Earlier text: An Old StoryPublications in Other Languages.
By James White
MANY have felt deeply the want of publications in the German, French, and Danish languages. Our people are several years behind the opening providence of God in this matter. God has brought in among us intelligent and warm-hearted men and women from the Scandinavian people, from the German, and the French, who have been for several years calling for publications in their own languages to circulate among their countrymen. And there has not been, during the past two years, any lack of means to meet the expenses of writing, translating, and printing. Why then has this important work been thus delayed? The friends who feel so deep an interest in this matter, especially our brethren in Vermont and Canada East, who see an open door for the word to the French people, should have a correct answer. They should know the real facts in the case. We, therefore, give the following statement: At the South Lancaster, Mass., Camp-meeting, in August, 1870, the brothers Bourdeau, of Northern Vermont, and Bro. James Ertzenberger of Switzerland, met. These, speaking French, had a special interest in each other. There was also at that meeting the S. D. A. Publishing Association’s Committee on Publication. The brothers Bourdeau had brought several hundreds of pages in French treating on the several topics of present truth, and presented them to us, as President of the S. D. A. P. A. and chairman of the Board on Publications. In private session the Board decided— 1. That all manuscripts, before being published in other languages by the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, must first be written in English, and examined by those appointed to that duty. 2. That if the brethren Bourdeau thought proper to urge their printing done, they were at liberty to do so, and call on their wealthy friends in Northern Vermont and Canada East to furnish them the means to meet the expenses. But the S. D. A. Publishing Association could not take the responsibility to print what its committee on publications could not read. As it was our duty to report, we did so in the brethren Bourdeau’s tent, Bro. J. Ertzenberger being present. And after repeating the above two propositions, we also, stated— 3. That twelve tracts, more or less, should be prepared by the Board, covering as far as possible the main features of our religious belief, the best possible translations should be obtained in German, French, and Danish, and when they had passed through the hands of scholars, and also, through the hands of those who were led by the Spirit of God and had the work at heart, then the S. D. A. Publishing Association would issue them, and send them out in America, and in Europe, on the same terms that it does its works in the English language. The brethren Bourdeau, receiving encouragement that these tracts would be prepared in English very soon, decided to lay aside their manuscripts. This was a Christian act in them; but as the matter has turned, we very much regret that they did not do as Bro. Matteson did, and push ahead the cause among the French people as he did among the Scandinavian people. Their relatives and friends were able to raise ten thousand dollars easier than Bro. Matteson’s few friends were to raise one thousand. We stated our personal interest in the great work of furnishing the right matter, in the best manner, in these three languages, ready for the press to send forth edition after edition, and offered as our part of the expenses a donation of twenty-five dollars for each tract, or three hundred for the series. And we did expect the co-operation of the other members of the Board, and that the tracts would be made ready for translation before the close of 1870. But from that time to the present, neither of the two members of the Board have done anything on these works; nor have they mentioned them to us by letter, or in any other way. And it has been utterly impossible for us to do anything on this work until we commenced to do a little, as our strength would admit, in the Rocky Mountains. Let us take a glance at the past since the decision of the Board on the South Lancaster Camp Ground in August, 1870. In consequence of Bro. Andrews’ engagement to give a course of lectures at Oneida, N. Y., we urged Bro. Littlejohn to return with Bro. Andrews and assist him in the lectures at Oneida. We needed Bro. Littlejohn’s help very much at the Vermont, Maine, and Michigan Camp-meetings; but were willing to part with his most desirable society, and efficient help, that Bro. Andrews might have the best help and retain his strength to do much in the preparation of the series of tracts, and revise his Sabbath History. In this we loved our neighbor better than ourself. And while the lectures at Oneida