I have read this testimony with care and great interest, and my prayer is that we, as a people, may lay its instructions to heart. I, for one, mean to profit thereby, for I believe them to be of more than human authority. God has spoken to us again through his weak, but favored instrumentality, and it becomes those who profess to believe in the exercise of the gift of prophecy among us, to stop and consider. Of course, we cannot expect that those who have not had opportunity to test the merits of the productions of this gift will attach that importance to them that we do. This would be unreasonable. But those of us who believe that God in mercy and great condescension does speak to us from time to time by way of instruction, reproof, and encouragement in harmony with the Scriptures as he spoke to his people anciently through the prophets, cannot neglect these productions without sinning against their own consciences and profession, and thereby manifesting great ingratitude, irreverence, and inconsistency.
Twenty-three written testimonies to us as a people! Why so many? Is it to flatter us? No, but to point out the defects of our characters in the light of God’s word, that we may overcome them and stand the test of the Judgment. This looks like God’s dealings with his people in ancient times. He never flatters them in their sins, but reproves them for their sins. And how humbling is the thought that reproof has come to us as a people twenty-three times. What an exhibition of God’s mercy and long-suffering! But we should remember that every additional testimony that comes, adds to our guilt, unless we reform. God forbid that we should pass by this call at the eleventh hour with indifference, and therefore become guilty of sinning against his grace. I fear that the exceeding sinfulness of this sin is not realized by many of us. It is as if a man were in danger of losing his life by accident or sickness and would refuse means and agencies which he knows and acknowledges would, if improved upon, prove his salvation. Would not such a man be guilty of murder in a special sense?
How forcible is that part of the testimony that shows the message to the Laodiceans to be applicable to us! For eighteen years, have we, as a people, known that this message applies to Seventh-day Adventists, and yet we are shown to be very deficient. Many of us are backslidden. We are greatly deficient in zeal that is according to our profession, in faith, love, patience, humility, and in the enjoyment of the blessings and mighty workings of God’s Spirit. Truly, this is a character message. Its fruits will not consist in mere flights of feeling, but will be seen in thorough self-examination, closely weighing the motives of the heart to see whether they are selfish or unselfish, in heart-felt confession of wrongs, and self-abasement before God and man, and in thorough reform on those points on which we are deficient. And how pungent is the thought that confessions will be made too late.
I most solemnly believe that one great cause of our lukewarm condition has been to murmur against those whom God has appointed to lead out in this work. I was confirmed in this belief in hearing a discourse by Bro. Butler on this subject at the late Michigan Camp-meeting. The Spirit of the Lord was present in power and great solemnity. It was an awfully solemn place to me. And then I observed that the Spirit of the Lord indorsed confessions on this point in a special manner. The people were held to that point. This means something. Even one newly come into the faith, a man of no mean ability, and of cultivated intellect, upon hearing confessions on this point, said, “I was not aware of this. But this seems to be the point. When confessions are made they start my tears.” How forcible was the remark by Bro. Butler that “not a single instance could be found where ancient Israel murmured directly against the Lord. It was against their leaders, whom God had appointed, and whom they had received from God’s appointment. Yet their murmurings were against the Most High.” I fear the full force of these words of the Saviour is not always realized: “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me.”
We all have an influence which effects others more or less, and unless we are right, others will be wrongly affected and sustain a loss, and some may be lost. We think it would be a heinous crime to take a dagger and plunge it into the bosom of a brother, and so it would. But this would be but a small crime compared with the sin of leading others to eternal ruin by our influence or neglect. In one case, the present life is at stake; in the other, eternal life.
