Earlier text: The Seventh Day Not Observed by the Early Christian ChurchQuestions for Christians.
By C. R. Austin
PERMIT me to ask a few questions. Are we living near the second coming of Christ? Will he soon finish all his pleading for poor, perishing sinners, and cease to be our advocate at the court of Heaven? Do we believe these are solemn truths, that God would have impressed upon the minds of this generation? Are we purifying our own souls by obedience to the present truth, and reflecting the light we have received from the sure word of prophecy, upon those around us? Have we not each a work to do for the Master? and though our duties may be confined to a lowly and private life, will not God require just as earnest and faithful improvement of light received, and talents given, as he will of those he has placed as “watchmen unto the house of Israel?” Are there not those around us who have ears to hear? It may be but a child, who is listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd, and needs to have the eye of faith directed to our great High Priest in his closing work before the ark of testimony within the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. The cause of God needs zealous workers; and because the laborers are so few, he has prompted the managers of our Publishing Association to send out, by the aid of tract and missionary societies, silent messengers in every direction to search for the honest-hearted. The REVIEW visits many homes as a stranger. What shall its language be? Will it say, I come to bring you valuable reading, many selections from the best books and papers in circulation (and if they have been read elsewhere they are really worth reading again)? Or shall it say, I come to tell you that earth’s glorious King is coming soon, to raise from their dusty beds the pure and good of all ages, and bestow upon them, with the righteous living, the gift of immortality, and to begin his reign of love and peace, which shall never end? Brethren and sisters, awake! and be in earnest to help in this blessed work that will so soon close. Let the pens that are so faithfully used for social pleasure speak out for God and his cause. And as every REVIEW goes forth, carrying the notes of warning from the last message of mercy to a fallen world, penned by the faithful few whose names are seldom missed from the paper, let the remaining space be filled with ardent testimonies from hearts warmed by the Spirit of God and filled with love to him and his sacred truth. Spain appears to be entering upon the throes of another revolution, and this at a moment when she has two civil wars upon her hands—one the Carlist insurrection in Spain; the other, the insurrection in Cuba. Spain seems to be incapable of putting down either insurrection effectually, notwithstanding the insurgents are a mere handful in either case, while Spain has a moderately large regular army and navy. At this inopportune moment, King Amadeus offers to resign the crown. He has had provocation and discouragement enough. Since he became king, there has been a constant succession of changes of the Cabinet, caused by quarrels, jealousies, and obstinate differences of opinion, often over trifles, among the Spanish statesmen. It seems impossible to get half a dozen Spanish politicians together who are able to agree with each other more than a few days. Then the Cabinet and the people are jealous of their king. They insist upon unwise and unpopular appointments for the sole reason that he desires to make wise and popular appointments; and, if he were allowed to have his way, he might become more popular than his ministers, and their master instead of their convenient instrument. The king also has reason to be disgusted with the absurdities of Spanish etiquette, which is a very important thing in that country. Since he ascended the throne, the wives of various grandees have “cut” the queen more or less, because the queen does not rigidly comply with Spanish notions of etiquette. She has actually—the vulgar foreigner!—ventured to shake hands with an ambassador, and to nod and smile at her husband right before the public gaze! Such “goings on” cannot be tolerated by the Spanish ladies. The queen might commit adultery in secret, lie, steal, and break all the commandments, and still be the very head and top of Spanish society, so long as her etiquette was faultless; but to violate Spanish etiquette is an unforgivable offense. The king has further cause to complain that the finances have been badly managed, that the army is not what it should be, that promised reforms, which he favors, are not carried out. He might complain of other trifles, such as being shot at, hooted, stoned, etc.; but these are only minor troubles, compared with the fierce factions in the Cortes and Cabinet, the divisions among the monarchical party itself, and the perpetual quarrel going on around him, and making his life unhappy. The immediate cause which may prove the last feather to break the king’s back, is the fact that he nominated a popular and able general to