Earlier text: The Hiding PlaceImportance of the Advent Doctrine.
By George J. Butler
The soon coming of Christ is the central truth of our theory. Without this the rest loses vitality and importance. Just in the same ratio that we put off, and lose sight of, this great truth, shall we be lax and careless in other things, and take the position of nominalists around us; and just in proportion as we value it, and appreciate its nearness, are we enabled to overcome and retain a zeal commensurate with the importance of the great truths held by our people. All can see that if this be so, we should cherish above all things an interest in it. Do we not find it a part of our experience as a people and as individuals? It is impossible in the nature of things but that we should feel a greater interest in the world and its concerns when we think we are going to live the natural length of our lives, and leave children to be cared for and who will need the benefit of our labors, than we should if we had no such expectations and thought that all earthly scenes would close up, and we should face eternal realities after a few more rising suns had passed over us. We value these earthly blessings because we hope to use them hereafter, or that others dear to us may. Nature has made the instinct of self-preservation one of the strongest within us; and let the mind be brought fully to believe that not earthly riches, but heavenly, will soon be called into requisition, and depend upon it they will seek the one, and lose interest in the other. Among the special sins of the last days we find that “covetousness” and selfishness occupy a prominent position. How plain that a belief in the nearness of Christ’s coming is just the thing to uproot these sins. As it is with worldliness, so with other sins of a personal nature. It takes but a moment’s glance to see that the Advent doctrine is the very marrow of other truths held by us. Our views of the sanctuary subject could easily be shown to be false if the coming of Christ be not near. The messages as taught by us are a terrible deception, if the Advent doctrine be not true. So of the two-horned beast, the mark and the seal, and all our expositions of prophecy. In fact, we are the most deceived people on earth if the coming of the Son of Man is not near. The Sabbath and law, some may think, are important exceptions. To be sure, the views we hold in reference to them have always been true. But is it not true that these are made especially important when we consider the Sabbath reform, the burden of the third angel’s message, a work of preparation for Christ’s coming, as a part of a great reform bringing back religious truth to apostolic teachings, and as the culmination of the work of reform commenced centuries ago from papal apostasy, to bring up God’s law, trodden under foot by the beast, to its proper position preparatory to meeting the Lawgiver? This work we believe is brought to view in the message as the last work of God’s people; but if the Advent of Christ be not very near, we are all mistaken in this. And is not the fact which is patent to us all, of thousands of Sabbath-keepers, made such by the proclamation of this message, a strong assurance of God’s pleasure in the work and his approbation of the means employed for its furtherance? Can it be he would especially bless error, and give more true zeal and spiritual energy, and more of success, to those who use error as an auxiliary in sending the truth to the people than to those who only use unadulterated truth? We think not. And yet, such must be the case, unless the special power given through the Advent doctrine, be of him. I believe we all know that, take the Advent doctrine away from its connection with the Sabbath question, we should soon lose our zeal, at least to an important degree, in the propagation of the other. And it was by means of the messages and the sanctuary question, as connected with the advent doctrine, that we as a people became acquainted with the Sabbath question. Thus it is seen in nearly all the peculiar doctrines we hold, that the doctrine of the near coming of Christ is the main support. If that falls, the others go with it. It becomes then very important to investigate the claims of this question, and for every one of us to be established in it. I do not propose in this article to go into a particular examination of the evidences upon which it rests, but simply to take a glance at some of them. Any student of the Scriptures must admit the existence of chains of prophecy, commencing back in the remote past and reaching down to the coming of Christ, the Judgment, and the establishment of God’s kingdom. Where are we in the history of the world as thus given in advance by the prophets? Can any one have a doubt that, in Dan. 2, the four great kingdoms of the world are symbolized by the four parts of the image, and the kingdoms of Europe by the ten toes? Is it not a fact that the great Roman empire, the fourth in order, was divided up by the barbarians of Northern Europe, from which have come all these modern kingdoms? Have we not, then, been living in the very last division represented as preceding the fifth kingdom so long that we must be near the setting up of the latter? In the seventh chapter we have the same number of kingdoms introduced by the symbolic beasts with so many marks of identity that all must admit that they refer to the same general events as Dan. 2. But we have, in the fourth symbol, a new phase introduced—the little horn speaking great words against God and wearing out his saints. Can there