p. 23 | Review and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 3. (7/13/1869)

THE FALL OF DEMAS.

Among the fellow-laborers of the apostle Paul was one who bore the name of Demas. His biography is given us only in the following texts:

Col. iv, 14: “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.”

Philemon 23, 24: “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.”

2 Tim. iv, 9, 10: “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me; for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.”

These texts teach us a lesson of awful solemnity and warning. Here is the record of a man worthy to unite with Paul in saluting the brethren in two of his epistles; worthy to be ranked with Aristarchus, Paul’s companion in travel (see Acts xix, 29; xx, 4; xxvii, 2; Col. iv, 10); and with Mark the author of the second gospel; and with Luke, the beloved physician, the author of the third gospel, and also of the book of Acts; and what is still more, he was counted worthy by Paul to be called a fellow-laborer in his sacred work. Yet this man made utter shipwreck of his faith, and for the present world gave up his interest in the world to come. Such a case suggests the most serious thought.

1. This man was eminent as a minister of Jesus Christ. Not Paul, merely, but the Holy Spirit by whose inspiration Paul wrote, gave to Demas so honorable a place that we cannot doubt his high standing as a minister of Christ. He was acknowledged by Paul, as a “fellow-laborer.” As such he could not have been otherwise than eminent in gifts, in graces, and in Christian experience.

2. He was a highly-favored man. He enjoyed a personal acquaintance with the most eminent Christian minister that ever lived. He was even honored with his confidence, and counted worthy to share in his labors in the work of the gospel. He knew everything pertaining to the foundation of the Christian religion. He knew all the things promised in the blessed hope. He knew the purity of the doctrine of Christ, and the blameless life of the apostle with whom he was associated. He knew the excellence of such men as Mark and Luke, who were his fellow-laborers.

3. It was not a light thing that he could associate with Mark and Luke. These two men were called in the providence of God each to write a life of Christ. It is possible that Mark, on account of his youth, was not an eye-witness of all he wrote, though the fact that his home was in Jerusalem (Acts xii, 12,) indicates that he must have had personal knowledge of much that he has written. But the fact of his intimate connection with the apostle Peter (1 Pet. v, 13,) made Mark thoroughly acquainted with all the facts in Christ’s life. As to Luke, he wrote the gospel as an eye-witness. Luke i, 2, 3. He was competent to write also the book of Acts, containing the history of one generation of the Christian church. To have these two men for his fellow-laborers was to have such an opportunity for knowing of Christ as none of us in these days have ever begun to possess.

4. But to live in the society of such a man as Paul, and to converse with one who had had such views of Paradise, was still another wonderful opportunity to learn the deep things of God. He was an eye-witness of his mighty miracles; he had the most perfect opportunity to understand his godly life and his unselfish devotion to his Master’s cause.

5. Demas must have understood the greatness of the reward promised the people of God. No man was ever better prepared to give instruction on this point than was Paul, and Demas had the benefit of his teaching. He must have understood the awful fate of the transgressor. He knew that the wages of sin is death. He knew that the wicked shall be punished with everlasting destruction. He knew the brevity of human life. He knew its liability to end at any moment. He knew the perishable nature of every thing pertaining to the world that now is. He knew its unsatisfactory character. He knew the folly and vanity of riches, of honors, of pleasures such as our earth has to give.

6. He knew the value of the Christian religion. He had felt its power upon his heart. He knew by personal experience what is meant by the forgiveness of sins. He had even been called of the Holy Spirit to the work of the Christian ministry. He was, in the providence of God, assigned a place among the most eminently pious and excellent of the earth. He shared the fellowship of the most eminent of the apostles, and was counted by him a fellow-laborer.

7. Demas, beyond all doubt, had high hopes of the kingdom of God. He confidently expected to wear the crown of life. He expected to be made a partaker of immortality. He had no idea that the second death would be his final portion. He did not expect that the vanities of earth would overcome his love for the world to come. He had no idea that he should ever sell his soul for the empty and worthless things which Satan offers to men in exchange for the kingdom of God.