command the Basque provinces; whereupon the Cabinet insisted upon appointing an unpopular general—a general so unpopular that, upon his appointment, all the honorable officers of the army in the provinces tendered their resignations rather than serve under him; and the Cortes, jealous of the king, sustained the Cabinet. Meanwhile a new rebellion has broken out in Mexico. Another Congressional Committee is to go to the Rio Grande, to investigate Mexican raids there; and our army forces on the border are to be considerably reinforced. If the rebellion extends, as usual, there will be more trouble on the frontier. As usual, there are constant insurrections, revolutions, and difficulties in the Spanish American countries of South America. There seems to be a defect in the Spanish race, which makes it everywhere prone to insurrection, intrigue, anarchy, dissension, and instability. Yet the Spanish troubles are, really, a hopeful sign. Agitation is better than the dull level of intolerant bigotry and haughty indifference. Tumult is not so bad as decay and non-progress. There must be a breaking up of the old before there can be a building up of the new. The throes of dissolution must precede the resurrection to any better life. The great question is whence and how will the better era come to Spain, and the Spanish race; and that enigma a few Spanish patriots are already trying to solve.—Sel. The night is long and lonely, and we wait
With silent watchfulness with sleepless fears
For One who shall unlock the shining gate,
And end the darkness of this night of tears. Before us, through the gloom, a river runs
With silent tide, forever dark and still;
Reflecting no white moons or golden suns,
Tossed by no waves—so ghastly—calm and still. No murmuring ripple and no friendly roar
Warns; in the darkness, of the dangerous brink,
We know not, ever, whither lies the shore,
Nor at what moment we may slip and sink. Close at our feet may be these waters wide—
So we grope darkly, and one footfall more
May be a leap into the swallowing tide,
Where countless thousands have gone down before. A chilling plunge—an end of life's swift dream—
And the still river shall flow calmly on,
As silent as before. O ruthless stream!
So cold and pitilessly thy waters run! Yet this dark river has another shore,
And yonder, yonder is the golden gate!
A flood of light shall break these waters o'er,
When He unlocks it—he for whom we wait. Then shall the sleepers wake. The hungry tide,
His dead shall gather to its arms no more.
The glad and glorious throng, cleansed, purified,
Shall stand in white upon the farther shore. Why is the longing for a full and rich experience in the divine life so often unrealized? Is it not because so many look to themselves and their own efforts for attainment, and forget that it comes by the abounding grace of Christ, that whosoever will may take freely? These two words are a passport to all the privileges of salvation. For you, but not for me, is this blessing, says the fearful and unbelieving soul. But Christ contradicts this with his plain, unqualified declaration. Supposing a fountain were opened in the great desert, would the traveler, parched with thirst, pass it by because he was not by name invited to partake? Would not the fountain itself be an invitation to every thirsty soul? Here is Christ, the fountain of all grace, open to the approach of every living soul, from whom we may all receive, and grace for grace, and yet we hesitate to partake. Ah, there is more involved in that second little word than most are willing to perceive. The trouble is in the will. We voluntarily hold back; we neglect, delay, fail to reach out our hand. What causes this reluctance, this hesitation? Unbelief. What else could restrain us from accepting such royal generosity? We do not believe the fullness, the value, the efficacy of Christ’s salvation, or our absolute need of it. If we did we should run eagerly to the fountain, and drink and drink again, to our utmost satisfaction. Dear friends, who are looking at the higher life as some grand, glorious gift beyond your attainment, let us say, it is for you, if you will have it. We need not here repeat the gospel invitations: we can not find words to express its exceeding richness and blessing. We weep when we think of the loss to every faint-hearted disciple; we are pained when we see so many such. But what can we do? You must choose, accept, or refuse the blessing, each for himself. God has furnished the needed grace for its attainment, and made it accessible to every one. Whosoever will, receives, and is forever and supremely blest. Alas! Jesus said of some in his own day, “Ye will not.” He would repeat it were he here: “Ye will not come to me that ye might have life.” Making Goodness Agreeable to Others
If good people would but make goodness agreeable, and smile, instead of frowning, in their virtue, how many would they win to the good cause. Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
By James White; I. D. Van Horn
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION.
