Earlier text: SELAHNOTES.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Some time elapsed between the punishment of Miriam and the sending out of the spies. It is said in Num. 11:35 that the people abode at Hazeroth; that is, they remained there a much longer time than usual. Num. 12:16 states that from Hazeroth they pitched in the wilderness of Paran. This is an indefinite term. Hazeroth was but a few miles from Sinai. A few miles north began the wilderness or desert of Paran, which extended to the Promised Land. Num. 33:18-36 shows that they pitched eighteen different times between Hazeroth and Kadesh-barnea, where the spies were sent out. Deut. 1:19-23. Kadesh-barnea was just at the border of Canaan. Nothing of note occurred at these encampments, at least nothing is recorded, and no vestige is left of most of the places but the names given in Num. 33. Moses selects, according to the instruction of the Lord, one ruler from each tribe. As these spies were rulers, they would be known, and the people would have confidence in them. They could not say that Moses had chosen special friends, or had sent irresponsible men on this important mission. The Lord would not have them rest faith upon the word of Moses alone, in regard to the goodness of the land; he desired that their own representatives should assure them of the truthfulness of what had been told them. Of God's ability to give them the land, they needed282no more evidence than God had already given them in the mighty miracles he had wrought in their behalf. Did he overthrow Pharaoh? then how could the Canaanites stand before him? The Red Sea formed no obstacle to that feeble nation when led by the Angel of the covenant; neither would the walled cities of Canaan. All these evidences were given to Israel. They ought not to have had a doubt after all that God in his mercy had shown them. So the spies were sent; they found the land good and fruitful as the Lord had said, but did not believe that it could be possessed by them. They were so fearful that they imagined all were giants so great that in comparison the Israelites were to them in stature as were grasshoppers to men. And the people, with the same fearful, unbelieving hearts, lifted up their voice and wept; and again they murmured against Moses and Aaron, just as though they were responsible for having led them on the journey. They doubted God, and asked, "Wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey?" And the next proposition they made was, "Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt." Thus they rejected God by rejecting his chosen servant, whom God had acknowledged in so many ways. But there were true men among the spies—Caleb and Joshua—men who came from what afterward became the ruling tribes, namely, Judah and Ephraim. They acknowledged that all the others said was true (at least it was not denied) regarding the land, the power of the inhabitants, their walled cities, etc. But what of all their power? Said Caleb, "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it." Why did these two men feel so confident? The secret is found in their second answer: "If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us." And then they seem to recall all the mighty works and tender care of the Lord for his people, and they say: Rebel not against God who is leading us his own way; fear not the people of the land; "the Lord is with us; fear them not." Faith in God's presence was the ground of their confidence. Why, what could mortal man do against that God whose voice the very elements—earth, sea, and air—obeyed? God was with them, certainly, he could not be with their enemies. God's presence was their confidence. They did not declare their message because of any outward manifestation of God's power to support them; it was simple faith in God's promises. But the unbelieving people, so willing to trust when under special manifestations of God's power and favor, so bold when God's visible presence was withdrawn, declared that Caleb and Joshua should be stoned. This demand on the part of what was doubtless an angry mob, would probably have been carried out had not "the glory of the Lord appeared" "before all the children of Israel" (Num. 14:10), and the lives of his servants were preserved. It is easy to be bold for God when the multitude or the majority are loyal to him. Personal considerations will then lead us to act loyal. But only true faith in God will enable us to be loyal to him when all others are opposed to him. Such a faith is unpopular, but it is the only faith acceptable to God. The people were unbelieving. The cause of that unbelief was sin cherished in their hearts. They had not fully repented of their past sins nor acknowledged the righteousness of God's judgments. They still cherished the sin, and unbelief was its manifestation. There are two scriptures which show the secret of unbelief: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." Heb. 3:12. An unbelieving heart is always an evil heart. Unbelief is the manifestation of the indwelling sin. And he who cherishes the sin invites doubt, and will soon find himself hardened or blinded "through the deceitfulness of sin." So our Saviour says to the Jews: "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?" John 5:44. Just as long as they valued their own honor of higher importance, they could not honor God by accepting his Son. And it is just as true concerning any other sin as that of pride. As long as Israel cherished their own lusts contrary to God's will, they could not believe God. Their hearts were hardened. "There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea." Deut. 1:2. From Kadesh spies were sent out, and it is here the people might have entered the land to possess it. But their blind unbelief prevented, so God turns them back into the wilderness to wander for thirty-eight dreary years longer, which, with the two years they had already been in the wilderness, made forty years. And this forty years' pilgrimage for only eleven days' journey was all because of unbelief. And then only two of the original six hundred thousand and over reached the promised country. The others were judged out of their own mouths so far as they were concerned, they perished in the wilderness. Therefore, "take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." Heb. 3:12-14. THE BLINDNESS OF UNBELIEF.
