Review and Herald, Vol. 40, No. 7.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT; Or Our Business Dealings with Our Fellow-menPage 1
Earlier text: Difficulties ConsideredFrom a private letter received from Bro. Lamson respecting the tent-meeting in Almont, we take the liberty to extract the following, which shows that the people are coming to very well-defined decisions one way or the other. He says:— “It would be hard to cull from all our vocabulary, adjectives strong enough to express the hatred of enemies, or the love of friends. We have many things to encourage us, for which we render praise to our God. More than two hundred out last night (July 18), and the interest still up as high as ever.” June 29, met with the church at Holly. Brethren and sisters here are quite scattered in different directions, but the most of them came together, and we had a good meeting at Bro. Lockwood’s house. Bro. Potter met with us here and organized a Tract Society. A church whose members are scattered are better situated for doing good with tracts than living together, if each member will be active. This organized plan looks very encouraging to me. It is a powerful arm, which may be used for very great good. Eternity alone will tell the full amount of good accomplished through this systematic circulation of tracts. But a little monthly might tell some of it here to the very great encouragement of the many workers. Eld. Nobles, a Christian minister of Holly, met with us at this meeting and stayed while we celebrated the ordinances, and during a social meeting. He spoke very favorably and affectionately, and bade us God speed. I think there is a gathering influence in this church, but they very much need strength sufficient to build a meeting-house. I see no reason why a tent effort there would not add to the strength sufficiently to do this with the blessing of God. July 6, at Byron. Held meetings in Bro. H. A. Teril’s barn. This meeting was for the Gaines church. There was quite a general turnout, and some from Leighton. Found some here striving to live in the best light they have; others are discouraged somewhat, and need help. I tried to point them to the only true source of light and help, and encourage them to look up and lift up the head. I here formed a partial acquaintance with Bro. Hardy and his family. I found him very low in spiritual interest, and in need of help. I labored until I think I understand his case. God blessed in the effort, and I have strong hopes that he will yet take his place in the church. If he follows his convictions of duty, God will bless him and lead him into light and liberty. July 13 and 14, at Wright. Spoke three times and attended two social meetings. The word of the Lord seemed to have free course, and the church were much encouraged. In this place and in other places, I hear some talk that the erring should be dealt with very promptly. Well, I think this is right. But I suggest that the church do not pass an iron resolution, but one that will entwine round the hearts of the erring and lead them back to the fold. We were sinners when Christ died for us. He says, “Go in peace and sin no more.” His Spirit in our hearts will lead us to weep over the erring. H. S. GURNEY. Don't give up trying to do right. Whatsoever your trials may be, look above for strength to do your duty, and leave the result with God. The following from the Romeo Observer, respecting the tent-meeting in Almont, Mich., shows how the meetings are regarded from an outside standpoint:— THE ADVENTISTS AT ALMONT.
The Seventh-day Adventists came to this place about four weeks since with a sixty-foot tent, in which meetings have been held each evening and in the day-time of Sundays. Great interest has been manifested on the part of many citizens of the place and the surrounding country. The congregation at times has not fallen much short of five hundred, the average week-day evening attendance being about one hundred and fifty. Opinion is divided as to the truthfulness of the positions taken. The whole town is stirred, and many are falling in with the ideas presented. Last Sunday, Rev. J. T. Hankinson, pastor of the M. E. Church, preached an opposition discourse, claiming that the first day of the week is the original Adamic Sabbath. The house was nearly filled with attentive hearers. In the afternoon of the same day a candid review of his discourse was given by Eld. D. H. Lamson, in the presence of a large concourse of citizens. The final result of the meetings cannot be determined, though the probabilities are that a church will be established here. —CITIZEN. [From a second correspondence, dated the 15, we learn that the meetings are to continue until the 22d. The correspondent says, “The meetings are still increasing in interest, there being occasional appointments for prayer and conference before the evening services, in which many testimonies are given in favor of God and his truth, quite a number expressing their sympathy for the doctrines advocated.”—EDS.] TENT MEETING AT WEST GROTON.
