THE sun of mercy is setting. Probationary time will soon be no more. If we desire to work for God we must do it now; for the night cometh when no man can work. It may be night before we think. The thread of life is brittle. Our existence is uncertain. The gates of death are wide open. Every hour of time carries three thousand six hundred souls into the prison-house of death. It would be no wonder if the angel of death should knock at our door next.
Wonderful things transpire around us in nature, among the kingdoms and nations in the world, and among the people of God. The prophetic chains are coming to an end, link after link. The signs of the time give light to believers. The warning voice of God sounds with great solemnity. The last message of mercy exhorts us to be in earnest and to work with great diligence. Christians have slept long enough on the enchanted ground.
The sun of mercy is sinking fast. The night of sorrows is coming swiftly. The lukewarm must soon be spewed out of the mouth of Jesus. Awake, thou that sleepest! If you intend to serve Jesus, serve him now. If you want to bear the cross with Jesus, bear it now. If you desire to crucify the old man—to overcome evil passions and habits—do it now. Do not delay. Take hold of this matter in earnest. Be honest with yourself and before God, lest you find yourself on the left side at last and hear the terrible words addressed to you: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire!”
Satan is often moderate, when it serves his purpose. He does not demand the whole heart, but only a small corner—a small place for a small throne. His request does not look unreasonable. Perhaps you do also retain a little sympathy for him from former days on account of old acquaintance. How long shall this continue? You play a dangerous game. You are in constant danger of losing the crown of glory.
Are you ready for the coming of Christ? Answer to your own satisfaction before God. Answer yes or no. If you are not ready, how long will you wait before you wash your robe in the blood of the Lamb and cleanse your character from the stains of sin? How long will you wait before you obtain heavenly grace enough to make the flame of love burn brightly in your heart? How long before your lamp shall be trimmed and burning, well filled with oil, so that you can meet the coming Bridegroom with joy? Alas, how sad, if the lamp goes out. Where is then the fruit of your prayers and sacrifices and confessions, when you find yourself sinking in the terrible waves of the lake of fire?
Do you say that you can do no more than you do? Consider this point well. Your Saviour has told you to resist unto blood. Do you remember what he has done for you? Behold his sacred head, crowned with thorns, bowed down in the last death-struggle under the burden of your sins. Behold the Lamb of God, that beareth the sin of the world. Do you hear his last cry of agony, “My God, my God! why hast thou forsaken me?” Was your Saviour in earnest? Do you think he struggled hard for you? Then you can also struggle for him.
Consider how hard you can work and how much you can suffer for your worldly interests. Are you as diligent in spiritual things? Are you more interested in preparing to meet your God than in any earthly affair? Then you can also struggle. Then you can pray. And how earnest your prayers will be. They will enter into the sanctuary and bring down rich blessings. Then you will not rest until rays of heavenly light illuminate your heart. The heavenly flame of love will be kindled within, and your soul will long for the blissful home, the eternal rest in the kingdom of Heaven, the angelic society around the throne of Jesus, where the pure in heart shall see God.
Then you can suffer with Jesus, when the heart is warm with his wonderful love. Then you can overcome sin, deny self, and work for the glory of God and the salvation of precious souls.
Dear reader, the sun of mercy is setting. If you intend to work for Jesus, do it now. Soon it will be too late. And may the Lord preserve your whole spirit and soul and body blameless unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. JOHN G. MATTESON.
No Time.
By R. F. Cottrell
No time for what? There is time to labor for wealth; time to talk of buying and selling, to note the market and look for the best chances; time to seek for pleasure; time to read fiction and folly. But no time to read the Bible and books written in harmony therewith, designed to instruct, exhort, and encourage those who would find the way to eternal life; no time to read the prophecies, and, seeing their fulfillment, note the signs of the times; no time to learn and practice what God requires, in order for a preparation to stand in the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
The times present are thrillingly interesting. The people are taking sides for or against the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. All over our country and the world individuals and families are returning to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, the seventh day, the only day ever enjoined by the word of God as the weekly Sabbath. Those who take time to read and meditate, and have a conscience, withal, to do what God requires, are taking sides with the blessed Bible, in the face of a careless and indifferent, a rebellious, proud, and gainsaying world. On the other hand, opposition is growing more fierce, bold and blasphemous. Ministers are roused to preach against the truth. Their positions are various, confused and antagonistic. Many not only blaspheme God’s Sabbath, but the whole moral law of ten commandments. One claims it is an insult to present such a law to a Christian for his obedience; another cries, Amen!