resulted in but little to the cause, and greatly discouraged Bro. Andrews, we suffered greatly for want of Bro. Littlejohn’s help, and became so worn and hoarse that it was with great difficulty we could speak at all at our great Michigan Camp-meeting. The next week we attended the Ohio camp-meeting. Mrs. W. fainted from fatigue on the way. Then we hastened to the Indiana Camp-meeting, and then hastened on our long, tedious journey to the Kansas Camp-meeting, which held the very next week. And learning of the sickness of the editor of the REVIEW, we decided to fill his pages each week, and wrote nearly every moment we were not in religious and business meetings, whether we were on the cars or in our tent. And thus we pushed matters till our return for the West, when we found things at the Office in a terrible condition. The editor of the REVIEW was away, recovering from fever. The foreman was very sick with fever, from exposure, in recklessly leaving his post of duty. The secretary of the S. D. A. P. A. was down with fever, and the work had nearly stopped. The Reformer had been abandoned, and was nearly a month behind. The editor of the Youth’s Instructor had, in our absence, left his post of duty, and was in a northern county. In this condition, we found matters on our return from the West. We were very much worn from great exertions during the camp-meeting season, and should have had several weeks’ rest. But, instead of this, we rushed to the rescue, and worked till the time of the General Conference, exerting every nerve for about sixteen hours out of each twenty-four. We resolved to raise the Health Reformer from its sinking, dwindling condition, and by the grace of God we did it. We had long felt that the REVIEW should be enlarged, and improved in almost every particular, and God blessed our efforts. We took up the Instructor as a mother would a feeble child, and we hope some improvements have been made. And in this way, we took hold of every branch of the work, and labored to improve and lift it up, hoping that help would come at the time of the General Conference, and that we could do something, at least, in the preparation of the series of tracts. We were so absorbed in the general interests of the cause, and had so many things crowding, that we were forced to neglect home duties. Our aged parents, then living in our family, could not receive a single hour of our personal attention, although our godly mother lay helpless with palsy. Then was a good opportunity for the numerous church to voluntarily offer their services, and to come in with a helping hand. But we were not only left to bear the burdens alone, but some gave their influence to paralyze our efforts. Still we pressed forward, and were so far forgetful of personal interests, and our own domestic matters, that in nearly mid winter we were notified that the cellar had not been closed. We found open windows, walls crystallized by frost, and fruit and vegetables more or less ruined. General Conference was appointed a month early in hopes that relief would then come. But these are always times of triple care. We were chairman at most business sessions, presided several times, had a house full of company, and were overwhelmed with cares in the interests of General Conference, State Conference, Publishing Association, Health Institute, book matters, and the religious exercises of the occasion, of no small importance. And in this state of things, fearfully exhausted by labor, while walking sadly to our home alone, we found ourself falling to the sidewalk, which was partially prevented by seizing the fence. This was opposite the house of Bro. Lockwood. When we had so far recovered as to understand the situation, with difficulty we reached Bro. Lockwood’s door where we received the needed attention. From that second shock of partial paralysis we have never recovered. It might have been saved, if strong men with whom we were then associated in office had borne the burdens of that meeting more fully with us, instead of enjoying seasons by themselves in the discussion of interesting topics, from which we were deprived by triple care and labor. And, although we have not, since that time, been able to accomplish a tithe of what we could two years since, we have struggled on, hoping that faithful men would come to Battle Creek to our relief, and that we should recover. During the past summer, notwithstanding our extreme feebleness, the time has passed with much pleasure and great profit. God has been with us, and sadness and gloom have been wearing off. And as we have fully decided to be joyful in God, and look upon the bright side, and stand from beneath the burdens which have crushed us, and bear a plain testimony, and roll the burdens where they belong, great peace and comfort have filled our mind. And so long as God blesses us on the Pacific Coast, and in the Rocky Mountains, we will thank him for an asylum here, until our labors shall be appreciated, the difficulties under which we have labored, and the causes of discouragement, can in some degree be realized. We now design to make the best of the situation, and hope the sad past has taught us several important things:— 1. To be cheerful and hopeful in God, and to believe in him with all the heart. 