Earlier text: THE LITTLE FISH.A LITTLE WHILE.
By H. F. DAVIS
How fearfully solemn and full of interest are the few remaining moments, the closing hours of probation. “A little while and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” God's people are now in the patient waiting time, waiting for the promise to be fulfilled. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our Saviour. The Lord is now proving his people. As they near the haven of rest, dangers increase. The conflict grows more and more severe. Their faith must be tried. Who will stand the test, and receive the overcomer's reward? We must fight the good fight of faith if we would have eternal life. We must have a well-founded hope, a hope both sure and steadfast, that will prove an anchor to the soul. Happy are they who can say in the language of the Psalmist, “I have chosen the way of truth.” And may we all strive in our daily walk and conversation, to tell to those around us that we have indeed chosen the path of life, the narrow way that leads to joys above. Oh! for that true and living faith in the promises and work of the Lord that will enable us to put on the whole armor, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy, and be shielded from the coming storm. Let us seek for more of the meek, humble, self-sacrificing spirit of Jesus, that we may be perfect, even as our Father who is in Heaven is perfect. Then shall we be ready, waiting and watching for the coming of Jesus. He says, “Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Who will be ready? Woodstock, Me., Jan. 28, 1868. BRO. AND SR. H. AND C. BOWEN write from Liverpool, N. Y.: We enjoyed a feast at the conference at Roosevelt. There for the first time we beheld Bro. and Sr. White. Their testimony was plain and heart-searching to every lover of present truth. We believe we brought a share of the good spirit home to Liverpool. We hope and pray that it may abide with us continually that we may be fitted up to bear burdens for our dear Redeemer who has suffered and borne such heavy burdens for us. We are lonely, nevertheless the Lord is not confined to numbers; he is ever willing and ready to bless the weakest of his little ones that are trying to keep and obey all his commandments. While at Roosevelt we felt to thank and praise the name of the Lord that he has kept us from being prejudiced against Bro. and Sr. W. by the grievous wolves that are trying to divide and scatter the little flock. We are looking forward with anxiety to the time when the Lord will influence some minister to come to this place, that the honest may have a chance to hear the last message of mercy, and that a little church may be raised up here so that we can assemble together on the Creator's Sabbath. Two of our number have been removed by death. SISTER M. JUDSON writes from Medina Co., Ohio: It is now three years since I determined to cast my lot with God's people who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The more I strive to do right, the more opposition I find. I desire to do something for my Master that I may honor him before men. I strive to live so that I may not be a reproach to his cause, to have wisdom to keep all his commandments aright, that I may stand before him without spot or wrinkle. I long for the time to come when I shall meet with the people of God to part no more. May that glad day soon come. BRO. A. H. BLAKE writes from Wis.: I still thank the Lord that I have been permitted to hear the third angel's message and the glorious truths connected with it. I am striving to obey God's word by keeping all the commandments and the faith of Jesus. It has been about eight months since my brother and myself embraced the truth of the third message. All the preaching we have here is through the Review, as we are all the Sabbath-keepers in this place. I am trying to live out the health reform as fast as I get light on it. It has thus far been a great blessing to me. I want to live up to all God's requirements, that when Jesus comes I may gain an inheritance and a crown that fadeth not away. SISTER L. W. JONES writes from Genesee Co., N. Y.: I have commenced with the new year to double my diligence, and lead a more watchful and prayerful life, and strive harder to overcome all my sins, that I may be found without spot and blameless when Jesus comes. I have also commenced to read the Bible through this year according to the suggestion in the Review, and hope many others will do likewise. I handed the paper containing that suggestion in to the Methodist minister in this place, and requested him to read it at their watch-meeting, hoping it might induce some to read that blessed book, who had heretofore neglected it. JESUS KNOCKS.