My friend, the people are taking sides for or against God. Which side will you take? You will be found on one side or the other. Take time to inform yourself on a question involving life and death. If you find no time to learn and do the will of God, you will lose the gift of eternal life. Take time before it is too late.
R. F. COTTRELL.
The Lord's Supper.
By Uriah Smith
In the Christian Record (Disciple) of October, 1875, we find this statement in answer to a correspondent:—
“The apostles and primitive Christians observed the supper on every first day of the week.”
It has become very common to hand out bare assertions with as much assurance as though they were the most self-evident propositions. We should be interested to see a little proof that the apostles observed the Lord’s supper on every first day of the week. U. S.
Two Great Errors.
By J. H. W.
1. It is an error to suppose that change is identical with progress. There is no progress without change, it is true, but yet change is not necessarily progress. Many make a mistake here. They point to the changes which have taken place in their lives, and call them the evidences of their progress. Were retrogression impossible they would be correct in their conclusion. But there is as clear a possibility of changing from bad to worse as from good to better. Indeed, close observation will show that the changes from bad to worse are far more frequent than from bad to good. Let every one see to it that he makes no changes in a wrong direction; that he does not sink with the world, or suffer himself to be drawn away with the error of the wicked; for the enemy has blinded many so as to make them believe they were progressing when they were sinking lower and lower.
As the consumptive has the highest hope of recovery when death draws near, and as a patient ceases to feel pain when mortification sets in, so in case of spiritual blindness, the deceived one is more self-complacent as his darkness and danger increase. This shows the great danger of mistakes in religion or morals. Sin both blinds and hardens. He who cannot tell the difference between downward change and progress will soon be unable to discover a difference between pardon and license, or to discern between gospel liberty and licentiousness. He is greatly to be pitied.
2. It is a mistake to think all noise is music. It is true, there can be no music without some noise, but noise is not necessarily music. Many seem to labor under this mistake, and as they think noise must be music, they take it for granted that where there is most noise there is most music. But discord is quite as possible as concord or harmony; and where there is discord, an increase of volume only makes the discord more apparent and disagreeable.
If we could not read we should of necessity have to take our texts of Scripture from some one who could read. Then if we undertook to quote them we should expect to make many mistakes; sometimes, perhaps, serious ones. And then the proper course to pursue would be to learn to read, and thus give Scripture correctly.
Some men have been so opposed to educated ministers that they would try to preach without being able to read their Bibles. And some, in like manner, have been prejudiced against singing by note, not knowing that it is impossible to sing a tune correctly without the notes. As no one is qualified to teach who has not first been taught, even so no one can properly lead who has not been led; and the most teachable spirit becomes the best teacher.
Elijah heard a great and strong wind, and beheld an earthquake, and a fire; but the Lord was not in these. Afterward he heard a still small voice, and the Lord was in this. So it often is in worship.—J. H. W., in Signs of the Times.
Saturday vs. Sunday.
By D. H. Lamson; E. R. Jones
In the East Saginaw (Mich.) Daily Courier, of a recent date, appeared the following, which speaks for itself:—
“EDITOR COURIER: In your issue of Saturday last we find the following:—
“‘An Advent speaker, now stopping at Flint, offers $500 to any man who can prove that Saturday is not the day to be observed, and that Sunday should not be observed as a day of worship. Mr. B. S. Driggs, of this city, is now arranging to meet the gentleman on the proposition.’
“In order that your readers may be correctly and fully informed as to the nature of the proposition referred to in your notice, we beg leave to place it before them through the columns of your paper.
“We have caused to be posted through the city of Flint two hundred of the following bills:—
“‘Five hundred dollars reward at the tent, Sunday afternoon, June 27, 1875, or at any subsequent meeting, for one text of Scripture which says that Sunday, or the first day of the week, should be regarded as a weekly Sabbath, or that laboring on that day is a sin.
