Earlier text: The MillenniumThe Seventh-day Baptists.
By Uriah Smith
UNDER the caption, Visit to Alfred Center, N. Y., Elder Uriah Smith, reports his visit to the S. D. Baptist General Conference as follows:— In company with Bro. Canright we left the Flint, Mich., camp-ground, Sept. 21, to look after some matters which called for our presence together in Western New York. Bro. C. being the regularly appointed delegate from our General Conference to the S. D. Baptist General Conference, as the alternate of Bro. White, who found it impossible to attend to this appointment and meet other imperative obligations, we had the pleasure of accompanying Bro. C. to this Conference, which was held in Alfred Center, N. Y., Sept. 22–26. In this sketch we shall speak simply of our observations and impressions as a visitor, leaving Bro. Canright to make such report as his position as delegate may require. This being our first visit to Alfred Center, we cannot forbear saying a word about the place. Nestled high among the hills of Allegany Co. the situation is romantic, and to one like ourself, reared in New Hampshire, with a love of its mountains, hills, and valleys, born and bred within us, it is very pleasant and beautiful. The real estate, not only of the village, but of nearly if not quite the entire township and adjoining neighborhoods, is in the hands of S. D. Baptists. For thirty-seven years no liquor has been sold in the place. No billiard tables, saloons, low places of resort, or other disreputable attractions, here present themselves to the young. This fact, in connection with the quiet and retirement here to be found, renders the place peculiarly well fitted for the location of Alfred University, the leading school among the S. D. Baptists, which has so long been in successful operation here. The buildings of the University consist of a three-story brick building with basement capable of accommodating eighty students or more with rooms and board, a separate building for the primary department, a building erected and fitted up for a gymnasium, an observatory, and the chapel building containing lecture room, recitation rooms, reading room, and library, and rooms for the literary societies. They are about erecting another building, a Memorial Hall, in honor of President Kenyon, the founder of this institution, to be in the form of a Greek cross, sixty-six feet each way, three stories in hight. If carried out according to the plans and specifications, this will add greatly to the facilities of the University, and be a noble ornament to the University grounds, and to the place. Ground is already broken for this building, and subscriptions for it were freely taken at this Conference. The present attendance is a little over two hundred. At the solicitation of Eld. N. V. Hull, the delegate to our late General Conference, we made it our home with him. Here we shared the most ample and generous hospitality, and had the pleasure of sitting for a while in the editorial chair of the Sabbath Recorder. At this place we were happy to meet, for the first time, Eld. V. Hull, of Iowa, and others prominent among them, whom we have never before met, and to renew acquaintance with still others pleasantly begun at their Conference in Illinois four years ago. The attendance by delegate at this Conference was quite full, the meeting being as large as any ever held by them, and larger than any other but one. Their house of worship, fifty-five by eighty, is capable of comfortably seating a thousand persons. This was filled to its utmost capacity on the Sabbath, and there being more present than could possibly gain admittance, another meeting was held in the University chapel. Twelve hundred persons in all were present. Eld. A. H. Lewis presided over the business sessions of the Conference. The questions that arose were often complicated, and the duties of his office trying and arduous. But he discharged them all with marked ability and success. In connection with the Conference the usual meetings of the Missionary Society, the Tract Society, and the Educational Society, were held. Many interesting items pertaining to their operations might be given had we space. We were happy to note quite an active element of opposition to the practice of tobacco-using. One of their leading ministers subscribed $10 to one of their denominational enterprises to keep it from the hands of his boys, he said, who by some unhallowed influences had been seduced into the evil practice of using tobacco. Another item of interest to us was the presence of Eld. L. Andrews, now in his seventy-ninth year, who was the pastor of the church to which Wm. Miller belonged while engaged in the study of the prophecies and commencing the great movement in reference to the second advent of Christ. Eld. A. was therefore conversant with the arguments on the question at that time, and is still very naturally interested in subjects of a prophetic nature. He stated before the Conference his belief that the prophetic periods had ended, and that the 1335 days, terminating about 1844, marked the era of the great awakening on the Sabbath question of the past thirty years. While our S. D. Baptist brethren believe we hold some unwarrantable and perhaps dangerous views, we think we discovered at this meeting the evil tendency of one of the cardinal doctrines of their religious