By Henry F. Phelps
Yes, O my soul, a friend stands at thy door knocking for admittance. Yea, a friend, and more than a friend. He is one that will be more to thee than a brother, or sister. Yes, and more than all the world besides. The Lord of glory knocks. Just now he knocks. He has knocked before. He has long been knocking. He has knocked at the door of thy heart, many and many a time. He begs for admittance. In those many mercies he has been calling thee. Those long years of abundance, prosperity, and health, have been so many calls for admittance. And then again those adversities were but divine calls. That angry dispensation of Providence, which took from thy bosom that loved one, that kind parent, that beloved brother or sister, that dear companion, or that darling, prattling little one, who had just learned to lisp thy name, and laid them in the cold, cold ground, were but so many repeated knocks of this Friend of friends, for admittance, as a welcome guest. Then open thy door. Just now he knocks again. Louder and louder still, he knocks. He stands as a sentinel outside. He sees trouble coming. He has seen lions in the way. He has a message for thee. He fain would commune with thee of thy safety. Your country is infested with an enemy. You must arise and flee or be taken in ruin. He would save thee; would spread thy table with the choicest dainties from another clime, would provide food for thy journey, and such food too, as, if thou shouldst eat, thou wouldst never hunger nor thirst any more. Oh! then, open to such a guest, yea, open the door of thy heart. Too long thou hast refused. He may knock but once more. Too long he has waited without. His locks are wet with the dews of night. He grieves at thy neglect. He patiently waits. Soon he will cease praying for admittance. See, he is just about to go away. He cannot always linger. Others may admit him. Others will admit him, if you will not. See, oh! see, he turns away. My Spirit shall not always strive. But he lingers yet a moment. It may be the last time, Oh! haste thee, open, open; bid him welcome. Bid adieu to the pleasures of this world, cut loose from the allurements of Satan. Turn your back upon the fleeting scenes of earth. Buy what he offers to sell, take it, it is thine. Be wise, now. Now is the time. Secure that eternal inheritance now while you can. Reader these words are to you, as well as me. LEARN TO BE WORKING CHRISTIANS.—
By McCheyne
“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” It is very striking to see the uselessness of many Christians. Are there none of you who know what it is to be selfish in your Christianity? You have seen a selfish child go into a secret place to enjoy some delicious morsel, undisturbed by his companions. So it is with some Christians. They feed upon Christ and forgiveness, but it is alone, and all for themselves. Are there not some of you who can enjoy being a Christian, while your dearest friend is not, and yet will not speak of him? See, here you have got work to do. When Christ found you, he said: “Go, work in my vineyard!” What were you hired for, if it is not to spread salvation? What blessed for? O, my Christian friends, how little you live as though you were the servants of Christ! How much idle time and idle talk you have! This is not like a good servant. How many things you have to do for yourself! How few for Christ and his people! This is not like a servant.—McCheyne. Conference Department.
By Augustus McAllaster
Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x, 25. This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience. BRO. SMITH: I wish to say through the Review that I love the Lord, and delight to keep his Sabbath. Truly, his law is enlightening to the eye. Seven years ago, when I started to serve the Lord, I knew but little what it was to serve him. Truly, he has led me in a way that I knew not of, and I thank his holy name for it. How good he is! He only shows us one step at a time, and when we are ready to take them as fast as shown us, then it is that we are making progress toward the kingdom. I am determined to keep stepping until I step into the New Jerusalem. That will be a joyous time. We shall not be sorry then that we have brought our bodies into subjection to the laws of God. No, we shall then rejoice that we have overcome our perverted appetites, and all the lusts of the flesh. I thank the Lord for the health reform. I believe it is a part of the third angel's message, and I am trying to live it out. My diet is strictly vegetable, with the exception of a very little salt. No butter, milk, nor eggs. Some say, “Why, what do you live on? You will starve.” Others, “We pity the poor children.” But we choose to please God rather than our unconverted friends and neighbors. We are striving to overcome all our sins, that we may stand upon Mount Zion. We desire an interest in the prayers of God's people. Yours in hope, AUGUSTUS MCALLASTER. From Bro. Vanard.