be a doubt in the mind of any one who has investigated this subject that this power is the Catholic church under the lead of the pope, who was made head over the churches in 538, and that the “time, times, and dividing of time” of his duration, twelve hundred and sixty years, commenced at the above named period and ended in 1798, when he was carried into captivity by the French? Then it is said of him, “The judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to consume and destroy it unto the end.” Who can look over the events of the past half century and not see a wonderful fulfillment of this prediction? Naples, Spain, Austria and France were all strong nations, and all upheld the papacy with all their power. Spain has become a second-rate power. Naples has been absorbed into the rising kingdom of Italy, whose king, Victor Emmanuel, is under the excommunication of the pope. Austria, only a few years since one of the great-powers of Europe and a bulwark of the papacy, now greatly humbled, and opening her doors to other churches and influences, has left the pope to care for himself. And lastly France, the eldest son of the church, who furnished the bayonets which kept the pope in Rome for eighteen years, has at last fallen before the rising power of Prussia, and pope Pius finds himself a captive in his own capital, with not a foot of territory he can call his own, and Rome made the capital of united Italy and ruled over by the excommunicated king. In spite of all the great claims of infallibility put forth by pope and council, here is where he finds himself. Who can doubt but the “body of the beast” will soon be given to the burning flame? Can events go backward and not forward, when God has spoken so plainly? The next thing is “the kingdom and dominion under the whole heaven” to be given to the saints of the Most High.” We take Matt. 24, one of the plainest prophecies in the Bible, and trace it down through the persecutions of the church to the signs, the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars. All these have met an ample fulfillment in the events to which Adventists apply them. Here we stand, then, thirty-seven years this side of the last great sign given by the Saviour. At this very point, after the fulfillment of these signs, he says, “When ye shall see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.” It is not guesswork. We have the authority of our Lord himself that we can know in reference to this with the certainty we can know when summer is coming by the trees putting forth their leaves; and we can judge of the degree of nearness; it is as if a man stood by the door ready to enter. “This generation,” says Jesus, “shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Could anything be made more positive? How close these words bring us to this great event. The heavens shall soon open and reveal the Son of God. So of all the signs given in the book of God. We read the description, and look around us and see them here. Was the last age to be one of darkness or light? The prophet says in the “time of the end, knowledge shall be increased.” It is curious that the conclusions of learned men should be so different from those of the Bible. The very thing which causes the wise of earth to think we are in the infancy of the race, should cause the child of God to feel sure we are at its close. The last age is to be an intellectual age. How reasonable that the Governor of the world should have such a state of things when his message of warning was to go forth, so that all will be left without excuse. The Bible in the hands of all, the intellect active, ways of communication between nations open, and flooded with travelers. The conditions are just such as the prophet said they would be. But how with the religious world? Will they all believe it near at hand? No. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when the Son of Man cometh. Evil servants shall say, My Lord delayeth his coming. Scoffers shall say, Where is the promise of his coming? All things are going on finely as usual. A worldly church should be cherishing the vain hope of converting the world. The pleasing song of peace and safety should be heard in all directions. The work of satanic spirits working miracles should be seen all around. Convulsions in the earth, fearful sights in heaven, commotions in the sea, covetousness in the church and world, and spiritual apathy everywhere. Are not these the conditions laid down in the prophets? And who will dare deny that these are everywhere manifest? Yes, the Lord is coming. The great day is near and hasteth greatly. The last warning message is going to the world. Have we any reason to put off the time into the indefinite future, and lay plans for money-making, farms for our children, a goodly amount of this world’s goods for old age, when Christ says himself that he stands at the door. Think of it, dear reader—at the door, ready to enter. Yes, we are in the waiting time and the position is a trying one. “Here is the patience of the saints.” Patience is not a pleasant plant to cultivate; but the fruit is precious. How many of us shall gather the fruit is a question of importance. Yes, the glorious Advent doctrine is what we all need. What life it would put into us, with what unction we could preach, how small this poor world would look, if we felt its nearness! How it would lessen our regard for the good opinions of poor humanity! How it would help us to bear some crosses we have to carry, could we feel in our hearts that Jesus was even at the door! Such truly is the case. He says just so. Shall we believe it? Our actions will show. It seems difficult to make people believe it enough to affect their actions. And I am fearful that many in their hearts are putting it off, so that it seems farther away than when they first believed. Fearful state! “Now the just shall live by faith.” When? In the time of this patience. Let us believe it; and while we pray, Come Lord Jesus and come quickly, let us believe that his coming is near and hasteth greatly. TRIFLES.—Never be cast down by trifles. If a spider breaks his thread twenty times, twenty times will he mend it again. Make up your mind to do a thing, and you will do it. Fear not if trouble comes upon you. Troubles never stop forever,
