p. 53 | Review and Herald, Vol. 40, No. 7. (7/30/1872)

Earlier text: The Coming of Christ—No. 4

Difficulties Considered.

By George Ide Butler

Having noticed in the past some few of the reasons why a school should be established among our people, partially denominational in character, it is but reasonable that some of the difficulties connected with this subject should be considered.

That there are serious difficulties to be encountered, no one will dispute, who has given the subject reasonable consideration. But this being the case, it does not follow, by any means, that the enterprise should not be undertaken; for it is generally the case that in all beneficent enterprises these are to be met.

The question to be decided is, whether, on the whole, advantages will accrue from the establishment of such a school, in excess of the disadvantages? When this question is fairly considered we have no fears as to the verdict. The school is really a necessity, and the true policy is to proceed as fast as the opening providence of God will admit, to overcome the real difficulties in the way.

There has evidently been a feeling on the part of many of our people, that such a school as that proposed to be established among us would be an imitation of other denominations, and result in evil. That there are evils connected with theological schools such as those generally in existence, seems evident, though on the whole they have been beneficial. They have resulted in the education of the ministry, and in elevating the tone of public sentiment among the laity. And those denominations which have established such schools have been instrumental of more good than those who have not. And it is very doubtful if it can be shown that an educated ministry have not possessed as great a degree of spirituality as the uneducated. And while, on the one hand, there is danger of one class being proud and aristocratic, and losing their sympathy with the masses of the people, and of attaching too much importance to mere human knowledge and authority, there is danger at least equally great of the other becoming bigoted, narrow in their views, and of despising proper instruction of the mind, and of their religious exercises becoming a mere matter of excitement and animal feeling.

There are some things in connection with such schools, as commonly established, that we cannot imitate; one of which is their long course of instruction of from three to six years.

Our faith as a people in the nearness of Christ’s coming utterly forbids the idea. We have too great a work to do, and too short a time to do it in, to take up so much time in mere preliminaries as this would imply. Those who are fitted by the proper gifts of mind cannot be spared from the work so long a time as this. Neither do we believe it is at all necessary. What is it that young men generally study in these schools that requires so long a time? It is well known that these students come forth generally much better posted in Greek and Roman mythology, the opinions of learned men, and the quibbles and dodges of scholastic philosophy, than they do in the contents of the Bible. It is no wonder that it takes so long for their courses of instruction, when we consider what they have to wade through. It takes much painful study to be able to successfully engage in the hair-splitting processes of argument by which Sunday is made to appear the true seventh day, for instance, or how a human, immaterial spirit, can live and burn to all eternity in an orthodox hell. No wonder that years are required to be able to do it successfully. We are inclined to think that the literal system of interpretation adopted by us, and by which our views of divine truth are explained to the people, will not require so much time to master. Especially when we go directly to the fountain, the Bible, from which to draw our supplies of truth, instead of following the crooked, devious streams of human tradition, or scholastic interpretation, to say nothing of a thorough knowledge of heathen classics. We believe divine truth is simple and easy of comprehension, when we are willing to accept its necessary conclusions. But when it is desired to engraft upon it heathen philosophy, and at the same time make it appear to be the real teaching of Scripture, it takes much study to do it successfully. We want all the real knowledge we can get, and we want to avoid that which has the appearance merely without the reality.

So far as the study of other languages is concerned, no doubt, as this school progresses, there will exist a necessity for instruction in some of the modern languages, and in those in which the Scriptures were written. This truth must go to all the nations around us, and to those who come among us, especially. This will involve the necessity of an acquaintance with these tongues, so as to give ability to teach and translate, as well as to be able to meet the pretended knowledge of opposers who will appeal to the Greek when they can make anything by

so doing. Not that all who should attend would be expected to acquaint themselves with these, yet they should be available to those who are called to labor in these several directions.