8. But it is nevertheless true that this man so highly favored of God, so honored in his associations with three of the writers of the New Testament, so privileged with the precious knowledge of divine truth, so thoroughly instructed in the deep things of the Spirit of God, and so eminent as a minister of Christ that he was permitted to be a fellow-laborer of Paul, did, after all these great blessings from Heaven, make utter and probably irretrievable shipwreck of the faith.

Here is the sad record of the ruin of Demas: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.” We may well ask, How could such a lamentable apostasy ever have occurred?

1. In some way Demas was thrown off his guard and ceased to watch against sin. Perhaps because he was associated with such excellent men he felt certain that he was all right. He was very sure that they would be saved, and he expected to be saved because he was so intimately associated with them.

2. It is by no means certain that Demas had not allowed himself years before his open apostasy to cherish in his secret life some favorite sin, which he took for granted was not very displeasing to God because

Paul who possessed such a gift of discernment of spirit had never pointed out and rebuked that sin.

3. The apostle has stated the cause of the ruin of Demas. He “loved this present world.” How strange that when he had once loved the world to come he could ever give this world the affections of his heart. He had once loved the heavenly Jerusalem with its infinite glory. Now poor, perishing earth was taken in exchange for it. How ruinous the exchange! And how could a man of the capacity of Demas make so fatal a mistake? We must remember that when faith is not in exercise, the world to come is out of sight, and the world that now is alone appears in view. What the present world has to give, it offers now. What of good things the next world offers to give must be waited for till that world comes. Demas could not wait.

4. He “loved this present world.” He did not understand that the whole tenor of the Bible is, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” 1 John ii, 15. Or if he understood the real voice of God’s word on this vital point, he flattered himself that there was no need of such great strictness in the matter. Perhaps, like Solomon, he thought this a very safe precept for others to follow, but one quite unnecessary in the case of such an experienced Christian as himself.

5. But what had the world to offer, that Demas should accept it? The apostle John has told us: “All that is in the world” is “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” 1 John ii, 16. And could Demas accept of these? It appears that he did. How could he thus demean himself? It was the deceitfulness of sin that thus beguiled him into a ruinous exchange of eternal glory for a momentary enjoyment of worldly pleasure.

6. It is not possible to determine certainly which of the three kinds of sinful pleasure was sought by Demas. The lust of the flesh is the appetites and passions of the carnal mind. The world offers in many ways the gratification of these sinful propensities. The lust of the eyes is the desire for those things that make a show before men; as splendid houses, fine clothes, gay trappings, and vain ornaments. The pride of life is the honor that comes from men.

7. It is not very likely that the pursuit of worldly fame was the cause of the ruin of Demas. It may be, indeed, that he had in his heart a much stronger desire for the praise that comes from men than for the honor that comes from God. Yet we can hardly conceive that in that age of persecution, there were many honors in store for a man who had been the fellow-laborer of Paul. Nor is it very probable that the desire to possess money, lands, costly furniture, fine clothes, and whatever else can make a display before men, was the grand cause of the ruin of Demas. Wealth and honor might indeed have offered themselves to Demas, but we can hardly accept these as the most probable cause of his ruin.

8. That which John places first and foremost of the good which the present world has to offer seems to be the most probable cause of the fall of Demas. The gratification of the base appetites of the carnal mind certainly seems more likely to have been the cause of his ruin. Here Satan could approach him by imperceptible advances. Here sin could allure with its soft arts. Here he could fall under the power of the tempter, and be bound hand and foot before he was hardly aware of his being in any danger.

9. Paul kept his body under lest after he had preached to others himself should be a castaway. 1 Cor. ix, 27. It is probable that Demas failed in this very thing. He allowed his animal nature to remain unsubdued, or rather he decided perhaps that so strong a Christian as himself had no need of such care as others must use. At all events the barrier which separates between virtue and ungodliness was broken down, and Demas who had set himself apart for God was now in unrestrained possession of whatever good thing the pleasures of sin can furnish.