The darkest day will pass away. The following extract from a letter published in the New York Times of Sept. 23, shows how the Sunday question is viewed in Chicago, from whence the letter emanates: There is a quiet movement on foot, in the hands of some leading business men, lawyers, etc., in the city politics, to bring out a ticket which shall represent the element of our society which is opposed to the saloon rule, to the repeal of the Sunday laws, and generally to the systematic effort which is making to break down our religious institutions and observances. To make the issue distinct and emphatic, it is proposed to run some representative man for Mayor. Rev. Dr. Evarts, pastor of the First Baptist Church, who has always been outspoken on the question involved; Dr. N. S. Davis (Methodist), a distinguished and able advocate of the temperance reform and one of our ablest and most popular physicians; and Col. C. G. Hammond (Congregationalist), late Superintendent of the Pacific Railroad, and one of our best men, are most talked of for Mayor, and one of the three will undoubtedly head the ticket. The temperance men are taking the lead in the movement, and have been holding meetings for the past two months, with a view of waking up public sentiment. But it will be a general uprising of the better classes against the rule of the saloons and German infidelity. It appears that in most of our large cities, the foreign element, Germans, Danes, Norwegians, French, &c., view the Sunday as a day of recreation and pleasure, and therefore they oppose the Sunday laws as oppressive. It is also a fact that a few, who love the law of God, and wish to celebrate the true Sabbath of Jehovah, are, from principle, opposed to elevating the Sunday above the genuine and ancient Sabbath of the Lord. Here, then, are two classes of people who oppose this counterfeit Sabbath; one from interest and selfish considerations, the other from conscientious reasons and motives, and from principles of right. Sunday-keepers in presuming upon the supposed justice of their claims, and ignoring the claims of both the classes above alluded to, are madly rushing on to their own ruin, and are establishing a precedent, which may probably, nay will certainly, result in a union of church and State, and in the end will result in a systematic course of religious persecution, probably more sanguinary in its purpose than any previous persecution in the history of the church, because it strikes at an old and established institution of Jehovah. Doctors of divinity and laymen, politicians and statesmen, and people at large, will generally see but the surface of this subject until it is too late to retrace their steps. Led on by the spirit of intolerance, the nation will be fired with the spirit of persecution before they are aware of it, and great evil will ensue. We do not say this from feelings of dread; for we are assured that persecution would now, as formerly, only purify the church, and draw its members nearer to God. Neither do we justify the crowd of foreigners, who hail the Sunday as a day of mirth and bacchanalian revel, and a time of general festivity; yet we would ask if it will better the case to use force in a question like this? Is it right for the government to decide whether I shall or shall not observe the Sunday? Might it not as properly say that I shall or shall not be baptized, and also prescribe the mode? Might not government as properly say what church I shall join, and what shall be my creed? Nay, does it not, in selecting for me a day of rest, thus form for me a creed upon the most important part of my form of doctrine? This is, indeed, a subject worthy of discussion, when a nation is about to arise in its strength to maintain an institution so doubtful in its origin as the Sunday. We advise our countrymen to look well before them ere they take this terrible leap in the dark. No HEART is insensible to words of praise, or the kindly smile of approbation; and none are utterly above being affected by censure or blame. Children are particularly sensitive in this respect. Nothing can discourage a child more than a spirit of incessant fault-finding; and perhaps nothing can exert a more baneful influence upon both parent and child. If your little one, through the day, has been pleasant, and obedient, and you say to him, “My son, you have been very good to-day, and it makes me very happy;” and if, with more than a usually affectionate embrace, you say, “Good night, my dear child,” a throb of suppressed feeling fills his breast, and he resolves on always earning such approval. If your grown son, or daughter, have accomplished some difficult piece of work, rendering you essential assistance; or have climbed some steep in the daily drill of study; or have acquired some new accomplishment or added grace; or, better than all, have gained the victory over some bad habit or besetting sin—acknowledge it, see it, praise them for it. Let them see by your added tenderness, the deep joy and comfort it gives you. Thus you will create a great incentive to right conduct, and lay a broad foundation for a character which shall be redolent with succulent fruit and fragrant blossoms.