By Wm. Vanard
BRO. SMITH: I feel it a duty and also a privilege to express my thanks for the light that the Lord is causing to shine upon his Word. I feel to praise him for the light that I have received on Luke xxiii, 43, through Bro. Canright, in his Sermon in Review, No. 5. I have heard this passage of scripture quoted to prove the conscious state of the dead, but I never could believe that I had a good foundation to base an argument upon until I saw this passage explained by Bro. Canright. I can now ask them to prove that the thief on the cross died on the same day that he was crucified; and how can they prove that? And when they tell me that Christ said to the thief, This day shalt thou be with me in paradise, I will ask them what day Christ meant? If he meant that same day that himself and the thieves were crucified, then I think the thief did not believe him, because it does not look reasonable that the thief expected to die on that day; then again the thief only asked the Saviour to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Now, dear brethren and sisters, when any of us get into sore trials and lose all hope of receiving any help from the arm of flesh, let us look to Jesus and ask him to remember us when he comes into his kingdom. Will he not give us some precious promise too, to cheer us on through this vale of tears? Yes, he surely will. What more consoling answer could he have given to the poor thief on the cross than to tell him, "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Dear brethren and sisters, could we wish for a better promise than this, to be with Jesus when he comes into his kingdom? When we know that we have such a friend as Christ, who when the nails were driven through his tender hands and feet, which fastened him to the rugged tree, could ask his Father to forgive those cruel murderers, for they knew not what they did, why should we be discouraged? Oh, blessed hope! What a consolation to the Christian to know that that same Jesus is still pleading for us in the holy sanctuary in his Father's kingdom. Shall he plead in vain? I feel to answer, no! Blessed Saviour. Wm. Vanard.
Stephenson Co., Ill. FORGIVE any sooner than thyself. From Bro. Stevenson.
By E. G. Stevenson
It was not with rejoicing in our hearts that we left Battle Creek; for the sacrifice was too great for that; but things look so encouraging here in the Parkville church that we feel as though the sacrifice was nothing. Better days have truly begun to dawn upon this church, and we firmly believe that the standard of truth will be elevated here, and that there will also be an ingathering of souls to Christ. The Lord has certainly set his hand to the work, and if the Lord be for us, he is more than all that can be against us. Tokens of good are plainly to be seen. Our prayer is that the good work of the Lord may go on, and that there may be a coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The adversary of all good is busy here as well as elsewhere. Pray for us, that we may always stand in the counsel of God, and thus be able to accomplish the work he has for us to do. TWO GREAT EVILS.
By John Harvey Waggoner
HABITS, in their first formation are weak, easily controlled, and therefore those who indulge them think there is no danger; but by indulgence they become passions, and then they hold our very being under their despotic sway. Probably there are no two passions more ruinous to every moral principle than those of drunkenness and gambling. We all know more or less of the power of appetite, and we could easily judge, if we had no direct testimony, of the almost hopeless condition of the slave to the use of intoxicating drinks: a habit for evil fixed, and the nervous system so shattered that little or no power of resistance is left. And those who have been addicted to gambling testify that the passion for it is strong as any other, often amounting to a mania or frenzy. Yet, strange as it may appear, these two evils are finding their way into the families of all classes in the land, not excepting professors of religion. The habit of drunkenness is formed in many respectable families by the custom which has become so prevalent of using home-made wines; or drinks which are erroneously called wine, made from the juices of various plants, and berries, very commonly from currants. These drinks are generally a compound of the juices with brown sugar and water. It needs but little knowledge of the chemical nature of these compounds to determine that they are intoxicating. Their taste betrays them. A truly temperate man, whose taste is not perverted, may detect it at once. And to these may be added cider, often drank by professedly temperate or pious people, sometimes so hard that it will turn the brain of a truly temperate man in three minutes. This ransacking all the realm of nature to find something to drink is a great evil. We need nothing to drink but water, and but little of that. If we live as we ought to, abstaining from unhealthy, stimulating, and irritating substances in our food, we shall not desire much drink, and water will be chosen. It is generally conceded by observing and truly scientific men, that we drink too much; both at our meals, and in the fields of labor. A