10. It is a most humiliating confession that ministers of the gospel have shown themselves often to be men of unsanctified hearts and unsubdued passions. They have, like Demas, loved this present world because it offered immediate gratification to some wicked desire. And so the very men that have warned others of the deceitfulness of sin have shown themselves ready to fall under its power at the first attack of the enemy.

11. We may be sure that the ruin of Demas was not accomplished all at once. Far from it. This fellow-laborer of Paul had certainly long hidden sin in his heart. While Paul was agonizing to enter in at the strait gate, Demas must have been comforting his heart with the idea that he was sure of Paradise, though he suffered evil to exist in some secret acts of his life. And so when Paul had finished his course of self-denial and cross-bearing, and waited in the Roman dungeon the ax of the executioner, Demas forsook him, and not him only, but Christ also, and returned to Thessalonica, probably his own native land. How awful this spectacle! He turns his back on Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and on Christ also who had bought him with his own blood. He loses sight of the next world and grasps this as his solace and his joy. Poor, infatuated Demas! He drops the substance to grasp the shadow, and he leaves a name to be a warning to Christian ministers in all coming time.

12. One grand, practical lesson should be drawn from this sad apostasy. If one of the fellow-laborers of Paul, who had been honored and trusted by him, could fall into sin and make utter shipwreck of the faith, it is by no means impossible that we shall be called to witness cases of apostasy equally fatal and distressing. But let every one who fears God remember that however men may dishonor the cause of Christ, that cause is still dear and precious, and that divine Redeemer still worthy of the best affections of our hearts.

ENCOURAGE YOUR LEADERS.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Our God is a God of order. He always chooses some to be leaders in his cause, and especially so, when he is accomplishing some special work; as the bringing of Israel from Egypt to Canaan, the restoring of them from their captivity in Babylon, the beginning of the proclamation of a crucified and risen Saviour, and the closing of probation preparatory to the second advent. Moses, Aaron and Joshua, Ezra and Nehemiah, John the Baptist and the chosen twelve, respectively were chosen to lead out and bear a responsibility in the special work of the Lord in their day. They were called and qualified to do that part in the work that others could not do. But though others could not do the work that belonged especially to them, they could aid in the work, encourage them, and move with and assist them in accomplishing the great work.

When Israel were brought back from their captivity in Babylon in the time of Ezra, they found themselves in a great trespass against the Lord, which called for a great work of reform. Ezra felt the need of reform, and the responsibility resting upon him, which he manifested in praying, confessing and weeping before the Lord. When Shechaniah saw this, he did not withhold his influence, but was ready to encourage him in the arduous work of reform. Said he, “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. Now let us make a covenant with our God,” &c. “Arise; for this matter belongeth to thee: we also will be with thee; be of good courage and do it.” This had the ring of the true metal. The burden of the work rested upon Ezra. It belonged to him to lead out in the matters; but others could give him support and encouragement.

So let it be now. The Lord is doing an exceeding great work; the work of preparing a people for translation. Let us encourage our leaders, and be with them in the work. R. F. COTTRELL.

SABBATH TIME.

By John Harvey Waggoner

The old objection (and one of the flimsiest of all objections) against keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, that the world is round, and the day does not commence in all places at once, has been so often noticed, and its absurdity so fully shown, that it would seem that any person of ordinary intelligence would be ashamed to offer it. But we find that opposition to the truth of God is never weary of any subterfuge.