According to notice given in the REVIEW, the thirteenth annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was held in Battle Creek, Mich., on the 13th day of March, 1873. The President, Eld. James White, was in the chair. Prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. The calling of the roll showed eighty-six members present, representing two hundred and forty-two votes. The Auditor then read the following Report to the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association for the year ending March 3, 1873. Cash on hand Dec. 25, 1871, $4,440.55
Received on REVIEW, $13,224.34
“ Youth’s Instructor, 2,169.77
“ Accounts and Deposits, 68,698.47
“ Shares, 4,605.00
“ Donations and Legacies, 985.42
“ Job Work, 9,855.62
“ Sales, 17,936.32
“ Book Fund, 6,359.77
“ Mich. Conf. Fund, 6,704.35
“ Gen. Conf. Fund, 5,624.31
$136,163.37
Total, $140,603.92 Paid out on Acc’t & Deposits, $66,722.28
“ For Stock, 20,468.47
“ “ Real Estate, 4,060.76
“ “ Office Labor, 12,926.48
“ “ Wood & Incidentals, 5,221.99
“ “ Type & Office Fixtures, 2,018.56
“ “ Writing MSS., 1,601.35
“ On Book Fund, 1,753.45
“ “ Mich. Conf. Fund, 8,839.13
“ “ Gen. Conf. Fund, 2,164.67
$125,777.14
Cash on hand to balance, 14,826.78
Total, $140,603.92 Total value of the Property of the Association, $70,600.34
Association holds Notes to the amount of, 2,228.92
Due on Book Account, 15,531.69
Cash on hand March 3, 1873, 14,826.78
Total, $103,187.73
The Association owes as follows:
On Notes, $2,102.00
“ Book Account, 32,884.24
Total, $34,986.24
Assets after all debts are paid, $68,201.49
Assets as given in last Report, 60,893.09
Increase during the year, $7,308.40 A. M. Driscall, Treasurer. I hereby certify that I have carefully examined the books and accounts of the S. D. A. Publishing Association and find them correctly kept, and that the above report of the Treasurer shows a correct statement of the financial condition of the Association according to my best information and belief.
I. P. Bailey, Auditor. On motion, the above report was accepted by a unanimous vote. It was moved by J. H. Waggoner, that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to present an informal nomination of officers to be balloted for by the Association. Carried. The following brethren were appointed as said committee: Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, Harmon Lindsay. Moved to adjourn till 2 P. M. Carried. The members of the Association assembled at 2 P. M., according to adjournment. Prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. The Committee not being able to present names for officers of the Association, motion was made to adjourn to the call of the Chair. Carried. Meeting called by the Chair on Tuesday, the 18th, at 10 A. M. Prayer by the President. The Committee on informal nomination reported the following names to the meeting for officers: James White, Harmon Lindsay, Mrs. A. P. Van Horn, Charles W. Comings, M. S. Merriam. The Committee referred the report to the Chair to fill out the list, whereupon he named Geo. I. Butler and S. N. Haskell. On balloting for a full nomination, the result was as follows: for President, James White; Vice-president, Harmon Lindsay; Secretary, Mrs. A. P. Van Horn; Treasurer, Charles W. Comings; Auditor, M. S. Merriam; Publishing Committee, James White, Geo. I. Butler, Stephen N. Haskell. On balloting Yea and Nay the officers thus nominated were unanimously elected. Adjourned to Friday, 2:30 P. M. Met according to adjournment. Prayer by Geo. I. Butler. The President called Bro. Butler to the chair. It was moved by J. N. Andrews, that this Association request Eld. James White to present a plan of action for the management of our periodicals the coming year. Carried. It was moved by S. N. Haskell, that Eld. James White, J. N. Andrews, and Uriah Smith, be elected Editors of the ADVENT REVIEW. Carried. It was moved by James White, that the salaries of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Editors, be at the rate of $12.00 per week. Carried. It was moved by J. N. Andrews, that the Auditor be paid at the rate of $12.00 per week for the time spent by him in the work of auditing. Carried. The following resolution was offered by J. N. Andrews: Whereas, It is a well understood fact that the financial prosperity of our Association is, under God, mainly due to the untiring labors and wise management of our esteemed brother, Eld. James White, therefore, Resolved, That we express our high appreciation of these faithful and self-sacrificing labors on the part of Christ’s servant. Resolved, That as an act of justice to our brother we request our Trustees, after consulting with the General Conference Committee, to make such compensation for his past services as shall seem to them just and right. Carried. Adjourned to the call of the Chair. I. D. Van Horn, Sec. pro tem. Chaff and Wheat.
