at Jefferson. This being an important meeting for the district, a good attendance is desired. If my health will permit, I will attend the meeting. M. B. Miller.

Dist. No. 6, Mich., at Lakeview. The Lakeview church is a new church, and as this is the first meeting of the kind that will be held with them it is hoped that, for their encouragement, all in the district will make an effort to attend. Come prepared to remain through both days. Eld. J. Fargo and other ministerial help is expected. Let the librarians come prepared to make a full report; report the amount of books you have on hand. F. Howe, Director.

TEXAS CAMP-MEETING.

The annual camp-meeting for the State will be held two miles southeast of the city of Dallas, Texas, November 5-11, 1879.

The first annual session of the Texas Seventh-day Adventist Conference will be held in connection with the camp-meeting near Dallas, Texas, Nov. 5-11. Each church should be represented by at least one delegate, who should bring with him credentials, and all the particulars and reports pertaining to the church he represents.

The first annual session of the Texas tract and missionary society, will be held in connection with the camp-meeting near Dallas, Nov. 5-11. The usual business, election of officers, etc., will be taken up.

The first annual session of the Texas S. S. Association will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Dallas, Nov. 5-11, 1879. The usual business will be transacted. Let each school be represented by a delegate. The lessons for Divisions 2, 3, and 4, will be those designed and prepared for the second Sabbath in November, and the lesson for the First Division will be the first review lesson in “Bible Lessons for Little Ones.” Let each school be well represented and ready to act its part. R. M. Kilgore, Pres. Texas Conf.

KANSAS CAMP-MEETINGS.

The south-western camp-meeting will be held in a grove near El Dorado (the county-seat of Butler Co.), at the terminus of that branch of the A. T. & S. Fé R. R., Oct. 16-20.

The southeastern camp-meeting will be held at Parsons, at the Junction of the M. K. & T. R. R., Oct. 23-27.

These meetings will begin Wednesday evening, at 7:30 o’clock. Let every tent be pitched, and everything in readiness to begin at that time. Kan. Conf. Com.

The general quarterly meeting of the Dakota T. and M. society will be held Oct. 18, 19, at Sunny Side. Come one and all to seek the Lord, and prepared to work for yourselves and others. M. M. Olsen, Vice-Pres.

Warren, Vt., Oct. 18, 19. Come to this meeting praying Heaven’s blessing upon all who attend. A. S. Hutchins.

The Lord willing, I will meet with the church at Lake City, Minn., Oct. 23-27. We want to meet all the friends in that vicinity. I also hope to meet Bro. Grant there. O. A. Olsen.

The next State quarterly meeting for Illinois will be held at Pittwood, Oct. 18, 19. We desire a general attendance, as important matters in connection with our T. and M. work will be considered. R. F. Andrews.

Dist. No. 5 of the Minn. Conference will hold a general meeting at the Lynch school-house, Lucas, Wis., Oct. 17-21. A Sabbath-school convention will be held in connection with this meeting, and other matters of interest will receive due attention. We request a full attendance from all the district. Brethren, come prepared with plenty of clothing and provisions. Places for lodging will be prepared by the brethren living near. H. Grant.

A teacher’s Institute will be held in the interest of the Sabbath-schools in Dist. No. 1, in connection with the annual meeting of the Maine T. and M. society, which will be held with the church at South Norridgewock, Oct. 18, 19, commencing Friday at 6½ P. M. It is desired that every Sabbath-school teacher and officer in the district should be present, as it is hoped that the Sabbath-school cause may receive attention which will have an especial influence for good upon the Sabbath-schools throughout the entire district. W. H. Blaisdell, Pres.

The next annual meeting of the Maine T. and M. Society will be held with the church at South Norridgewock, Oct. 18, 19, commencing Friday at 6½ P. M. As the election of officers for the ensuing year will take place at this time, we request a general gathering of our people. Let every church be represented. All should be interested in this branch of the work. We also want a report from each district secretary; each secretary should have a report from each church librarian; and each church librarian, a report from each member of the society in his church. Every member of the church should be a member of the T. and M. society. This is an important meeting. Let none excuse themselves and stay at home. J. B. Goodrich, Pres.

The annual meeting of the Wisconsin T. and M. society, for the election of officers and the transaction of other business, will be held at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis., commencing Thursday evening, Oct. 16, and continuing one week. Steps having been taken for the division of our State into sections to be placed under the charge of our several ministers, it is expected that they will assume their duties soon after this meeting. For the benefit of all who may attend, a special drill in business and matters of organization will be given. The health and temperance cause will receive especial attention. All ordained ministers in the Conference are requested to be present. All our directors should be there, and as many of our brethren as can attend. H. W. Decker, Pres.