What further knowledge in them will be necessary? In this direction, a great saving of time will be the result, compared with those who attend established schools, as at present conducted, where a thorough knowledge of language, entirely disconnected from any future use of the student, is expected of all who attend.

But an objector will inquire, Where are teachers to come from to do all this? No doubt, this is a question involving some difficulty. We are a people of but few years’ standing, and comparatively few in number, and this consideration would involve more difficulty than with older denominations. But I have no doubt it can be solved. Whenever a necessity exists for the supply of any given want in God’s cause, he will provide means for such supply, when we do all on our part. A school is necessary for the proper advancement of his work. Therefore we believe he will provide in some manner for this supply, when of course we wisely use the means within our reach. If men and women are not now obtainable of the requisite qualifications in all branches of the work, he will furnish them. It will of course be for us to see how far proper gifts are now within reach before we doubt our ability to go forward with this undertaking, or expect him to work in an especial manner for us in this direction.

Without doubt, one of the greatest ends to be accomplished to make this school what it should be, is the creation of a moral sentiment in the place where the school shall be located, of sufficient strength to exert a leading and controlling influence for good over the minds of those who shall attend, so that while the intellect is being educated, the spiritual and moral may not suffer loss. It is well known that when the young largely congregate for educational purposes, it is very difficult at all times to hold in check that natural disposition so common among those of that age, to engage in nonsense, frivolity, or even dissipation. Our academies and high schools are generally full of practices inimical to morality and religion. Those who have never attended them little know what is often passing there. Individuals often go to them comparatively pure and unacquainted with vice, and come away moral wrecks. If it is a necessary consequence that this should be the case, it might well be doubted if it would be advisable to establish an institution among us for the instruction of the intellect at the expense of purity of morals. I see no other way to hold in check such influences, but to have a public sentiment sufficiently strong to frown down these dangerous tendencies. Such a public sentiment can only be created by having in the vicinity of the school, men and women enough of sufficient moral perception and stamina of character to stand up for the right at all times, and who will not tolerate wrong and iniquity.

Then with a body of directors of the right stamp, in the midst of such an influence, and with God’s gracious blessing, the school might result in great good to every one in attendance. I presume no one will dispute the conclusion I have arrived at, the only question that will arise is, Where can these conditions be met? “Aye; there’s the rub.” I do not believe there is such a place in the land where this state of things fully exists at present. Is it possible to bring about such a condition of things? I believe it is. I believe there may be found individuals scattered here and there who could, without serious detriment to other interests, help form such a community, and be the means of great good in this manner.

Are the issues of sufficient importance to warrant the effort? and where shall this school be located, and such a state of things be found? These are questions of importance, and in reference to which there is likely to be a diversity of opinion. For my own part, I am inclined to think it should be in the vicinity of our other institutions. Some of those who will be needed to assist in the school are connected with the publishing department, and it would be difficult to act in two different places. The benefits of the school, in some measure, might be shared in by those young people connected with our other institutions. Our libraries and books of reference will be in connection with our publishing interests, and might at the same time be available for the school. And lastly, the very same state of society and influence so much needed to surround the school, is just as necessary to mold and benefit the Office and Institute as the school. If they are in different places, there is a necessity for two such instead of one, involving nearly double the effort. Still, I am not strenuous upon this point. That the issues involved are of the greatest possible importance, seems very clear to me. I believe, with all my soul, that this is the work of God, and it must soon go through all the land, and will, if we use the means God has given us. Those qualified to go out must be instructed and sent into the harvest field already white. Have our people any hesitation when it comes to this point? If so, I pity their lack of faith. The great danger I feel is, that we stop, and hesitate, and doubt whether God really has owned this work or not. Some, I fear, are in exactly the same position the Israelites were after God had brought them through the Red Sea, and shown his wonders in Egypt, and fed them with manna from Heaven. Because they suffered temporarily for lack of water, they tempted God by saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?” Ex. 17:7.—The Lord was greatly displeased with them, and they fell by the way. So will those who now hesitate and doubt, if they have had the full blaze of light that some of us have. I for one believe God is in this work; and further, that the necessary means for its advancement are designed by him, and should be used by us. The instruction of proper individuals to sound this glorious message to the world, is certainly one of the most obvious means to help forward the work of God, and must be used by us if we retain the favor of God. Believing thus, and realizing the great necessity that exists of having the proper conditions of success, by establishing such a state of public opinion at Battle Creek, or some other place, as will conduce to the healthy condition of the school, as well as the other institutions already in existence, it seems to me absolutely necessary that proper persons should hold themselves in readiness to act their part in this position. God has several times spoken to us on this point. It is somebody’s duty to heed the call, and some, I am sure, already know their duty in this direction. Such, in the end, will find that “obedience is better than sacrifice,” and that their best interests will be subserved by heeding the light.