—Sel. At a late meeting of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, the question of tobacco-using by Christian ministers was discussed on a resolution offered by a layman; and, we are sorry to say, all the speakers (as reported in the Philadelphia Ledger) were in favor of the habit. Rev. Dr. Cathcart “instanced himself as an example that tobacco had not hurt his body.” Rev. J. Wheaton Smith was a smoker, and opposed the resolution condemning it. Rev. Mr. Cathcart further stated that “tobacco had its uses, and if any one did not like to come near him they could stay away. If he wished to make a man liberal, before asking him to contribute to a cause which he might represent, he would first hand him a cigar.” Verily, tobacco has its uses. But we cannot believe that narcotizing or intoxicating a man with tobacco to make him liberal is one of them. It seems to us like a clear abuse of that mandate which declares that we shall not do evil that good may come. True, if any one does not like the breath or smell of Mr. C. he can keep away from him; but has a Christian minister a right to make himself such a nuisance that noses polite cannot approach him? Some years ago the fashion was introduced, on the occasion of the semi-annual trade-sales in New York, of banqueting the purchasers with luxurious eatables well seasoned with champagne; and the auctioneer thought his customers would buy more liberally after being well feasted and drinked. And now the real-estate dealers, when they auctioneer their city lots in the country, are imitating this liberalizing example. They advertise a free ride and a splendid banquet as among the inducements held out to purchasers. So that “oysters and champagne” have their uses, but we think this use of them is more devilish than Christian or human.—Sel. Some people are ever sighing over glorious dreams forever fled, grandeur and happiness passed away; pining for the return of hours gone by. If they would but spend the time thus wasted, or worse than wasted, in some useful occupation for mind and body, they would be far happier, and would find but little time to think of those scenes long since passed away, and numbered with the “used to be.” They would look hopefully to the future, and life would be then a pleasant journey. This life is, in a great measure, what we make it. If we are hopeful and cheerful, cares and disappointments fail to annoy us; for we are ever looking to the future for brighter days. If we are desponding and gloomy, every little ripple upon the stream of life seems to us a mighty wave, and we look, expect, and are really disappointed if we fail to see dark clouds fill life's blue sky and a heavy storm arise. Cheerfulness, hopefulness, charity, and contentment are safe-guards against all the petty annoyances of this life. Let us ever cherish them—and when the death summons comes, we can meet our Heavenly Father with the consciousness of a well-spent life while on earth.—Sel. Conversion in Youth and Old Age
“A PERSON converted in youth,” says John Angell James, “is like the sun rising on a summer’s morning to shine through the long, bright day. But a person converted late in life is like the evening star, a lovely object of Christian contemplation, but not appearing till the day is closing, and then but for a little while.” Monroe Meeting.
By D. M. CARTWRIGHT
Our meeting here closed last night. We were much disappointed at the small attendance from other churches. The weather and the roads were the finest; yet but few came though all were within an easy day's drive. From all that I can see, I am sure that the spirit of the world, the love of gain, and the cares of this life are in an alarming degree coming over our people in this section of the State. There is not that willingness to sacrifice time and means for the cause of God that there should be and has been in the past. Business and self-interest first; meetings and God's cause second. The result is manifest. Our meetings were cold and without power. The melting spirit of God, earnestness in prayer, and fervency in exhortation were largely wanting. We spent most of our meeting in considering these things, the cause of them, and how to remedy them. Toward the close of the meetings, a little of the spirit of confession came in, and we felt some little relief. I fear we have neglected the care of our churches too long to labor in new fields. They are all greatly in need of help. We organized a Tract Society at this meeting for this district, nearly every one taking a part in it. We shall commence work immediately. We earnestly solicit all our friends in this section to send in their names and means, and help in the good work. An officer is appointed in each church to see to this. The outside interest at Monroe was the best we have ever seen it. Our house was well filled Saturday night, and crowded Sunday night. We have strong hopes of several, and a good number are inquiring, and are more friendly than formerly. This is encouraging to us. This is quite a central point, and easy of access; plenty of wood, coal, and water, and the best of land. Another railroad is just coming in. We hope it may be God's will to have a good strong church here. I now go to Adel. D. M. CARTWRIGHT. Chittenden County, Vt.