sister says, “I cannot drink water for breakfast.” Answer. Choose your food by reason, not by appetite, eat slowly, learn to eat without drinking, and it will be for your health. A brother says, “I cannot work in haying or harvesting without drinking a great deal, and so much water does not agree with me.” I find generally three difficulties in such cases. First, eating when fatigued and not chewing the food sufficiently; second, drinking too much when eating, which hinders digestion, weakens the stomach, and creates that sensation which they vainly try to allay by drinking more largely; third, using much salt in the food. I am satisfied that very many are greatly deceiving themselves, thinking they have adopted health reform, when they have scarcely learned the alphabet of its principles. Nothing with which the human family abuse themselves has so great a tendency to create and cultivate this mania for drink as the free use of salt. As it is commonly used it is one of the great food-curses of the age. Train your appetite as you would your child, to choose the good and eschew the evil, and not excuse its use because you like it, which is the same excuse that the veriest sinner in the land has for his evil ways. Study, pray, and act as though you meant to overcome, and not spend the precious hours of probation in strengthening perverted appetites to drag you down in the time of trouble. Drinking so much is a habit, and as such may be controlled and overcome, as any other habit may. But if the habit must be indulged, do not turn it into a worse one by seeking a substitute for water. If intemperance were confined strictly to drinking drugged whiskey, the half-way prudent would not easily get caught in the snare. So if gambling were confined to vicious dens, card tables, and billiard saloons, it would be a trifling matter compared to what it is at present. Stimulated by church fairs, it has grown into general favor, and so lulled the consciences of the people as to scarcely meet a remonstrance from the press or the pulpit. The last and most formidable phase of gambling is in “Gift Enterprises.” It is but a simple act of justice to say that the American Agriculturist, edited by Orange Judd, New York, has been most untiring and very efficient in exposing these swindling operations. Their advertisements are found in nearly all the papers, and there are few, even in the ministry, but have been insulted by receiving their cards and offers of “Splendid Chances.” Were their goods as represented, and each ticket holder possessing a reasonable hope of some return, still they are lotteries—it is gambling, and as such, all moral and religious persons should shun the unhallowed gain as they would stolen goods. But their representations are not true. A “gold pen, warranted $1.00,” for a twenty-five-cent ticket, being tested was found to be worth eight cents! They deal largely in cheap jewelry, entirely worthless. The getter-up of a club generally gets something of real value (when they ever hear from them, which is not always the case), showing that it is not an impartial drawing, as is pretended, and thus a bait is thrown out to induce others to engage in the traffic in tickets, and aid the swindlers. This nefarious business received a great impetus from the “Crosby Opera House” lottery. This house in Chicago was valued in the “scheme” at $600,000, and all for a few dollars in a ticket! The sum was so large and the tickets being offered for sale in the first banking houses and book-stores throughout the land, many who had been opposed before, stifled their scruples and bought tickets. The managers, of course, made a snug fortune; the ticket holders lost their money. But many of them lost much more than this. They built “air castles” on the foundation of the Opera House. Day after day, and week after week, they fluctuated between high hopes and fears; their minds passed through the dangerous excitement of the possibility of their waking up some morning to immense riches; is it any wonder that they lost their sensibility to the moral evil of gambling, and were prepared to enter anew into similar excitement? Many of these enterprises have, professedly, a moral or benevolent design; got up for the relief of the soldiers, &c. The greatest of these, and a sample of all, was the “Gettysburg Asylum Association.” So plausible were its pretenses that Congress exempted it from the payment of tax and license. But this led to its exposure. A Congressional Committee examined into its operations, and reported that the chief articles in the scheme were some diamonds bought by a New York merchant for about $150,000; but the transaction was a fraud, the diamonds not proving as represented, and the Asylum scheme was got up to recover his money on his sham diamonds. They were valued in the lottery at $300,000! Another of the managers put in a farm at $45,000, which was valued in the “scheme” at $60,000. The Committee found it on the Assessor’s book valued at $3,500; testimony showed its value to be from $6,000 to $8,000. This is a sample of the honesty of one of the best of these enterprises; if it be allowable to use such a word in reference to them. But my object in referring to this was to quote the closing