“‘Five hundred dollars reward for one text of Scripture which says that any other day than the seventh day, or Saturday, should be regarded as a weekly Sabbath.
“‘Five hundred dollars reward for one text of Scripture which says that all mankind are not under obligation to keep the ten commandments. TENT ELDERS.’
“Also the following: Tradition or the Bible, which? The Romanist’s rule of faith is the Bible and tradition. The Protestant rule of faith is the Bible alone. Tradition says Sunday is the Sabbath—the first day of the week. The Bible says the seventh day is the Sabbath. Which shall we follow, the Bible or tradition? Five thousand dollars reward to any person, minister or layman, who will furnish one passage from the Bible which says the first day of the week should be regarded as a weekly Sabbath.
“We are prepared on our part, or may soon be, without unreasonable delay, to fulfill the conditions of the above. It will be borne in mind that we do not call for an essay on the Sabbath question, or a lengthy discussion of it, but simply for the text of Scripture, and we assure your readers that the person who brings it shall be honored with the above rewards, be it B. S. Driggs or any other individual. We have waited now for twenty days, and no response; we are waiting still. We shall remain here probably for at least a month, and will promise that any communication will be properly acknowledged, or visitor courteously received. It is time that these Sunday usurpations should have a ventilation, and the reason known why the only Sabbath of the Bible, the seventh day of the week, is so constantly disregarded.
“D. H. LAMSON, } Tent
“E. R. JONES, } Elders.”
Patience.
By Jos. Clarke
For want of patience many a good man has fallen from his high estate of usefulness and become powerless for good. We “need not only to be patient, but to have the quality of patience,” some one has truly said. Little things disturb us very often as much or more than great ones; indeed, you sometimes see men who fret over little provocations bear great misfortunes most heroically.
Now if you have failed in patience, you must not sit down and give up, but arouse and betake yourself more vigorously than ever to the work. Begin with little things at home. Do not get provoked at the awkwardness of your horse, or be tried over the frailty of your child, or the hypocrisy of an eye-servant. Do not get vexed at the absence of tools from your shop, by reason of lending them a week or a month ago. Do not get tried because the children have left the gate open and the cows are in the garden; or because the neighbor's boys have stolen your early pears; or because the wind has blown down the fence, or unroofed the cow-shed.
You must be not only patient, but happy, when the grasshopper eats your corn, or when the beetle tops your potato field, or the frost kills your fruit buds. Your happiness must have a root in Heaven. Nothing can then blight it, except it be sin, which severs the root and blights the plant of true contentment.
Jos. CLARKE.
Frightful Plague in Fiji.
FURTHER information from Fiji conveys still darker accounts of the plague which has recently passed over the new colony. A resident of long standing, writing to a Victorian contemporary, says: “The death rate is not yet made up, but the probability is that 40,000 Fijians died during the four months’ plague. The native population of Fiji is now about one-third only of what it was when I landed here twenty-five years ago.” The accounts given of the magnitude of the disaster are less harrowing than those of the sufferings of the victims. “Very few died of the measles, the majority dying of subsequent disease in the form of dysentery, congestion of the lungs, etc. Want of nourishment or starvation carried off thousands.”
We are told that “all work was suspended for two months. You could pass through whole towns without meeting any one in the streets, which were soon completely covered with grass. Entering a house you would find men, women, and children, all lying down indiscriminately, some just attacked, some still in agony, and others dying. Some who were strong enough attempted suicide, and not always unsuccessfully.”
We are further told that “as the scourge became more permanent four or five were buried together in one grave, and generally without religious service. In some cases the dead were buried under the earthen floors of the houses; in others, just outside the house. The burials were hurried, and the probability is that some were buried alive. In many instances the husband, wife and children, all died. In one village all the women died, and in another all the men.”
It is interesting to read of the different mental effects produced by the torture of disease. It is not surprising to find that “some made fruitless appeals to their ancient god. Some inland tribes, who had only recently embraced Christianity, considered that the disease was conveyed by their religious teachers, and they dismissed them, and then abandoned their new religion. Among these, some were for killing the teacher’s wife and child, whose husband and father had died of the plague, to stop infection.” But while some in their distress fell back on their former superstitions, the greater number are said to have borne their calamity with fortitude, and to have suffered and died under the influence of Christianity.—Sidney (Australia) Herald.