By A. S. Hutchins
I HAVE been in this county every Sabbath but one, since the first of last July. During our labors with the tent here, as previously stated, we have seen the cause of the Lord prosper. Men have turned their feet from the paths of sin and disobedience, to the highway of God's holy commandments and righteousness. Others who were trying to render to him obedience, have seen additional light and truth from the word of the Lord, and are now honoring him by walking therein. We expect to remain here at present, and labor as our health and strength will admit in this good cause. The daily cry of my heart is, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? God is good. His service is most delightful to the obedient servant. Victory will surely turn on the side of truth. The reward is certain to the overcomer. The “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” to be revealed in the gift of immortality and endless life, will cause every pain and grief, and anxious care and wearing toil, of the good soldier in the Christian warfare, to fade from the mind, as the faintest rays of light fade from the most dim star, before the beaming light of the rising sun. Yesterday and to-day were good days for commandment-keepers in Jericho and West Bolton. West Bolton, Vt., Oct. 22, 1871. Belleville, Ohio
By H. A. St. John
FROM July 18th to Aug. 20, held twenty-eight meetings in the town hall in the village of Centerburg, Knox Co. Good average attendance. As usual, many are convinced of truth and duty, but the people in those parts are very slow to move. Only two expressed a determination to keep the Sabbath; but we hope for others. Pitched the Ohio tent in the village of New Albany, Franklin Co., fourteen miles from Columbus, and commenced meetings on the evening of Aug. 25. Continued here till Sept. 18, giving, in all, thirty-one discourses. A good degree of interest was manifested at the beginning, which continued till the close. I did all the speaking. Congregations, at times, reached six hundred and upwards. Obtained twelve subscribers for the REVIEW and two for the Reformer, and left several good souls keeping the Lord’s holy Sabbath. We hope to return to them soon to finish the work as the Lord may give wisdom. Sunday forenoon and evening, Sept. 24, held meeting in the town hall in Centerburg. Here is still a good interest to hear the glorious present truth. I was informed that two others had commenced to keep the Sabbath since I was there before. Obtained one subscriber for the REVIEW. There are others here who, we expect, will soon identify themselves with the commandment-keeping people of God. We left Centerburg, Sept. 25, for the Ohio Camp-meeting at Mansfield, feeling that our labor, thus far this season, had not been in vain in the Lord. H. A. ST. JOHN. New York and Pennsylvania.
By John Lindsey; S. A. H. Lindsey
SEPT. 16 and 17, we were favored with the privilege of meeting with the brethren and sisters at Randolph. These were seasons of encouragement as reported by Bro. Cottrell. Our kind and loving Saviour met with us according to his promise. Sept. 23 and 24, we attended quarterly meeting with the church at Ulysses. The Lord gave us clear evidences that he had not forsaken us, but that it was his will that we should rise to a higher plane of action, and that what we do should be done with singleness of heart. May the dear Saviour help us. Sept. 28, met with the Farmington friends at their place of worship at Thorn Bottom. A goodly number assembled to hear the word of the Lord; and according to the testimonies in the social exercises, good impressions were made on the hearts of some. Sept. 29, and 30. Held meetings with the Catlin church. Enjoyed good liberty while bearing our humble testimony, also the blessing of the Lord attended our social meetings. But we see so many evidences of our backslidings from God, as a people, wherever we go, that in sadness we seek our closet to pray and to weep. May the great God whom we have so deeply grieved, pity and forgive his people. Oct. 1, we commenced a course of lectures at Beaver Dam, Schuyler Co., N. Y. This has been a stronghold of the enemy for some time in the past; and it was with many misgivings that we took hold of the work here. During the ten days of our effort now past, there have been, within ten miles of here, a county fair of two or three days, a display of Barnum's Museum Menagerie and Circus, and Howe's Great London Circus and Show. These have attracted the people and lessened their interest in divine things. Last evening an exciting school meeting held some of our most interested hearers, and next Sabbath and Sunday there is to be a Methodist quarterly meeting in the place; so that our prospects do not appear very flattering for the future. Yet we trust in God. The work is his. We praise him for what he has done and trust his grace for what is before us.