Upon thorough examination, I confess myself to be a poor Laodicean. True, the Spirit of God has been with me at times, and I have seen a few souls embrace the truth; but how much more I would have enjoyed, and how much more I would have accomplished, had I been fully alive to the work, and had I lived nearer the Lord. I wish all those who have seen defects in my labors, to forgive me. I am determined to cultivate genuine humility, to die wholly to self, to fill any place the Lord would have me, and to have every faculty of my being beat in unison with the work of the third angel, just as God has shaped it. I crave the counsels of my brethren; for in the multitude of counselors there is safety. As I have made an effort to draw near the Lord, light and freedom have broken into my soul, the Judgment and the coming of Christ have seemed near and real, and submission to God has brought great relief. How just the Lord is in all his demands. His ways are best. How sweet to bow to his claims and give him the reins in all that concerns us.
My heart is encouraged in seeing the broad plans of operation that are being laid. It seems as though something will be done, and that the saints’ eternal rest is nearing.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
An Important Statement from Dr. Kampf, Astronomer.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
WHILE traveling the other day, I had the pleasure to fall in company with a party of the United States Exploring Expedition. Among these was Dr. F. Kampf, astronomer. He has traveled and taken observations over Europe and Asia, is now making observations in America in the employ of our government, and is soon to be sent to Japan by the same authority.
Improving the opportunity, I had a long talk with him concerning the probability of any time, one day, more or less, having been lost in our reckoning for the last twenty-five hundred years. He laughed at the idea, and said it was impossible from the well-known fact that, astronomical calculations of eclipses exactly coincided with the dates of recorded eclipses for at least twenty-five hundred years past. He gave as an example an eclipse recorded on the day of the great battle at Salamis, B. C. 480, and others. Reckoning the eclipses back to this one shows that our record of time since that date is correct.
So with regard to reckoning days and nights at the north pole when it is dark and the sun cannot be seen for weeks together. He said that the time of day or night could be told as easily and as correctly by the position of the stars as by the sun if it were shining. By my request, he wrote me the following letter covering both of these points:—
“Ogden, Utah, Sept. 24, 1873.
“Eld. D. M. Canright: Back computations of eclipses of the sun give the year right. Since Ptolemæus there cannot be one day lost, because his equinoctiums and those composed now back to that time agree. A change or loss of one minute would be found out in this way.
“By observations of the stars the time can be found out at any time, day or night. Knowing the time at which any star ought to be in the meridian, we find the difference between noon and the observing time, or the local time. Stars being visible in the daytime and at night, on all places of the earth, it is possible to determine the time without seeing the sun.
“Signed, Dr. F. Kampf,
“Astronomer of the U. S. corps of Engineers.”
Though we all knew these facts before, yet I was glad to obtain a direct statement of them from so high authority. I give them in the REVIEW, that others may use them if they have occasion. D. M. CANRIGHT.
“Spare thy People, Lord!”
By R. F. Cottrell
The Lord will hear this prayer, a prayer of his own inditing. Is it not time to make this petition with earnestness and faith? “We feel assured that an important crisis in our cause is at hand. Great trials, and also glorious victories, are before us.” I know not how these words may sound to others, but to me they seem prophetic. I believe that the time is at hand for “the fall and the rising of many in Israel.” Warning after warning has been given. Some are heeding these, and are striving for a perfect consecration, and to have their hearts fully in the work of the Lord, deeply imbued with the love of the truth, and with the love of precious souls who may be saved through their faithfulness. Others seem careless. They have slipped out at the back door, are resting from the work, and feel quite at ease. Perhaps they are waiting to see how the cause succeeds, secretly hoping it will come to naught, unless a great revolution takes place in harmony with their own rebellious views and feelings. But the work will move on, and unless they soon move in the way of repentance and confession, they will be left behind forever.
There is an individual work to be done. The solemn inquiry is, Who shall stand? Who shall fall? Lord, is it I? My brethren and friends, let us see to this matter at once. I am trying to do so for myself. I have come far short of duty; and I want to confess my way out into the light. I hope still to have the prayers of those who are permitted to come near to the Lord. Lord, help me to draw near. By faith and prayer and the performance of duty we may draw near. The Lord is good; he is not a respecter of persons. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” How precious the assurance. The promise cannot fail. While then as individuals we draw near, our prayer shall be for others, “Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach.”