By SEMPER IDEM
Something Original—Revival of Primitive Times. MR. EDITOR: Since June 21, a sixty-foot circular tent has been pitched in the grove of Mr. Perry Allen at West Groton. Meetings are held therein morning and afternoon, Saturdays and Sundays, and on every evening. Two ministers are with the tent, who preach alternately. They refuse to permit collections, ask no remuneration, pay cash for all they require, and live exclusively on bread and spring water. They declare the Bible should be understood just as it reads. They teach the unconscious sleep of the dead—that immortality is to be obtained only through Christ—that the wicked will be punished with everlasting destruction, and that obedience to all the commandments of God and faith in Jesus are the essentials to secure salvation—the only means to gain immortality. They observe the seventh day (Saturday) as the Sabbath. In the language of one of them, “When a law is once enacted by proper authority, it must remain in full force until by proper authority it shall be repealed; and the repeal must be as plainly stated as the original enactment.” They have repeatedly made the absurd and false assertion that no authority can be found in the Bible for the change of the fourth commandment; that there is no text that even inferentially demands observance of Sunday as the Sabbath. They are able enough speakers, and well versed in those parts of the Bible that seem to sustain their dogmas. They urge the people to read and study their Bibles for themselves (doubtless relying on the fact that in this busy, hurrying season it is impossible to do so). With pretended meekness, they ask, “If any minister—in good standing in his own denomination—believes them in error, let him come to the tent; he shall have half the time, any evening, or any number of evenings he may desire; they have no desire to enter into discussion; all they desire is that the people may have the truth.” This subtle sophism and special pleading deludes the simple-hearted and ignorant, who, attracted by the novelty, flock to the tent from all directions. Hundreds of pages of tracts are distributed at each meeting, thus scattering the seed of heresy broadcast through the country. Many honest souls are deceived; quite a number, some of influence and ability, have already forsaken the faith of their fathers and embraced the teachings of these men. Surely, this calls for the earnest efforts of our ministers of all denominations. Let them unite together, elect the most able among them, and, to the surprise and confusion of these tent people, accept their offer. Let a number of ministers go with the one elected, to sustain and assist him. Go with the Bible, and from its sacred pages read the declarations that shall convince all of their heresy and error of these new-fangled doctrines, and thus stay the spread of this delusive heresy, which, like fire, spreads with alarming rapidity, and if not checked at once, must result in wide-spread desolation and ruin. Who, who, in the fear of the Lord and the strength of his power, will come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
Yours for the faith of our fathers,
SEMPER IDEM.
North Lansing, July 8, 1872. The Form of Baptism.
By B. F. Merritt
It seems to me that a child who has been taught how to learn a lesson, would readily find the required form of baptism given in the New Testament, if its mind had not been biased by hearing false teaching and seeing it administered according to man’s plan. 1. There was much water used. John baptized in the river Jordan. Matt. 3: 6. He also baptized “in Ænon near to Salem, because there was much water there.” John 3: 23. Then much water was needed. Was ever any baptized without much water? There is no record where any one was. 2. They went down into it, and came up out of it. Jesus went up out of the water. Matt. 3:16. He must, therefore, have been down in it. We read of Philip and the eunuch, that “they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip.” Acts 8: 38, 39. Was any one ever baptized without going down into the water and coming up out of it? There is no record of it. Then much water was used, and they went down into it and came up out of it. Now what was done while down in the water? Rom. 6: 4, says, “We are buried with him by baptism into death.” Therefore, 3. They were buried. “Buried with him in baptism, ye are risen with him,” Col. 2: 12. We have such words as “planted,” “risen,” and “born,” to denote with reference to the form of baptism, and they imply an immersion and coming forth—a burial and resurrection. Was any one ever baptized without being buried? There is no account of it. Then to be baptized we must go where there is much water. We must go down into it. We must be buried. We must be raised. We must come up out of the water to walk in newness of life. This form shows the burial and resurrection of our Lord. The Judgment.
