We now call attention to some of the peculiar claims and doctrines of the papacy. The first we will notice is their doctrine of infallibility. To get a statement of this doctrine in their own words, we will quote from their own writings. In Weninger’s Jesuit Catechism we read as follows:—
“Q. Will the true church of Christ remain to the end of time, such as she has been till now? “A. Yes; the church is imperishable. “Q. Did Christ promise that his church should last till the end of time? “A. Yes; for he said to St. Peter, ‘Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ ‘Behold, I am with you all days, unto the end of the world.’ Matt. 16 and 28. “Q. How do the Holy Fathers bear witness to the perpetuity of the church? “A. St. Jerome says: ‘The church is founded on Peter; no storm can shake, no tempest overthrow, it.’ “Q. What gift did Christ bestow on her to shield her against error? “A. The gift of infallibility. “Q. What do you mean by saying that the church is infallible? “A. That she cannot err in matters of faith or morals.”
We quote still further from the same catechism respecting the pope. “Q. Whom did Christ appoint as head of his church, and his vicar, on earth? “A. St. Peter. “Q. How did Christ appoint St. Peter head of his church? “A. He addressed St. Peter solemnly, in the midst of all his apostles: ‘Thou art Peter; and on this rock I will build my church; and I will give thee the keys of Heaven,’ Matt. 16. “Q. How does the Holy Scripture indicate the superiority of St. Peter over the other apostles? “A. Wherever Holy Writ names the apostles, St. Peter is mentioned first. “Q. Who is the successor of St. Peter? “A. The pope. “Q. What do you understand by saying that the pope is supreme judge in matters of faith? “A. That, when deciding, as pope and head of the church on matters of faith, he cannot err.”
Here then is their doctrine of infallibility, stated in their own words, with their proofs. Their principal proof is that Peter is the rock on which the church is built, and that Christ gave Peter the keys of Heaven. But I will present some of their own authority to show that Peter is not the rock. They rely largely on the testimony of the fathers for their doctrine, and the Council of Trent said: “The Roman Catholic church receives the Scriptures according to the unanimous interpretation of the Holy Fathers.” Now, the Fathers are not unanimous in calling Peter the rock; so, according to Catholic authority, Peter is not the rock. Let us see. St. Hilary, in his sixth book on the Holy Trinity, says: “The building of the church is upon this rock, namely, Peter’s confession; thus faith is the foundation of the church.” St. Ambrose, on the mystery of the incarnation, said: “The foundation of the church is the faith of Peter. . . . The church is built, not upon Peter, but upon the faith of Peter.” St. Hierom, in his commentary on the prophet Amos, says: “Christ is the rock, who granted to his apostles to be also called rocks.” The Greek has two words in this case. “Thou art Peter,” petros, a little stone; “On this rock will I build my church,” petra, a great rock. The petros is Peter, the petra is Christ, and it is upon petra—Christ—that the church is built.
As to Peter receiving the keys, it was only in the sense that he received a part in the gospel commission to preach those truths which, if obeyed, would lead people to Heaven, but if disobeyed would shut them out of Heaven.
Concerning the infallibility of the church of Rome, there seems to be some dispute among themselves as to where their infallibility is located. Some say it is in the pope. We ask, Which one? These popes contradict one another. “Pope Gregory the great says, ‘He who assumes the title of universal bishop is Satan;’ and Gregory VII. says, ‘The bishop of Rome is universal.’ Leo IX. is for, and Gregory XIII. against, infallibility. Pope Vigilius is against, and Innocent III. for, transubstantiation. Pius V., by a bull, declared the breviary correct. Urban VIII. declared the breviary of Pius V. full of errors. Sextus V. pronounced the Bible published by him correct. Clement VIII. says the Bible of Sextus V. contained two thousand capital errors. Clement XIV., by an infallible bull, suppressed the Jesuits as fatal to the church and society. Pius VII., by another infallible bull, re-established the Jesuits as useful to the church and society—infallible (?)”
Bellarmin locates the infallibility in a general council. He says of general councils, “They are entitled to make new dogmas of faith, and cannot err, being God himself.” The same questions arise concerning the councils: Which ones are infallible, or are they all infallible? “The French receive the Councils of Basle and Constance; the Italians reject them. . . . Some councils taught heresies. Constantinople taught that those baptized by heretics must be rebaptized. One of the Councils of Laodicea taught that the soul of man is a corporeal being. . . . Nice condemned Arius, and Constantinople absolved him. Constantinople condemned Nice; Lateran condemned Basle. A Council of Ephesus condemned Eutyches, and nineteen years afterward a second council of the same Ephesus absolved him. The Ecumenical Council of Constantinople declared the bread and wine images of Christ’s body in Heaven. Lateran and Trent pronounced the fullest transubstantiation. Constantinople and Basle asserted that councils are superior to the pope; Lateran opposed the claim. Laodicea excluded the Apocrypha; Trent adopted them all.”