R. F. COTTRELL.
Armada, Mich.
By D. H. Lamson
The tent meeting continued at this place from June 20, nine weeks and four days, when we were compelled to close in order to get the tent to the camp-ground, near Battle Creek. It can be safely said that the interest increased to the last. Our congregations numbered at times, it is thought, seven hundred, and they were seldom small. We labored six weeks with scarcely any signs of success aside from a general interest to hear; but the last weeks of the meeting told well for the cause. Several opposition discourses were preached about this time, two of which were replied to by Bro. Lane with marked effect, and people began more rapidly to decide, yielding daily to the claims of the truth until the close, and some, since. The influence of this effort has been widespread and some who were but transiently in the place have carried the truth to their homes many miles away. There are about sixty in the immediate vicinity who are trying to live out the message, keeping God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus. Since the close of the meeting, there have been obtained seventy-four subscribers for our papers, most of them for the REVIEW. This number can yet be increased by many more.
A friend of the cause has furnished us with a building, formerly a cabinet shop, which we have improvised as a chapel for the worship of God. The friends have fitted it up well, a stove is being put in, and we shall be comfortable for the winter with the blessing of God. The necessity of a suitable house of worship is greatly felt, the friends responding nobly to a call for this object. Subscriptions have been made amounting to nearly $1,200.00. We hope to increase it to $2,000.00. A meeting has been held, and a society formed for the purpose of holding church property, and we meet again Oct. 18, evening, to elect trustees, appoint a building committee, &c. It seems to be a necessity that some one remain here for a time. There is still an interest to hear, and it is now designed to give several courses of lectures during the winter at points not far distant from here.
We have an interesting Bible-class, in which all unite. There is still a great work before us, and it is to be hoped that each of us will be willing to put away every sin and every evil habit, so shall the Spirit of Christ find in our hearts a constant abiding place. The opposition is still strong, though not as open as before. May God forgive the blind bigotry of some and the untempered zeal of others who are so determined to oppose themselves. God grant that we, through faith and patience, may inherit the promises.
D. H. LAMSON.
Meetings in Michigan.
By A. S. Hutchins
As our meetings in Springport, August 23 and 24, have been reported by Bro. Sawyer, I will only say, There were quite encouraging features in the meetings to me. We were happy to meet so many who love the present work of the remnant church, some of whom embraced the third angel’s message when it first began to be preached in the East, and others who but recently heard it, rejoicing together in keeping the commandments of God, and in hope of the immediate coming of the Saviour. Among such, we noticed with pleasure the cheering testimonies of five brethren, from seventy-five to eighty years of age.
In Burlington, the following Sabbath and first-day, I helped the church what I could, considering limited time and the condition of affairs among the brethren, which I think the church have power to greatly improve, and which they may, if they will act up to the convictions of the majority.
The camp meeting for this State was, I trust, a profitable season for me; and I can see it proved beneficial to others. I firmly believe it will prove thus to all who there heard the solemn and most important truths proclaimed, if they carefully reduce them to practice. It is quite too late in our history, and the magnitude and importance of our work are too great, for us to be forgetful hearers of the word. “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Sabbath and first-day, September 20 and 21, I was at Potterville. On Sabbath, brethren and sisters were present from Charlotte and Oneida. These listened with good attention to practical truths presented. At the close of the remarks in the afternoon, there were fifty-seven testimonies given in about that number of minutes. Some spoke, in tears, who had never borne testimony before. As the meeting closed, several of the young arose for prayers. This was regarded as a good day for the churches in this section.
On first-day evening, I spoke to the friends again, and also attended their fourth-day evening meeting. Circumstances forbade my visiting as many families in this section as I desired.
On the 27th and 28th, I spoke in Orleans. Brethren and sisters were with us from Greenville, Bushnell, Vergennes, and Orange. In a social meeting, Sabbath afternoon, there were sixty-eight testimonies borne in fifty-nine minutes.