By Phebe A. Wolcott
ALL, both great and small, must be judged according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. They will be judged and receive their just doom. By whom are they judged? By the great God, the Creator of the universe and all its inhabitants; the all-wise and supreme Ruler. Before him all must appear, and his judgments are just. No fault can be found with his sentence. Justice and equity will characterize every decision. Judgment must first begin at the house of God; and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? And the work of the Judgment is now going on in Heaven. Our thoughts, words, and actions, are set down by the recording angel. By these accounts in the books we shall be judged. And we know not how soon our cases may be tried by the heavenly court, and the final sentence be declared. And what shall that sentence be? Shall it be, “Well done,” or, “Weighed in the balance and found wanting”? It is for us now to decide. We have a daily and hourly work to do. A work that will tell in our favor in the final day of accounts. Every idle word, spoken in an unguarded moment, is put to our account. Every impure, vain, and unholy thought, every selfish motive, is put down. Solemn thought! Oh! that we might have it impressed indelibly upon our minds, that we might ever realize the awful nature of the event. How differently should we act. How careful should we be of all our words and actions. We should set about the work of overcoming in real earnest. How are we living now? How will our actions stand the test of the Judgment? Awake, O my soul, to the solemnities of this time! Arouse from thy stupor, nerve thy benumbed sensibilities, break away from the power of the evil one, and confess and forsake thy sins. Time is passing swiftly away; only a few more days are allowed us to prepare. It is not a dream, it is not a vision; it is a solemn reality. Flee to Jesus, weary, sin-sick soul. He loves you, and his blood will cleanse you from every stain. Mercy lingers but a little longer. Make haste to meet Jesus; for he will come in a little while for the humble children of God. Tract and Missionary Department.
By S. N. Haskell
Tract and Missionary Work.
THERE is no one enterprise among us that is better calculated to spread the light of present truth than the tract and missionary enterprise. And those who enter heartily into this work, and continue to walk in the opening providence of God, keeping the grand object in view, will find that God will signally bless their efforts. The more singly the eye can be kept on the work, the more devoted the heart to the enterprise, the more frequent the sacrifices made for its accomplishment, the more we shall enjoy the blessing of God. The filling out of the quarterly reports will prove a great blessing, both to the individuals who make the report and to others. 1. It brings together different experiences, labors performed under different circumstances that are interesting to all, and very instructive to those who are desirous of doing something, but hardly know how or where to take hold. 2. It stimulates others to go and do likewise, thus “provoking unto love and good works.” Heb. 10: 24. “For none of us liveth to himself.” 3. By thus letting our light shine, it has an encouraging effect upon others; it builds up the cause of God, and edifies the church; hence, to take no interest in this part of the work brings discouragement and blight upon those who feel the burden of the work, so far as the influence of such may go. Perhaps some may feel delicate about reporting because they do so little, but it is the many littles that accomplish the work. Were each member of a Tract Society numbering three hundred members to distribute one thirty-two page tract weekly (and this any society can do), it would amount to one hundred and twenty thousand and eight hundred pages per quarter; nearly five hundred thousand pages a year; and yet your individual quarterly report would only show a distribution of thirteen tracts, or four hundred and sixteen pages; and if each member should visit and pray with one family a week, it would amount to over fifteen thousand a year, and a very strong probability is that many of these families would be led to embrace the present truth, and would be stars in the crown of those who were instrumental in their salvation in the kingdom of God. Hence, to report our labor and thus stimulate others to action accomplishes a two-fold work: 1. The direct result of our own individual labor, and 2. The effect it will have upon others. Therefore we say, Let the missionary spirit go on! Help forward the cause of God by fully and heartily co-operating with every movement that tends to the accomplishment of the grand object of the gospel of Jesus Christ: viz., the triumph of his grace and truth, and unity of the faith. S. N. HASKELL. Though our lot be calm and bright;
Though upon our brows we wear
Youth, and grace, and beauty rare,
And the hours go swiftly, singing in their flight:
If we let no glory go down,
Any darkened life to crown—
If our grace and joyance have no ministry for pain
We shall live our life in vain! Though for weary years we toil;
Though we gather all the gold
From the wealth of mines untold;
Though from farthest shores of ocean we have
brought the spoil;
At the last what have we won,
If we hear not God’s “Well done!”
If the world’s want and sorrow be not lessened
by our gain;
We shall live our life in vain. An Affecting Incident.