2. To wait, and enjoy comparative rest, and rejoice in God, until health and strength shall improve, and we have unmistakable evidence that the way is fully prepared for us to labor where the unfaithfulness of others will not be liable to crush us. 3. Meantime, we refuse any position or office in the cause, where there is liability that the unfaithfulness of others might bring great burdens upon us. 4. In God, if it be his will, we design not to be responsible for the course of others, and ask none to be responsible for ours. We design to keep our pen dipped in the clearest and best ink, and keep a good lookout, and plainly warn the precious flock of threatening dangers. We are happy to report that two of the tracts for other languages, are prepared, and fifteen thousand copies are printed in English. When examined by the other members of the Board; if accepted, they can be translated and printed in the several languages. And we feel just like pushing this work to the extent of our strength to its completion. We should be glad of help in this work, but can wait no longer. If it be said that the other members of the Board have been busy at other work, then we inquire, Has not their work of reviewing, &c., been almost infinitely of less importance than the preparation of these works? Since we left Battle Creek, in May, we have experienced many of the most remarkable evidences of care, love, and especial leadings of our gracious God. Bible subjects are opening to our mind, with a harmony, completeness, and glory, as never before. And we are enjoying seasons of especial freedom and power in prayer for health, strength, and wisdom, to finish the work he has for us to do in the preparation of much needed works. JAMES WHITE, Pres. S. D. A. P. A. Practical Dress Reform for Healthful Outdoor Exercise
THERE is good sound sense in the remark made by “Howard Glyndon” in the Evening Mail, that “no dress should be worn habitually which prevents free egress into the street, or garden, or the forest. Quite enough time is taken up in changing the shoes, and putting on hat, mantle, and gloves. If exercise out-of-doors has to be preceded by elaborate preparation, it will gradually fall into disuse.” Comfort Is Not Everything
COMFORT is not everything; and it is better to be a wise man praying on a wooden chair, than an idiot asleep on swan’s down. Rose, Mich.
By Albert Weeks
Since last report, we have tried to be faithful in discharge of duty toward the people of this place, in presenting the truth publicly, and in laboring privately from house to house. There is a general, settled conviction that the seventh day is the Sabbath. The waters are troubled. One has taken a decided stand for the truth, having a bright experience. I am pained, as I see the people, when convinced of the truth, hesitate, and magnify the difficulties in the way of obedience, likely to have condemnation only as the result of their listening to the truth. Truly, “Who is sufficient for these things?” I have urgent calls from several places in this vicinity. Shall try to move in the path of duty. Cannot leave this place till the people are left without excuse. Bro. Wm. Potter has joined me in labor, whose help is very acceptable. He has experienced the blessing of the Lord, and feels in the path of duty. Brethren, aid us by your prayers. ALBERT WEEKS. Illinois Tract and Missionary Society Organization Meeting
By Mary Miller
Our meeting on the 19th and 20th was a good one, and the results will be good. The brethren were greatly encouraged by the words of good cheer, from Brn. B. F. Merritt and Whitham, they feeling that they must fill the break caused by the absence of Bro. Andrews. The Lord helped them to do the work well and faithfully. Also the remarks of sisters Merritt and Whitham on “dress reform,” and “care of the sick,” were timely. After these exercises, Bro. Whitham in the chair, we proceeded to organize our Tract and Missionary Society. Bro. Wright was appointed Secretary, pro tem.; Bro. A. J. Douglass, Treasurer; Bro. Reuben Green, Librarian; Mary Miller, Secretary. Adjourned to Wednesday evening. Met according to adjournment. Appointed on mission work, care of sick, sisters Whitham and Green, Brn. Cecil and Rupert. On looking after the poor, Brn. Green, Reed, and others. On administering to the poor, sisters Cecil, Reed, and others. As agents to canvass for our publications and tracts, Brn. Wright, Whitham, Green and Middough, and sisters Dryden, Douglass, Green, Whitham, and Hughes. Cash donated to Tract Fund, twenty dollars. Cash and other articles for the poor, about forty dollars. We hope to be able to administer to the temporal as well as the spiritual wants of the poor in our midst. Wisconsin Mission Report: Poy Sippi, Neenah, Ashwaubanon