Some claim that the bulls of popes are infallible. Bellarmine says, “A bull is certainly inspired by the Holy Ghost. If you try you will find infallibility in all bulls.” Over three thousand bulls have been issued by popes, and they are just as contradictory as the councils or the sayings of popes. On the subject of infallibility, read the words of Kirwan: “Under all the circumstances of the case, this claim is truly ludicrous. Where is the seat of infallibility? Some say it resides in the pope. But how is he made infallible? The pope dies; an election for a new one is ordered. He is to be elected from the cardinals, all fallible men, if not worse. After endless intrigue, and boundless corruption, and numerous ballotings, the lot falls upon a fallible cardinal. Will you tell me how such an election makes him infallible? . . . Some say the seat of infallibility is a general council. But how is this? Here are three hundred fallible men assembled in general council; how do they become infallible? Will you tell me the process? How do finites make an infinite? Heap them up as you may, are they not a heap of finites? And crowd together as many fallible men as you may, are they anything else than a crowd of fallibles? But by what chemical or alchemical process can you deduce the infallible from the fallible?”
“Nor is this the worst. We find one general council denouncing another—the church of one age contradicting the church of another. The seat of infallibility is thus undetermined by you; whilst the proofs of your church’s fallibility fill the world. It is infallibly certain that your church is fallible.” But the last Ecumenical Council has decided that the pope is infallible.
The next point of papal doctrine which I will notice is that of transubstantiation, and as to what they mean by it, I will quote their own words. “Q. What is transubstantiation? “A. It is the change of the substance of the bread and wine into the substance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.”
Now read from John Hughes’ Catechism. “Q. What is the holy eucharist? “A. The holy eucharist is a sacrament which contains really and indeed the body and blood, the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the forms and appearances of bread and wine. . . . “Q. Does anything remain of the blood and wine after consecration? “A. After consecration nothing remains of the substance of the bread, which is totally changed into that of the body of Jesus Christ, and the substance of the wine is changed into that of his blood, which change is called transubstantiation. “Q. How is this change effected? “A. The change called transubstantiation is effected through the almighty power of God, by the words of Jesus Christ spoken by the priest in the mass. “Q. Is there anything under the form of bread but the body of Jesus Christ? “A. Under the form of bread, there is Jesus Christ, whole and entire, his blood, as well as his body, his soul, his divinity. “Q. Is only the blood of Christ under the form of wine? “A. Jesus Christ is wholly under the form of wine. “Q. When the priest breaks the consecrated host, does he also break the body of Jesus Christ? “A. Jesus Christ is under the forms in such a manner that he cannot be divided; hence, when the host is divided, Jesus Christ is whole under each part.”
In James Butler’s Catechism we read:— “Q. What is the blessed eucharist? “A. The body and blood, soul and divinity, of Jesus Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine. . . . “Q. What do you mean by the appearance of bread and wine? “A. The taste, color, and form of bread and wine, which still remain after the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ.”
Concerning the communion, let us read again from Weninger’s Catechism: “Q. Are we obliged to receive the holy eucharist? “A. Yes; for Jesus instituted it as the food of our souls, and he commands us to receive it, saying: ‘Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.’ John 6. “Q. Must the faithful receive under both forms? “A. No; only the priest, who offers the sacrifice, must receive under both forms. “Q. Why did the church command the faithful to receive under the form of bread alone? “A. For very important reasons, and in particular to prevent the desecration of the blessed sacrament by spilling the sacred blood.”
The words of Christ in instituting the sacrament, Matt. 26, as well as Paul’s testimony respecting it in 1 Cor. 1, show that each individual in partaking of the communion is to drink as well as to eat. But we learn in the above catechism that the church has permitted the priests to drink all the wine for fear the people will spill it.