creed, on this wise: An essay was presented on the subject of the state of the dead. In defending the common view of the state of man in death, the essayist in conclusion denied the doctrine of the literal resurrection of the body. We were glad to hear a vigorous protest against such a view in the subsequent discussion of the essay, but we could not help querying why it was not a natural and legitimate conclusion from the position taken in the first part of his essay, which he held in common with most of his brethren. For, if the soul is immortal, and capable of a higher and more intensified being after the death of the body than before, what need is there of the resurrection of the body, and what consistency in that doctrine? The doctrine of the immortality of the soul destroys the doctrine of the resurrection of the body by rendering such an event unnecessary and therefore unscriptural. And the necessity of the resurrection of the body once established the immortality of the soul is disproved; for Paul expressly states that there is no other avenue to the future life except through the resurrection of the body. 1 Cor. 15. The subject is destined to be still further agitated, and we shall be sorry to see that principle of interpretation which would lead to a denial of the resurrection of the body find any countenance among them. By invitation, Eld. Canright spoke to a full house on Thursday evening taking, for his subject the scriptural relation of Faith and Works. He was subsequently requested by vote of the Conference to write it out for publication in the Sabbath Recorder. On Sunday, when the subject of future labors was under consideration, a good deal of enthusiasm was manifested in devising ways and means for the prosecution of their work. Bro. Canright was called out on the subject of tent labor, to explain the method of tent operation and its advantages, which he did quite fully. They have come to look upon this kind of labor with such favor that they voted to procure a tent and put it into the field properly manned next season. May much success attend them in this step. We were made very welcome while among them. The expressions of confidence and friendship could scarcely have been more cordial. We do not say that this is the feeling of all, some evidence to the contrary appearing on the part of a few. But we think we can safely say that generally the feeling on the part of that body toward S. D. Adventists is friendly—a feeling which our people everywhere, as a matter of courtesy and duty, would do well in all proper ways to reciprocate. The next S. D. Baptist General Conference is appointed to be held with the church in Walworth, Wis., commencing fourth day preceding the last Sabbath in September, 1876. Eld. Whitford, President of Milton, Wis., College is appointed their delegate to our next General Conference. DEAR BRETHREN : You know that there is no calling so sacred, so high, and so infinitely responsible as that of professed ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. They take upon their hands the eternal destiny of many souls for weal or woe. God will require these souls or their blood at our hands. How important, then, for others and ourselves, that we stand in the counsel of God. Says the Lord, "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest not the warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." Eze. 3 : 18, 19. Among those who will receive the severest punishment at the Judgment will be unfaithful ministers. This the Bible everywhere teaches. No class are in greater danger of perdition than ministers themselves. Their profession is higher; their responsibility is greater; the people look to them for instruction and example. While we are "subject to like passions" as other men, we cannot disguise the truth that there is often a strong temptation presented to the minister to seek to please his people and to gain the sympathy and applause of his congregation, to lower the standard for those whom he would not otherwise win, and to court the favor of the world to build up his church. Again, we are in danger of being satisfied with the reforms which our fathers wrought, without carrying forward a work which is crossing to our feelings. Jesus said, "Every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasures things new and old." God's word of truth, especially the prophetic portion, is progressive in its development, and we must advance with it or be left in darkness. All past ages afford us warnings in these respects. When a reform is needed God, in his providence, unfolds new light on the Scriptures. And in the times of all past reforms there have been found ministers who sought their own glory instead of the glory of God, who opposed the reforms and turned away the people from the truth. So it was in the days of Christ, of Luther, and of Wesley. Human nature and the allurements of the world and of worldly influences are ever the same. Let us heed the warning thus given us in the Bible and in history, and not follow the example of those who lamented the blindness of their fathers who stoned the prophets, and yet themselves condemned the chief of the prophets to a like fate. We condemn ourselves in applauding the reformers of past ages if we do not carry out in our lives the spirit of reform for this age. Who Hath Believed Our Report?