Immense consequences are dependent upon this point. It will be absolutely out of the question to establish such a school as we should have, unless suitable individuals meet the great want existing in this direction. Those who should lead out in calling for means to establish such a school, never can feel clear in doing it till they feel sure that the proper conditions exist to insure safety when it is established. The school itself would be a curse, if it was not controlled by proper influences. It would be a terrible thing to bring large numbers of young people together, to suffer moral loss and backslide from God, and then go from the center of the work to disseminate doubts in regard to the work itself.

Already the important interests centering in Battle Creek demand more than a common watchcare to keep things moving in the right direction; and were it granted that the church there were fully up to the best churches among us, in their influence, yet would it be necessary that a stronger interest should be created for good, because the circumstances there are peculiar and demand especial and leading influences of the right character. The establishment of such a school makes it necessary that there should be persons living there, of means, and, above all, of large, benevolent hearts, possessing piety and devotion to the cause, who would esteem it a privilege to furnish homes for young people, for small remuneration, and who would take a great interest in their soul’s salvation, and have a parental watchcare over them. When young people leave their own homes and go among strangers, how important that they be thrown among proper influences. That such a state of things does not exist to a large extent at present, at Battle Creek, is sufficiently evident to those best acquainted with matters there; and it would be really impossible, as things are at present, there, to have such a school as this cause really demands.

But this article is already more lengthy than I intended. There are many things of which I would like to speak, but I will not do so in this. This is a great and important theme, and I hope that those among us better qualified to do it justice, will take their pens, and set the subject out in proper colors. Difficulties no doubt exist. But as this is the cause of God it will not go backward, but forward. These will be overcome as others have been overcome, connected with other institutions. I do not expect it to be accomplished at once, but that our school, already started on a small scale, will grow up under the prospering hand of God as his providence shall indicate, till it shall fill the place of usefulness he has designed it to fill. Individuals may help forward the good work by doing their duty, or may hinder it by holding back. In the one case, they will have God’s blessing, and a good conscience. In the other, God’s frown. It is for each to choose his own position.

Perhaps it will be proper for me to say a word in closing these articles upon the subject of this school, as to my motives and design in writing them. I have written what I have, merely to express my feelings and views as to what seems to me an important subject of consideration by our people. I have no wish or intention to act a leading part in establishing this school, I leave that to more experienced hands, to those who have gained the confidence of our people by faithful management of important matters, in the past. When such a state of things exists as will warrant safe action on the part of our people, no doubt those will be heard whose voice will inspire general confidence among us.

In the meantime, I wish all to know that I am in hearty favor of a school when it can be established upon a proper basis. Its prospects are important, and it must add greatly to the progress of this truth, when carried out in the proper spirit.

May our Heavenly Father guide his people in this important matter, and give them clear light, and may all act well their part in that sphere of action they are best qualified to fill.

Geo. I. Butler.

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, July 15, 1872.

Sunday not the Seventh Day.