CHANGE OF APPOINTMENTS.

By request, I change my appointment at Rockford to Belvidere, and the one at Belvidere to Rockford. The appointment will now stand as follows:— Belvidere, Oct. 11, 12. Rockford, “ 18, 19. C. H. Bliss.

For good and sufficient reasons we think, we change the district meeting for Clyde district, Ohio, from Wakeman to Clarksville, to be held in the Congregationalist church. H. A. St. John.

REMAINING CAMP-MEETINGS FOR 1879.

KANSAS, No. 3, El Dorado, Oct. 16-20.

“ 4, Parsons, Oct. 23-27.

TENNESSEE, Edgefield Junction, Oct. 10-16.

TEXAS, Dallas, Nov. 5-11.

Constitution of the General Conference, as Amended

By Editor

We publish this week the Constitution of the General Conference, as it has been amended to date. A close examination of all its articles and sections is requested, and criticisms invited, preparatory to its publication, with other like matter, in a manual for S. D. Adventists.

Hymn and Music Reprinted for Congregational Use

By Editor

The piece of music and accompanying hymn which we give this week, have been sung with powerful effect in years past, especially in connection with the first message. The hymn is still in general use, and the music is worthy to be revived; we therefore reprint it.

Editors Decline Anonymous and Initials-Only Correspondence

By Editor

☞ We again call the attention of correspondents to the fact that we cannot notice anonymous communications, nor those which are signed with initials only. Some of these we would answer by mail, but cannot reach the persons through the post-office, not having their names.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO AGENTS.

By James White

THE books, Bible from Heaven, Systematic Benevolence, and the engraving The Way of Life have all been ordered and sent out from the Office of the REVIEW AND HERALD. We learn, however, that there are several hundreds of copies of these works in the hands of agents. We therefore request that those persons who have copies of Bible from Heaven, Systematic Benevolence, and Way of Life on hand, immediately report to REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich., stating the number of copies on hand, and also the number they wish to retain.

JAMES WHITE.

ARE WE IN HEAVEN?

Yes; if the following piece of theological teaching, sent forth to the world by a journal calling itself “The Christian Reformer,” is correct:—

Heaven is a moral state, not a place. You cannot go in a straight line through space to Heaven—but you can reach Heaven by constantly approaching toward God’s righteousness in a line of moral rectitude. This is self-evident. God is here as truly as anywhere else in space. Heaven and hell are also. The pure in spirit see God, and are in Heaven. The impure in spirit are in darkness and hell. The boundaries of moral character are the boundaries of the spiritual universe.—Quoted in the Christian Reformer of Aug., 1879.

How could the idea of God be more effectually dispelled than by such language as this? Alas! if this is all the Heaven we are to have. And the wicked would utter a war-whoop of joy if they thought they were in all the hell they were going to have. The drunkard, gambler, and debauchee want nothing better than to revel in their low dens of vice. It is their heaven, and they would shout hallelujah over the idea that that was all the hell they were ever to have. This is what the devil would like to have men believe. And of what use is the Bible with all its teachings about God and Heaven and hell, if the view above stated is correct? None at all; it is a cheat and a fraud, and had better be sunk in the depths of the sea. Don’t ask us to be astonished that people are losing their respect for the Bible, and that infidelity is increasing, when men who profess to be Christian instructors and expounders of the word of God, gravely put forth such a rarefied bosh, as the teaching, or rather in spite of the teaching, of that word.

NOTICE, ILLINOIS.

By R. F. A.

It is our earnest wish that the district directors carry out at their district meetings the practical instructions they have received from our T. and M. secretary. Let there be a general waking up all along the line. The long evenings are before us. Let us make our calculations to give all an opportunity to read for themselves the reasons of our faith. We wish each director to see that every church in his district has a circulating library of Sr. White’s works. This is a most important matter, and should not be neglected. R. F. A.

NOTICE, WISCONSIN.

By H. W. Decker

THOSE coming to the Wisconsin T. and M. meeting on the N. W. R. R., will stop at Dane Station. Those coming on the C. M. and St. P. R. R., will stop at Morrison. Teams will meet all passenger trains at these places Thursday and Friday, the 16th and 17th.

H. W. DECKER.

Channing on the Character of Jesus in the Gospels

No books astonish me like the Gospels. Jesus, the hero of the story, is a more extraordinary being than imagination has feigned, and yet his character has an impress of nature, consistency, and truth, never surpassed. You have all seen portraits, which, as soon as seen, you felt to be likenesses, so living were they, so natural, so true. Such is the impression made on my mind by the Gospels. I believe that you or I could lift mountains or create a world as easily as fanaticism or imposture could have created such a character and history as that of Jesus Christ.—Channing.