By R. F. Cottrell
We have before us an article in the Watchman and Reflector by Rev. Justin D. Fulton, D. D., headed, ‘The Sabbath a Day of Rest, which contains a mixture of truth and error strange and rare, we should say, were not such productions so common at the present time. It is not our intention to review the article, but to winnow out the wheat. We will give, however, one specimen of the chaff, the word of men, which, were it the word of God, would greatly relieve our first-day friends who desire a thus saith the Lord for their practice.117 He says, “On the first day of the week, Jesus rose from the grave, and finally rested from the work he had done; wherefore the ascended Lord blessed the first day, and sanctified it.” If this is true, the record of it in the Scriptures is just what is needed to make them perfect, and to thoroughly furnish the man of God to the good work of keeping Sabbath on the first day of the week. See 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17. But enough of the chaff; let us have the wheat, the word of the Lord, “wholesome words,” “sound doctrine,” teaching in harmony with, and based upon, the word of the Lord. As such we give the following extracts:— ‘1. The Sabbath was God’s earliest gift to man. It was made for man. The Sabbath was not first made, and then man made to observe it; but man was first made and the Sabbath was made to be observed by him, and for his benefit. The Sabbath commemorated God’s work of creation. When the law was delivered to Moses, the words, ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,’ presupposed its previous existence. From Adam to Moses, weeks had come and weeks had gone, and the Sabbath had been more or less observed, as is shown by the marking of time by seven days, the gathering of manna, &c. Its universal and permanent obligation is apparent from the fact that the divine command was actually delivered at the creation, and was addressed to the whole human species alike; and, as Dr. Paley says: ‘continues, unless repealed by some subsequent revelation, binding upon all who come to the knowledge of it.’ “The observance of the Lord’s day is binding on all. The intimation that it is not, at one blow strikes out the corner-stone from the jurisprudence of the world. Blackstone, Kent, Story, and other distinguished law writers, declare the commands given to the world amid the thunderings and lightnings of Sinai is the foundation of law. To rob the decalogue of one of its brightest and most precious gems, to degrade the fourth commandment from its lofty position as one of the great and immutable laws of God, and to treat the divine statute, ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to sanctify it,’ as a mere ceremonial or ritual appointment, the observance of which has passed into desuetude with the types and shadows of the Mosaic dispensation; this has long been the desire of all whose religious sensibilities, not being sufficiently spiritual to discern the true excellency of the design of the Sabbath, and its sanctifying influence wherever faithfully understood and used, have thus encouraged them to lower and dishonor God’s holy day, and by aiding the worldly and the dissolute with their false and specious arguments, have thereby given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.” “Destroy the binding force of the command to observe the Sabbath ordinance, and you set aside every other part of the decalogue. We are forbidden to lie, to steal, to commit adultery, to blaspheme, no more than we are forbidden to desecrate the Sabbath and give it up to pleasure-seeking and God-defying practices.” We thought to close this writing with the above extracts, but do not feel free to leave it, without confessing our ignorance of how “the fourth commandment,” “one of the great and immutable laws of God,” could be so changed as to demand the observance of another day, a day blessed and sanctified four thousand years after the Sabbath was instituted, for another reason, and to commemorate another event, and yet the original commandment remain immutable—not a word nor even a letter changed. This is too deep for me. I cannot comprehend it. I cannot see how a law binding us to observe the fourth of July, because our revolutionary fathers signed the declaration of independence on that day, can bind us to observe the eighth of January in its stead, because thirty-eight and a half years afterward, a battle was fought and a victory gained at New Orleans. It is true that the eighth of January is the three hundred and sixty-fifth part of a year; but still it is not the fourth of July. And the declaration of independence and the victory at New Orleans are distinctly two things; but no more so than the creation of the world and the resurrection of Christ. And until I can believe that a law to bind us to the observance of the fourth of July as the day of the declaration, actually binds us to observe the eighth of January instead of the fourth of July, I never can be made to believe that the command to keep holy the seventh day, because it was the rest day of God at creation, binds us to keep the first day in its stead, because Jesus rose from the dead on that day. Does not such mutation of an immutable law destroy its binding force, and, as our writer says, “set aside every other part of the decalogue?” Is God honored and well pleased with such absurdities perpetrated and palmed off upon the credulous in his name. Our Conference.