To the Friends of the Cause in Wisconsin.
By O. A. Olsen
I would call your attention to the appointment for our general meeting, which is to be held at Hundred Mile Grove, commencing Thursday evening, Nov. 11, at 7 o’clock. This will be a meeting of much importance, and we speak for a large attendance. Let every director look over the wants of his district. Examine your supply of publications and see what you want in that line. We want to make a special effort in the line of missionary labor during the winter before us. The Lord has blessed efforts in the past, and now the providence of God is opening the way on every side. Let us move out, and improve every opportunity.
The business meeting of the T. & M. Society will be held on sixth day, Nov. 12, at 10 A. M. Let every director be on hand, ready for work.
O. A. OLSEN, Pres.
Communication from Bro. Ertzenberger.
By J. Ertzenberger
I still continue to lecture at Solingen, and I expect to continue at least during the next month. But as favorable as was the reception of the good news at first, so fierce an opposition does it meet now. The enemy is greatly stirred up. Many of the so-called Christians who were very friendly at first have ceased to attend the lectures, and are now very zealous to hold others back from them. Public prayers are offered for me, that God may open my eyes, that I may understand and see the great errors I teach. Persons coming from the ranks of the different denominations to hear the lectures are threatened with excommunication from their respective bodies if they attend any longer, and the pastors of the National church warn their hearers from the pulpit to the same effect.
Although many have left, quite a number of candid souls remain, and new ones are coming in to hear. The most of those who remain are in favor of the truths spoken. On comparing the Bible with the things they have heard in these lectures, they find them in accordance with it. Even this fierce opposition is to these persons a proof that this is the truth. And there are warm friends for the truth among them. They thank God, they say, that he sent one who teaches the Bible as it is. Abhorring the dead form of modern Christianity, they longed and prayed to hear once more God's holy word. And now they feast upon it. But will they obey it when the whole duty of man shall be set before them? I hope there will be a few among them who will not turn aside, but will follow the light. May the Lord help!
Besides lecturing, I try to labor in private also. In visiting from house to house, I meet very many of the so-called Christians, pastors not excepted. But sad as is the picture drawn by Eld. J. N. Andrews, and set before the readers of this good paper (see REVIEW, vol. 45, No. 26, p. 204, where he says, “The condition of the religious world is most alarming”), it well illustrates what I see and learn. And many times my heart is pained hearing these poor souls speak of their assurance of Heaven. Many do not wish to be troubled in this their fatal error. They prefer to ride quietly to Heaven, disregarding the conditions with which they should comply in order to receive eternal life. When aroused from their terrible mistake, they seek to quiet their troubled conscience again. Thus they sleep, and will sleep on till the hailstones of Jehovah's wrath shall sweep away every false hope.
It was a very serious error to suppose that man would be saved by works, as it was held before the great Reformation of Luther and others. It was an extreme into which man was led by the great adversary of the human race. He knew very well that they would not be saved thus. And, as they became aware of this, many tried to find the right doctrine. But the enemy, always ready to lead souls astray, brought the mass to believe the opposite extreme, that is, that man is saved by faith only, without obedience. Thus they go on, expecting to be saved at last, when in reality they walk the broad way, at the end of which is destruction. If the epistle to the Romans was applicable in the days of Paul, the letter of James is very needful now. May the Lord help! How great the privilege of knowing the truth! and what grace to be sanctified by it! I love it, and I prize it. It is the desire of my inmost soul to be prepared by it for the eternal kingdom. I thank God that it found me, and I praise him for the tokens of his mercy toward me. And although the battle is hard, my courage is good, and I thank the Lord for the good opportunity he has given me to redeem the time of past failures. And may I be led by God's Spirit. Pray for me.
Yours, with Christian love,
J. ERTZENBERGER.
Vohwinkel, near Elberfeld, Prussia, Sept. 29, 1875.
Southern Wisconsin.