A certain individual in Iowa has mounted this hobby, and seems to think a great reform may be effected by all commencing to keep the Sabbath at the same time; or, in other words, in our commencing to keep the seventh day on the sixth day! The following letter from him has been placed in our hands:

“BRO. BLANCHARD: Will you please answer a few questions? 1. Did not God rest on, and set apart, the seventh day, or last twenty-four hours of the week? 2. Does not God require all men to rest on the twenty-four hours that he sanctified? 3. When it is sunset in Asia, is it not sunrise here in America? 4. Do not we, S. D. Adventists, commence to rest twelve hours later, and continue to rest twelve hours longer than our brethren do in Asia?” S. O. WINSLOW. Boone Co., Iowa.

REPLY. 1. God did certainly rest the last day of the week. 2. He does require all men to rest on the last day of the week. 3. It is sunrise here when it is sunset in some part of Asia. 4. We do commence to keep the Sabbath twelve hours later than they in Asia, opposite to us; but we do not “continue to rest twelve hours longer;” as we keep only the seventh day, which is no longer to us than to those on the opposite side of the earth.

Before taking up the point of objection, we present another letter of his, as follows:

“ELDER JAMES WHITE, Kind Sir: By the perusal of a tract called ‘Scripture References,’ I understand you, Seventh-day Adventists, to believe that the Bible teaches that the seventh day (or seventh twenty-four hours of the week as they come down to us from the creation of the world,) commences at sunset the world over. Would you be so kind as to inform me, how it can be that this definite day, or twenty-four-hour time, can commence at sunset the world over; for the sun rises here in America when it sets in Europe, does it not?”

It rises here when it sets somewhere, if not in Europe. But where is the difficulty? The question recognizes the fact that the day commences at sunset, and sunset does not occur at all places at the same time; therefore, the day does not commence in all places at the same time. The Bible plainly teaches that the day commences with the evening; and as all days commence at that time, what is said in Lev. xxiii, 32, will

apply to all Sabbaths, or to the Sabbath at all times, and in all places.

But the writer of the foregoing letters urges that we should begin to keep the seventh day at the same time they would begin to keep the same day in Asia! Let us see how this will work.

Two men, one in Asia, and one in America, wish to keep the Sabbath according to the Bible. They read in the Bible that (1) the seventh day is the Sabbath. Ex. xx, 9. (2) The evening is the first part of the day. Gen. i. (3) That the evening begins at the setting of the sun, Josh. viii, 29; x, 26, 27; Mark i, 32. And (4, therefore) The Sabbath must be observed from even to even, that is, from sunset to sunset. Lev. xxiii, 32. Now if they both keep the Sabbath according to the Bible, they will both keep it according to these particulars. As time rolls on, the sun rises the sixth time in the week on the American—it is sixth-day morning with him. Thinking of the circumstances of his Asiatic brother, he soliloquizes thus:

“The sun is now setting in Asia, and my brother there now commences to keep the Sabbath. It is said that God is a God of order, and uniformity is desirable, so I must now begin to keep the Sabbath, in order to keep it with my brother. But the Bible is my rule, and I will see if I can begin the Sabbath here at the same time my brother in Asia begins it, and obey the rule. The rule says I must keep the seventh day; if I begin now I shall keep part of the sixth day and part of the seventh day. The rule says I must keep it from evening to evening; if I begin now I shall keep it from morning to morning. I must not violate the rule; therefore I must not yet commence my rest of the Sabbath. Neither will it do for my brother to wait till the sun sets here, in order to begin with me, for the sun has already set there, and the seventh day has there commenced. The rule requires him to begin now. And if he waits to begin with me, the Sabbath will be half gone there when he begins; so he will then keep half of the seventh day and half of the first day. Therefore, if we begin at the same time, we must violate the rule, or else get the sun to set in Asia and America at the same time! But the former, we must not do, and the latter, we cannot do, therefore, he must begin now, and I must wait till the sun sets here, and the Sabbath begins with me.”

Who can say he has not arrived at a safe conclusion? it is, in fact, the only conclusion at which he could possibly arrive without doing violence to the sacred rule.