JOHN LINDSEY,
S. A. H. LINDSEY. Making Life a Success.
By Maria L. Huntley
“He made life a success!” How often is this or some similar remark made when one dies who has become wealthy and influential! But few take into the account anything but his worldly position and possessions. He may have spent his time and energies, and cut short his life in his eagerness to obtain these; but with many it matters not. He has gained money and the approbation of men, and that is what they consider success. But are they correct? Ought we to consider these the principal objects of our lives? I think not. That which will be of the most benefit to us should claim our greatest exertions and our most earnest thought. The rich man dies. His probation has closed, and next in order to him is the Judgment—the most awful, the most trying, event connected with his existence. Every act of his life, every word he has uttered, and even the motives which have actuated him, are examined and tested by the word of God. The wrong which appeared so small to him, and not worthy of notice, when viewed in the light of the Judgment, appear in all their enormity; and nothing remains for him but to suffer the penalty of God’s broken law, which is death. Those whose favor he courted are powerless to help him, and his riches only make his condemnation more sure. He may have heaped together treasures, but what advantage are they, or have they been, to him? He has mistaken their real value, and lost the reward he might have gained had he used them in doing good and advancing the cause of God; for by so doing he would7have laid them up in Heaven, where they would be sure and abiding. But let us look at the result of his life. He sought pleasure, but lost an eternal life of happiness. He sought riches, but was satisfied with those that perish, and neglected obtaining the true riches which were within his reach. He sought to save his life, but lost it; to gain the world, but finally failed of everything but a reward for his sins and punishment for his transgressions. Instead of his life being a success, has it not proved a sad failure? and will he not thus view it when it is too late for remedy? Contrast his reward with that of one whose life has been marked with devotion to God, and whose death has been that of the righteous, and consider the difference. His life may have been one of toil, suffering, and even privation. Over his coffin, sympathizing friends may have shed tears for his misfortunes, or he may have died friendless and alone; but in the sight of the Lord, his death was precious. Angels guard the spot where he rests, and soon when the voice of the Son of God is heard, he will awake in immortal vigor, and beauty, to sorrow, suffer, and die no more. His trials, temptations, and privations, were but for a moment in comparison with the endless life of joy and happiness which he has gained, in a world where all is lovely and good. Is not this true success, and ought we not to act with reference to securing it in whatever we do? Especially to the young I would say, Let us begin early to make life a success, the result of which will be as lasting as eternity. We can do this if we will. It is those who strive, who agonize that will be able to enter in at the straight gate. WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.
Not as He was, a houseless stranger,
With no home to shield his head;
Not as seen in Bethlehem's manger,
Where the horned oxen fed. Not as in the garden groaning,
Plunged in deep, mysterious woe;
All the guilt of man bemoaning,
While the precious blood-sweats flow. Not as seen on Calvary's mountain,
Where he offered up his soul;
Opening wide that sacred fountain,
Which alone can make us whole. Not as he was, a pale and breathless
Captive in the shades beneath;
But as he is, immortal, deathless,
Conqueror o'er the powers of death! Yes! we shall see him in our nature,
Seated on his lofty throne—
Loved, adored by every creature—
Owned as God, and God alone! There countless hosts of shining spirits
Strike their harps, and loudly sing
To the praise of Jesus' merits,
To the glory of their King! When is passed time's rolling river,
We shall see him as he is—
Resting in his love and favor,
Owning all the glory his. There to cast our crowns before him—
Oh! what bliss the thought affords!