By H. W. Decker
Since the Sparta Camp-meeting, I have been laboring in this part of the State. July 15, Bro. Tenny and myself pitched our tent at Cooksville. We were kindly received by the people; had good congregations, and but little opposition. Many were convinced that we have the truth, but few were willing to obey it. Eight or ten are keeping the Sabbath as the result of the meetings.
We moved the tent about three miles to Stebbinsville. The weather soon became so cold that we had to take the tent down. Bro. Tenny went home, and I continued the meetings in a school-house in the vicinity. Twelve decided to keep the Sabbath. They will have meetings every Sabbath at 11 o'clock A. M. at the Miller school-house, five miles west of Edgerton. The Cooksville brethren will unite with them, making a company of over twenty. After closing my labors here, I visited Milwaukee. Found a company of German Sabbath-keepers numbering fifteen. The most of these received the Sabbath through the efforts of Bro. Reiman, who has been keeping it over three years in Milwaukee. He is a man of considerable ability, and was converted from the Catholic faith through the efforts of a minister of Landsberg, East Prussia, who is publishing a monthly paper in the German language, advocating the seventh-day Sabbath and the soon-coming of the Lord. Bro. Reiman says there is a company of between twenty and thirty Sabbath-keepers at Landsberg, and that there are a number of other companies in different parts of Prussia and Germany.
I have just commenced a course of lectures at Indian Ford, Rock Co., which is my address at present. Meetings will be held every evening; Sundays at half past ten, and in the evening. Brethren in this vicinity are invited to attend.
H. W. DECKER.
Indian Ford, Oct. 20, 1875.
The Cause Among the French West and East.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I do not by any means regard the cause among the French in Wisconsin as hopeless. True, errors have been committed, but even these may be obviated if those who have erred will reform and continue to receive counsel. Last Sabbath, at the close of our good meeting in the hall in Green Bay, our Belgian brethren met at the house of Bro. Delienne, who embraced the truth under our labors about two years ago, and with whom we now lodge. After faithfully pointing out past errors and showing their blasting influence on the cause, and the difficulties connected with the work among the Belgians, we insisted on the necessity of individual effort in the great missionary work before us, and, as far as consistent, assigned to each believer a part to act in visiting families and praying with them where they are interested, and in reading the Bible and our French tracts to those who cannot read, etc. Thus our burdens are made lighter, and we expect that, as the result of patient and persevering effort on the part of our brethren, we shall see an ingathering of souls in this State such as has been seen in Illinois even during our absence.
Letters from French brethren in Illinois are most cheering. They report the addition of one France French family, who received their first favorable impressions in regard to our work at our closing season, of attending to the ordinances of the Lord's house before we left Illinois. They were melted to tears.
FRANCE.
Through the influence of our French brethren in Illinois, rays of light are penetrating into France. I have assisted these brethren in writing to their friends, especially in replying to a letter on the Sabbath question by a minister. This letter was called forth by the unrest of persons who had received letters and tracts from Illinois. Before me is a letter just received from a French brother of Kankakee, in which I find the following:—
“I have also received news from my sister in France. She thanks me for the interest I have for them, and says: ‘May God change our hearts and convert us. I feel that I am much farther from him than you are. You are doing the will of God. May God graciously aid us, and convert us. May he guide us and give us his Holy Spirit.’”
“But the minister has not answered our letter. He tells my sister to write that he is very well pleased with my seriousness and sincerity, and sends me his salutations. . . . I see that God is working in that country. I shall wait patiently for a definite answer from you, as to your accompanying me to France. I desire to see you before leaving; for I need counsel.”
While Bro. Olsen is out on a missionary trip, I shall close up a course of lectures in Dutch Creek, Fort Howard, and see what I can do in a French Roman Catholic community near a Catholic church. Pray that God may help me in this hard place, that I may wrench at least one soul from the mighty powers of darkness, to close the mouths of those who say: “Why don’t you convert Catholics?” I commence in this place to-night.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Fort Howard, Wis., Oct. 25, 1875.
Extracts from Letters.