Now what about all this claim that the bread and wine are each a complete Christ, soul, body, and divinity? This whole argument is based on the words, “This is my body.” Of this, Gavazzi says: “The word which has been improperly translated (by the Latin hoc est, ‘is,’) is the (Greek) word esti, which word is the third person of a verb, whose meaning is not ‘to be,’ but ‘to signify;’ so that the passage, correctly translated, stands, ‘This (bread) signifies my body.’ . . . But what is the true mode of making the Scriptures clear—of ascertaining the precise meaning of any word employed in them? Manifestly, a comparison of the use of that word in the passage under examination with its use in other passages of the same Scriptures. Now, take all the passages where this verb esti occurs. It occurs in all the passages I shall mention. ‘The seven ears of corn are seven years.’ But are they literally and materially seven years? No; they signify seven years. ‘The seven stars are the angels of the churches,’ that is, not that the stars are literally angels, but signify angels. In Revelation, ‘The seven heads are seven mountains,’ that is, signify mountains.”
Let us now try this doctrine of transubstantiation by the three popish sources of faith, popes, councils, and Fathers. Gavazzi says on this point: “Now it is true that Innocent III. and Pius IV. very clearly pronounced the transubstantiation; but Pope Vigilius, equally infallible, says very clearly also that the bread and wine in the Lord’s supper are figures of the flesh and blood of Christ. Pope Gelasius, in his authentic treatise against Eutyches, writes, ‘The substance or nature of the bread and wine ceases not to exist, and assuredly the image and similitude of the body and blood of Christ are celebrated in the performance of the mysteries.’”
“Next as to the councils. The councils of Lateran, Constance, and Trent sustain transubstantiation; but, on the other hand, the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople asserts that the bread and wine are merely images of the vivifying body of Jesus Christ, living in Heaven.”
“Now for the third and most important branch of the popish rule of faith, the consent of all the Holy Fathers. . . . Tertullian against Marcion, book v., says, ‘The bread which he had taken and distributed to his disciples, he made his body by saying, This is my body, that is, the figure of my body.’ Clemens Alexandrinus, in his Pedagogue, repeatedly writes, book i., ‘The wine allegorizes the blood.’ Book ii., ‘Scripture has called wine a mystical symbol of the blood.’ Origen assures (Com. on Matt.), ‘Neither is it the matter of the bread, but the words spoken over it, which profit him that doth eat, not unworthily. And these things I speak of the typical and symbolical body.’ . . . Jerome against Jovin (book ii.) ascertains, ‘He did not offer water but wine as a type of his blood.’ Chrysostom says (Sermon on Matt.), ‘For if Jesus did not die, of what are the things we perform the symbols?’ Augustine affirms (Chris. Doctrine, v., 3), ‘Unless ye shall eat the flesh,’ &c. It is a figure, teaching us that we partake of the benefits of the Lord’s passion, and that we must sweetly and profitably treasure up in our memories that his flesh was crucified and wounded for us.”
We might quote more of these favorite Fathers of the Romish church, such as Justin, Cyprian, Eusebius, Cæsareensis, Cyril of Jerusalem, but we will only quote the words of one more, Ambrose, as found in the 4th book of the Sacraments, “In eating and drinking the things which are offered for us, we signify the flesh and blood. You receive the sacrament as a similitude; it is the figure of the body and blood of the Lord. You drink the likeness of his precious blood.”
We have quoted these fathers, not for ourselves; for the Bible is plain and all-sufficient, but the Catholic rule is, “The unanimous consent of all the Fathers.” If they have Fathers to oppose to those quoted, then it shows that their Fathers are not agreed on this question. I think the Bible sufficiently plain and clear that the bread and wine are emblems of Christ’s body and blood.
Cicero, the ancient pagan, in his treatise on the nature of gods, “De Natura Deorum,” says, “We have so many follies about our divinities that only one more can be invented, namely, that a man may eat his God.” We close our remarks upon this subject of transubstantiation by saying that it seems to us that what Cicero called a “folly” is more than fulfilled in the church of Rome, when she asks her children to believe that they eat, not only the flesh and blood, but the soul and divinity of their God.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Perils of the Sea.
In noticing, last week, the loss of the steamship Europe, the New York Tribune referred as follows to the lost steamers of a year past:—
The year which the loss of the Europe may be said to close, has been unusually disastrous in the annals of ocean travel. Never in a single twelvemonth have so many American travelers crossed the ocean; and no single year in time of peace has yielded so terrible a record in loss of property, human suffering, and loss of life.
The first and most terrible disaster of the period mentioned was announced in the New York papers of April 2, 1873. The magnificent steamship Atlantic, of the White Star Line, was wrecked on the coast of Nova Scotia, April 1, 1873, at 2 o'clock A. M., and 546 lives were lost.