THE following is the copy of a letter written by myself, the 8th of the present month, to Dr. Isaac M. Wise, Jewish Rabbi, of Cincinnati, and his reply to the same.—

Dr. ISAAC M. WISE, Dear Sir: Three ministers of the denomination known as Seventh-day Adventists (myself among the number), are in this place trying to urge upon the people their obligation to obey the fourth commandment as given in the decalogue. We are met with the position that what is now known as Sunday, the first day of the week, is the original seventh day that Jehovah blessed in Eden, and that the Sabbath now observed by the Jews is the original sixth day of that first week of time. The statement was made that this has been, and is, the opinion of all the most learned Rabbis among your own people.

Query: 1. Is it true?

2. It was stated that the 15th and 16th of the month Nisan or Abib comes each year on the days of the week now known as Saturday and Sunday. This last looks unreasonable to us. Will you have the kindness to explain on both these points, and oblige those who hold some things in common with your people.

Please address soon, D. H. LAWSON.

Almont, Lapeer Co., Mich.

To this the following reply was received to-day, July 17, 1872.—

Cincinnati, July 15, 1872.

D. H. LAWSON, Dear Sir: In reply to yours of the eighth inst., permit me to state, that there is no Rabbi now, nor has there been one, who will not admit that all Jews consider and know by uninterrupted tradition that their Sabbath is the seventh day of the week. Any assertion to the contrary is untrue. It is furthermore, not true that the 15th and 16th days of Nisan or Abib occur every year alike, since this depends on the cycles of the moon and the established computation of time connected therewith.

If I can give you any encouragement in the holy work of restoring the true Sabbath you will always find me ready to serve you.

Yours, ISAAC M. WISE.

Very Consistent.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

TRUTH is always consistent, always harmonious, with itself. No amount of cross-questioning will make truth contradict itself. All its parts agree. Not so of error, however. It is always contradicting itself. It can not run long without crossing its own track and revealing its crooked ways. The opposers of the present truth often furnish good illustrations of this fact. Thus, only last Sunday I heard the Presbyterian minister at Albert Lea, in his prayer, tell the Lord how fast the light and truth were spreading, and what a good prospect there was that ere long the glorious time would come when the nations would learn war no more, and the kingdoms of the world would become the kingdoms of the Lord, and then the millennial reign would set in.

This was very well; but in the sermon the minister admonished us that ere another harvest comes, the archangel's trumpet might sound and all earthly scenes would end. Now both could not be true. If the world is to be converted and then enjoy a thousand years of peace and glory, certainly the end of all things could not occur before that. We could not have a thousand years of peace and prosperity on the earth and still have the end come this year.

Yet how often we hear men say that the Lord may come to-night, or to-morrow, or at any time so far as we know. Then they will go right on with an argument to prove that the world must all be converted and enjoy the millennium before the Lord can come! There could scarcely be a more glaring contradiction.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Too Much Caution.

By Jos. Clarke

A FARMER may be so cautious as to neglect the proper season for putting in his crops. The merchant may be so fearful as to neglect to supply his store with reasonable and salable goods. Such caution, all will see, is altogether unprofitable.

We have a message to proclaim. As a people we hold that it is contained in Rev. 14:9–14, and it is briefly comprehended in verse 12: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

Now if we go into a locality, and spend whole weeks in proclaiming the commandments of God, and defer to speak of the faith of Jesus, lest it may be unpopular, and so continue to defer it, we fail to proclaim the third angel’s message, and leave the ground for enemies to occupy, who will take great pleasure in declaring the faith of Jesus in their own way, and thus frustrate the work of God.

It is not an open question what we must declare. The faith of Jesus is, and has been, from the first, a part of the third angel’s message (and well do our enemies know this); and those who have been most faithful in proclaiming all its parts, have been uniformly most successful in winning souls, and most evidently owned by God in their work.

The faith of Jesus is a part of this message. Too much caution in proclaiming it, is as dangerous as too little; and he who is ashamed of this part, is unfit to proclaim any part of the truth. God will bless and sustain proper zeal and fearlessness in the defence of truth.

JOS. CLARKE.