Suppose a law should be passed at Washington that a certain document should be placed on record in Washington, and in the capital of every state of the Union, on the Fourth of July, exactly at noon. Would the Secretary in Sacramento fulfill the law, if he made the record at the same time that it was made in Washington? Surely not; for the law requires it to be made at noon, in every place, but noon does not come at Sacramento some three or four hours before the sun reaches the meridian. There is not a person in the land so wild as to suppose, nor so reckless as to urge, that the record must be made at the same time, absolutely, in each State of the Union. But “noon” is no more definite than “evening” or “the setting of the sun;” what will apply to one, in this respect, will apply to the other. Why, then, will people argue so absurdly in respect to the commencement of the Sabbath?

We know of no reason why this objection should be a source of trouble to any; and we advise Mr. Winslow to dismount from this hobby lest it prove a stalking-horse to carry him to destruction.

We are not surprised that some people offer this objection against the Sabbath; but again at others we are much surprised. A letter recently received from Maine, says: “We have had Eld. Preble here, and he preached to us at the school-house. . . . He said there was a variation of twelve hours between some places, so that it would be sunset in some places earlier than in others; that it was always after six days of labor, and not the seventh day corresponding with the one God kept, for it was impossible to keep the same hours all over the world that God kept, for the day did not begin at the same hour all over the world.”

Well, if it be so, (and it surely is,) that the day does not begin at the same hour all over the world, to keep the same day. A school-boy may see that, if he will. But is it not surprising that he who is so strenuous for the observance of Sunday as a Christian duty, binding on all, should argue that a day cannot be kept by all?

Eld. Preble lays claim to much knowledge on this subject, both in a biblical and historical view, and has written a large work to prove that first-day, the identical day of the resurrection, is the Sabbath, and ought to be kept. Yet the seventh-day keepers are a poor, deluded people in his estimation, because, as he urges, the seventh day cannot be kept all round the world! And not only this, but he argues that the Sabbath was changed from the seventh to the first day; if that were truth, it would surely be true that the seventh day was the day to be kept before such change was made. Did the same impossibility then exist in regard to keeping the seventh day? And has the order of nature so changed, that the seventh day, which could formerly be kept in different latitudes, cannot now? Or is this another reason for the change of the Sabbath, changing from the seventh day which cannot be kept all round the world, to the first day, which can be kept everywhere? Perhaps so; at least it is as good a reason as we ever heard urged for the change.

Charity for the author of “My first-day Sabbath” will not allow us to conjecture his motive for using such an argument against the seventh day. But we say we are surprised; that's all. J. H. WAGGONER.

CAMP-MEETINGS.

By General Conference Committee

THERE are, at least, seven camp-meetings to be held the present season. Requests for these meetings have come in from New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The time for these must cover a period of at least ten weeks, unless two or more shall be held at the same time. If these meetings shall cover a period of ten weeks, the first must commence as early as Aug. 10, in order to get through with them before cold weather.

Camp-meetings will probably be held as follows: (Particulars as to time and place will be given in due season.)

Ohio, August 10-16. Michigan, “ 19-26. New Hampshire, September 7-12. New York, “ 15-20. Wisconsin, “ 24-29. Minnesota, October 6-10. Iowa, “ 13-19.

If our brethren in Ohio object to having their camp-meeting so early, and the brethren in Minnesota and Iowa, theirs so late in the season, then two meetings will have to be held at the same time, or some will have to be omitted.

As the time draws near for the first meetings, the time of the appointments for Ohio, Michigan and New Hampshire may be considered settled.

The things to be regarded as very important to the success of a camp-meeting are,

A central and accessible point, near a railroad.
Dry grounds, large trees, as far apart as possible, and yet furnishing a complete shade.
Good water, and ample grounds for retirement.
There should be a good chance to pitch one or more large tents, in which to hold meetings in case of storm.

Letters of inquiry relative to camp-meetings may be addressed to Eld. James White, Greenville, Montcalm Co., Michigan. GEN. CONF. COM.