Scarcely three months had passed when tidings came of the wreck of another ocean steamer on the dangerous Nova Scotia coast. The Inman steamship City of Washington sailed from Liverpool for New York, June 24. Soon after leaving Liverpool, she entered a dense fog, and at 2 P. M. of July 5, she struck on Gull Rock bar, Port Le Bear, 70 miles west of Sambro Light, and within 50 miles of the point where the Atlantic was wrecked. The City of Washington had on board 28 cabin and 481 steerage passengers, all of whom were saved. The crew also escaped, but the steamer and cargo were a total loss. The vessel was one of the least valuable of the Inman fleet. She had been built about 18 years.
The steamship Ismailia, belonging to the Anchor Line Steamship Company, sailed from New York for Glasgow on Sept. 29, 1873, and has never since been heard from. She was employed as a freight steamer, and never carried passengers. She was one of the oldest vessels belonging to the company, and had for many years been employed in freight service between New York and Glasgow. She was insured for a portion of her value, and the pecuniary loss was comparatively slight.
The French steamer Ville du Havre sailed from New York for Havre, Nov. 15, 1873. Soon after leaving the American coast, she entered a thick fog, through which she forced her way for about five days. The night of Nov. 21 was clear, however, and at 2 A. M. of the 22d she was struck amidships by the English ship Loch Earn and sank in twelve minutes. 226 lives were lost. Among the passengers of the Ville du Havre were several delegates to the Evangelical Alliance returning to their homes, and of these some of the most distinguished were drowned.
The Europe is therefore the fifth steamship plowing between New York and European ports lost within a year.
The loss of life on these steamers has amounted to 772 souls, and of property to many millions of dollars.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
DIED, in Clinton, Laporte Co., Indiana, April 8, 1874, of typhoid fever, my dear father, P. Scarborough, Sen., aged 88. Words of comfort were spoken by Eld. Farris, of Buchanan, Mich. Father sleeps in Jesus. We laid him away to rest a little while, till the Saviour comes.
PERRIN SCARBOROUGH, JR.
DIED, in the village of Banks, Bay Co., Mich., on the morning of the 17th of April, 1874, my daughter, Jennie Wheeler, in the thirty-first year of her age. Discourse by a Presbyterian minister in the M. E. church of Banks.
JOHN C. REVELL.
Missouri and Kansas Camp-Meeting
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand
** Services in Chicago, every Sabbath (seventh day), at 269 West Erie St. All Sabbath-keepers spending a Sabbath in Chicago are invited to attend.
Missouri and Kansas Camp-Meeting.
This meeting is to be at Lee’s Summit, Jackson Co., Mo., May 28 to June 2. The grounds are situated about one mile N. E. of the depot in Mr. Smart’s grove.
This is central in our Conference and of easy access, on the Mo. Pacific R. R., some twenty miles S. E. from Kansas City; it also affords favorable opportunity for our young churches to attend which were brought out during the past season.
Let all come prepared to take care of themselves, with necessary bedding, tents, &c. Those who cannot provide themselves better, heavy muslin cut in strips 12 yds. long, sewed together, makes cheap tents, and the cloth can be used for other purposes afterward.
The Committee will see to it that the grounds are fitted up and prepared. Straw for bedding will be furnished free. Provision and horse feed will be furnished on the ground, at the most reasonable prices.
Now, brethren and sisters, prepare to come and bring your children and friends with you. Come prepared to seek God, and advance the interest of his cause. It may be the only chance many of you will have to hear preaching and meet with our people, for a considerable time, and our best speakers are expected. We here extend a hearty invitation to Bro. and sister White to meet with us in our camp-meeting.
In behalf of the Committee,
J. H. ROGERS.
Missouri and Kansas Conference.
The fifth annual session of the Missouri and Kansas Conference of S. D. Adventists will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Lee’s Summit, Mo., May 28 to June 2, 1874.
Let all the churches in our Conference see to it at once and have their reports and delegates ready in due time, so all will be represented. It is very desirable that delegates from all the churches attend, if they can possibly do so.
While it is true that we need means in this large, but weak, Conference, it is also true we need men as workers, to co-operate, to counsel, and to do all we can to push forward this most important work. Please read again Bro. White’s article, “The Cause Is Onward,” in the last Review.
I know some will plead poverty, pressure of the times, &c., but we need not look for the rich nor men of this world to go forward in giving the last merciful message of warning to mankind.
J. H. ROGERS, Pres. Mo. & Kan. Conf.
Iowa and Nebraska Conference.
The Iowa and Nebraska Conference will hold its next annual session in connection with the camp-meeting which is to be held at Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa, June 4–9, 1874.