By George I. Butler
ALTHOUGH the editor of the REVIEW has spoken freely in reference to the Conference, I wish to say a few words concerning it. This has been a most important meeting; in some of its features, the most important of any I have attended. The calls for labor in different parts of the wide harvest field were never so pressing before. Almost every State Conference sent in urgent calls for more laborers; some of which were so pathetic that tears of sympathy would involuntarily flow in spite of us. And in the wide missionary field, openings for labor were numerous. One of the saddest things connected with our meeting was the fact, so plainly apparent, that our supply of efficient laborers was utterly inadequate to meet the demand. God’s providence is a long distance in advance of us. He is working upon the hearts of men in all directions, and among many nationalities, and their earnest cries come up to our ears, “Come over and help us.” How to meet this most pressing demand was the great perplexity of our Conference. This question involves many other important ones, such as the school, the proper condition of things in Battle Creek, and the question of the translation of our tracts and pamphlets into other languages, all of which are great and important matters of themselves. Surely we have an abundance of work before us. There is no excuse for idlers in such a time as this. A harvest of precious souls is to be gathered. And there is opportunity for every one to work somewhere, either as ministers, as distributers of our publications, and in many ways. We were all glad to see Bro. and sister White once more with us, after an absence of nearly a year; and, above all, to see evidences of returning health. Bro. White took hold with his accustomed energy in the business sessions of the Conference, and they owed much of their interest to his efforts. He came as a delegate from the new Conference of California. His account of the advance of the cause in that Pacific State, with the many interesting incidents connected with his recent visit there, were of great interest to us all. And we all feel better acquainted with our brethren there, and of course have an increase of interest in their welfare. Surely the cause is one, and a link of tender sympathy unites all the members of Christ’s body. We can assure our brethren of the Pacific coast that they made choice of a very faithful delegate to set forth their cause and wants. Their interests were not neglected. And yet there may be some disappointment when they learn that Bro. Canright is not coming to California this season. At first it seemed quite probable he would go; but when the condition of things in Minnesota was set before the Conference, and when it was seen that the good work accomplished there the past summer would be greatly endangered unless he could return there for a few months, till those recently embracing the truth become established, it was not deemed best for the interests of the whole cause that he should leave that State. There would be no efficient man to take his place and it would bring great discouragement upon the brethren. We believe the hearts of our brethren in California are too generous to fall into trial on this account, however much they desire the efficient labor of Bro. Canright. Never have we had more important questions before us for consideration and immediate action than now. The denominational school must be taken hold of. We are in crying need of it, to properly educate young men for the ministry, and for other important positions connected with the office and for the translation of our works into other living languages. The lectures of Bro. Smith in different Conferences, to which reference is made in the resolution passed by the General Conference, and which are designed to furnish instruction in the theory of our faith to those who wish to enter into the ministry immediately, is also an important matter. The proper course to be pursued in the translation of our works into other languages, so as to secure the very best, which would correctly represent our views, and not disgrace us by inaccuracies, and such as would bear the test of literary criticisms which they are sure to encounter, is a matter of great importance. Our field is the world. God has jewels among the educated and refined as well as among the common people who desire truth. We must reach them. The truth must be brought before them properly. It should everywhere be presented in the very best shape so as to affect the mind most favorably. We cannot afford to have its high claims disregarded because of carelessness on our part. All of these are important matters. And it is no wonder that Bro. White whose life has been bound up in this cause, should think them of sufficient importance to warrant him in making a journey of thousands of miles in the winter season to assist in their consideration. We want the best counsel we can get in these important matters, which are so intimately connected with the cause. These things were canvassed fully; and we have some hope that an advance will be made in regard to them which will result in great good to the cause. The cause is onward. We never had stronger evidence of this than now. The figures given in another article are proof of this. The calls from all directions, the earnest pleadings for help, prove to us beyond a doubt that this is no time for ease. Vigorous and persistent action on the part of every one, till our efforts shall correspond with the momentous truths we believe, is positively demanded at our hands. We believe this is the last message of warning to a sinful world. Let us act as though we believed it. Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the General Conference of S. D. Adventists.