(Lesson 21, May 25, 1889.) 1. WHEN Moses, according to the command of the Lord, selected twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan, what directions did he give them? "And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; and see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong-holds; and what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes." Num. 13: 17-20. 2. What evidence did they find of the fruitfulness of the land? "And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs." Verse 23. 3. How long were they on their mission? "And they returned from searching of the land after forty days." Verse 25. 4. When they returned, what did they say of the fruitfulness of the land? "And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." Verse 27. 5. What did Moses afterward say of the land? "For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass." Deut. 8: 7-10. 6. What did the spies say of the people? "Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great; and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south; and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan." Num. 13: 28, 29. 7. Notwithstanding the promise of the Lord, that he would bring them into the land, what did the spies say? "But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." Verses 31-33. 8. How did this report affect the people? "And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night." Num. 14: 1. 9. What foolish and wicked murmuring did they indulge in? "And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron; and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?" Verses 2, 3. 10. What did they propose to do? "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt." Verse 4. 11. What report did Caleb and Joshua bring? "And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes; and they spake unto all of the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey." Verses 6-8. 12. How did they seek to encourage the people? "Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us; their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us; fear them not." Verse 9. "And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." Num. 13: 30. 13. How did the people regard them for their truthful report? "But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel." Num. 14: 10. 14. What proposition did the Lord make to Moses, because of the stubborn unbelief of the people? "And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have showed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they." Verses 11, 12. 15. How did Moses show his disinterested love for the people and for the honor of God? "And Moses said unto the Lord, Then the Egyptians shall hear it (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them); and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land; for they have heard that thou Lord art among this people, that thou Lord art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day-time in a pillar of cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness." Verses 13-16. 16. What request did he make? "And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now." Verses 17-19. 17. What answer did the Lord make? "And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word; but as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord." Verses 20, 21. 18. What did the Lord say should become of those who had so often showed their unbelief and rebellion? "Because all those men which have seen my glory and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it." Verses 22, 23. "And the Lord's anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying, Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me." Num. 32: 10, 11. 19. Who only did he say should reach the promised land? "Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun; for they have wholly followed the Lord." Verse 12. 20. How long did he say the people should wander in the wilderness? "But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise." Num. 14: 31-34. 21. What became of the ten spies who brought an evil report? "And the men which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the Lord." Verses 36, 37. 22. When the people heard the Lord's sentence against them, how did they feel? "And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel; and the people mourned greatly." Verse 39. 23. What did they then propose to do? "And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised; for we have sinned." Verse 40. 24. What counsel did Moses give them? "And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the Lord is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword; because ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you." Verses 41-43. 25. How much better was their courage now than their cowardice before? 26. What was the result of their presumption? "But they presumed to go up unto the hill-top; nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah." Verses 44, 45. 27. What exhortation, based upon this lesson, is given to us? "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Heb. 4: 1, 2, 11. Notes on the International Lesson.