MEETING AT OAKLAND, MICH.

By Uriah Smith

THIS meeting was held according to appointment, July 1-4. Bro. and Sr. White, and Brn. Andrews, Waggoner, Lawrence, Littlejohn and Smith, were present. The churches of Holly, Lapeer and Memphis were quite fully represented; and scattered brethren from that part of the State were also present. A plain testimony suited to the condition of the people was called forth by the Spirit of the Lord. It was stated in the call for the meeting that the object was to arouse our people to the duties and dangers of this time; and, certainly, if words have power to arouse them, they must have felt aroused by what they heard respecting the great truths of the third angel's message which are becoming more and more important, as each day brings us nearer to the end.

The cause in this section was greatly in need of help. Open opposition had existed with some against the Testimonies to the church, which opposition had had more or less effect, and exerted a blighting and deathly influence over the church in this region. A special testimony was called forth upon this point, even before the full extent of the evil was known, showing the important place which this work occupies in the church, and that it is essential to the proof that we are those who are giving the third angel's message. Those who give this message have the faith of Jesus. The faith of Jesus includes the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy; and this is to be a special mark of the remnant of the woman's seed, which keep the commandments of God, and by which they incur the wrath of the dragon. Now have we the testimony of Jesus, or the spirit of prophecy, in our midst? If so, where is it? Can those who reject the testimonies tell us? And if we have it not, what becomes of our claims to being those who are giving the third angel's message? Consistency requires that we take the whole work or none.

Good progress was made in the meetings, and judging from the testimonies given in the social meetings, many minds were helped. But it was sad that all had first to confess and lament their backslidings. When will the people of God get into a place where the labor that now has to be bestowed upon them, may be expended in behalf of those who yet know not the truth, and who are perishing for lack of it?

On Sabbath afternoon a call was made by Bro. White for those who felt that they had not a good hope in Christ, and who wished for a better, and sought the prayers of the people of God, to come forward. So general a move as then took place we have never witnessed in any assemblage of people. Nearly all in the tent, backsliders, as well as those who had made no profession, came forward. Friend entreated friend, with weeping, to come, and seek an interest in the Saviour. Fathers called for children, and wives for husbands; and they came pressing in with broken and penitent hearts to signify their desire for God's blessing. All were in tears. It was a scene long to be remembered. The Spirit of God was present in great power; and we trust it will not soon be forgotten by those who shared in it, nor the good resolutions there formed be lost sight of.

On first-day there was a good turnout from the surrounding country. It is estimated that a thousand persons were present. Bro. and Sr. White had good liberty, as also Brn. Andrews, Waggoner and Littlejohn, who participated in the preaching. Four were baptized on first-day afternoon. Taken as a whole, the meeting, in its progress and results, exceeded the expectations of the friends of the cause present.

U. S.

Greenville, July, 6, 1869.

REPORT FROM OHIO.

By I. D. Van Horn

We are still laboring to advance the cause of truth in the little village of Melmore. We have had the tent pitched eighteen days. We have given twenty-four discourses. It has rained every day but three since the tent was pitched. The roads have been muddy, and the weather has been such that many have been hindered from coming that would like to hear. We have given the lines of prophecy a thorough examination, which has convinced most of those who have heard us, that we are in the closing scenes of this world's history. We have also examined the law and Sabbath question quite thoroughly, and the majority of those who have listened to the Bible evidence, are convinced of their duty. Only a few, probably half a dozen or more, have decided fully to keep the Sabbath. We have hopes of many more. It is working on their minds. May the Lord help them to decide.

There is a good deal of prejudice on the part of many, mostly with the members of other churches. The ministers invariably oppose us, not openly, but by urging their members to stay away. To-day (Sunday) has been a good day for us. It being the Fourth, I spoke about our government, its lamb-like profession, and its dragon power, yet to be manifested in the union of church and state, and the forming of the image. A deep impression seemed to be made on the minds of all present.