remarks of the Report, which has been published since I commenced writing this. The Committee says: “All lotteries are swindles. Yet by far the most dangerous lotteries are those where vice is made attractive, where a sense of the crime is deadened, and consciousness of the guilt removed by the pleasing delusion that honorable names indorse, and a pretended good end justify, violations of the law; yet there is not a tithe of the excuse there is for a man bankrupted by misfortune staking his last dollar upon a throw of the dice or a shuffle of the cards. There has been more demoralization in this country from gift enterprises than any other single cause. Not only all classes, but each sex and all ages are drawn into the giddy whirl, and many, in buying a first ticket here, will spend their last dollar at the gaming table. Already the harvest has been prolific in an outgrowth of villainous schemes, each with a different device, such as Elmore & Co.; Clarke, Webster & Co.; jewelry distribution; Toilet Watch Company; the Pen and Pencil; and Kelly Pictorial, and others, each with its own trick to victimize the ignorant and credulous.” Every word solemn truth. And I would exhort all157to beware of the deception. If any have been so blinded by the enemy as to be partakers in this sinful excitement, let them repent before the Lord, lest they be reckoned in the last day with Balaam, who “loved the wages of unrighteousness.” Clyde, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1868. In the days before the flood we read that the careless inhabitants of the world were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.” As it was then, so, says the prophetic record, it shall be in the last days when the Son of man is about to be revealed. The following is the description which the N. Y. Independent gives of the proceedings at a modern fashionable dinner table. Look well at the picture and see how it compares with the copy set in the days of Noah. “It is very common, among people who would be shocked to hear themselves called profligate, wasteful, extravagant, or intemperate, to sit three or four hours at a dinner, to drink half a dozen different kinds of wine, to partake of eight or ten different dishes, to excite their appetites by stimulants, and finally to retire cloyed, stupefied, and verging upon apoplexy and death. Are such habits becoming to rational beings, to say nothing of republicans, or Christians?” BOOKS! BOOKS!!
By James White
WE are glad to say that, as far as our experience is concerned, the plan entered upon to circulate among the destitute such publications as Spiritual Gifts, How to Live, Sabbath Readings, Appeal to Mothers, Appeal to the Youth, and the Charts on cloth, works admirably. We offer them for sale to all who can and will purchase, and urge that all should have a full set of these works. Those who have a part of these publications we urge to make up a full set. Then we give them to those who manifest a desire for them, and state that they are unable to pay for them. If they are strangers we sometimes ask the following questions: Do you keep the Sabbath? Are you in fellowship with the church? Will you read and faithfully study these books? If these questions are answered in the affirmative we take the person's name and leave the books. During the last four weeks we have disposed of about $130 worth of these books, and have received $75, have trusted some to responsible persons, and have given in all only $27 worth. With a little pushing this enterprise will move off beyond all expectation, and call for a second edition of most of these works. Spiritual Gifts must be read by all our people. See to it, brethren, that you have a full set of them. Spend your long evenings in reading these books to your children. Let their sentiments and spirit find way to your own and your children's minds and hearts. Read five or ten chapters each evening. After you have read these, and other works of the kind, then we have two precious books for your families. We have heard them read, and know what they are. If you and your children can hear them without shedding tears, you and they can do what we could not do. “The Old Red House” is the title of one, and delineates not only the virtues but the failings of a family living in a red farm house, where faith, a sweet spirit, and firm religious principles, had a sanctifying influence on the entire family. The other is a most interesting story of a Bible which is allowed to give its own history, how it was neglected, or ill-treated by ungodly hands. Then read with delight, and loved by the virtuous. How it appealed to infidels, sinners, and apostates, reaching the hearts of some, and feeling the wrath of others. And how its words of instruction, consolation and hope cheered true Christian hearts. We have had a copy of both these works—not in our library, but going from house to house, from town to town, among our people till they are nearly worn out, and seeing the interest manifested in them, decided to obtain them, and furnish all who wish them. Price of the Red House, $1.50, postage 24 cents. Pocket Bible, $1.25, postage 20 cents. Address Eld. James White, Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich. We can furnish all where we travel. The Days of Famine.