By L. E. Millne
The name of Jesus never seemed so inexpressibly sweet to me as it did the other day, as I heard the following affecting incident related, which lately occurred in this city: A young married lady had been quite unwell for some time. She was taken worse, and her life was despaired of; but her husband forbade the attendant telling her of her danger, and only the day before she died, she told her the doctor said she could not live. Her agony was then indescribable. “Oh!” she exclaimed, “my God! my God! must I die? must I die? O Jesus, have mercy on poor me, have mercy. Can’t I go to Heaven? Oh! can’t I go to Heaven? Oh! send for all the ministers in the city.” They sent for a Unitarian minister, who, on witnessing her agony, said, “Stop calling on Jesus, stop calling on Jesus. He can do you no good. Call on God; he can help you.” Then she tried to repeat the Lord’s prayer, but did not know it, and he would not assist her. Then she continued calling on Jesus Christ to have mercy on her and save her; and sinking away, she became speechless, and soon died. Oh! what agony filled my heart as I heard of this sad incident right here in this Christian land. Poor, dying soul, forbidden to call on Jesus, the only name given under Heaven whereby we can be saved! Oh! how thankful I felt that no earthly tribunal could prevent me from crying, O Jesus, my adorable Redeemer, thou dost ever live to make intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. Thou man of Calvary, thou didst die for poor, fallen man. Oh! this wondrous salvation! God so loved the world as to give his only begotten Son to die, that we might have everlasting life in that beautiful city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And I could but exclaim with the inspired apostle, Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly. “Oh! we long for thine appearing,
Come, O Saviour, quickly come;
Blessed hope, our spirits cheering,
Take, oh! take thy people home.” Council Bluffs, Iowa, July 23, 1872. The Law Is Established by the Gospel.
By J. L. Wood
A PLAIN proof that the law of the ten commandments, and, consequently the law of the Sabbath, is obligatory upon Christians, is found in the answer of the apostle to an objection to the doctrine of justification by faith (Rom. 3: 31), which is equivalent to asking, Does Christianity teach that the law is no longer obligatory on Christians, because it teaches that no one can be justified by it? To this we answer in a most solemn form of expression, “God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” Now the sense in which the apostle uses the term, “the law,” in this argument is unquestionably the same as that in which the law is spoken of in Rom. 7: 7: “I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet,” which, being a plain reference to the tenth command of the decalogue, as plainly shows that the decalogue is “the law” of which he speaks. This, then, is the law which is established by the gospel; and this can mean nothing else but the establishment of its authority, as the rule of all inward and outward holiness. Then, again, the evil arising from Sabbath-breaking is greatly to be lamented; it is an insult to God, and how careful we should be that we grieve not his Holy Spirit. To sanctify this day, we should consider it, 1. As God's memorial, pointing back to its divine institution, at the close of creation week. 2. As a day of rest; not, indeed, to exclude works of mercy and charity, but a cessation from all worldly labor and care. 3. As a day of meditation and prayer, in which we should cultivate communion with God. Rev. 1: 10. 4. As a day of public worship. Acts 18: 4; 13: 44. 5. As a day of anticipation, looking forward to that holy, happy, and eternal Sabbath that remains for the people of God. But here is the place, and now is the time, to learn perfect submission and obedience to his will, not doing our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words, on his holy day. And may God, through the influence of his Holy Spirit, impress these solemn thoughts on our minds, and write his law in our hearts, is my prayer. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. DIED, July 5, 1872, of consumption, Sister Olive Hornback, wife of Bro. Abram Hornback, aged 53 years, 11 months, and 18 days. She lingered several months under great suffering, but was resigned and submissive at all times. She died rejoicing in present truth, which she embraced while the tent was here in 1869. She leaves her husband alone to still suffer the trials of this life. She sleeps, we trust to be awakened in the morning of the first resurrection, when the Life-giver shall come to gather his saints. L. McCoy. DIED, of consumption, near Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa, June 21, 1872, Bro. A. J. Nelson, formerly of Indiana. He died in the faith. Places have been found for his two boys according to the call in No. 2, present volume of the REVIEW. JESSE DORCAS. The New York Tent.
By E. S. Lane
The following articles will show to the readers of the REVIEW somewhat of the interest pro and con connected with the N. Y. tent. The first, from “Farmer,” was published in the Groton Journal, a paper of Tompkins Co., published about four miles from where the tent is now pitched. The other is from the Auburn Journal, the official paper of Cayuga Co. We hope a goodly number of those “simple hearted and ignorant” ones, and, yet persons of “ability and influence” (query; how can they be both?), will come out decidedly on the truth, notwithstanding such “special pleading.” But we will let “Farmer” and “Semper Idem” speak for themselves. North Lansing, June 9, 1872
By FARMER
MR. EDITOR, Dear Sir:—Attracted by your notice of the tent-meeting at Allen Grove, West Groton, I attended the meetings. They teach many new and strange things, but seem to prove every position they take from the Bible. They say, Search the Bible for yourself, but farmers generally here have neither the time, nor the learning, to decide questions of theology. They claim the seventh day, Saturday, is the true Sabbath, and all the Bible evidence seems to be on their side. I have talked this over with a number. Some have searched, but can't find just where the requirement to observe Sunday as first day is; so I am requested to write to you, to urge our ministers to go to the tent and give us the other side, for this question is raising great excitement around. If Saturday is Sabbath, we want to know it. The tent people will not permit any collections, but if any able minister will come here and prove them wrong and settle this question, a purse would be made up to well repay his time and trouble, and if the tent people did not give him a full and fair hearing, we should know it was because they were afraid of the truth. Won't you urge on the ministers that it is their duty to do this, since some of all denominations are going over to Saturday-keeping? I am not a professor, but want to hear both sides. Let us have the truth, the whole truth just as it is in the Bible.
