ALL great works are done by serving God with what we have in hand. Moses was keeping sheep in Midian; God sent him to save Israel, but he shrank from the undertaking. We sympathize with Jethro’s herdsman, alone, a stranger, owning not a lamb that he watched. He had nothing but his shepherd’s rod, cut out of a thicket, the mere crab stick with which he guided his sheep. Any day he might throw it away and cut a better one. And God said, What is that in thine hand? With this rod, with this stick, thou shalt save Israel. And so it proved.
What is that in thine hand, Shamgar? An ox-goad, with which I urged my lazy beast. Use it for God, and Shamgar’s ox-goad defeats the Philistines. What is that in thine hand, David? My sling, with which I keep the wolves from the sheep. Yet with that sling he slew Goliath, whom an army dared not meet. What is that in thine hand, disciple? Nothing but five barley loaves and two small fishes. Bring them to me; give them to God; and the multitude is fed. What is that in thine hand, poor widow? Only two mites. Give them to God; and behold! the fame of your riches fills the world. What hast thou, weeping woman? An alabaster box of ointment. Give it to God. Break it and pour it upon the Saviour’s head, and its sweet perfume is a fragrance in the church even now. What hast thou, Dorcas? My needle. Use it for God, and those coats and garments keep multiplying, and are clothing the naked still.
You are a manufacturer, or a merchant, or a mechanic, or a man of leisure, or a student, or a sewing woman. God wants each of you to serve him where you are. You have your business; use it for God. Order it in a godly manner. Do not allow any wickedness in it. Give godly wages; preach Jesus to your clerks, not by a long face, but by being like him, doing good. Use your profits for God, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, comforting the wretched, spreading the gospel far and wide. What a field you have to glorify God in, just where you are! If you have nothing, use your tools for him; he can glorify himself with them as easily as he could with a shepherd’s stick, an ox-goad, a sling, or two mites.
A poor girl who had nothing but a sewing machine used it to aid a feeble church. All her earnings above her needs were given toward building a house of worship, and in a year she paid more than others a hundred times richer than she. So you can do if you will. Think of the widow with her two mites, the woman with the alabaster box, and Dorcas and her garments; you do as much and have as great a reward.—Selected.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
Died, in Battle Creek, Mich., May 17, 1878, of a complication of diseases, Bro. Henry Gardner, in the 78th year of his age. Bro. Gardner was in the first Advent movement, in Vermont, and was one of the first in that State to take his position upon the third message, and commence the observance of the Sabbath. He removed to Battle Creek in 1867, where, with the exception of about nine months in the West, he has resided, always expressing an interest in, and a love for, the great truths connected with this cause. Funeral the 18th, on which occasion we spoke briefly to a large congregation, from 1 Cor. 15:26. U. S.
Fell asleep in Jesus, near Waterford, Ohio, May 10, 1878, my dear wife, Retta O. Boone, aged 28 years, 10 months, and 13 days. At first her disease was cancer of the tongue, but its nature seemed to change after a time, and it was regarded as consumption. While Bro. H. A. St. John was delivering a course of lectures in Bro. Fles’ neighborhood, she accepted the truth, and united with the Waterford church, of which she has ever been a faithful member. She now sleeps, and is numbered with the blessed who die in the Lord. In a little while she will come forth in immortal bloom, and we who now mourn will then rejoice. Funeral discourse by Eld. Kyle. Wilson S. Boone.
Died, at Potterville, Mich., May 4, 1878, of inflammation of the lungs, George Wesley Bennett, aged 38 years. Bro. Bennett was one of the most vigilant and efficient members and officers of the Potterville S. D. A. church, and by his death the church has lost one of the chief pillars, and his family a most dutiful and affectionate son, husband, and father. Discourse based upon the words of Rev. 22:14.
“Plain Facts about Sexual Life.”
By John Nevins Andrews
SEVERAL months since I received a copy of this valuable book. My duties are such that I can find only a few moments in the period of several days in which to read any book in the English language. It has therefore taken me a long time to give this work an examination. I need not attempt to set forth the merits of this book. This has been done by others better than I am capable of doing it, but I will say that I think it worthy of the high commendation which it has received. Within the compass of a volume of moderate dimensions the author has given all that need be asked upon the important subject on which he treats. The work is worthy of a place in every family and merits the attention of every person. Dr. Zimple of Puteoli, Italy, a physician of eminent ability and well learned in science, said to me at his residence last September, “This book by Dr. Kellogg is one of the most remarkable books that was ever written.”