Circulate the Reformer.

By S. N. Haskell

MRS. B. had friends who were strong believers in the Christian religion, firm advocates of the Bible Sabbath, and who were looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13. They had often conversed with Mrs. B., who was by no means a scoffer, or one void of religious impressions, but who took no especial interest in those truths that gave so much consolation to her friends. Publications were loaned her, yet no lasting impression seemed to be made upon her mind. Finally she was induced to subscribe for the Health Reformer. The truths it contained advocating health, from a moral and religious standpoint, soon opened an avenue to her heart whereby the Spirit of God commenced to lead her mind into those truths that before had no especial interest for her. Thus the work went on until without ever hearing one sermon, or receiving any light except that given her by the Spirit of God accompanying his holy word to her heart, she was led to embrace the commandments of God, and rejoice in the Sabbath of the Lord. To those who are interested in the truths advocated by our periodicals, if you have friends who every other effort has failed to interest them in these truths, we recommend a similar course. There is a power in truth that will bring men to Christ, when it is left to do its work accompanied by the Spirit of God; therefore let the light spread. Its divine rays will penetrate the moral darkness that encloses honest souls, and in due time great fruit will be seen as the results of every judicious effort in this direction. S. N. HASKELL.

D. T. BOURDEAU

By D. T. Bourdeau

Disappointment.

Doubtless many were disappointed in learning from the last Review that Bro. and sister White cannot attend the eastern camp-meetings; and some may feel as though it would not pay to attend them: while others who may attend may do so with but a faint expectation of receiving that benefit that they otherwise would. Now while we all appreciate Bro. and sister White's labors, is there not danger of our looking to them to have them do for us what we should do for ourselves? Is not this one of the many burdens that have weighed them down, and had much to do in lessening Bro. White's power to labor, and kept the church from obtaining the strength and experience they need, and can find only in bearing their own burdens?

Dear brethren and sisters, let us look to Jesus. Let us cast our burdens on the Lord, and he will sustain us. If we lack wisdom, let us ask of God who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not, and the promise is, “it shall be given” us. James 1:5. Let us carry out the instructions we have already received from God and his servants.

I am thankful that Bro. and sister White are to visit California, to help the young cause in that distant land. Let us pray for them, and for the brethren and sisters in California, who for the first time will enjoy their labors. Let us love our neighbor as ourselves. Better, far better search our own hearts, confess our own sins, bear our own burdens, lean upon God, and go to the camp meeting and find Jesus there, than to look to Bro. and sister White, not do the work that we should do for ourselves, and not find Jesus at the camp-meeting. Let us stand by the work when the wheel rolls hard.

If Bro. and sister White are not to be at the camp-meeting, we should all make a greater effort to attend and help make up the deficiency. And may the mighty God meet with us by his Spirit, and build up his cause for Jesus' sake, and for the sake of perishing souls.

D. T. BOURDEAU

Lincoln, Vt., July 24, 1872.

Good Points Well Put.

By S. B. Whitney

Now and then we receive acknowledgments in favor of unpopular positions from eminent sources. How far their authors will admit the practical application of their own views may not be so clear, but the following from the religious column of the Albany (N. Y.) Journal is to the point.

“The moral code given at Sinai has never been revoked or modified, but still stands with all its ancient authority. God's voice spoke to the Hebrews for all the ages and for all people, and the words uttered have gathered force as they have passed through the hands of the prophets, of Christ, and of his apostles. So also the grand gift of the second Pentecost was not for a temporary purpose or for the apostolic age, but as the inheritance of the church forever, an abiding ministry to the people of God through all time, designed to be more abundantly poured out and more widely diffused in the time of the latter-day glory than in the days of its first effusion.”

Comment unnecessary.

S. B. WHITNEY.

Woodland, California.