SISTER ALMEDA THOMPSON, of Clinton Co., N. Y., writes:—
“I tried to serve the Lord for about three months while observing the first-day instead of the seventh, which I was fully convinced was the Sabbath; and need I tell you how unhappy I was, or how much like mockery it seemed when I tried to pray, or say a word for the Lord? Even now, it seems almost a wonder that the Lord did not cut me down for such hypocrisy. But I found that such religion as that was worse than none, and that the Sunday must be dropped, or all hope was vain; and oh, the struggle between life and death! between truth and error! I cannot picture it. I knew not what to do. It did not seem that I could keep the Sabbath all alone, but on the last Sabbath in March I resolved to venture out upon the truth, and by God’s grace I have kept it ever since. Many and grievous were the trials at first, and at one time my courage almost failed, but now it is only a delight, and I do praise God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe the time is just upon us when he that is holy will be holy still, and he that is filthy will so remain. O my brethren and sisters, let us awake and get out of the way of sinners around us.”
“I have been praying the Lord to send one of his ministers among us that could administer the ordinance of baptism. I wish you could send us a minister that would not fear to tell the people here the whole truth, as they have never heard it.”
E. M. Haskell writes as follows—
“I would like to say to my acquaintances of long ago, some of whom are still holding on to the truth, while some have grown weary of the way, that I still love the truth, and I am trying to press my way to the evergreen shore, where nothing shall fade or pass away. Oh, I long for that fadeless clime! When shall I be there? I am sick of this world’s rude strife. I am laboring for a home in that peaceful clime, where I shall meet all the faithful. Dear reader, may you and I be there.”
W. H. Wilber says:—
“Thanks be to the Lord, whose love and mercy endure forever, I am coming out of darkness into the light of day. Oh, the blessed promise of life eternal! what a hope to live for! It is worth all our efforts. We shall be forever free from sin and its consequences. May it be our happy lot to be of the number, when the glorious Saviour comes, to whom he will say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant;143. . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ Oh, that glorious day! It will surely come soon!”
Sister Martha E. Swanson writes from Iowa:—
“Three years ago I prayed for light, and my prayer has not been in vain. God has given me light. The love of the world kept me from the path of duty, so that it is only a year since I embraced the truths of the third angel’s message, but God has greatly blessed me during this year. The good meeting at Soldier Valley, Iowa, was a precious season to me, and I felt well paid for the sacrifices I made to attend it. I thank God for so much of his Spirit as I felt there.”
Sister Stenie Larkee writes from Wisconsin:—
“Through the REVIEW will I also tell what the Lord has done for me. He has kindly brought me from darkness into light. Oh! the happy change. One year ago I was a thoughtless, careless sinner; now I am striving to be a Christian, and to walk in the ways of the Lord. I began to keep the Sabbath last fall. I was convinced of the truth by Bro. Olds, who was then laboring at Medina. I pray that by the blessing of God he may turn many sinners to Christ.”
“After I began to keep the Sabbath, I carefully studied the Bible to find whether I had ever been baptized. By reading the Scriptures, I found that I had never been ‘buried with Christ by baptism.’ Then I prayed to God that he would guide me in the right path. I was baptized by Bro. Cady. Oh! the sweet solemn event! Pray for me, dear Christian friends, that I may grow in grace, and at last enter into the joy ‘that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard.’”
THE PILGRIM’S WANTS.
The familiar hymn, “Just as I Am,” by Charlotte Elliott, has endeared her name to all Christians. From her hitherto unpublished poems we take the following exquisite verses.—The Presbyterian.
I want that adorning divine
Thou only, my God, canst bestow;
I want in these beautiful garments to shine,
Which distinguish thy household below.
Col. 3 : 12, 17.
I want every moment to feel
That thy Spirit resides in my heart,
That his power is present to cleanse and to heal,
And newness of life to impart.
Rom. 8 : 11, 16.
I want, oh! I want to attain
Some likeness, my Saviour, to thee!
That longed-for resemblance once more to regain;
Thy comeliness put upon me!
1 John 3 : 2, 3.
I want to be marked for thine own,
Thy seal on my forehead to wear;
To receive that “new name” on the mystic white stone,
Which none but thyself can declare.
Rev. 2 : 17.