J. N. ANDREWS.
Basel, Switzerland, May 1878.
APPOINTMENTS
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Minnesota Conference.
THE seventeenth annual session of the Minnesota Conference will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Hutchinson, June 19–25, 1878, for the election of officers and to transact such other business as may come before the meeting.
Every church and company of believers within the limits of the Conference should be represented by delegate at that meeting. If any church or company cannot send a delegate, do not fail to report your numbers, wants, and standing, by letter, to the Conference.
MINN. CONF. COM.
IF nothing in the providence of God prevents, in company with Eld. A. C. Bourdeau, I will be at South Stukely, P. Q., June 8 to 10. At Barford, June 15 to 17. At the latter place the new meeting-house will be dedicated at this time.
At one or the other of these two meetings we hope to meet all the friends in this portion of Canada. Come prepared to remain over Monday in each place. Our Monday meetings are usually the most profitable for the church, and a loss is sustained when our brethren are obliged to leave sooner. Meetings commence Friday evening.
S. N. HASKELL.
GENERAL meeting for Burlington, Newton, and Marshall, at Burlington, Sabbath and first-day, June 1, 2. Bro. G. H. Bell will be present in the interest of the Sabbath-school. We earnestly desire a full attendance.
W. C. WHITE.
E. R. JONES.
No providence preventing, the next monthly meeting for Dists. 1 and 2 will be held with the church at Hartland, Maine. We wish to see a general gathering of our people at this time. Come to work with the Lord for the salvation of souls. Meeting will commence Friday evening (May 31, we presume.—Ed.), at 6:30.
J. B. GOODRICH.
THE camp-meeting of the North Pacific Conference of S. D. Adventists will be held at Salem, Oregon, June 27 to July 2, 1878. The second annual session of the N. P. Conference will be held in connection with the camp-meeting.
No preventing providence, I will meet with the Victor, Iowa, church, May 25 and 26.
H. NICOLA.
SPECIAL meetings in Minnesota, as follows:—
At Greenwood Prairie, June 1, 2.
Dodge Center, June 8, 9.
HARRISON GRANT.
L. H. ELLIS.
To those Coming to the Minnesota Camp-meeting by Public Conveyance.
By D. P. Curtis
Those coming from the south-eastern part of the Conference will come via the C. M. and St. P. railway to Farmington; there change to the Hastings and Dakota R. R. to Glencoe. By taking the night express at any point south of Farmington, you can reach there about 4 o’clock A. M., and take the morning train for Glencoe. If you come on any other train, you have to stay over night, either at Farmington or Glencoe. Those coming from farther west, can take the St. Louis and Minneapolis R. R. and connect with the H. and D. at Carver; and those still farther west the St. P. and Sioux City, and connect at Merriam Junction with the St. L. and M., and at Carver with the H. and D. R. R. Those coming from the north-west will come to Dassel on the St. Paul and Pacific. All who design to come by rail should notify Bro. J. L. House, at Hutchinson, at least one week before the meeting, and teams will be provided to meet them at the depot.
D. P. CURTIS.
May 23, 1878.
CAMP-MEETINGS FOR 1878.
MISSOURI, Gallatin, June 6-11.
MINNESOTA, Hutchinson, “ 19-25.
NORTH PACIFIC CONF., Salem, Oregon, June 27 to July 2.
Truth Will Tell.
A PERSON who was formerly a first-day Adventist having received a tract on the Sabbath thus writes:—
“Being in receipt of the tract, ‘Who Changed the Sabbath?’ I wish to thank some one, though I do not know the one from whom it came. I have read and re-read it. I cannot refute it; for it is scriptural. I am already talking it. You may have seen my articles in the A. C. Times.”
“Scatter the Tracks.”
By Editor
THUS writes an earnest worker in the missionary cause. While it is evident that he meant to say “tracts,” he wasn’t, after all, so far out of the way in putting in by a slip of the pen a k for a t, and giving us “tracks.” The cause of religion needs not only a wide circulation of books and tracts, but it needs the presence and efforts of the personal laborer. Missionaries must go into the field themselves, to visit, converse, exhort, and pray with those who need their labors; and such persons should make “tracks.” They should make their mark wherever they go, enlisting sympathy, dispelling darkness, creating an interest in the truth, and spreading light and blessings all along their way. More “tracks” of this kind are needed. Hence we join with the writer and earnestly appeal to all to “scatter the tracks.”