Last Sabbath, there was quite a good turnout of brethren again, who seemed encouraged by the word spoken. Yesterday, we held a business meeting, adjourned from last Wednesday. Aided by several of the most experienced and judicious brethren from Greenville, we carefully labored to restore erring brethren to the confidence of the church. Patient investigation and efforts, in this direction, resulted in the withdrawal of the hand of fellowship from one, and an earnest confession of another (connected with the same trial), which gave evidence of a good start in the right direction toward favor with God and the confidence of his people.
Here we mark the dangerous position of those who rest satisfied with a theoretical conversion to the truth, while the heart is but slightly changed, if at all, by its refining, elevating power. Such often easily become offended, and turn away from God, and his truth, and his people, and all the precious promises of his holy word. Oh! that all might love the law of God as they should. “Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.”
And again we notice the fatal mistake of watching the course of our brethren, and severely censuring them for their real or supposed wrongs, while the garden of our own heart is neglected, and we so much blinded as to be hardly able to discriminate between right and wrong.
Says Jesus, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.” Matt. 7: 3-5.
We hope to see the church as a body arise here, and that brighter and happier days may dawn upon all her members.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Orleans, Ionia Co., Mich., Oct. 6, 1873.
Iowa Church Meetings at Monroe and Decatur City
By H. Nicola
Iowa.
According to appointment, I met with the church at Monroe, Aug. 9, 10. On account of several moving away, and a few giving up the truth, this church is quite small, and they were becoming somewhat discouraged. The presence and testimonies of over a dozen of the brethren and sisters from Knoxville had a very encouraging influence in our meeting, and we felt that our little meeting was timely and one of profit to all who attended it. The 16th and 17th, I was at Decatur City. Here we met quite a number from Osceola and Woodburn. This meeting commenced with the beginning of the Sabbath with quite a good congregation of brethren and sisters present. Sabbath afternoon we enjoyed a good communion season. There seems to be a good state of feeling in this church, and their influence in the community is good. Still there is a great lack with some of the members in coming up to the light that has been given, on the health question especially. When I find individuals that have been believers in the last solemn message for ten or twelve years, and still using tobacco, at the same time acknowledging it to be wrong, a filthy habit, &c., I confess I am puzzled to harmonize their profession with their practice. Two of these members made a solemn vow at this meeting that they would forever abandon the filthy habit. I hope and pray that they may have grace to get the victory, and that others of the same church may follow their example.
From here, in company with Bro. Caldwell, went to Siam, Taylor Co., and commenced meetings Thursday evening, Aug. 21, and continued over first-day, holding in all eight meetings. Found things here in rather a discouraged condition. All but three families had given up the Sabbath. Among these was their appointed leader. They thus became discouraged and gave up their meetings. Our meetings with them were timely and very encouraging to them; another leader was chosen and they covenanted anew to keep up their meetings. Two of these, also, resolved to leave the use of tobacco, and if they succeed, others will follow their example we hope. There is a good feeling in the place, and quite a good interest to hear, and I fully believe if those who are now keeping the Sabbath will raise the standard, and live faithful, others will be added to their number.
We here met Bro. Buxton from Montgomery Co., formerly from Illinois. Bro. B. has had a license from the Illinois Conference, and has lectured considerable; he spoke once to the people here to acceptance, and he feels that he should be in the field preaching the truth. We hope he may be as soon as he can shape his temporal affairs so as to leave home.
August 30, 31, at Afton. Found this church, though most of their members are young in the cause, full of courage, and prospering in the good work. Meetings Sabbath were characterized with solemnity and a good degree of the Spirit of God. First-day, after a short discourse on the subject of baptism, six willing souls followed their Lord in this gospel ordinance; three were added to the church, and others, perhaps, will unite soon. Our meetings here closed with a communion season; one of the freest and best that I have enjoyed for many a day. If this church continues to walk in the light, they may always enjoy the blessing of God in their meetings.