FARMER. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Those coming to this meeting by rail-road, will stop at Pishon's Ferry, where they will find teams in readiness to convey them and their baggage to the Camp-ground.
No reduction of fare by rail-road is expected.
Maine Committee. This meeting will be held at Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, on the same ground occupied last year, commencing Sept. 12 and continuing to the 17th.
We hope all our brethren will make an effort to come to this meeting, to work for the Lord. Be on the ground at the commencement of the meeting and stay until the close. Ample provisions will be made for man and beast.
O. F. Guilford, } Camp-meeting
Geo. Bisel,
Wm. Crouse, } Com. The next general quarterly meeting of the New England Tract and Missionary Society, will be held in connection with the camp-meeting, Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. We hope for a report from all the members in their respective districts prior to that time, so that a full, general report may be made at this meeting. This meeting will be one of interest as there probably will be more members present than at any quarterly meeting we have ever previously held, and it is in view of this, that we have postponed it until then.
S. N. Haskell. Quarterly Meeting of the Greenbush church will be held at the Colony School-house, in Duplain, Clinton Co., Mich., the 10th and 11th of August, 1872. Absent members are expected to report. Let us come one and all with the love of God in our hearts. Will the Conference Committee please provide us with ministerial help.
O. B. Sevy, Clerk. The Missionary and Tract Society of the church of Norridgewock, Maine, will hold its next quarterly meeting at Norridgewock, Aug. 10, 1872. We hope all the members in this society will be prompt to send their reports to the secretary one week prior to this meeting, and to attend in person if possible.
A general attendance is solicited from all who have an interest in this good work.
Artimus Atwood, Pres. Meeting of S. D. Adventists, September 7 and 8, in the School-house at Pleasant Valley, Potter Co., Pa. All the brethren and sisters are invited to attend.
By request, D. C. Phillips. Quarterly meeting for the church at Rockton, Ill., Aug. 17 and 18. Brethren from other churches are invited to attend. Bro Sanborn is expected.
G. M. Bowen. Monthly meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., the third Sabbath and first-day in August at East Otto.
B. B. Warren. West Bolton, Aug. 10 and 11. It is expected the ordinance of baptism will be administered.
A. S. Hutchins. The place for our meeting this year is at Richmond, Vt., near the village, about one mile from Richmond station, on the same ground that we occupied a year ago.
Brethren, come to this “feast of tabernacles” prepared to work for the Lord. Let us begin now to prepare our hearts to seek God. Our meeting will be held Aug. 14–19, according to appointment of General Conference Committee.
Lewis Bean, } Vermont
H. N. Austin, } Conference
H. W. Barrows, } Committee. Vermont State Conference.
The Vermont State Conference will hold its next annual session at Richmond, Vt., in connection with the Vermont Camp-meeting, Aug. 14–19. We hope all will try to be on the ground at the commencement of the meeting and stay till it is closed. All the churches and unorganized companies within the limits of this Conference are invited to send delegates, and to report their standing as required by the constitution of the Conference. Systematic Benevolence should be paid up to July 1, 1872. Brethren and sisters, let us not do the work of the Lord negligently.
Lewis Bean,
H. N. Austin,
H. W. Barrows, } Vermont Conference Committee. The Vermont Tract and Missionary Society will hold its first annual meeting at Richmond, Vt., in connection with the Vermont Camp-meeting, Aug. 14–19. It is desired that the agents and librarians, and as many of the members as can attend, should be present. The agent of each district should come prepared with a full report at this meeting.