Basel, Switzerland, May, 1878
By John Nevins Andrews
The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 3.
I HAVE not yet been able to read all this volume, but I have examined it with much care. I think it even more interesting than any of the author's previous works. This is saying much, but the volume is one of great excellence. I have for many years read the works of Sr. White with much care. They have been to me of the highest practical value. They have been also of immense value to our cause, though our adversaries have used their best efforts to turn them into contempt. Though I trust my counsel is not needed, because already carried out in practice by the most of those who love the truth, yet I will say: Obtain this volume, and read it with care. You will have more elevated views of the plan of redemption, of the character of Christ, of the love of God, of the holiness of his law, and of the infinite value of life eternal. Your love for the Bible will not be diminished but augmented by the perusal of the works of Sr. White. J. N. ANDREWS.
Basel, Switzerland, May, 1878
The Sanctuary.
By John Nevins Andrews
A CONSIDERABLE period has elapsed since I received a copy of Bro. Smith’s volume entitled, “The Sanctuary.” This is the first moment that I have seen in which to speak a word concerning this book. Every person who has studied the doctrines which distinguish us as a people knows well that the subject of the Sanctuary is the central doctrine in our system. Here we see the true relation between the law and the gospel; here we find the law of God; here also the mercy-seat; here is represented the sacrificial death of Christ, and here his intercession for us in the presence of his Father, before the law of God, which we have broken. Here also is the blotting out of sins, the Judgment and acquittal of the just, and the final return of the sins of the just upon the head of Satan. The subject is worthy of a noble volume, and this volume is well worthy of the subject. When one of the adversaries of Galileo denied the existence of the moons of Jupiter, the astronomer invited him to look through his telescope and see them for himself. His adversary refused, saying, “How then could I afterwards deny their existence?” It seems to me that all our adversaries would be compelled, in like manner, to yield their opposition if they would read this book. J. N. ANDREWS.
Basel, Switzerland, May, 1878.
The Biblical Institute.
THOSE who have read THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES have noticed the report of the Biblical Institute held in Oakland, Cal., April 1-17, 1877, which has occupied quite a large place in that paper during the past year. Those articles gave a synopsis of the discourses delivered during that Institute, covering all the main points of our faith. They have now been issued in book form, having review questions appended to each lesson, and containing also the questions which arose in the class, with the answers to the same.
The subjects are presented in the same manner that they would be were they to be written out to-day. All the main facts, figures, data, and arguments on the important themes canvassed are given. It is a book for universal use. Families can use it for general reading. Sabbath-schools and Bible-classes will want it as a text book for study. In short, brethren everywhere can now have a Biblical Institute by themselves in their own church. It will be good to put into the hands of investigators who want a comprehensive synopsis of our faith. The number of pages is 352, nicely bound in muslin, with gilt back and side titles, making a comely and elegant volume. It is now ready, and orders can be filled at once. Price, single copy by mail, $1.00, with the usual discount by the quantity.
H. A. ST. JOHN
By H. A. St. John
Tithing.
I HAVE become fully satisfied that the best way for many of our brethren to pay their systematic benevolence pledges is upon the tithing principle. I am not sure but ’tis the best plan for all. The more I consider it the clearer it looks. Why should not every brother and sister have a place, a box, in their own house, in which they can place their tithes every first day of the week, “as God hath prospered them.” All our children should have their little banks in which they can cast their pennies, not simply a tenth, but all or nearly all they may get. All should be paid to the church treasurer once a quarter.
Brethren, think of it. And those who are behind on their pledges, I would advise to do more than to think of it, give it a thorough trial.
H. A. ST. JOHN
To the New England, Vermont, and Maine Tract Societies.
By Stephen N. Haskell
To save time, and large freight-bills in sending publications to Vermont and Maine from the Office, we have made arrangements to place at South Lancaster, Mass., a depository, consisting of a general assortment of our publications. Orders from the tract societies in the above-mentioned States can be filled at this place. Address, Miss Eliza Thayer, South Lancaster, Mass.
This arrangement does not relate to business on periodicals, which should be forwarded to the Office by the State secretaries, as formerly.
S. N. Haskell.
Minnesota Camp-meeting.