—From Sweden, Finland, Northern and Eastern Russia, Eastern Prussia, Tunis, and Algeria, we have accounts of the people perishing for want of food. In some parts of France and Spain the scarcity is also great. In Tunis, so many are the deaths that burials are made in trenches, as after a battle, or during the night of a malignant pestilence. In the colder regions, bark and buds of trees, in the warmer, blossoms and tender vegetation, are consumed for food. In England the destitution is greater than has been known for many years. The London Star says: “Men and women die in the streets every day of starvation. One is afraid not to relieve the professional beggar, knowing that yesterday one who looked like him lay down in his rags on the spot where you are now solicited, and died of sheer starvation. Whole districts are sinking into one vast, squalid, awful condition of helpless, hopeless destitution.” This has more particular application to the East End of London; but the distress in many country places is extreme. China.—LONDON, Feb. 10. Despatches from China, and news to the latest dates received, state that United States Minister Burlingame had left Pekin on his mission for the Emperor of China and arrived at Shanghai, from which place he was to proceed direct to the United States. An earthquake has been felt at Shanghai and Ningpoo, and surrounding districts, but no destruction of property or loss of life is reported. The oscillation was not violent, but unusual. The occurrence caused great consternation among the Chinese, and whenever the phenomena was felt the wildest panic prevailed. Intelligence in regard to the rebellion in North China is not very definite. The Imperialists report that a battle has taken place since the conflict at Shinting, and claim that the rebels were defeated in all these encounters, and that the Imperial arms are rapidly gaining the ground they had lost. California.—The winter of 1867-8 has been one of the most severe ever experienced in California, and by far the roughest since that of 1861-2, when all the valley country was desolated by floods. This season the levees of Sacramento have stood the test, and that sadly afflicted city has not been deluged, but the entire valley country, from one end of the State to the other, has been flooded, and the loss is immense. In Yolo County, opposite Sacramento, orchards, worth as high as $50,000 or $75,000 each, have been utterly ruined by the floods, which have swept over them and covered them with wood, clay and coarse gravel, washed down from the mountains. In early times the rivers carried off the floods of the rainy season, or, if an overflow took place, it benefited rather than injured the rich alluvial bottom lands. But since the vast mining enterprises of the State have been in operation, the foot-hills all along the Sierra Nevada have been gradually washed down into the gulches and carried bodily by the winter floods down into the rivers, the beds of which have been filled up to such an extent that they can no longer carry off the surplus waters which now periodically inundate the country, and leave such deposits behind them as ruin the finest farming lands over which they pass. It was proposed at first to construct levees along the rivers to keep in the floods as they do in Louisiana, but this was soon found to be impracticable. Then side ditches and canals were suggested, and these, too, ultimately were found inadequate. Now it is recommended by the best authorities on the subject that the floods be allowed to take their course unopposed, and that the farmers or ranchmen along the bottom lands simply build embankments high enough to be above the water at its highest point, and construct thereon their houses and barns. By this means the valleys can still be cultivated, though the farmers must live on little islands for a month or two each season, and do their visiting in boats. Since the floods have proved so disastrous in the low lands it has been discovered that the hillsides and mountains even are better for fruit growing, and even for cultivating grain and vegetables than the valleys, and all attention is being turned toward them. The wine produced at the vineyards on the mountains is found to be far superior to that of the valleys, and to the hills we may look hereafter for our raisins, figs, apricots, peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, apples, and even breadstuffs. A writer in the Chicago Tribune, speaking of the wide-spread famine in the old world, and its probable effect upon this country, says:— Some well-read thinkers here fear that the “hard times” are just beginning. The year preceding a Presidential election is usually one of great commercial depression. But this is not all. From every part of the Old World—from the tropical countries of Africa, as well as from the northern climes of Sweden and Finland—come the cries of famine-stricken multitudes; and many there be who fear that the world is again to experience the horrors of one of the same kind of wide-spread famines that desolated it so awfully in the middle ages; and they fear that the “hard times” of 1868 are but the first indications of such a calamity in this country.