By O. A. Olson
My last report closed with Sept. 11, at Poy Sippi. It was a very unfavorable time for meetings in this place, as the people were all gone cranberrying; yet our meetings, though small, were interesting, and I trust profitable. The church here, united with the Missionary and Tract Society. The 17th, started for Neenah. The company of Sabbath-keepers here is small; but they are striving to be faithful. There are some that stand very near to us, who we hope will soon take hold of the truth in earnest. Our meetings were not very large; but we realized the blessing of God among us. The church here also united with the Missionary Society. May God help us to realize the importance of this work, and be wholly awake to this time. The 25th, we came to Fort Howard, and in the evening met with the brethren at Ashwaubanon. This little company embraced the truth last spring, and we were happy to find them firm, and growing in the love of it. We continued with them until Oct. 8. Had sixteen meetings. Oct. 4, we were joined by Bro. J. C. Nielson. Three more commenced to keep the Sabbath, and three were baptized. They were also partially organized. The company numbers eight. Systematic Benevolence, $12.55 per quarter. We are glad to realize their willingness to overcome their evil habits, so that tobacco, which was freely used, has been laid aside by most of them. A Tract and Missionary Society was also formed, and the friends seem to be earnest in this work. Oct. 8, in company with Bro. J. C. Neilson, came to New Denmark. Had seven meetings. Two more started in the service of the Lord, and were baptized. The brethren here thought it best, as they were but few, to unite with the church formed at Ashwaubanon, as there were but few in this place also, and their union, it was thought, would be a source of encouragement and strength to them both. They now number sixteen. They also united in S. B., which raised their pledge to $18.61 per quarter, $74.44 per year. Oct. 16 and 17, we visited what is called the Bay Settlement, twelve miles from Green Bay, settled by people from Belgium, speaking French and Belgian. Here we found many that are interested in the truth, but we only found one man that we could talk with, as they cannot understand English. They have lived in this country, some of them, upwards of twenty years, but the settlement is so large that they hardly ever come in contact with the American people. They are mostly Catholics. There is a Presbyterian church that have come out from the Catholics. This has of late become divided, and it was said that there are some twenty families that are interested to hear. If there was a French Missionary to go among them with the truth, there would be many that would obey. But where are the men? May the Lord raise them up and send them forth. The one that could understand English has been reading our books, and is a firm believer in the truths of the third message. He went forward in the ordinance of baptism, and is now interested to labor for his countrymen, and we were glad to learn that they all have confidence in him. Oct. 19 and 20, were with the brethren at Ashwaubanon. They felt strong to move forward in the work of the Lord. The 21st, arrived home. The 24th to 28th, met with the church at Raymond. Was glad to find the brethren more united, and striving to come up to the work of the Lord. The Lord met with us in these meetings, and we all felt encouraged to press forward. As I look back upon this last tour, I can but feel thankful for what the Lord has done and is doing for us as a people. May God help us to appreciate his mercies, and become more zealous and devoted. May God help me to move in accordance with his will, become more imbued with the meek and lowly Spirit of the Master, and labor to the end, that God can bless, and his cause be advanced. O. A. OLSON. Busseyville, Wis., Oct. 31, 1872. It was a wonder that Josiah had a spark of piety in him. Grandfather Manasseh had led the nation down the incline of iniquity at lightening speed, and plunged it into the filth of heathenism, and father Amon had helped it wallow there. And yet out of all this comes an angel. At sixteen years of age he is radiant with the reflected light of Heaven. We look for a cause. In Joash’s reign, two centuries before, it was good old Jehoiada, the centenarian. In Jehoshaphat’s, it