By Dudley Marvin Canright; C. W. Stone
We now expect to be on the Minnesota camp-ground as early as Wednesday, June 12, just one week before the camp-meeting. Eld. Grant writes us that all the ministers and official members of the Conference can be there at that time for a week's drill on various things. We hope they will make a special effort to be there; and we will be on hand, and improve the time till the regular camp-meeting.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
C. W. STONE.
Wane of the Turkish Empire.
Seventy-five years ago Dr. Trumbull, of Connecticut, reviewed the century, just then closed, in reference to Turkey. He stated some of the remarkable calamities which had befallen it during that period. Constantinople had been eighteen times on fire, and in these fires 120,000 houses had been burned, and 8,000 people had perished. By the plague in 1750, 7,000 people died. The next year 3,000 more perished in an earthquake. In 1752 Adrianople, the second city in wealth and population, was almost destroyed by an earthquake. In 1754 Grand Cairo had two-thirds of its houses shaken down and 10,000 people swallowed up. In 1755 Fez in Morocco was half destroyed by an earthquake, and 12,000 Arabs were buried in its ruins. The plague at various times has swept away vast numbers of people.
We may add that the present century has seen pestilence, conflagrations, earthquakes, revolts, dismemberments, and wars scattered through its history, culminating in the greatest of all its multiplied disasters,—its present semidestruction by Russia.
Prophecy, seventy-five years ago, had plenty of materials for a dark picture; and prophecy now, of the wane of Mohammedanism, has them multiplied an hundred-fold.—Congregationalist.
An Open Ear and a Disposed Heart
An unsuspecting, unquestioning, unhesitating spirit, God delights to honor. He does not delight in a credulous, weak, unstable mind. He gives us full evidence when he calls and leads; but he expects to find in us what he himself bestows—an open ear and a disposed heart—Cecil.
Standing Firm by Truth and Duty
I know one thing: If I stand by the principles of truth and duty, nothing can inflict upon me any permanent harm.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, notice of the omission should be given.
$2.00 EACH. Mrs E D Carmichael 53-23, Samuel Wilson 53-21, Lydia Brown 53-19, James Holland 53-21, William Snook 53-21, J S Farnsworth 53-19, G W McElroy 53-21, Jacob Neill 53-1, Johnathan Brown 53-21, Frank Morrison 53-21, C Flory 53-21, Elizabeth Myers 53-21, William Myers 53-21, J N Milton 53-19, Daniel Alton 53-21, Mrs Danl F Chase 53-20, Wm Dawson 53-22, Mrs L W Jones 53-2, Wm S Temple 53-21, Jane Coleman 53-21, L M Crawford 53-21, E Schoonard 53-21, Lucy P Champlin 53-21, Burgess Van Dern 53-21, C W Lindsay 53-21, Wm Atkinson 53-21, James A Parmelee 53-22, Thomas McCombs 53-21, Clara Wilson 53-21, A J Gardner 53-21, Jasper L Green 53-21, J M Avery 54-1, Wm Flint 53-21, M V Welch 53-21.
$1.00 EACH. W H Wright 52-22, Mary A Jones 52-18, Asa Hayes 52-21, Laura M Davis 52-21, David F Randolph 52-21, Mrs Geo Berry 52-21, Maggie A Stroud 53-22, Margaret McClusky 52-20, B V Fipp 52-25, M W Rathbun 52-21, B F Cline 52-21, Thomas F Graham 52-21, Geo J Jennings 52-18, C Maynard 52-21, James M Caughrey 52-21, G M Slough 52-21, Wilder Perry 52-21, James Hensley 52-21, Lizzie S Campbell 53-1, F M Stevenson 53-5, L D Cram 52-18, Mrs Ann Taylor 52-20, Mrs S Yuker 52-13, Frank Holman 52-21, Alonzo Blain 52-20, Mrs D Day 52-21, S H Peck 52-21, Mrs J T Belden 52-21, Zoroda Hughes 52-21, John Rathfon 52-21, Susan A Harrell 52-21, John S Edwards 52-21, H C Green 52-7, M G Dillon 52-20, T K Henry 52-21, Eld E R Jones 52-22, Sarah Renfrou 52-21, Amos Van Svoo 52-18, Jas W Hamilton 52-21, Mrs Nettie Craig 52-29, Anna Teague 52-22, A J Knepper 52-21, Whitman Hall 52-21, A H King 52-21, A P Shephard 52-21, C Colson 52-21, C J Barber 52-19, John Lover 52-21, J C Munger 52-21, T B Parker 52-21, J B Sweet 52-21, A W Bunnell 52-22, D O Felch 52-21.