THIS was the question of the prophet, as he saw the disposition of the people to reject the counsel of God. When they who were bidden to the supper began to make excuse, each offered a reason which was satisfactory to his own mind,—but not to the mind of the king. No excuse is admissible when God calls. When Jesus and his disciples taught, although they preached just what the Scriptures foretold, their word was rejected because the people thought they had enough truth. So it was in the days of Luther; so in the days of Wesley. He who teaches in harmony with the popular feeling cannot be a reformer. A true reformer must, in the very nature of things, take an unpopular position. Friend, do not neglect or refuse a matter because it is unpopular: because the proud and the worldly treat it with scorn. It may be the message of God to you. "For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." 1 Cor. 1:26. The apostle Paul says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thes. 5 : 21. The first injunction is necessary, in order to fulfill the second. For the only way to determine whether a matter is good is to prove it. Prejudice condemns or accepts without a hearing. Solomon says: "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is even a folly and a shame unto him." Prov. 18 : 13. Our appeal is to the reason and the judgment. The Scriptures are our rule of evidence. A MAN who had for years carried an old and cherished watch about him, one day called on its maker, and told him it was no longer useful, for it would no longer keep time correctly. "Let me examine it," said the maker; and, taking a powerful glass, he looked carefully and steadily into the works, till he spied one little grain of sand. "I have it," he said; "I can get over your difficulty." About this moment, by some powerful but unseen power, the little grain, suspecting what was coming, cried out: "Let me alone. I am but a small thing, and take up so little room I cannot possibly injure the watch. Twenty or thirty of us might do harm, but I cannot, so let me alone." The watchmaker replied: "You must come out, for you spoil my work, and all the more so that you are so small, and but a few people can see you." Thus it is in the home. One cross feeling, one hasty word, one angry look, may mar and hinder the running of the perfect machinery. We may go alone, and with God set again the time-piece; but if we do not trust in his keeping power, how soon the old enemy is on hand to thrust in again the little grain which will impair the works and hinder the wheels, and present a false face to all who are around! Let us then look to our Saviour as one who is able to "keep us from falling," and trust him as the God who will deliver in the temptation and keep the home watch running perfectly. Some interesting facts concerning the extravagance of rich Americans are given by a writer who takes New York as his field of research. He states that there are ten thousand New York ladies whose costumes, when in full dress, cost at least $1,000 each. Fifteen years ago the same number of fashionable ladies would have appeared adorned quite as attractively at an average expense of $250. Ten thousand children under ten years of age are elaborately arrayed at an expense of from $100 to $150 each, while the children of wealthy citizens fifteen years ago were simply, but appropriately attired at an expense of $20 to $25. And it is painful to reflect that in consequence of this lavish expenditure upon a class that never earned a dollar, there are other tens of thousands without employment and suffering for fuel, food, and raiment. We accept the Bible as a revelation from Heaven. What God has revealed in that book, let no man call a mystery, or a secret of the Almighty. The Bible dwells upon essentials. When the Lord in his word gave his people a rule of faith and practice, he carefully left the non-essentials all out. CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.
By James White
With this number closes the first volume of the SIGNS. The first number was issued June 4, 1874. The volume of forty-eight numbers covers seventeen months, in consequence of the paper having been issued only once in two weeks for a considerable part of the time. In many respects the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has been an excellent paper; but under the circumstances, having been called from the Office to attend Eastern Camp-meetings, and subjected to the embarrassments, cares, and perplexities of establishing the Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association when at the Office, we have not been able to make the paper all that we intended, and what it must be in the future. It has accomplished great good, the full sum of which cannot be known until the day of final decisions and rewards. It was before the change in postal arrangements that the proposition was made to give fifty-two numbers of the SIGNS for the small sum of $2.00 a year. And when the change was made requiring the pre-payment of postage on periodicals it was thought the better course to reduce the number of copies in the volume, than to charge an extra sum for postage. In fact, we are rather pleased with this item of postal law which offers a good excuse for cutting the volume short, to give editors and printers a chance to breathe once a quarter, to go to camp-meeting, and otherwise enjoy something of the outside world as well as other good people. PRESENT CONDITION OF THINGS.