The Lord helps us to declare his truth. We enjoy good freedom. We believe there are jewels here that the truth will polish and refine, that they may be prepared to meet their coming Lord. The way is opening for us to visit from house to house. We shall try to improve this privilege to the best of our ability and to the glory of God.

Our congregations average about two hundred.

Sometimes on special occasions we have had about five hundred in attendance. Our courage is good, and we have hopes that much good will be done. The truth is already having its effect on the minds of some. May the Lord bless it to the good of all that hear it.

I. D. VAN HORN.

Melmore, O., July, 1869.

REPORT FROM BRO. HUTCHINS.

By A. S. Hutchins

SINCE my last report in March, I have attended meeting every Sabbath, with one exception. At this time I was unable to be out, by reason of a severe blow received upon my head the previous day, from the fall of a heavy stick of wood, which fell some five feet. It seems to me that it was only through the mercy and providence of God, that I then escaped sudden death, or at least a fractured skull. Truly God is good, and greatly to be praised.

About one half of this time, my labors have been with the church in Wolcott, the balance with churches in other towns and counties. We have had some excellent meetings. Have experienced marked tokens of God’s love and care for his faithful, humble children.

My earnest, anxious prayer and desire are to be nearer to him; to be watchful and prayerful, and seek to shed a holy influence wherever I go. I want to do something, though it be but little, in the cause of my divine Master, who has done so much for me; who has suffered and died that we might live; and left the sure and blessed promise, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him;” reign in bright glory, with all the ransomed, with all the saved of earth.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Waltham, Vt., July 1, 1869.

MARANDA WRIGHT

By Maranda Wright

From Sr. Wright.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Having felt for some time that it was my duty to write to you through this excellent department of our paper, I thought that I would listen to the promptings of duty in this respect, thinking that perhaps some would like to know how the little church in this vicinity are getting along. Although feeling that we are almost forsaken by our preaching brethren (as we have had no preaching since Elder Matteson was here last summer), yet we are striving to do the will of God, and so conform our lives to the teachings of his word, that our influence may be upon the side of truth. We still meet upon the Sabbath, and spend a portion of our time in the study of God's word, and in prayer and conference meeting, and our hearts are encouraged as we feel the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit in our midst, and we realize that it is not a vain thing to serve God, but that Jesus is ever willing to verify his promises to those that seek him with humility and submission to his will. We also have prayer-meetings every Tuesday evening.

Last Sabbath our hearts were made to rejoice in hearing two more express their determination to love and serve God, keep all of his commandments, and do his will as far as it is made known to them. My own heart is encouraged. I feel like putting forth stronger efforts to overcome all my besetments that I may not be in the way of any one's embracing these precious truths, and getting ready for the appearing of Jesus. Oh! how I long to see my blessed Saviour, to be forever free from sin and beyond the reach of the tempter's cruel power. Pray for me.

Your unworthy sister in Christ,

MARANDA WRIGHT

Waushara Co., Wis.

REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.

By John Matteson

June 18, I started from home to go to Missouri. I have been home just three weeks. Am very thankful for the profitable seasons of public and family worship I have enjoyed with the brethren. Feel encouraged thereby to labor with renewed interest and zeal in the great harvest field. Left my family well, and in comfortable circumstances. Bro. Olson carried me with his team two days’ journey to the Danish brethren in Raymond. Here I stayed three days, and held meetings. The truth was received with great willingness and thankfulness. And when I heard them express their anxiety to move forward with the message and obtain salvation, and saw their tears, my heart was moved, and my hope strengthened that they will continue to strive and finally be overcomers. Bro. H. C. Miller was unanimously chosen and ordained an elder of the church. June 23, I left Raymond and arrived here at Altorvista, the 25th, after a prosperous journey of two days.