By M. G. Kellogg

Bro. Loughborough having left the tent to attend the quarterly meetings with the churches in Sonoma Co. and San Francisco, I am assisting Bro. Cornell with the tent. The interest is still good, but there are several causes that hinder many of the people from taking their stand; yet several have decided to obey the truth, and have kept the four last Sabbaths. So we are not discouraged. We were not acquainted with the business habits of the people of this valley, and commenced labor in Woodland at rather an unpropitious season. The people here had just commenced haying when we pitched the tent, yet we had a good attendance from the first, which steadily increased until we had about one thousand hearers on Sunday evenings; but just as the brethren had fairly begun to present the claims of God's law, harvest began, and that kept the country people at home.

Harvesting here differs from harvesting in the States, in that each farmer has so much of it to do. Almost the entire country is in wheat, and very little in hay or pasture. Hardly a farmer has less than one hundred acres of wheat to cut, and many have two or three hundred, and some have as high as eight, ten, and even fifteen hundred acres, and all of this is good, and much of it very heavy this year, while for the two years just past, the crops failed because of drought. This, together with the fact that every few weeks we have a high, hot, dry wind that lasts for three days; and should such wind come in harvest time, as it frequently does, it would shell the wheat out so that it would not pay to harvest, makes the farmers now devote every moment and thought to saving the crop. Harvesting and threshing will occupy about two months, then the people will be at leisure.

The meetings in the tent have been kept up every other evening, and twice on Sunday, drawing about two to three hundred hearers, who principally reside in the town. Many of these say they can see no reason why we are not right in our views of the Sabbath, but they wish to hear what may be offered on the other side before they commit themselves.

The Campbellites are greatly agitated over our meetings. Their church is quite large, and several of their members are keeping the Sabbath, while many others believe it. This troubled the leaders (their minister, Eld. Pendegast, being East on a visit), so that they do not know what to do. The two principal under elders have each preached opposition sermons. Bro. Cornell took notes at two of these, and myself at a third, all of which Bro. Cornell reviewed, making the truth shine out very clear. We visit daily among the people. Several who never professed religion before have determined to start in the service of God.

When Bro. Ferguson and myself first came to this county, eight weeks ago, we commenced a course of lectures twenty-five miles north-west of this place, in Fairview school-house. In a few days we had double the congregation that ever attended there before; but the people lived so scattered, and the roads were so broken by ravines, that as soon as dark nights came on we had to close our evening meetings; yet some twelve or fourteen became very much interested, and say they believe we have the truth. But their large harvests stood in their way.

After we had given fourteen discourses in Fairview school-house and ten in the neighborhood four miles South, we were compelled to close our evening meetings on account of the harvest (it coming on two weeks earlier than elsewhere in this valley). I then commenced a course of lectures in Cacheville, a little hamlet six miles from this place. The trustees gave me the use of the Methodist house of worship. The people turned out to hear, and I was told that my congregations more than doubled any that had ever been gathered there before. Bro. Loughborough came and preached once, and Bro. Cornell twice. I gave nine discourses, making twelve in all, in Cacheville. We had from one hundred to one hundred and fifty hearers. We had just got ready to present the claims of the Sabbath, when we had to close our meetings there on account of harvest. The people manifested much interest in all these places, and desired us to come again after harvest: “but,” said they, “we have not raised any crop for the last two years, and now that we have a crop, we must save it before the hot wind from the north shells it out.”

I shall visit all of these places again, and try, with the help of the Lord, to urge the people to obey God. Our courage is good. We know that God's hand is in this work. I want a more complete consecration to him to do his will. Oh! for grace to overcome. M. G. KELLOGG. July 3, 1872.

Missouri.

By R. J. Lawrence; T. J. Butler

JUNE 5 and 6, we pitched the tent in Clinton, and continued until July 3. In this time we gave twenty-five discourses, and held a discussion of six sessions of two hours each, with Eld. Stout (Presbyterian), on the Sabbath question. The wind was very high much of the time, so that we could not have meetings several evenings.