Miscellaneous.
S P Hodges 75c 52-21, W P Cates 50c 52-9, S Alberty 75c 53-1, Mrs Ota Hains 75c 52-21, Wm Simmonds 75c 53-1, Josiah Brown 75c 53-1, J D Powers $1.25 52-23, N J Bowers 50c 52-9, Mrs G Knight 1.50 53-1, Mrs Lucinda Gould 6.50 54-14, Joel Hersey 6.00 53-20, Helen E Cowles 1.50 53-21, Morris L Robie 1.50 53-18, Harriet Hendricks 1.50 53-21, Estella French 50c 52-9, Wm Ings 75c 52-21, Joseph Ings 1.50 52-10, David Reed 5c 52-11, F C Ross 1.50 53-11, S J Hathaway 50c 52-11, H C Sweet 1.50 53-21, Walter Craig 1.50 53-21, D N Judd 50c 52-1, Mrs Ellen Walters 75c 52-21, Mrs Martha Stull 75c 52-21, Mary Tucker 1.50 53-21, Ettie Reynolds 1.50 53-21, O V Gay 50c 52-13, Jonas Miller 50c 52-13, Jacob Barring 50c 52-13, Beyancy Kaple 50c 52-13, Clarissa Kaple 50c 52-13, Henry Miller 50c 52-13, F S Peck 5c 52-13, Robert Hughes 50c 52-13, C Story 50c 52-13, N Davis 50c 52-13, Wm Knight 50c 52-13, C Chamberlain 50c 52-13, Michael Johnson 75c 52-21.
Books Sent by Mail.
Mr C F Worthen $1.50, Hendron Stone 25c, S I Tegart 50c, Listener 7c, L Ligner 25c, G W Harter 25c, P Sjolander 1.80, Francois Depas 3.00, Dr A L W Bowers 25c, Henry W Meek 1.50, H C Smith 1.60, W Buchanan 10c, Maxson J Stillman 25c, Carl Larson 1.79, Mrs P A Hobson 1.50, Mrs A F Howard 25c, Niels Hanson 1.50, Eli N. Hatt 3.00, Wm T Wiekware 75c, Mahala Randalls 29c, A Chute 1.00, Eld Christal 15c, Zollars Eshelman & Co 75c, O A Gilbert 40c, C A Dinesen 3.00, F R J Moberg 18c, R Richardson 45c, P E Allen 25c, P C Hoffman 1.00, N D Menken 2.00, Mrs N A Keeck 5c, C J Barber 1.00, A S Burdett 1.50, John H Simms 1.00, Amos Van Syoc 50c, J S Milton 25c, Ole Olesen 50c, Henry C Snow 50c, O T Olds 25c, Mrs Mary Wakeman 50c, W L Bradley 5c, J B Everett 10c, W H Saxby 1.00, Mrs Daniel F Chase 20c, John Mount 1.00, Mrs C C Ball 20c, W M Gilbert 40c, John Lorntz 1.60, William Wade 20c, J S Sherwin 1.00, Alphonzo Geer 1.50, Mrs C A Snook 25c, Geo I Butler 4.89, G G Rupert 25c, Mrs Hattie Parrott 25c, Rodolph Fisher 25c, Chas L Boyd 93c, E Van Deusen 91c, J H Branson 30c, Ferdinand Steinkraus 75c.
Books Sent by Express.
W W Sharp $7.43.
Books Sent by Freight.
H W Decker $94.25, B L Whitney 211.96, Russell Hart 29.38.
Cash Rec'd on Account.
John Evans $25.00, W W Sharp 15.00, Geo King 58.15, D M Canright 111.77, E C Penn 51.00, Vt T & M Society A Gomee per F T Wules 1.60, A R Henry 40.00.
Mich. Conf. Fund.
Douglas per Eld E R Jones $20.00, Bunker Hill per G P Bailey 15.00, Greene per J R Snyder 5.80, Rockwood per L N Miller 50.00, Alma per D Wood 10.00.
European Mission.
L B Webber $5.00, Mrs E B Hart (Thank offering) 1.00, A D 1.00, A lone sister 2.00.
Danish Mission.
O C Haugsted $12.00, Ludvig Jorgensen 2.00. Anna Jensen 50c, Annie Nikkelsen 50c, Niels Nikkelsen 50c, Jens Nielsen 50c.