A. C. Bourdeau, Pres. Vt. T. and M. Society. “Can ye not discern the signs of the times?” I wish to tell how I cured my cancer last Summer, without pain or money. Eight years ago, a cancer came on my nose. It grew slowly for several years; the last two years it grew very fast. It became frightful. It had begun to eat out at my left eye. I had paid out hundreds of dollars, and had tried doctors far and near, without finding any relief. Last summer I drank Wild Tea, putting the tea-grounds on my cancer every night as a poultice; and in six weeks my cancer was cured. I am now 62 years old. I gave this remedy to several persons who had cancer. I know of two that have been cured since. I believe Wild Tea grows over the country generally, always on high land. CHARLES YARDLEY.
Pittsburg, Pa., EVIL RESULTS OF TRASHY LITERATURE.—The Hartford Post says that an elderly gentleman from Brooklyn, N. Y., has been traversing this State for several days in search of his son, who recently ran away from home. It seems that some time ago, the lad, who is about seventeen years old, formed an intimate friendship with another boy of about his own age. The two boys were together a great portion of the time, and got to reading novels and sensational newspaper stories about boys going off and living on their own “hook” and doing great things, such as hardly ever happen except in stories. The reading of this trashy literature, led the boy who is now missing, to leave his home, where he was well treated, without letting his father know anything about it. When the father found that his boy did not return home, he searched out the chum and questioned him in regard to the matter. At first, the aider and abettor of the runaway held his peace and refused to give any further information whatsoever. He was thereupon arrested on a complaint preferred by the father of the missing boy and locked up. This brought him partially to his senses, and he disclosed the fact that he had received letters from his chum, who had taken the alias of William Smith. These letters were mailed at New Haven, but sent from some town between New Haven and Hartford. The father has been looking for his boy, but has not found him as yet.
Significant Items.
By F. A. Buzzell
COMPILED FOR REVIEW BY F. A. BUZZELL. A Chinese Joss temple is about to be erected in New York city. The money spent in banquets and balls for the entertainment of the Grand Duke Alexis in this country is estimated at $2,000,000. A brand new Chinese temple, recently dedicated in San Francisco, has two boss Josses at the door, and seventy-five bosses of smaller proportions inside. The commissioners of public instruction in Davenport, Iowa, have stricken the Bible from the list of public school books. A new attachment is now being made at Colt’s armory in Hartford, Ct., for the Gatling gun. It is known as the “drum feeder,” by which four hundred shots are discharged per minute.—Boston Journal. The number of emigrants arriving at this port since Jan. 1 is 92,841, against 65,998, during the same period in 1871. A terrible epidemic of some kind has appeared in the western towns in Brazil. Eight thousand out of a population of 13,000, have died.—N. Y. Tribune. Mayor Gaston of Boston has vetoed the order passed by the City Council for opening the Public Library on Sundays. The Mayor, advised by the City Solicitor, thinks the carrying out of the order would conflict with State enactments.—N. Y. Tribune. Attempts are being made to obtain the use of the Coliseum at the close of the world’s Jubilee, for a series of world’s prayer meetings.—Worcester Co., (Mass.) Gazette. “To be armed is the principal part of Germany’s existence; France increases her army every day; Austria without her innumerable regiments would fall to pieces; that great peace-maker, the Pope, compels Italy to ruin itself in big guns and swollen battalions; the hosts of Russia cannot be counted; the Sultan boasts that he can put 700,000 men into the field. The Eastern Camp-meetings.
By Gen. Conf. Com.
Owing to the expected absence of Bro. and Sr. White in the West, it is probable these meetings will not have the privilege of enjoying their labors. It is expected that Elders Littlejohn and Butler will attend them, and with the help of those ministers living within the bounds of the several Conferences, do what they can to supply the loss occasioned by their absence. We trust there will be a general rally of the friends of the cause to seek God. He has promised when we seek him with all the heart that he will be found of us. GEN. CONF. COM. Something Valuable.
By John Nevins Andrews
“Progressive Bible Lessons for Children; to be used in Sabbath Schools and Families. By G. H. Bell.” We have long felt the necessity of such a work as this for the benefit of our youth. I earnestly commend this series of Bible Lessons to the teachers of Sabbath Schools, and to parents who feel an interest to instruct their own children in divine truth. Those wishing to attend the New England Camp-meeting will find it for their comfort to have family tents as far as consistent. Tents can be rented at reasonable rates of James Martin & Son, No. 114 Commercial St., Boston. Will those wishing to rent write immediately, stating the size they wish, to H. B. Stratton, 65 Dorchester St., South Boston, or to myself at South Lancaster, Mass., and the tents will be furnished on the ground. Let none stay away for want of tents. Bring your bed-ticks. Tents also can be purchased at reasonable rates. Below is his price list on the ground. For Tents 9½ x 9½ ............................ $4.00,
“ “ 9½ x 12 .............................. 5.00,
“ “ 12 x 12 ................................ 6.00, P. O. Orders for Illinois Conference
By Ivory Colcord
To the brethren of the Illinois Conference: When you draw P. O. Orders, please draw them on the Sterling P. O., Whiteside Co., Ill., as that is my market place, and is therefore more convenient.