The report of the Pacific Mission given on another page, shows the financial condition of our young Publishing Association, and of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It states the sacrifices made by those connected with this work, and shows that they deserve the sympathy, and must have the support of the friends of our general cause in order for the work to go forward. It is conceded that the action of our people in this State has been liberal in purchasing the site and putting up a fine building at the cost of $14,000, and that the action of our eastern people has been very charitable in raising $10,000 to furnish presses and material for a complete Office. One thing more, with the blessing of God, and only one is now needed, that all the friends of the cause East, West, North, and South, unite in giving the SIGNS OF THE TIMES their cheerful and hearty support until the cause on this coast shall grow, and patrons shall be gathered to make the paper self-sustaining on this coast. This accomplished, it will then be time to plant a third office of publication on the Atlantic. TERMS OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
The regular price for the SIGNS one year, embracing a volume of forty-eight numbers, postage paid, will be $3.00. Those who wish to send it to their friends can have it, postage paid, at half price. Tract and Missionary Societies can also be furnished with our paper for half the regular price. We are in want of cash. Those who are able and liberal are invited to donate to make up arrears. We send out large quantities of the present issue and of the previous one, to officers of the T. and M. societies, and to others, to inform them of the debt on the SIGNS, and of our future plans. We ask for immediate action on the part of all our friends, and the co-operation of the T. and M. societies. On the very start we designed that our paper should be a pioneer sheet, adapted to new fields, to go in our country and in others, wherever the English language is read. The Review and Herald is our church paper. And while we recommend its circulation as such on the Pacific Coast, we do urge that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, being more adapted to the household, and containing general religious and secular news as well as the doctrines of our people, should share the patronage of our eastern people, and of all our Tract and Missionary Societies. Great care will be taken to make our paper such as can be recommended everywhere as a family religious and news periodical. In the next volume we shall commence sketches of life incidents since our connection with the cause, and other matter of deep interest to our people and the reading public. Those who wish to commence themselves, and for their friends, with the volume should lose no time in responding to our call for a large list of subscribers. The very time to help is when help is most needed. We wait in hope for thousands of prompt responses. J. W. The Great Work.
By James White
THE position taken by S. D. Adventists, that the present is the period for the closing warning to the world, shows a great work to be done in the brief future. And evidences multiply from all parts of the world-wide harvest field that God's hand has been set to the accomplishment of this vast work. We wish now to speak more particularly of the cause in Europe. One mail before that which brought Eld. Andrews's report in this week's SIGNS of the discovery by Eld. Ertzenberger of more Christian Sabbath-keepers in Prussia, brought a letter from Eld. H. W. Decker of Wisconsin stating that he and Bro. Bartholph of that State had visited a company of Prussian Sabbath-keepers in the city of Milwaukee who believe in the soon coming of Christ, and have given up tobacco and have a leader, not long since from Prussia, who is a good speaker. They receive a monthly magazine from Eastern Prussia published in defense of the Bible Sabbath. Their leader says that there is quite a large company of Christians in that part of Prussia who observe the Sabbath of the Lord. The very next mail brought us the statements from Eld. Andrews that Eld. Ertzenberger had found another company of Christian Sabbath-keepers in Prussia, and that they had received the light from still another body in Eastern Prussia. Without doubt Eld. Andrews and Eld. Decker both speak of the same body in Eastern Prussia. Three bodies of Christian Sabbath-keepers have been found in Prussia: first, the two score or more first found by Eld. Ertzenberger; second, the eight souls recently visited by Eld. Ertzenberger; and, third, those in Eastern Prussia referred to by Elders Andrews and Decker. And it is quite evident that the first and the third did not know that each other existed, from the fact that Eld. Andrews