was the faithful king Asa. But there are none of these helps for Josiah. We are utterly at a loss. We can only guess. “His mother’s name was Jedidah, daughter of Adaiah, of Boscath.” Eight years old when his wicked father was murdered in the palace, and he became king! Who else had charge of the boy but this Boscathitess? She was Sultana Valide; she was queen mother, which is the very fountain of authority in the East. The light comes through her. Now we guess how the angel came. Josiah must have had faithful instruction in divine things, to come out such a full-blown saint at sixteen, and that, too, in a soil rank with the abominations of idolatry. He was no milk-and-water believer. He was a hero. Nobody led him. He led everybody. The high-priest, chief priests, and Levites, simply followed in his grand wake. The young king, at twenty, went through the land with the broad sweep of reform, and its iniquities slunk away into caverns to hide from the lad. Again, at twenty-six, when he had found the long-lost Bible, gathering new knowledge and strength from the holy book, he passes from limit to limit of his country, with the hammer of an iconoclast in his hand, wielding it right lavishly on Baal and Astarte, until every relic of idolatry is broken into ugly deformity. How the people must have cursed him! But he did not care for the curses of idolaters. Think how many priests and servitors of temples and chapels and shrines all through the land, must have been thrust out of office penniless into the cold! How many family and social arrangements, confirmed by the idolatrous customs of more than half a century, must have been turned topsy-turvy! The few who sympathized with the king, were what we call “a corporal’s guard.” But yet how sturdily he strikes! Beautiful statues! Oh, in the name of Art, spare them, good king! Down go the lovely nudities. The art-plea will not do. (Oh, for a Josiah to clear away the mixture of the beautiful and lascivious that, in the specious name of Art, seduces the modesty of the young among us!) Solomon’s fine-art galleries on Olivet, where Pinacotheks and Glyptotheks, in honor of Chemosh and Moloch, had been preserved four hundred years, must succumb. How the sentimental young ladies and the accomplished artists of Jerusalem must have howled! They can’t see the sense of being so “awfully religious.” It is sheer ugliness and Puritanism (whatever the Hebrew for that may be). Why be so illiberal and narrow as to crush out the mere name of the heathen deities, and that at the expense of real beauty, that has cost the skill and labor of ages? Ah! poor, weak worldlings, Josiah has found the Bible! And when the Bible is found by the heart, the heart will have nothing to do with compromises. It plucks up root and fibre. It sees danger where the blinded soul feels secure. It guards against incipient evils. It crushes the eggs of the serpent. It is zealous for the Lord God, and no beauty will justify a rivalry with God in its sight. Tophet was the choice suburb of Jerusalem. There were the king’s gardens. Graveled walks, shady lanes, sweet-scented bowers, sparkling fountains, luxurious villas and kiosks—there they were, and amid them all the shrine of Amon’s cruel god. All that luxury is identified in the public mind with the Amonitish idolatry, just as theatres now are identified in the public mind with fashion, carelessness, loose morals, and irreligion. The young hero of God does not spare these ancestral treasures. Tophet is defiled, and all its pride turned into disgrace. The place, made vile, is to be a symbol for all that is abominable, and its name shall be a synonym for hell. Glorious King Josiah! It was written by the Lord himself, and read by the admiring hosts of Heaven, that “like unto him was there no king before him that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might.” Let the model be imitated. O ye Christian compromisers with fashionable sin, look at Josiah, and learn his royal style of serving your God and Redeemer!—American Messenger. Providence Supplies Needs Not Desires
A good man shall have what he needs, not always what he thinks he needs. Providence intends the supply of our necessities, but not of our desires. He will satisfy our wants, but not our wantonness. When a thing is not needful, a man cannot properly be said to want it; when it is needful, a good man shall not be without it. What is not bestowed upon us may not be so beautiful at that time wherein we desire it, for everything is beautiful in its season. He175that did not want God’s kindness to renew him shall never want God’s kindness to supply him; his hand shall not be wanting to give where his heart has been so large in working.—Charnock. IS THERE NO HELP?
By Rebekah Smith
SAY not, there is no help. Regrets are useless now.