Let all the churches and companies of brethren, where Systematic Benevolence is organized, send their delegates to the Conference according to this ratio: “Each church to the number of twenty members or under shall be entitled to one delegate, and one delegate for every additional fifteen members.”
We extend a hearty invitation to Bro. and sister White to be present with us at this meeting.
H. NICOLA, } Iowa & Neb.
J. H. MORRISON, } Conf. Com.
R. M. KILGORE, }
Quarterly meeting for Newton and Burlington, Mich., at Newton, May 30, 31. A two-days’ meeting. Our sister churches are requested to meet with us. Quarterly meeting of the T. & M. Society, Dist. No. 3, will be held at this time.
AMBROSE WHITE.
Quarterly meeting of the church in Rockton, Ill., May 16, 17, 1874. In behalf of the church,
T. M. STEWARD.
The Iowa and Neb. T. & M. Society will hold its next annual session at the time of the camp-meeting, June 4–9, 1874. All the delegates and as many of the members as possible should be sure to attend, as officers for the ensuing year are to be elected and other important matters pertaining to the interest of the society to be considered.
H. NICOLA.
Pres. Iowa & Neb. T. & M. Society.
Quarterly meeting of the Wis. T. & M. Society of Dist. No. 9 in connection with the quarterly meeting of Dell Prairie church, will be held in the school-house near Bro. Coles’, about 4 miles east of Baraboo, May 16, 17, 1874. Further appointments hereafter.
P. S. THURSTON.
Mt. Morris, Genesee Co., Mich., Sabbath and first-day, May 9 and 10. Cannot the friends from Flushing meet with us.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Providence permitting, I will meet with the friends of the cause in Chicago, Ill., Sabbath and Sunday, May 9 and 10, 1874. Shall be glad to have a general attendance of the friends of the cause in that vicinity.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
I now design holding meetings as follows:—
Milla, Mo., May 7–11.
Neosho, “ 13–18.
I hope the brethren at these meetings will make a decided effort to draw nigh unto the Lord that we may have bright evidence that the Lord is with us.
J. H. COOK.
Mechanicsburg, Henry Co., Ind., May 16, 17. Baptism will be administered. The friends at Goose Creek and New Lisbon are cordially invited to attend.
S. H. LANE.
Quarterly meetings in California as follows:—
Healdsburg, May 23, 24.
Petaluma, June 20, 21.
Green Valley, July 18, 19.
CAL. CONF. COM.
Meeting of the T. and M. Society, of Dist. No. 5, of Vt., at Jamaica, May 9, 10, 1874.
Dist. No. 4, “ 16, 17, “
“ “ 3, “ 23, 24, “
“ “ 2, “ 30, 31, “
“ “ 1, at East Richford in their new house in connection with the general quarterly meeting. Time given hereafter. Let all the officers of the different districts fulfill their duty as set forth by the constitution. Providence permitting, I will attend these meetings as far as duty may seem to demand.
L. BEAN, Pres.
Queries.
By Uriah Smith
A CORRESPONDENT, J. W., of Westerville, O., sends us the following queries, not, he says, to cavil, but for information.
1. Is the keeping of the seventh day essential to man's salvation? If so, why is it that you make reference to so many men that you call great and good. Take for instance the REVIEW of March 10, 1874. In a short sketch headed “Strong Believers,” I see the names of Luther, Baxter, Whitefield, Chalmers, and Hall. Those men knew just as well as people now do that the Sabbath had been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week.
ANSWER. While these men knew that the Sabbath had been changed, they supposed that it had been done by divine authority, and consequently thought they were doing God service by keeping the first day of the week. They are to be judged according to their honesty of purpose and the light they had. In regard to its being essential to salvation, we hold that no person who knows his course of life to be in violation of the commandments of God, can persist in that course, and be saved. And further, a person to be saved must earnestly strive to render positive obedience to what, according to his best knowledge and belief, the law of God requires. This the men in question undoubtedly did, and will hence be accepted of God, though erring as to the nature of the Sabbath commandment.
2. We read in scripture that in the last days, “false prophets and false Christs shall arise.” I understand that Wm. Miller was the founder of the Advent church and that he prophesied that on a certain day the world would come to an end. As that did not take place, was he not a false prophet? The query in this case is, Can we suppose that God will make choice of a false prophet as the founder of his true church?
ANSWER. Wm. Miller made a mistake in the event that was to occur at the end of the prophetic periods, just as the disciples of Christ, when with acclamations of joy they hailed him king as he rode into Jerusalem, made a mistake in regard to what was then to occur. See Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:4, 5; Luke 19:40. But this query devours itself; for if Mr. Miller was one of the false prophets that were to appear in the last days, his coming and preaching was proof that we have reached the last days. But the sum and substance of his preaching was to show that we are in the last days, and if this is so, his preaching, in its essential features, was correct, and therefore he was not a false prophet.