Yesterday, Sabbath, we had an interesting meeting with the brethren in Civil Bend. They still love the truth, and are very glad for the prospect of obtaining some labor in this State. To-day we have had two meetings, and although it has been rainy, and bad roads, yet the neighbors turn out well to hear, and I have good freedom in speaking.

I find here a large field for the message, and trust the Lord will give strength and wisdom to move out judiciously in this important work.

JOHN MATTESON.

Altorvista, Mo., June 28, 1869.

NOTE FROM THE IOWA TENT.

By George I. Butler

Our tent has been pitched here in Sigourney about two weeks. In many respects we have had a very discouraging time—principally on account of the rain. For two weeks it rained some nearly every day, and during that time so much water fell that the roads were rendered nearly impassable, and many bridges carried off. This, of course, kept nearly all those who lived in the country away from the tent. So our congregations have been mainly confined to the citizens of the place. Had we known what the weather would have been, we should have waited two weeks before pitching the tent. I am satisfied our tent would not have contained the people, had the weather been favorable. As it has been, they have numbered three or four hundred every evening of late, whenever the weather has been anywise favorable.

We have had very little opposition so far, hardly enough for our good. Many of the people seem interested and friendly, but rather suspicious of us, though this seems wearing away. We have not introduced the Sabbath question, and of course we cannot tell much about the result, till then.

The weather is now more favorable, and our interest rather increasing, yet we shall not expect to reach many that would have come out had the weather been favorable at first.

We hope the effort here will not be entirely lost on account of these unfavorable circumstances. As usual, the points we have introduced are the general topic of conversation in the town. We hope good may be done here, and God's truth advanced.

Geo. I. BUTLER.

Sigourney, Iowa, July 1, 1869.

Dressing Children.

PARENTS who permit young children to go with bare necks, and almost bare legs, in the changeable climate of this latitude, are as heartlessly cruel as the heathen mother who immolates her child; and although the result is not so certain in regard to any particular victim, yet we believe that more children are thus annually sacrificed upon the altar of fashion, in proportion to our population, than are destroyed in the superstitious rites of people who are less cultivated.

CYRENA LAMBERTON

By Cyrena Lamberton

From Sr. Lamberton.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have often thought I would like to write a few lines for the REVIEW, but am unlearned and unworthy, and a stranger to most of you. I am truly one alone here, and at times feel sad and sorrowful, and almost discouraged, as I behold the wickedness of this place, and of those who are near and dear to me by the ties of nature. It has been more than five years since I became a believer in the third angel's message, and the down-trodden Sabbath. My faith is strong in these precious truths. Though far behind, I am striving to be an overcomer. I truly feel that we are living in a solemn time. A waiting, watching, trying time. It is the time of Satan's special power. It is a sleepy time; moral drowsiness readily comes over the soul, and who shall stand in the trying hour in which we are to be fitted for translation? If we are found keeping the words of his patience, he has promised to keep us from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Yes, he will keep us in the time of trouble, if we are found keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling; for he shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.” Yes, we then shall be shielded from the noisome pestilence, or seven last plagues, or the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture of mercy. Oh, what a blessed promise to those that obey God. At times, as I search my own heart I fear lest I shall be weighed in the balance and found wanting; for I realize that only those of a pure heart and clean hands will stand in the trying day.

I have long been praying that some faithful servant could come this way, that the solemn and last message of mercy might be proclaimed through this place. But the way as yet has seemed to be hedged up, and darkness seems to hang over this place, but God can work in his own good time and none can hinder, and honest souls will receive the truth. “God works in a mysterious way his wonders to perform.” My prayer is that precious souls may be raised up out of this place. There have been books, papers and tracts scattered through the place, and there was a tent meeting here over five years ago, held by Brn. Hutchins, D. T. Bourdeau, and others. I pray that the seeds of righteousness may be watered and spring up unto everlasting life, bearing much fruit.

Pray for me, that I may be an overcomer.

CYRENA LAMBERTON

Marshfield, Vt.

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