Move forward to amend, nor break again your vow.
Left to ourselves we fall, then mourn, lament, and weep,
That we should be o’ercome, and fail our vows to keep. The motto I will try, this self will never kill.
Again indulged we plunge in deeper misery still.
Less strength then we possess for victories to be gained;
’Tis by denying self true freedom is obtained. Instead of mourning o’er past sins and follies here,
Be will and power aroused to keep the conscience clear.
With this, through Heaven’s aid, conquests will be achiev’d,
’Till we can say, We know in whom we have believed. [ed.] Then will our souls rejoice and glory in the name
Of Him who sees we’re dust, and knows our feeble frame;
Who says, Return to me, and I’ll return to you,
Heal every sin-made wound, and lead you safely through. With contrite hearts we come; Lord, take us as we are.
Be ours thy saving strength, keep us from every snare.
Our hearts will ne’er be made more holy by delay;
We fly to that dear Fount which takes our sins away. West Wilton, N. H., Oct., 1872. Swedes in Minnesota Embrace Present Truth
By Chas. Lee
I HAVE again a new reason to rejoice, on account of others among the Swedes that have taken hold of God’s truth. In addition to the few in this place that came out last spring, enough have been added to make their number thirteen. They have formerly belonged to the Baptist church. Some of them suffer persecution, but they are all alive in God, and take it patiently. They desire to become organized into a church. May God bless them, and keep them from evil. CHAS. LEE. Cambridge, Minn., Oct. 30, 1872. Walnut Station, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa, Oct. 28
By John Matteson
The meetings in this place have now continued four weeks, and although the prejudice has been strong and the place a difficult one to awaken an interest, yet the Lord has kindly turned the hearts of some of the people, and they are becoming interested in the present truth. The interest is also widening. Last Sabbath twenty-five met together for worship. Several families have commenced keeping the Sabbath, and we still look for others. JOHN MATTESON. Walnut Station, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa, Oct. 28
Missouri Tent Meeting and Church Organizing Report
By R. J. Lawrence
OUR tent-meeting in Gridley Co., closed under unfavorable circumstances. One man and his wife commenced to keep the Sabbath before we left, and I learn from Bro. Butler that two families have commenced since. Sept. 30, I came to Civil Bend, and spent one day with Bro. Levi Long. Found him much interested in the truth, and ready to labor as the way opens. He and Bro. Rogers had arranged to commence lectures south of Hamilton, the week following; but Bro. Rogers being taken sick, their meetings are delayed. Came to Wathena, Oct. 9. Found things in a discouraging condition. Out of four meeting-houses, and these occupied only a part of the time, they could not get one to hold meetings in, nor any other building, so that meetings had ceased when I visited them. They expressed a desire for meetings, and an interest in the truth. So after a week we obtained the Disciple house, and commenced meetings. Organized a church of six members; S. B. $20 a year. These are all poor. Also organized a church west of Palermo of sixteen members; S. B. $118.40. Oct. 30, baptized old sister Saxton, a sister of Bro. Schellhous of Michigan. She was eighty years and eighteen days old. She has been many years a member of the church of England. She wanted to be baptized two years ago, but through the influence of some of her children she delayed it. She has one son and one daughter that keep the Sabbath. Last summer she walked down the ravine, and finding a place where the water ran over a little fall into a basin below, she said she wanted to be baptized there. Her son and myself fixed the place, and on the above mentioned day, she and another sister fifty-five years old, who had been a member of the Methodist church for many years, were baptized in the presence of several of their friends. The good old sister expressed her joy that she had been enabled finally to perform a duty that had been resting upon her for sometime. She lives with her son that keeps the Sabbath. I came to this place last Thursday. Expect to spend two weeks at Parallel, Riley Co.; then two or three weeks at Burr Oak, Jewel Co.; then to Bull City, Osborn Co., to stay as long as duty may demand. There are brethren at all of these places that want meetings, and some of them want to be organized. This I think is necessary. I know of brethren that are qualified to preach this message, that cannot go out for want of means. Their families are dependent on their daily labor for a support. One month from home would leave their families to suffer. It is written, He that will not provide for his own has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. One tenth of the calls for labor cannot be filled for want of laborers; and the laborers cannot go out for want of means. So let the several bodies of Sabbath keepers that should, be organized, and the means brought together, so as to sustain those who can labor. Marysville, Mo., Nov. 3, 1872. The Lonely Ones.