During my absence from this place since I first came here one year ago last winter, this Eld. Stout had spoken on many of the same subjects that I had spoken on, and warned the people against the heresy (as he called it), thus prejudicing their minds by misrepresentation. And when we pitched the tent in Clinton, the Presbyterians and Methodists started opposition meetings, and sent to Lawrence and Topeka for preachers, and stated before their congregations that we did not believe in the divinity of Christ, and that we held that infants would never be resurrected. These charges were answered to in the tent. Notwithstanding all the misrepresentations and opposition, there was quite an interest, and several decided to keep the Sabbath. The brethren at Big Springs were very much encouraged.

We sold seventeen dollars' worth of books. On the fourth of July we took down the tent and started for this place. Spent the Sabbath with the friends west of Palermo. Found them much interested, several having commenced to keep the Sabbath since I left. There are seventeen now keeping the Sabbath there. Our tent arrived and was pitched in this place last Friday. We commenced meetings evening after the Sabbath. Have given three lectures to good congregations. Some four hundred out last evening. Pray for us.

R. J. LAWRENCE, T. J. BUTLER.

*Wathena, Doniphan Co., Kan., July 15, 1872.

Avilla, Mo.

By L. D. SANTEE

I LEFT home July 3 for the purpose of laboring with Bro. Blanchard in the tent the present season. Reached this place the evening of the 4th. Found Bro. Blanchard very busy, arranging his affairs so that he could leave. The tent had not arrived, but had been ordered by Bro. Butler, and is now on the way.

Spoke to the church Sabbath, the 6th, and since that time have visited many of the brethren in this place. We find they were greatly benefited by the plain, practical preaching given at the camp-meeting. Some still cherish in their hearts the leaven of unbelief, and the spirit of fault-finding. May the Lord help them to cast out these evils, or they will assuredly cause them to be sifted out in the coming day of trial.

Sabbath, July 13, we spoke twice to the church at Georgia City. We were rejoiced to find them in a flourishing condition. They were brought out through the labors of Bro. Blanchard, and under the care of Bro. Wood, their leader, they are growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.

The day following, I spoke to the brethren in Nashville. We endeavored to show them that the day of the Lord is near, and hasteth greatly. We divided the evidences into three divisions; viz., civil, religious, and natural. The Lord gave us good liberty while presenting his truth.

Returned to this place the 15th. We have just learned that the tent has arrived. Pray for us, that our ministry may be blessed in the salvation of many. L. D. SANTEE.

TEMPTATION AND SIN.

By Etta Booth

“Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

What though at times our Father's face The darkness shuts from view? What though the cause we cannot see Of all he has us do? The darkest night that round us lies Is brightest day to him Who each temptation keeps in view As well as every sin.

What though our Father's face is hid, And heavy weighs the cross? Although the angry billows roll We shall not suffer loss. By these our dearest treasures come, If faith but crown the wave. He that can all temptation see Can surely, surely, save.

Thou poor and stricken, weary heart That longs for sweet repose, Perceive the darkness flee away A smiling face disclose. Look up and claim a Father's love, Accept the richest boon— See! he that all temptation knows Is coming, coming, soon.

Away with sorrows, doubts and fears, Implant thy soul on Him Who sits upon the throne of grace To cleanse our every sin. Behold in brightest colors set Thy mansion’s pure and fair, No clouds to hide a Father's face— The Lamb of God is there.

ETTA BOOTH.

The Vermont Tent.

By A. C. Bourdeau; D. T. Bourdeau

We held our first Sabbath meeting in the tent last Sabbath. Brethren met with us from Bristol, New Haven, Huntington, etc. The Lord also met with us by his Spirit. It was a solemn place. One decided to keep the Sabbath, and others are convinced we have the truth. The Sabbath question has been up one week. Yesterday, Sunday, the interest was intense. We expect opposition from the ministry. People are in the midst of haying, and we cannot do so much as we otherwise would; but we intend to be thorough. May God give us wisdom, and much of his Spirit in meeting the opposition, that we may not aim to take advantage of our opponents by harshly beating down upon them, but that we may defend the truth in the spirit of our Maker.