I want so in thee to abide
As to bring forth some fruit to thy praise;
The branch which thou prunest, though feeble and dried,
May languish, but never decays.
John 15 : 2, 5.
I want thine own hand to unbind
Each tie to terrestrial things,
Too tenderly cherished, too closely entwined,
Where my heart too tenaciously clings.
1 John 2 : 15.
I want by my aspect serene,
My actions and words, to declare
That my treasure is placed in a country unseen,
That my heart’s best affections are there.
Matt. 6 : 19, 21.
I want, as a traveler, to haste
Straight onward, nor pause in my way—
Nor forethought, nor anxious contrivance, to waste
On the tent only pitched for a day.
Heb. 13 : 5, 6.
I want—and this sums up my prayer—
To glorify thee till I die;
Then calmly to yield up my soul to thy care,
And breathe out in faith my last sigh.
Phil. 3 : 8, 9.
Tent Meetings in Nevada County Close for Winter
By R. M. Kilgore
On Monday, the 18th of October, we took down the tent and packed it for the winter. It had stood in Nevada over eight weeks, and while there we gave about seventy discourses. Though it has been extremely cold for the past three weeks, the interest seemed to demand that the tent should stand; for we had no other place to hold our meetings. As a result of this labor, about thirty have taken their stand with us, and have found the Lord more precious, and their hope brightened, through the light they have received. We have now secured possession of a vacated school-house. It contains two stories, each large enough to afford ample room for our future meetings, and which will be furnished in the future for a permanent meeting-house. This has been accomplished under peculiar circumstances, and through the kindness and liberality of Bro. McCoy.
A leader has been appointed here, and regular prayer and Sabbath meetings are established.
Just four months have elapsed since we pitched the tent in this county. At that time, we did not know of one who kept the commandments of God under the third angel’s message. There are now about fifty who are making efforts to prepare for the Judgment and the soon-coming Saviour, by embracing Christ through faith and by keeping the commandments. We have obtained over forty trial subscribers for the VOICE OF TRUTH; five full-paying subscribers for the Advent Tidende, and two for the Reformer.
To God be all the praise for his goodness. We shall return to this county to labor for the winter. R. M. KILGORE.
Progress of the Cause in Green Bay and Fort Howard, Wis.
By D. T. Bourdeau; O. A. Olsen
THERE are about twenty who have embraced the present truth in these places. These are divided among six nationalities as follows: Americans, seven; English, seven; French, three; German, one; Norwegian, one; Dane, one (a backslider who had given up the Sabbath). We look for more. Besides these, three Sabbath-keeping families in Green Bay, who were in a state of discouragement, have been greatly revived. Of this number is a Bro. Hall, a native of Vermont, who bids fair to be a great help to the cause in this section. With the few Danish and French brethren who live in the country, there are upwards of forty Sabbath-keepers who meet in our hall in Green Bay on the Sabbath.
The difficulties we have met in the French branch of the work have been a source of great perplexity and deep anxiety. Though the prospects seemed fair at first, we soon saw that our fears respecting the work among the Belgians here were not groundless; that the Belgian people, owing to their habits and the degrading influence of the papacy, were far behind the other classes of French; and that they must be reached by a much slower process than that by which the France French and the Canadian French are reached.
A people in this condition must be approached with the greatest caution on the health question; and extremes on this question, and dwelling injudiciously on the immortality theme, while the great burden ought to have been to win souls by a consistent life, have created much prejudice, and retarded the progress of the cause among this people.
We have had no public opposition from the French preachers; but some, while they have presented an exceedingly fair and friendly appearance, have hypocritically worked against us from house to house, and hindered the people from attending our meetings. We have done all we could in visiting, and have tried to leave a good influence behind us. As the way seems to be hedged up for labor among the French, we purpose, as soon as things are set in order here, to labor at another point among the Americans, where we have an urgent call. We shall long and watch for further openings among the French.
We have labored in sweet union, and have had great reasons for encouragement among the Americans, and hope that from these, and others who may embrace the truth, light may shine to the French.
D. T. BOURDEAU,
O. A. OLSEN.
Green Bay, Wis., Oct. 22, 1875.