By J. W. Scoles
For centuries the Jewish people had with scrupulous exactness observed all the details of the Passover. It was, perhaps, to the minds of all, a memorial of that eventful night which marked their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, while to some, doubtless, it was also a type of the more perfect deliverance from the oppressive thralldom of sin which should be wrought through the coming Messiah. But the time was now at hand when the type would meet the Antitype. Christ's work of love and mercy on the earth was nearly finished. The last Passover was about to be celebrated, and from that Paschal feast, the Lamb of God was to go forth to die for the sins of the world. Knowing how little realization his disciples had of the true nature of his work, Christ desired to prepare them so far as possible for the events so soon to come upon them. In order to do this, and to more fully impress upon their minds the real significance of the Passover, he here for the first time fully opens out his heart to them in regard to his approaching death, and initiates them into the mysteries of that blessed memorial which is to show forth his death until he comes again to the world. WHILE some of the acts of Jesus have found their way into only one or two of the Gospels, references to this event, so solemn in its significance, so touching in its tenderness, have been recorded in them all; and three of the Gospels in particular, it would seem, have vied with each other in describing the particulars connected with the institution of this ordinance. And well may it be so; for who is there that claims discipleship with Christ, that does not love to go over again in mind the incidents connected with his passion, while with fearful eyes and thankful heart he partakes of the emblems of the broken body and shed blood of his Lord. ONE point in John's narration is especially interesting from the fact that it is not mentioned by any of the other evangelists. We refer to the ordinance of humility spoken of in John 13:4-17. To think that the Prince of Heaven, he who was associated with the Father and partook of his glory, would not only take upon himself the fashion of sinful flesh, but that he would bow in meek humility and wash his disciples' feet, is enough to forever banish vainglory and self-exaltation from the heart of every true child of God. It was not an act of common hospitality which he was performing; notice his reply to Peter, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." There was a deep significance connected with this voluntary abnegation of Christ's. This is plainly discernible when, after having washed their feet, he says, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." Shall we be any less humble than our Lord? "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." JESUS took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them. We have not the power to bless the bread as did Christ, but we can ask for his blessing upon it. And not only can we do this, but we can ask his blessing upon ourselves, that we may be consecrated to his service, and upon everything that we do, that it may be for his honor and glory. And we have the blessed assurance that the Lord hears and answers just such prayers as this. JESUS said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And again, "Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood." While we partake of the emblems which symbolize the body and blood of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, may we literally feed on him in our hearts by faith. In no other way can we realize the fullness of his promise, "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." John 6:56. Paul says, "For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread." 1 Cor. 10:17. When we take Christ into our souls and let him become a very part of us, so much so that all our acts and words shall show that he is in us, the hope of glory, then it is that we can truly "have fellowship one with another," and know that the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin. IN 1 Cor. 5:7, 8, we read: "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." Christ declared the wine to be an emblem of his blood of the new testament, or new covenant. That new covenant specified, among other things, that the law of God should be written in our hearts. See Jer. 31:33. All known transgression, every violation of his will, should be repented of, our sins should be put away by confession and prayer, and with humble faith and trust we should become new creatures in Christ Jesus. And whenever the Lord's Supper is intelligently partaken of, it is a virtual acceptance of these conditions, and the blessings of the new covenant are ours to claim and enjoy thereby. NOT only was the Passover a memorial, but it was also a type, a memorial of past events, a promise of coming blessings. So of the Lord's Supper. In 1 Cor. 11:26 we read: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come." The death of Christ would be without any value to us were it not for the fact that he has promised to come again to receive us to himself. So it is singularly appropriate that in commemorating his death we should also look forward to his coming. "Till he come!" what a glorious consummation of our hopes that will be! The filling up of all our desires, the realization of all the Christian's expectations, the bringing in of the everlasting kingdom of glory, the cessation of the struggle against sin, and the consciousness of eternal victory gained! all these privileges and blessings cluster283around this glad event for which we wait with joyous hearts. And undoubtedly it was in view of the glorious fulfillment of these things that Christ himself looked forward to the time when he should drink of the fruit of the vine new in the kingdom of God. Blessed marriage supper of the Lamb! We are among the invited guests. May each of us have on the wedding garment when the Bridegroom comes. CALIFORNIA TRACT SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS.