By George I. Butler; Uriah Smith
(Continued from last number.) PRAYER by Eld. R. F. Andrews. Tract work called up for discussion. Remarks were made by G. I. Butler, J. N. Andrews, S. N. Haskell, P. Z. Kinne, R. M. Kilgore, O. H. Pratt, D. M. Canright, I. D. Van Horn, R. F. Andrews. On motion, it was recommended that Eld. S. N. Haskell visit the different Conferences, to labor in Tract and Missionary work. On motion, the appointment of a delegate to the next session of the S. D. Baptist General Conference was left with the General Conference Committee, they to appoint a suitable person in season for that meeting in September next. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were adopted:— Resolved, That we consider it a serious mistake on the part of some of our ministers, that without first consulting with our General Conference Committee, they make long journeys, and incur much unnecessary expense in finding their fields of labor. Resolved, That, while we acknowledge that the prosperity of the Publishing Association is due to the untiring interest and labors of Bro. White, we cannot overlook the fact, that with this is connected the prosperity of the work in every department; and while, in the providence of God, others are raised up to assist in bearing the burdens of labor, we trust that Bro. White will, under the sanction of the General Conference, be free to occupy that position in the future, as far as his strength will permit, that God has so evidently called him to occupy in the past, not to labor to the exhausting of his strength as heretofore, but to act as counselor, and to give to the cause the benefit of his mature judgment and experience. Resolved, That we express our thanks for the labors of Bro. and sister White during this Conference, and that we renew our expressions of confidence in the Bible doctrine of Spiritual Gifts, and of our appreciation, in some degree, of the kindness and mercy of God in favoring this people with the Testimonies of his Spirit to the church. On motion, it was recommended to State Conference Committees to purchase one or more small tents, of 30 or 40 ft. diameter, to be used by licentiates in efforts to reach the people in small districts during the summer months. The following resolutions were then adopted:— Resolved, That we express, as the judgment of the General Conference, the opinion that those who go out to preach should not seek to provoke discussion or controversy, but, rather, should give themselves to the work of setting forth the truth of God in its simplicity and its power. Whereas, In the wise providence of God, our venerable father Bates has been called to close his earthly labors and to sleep in death, Resolved, That we express our high appreciation of his long and useful life, filled up with noble and self-sacrificing efforts to advance the cause of Christ, and that we hold his memory in affectionate remembrance, and commend the example of his life to the ministers of Christ. Resolved, That we again express our pleasure in receiving to our Conference the delegate from the Seventh-day Baptists, and we hope that by means of such friendly intercourse there may arise a more fraternal feeling between the two bodies of Christians who are united in the great object of proclaiming to the world the truth of the Sabbath of the Lord. Adjourned to call of Chair. We give this week the remainder of the business proceedings of the General Conference. The statistics presented by the State Conferences show the standing of the General Conference to be quite favorable as compared with that of last year. The gain since last year’s report has been as follows:— | Increase of Ministers |
11 |
|---|
| “ “ Licentiates |
37 |
| “ “ Churches |
35 |
| “ “ Members |
1074 |
| “ “ Systematic Benevolence Funds |
$4,731.07 |
Those who were present at last year’s Conference, or read the report of that meeting, will remember the numerous openings that presented themselves, and the urgent calls from every quarter for light and help. The same feature characterized the present Conference, but to a much greater degree. Letters were read from various points setting forth the urgent need of help in different localities, and among various nationalities. There are calls for men and books in the Swedish settlements of this country, the Danish, the Scandinavian, the French, and the German, and among the Swiss in Europe. The delegates presented their earnest pleas for New England, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. In all places fields lie open, and the people are waiting to hear and calling for help. The great burden that should lie upon all our hearts is, How shall all these calls be met? Let us consecrate ourselves anew to the work, and then earnestly beseech the Lord of the harvest for more laborers, as he has told us to do. “The fields are all ripening and far and wide
The world now is waiting the harvest tide;
But reapers are few and the work is great,
And much will be lost should the harvest wait.” Quite a number of our brethren abroad remained with us over Sabbath, the 22d, which was a good day for the church here. After a spirited social meeting in the morning, Bro. White spoke with great freedom on Matt. 11: 28–30, powerfully setting forth the matchless love of Christ, and the great blessings he has for those who will come to him. At the conclusion he gave out the hymn, “Just as I am, without one plea,” &c., and during the singing, called for those who wished to be especially remembered in prayer to come forward. A large number pressed forward, among whom were many youth, and some non-professors. The Spirit of the Lord rested graciously down during the closing prayer, and all felt that it was good to be there. In the afternoon, Bro. G. I. Butler spoke from the text, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” showing how we can develop a good, consistent and substantial Christian character, and shun that fear of man which bringeth a snare. If the principles he set forth could be wrought out in the lives of the people, we should see a company of believers, not like reeds shaken by the wind, but strong for the right, because conscious of the rectitude and integrity of their work. More such characters the cause needs. Meetings are to be continued evenings through the week. Ministerial Lectures.