The Queen Consulting the Spirits.—A London letter says: I hear from a reliable source that Queen Victoria has been to see the Davenport Brothers, and has imported a trial of their spiritual, dark lantern jugglery game at Windsor Castle. She has gone quite daft with spiritualism, and these impostors have promised to bring back Prince Albert to this world for an hour, in the very room where he died. They have promised, moreover, I am told, to not only allow the Queen to have conversation with him, but to actually touch him. As their performances are conducted in the dark, they will no doubt succeed in carrying out the delusion. Pray, what are the guardians of the poor Queen about to permit such a criminal imposture to be practised on one who is already far on the road to lunacy? Such an arrant imposture is a melancholy exhibition of human weakness and folly. Novel Church Socials.—The Corunna American chronicles the fact that “a mush-and-milk” social was held in that village last week for the benefit of one of the churches, and says that it was an amusing affair and enjoyed with zest. —The young people of the First Baptist Church of Terre Haute, Indiana, have lately turned their church “sociable” into a masquerade. The local newspaper reports: “Thursday evening last was held the church social, and thirty or forty couples assembled at the parsonage, dressed in every variety of fancy and fantastic costumes, and all masked. When all were congregated, the gentlemen and ladies, in pairs, went over to the residence of Dr. Mahan, where after the usual exercises of social gatherings, at about 10 o’clock, masks were removed and not a few were taken aback when they ascertained whom they had been doing the agreeable to during the evening, and many amusing and ludicrous situations were developed.” It is not supposed that the example will be very widely followed by their co-religionists. QUARTERLY MEETINGS IN VERMONT.
By Albert Stone
The Quarterly Meeting for the church in Sutton, Vt., was held at the house of Bro. Stephen Wiley, Sabbath and first-day, Jan. 11 and 12. A number of brethren and sisters came from Irasburgh, Charleston, and Wheelock, and a good interest was manifest on both days. The Brn. and sisters were encouraged, and strengthened. Parents manifested an interest for their children; and one who had been on the background started anew for eternal life. On first-day eve there was much freedom, and a profitable time in observing the ordinances. Jan. 14 we moved on to our next appointment, deeply regretting that the effort with that people could not have been protracted, as it seemed like the beginning of a good work. Jan. 14 and 15, rode 35 miles to Wolcott, to meet a previous appointment on 5th day, when the church came together and listened to a discourse on baptism, received one person into the church, and observed the ordinances of feet-washing and the Lord’s supper. At this place I met Bro. N. Orcutt who, on the 17th accompanied me to Johnson, to attend the Quarterly Meeting on the following day. Here I also met with Bro. D. T. Bourdeau, and a few Brn. and sisters from Enosburgh, Wolcott, and Irasburgh. The meeting at this place was characterized by a good interest, all feeling it was good to be there. From this meeting I proceeded on the 20th to East Richford, and Sutton, C. E., to visit the brethren in these places. With this church I have spent fifteen days, preaching and visiting, not only the families of Sabbath-keepers, but others who are favorably disposed toward the truth. Our first meeting was Sabbath, Jan. 24. On first-day and third-day evening, we held meetings in a school-house. Quite a number of the neighbors came in. Some were interested and confessed the truth, others confessed their backslidings and started anew for eternal life. May they hold out to the end is my prayer. Sabbath, Feb. 1, the Quarterly Meeting for this church was held at the house of Bro. Cyrus Smith, in