September 6, 7, at Peru. The majority of this church are made up of members from the old Christian order; some of them somewhat advanced in years, and it takes them a long while to unlearn their old ways and formality of worship, and to realize that they need a new conversion, and that they cannot rely upon an old experience. Attaching the Sabbath and a few kindred points of present truth to an old experience will never do. We did all we could to help this church, and have some reason to hope that some good was done. First-day, five members of the church were buried in baptism, and arose, we hope, to walk in newness of life; one was added to the church.
September 13, 14, at Adel. This little church is having some trials, unbelief has been troubling some, and real faith in the message is much lacking in the church. Yet we think our meeting had an influence to strengthen them some. Two were baptized, and three added to their number. Bro. Caldwell was with me at the last four places mentioned, and assisted much in talking the truth, both privately and publicly.
H. Nicola.
Richmond, Iowa.
Illinois State Conference.
By R. F. Andrews; T. M. Stewart
The third annual session of the Illinois State Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting, Sept. 25-29, 1873, at Pontiac, Sept. 26, 4.30 P. M. Prayer by S. N. Haskell. Present, Elders R. F. Andrews and T. M. Steward of this Conference, and G. I. Butler and S. N. Haskell of the General Conference.
Credentials of delegates called for and examined. Eleven delegates, representing eight churches, were present. Two other brethren were called to represent the scattered brethren in their places.
Voted, That Brn. Butler and Haskell take part with us in our deliberation, also the brethren present who are in good standing in their respective churches.
Report of last meeting read and approved. Remarks by Bro. Butler in respect to appointing committees.
Voted, That the President appoint the following committees, three on nominations, six on auditing, and three on resolutions.
SECOND SESSION.
Prayer by Bro. J. R. Whitham. Report of churches (as far as received) shows a membership of 285. Systematic pledge for this year, $1,603.86. Auditing Committee, L. Winston, A. J. Douglas, Thos. Brown, John Bates, J. J. McKernan, and A. Hobbs.
Committee on Resolutions, Elds. G. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, and T. M. Steward.
Nominating Committee reported:— For President, Eld. R. F. Andrews; Secretary, B. F. Merritt, Princeville, Peoria Co.; Treasurer, Ivory Colcord, Coleta, Whiteside Co.; Executive Committee, J. H. Bennett and Lucius Winston. Report accepted, and all were elected.
Voted, To renew the credentials of Elds. R. F. Andrews, G. W. Colcord, and T. M. Steward. To give licenses to C. H. Bliss, J. R. Whitham, B. F. Merritt, John Ballenger, and Thos. Brown.
Voted, That C. H. Bliss be recommended for ordination.
Treasurer’s report adopted.
Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were adopted:—
1. That we consider it the duty of all S. B. Treasurers to forward all moneys belonging to this Conference to the State Conference Treasurer, and that no money should be paid out by him except by an order from the State Conference Committee.
Some very appropriate remarks were made by Brn. Butler and Haskell in regard to paying licentiates from the S. B. fund.
2. That this Conference, in the matter of giving licenses, does not consider itself under obligation to pay for any labor of those holding such license unless it be of real value to the cause.
3. That, in view of the urgent wants of the cause in our Conference, we recommend to all our churches to pay the full amount of143their S. B. fund into the State Conference treasury.
4. That we donate to the General Conference the sum of one hundred dollars.
5. That we hereby express our heartfelt sympathy for Bro. and sister White in their affliction, and our earnest desire that their health may be speedily restored so that they may resume that position in the cause to which the Lord has so plainly called them.
6. That we desire to have a camp-meeting another year, and that every man of us begin now to prepare for it.
After the Conference voted on this, it was put to the whole congregation and received a unanimous vote.
7. That the proceedings of this meeting be published in REVIEW.
Adjourned sine die.
The Secretary being called away by sickness we are unable to report on some items.
R. F. Andrews, Pres.
T. M. Stewart, Sec. pro tem.
Iowa and Neb. Tent.