A QUARTERLY session of the California Tract Society was held in connection with the general meeting in Oakland, April 18–24, 1889. The session consisted of three public meetings and one meeting of the Board of Directors. These were conducted by the president, Elder W. C. White. There were, March 31, forty-five organized societies and a force of forty-seven scattered workers, and fifty-two Conference workers and field canvassers belonging to the State society. There were also twelve Rivulet Societies, with an approximate membership of 274, making the entire Tract Society membership of the Conference about 1,586. Since the camp-meeting the following new societies have been enrolled: Hanson, of Humboldt County, in District No. 8, Swasey, Shasta County, in District 7, Lockwood, Monterey County, in District 4, and in Tomales, Marin County, a few workers have formed themselves into a society which has not been regularly organized. At San Jose and Grangeville Rivulet Societies were started. The following amount of work is reported as having been performed by members of the Tract Societies independent of the paid laborers:— |
This quarter |
Last quarter |
Increase |
|---|
| Families visited, |
97,114 |
39,737 |
57,377 |
| Letters written, |
4,636 |
1,982 |
2,654 |
| Answers received, |
617 |
497 |
120 |
| Bible-readings held, |
709 |
698 |
11 |
| Subscriptions obtained, |
288 |
157 |
131 |
| Periodicals distributed, |
74,394 |
37,432 |
36,962 |
| Pages distributed, |
379,126 |
252,813 |
126,313 |
The SIGNS taken in clubs amount to 3,076 copies weekly, and the Sentinels, 4,240 copies. The latter represent about four times as many papers as were taken the previous quarter of the monthly issue. In addition to these mailed regularly from the list, extra copies in large numbers were ordered and used for free distribution in connection with the petition work. The number of signatures obtained to the petitions to Congress opposing Sunday legislation was 44,155. Thus a new feature has been introduced into our work, in which the most hearty co-operation of the members was secured and very satisfactory results have been seen. Our position and work have by this means been brought before thousands. There were men of influence who willingly gave their signatures, of whom not a few heartily indorsed the movement, while some united with us in circulating the petitions. Our own people took hold of this work with a zeal never before witnessed. Some who were inactive, and others who had done but little, gladly circulated the petition, and rejoiced that they were permitted to share in the work. Many have gained an experience which, if developed, will be valuable in future effort. As these petitions did not have special reference to the Blair bills, they are just as suitable for circulation at the present time as when those bills were pending in Congress. Although these signatures are valuable to us, the presentation of the truth as afforded by this opportunity is of far greater value. It should be borne in mind that we are in this working to an end; that end is the salvation of souls. There are many who are eager to read on the subject of religious legislation. This literature is ready for the people, and our Tract Societies organized for this very purpose should lay such plans, and put forth such efforts, as will accomplish the greatest possible results in this direction during the coming summer. Have not we as individual members opportunities within our reach which, if improved, would tell wonderfully for the advancement of present truth? The following Committee on Resolutions was appointed by the chair: Wm. Ings, N. C. McClure, B. R. Nordyke, E. R. Jones, and J. H. Cook. The resolutions as adopted by the society at this session are as follows:— WHEREAS, The blessing of God has attended the working of the Tract Society the past year, and in the efforts against the recent move for Sunday laws and national religion, his providence was especially manifested in giving the workers favor with the people, and his hand has so shaped affairs as to give us still a time of peace in which to labor for perishing souls; therefore,
1. Resolved, That we humbly express to him our heart-felt gratitude for his favor, and praise him for his love.
WHEREAS, Those who are clamoring for national religion are not disheartened by their failure to secure the desired law, but are now diligently planning and preparing to enter the struggle with increased energy, and wisdom gained from experience; therefore,
2. Resolved, That we will not cease our efforts to get signers to petitions against religious legislation, but will, with earnestness and renewed zeal, labor to warn our fellow-men of the impending danger, and call their attention to the special message for this generation.