Sutton. Bro. D. T. Bourdeau was present, and assisted in preaching the word. This church need to raise the standard a little higher, and to realize more fully the peculiar character which God’s remnant people are to attain. North Troy, Vt., Feb. 5, 1868. The great object at which all Christendom is now aiming is union. Two methods are resorted to to obtain this end: the one, to set up God’s truth as the standard, and bring men to that; and the other, to lay aside all differences of opinion and compromise the truth for the sake of union. The latter method is being resorted to just at this time in this village. As I sit writing this, the largest public hall in this village is crowded to overflowing with the members of six different denominations who are holding union meetings, in which no controverted subjects are to be brought up. In striking contrast to this, is an effort which an Adventist brother and myself have for several weeks past been putting forth to establish a weekly reading circle for the investigation of present truth. The result is, that only two or three of the apparently honest could be induced to come in, and even these have now backed down, and left us entirely alone. Truly, Babylon is fallen. Westerly, R. I., Jan. 19, 1868. MANY favors which God giveth us ravel out for want of hemming, through our own unthankfulness; for though prayer purchaseth blessings, giving praise doth deepen the quiet possession of them.—Fuller. MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.
On and after Monday, Dec 30, 1867, Passenger Trains will run on this road as follows: | LEAVE. |
MAIL. |
DAY EXP. |
EVE. EXP. |
NIGHT EX. |
|---|
| Detroit,..... |
7:10 A.M. |
11:00 A.M. |
5:35 P.M. |
10:30 P.M. |
| Battle Creek, |
1:35 P.M. |
3:48 P.M. |
11:15 P.M. |
3:40 A.M. |
| Chicago, Arrive, |
9:00 P.M. |
10:00 P.M. |
6:30 A.M. |
11:00 A.M. |
|
MAIL. |
DAY EXP. |
EVE. EXP. |
NIGHT EX. |
|---|
| Chicago,..... |
4:30 A.M. |
7:00 A.M. |
4:15 P.M. |
9:40 P.M. |
| Battle Creek, |
11:45 A.M. |
1:05 P.M. |
10:38 P.M. |
4:50 A.M. |
| Detroit, Arrive, |
5:45 P.M. |
6:10 P.M. |
2:45 A.M. |
10:00 A.M. |
THESE trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time. Distress Among the People.
It is hardly necessary, we presume, to say to any of our readers that the distress among the poor people of our great cities has been, and is still, unusually great this present winter. We are glad to know, however, that the efforts which have been made to relieve the poor have been in due proportion to the increased destitution. An appropriation by the State Legislature of $500,000 has been proposed for the relief of the poor of New York and Brooklyn. Several establishments for the relief of the poor have been opened in this city, one of which, located at No. 1 Bond Street, we illustrate on page 100. The number of applicants daily at this house alone amounts to 1000 persons. Every day before the opening hour, 10 o’clock A. M., a line of several hundred men, women, and children are to be found waiting for assistance. Among these are bookbinders, carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, and other tradesmen, all out of employment and all suffering. So many persons, and especially mechanics, have not applied in the same time since the “bread or blood” procession in this city. In two instances whole families of children have been taken into the institutions in order that the parents may go to work and save sufficient to support themselves. The plan of relief is, when fuel is required, to send a quarter of a ton at the outset, and two more up to March 1, to such applicants as filled up an application, which is furnished in blank, and have sworn to the truth of the statement made therein, and after its truth has been verified by a visit to their houses. Those who need money, if worthy, receive a dollar, and are desired to call again in two weeks. This, of course, is only a temporary relief.—Harper.