learned nothing of the third nor of their magazine, when with the first in Prussia. And now we wish to mention the remarkable agreement of these three companies on four important particulars, both among themselves and also with the Seventh-day Adventists in America: first, the Bible Sabbath; secondly, the near second coming of Christ; thirdly, Christian baptism by immersion only; and, fourthly, Christian temperance that excludes the use of tobacco. And what makes this agreement really wonderful is that the two larger companies knew nothing of each other, and none of those in Prussia, nor the company in Milwaukee, Wis., had any knowledge whatever that there was such a body on the globe as the Seventh-day Adventists. We look upon our own existence as the wonderful work of God as we follow the car of Providence down the track of Prophecy in the messages of Rev. 14:6-12. But what seems still more wonderful in the existence of these Prussian Sabbath-keepers is their agreement with themselves and with us on the four points named, while having no knowledge of each other, or of our people. This can be accounted for in no other way than that God by his word and Spirit has moved directly upon the hearts of these Prussians, and has put in their minds and written upon their hearts the very truths for this time which he was moving out men to preach and to publish in America. And be it understood that these Prussian Seventh-day Adventists do not trace their existence back to past centuries; but their conversion has been in the period of the third message, since 1844 when the temple of God was opened in Heaven Rev. 11:19, at the close of the 2,300 days of Dan. 8. and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament. How wonderful is the work of God? As we view this work in the light of the revelation and providence of the great God we are led to repeat the words of Eld. Andrews, "God has gone out before us. It is most certainly a call to us to follow." In answer to Eld. Andrews's inquiry, "What shall be done for Germany?" we answer, Let the light shine in Germany, to which thousands of Seventh-day Adventists in America will respond, Amen. The time has come for action. A thousand pages of our best tracts and pamphlets should be translated and printed in the German language before New Years. Urgent calls for our smaller works in German to circulate in our own country have been growing more urgent for the last fifteen years. And now the call comes over from Europe. Our people are ready to contribute to any amount needed to meet the expense. Elder Smith, Prof. Brownsberger, and Doctor Kellogg, who stand at the head of the work at Battle Creek, should at once provide for the accomplishment of this. Small editions should be hastened through the press for immediate use. If we wait to secure that degree of perfection we may desire, we may incur the displeasure of Him who requires the best we can do now, to be improved upon as we have opportunity. And may God make Eld. Ertzenberger a blessing to the German people, and may he raise up others who, with the aid of our publications in their language, shall let the light shine in Germany. This brother had a free ticket at our table and in our home during nine months when he was in America, and we feel that we have some claims on him as interpreter for the French and German, should God send us to Europe. It is evident that Eld. Andrews needs the help of some one who can speak and write in French, and assist him in translating and publishing. And as Eld. D. T. Bourdeau has had his mind greatly exercised in reference to a mission to France, it may be the will of God that Eld. B. should join Eld. A. in the work in Europe. Especially for those who read and speak the French language Eld. B.'s labors are needed in this country where he has labored ardently and successfully, both with the Americans and the French. But God may have a still more successful field of labor for him among the crowded masses of the kingdoms of Europe to whom he could speak in his mother tongue. We can only suggest, and pray the Lord to direct. There is nearly $3,000 in the missionary treasury at the disposal of the General Conference Committee. Eld. Andrews is one of that committee. We need not state that when he needs means for his own personal wants, or to publish he has only to send his orders to Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., and the required sums will be immediately forwarded. We make this statement for the benefit of those in limited circumstances who have had their sympathies greatly moved by Bro. A.'s frequent allusions to means in his reports. Before the treasury shall be emptied a thousand liberal and able friends of the cause will of their abundance cast in more. God speed the cause in Europe.