3. We read in the word of God, that no man shall know of that day and hour, not the angels, neither the Son, but the Father only. Why is it that people will prophesy against such positive Scripture declarations if they are God's chosen people.
ANSWER. We do not believe they will. This has reference to time setting, and Seventh-day Adventists do not engage in that kind of work. We do not think that is a point revealed, or that man is ever to proclaim it.
P. W. B. asks: What is the proper rendering of the word “blessed” in Rev. 14:13? The American Bible Union has it “happy.” If so, does it not make the dead conscious.
ANSWER: The word is defined by Robinson, “happy, blessed.” It does not, by any means, always denote a conscious happy emotion on the part of those to whom it is applied, but rather a condition in which the favor of God is secured to them. It is the word which in Matt. 5:4, is applied to those that mourn. It is applied in Matt. 13:16, to the eyes and ears of the disciples; in Luke 6:21, to those that weep now; in Luke 10:23, to the eyes which saw the things the disciples saw; in Acts 20:35, to the act of giving; in Titus 2:13, to the hope we cherish; in James 1:12, to the man who is buffeted with temptations, &c. In no such instances can it denote conscious joy; neither does it signify that in the case of the dead of Rev. 14:13. U. S.
Western Camp-Meetings.
MISSOURI AND KANSAS, at Lee's Summit, Jackson Co., Mo., May 28 to June 2, 1874.
IOWA, at Newton, Jasper Co., June 4-9, "
ILLINOIS, at Sheridan, LaSalle Co., June 11-16, "
WISCONSIN, at Lodi, Columbia Co., June 18-23, "
MINNESOTA, at Medford, June 25-30, "
Good Tidings
GOOD TIDINGS, of Chicago, has reached its fifth number. It is printed on stock of first quality, and its mechanical execution throughout is first class. It has an exceedingly neat, clean, and honest look. But we are sorry to see it, thus early in its history, giving indications of obliquity in regard to a practice over which publishers have, perhaps, a right to feel sensitive. It copies from the Review of March 24, the article from the pen of Bro. Waggoner on “The Breath of Lives,” without giving any indication of its origin, or a word of credit. We take no exceptions to its copying the article, for it is worthy of republication everywhere; but it would have been no more than just to indicate the source from whence it came. “Credit to whom credit,” &c.
Answers to Correspondents.
By Uriah Smith
J. H. C. of Kansas writes: Will you explain how, or in what sense, Christ is the first fruits of them that slept?
Ans. He was the antitype of the wave sheaf, the first fruits of the harvest. He was the first born and first begotten of the dead, Col. 1: 18; Rev. 1: 5, in reference to the rank his resurrection holds as compared with that of others. He is the pre-eminent or chief one among them. He was the first to rise from the dead, as in Acts 26: 23, and by that means show light to the Gentiles. Though others were raised before Christ, these expressions are all true as applied to him, because these resurrections all depended on that of Christ, and they were not raised to demonstrate the way of life and immortality, as he was.
C. Uhles: See an exposition of the undying worm and quenchless fire in the work, “Man’s Nature and Destiny,” pp. 279–286. Published at this Office.
D. Ball: Whoever says that S. D. A. ministers call the first day of the week “the Lord’s day” states that which is not only false but self-contradictory. Very inconsistent it would be to preach, as all S. D. A. ministers do, that Sunday is not the Lord’s day, and then call it by that name.
U. S.
To the Brethren of the Iowa and Nebraska Conference.
By Iowa and Neb. Conf. Com.
OUR annual gathering will soon take place; and it is quite time that we should make the necessary preparations for it. If each one feels that the success of this meeting depends upon him individually, and shall set his heart in order, seek to be imbued with the spirit of the third angel's message, and shall come to meet with God, such shall not go away disappointed.
Let all the friends of the cause make an especial effort to attend this meeting. Come up to this feast of the Lord the day previous, prepared to spend the entire time in seeking God. Come bringing your families and friends that you wish converted. Come, both rich and poor, and do not appear before the Lord empty. Deut. 16: 16.
Systematic Benevolence should be reorganized by each church and delegates elected, that there may be uniformity throughout the Conference. We would designate first-day, May 17, as the day for each church to meet and attend to this work.