WHEREAS, The first object of the Tract Society is "the proper distribution of our tracts, pamphlets, and periodicals," and as the general interest in the subject of freedom of conscience in opposition to national religion, makes a good demand for the publications on religious liberty that are being rapidly issued from our presses; therefore,
3. Resolved, That we remind our brethren everywhere of their responsibility in this work of circulating these publications, and advise each local society to select discreet persons to canvass the various sections of its town or village, and in the cities, the various classes of business and professional men.
WHEREAS, The American Sentinel is well adapted to enlighten those who desire information on the subject of religious liberty; therefore,
4. Resolved, That we will continue its circulation until it has been placed in the homes of all who will receive it, within the limits of our Conference.
5. Resolved, That we request the editors of the American Sentinel to prepare a tract setting forth the aims and present workings of the National Reform party, to be used in connection with the petition canvass.
WHEREAS, We deem it not only a duty, but a privilege, to share in the support of the work in foreign lands; therefore,
6. Resolved, That we invite all who wish to assist by their means, to secure boxes for the first-day offerings, in which to deposit their weekly donations for the foreign work.
7. Resolved, That we recommend the appointment in each church society, of one or more persons to act as a committee for the study of foreign missions, and to present in the meetings of the society such information on the subject of missions, fields, peoples, and methods as are of general interest; and also to encourage the maintenance of the first-day offerings. Under the first resolution encouraging reports were made by the directors of their respective districts, also by others who have been connected more or less with the workings of the Tract Society. The new pamphlet by A. T. Jones, entitled, "Civil Government and Religion," was recommended for general circulation. It was spoken of as one of the most powerful agencies for awakening an interest and enlightening the people as to the relation that should exist between Church and State. Attention was called to the work by the reading of extracts, showing the force and clearness with which points are made, and the dire results that follow religious legislation. Pertinent remarks are made by various ones present, showing the urgent necessity, both of pressing the petition work during the summer, and of giving the National Reform literature a wide circulation. Some time was devoted to the interests of foreign missions. Works on the lives of missionaries and of the mission fields and modes of labor were presented in the meeting; these and other literature of like character were recommended for family reading. The more we study the peoples and customs of other lands the better we are enabled to meet the wants of mankind. It was recommended that in each church a foreign mission agency or committee be appointed, whose duty it should be to inform themselves in regard to the foreign fields, and be prepared to present from time to time in the meetings, as opportunity offers, such facts as would tend to awaken an interest and keep the society informed in reference to this branch of the work. C. L. Taylor, director of District 3, who is so situated as to be unable to devote the necessary time to this work, tendered his resignation, and John Biter, on account of sickness, resigned his office as director of District 4. W. N. Glenn was elected to fill the vacancy in District 3, and Frank Brown that in District 4. The meeting was adjourned sine die.
W. C. WHITE, Pres.
ANNA L. INGLES, Sec. "BLESSED are the pure in heart." RIVERA, LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CAL.
By E. A. Briggs
I HAVE been holding meetings for a month at this place in a hired hall, and the people of the neighborhood have given a fair hearing to the discourses delivered. A well-known minister from a neighboring city was called to Rivera to vindicate the religious observance of Sunday. But after we had made a public interchange of facts and arguments on the Sabbath question, it was found that seven adult persons were resolved hereafter to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. These individuals will attend the Norwalk church, which is but a short distance from here; and last Sabbath the Norwalk brethren were rejoiced to see three persons baptized into their church. The Adventists of this district are waking up to the importance of the canvassing work. Seven of them have recently started in this good labor, some of whom are selling twelve thousand pages of our religious books per week. May the Lord bless all branches of his work. My post-office address hereafter will be, Santa Barbara City, Santa Barbara County, California.