J. W. The Ohio Camp-Meeting.
By Uriah Smith
In company with Bro. Canright, we reached the Ohio Camp-ground, Thursday, Sept. 20, in the forenoon. We found that the brethren had been quite tardy in coming together. Scarcely a sufficient number were present to hold a meeting in the afternoon. A few more came in by evening. But the first day was measurably lost on account of the absence of so many of the brethren and sisters on that day. In addition to this, the weather was quite cold and wet; and altogether the prospect seemed quite unpropitious. The attendance was quite small. There were only fifteen tents up, against thirty last year; and there were about one hundred and seventy-five brethren and sisters in all at the meeting. Some of the many who staid away may now say, "Well, I am glad I didn't go." But do not be too fast. We believe you lost much by not being present, and we know from their own testimony that most of those who were there felt well paid, before the meeting was through, for the time and expense of attending. If we may judge from the directions of the Lord to his people anciently, in regard to appearing before him three times a year, these gatherings must be in accordance with his will; and in the present condition of our cause, while so little preaching can be done among the churches, it seems to be almost a matter of absolute necessity that as many as possible should meet together at least once a year to have the benefit of the labors of the preachers for a brief space, and to quicken and revive their own interest in the work by the presence and good words of each other. As the meeting progressed the interest increased, and before the close we found many as warm and zealous friends of the cause as we have anywhere met. The great pillars of our faith are the pillars of truth itself; and whenever the brethren together review the grounds of our belief it results in firmer convictions and stronger confidence than ever of the truthfulness of our position. These things are so; and insensible indeed must be that heart which cannot be made to feel the force of them. Between twelve and fifteen hundred were out upon Sunday, who gave good attention to what they heard. On Monday a meeting of great interest occurred, beginning at half past eight in the morning and continuing till noon. After very impressive and stirring remarks by Bro. Canright, a call was made for those who wished to start in the service of the Lord to come to the front. Deep feeling was upon the congregation. They came pressing forward with the deepest emotion. Between fifty and sixty made a move in this direction. But while so many yielded, others, alas! though powerfully convicted, suffered the gracious opportunity to pass unimproved. A good proportion of those who came forward were starting for the first time to be Christians, and some to commence the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord. As they bore their testimony, twenty-seven expressed a desire for baptism. These candidates were examined, and in the afternoon a few brethren accompanied the candidates and Bro. St. John, who was to administer the ordinance, to the Maumee River nine miles distant, while the rest remained to attend to Conference, and Tract and Missionary Society business. The baptism was reported to be a blessed season. The business sessions passed off pleasantly and harmoniously, and the action taken was such as to cause the brethren to feel very hopeful for the cause in Ohio for the coming year. It is expected that Elds. H. A. St. John and T. J. Butler will be permanent laborers in the State at least till another Conference, and many hopes are entertained and prayers go up for abundant success to attend their labors. In this State as in others the necessity was seen of more promptness and system on the part of ministers, church clerks, and S. B. treasurers in keeping their records and accounts, and quite lengthy remarks were drawn out upon these points which we expect will not be without their results. There is more importance attached to these matters than many seem to be aware of. A minister may go to a church and preach like an angel, and stir the whole community, and the church be greatly strengthened and revived; but if there is not accuracy and promptness thereafter in those who are to look after its spiritual, temporal, and financial interests, that church will soon be like a garden overrun with weeds. Its life will be choked out, and spiritual decay will follow. An air of new life would spread over some of our Conferences, if the minor officers in all the churches would awake to do their whole duty. The brethren at this meeting were not unmindful of the financial wants of the cause. Pledges were given for eighty-two shares in the Pacific Publishing Association, and, besides these, we transacted business for the offices of the SIGNS and Review to the amount of over $1,000. The Lord blessed and set the seal of his approbation to the meeting, and we think we risk nothing in the assertion that those who attended have gone to their homes thankful that the meeting was held, and that they were present to enjoy it. U. S.