S. B. treasurers and church clerks will bear in mind that it is very important that their quarterly and annual reports be made before or at this meeting, and that each church send reports whether represented by delegates or not. Be prompt.
IOWA AND NEB. CONF. COM.
To the Brethren in Illinois.
By John H. Bennett; Lucius Winston; R. F. Andrews
DEAR BRETHREN: The time is fast approaching for our yearly meeting, and as it draws near we hope you are making all the needful preparations, so you can attend without fail. Let no trifling excuse prevent your attending. Make worldly interests give place to the worship of God and the benefiting of your own souls. You cannot afford to lose the good you may gain by attending. Just say to the world as Abraham did to his young men, “Abide ye here,” while we “go yonder and worship.”
We have done the very best we could in locating the place of meeting after considering the matter carefully. There is no good reason why we should not have a general turnout from every part of the State. What if it does take a few days to get to the meeting. It is a release from hard labor, and affords an excellent opportunity for self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Let us make an earnest effort to redeem the past. Those who are able should provide themselves with good duck tents; it would be well if every family could have one; but if this is not practicable, let two or more families join together, or even a whole church.
And to our brethren who are not in circumstances to provide themselves with tents, and to the lonely and scattered ones generally, we say, Come, and we will do the very best we can by you. Let none stay away because they cannot bring a tent. We should make an earnest effort to interest every one to come to the meeting that we have any reason to believe could be benefited, and try to get so near to God ourselves that we can have a good measure of his Holy Spirit to bring with us. Come, dear brethren and sisters, let us entreat God to make this the best meeting ever held in the State, and a great blessing to us and the means of salvation to many who are now out of the fold of Christ.
JOHN H. BENNETT, Ill.
LUCIUS WINSTON, Conf.
R. F. ANDREWS. Com.
Correction
CORRECTION. In the obituary notice from Otsego, in last week's REVIEW, the names by some means became transposed, so as to convey a wrong statement. It was J. L. Carter, not G. W. Burnham, whose death the notice was designed to record.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review & Herald to which the money received pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Pastors. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$2.00 EACH. E P Holly 45-14, Lysander Call 45-15, J E P Gaskill 47-7, T H Lindsay 45-13, Thos A Owen 45-17, Silas P Strite 45-20, W J Haynes 45-14, S J McVitty 44-14, Daniel Davison 45-14, J Roscoe 45-20, P E Ferren 45-21, Amos Van Syoc 46-1, J L Hobart 45-17, Laura A Greer 45-18, J D Morton 45-10, O B Baker 45-14, Amos Holl 45-15, Mrs P Alvord 45-10, A B Hammond 43-12, R J McAllister 45-4, Mary Ballard 45-20, J L Miller 45-18.
$1.00 EACH. F M Garlic 44-6, Isaac Oathout 44-18, H Murray 44-20, Martha W Steere 45-1, John H Shafer 45-20, Henry Lamb 45-20, Callaway Eller 45-20, Freeman Ramsey 45-1, C M Shepard 44-14, Geo W Pond 44-20, M F Kellogg 44-13, Joseph Matthews 44-20, Geo H Murphy 44-21, S Nelson 44-13, M Barentzen 45-20, Martha Merrick 44-7, T R Staples 44-18, P Martin 45-4, Mrs J M Babcock 45-20, Phebe Vedder 44-14, R P Stewart 44-20, R M Frink 44-22, Wm McCain 44-20, Mrs A E Horton 44-20, Mrs Hickman 45-20, D Malin 44-20, J W Raymond 44-20, Elijah N Swett 45-20, Josie Colburn 45-20, Sig Matter 45-20, Prochet 44-20, M A E Moon 45-20, H Watkins 45-20, W E Armstrong 44-20, Joshua Osborne 44-20, P Lightner 44-21, E C Keith 45-20, Ezra Brackett 44-20, L C Wardell 44-20, P S Smalley 44-20, O A Richmond 44-17, F A Buzzell 44-14, Edwin Fisher 45-6, L A Kellogg 44-14, Robert Dill 45-20, G E Rust 44-20, Alonzo Van Tassel 44-10, Nancy Collins 44-20.
MISCELLANEOUS. David Quackenbush 25c 44-8, Wm Weaver 65c 45-2, R F Robinson $10.00 45-20, Elsie Gates 75c 45-15, Eld John Wilcox 25c 44-20, Frank Crandall $1.20, 44-24, D W Barr 50c 44-7, H L M Doyal 50c 44-6.