Publishers' Department.

By Editor

“Not slothful in business.” Rom. 12:11.

Notice of expiration of subscription will be given by special stamp on the margin of the paper. We should be pleased to receive your renewal at once.

NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not in due time appear, and if books ordered by mail are not received, notice should be given. All other business is acknowledged below.

My address, until further notice, will be Battle Creek, Mich.

D. M. Canright.

NOTICE.—We would like to have all the Sabbath-keepers living in our section of the State, send us their names with their P. O. address. Also state what is the opening for meetings in their respective neighborhoods. Our permanent address will be Bloomington, McLean Co., Ill., care of Daniel Hildreth.

E. O. Hammond.

J. F. Ballenger.

Books Sent by Express.

T M Steward $14.70, M A Kerr 8.00, Geo C Tenney 14.40, S N Haskell 4.65.

Books Sent by Freight.

S H Lane $61.69.

Cash Rec'd on Account.

J D Pegg $19.00, John Sisley 51.73, A H & T Association Lyons camp-meeting 51.25, Vassar 21.50, H M Kenyon 13.48, Gen S S A Lyons camp-meeting per G H Bell 27.48, A H & T A, Carson City 7.00, L A Kellogg 20.00, M S Burnham 5.89, D H Lamson 4.98, Dennis Morrison 5.00, J C Corliss per Geo A King 2.00, S H Lane 57.47, J M Rees 84.68, W W Sharp 14.36, Wm Covert 41.58, J P Henderson 5.00, John Sisley 51.73, Texas T & M Society M S 100.00, Collins & Richards 18.17, G H Gilbert 33.23, Am H & T Association from M E & T Association per W H Blaisdell 27.75, Am H & T Association from Vt H & T Association per F Porter 25.00, H Peebles 18.60, Wm P Potter 14.08, Richard Sisley 21.97, Gen S S Association Vt S S Association tithe 73c, N Y T & M Society per W C White 125.00.

Gen. Conf. Fund.

E B Andrews $4.00, Maine Conf tithe per W C W 111.00, J P Hunt 8.00, W E Ground (s b) 1.00.

Mich. Conf. Fund.

Hart per John Leland $5.50, Jacob Jacobson 2.00, Eliza Margerson 1.50, Orange 8.00, Lakeview 25.00, Spring Arbor per A L King 14.18, Blendon per A Smith 5.00, Orleans per L B Kneeland 52.50, Carson City per J Fargo 9.65, Potterville per J Fargo 25.00, Orange per E K Jones 31.00, Greenville per J Fargo 80.00, Lapeer per J Fargo 111.10, Bushnell 62.00, Mt Pleasant per L A Kellogg 99.81, Seville per L A K 9.00, Holly 43.00, Matherton 38.30, Locke, A Avery & wife 11.73, Rapid River per John Sisley 39.23, Kalamazoo per E R J 10.90, Bronson per D Lynd 3.11, Marshall per S M Gilbert 1.50, Hickory Corners per E Edson 2.00, Muir & Lyons per F Howe 55.62.

Mich. T. & M. Society.

Dist 8 widow & orphan's fund per John Sisley $5.00, Dist 5 per J S Wicks 37.50, Dist 7 per W Reynolds 32.42, Dist 8 per E S Griggs 10.00, Dist 6 per J Fargo 61.50, Dist 3 Kalamazoo added ⅛ 6.23, Dist 3 A Kellogg on Signs 2.56, Dist 6 per F Howe 26.62.

M. C. Reserve Fund.

Sarah Beach $10.00, R J Lawrence 10.00.

S. D. A. E. Society.

T K Henry $5.00, Harriet Nelson 5.00.

European Mission.

L M Sisley $5.00, A Friend 5.00, Betsey Wilson 1.00, Catherine Wilson 5.00, Cyrus Cartwright 21.00.

English Mission.

Jane A Crofoot $1.00, E S Walker & wife 8.00, David Randall 20.00, R J Lawrence 25.00.

Donation to Publishing Association.

Mrs P D Nye (deceased) $50.00.

Russian Railroad Loan and Jewish Population Estimates

—The loan the Russian Government is about to put upon the London market is ostensibly for the advancement of railroad construction. That next to be placed upon the market, it is already announced, will be for a much larger sum, and will be avowedly for war material.

—Of the Hebrew race there are, according to recent estimates, about 7,000,000—5,000,000 are in Europe, 200,000 in Asia, 100,000 in Africa, and about 1,500,000 in America. It will be seen that the Jewish population is about the same as it was in the days of King David. In many respects, and even in all respects, the Hebrews are the wonder of history. They have filled a large and honored place in the chronicles of nations, and are the same peculiar people they were three thousand years ago.