IVORY COLCORD. Eastern Camp-Meetings.
By Gen. Conf. Com.
New York, Aug. 6-12.
Vermont, " 14-19.
Maine, " 21-26.
New England, Aug. 28 to Sept. 2.
Michigan, Sept. 4-10.
Ohio, " 12-17.
Indiana, " 19-24.
GEN. CONF. COM. Evangelical Adventist Biblical Institute
We learn from the Advent Herald that the Evangelical Adventists of Vermont and Canada, have just organized a Biblical Institute, the object of which is to educate young men for the ministry. The school is to be located in Waterloo, Canada, and the first term is to commence the first week in September next. Opposition Paper to Be Started
The last number of the Advent Christian Times announces that an opposition paper is soon to be started by first-day Adventists in the West. Death of Prof. N. N. Whiting
We learn from our exchanges of the death of Prof. N. N. Whiting, whose funeral took place in Williamsburg, L. I., June 15, 1872. Prof. Whiting took quite a prominent part in the advent movement of 1843–4, and was the author of an excellent translation of the New Testament so often quoted by writers on the prophecies, known as “Whiting’s Translation.” He had reached the ripe age of 78 years. J. N. Andrews’s Post Office Address
The P. O. address of J. N. Andrews is Lancaster, Mass. To the Churches in Vermont.
By A. C. Bourdeau
Our camp-meeting and our annual Conference session for this State are forth-coming. Only about two weeks more to the time when they shall commence. Until then all will be on the move. Numerous things must be accomplished before many of the brethren and sisters will be in readiness to attend this meeting. Hope that in our hurry we will not neglect things of weightier matter which should be attended to preparatory to this meeting. Allow me to call attention to a few points. 1. All the churches should arrange to represent themselves by Delegates at this Conference. 2. Reports should be made as required by the Constitution of our Conference. The church clerks have two kinds of blanks for this purpose, one, a report of the standing of the church, and the other, a financial report and pledge of the church. 3. Systematic Benevolence should be paid up to the close of the second quarter of the present year. Yet some may not do this, hence, 4. Let the church clerks make a statement of the amounts due on S. B. up to July 1, 1872, in their financial reports. 5. Let none stay away from this meeting because they cannot bring tents with them; for an arrangement has been made to have tents on the camp-ground to rent, or to sell. 6. Come to this meeting praying that God may meet with us by his Spirit, and that we may have a “feast of tabernacles” in the Lord. New Haven, Vt., July 11, 1872. A CHRISTIAN sect of unknown origin and antiquity has been discovered by French missionaries in Loudiana, in India. In a missionary tour which extended thirty miles to the south of that place they fell in with a company of Shikes, who profess to believe the New Testament as a divine revelation, and who consider Christ as the immaculate incarnation of the Deity. Their priest (gourou) teaches his people that Christ is about to reveal himself from Heaven, according to Mathew 24: 30, and Revelation 19 : 11, but in his own person. This sect is wholly separate from other Indian tribes, and is considered by them as a truly Christian band. The number of its members was found to be on the increase. They observe the Sabbath, are accustomed to pray, and do not recognize the obligations of caste. The sect extends over the territories of Maharajah and Putteala, and probably belongs to the Kuka race, despite differences in faith. —Christian Intelligencer, May, 1872. A CONVERT recently stood on the shore of one of our clear and beautiful streams, as a candidate for baptism. When being adjusted in the proper manner for his immersion under the flood, disrobed of hat and coat, some one suggested holding his pocket book; he replied, “No, baptize my pocket book and all.” So says every true disciple of the Lord Jesus. The pope is the Lord and master within the area of the Vatican, whose only inhabitants are the servants of the pope, and those who voluntarily shut themselves up with him within this enclosed space. Not a single man is, except by his own free will, subject to the authority of the pope.