By I. G. Camp
I FEEL like giving thanks to God the giver of every good and perfect gift, and also to Bro. Bourdeau for his kind sermon to the lonely ones. Any especial favor shown to the lonely ones touches a very tender chord in my heart. I hope we shall profit by it, and try to imitate the graces of those lonely worthies who have gone before us. If we live out those precious truths that were set before us at our good camp-meeting by the faithful servants of God, we shall be ready to every good word and work. I trust we have not forgotten the deep solemnity that pervaded the congregation, while the searching Spirit of the Lord was there, setting before us in living characters our sins and shortcomings, and the pressing necessity of them and there commencing to lead a new life. Oh, yes! we felt it in such a manner that when requested to vacate the front seats, we felt that we were the ones that needed and must have, the prayers of God's people; that we must have the blessing ourselves; we must have help from God, to enable us to live nearer to him, more in accordance with his will and word. I felt for one that I must watch and pray more. I must not let the enemy, and cares of this life, hinder me from praying when it is duty. I must seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, if I would ever inherit it. We must pray much, not only for ourselves, but for the precious cause of God in every department of the work, that the guiding, sustaining hand of God may attend it, and those connected with it. How important that in this little waiting time, every move should be made in God's order. And how absolutely necessary that those who are just starting out to proclaim these solemn truths, should be well qualified for their work. And how is it going to be done in so short a time but in answer to fervent, agonizing prayer? May God help the weakest of us to “pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks.” I. G. CAMP. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Died, in Wright, Mich., of quick consumption, August 12, 1872, George A. Parmenter, aged twenty-four years. This dear brother was converted at the age of thirteen, and baptized by Bro. Bates. He was an example of piety, always steadfast in the truth, and left a good hope of a better resurrection. We spoke at the funeral from 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. J. Byington. Died, in Wright, Mich., of dysentery, Oct. 2, 1872, Nelvin, son of widow Elizabeth Hastings, aged thirteen months. This dear sister but a few months since buried her dear husband, and now her little son. These are strong cords to draw her to Heaven. Remarks at the funeral from Jer. 31:15–17. J. Byington. Died, near Avilla, Jasper Co., Mo., Sept. 3, 1872, after a very distressing illness of nearly three weeks, of bilious remittant fever, and a complication of other diseases, my beloved wife, Sarah M. St. Clair, in the 38th year of her age. She embraced religion when she was quite young, and united with the Congregational church, and was a faithful member of that church until 1860; at that time, she embraced the third angel’s message. Her devotion to the cause of truth is well known. She was zealous for the truth. We believe that her preparation for death was timely and thorough. She retained the use of her reason until death had nearly finished its work. She bore her suffering with much fortitude, and was resigned to her Heavenly Father’s will, and was even anxious to sleep in the grave beside her mother, who died only 18 days before. She leaves a husband and two children to mourn her loss. We hope to meet her in the first resurrection. C. H. T. St. Clair. Died, in Georgetown, Mich., Sept. 21, 1872, of typhoid fever, my wife, Sarah A. Mountford, in the 33d year of her age. She embraced the truth in the fall of 1858, under the labors of Eld. I. Sanborn, at Twin Grove, Wis., and since that time has never expressed a doubt, to my knowledge, of the genuineness of our faith. She leaves a husband and three children to mourn her loss. Comforting words were spoken on the occasion by Bro. J. Byington. S. Mountford. Died, in Oronoco, Olmsted Co., Oct. 15, 1872, in the thirty-third year of her age, sister Paulina, wife of Bro. John Emery. She leaves a companion and four little children, with a large circle of friends, to mourn her loss. But while we mourn, we have the consolation of believing that she sleeps in hope. Words by the writer to a large and attentive congregation from Job 14:10, 14. H. F. Phelps. Died, in Bath, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1872, of asthmatic consumption, our dear mother, Phebe Cooper, aged seventy-eight years. She had been a member of the Baptist church for over forty years; but when the third angel’s message was preached by our people, she received the Sabbath, and from that time kept it. We mourn our loss, but not without hope; for she said she believed she should spend a glorious eternity with us, in the kingdom of God’s dear Son. F. B. & E. A. Bryant. Men and Things.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