There forever to adore him—
King of kings and Lord of lords! Our last report was from Bowling Green, Clay Co. We were then laboring with the tent. The interest increased from first to last, the congregations ranging from one to four hundred. The truth made an excellent impression on the public mind. Many searched the Scriptures daily to see if the words spoken were true. Several decided to obey God by keeping his commandments. When we took down the tent, the church belonging to the Christian denomination was kindly offered us to hold meetings in each Sabbath and first-day when not occupied. We spoke each Sabbath and first-day for three weeks. During the time, two of their ministers spoke against our views. We replied to them, which created much interest and left a good influence in favor of the truth. We were finally denied the use of the house. The refusal, however, came only from a few, the majority being in favor of letting us have the house. Our being denied the house caused much excitement among those interested. The treasurer and recorder of the county took immediate measures to procure for us a house in which to speak. In order to do so, they endeavored to purchase the Baptist church. After ascertaining its value, they concluded to procure it. Before the contract was completed, the Baptists concluded not to part with it. They received it back with the understanding that we could have it to preach in. Since then, we have occupied it when occasion has demanded. The people are still interested to hear the truth. We next pitched the tent in Gosport, Owen Co. At this point we met much opposition. The ministers did much to keep the people away. The congregations were not so large as at other places. Some became much interested, and a few made up their minds to obey. The minister of the Christian church spoke against us on the Sabbath question. His remarks were replied to by my brother, before a large and attentive congregation. From Gosport we went to Middletown, Henry Co. In this county, Eld. B. F. Snook traveled quite extensively just before he departed from the faith altogether. His apostatizing left a bad impression on the public, and supposing we belonged to the same society, they were very much prejudiced. Notwithstanding this, the congregation increased from the first. We disposed of about twenty-five dollars' worth of books and tracts. There are a few brethren and sisters living near this point who embraced the Sabbath under the labors of B. F. Snook. They did much to sustain the meetings. We are thankful unto the Lord that we can report that they are in the fullest sympathy with the truths of the third angel's message, and are doing much to extend the light thereof by sending books, tracts, and papers, to various parts of the country. We regret that we were obliged to leave while the people were anxious to hear further; but were compelled to do so in order to pitch the tent on the camp-ground. We hope to return as the way may open and follow up the interest. The camp-meeting was a good one. The Spirit of the Lord was evidently present to bless. The influence of the meeting for good upon the community has fully met the expectations of the brethren and sisters in that vicinity. The cause seems to be onward in this new field. Calls for labor come in from many points. Truly the harvest is a great one, and those who labor are few. Let us pray, brethren and sisters, that the Lord may raise up more. S. H. LANE. Gosport, Ind., Oct. 15, 1871. Utica, Dane Co., Wis
By E. M. Crandall
THROUGH a kind Providence Brn. Bartholf, Loomis, Olds, and myself, were permitted to attend the quarterly meeting of the church at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis., held Oct. 7 and 8, 1871. We found the brethren laboring under some discouragements yet hopeful, and making an effort to overcome. Meeting commenced Sabbath morning by a discourse by Bro. Olds from Eph. 6: 13–19, in which he endeavored to show the importance of getting on the whole armor of God that we might be able to stand in the evil day. This seemed to give them strength and courage to press on in the narrow way. The ordinances were celebrated in the afternoon. All, or nearly all, took a part. The Spirit of the Lord was present; and judging from the testimonies that were given, the brethren and sisters were greatly moved to put away their past transgressions and negligence, and to take hold of the work God has assigned them with renewed vigor, and try to live so that union and harmony may prevail, and so fight the good fight that they may lay hold on eternal life when the Master shall appear. In the evening, I tried to speak to them from 1 Thess. 5: 6–12, and show that the night of darkness was far spent, and the glorious day was about to dawn, spoken of by prophets and looked for by patriarchs, and that, if faithful, we may participate in the glorious events that are to take place in that day. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” First-day morning, Bro. Olds preached from Matt. 7: 3, 4. The discourse was well received, as was shown by the testimonies of the brethren and sisters. Brn. Bartholf and Loomis took hold of the work like good soldiers, and helped the interest of the meeting very much. I tried in the afternoon to address them from Mal. 1: 14, showing that the Lord was a great King and his greatness was shown in his works. And to this great King we owed allegiance and obedience. And to the obedient he had made many and precious promises. Liberty was then given for all to speak. The time was well improved, and the Spirit of the Lord seemed to rest down upon the people, and it was with reluctance that we brought the meeting to a close. E. M. CRANDALL. Maro, Aroostook Co., Maine.
By J. B. Goodrich
I COMMENCED meetings in this place, Sept. 26. Last Sunday I buried five with Christ by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so they should walk in newness of life. Others have started out to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Some keep away and use the tongue of slander to prejudice the minds of the people against the truth; but the Lord, by his Spirit, is stirring up others to obey the third angel's message, that they may be sealed for the kingdom of God. Pray for me. J. B. GOODRICH.