50 Cents Each, Paying to 44-20. E G Ware, Geo S Buell, Chas M Rhyder, Wilson Ladd, Eld E Bellows, Mrs James Chandler, Mrs A B Orbison, Mary A Murry, A H Hunter, Chas Keyss, Isaac Clymer, O C Peas, David Bailey, Philo Renington, Sylvanus A Mosse, James Lockhart, Edwin Morris, John Miller, Jannette Helms, Oylla Young, Samuel Cecrest, Day Payne, S L Hines, Samuel Helms, Byron Hicks, Sarah Ceasar, Benj Counselor, Wm K Miller, James Harter, Josephine Webster, Susan Gray, Hattie E Burch, Ira Montague, Wilda Clark, Joseph Harlick, James Lance, Ellen McDade, J W Chaffin, Alice Woodruff, Henry Strouse, Mrs M B Willett, Geo Lee, W W Dalglush, D Musser, Joseph Holton, Henry Johnson, Chas Huffman, Martha Hoxie, Mrs C Dodge, Mrs Henry Price, Philip Creaser, Frances Gilbert, Simon P Richards, Cela Burnett, A W Herrick, Mrs Rosel Jones, Maria Ingham, A B Rumery, Evans D McClellan, John M Kennedy, Thomas Calvert, F M Bailey, L W Parkhurst, Mrs Harriet Evens, Theodore Ryckman, Fannie Brown, Catharine Ridnow, James Small, Alonzo Hood, James Johnson, Wm Musgrave, R W Basom, Geo D Brown, J M Janson, James M Stout, R P Fitzgerald, H H Fremaine, A Gregory, Daniel Carpenter, Mrs L J Henderson, Miss Louisa S Triplett, Mrs Wm B Story, Mrs Charles A Adams, S I Daily, Mrs Durpey, Mrs John Totman, Abel Brown, Mary Jane Benson, Philip Darner, Newton Charles, John Hines, R E Copeland, Mr J Shariff, Mrs Jennie Powell, Mrs Henry Case, Mrs Mattie Carlton, Wm Hause, Reuben Borton, Susan Pollard, Adam Zimmerman, Henry Shultz, L E Likins, H N Jenke, B M Swain.
Books Sent by Mail.
Elmina M Jackson $2.00, Sadie C Reaser 1.15, J B Ingalls 25c, S D Smith 25c, Dr Harbach 40c, P W Baker 3.00, Minot Powers 25, J J Tay 2.25, Thomas Weaver 35c, E D Pye 25c, L N Miller 1.00, S F Joseph 1.00, P Martin 1.00, Daniel Carpenter 30c, Libbie Crandall 30c, David F Newcomer 35c, Jonathan R Gallimore 1.25, R W Winter 1.00, Mrs Susan Trouman 20c, Jacob K Powell 1.00, E W George 75c, Harman D Clark 20c, Joseph Messimore 1.00, A E Darrt 1.60, Mrs Sarah Chedsey 1.00, Mr A Wright 1.00, Mrs Mary Sternberg 1.00, Mrs J L Dwight 1.00, Mrs A A Brookfield 1.00, Elizabeth Livingston 1.00, R R Oggesball 3.60, I C Willmorth 30c, Isaac V Wible 45.90, P F Page 40c, H W Evans 30c, H A St John 6.37, Samuel Parker 1.00, Mrs Samuel Smith 2.25, Mrs H A Munson 1.00, A S Hutchins 2.61.
Books Sent by Express.
M T Olds, Ottawa, Putnam Co., Ohio, $8.39, David Knisely, Fostoria, Ohio, 6.25.
Books Sent by Freight.
James Harvey, South Bend, Ind., $39.66.
General Conference Fund.
Vermont Conf $50.00, Maine Conf 50.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Received from the church at Greenwood $7.75, Partello 1.00, Holly 25.87, Cedar Springs 25.00, Parkville 5.00, Monroe Center 2.00.
Donations for the Danish Monthly.
John Matteson $100.00, Sherman McCoy 30c.
Cash Received on Account.
A L Hussey $25.00, R F Andrews 4.00, Iowa T & M Society 706.78, Smith Sharp 6.25.
Hygienic Book Fund.
D W Bartholomew $1.00.
S. D. A. Educational Society.
$100.00 EACH. Russel Hart & wife.
$72.00 EACH. E P Kellogg.
$25.00 EACH. D W Bartholomew, A C Bourdeau, Jesse W Pierce.
$20.00 EACH. C R Ross.
$15.00 EACH. Orren S Ferren.
$10.00 EACH. Amos Van Syoc, Esther Kilgore, Chas Stratton, Robert Caviness, Wm H Moody, M Gould, Alex Paton.