By J. Bartlett; Chas. L. Boyd
After remaining at Tekamah, Neb., about one week, and failing to get a respectable hearing, we moved the tent to Onawa, Monona Co., Iowa, and commenced meetings August 27. Here we continued till September 28. During the latter part of our stay here, the weather was so cool that we could have meetings in the tent only a part of the time. We therefore tried to obtain the use of the school-house, which is used for other meetings, band practicing, dancing, &c., to finish our course of lectures; but were refused, being assured that it was not on account of the doctrine which we were presenting. The only reason assigned was, that some one might spit tobacco juice on the floor!
As the result of our labors here, eight have “covenanted together to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Others are convinced of the truth, who, we expect, will keep the Sabbath. Obtained eight new subscribers for the Review, two for the Reformer, and one for the Instructor.
J. BARTLETT,
CHAS. L. BOYD.
Onawa, Iowa, Oct. 1, 1873.
INCONSISTENCY
I pray, “Thy will be done!”—my own
I strive to do;
I talk about the narrow way—
The broad pursue.
“As I forgive, forgive me, Lord,”
This is my cry;
While in my heart unpardoned wrongs
Unburdened lie.
I call myself a friend to Him,
The Crucified;
I lead a life of selfish ease;
He toiled and died.
When I should bear the heavy cross,
I lay it down;
Yet eagerly I long to grasp
The promised crown.
My good resolves, like blighted buds,
Drop from life's tree;
The fruit that should my garden grace,
I do not see.
And still, with noiseless tread, the years
Glide swiftly by,
And near and nearer do they bring
My time to die.
What record will these fleeting years
Bear up to Him
Who dwells in glory ’mid the saints
And seraphim?
Is it of high and holy aims,
By weakness crost?
Of strivings after better things
Too quickly lost?
Of struggles ’gainst the tempter’s wiles
When oft assailed,
Those conflicts where my sinful heart
Has basely failed?
Alas! and is it yet too late
The prize to win?
Must I still yield myself to be
A slave to sin?
I lay my heavy burden down
At Jesus’ cross;
The gain and honor of the world,
I count as dross.
“Thy will be done!”—again I pray,
O Father, hear!
Thou knowest all my weakness, yet
I do not fear. —Sel.
Labor among the Scandinavians in Minnesota.
By John F. Hansen
The cause among the Danes and Norwegians moves steadily forward, for which I am very thankful to the Lord. During the last thirteen weeks I have labored to the best of my ability in the north-western part of this State in three counties: in Swift, Stearns, and Kandiyohi. The interest to hear has not been as good as desirable, yet the Lord has blessed his word, and many have commenced to diligently search the Scriptures, and have obtained light in many things which before were dark to them.
Twelve have commenced to keep all the commandments, to lay aside their idols, and to walk honestly before God. The second coming of Christ and the Sabbath of the Lord are awakening more attention among the people, and many circumstances help to lead their minds out in that direction. I have not been permitted to organize any church because these friends are not quite ready for baptism yet. Bro. Lee will visit them and help them along further when the way opens.
I have sold books for about twelve dollars, and given away a good many. Obtained twenty-three subscribers for Advent Tidende, two for the Review, and one for the Instructor. Our Danish journal is an excellent paper, and gains more and more favor with the people. May the Lord bless its contents from month to month to many hearts. Brethren, let us work and pray for the good cause. I am thankful to the Lord for the light he has given me. It is from God, and the work is his, and not man's. I am determined, the Lord helping me, to use all my strength in this good cause. Let us remember the words of Paul: “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” 2 Cor. 13: 8. JOHN F. HANSEN.
Wilmar, Kandiyohi Co., Minn., Oct. 1, 1873.
Obituary Notices.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
Died, in Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 2, 1873, aged one year and twelve days, Melinda Jane, daughter of Bro. and Sister Matthews, of Pilot Grove, Iowa.