By General Conference Committee
LAST week's REVIEW contained the following resolution, passed by the General Conference at its recent session:— “Resolved, That with great pleasure we consider the subject of Biblical lectures by Bro. Uriah Smith in the several divisions of the wide field, and with deep interest for the success of the enterprise confide it to the management of the General Conference Committee, to make the proper arrangements with Bro. Smith, and with the State Conferences that shall desire the lectures.” This resolution should be explained more fully so that its bearing may be fully understood. It is well known to most of the readers of the REVIEW that our cause stands in great want of laborers properly qualified to present our views to the people who are everywhere ready to listen to them. It is believed there are those among us who have ability sufficient, could they have the proper instruction. Our proposed denominational school will take some time at least to be fully developed and put in successful operation. But there are present and pressing wants that must be met immediately. There are some young men and women among us who would be glad to receive instruction in the doctrines of our faith, and who would be profited by the same, who cannot afford time to take a regular course of instruction in the school. To meet these and other wants, these courses of Biblical lectures referred to in the above resolution are proposed. We are not prepared to give the particulars of any plan at this writing. Yet we deem it best to refer to it for the benefit of any who may wish to attend them. It is proposed to have courses of lectures in different Conferences. For instance, commencing in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, with a course of lectures, say of eight weeks’ length. Individuals from all parts of New England could gather there. Another course of the same length could be held in New York, accommodating New York and Pennsylvania. Perhaps two courses should be held in connection with the school at Battle Creek, accommodating Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Another course somewhere in Illinois, accommodating Wisconsin and Illinois. Another between the Mississippi and the Missouri, accommodating Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri. These would fill up the year. The localities where these courses of lectures should be held could be decided by the different State Conference Committees. They should be central, and should be chosen in reference to accessibility, where there is a suitable building in which to hold the lectures, and where there are numbers sufficient to board those who should attend. It is not proposed to require any more for tuition than is necessary for lights, fuel, and hall rent, for the lectures. Boarding would therefore be the main expense, excepting fare each way. Bro. Uriah Smith will deliver these lectures. There need be no effort to show that he is properly qualified to do it to those who have perused his writings on the varied points of truth advocated by us. In connection with these lectures, opportunity will be offered for instruction in penmanship, grammar, and the preparation of articles for the press. It is not designed that these lectures shall contain merely a statement of the main points of our faith, such as are given generally in new fields, but shall be thorough, critical courses of instruction, such as will give a clear understanding of our positions. And these are not to be confined to those who propose to enter the ministry, merely. Any who wish to become better acquainted with our positions, will be welcome to attend. Those who desire to qualify themselves for any position of usefulness among us, are cordially invited. And we think there must be persons scattered here and there, in all directions, who have become partially acquainted with our views, and who desire to become better acquainted. We see no reason why there should not be many such persons who would desire to attend, and know fully the reasons of our faith. Thoughtful, cautious persons who have not had a very good opportunity to hear the truth, could find an excellent opportunity for doing so. We think these lectures will be a very important agency to advance the cause of truth, by furnishing means of instruction hitherto lacking, yet very necessary for the progress of the cause. We earnestly call the attention of our young men and women of inquiring minds to this subject. Is it not time to recognize the claims of God upon you? When are we going to realize that a world is to be warned of its approaching doom? Will your skirts be clear of the blood of souls if you neglect opportunities for proper preparation to labor in the cause of God? Can you labor on and use the talents God has given you entirely in worldly pursuits, when the fields are white for the harvest, and you making no efforts to prepare yourself to gather sheaves into the garner of the Lord? Everywhere calls are coming to our ears for help, and such calls that a heart of stone would almost be moved. God will test us. Let us remember that those who can labor must labor for God, or they will be reckoned unprofitable servants. We think the time has come for action. And although this will be partially an experiment, as every new undertaking is, till proved a success, yet it seems to give such strong grounds of hope that we must give it a fair trial. To this end, we propose to have these lectures commence in New England, probably at South Lancaster, Mass., about the first of May. Every individual in the New England States who has thoughts of attending them should address Eld. S. N. Haskell, S. Lancaster, Mass., immediately, so that there may be an understanding of what provisions should be made for their accommodation. He will be happy to correspond with them, and give definite information concerning the matter. Meanwhile other Conference Committees interested should correspond with the General Conference Committee, and state whether they desire such lectures, where they can be held, and the probable interest that will be taken in them. Those living in these States can correspond with their own Conference Committees as to their desires in the premises. The first course in New England will be of great interest as going far to stamp this undertaking as a success or failure. We have great faith that the result will prove it to be the former. It is time to take hold of these important matters as though we meant business. God calls upon us all to arouse. Let us use every means to qualify ourselves for usefulness in the great and glorious work committed to our hands. As we work, God will work with us. More particulars hereafter.