For years geology has been trying to upset the word of God by its speculations. When it has announced some grand discovery which proved the earth to be millions of years old, as it claims, infidels have shouted for joy, doubters have been settled in their unbelief, and many have thrown away the book of God, and rested their very souls on these vain speculations. But every year demonstrates the falsity of many conclusions drawn by geologists. Here is a little item from the Christian Union just to the point. “Investigations near the Sandwich Islands have proved that coral aggregates at the rate of seventeen feet in a century, instead of a few inches in that time, according to accepted scientific estimates.” It was assumed that these coral reefs were formed at the rate of only a few inches in a century; then measuring their depth, of course, it followed as an inevitable conclusion that they must have been forming there for many ages, reaching back thousands of years longer than the Bible record of creation. This they thought was rock bottom; but now, lo! and behold, instead of a few inches it turns out to be seventeen feet in a century. And so we believe it will upset all their speculations which contradict the word of God. There is a vast amount of sense in the following paragraph. We commend it to all who are investigating to ascertain the truth. “No man can be in a proper frame of mind for the discovery and reception of truth, who is not utterly regardless of the question whether his being in a majority or a minority will be the result of his investigations.” SPIRITUALISM GETTING INTO THE CHURCH.
Seventh-day Adventists have from the start believed and prophesied that spiritualism would yet obtain a stronghold in the churches; that its ministers and members would embrace it. That some of these ministers and members should embrace this doctrine of the devil, give up their faith, and leave the churches, is no marvel. But when we see ministers unequivocally committed to modern spiritualism, and yet retaining their places in the churches and in the pulpit, and in conference, preaching and teaching among the people, by the authority of the church, it certainly does become a sign of the times. In the Phrenological Journal of October, 1872, I found the following, which speaks for itself: “We have recently read a work by Rev. Samuel Watson (a new book), just published in this city, at $1.25, entitled “The Clock Struck One,” in which are presented the Bible proofs that the dead of earth have communicated and can communicate with men on earth, and we were surprised with the number and significance of the proofs cited. Mr. Watson, who has been a devoted Methodist minister for many years, and has been honored with the title D.D., and still holds his relations with that church, thinks that many eminent Christians, several of the ministers, and one of them a bishop, have talked with him from the other side of the river called death. He claims to be a Bible spiritualist, and to accept only that which finds its basis in the Bible. If the deceased prophet Samuel could be made visible to those living on the earth in ancient times, why could not the ‘One Eyed Conductor’ be able to do the same for a beneficent purpose?” Here we have a Rev. Dr. of Divinity, in the Methodist church, openly committing himself to spiritualism; writing a book in favor of it; and still retaining his place in the church. It is a strong indication that the time is drawing near for the fulfillment of Rev. 18:1, 2. “And after these things I saw another angel come down from Heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit; and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Mr. Potter, a spiritualist, with whom I debated in this place, told me that he knew of several orthodox ministers who are spiritualists and yet retain their places and continue to preach as before. Every reader of the Phrenological Journal must notice that the editor of that journal is really a believer in spiritualism, though he does not directly say so. Yet all his comments, as in the above case, tend directly in that direction. This doctrine is manifestly gaining rapidly in the public mind.