The death of this little one was under such circumstances as to call forth the deepest sympathy of all who were acquainted with them. Bro. Matthews was at the Health Institute in a very feeble state. Sister M. being sent for, she left her home with her sick babe, which seemed, however, to be improving. In the depot in Chicago it went into convulsions, and so continued most of the time on the way to this city, and died about twenty minutes after her arrival at the Institute. Funeral services at the house of worship, Sabbath forenoon, Oct. 4; text, Rom. 8:28. The spirit of patient submission manifested by the afflicted parents showed that their hearts had tasted the sweetness of the precious promises of God, which are best appreciated in the hour of this world's deepest sorrow. J. H. W.
Died, in the town of Willing, Allegany Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1873, Jared Stillman, aged sixty-three years, nine months, and one day. He was a man remarkable for his honesty and uprightness, and greatly loved for his Christian character. In early life he made a profession of religion, and continued till death, taking the Bible as his only rule of faith and practice. His funeral was largely attended by friends and acquaintances when a discourse was preached from the words of the psalmist, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness.” L. R. S.
Our beloved sister, Eliza S. Tenney, of Faribault Co., Minn., fell asleep in Jesus, Sept. 21, 1873, aged 67 years. Sr. Tenney sought the Saviour in her youthful days, and found him in her sixteenth year.
As we see in her report in REVIEW, Vol. 42, No. 5, she was convinced that the seventh day was the true Sabbath, about eighteen years ago. Eight years ago, herself and husband began to keep the holy Sabbath of the Lord, embracing also all the kindred doctrines of the third angel's message. Three years ago, Bro. Tenney departed this life a firm believer in this great truth.
She has left a large circle of children to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother, but not one doubt in the minds of any who knew her but she will have a part in the first resurrection. Phebe J. Merickle.
State Quarterly Meeting of the Ohio T. & M. Society.
By O. F. Guilford; M. E. Reynolds
THE fourth State quarterly meeting of the Ohio T. and M. Society was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Lexington, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1873. Meeting called to order by the President. Opened with prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. Report of previous meeting was read and accepted, followed by the reading of the district reports, which showed the following result:—
No. pages of pamphlets and tracts distributed, 23,275; No. families visited, 41; letters written, 22.
No. of new subscribers for REVIEW, 9; Instructor, 3; Reformer, 6. Distribution of periodicals, REVIEWS, 87; Instructors, 12; Reformers, 67.
Money received during the year:—
On Membership, $ 3.00
“ Donations, 17.29
“ Book Sales, 4.57
“ Delinquent Fund, 66
Total, $25.52
Adjourned sine die.
O. F. GUILFORD, Pres.
M. E. REYNOLDS, Sec.
God’s Goodness Acknowledged.
By Sarah H. Burlingame
I BELIEVE it to be my duty to write a few lines for the Review, that I may make known what I believe the Lord has wrought in me. I am one of the lonely ones, having no privilege of meetings except at camp-meetings. Am nearly seventy-eight years of age. I prize those meetings highly, but do not expect to be thus privileged long, but I find that the Lord is willing to work for the lone ones as well as for those more highly favored.
The Lord has been knocking at the door for admittance at times for years, and I have tried to open to him, but failed through lack of faith.
The True Witness says, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,” &c. I know there is no other way to buy the gold than in obedience to the command of God—separate ourselves entirely from the world, and be perfectly submissive to his will in all his requirements. He says, Be zealous, and repent. I felt great need of it, and God gave me deep repentance in view of my unprofitable life, and unpreparedness to work in the vineyard of the Lord. Does he not say to all who believe in him, “Go work in my vineyard”? The Lord only knows whether I have borne any perfect fruit.