A. C. BOURDEAU, D. T. BOURDEAU.

Lincoln, Vt., July 15, 1872.

Maine.

By J. B. Goodrich; W. H. Blaisdell

We have continued to hold meetings in this place since our last report. The interest has steadily increased. A few have taken hold to keep the Sabbath, and others are on the point of deciding.

Some of the ministers and church members are making great efforts to keep the people from coming to our meetings, but we think their course helps to open the eyes of the candid, for our congregation does not seem to diminish. We intend to remain in this place another week. Pray for us.

J. B. GOODRICH, W. H. BLAISDELL. Bridgewater, Me., July 15, 1872.

Northern Iowa Tent.

By J. H. Morrison; R. M. Kilgore

Since our last report we have given the Sabbath question and nature of man a good canvassing. The main point of difference seems to have turned upon the former. Its claims from a scriptural standpoint stirred the minds of the people so that they began to clamor for the “other side.”

Accordingly, Eld. Martin (Methodist), from Mineral Ridge, was sent for to present it. He appeared on last Thursday and sent us word that, if we were willing, he would preach in the tent that evening, on the Sabbath question. It being granted, we were favored with an array of objections against the seventh-day Sabbath, and the favorite argument, “triumph of the truth,” so often urged in favor of the first day of the week.

At the close of his remarks he publicly challenged us to discuss this question; at the same time prophesied that there would be no debate. Upon its acceptance, the following questions were finally agreed upon: 1. Do the Holy Scriptures enjoin Christians to observe the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath? 2. Do the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is binding upon Christians as the Sabbath?

Tuesday evening, July 16, the discussion begins, and continues four evenings, each question occupying two evenings.

Since this attack, the ministers of this place have become bold. Eld. Corbin (Disciple) spoke in the tent at 5 P. M., Sunday, when he abolished the ten commandments, they being the old covenant and the “ministration written” on stones. We gave a short review to the same audience.

Eld. Potter (Methodist) asked for the tent on Monday night to give to the people the historical change of the Sabbath; taken from historians who kept the first day of the week, stating as his reason for so doing, that some of those whom we had quoted were men who had not kept any day. Strange conclusion indeed!

The interest is better now than at any time since we came here. The waters are troubled, and some are in the valley of decision. What the result of this may be is yet to be seen; but we hope that some good shall be accomplished. We are trying to put our trust in God, and we ask for the prayers of his people.

Bro. Osborn left us last week to begin labor with the Southern Iowa tent.

J. H. MORRISON, R. M. KILGORE. Homer, Hamilton Co., Iowa.

West Unity, Williams Co., O., July 15, 1872

By H. A. St. John; A. A. Hutchins

Ohio.

SINCE our last report, two weeks ago, our meetings in the Ohio tent have continued every night excepting one, with three meetings on Sunday, including the evening. Congregations through the week have not been large, owing in part, no doubt, to the fact that the farming community are just now very busily engaged in reaping a fine harvest. The average attendance for the past two weeks has been about one hundred and ninety, with an audience of about six hundred on Sunday nights. Have sold about fourteen dollars' worth of books, besides distributing about 7,600 pages gratuitously.

There is considerable eagerness manifested on the part of the people to get our publications, which we regard as an interesting feature of the meeting. We are now in the midst of the examination of the Sabbath question, and we have reason to believe that the truth is taking hold upon the hearts of some. No opposition that we are aware of thus far.

We feel to praise God for his blessings to us up to this time, and our courage in the Lord is good. We hope and pray for heavenly wisdom, that we may be enabled to move just right in all things, and that God would use us as humble instruments in his hands of bringing some souls in this place to a saving knowledge of the present truth. Brethren, forget us not at the throne of grace. H. A. St. John, A. A. Hutchins.

West Unity, Williams Co., O., July 15, 1872

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