Some time since, Jesus helped me in buying the gold, and I am willing, and wish, to be tried in the fire, that I may be meet to behold his lovely face, and be clothed with the white raiment, and obtain the eyesalve. I felt that Jesus helped me to open the door fully. Then I knew it was my duty to God and myself to believe that he would fulfill his promise, and God helped me to believe that he, by his Spirit, came into me to abide with me unto the end. Oh! I felt it was truth indelibly written on my heart, that it would abide forever. Who will not join with me in giving glory to God for this? God’s work is marvelous in our eyes. Did not the angels rejoice in this gracious work? My heart said, The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want any good thing. Is not this work more to be desired than all the wealth of this world? even if we could gain the whole world. I earnestly feel to say, Lord, keep me from evil, and be my helper unto the end. Since then I feel that he is constantly with me, begetting within me a hungering and thirsting for meekness. He says, Ask and ye shall receive, and I was encouraged to believe that he did hear my supplications, and that he would bestow this grace upon me, and give me patience, and all the lovely graces of the Spirit, and help me to manifest them, and be meet to be a partaker with the saints in the lovely city, to behold the face of our Heavenly Father and his dear Son. I hope the Lord will incline his dear children to heed the counsel of Jesus if there are any who have not fully done so, and to never keep back part of the price, and then you will feel how blessed it is to be beloved of the Father for Christ’s sake, that he will be with you continually, and be a present help in every time of need.
I feel to rest in God, and through grace to do his holy will. Oh! praise God, all ye my acquaintance. Praise him, all ye his saints, for his wonderful works to the children of men. Soon, if we are faithful, we shall meet to part never, and join with all the redeemed in ascribing blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Oh! praise the Lord for this blessed hope. “For since the beginning of the world, men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”
SARAH H. BURLINGAME.
Madison, Wis.
Preaching from the Head or the Heart.
We find the following pungent words in the Atlanta Advocate:—
Preaching now-a-days is not always accompanied by the manifest power of God. It is too often dry, formal, abstract, uninteresting, uninstructive, powerless. It frequently fails to secure the attention of the audience, leaving the majority of those present, listless, drowsy, or asleep. It more frequently fails to reach the understanding or to arouse the conscience. It does not move, affect, and save, the people, as God intended it to do. Something is wrong. It ought not to be that way. Either the people have not the faith—which is too often the case—or the preacher does not handle the word of God skillfully—possibly, both.
Is it preaching simply from the head? Intellectual preaching, if that is all there is to it, will not do. Men may gain, from a careful study of the Scriptures, a tolerably clear and distinct idea of many of the important truths of revelation. They may be able to present these truths which they apprehend in perspicuous and appropriate language. Their rhetoric and grammar may be faultless, their logic sound and perfect. They may be fluent in the ready use of words, apt in illustration, and present abundant adornments to gratify the imagination and the taste, but if it all springs from the intellect alone, it is simply “head-preaching,” and is powerless to move and affect the heart. Do any of our readers listen to such preaching? Do any of them preach that way? If yes, what a pity! If no, how fortunate!
We have no objection to preaching being intellectual. We like it all the better for that, if it have in addition one other qualification. The greatest, most cultivated, and best-furnished minds are none too great, or too refined, or too well stored with knowledge, to preach the gospel. But the strength of the preacher’s bow is in his heart. The arrow, to be effectual, must start from that point. If God, by his Spirit, tips the word with flame, or fills it with mighty power, he does it in the heart of the preacher, not in his brain. The truth of God’s word which the intellect comprehends, needs the fresh anointings of God’s power in the heart of his chosen speaker. Then it gets the attention, excites interest, and reaches, also, the hearts of the auditors.
If preaching only comes from the heart, the more intellectual, the better. It may be packed as full of thought as an egg is full of meat, and every thought thus surcharged goes with telling effect to its mark. The more straight and polished the shaft, the more unerring its aim, and the deeper it will strike into the soul of the listener. Beautiful feathers fluttering at the end as it leaps from the string will not injure the effect of the arrow when sent by the strong bow of the heart.
No sermon is thoroughly prepared until it is baptized in the love and sympathies of the heart. Till then, it should not be preached. That should, by every preacher, be regarded as the most important part of his preparation for the pulpit. Much study, attended and followed by much and earnest prayer, should be each minister’s favorite and practiced motto. The man who has tested the word in his own experience, who knows and feels its truth and power, is the effective and successful preacher.