Earlier text: THE MONUMENTSReports from the Field.
By Editor
(Condensed from Review and Herald.) South Stukely, P. Q.—Elder S. N. Haskell writes: "I was with Elder A. C. Bourdeau at this place June 8 and 9. About fifty brethren and sisters came together. These are principally the fruit of Brother Bourdeau's labors since he commenced his mission here two or three years ago. The brethren are about the same as in the United States, so far as this world's goods are concerned; but it is difficult for them to raise money on account of its scarcity and the low wages. A good degree of the Spirit of God was present in our meetings. Nearly all the brethren remained to our Monday meeting, which as usual, was the best of all. Our brethren returned home much encouraged. Hearts that had never yielded to the claims of God's law were touched and softened. It rained much of the time from Friday night till Sunday noon. This doubtless prevented many of those not of our people from attending who otherwise would have done so, yet a respectable number were in." Jamaica.—Elder Hutchins writes: "Our recent meetings in this place were a source of great encouragement to the church. We remained over two Sabbaths. Baptism was administered by Elder Sanborn, seven receiving this solemn rite, four of whom united with the Jamaica church. The last Sabbath we were here, our hearts were cheered by the presence and testimony of a brother and his companion who have become much interested in the truth. He had been reading works furnished him by Brother Howe, and the day previous had decided to keep the Sabbath." Francestown.—Brethren Wood and Buzzell report interesting meetings here. At date, June 10, four discourses had been given. The last evening nearly two hundred were in attendance. There was good order, and close attention was given. The people are very friendly, offering them accommodations and homes. South Harrisburgh.—Elders Wilbur and Bump write: "We came here with our tent, June 3, and held a meeting the next evening. seventy persons came out to hear the word of the Lord. Although this is a country place, we have never seen a better interest to hear, on the part of the people as a whole community, than there is here at the present time." Gadsden.—Elder Burrill reports June 4: The truth has been gaining friends here during the week just past. Fifteen or more have begun Sabbath observance, and others are interested notwithstanding the great efforts made by all denominations to keep the people away. We trust the Lord has a people here that will obey the third angel's message. Godlettsville.—At this place the interest is reported steadily increasing. Two discourses have been given on the subject of the Sabbath, with which some have been favorably impressed. Union Chapel.—Brother Soule reports meeting with the brethren near Union Chapel, June 1. Two united with the church, one was baptized, and one decided to keep the Sabbath. Carbondale.—Meetings here continue with interest. Brother Bliss writes, June 10, that about a dozen have accepted the Sabbath reform since Elder Colcord and himself came to labor here. Scandinavians.—The cause among the Scandinavians in this Conference is onward. There are now thirteen companies, twelve of which are fully organized into churches. These include over three hundred Sabbath-keepers, with a systematic benevolence fund of over one thousand dollars. Brother Hanson reports that from April 10 to May 12, he visited several of these churches. At Swan Lake, a neat and comfortable meeting-house, costing six hundred dollars, all paid for, was dedicated. Two joined the church, which now numbers fifty-four. At Sunny Side five were baptized and added to the church, and seven joined the tract society. Four were baptized and the ordinances celebrated at Spencer. June 3 to 10, he spent with the Swedish church at Village Creek, Alamakee county. The 11th inst arrived at Maquoketa, where he expects to commence meetings. In looking over a newspaper lately I saw a paragraph telling how a party of sixteen travelers in Russia were overtaken by the darkness; how, when some miles from the town to which they were bound, they heard that terrible sound which makes the blood of the bravest run cold, the baying of wolves; how in horror and affright they struck spurs into the sides of their panting steeds; how the hideous pursuers gained on them; how one after another fell a sacrifice; and how out of that gallant party of sixteen only one arrived at his destination. What a narrative, how ghastly, how thrilling! As I thought of the moments of concentrated suspense and horror experienced by these travelers, of the tragic termination, and of the grief and desolation of those with whom they were connected, my heart sank within me at the ravages of these merciless monsters. But though we are not living in the wilds of Russia, I shudder to think that we are exposed to a far more destructive enemy than the hungry wolf, but one who would not only attack its victim openly, but also approaches with stealthy, treacherous step and springs on them ere ever they are aware. And how many gay travelers in life's journey this enemy overcomes! Some years ago, in a small suburb of one of our most prosperous cities, one physician alone counted, among the circle of his own patients, thirteen ladies whose disease was drink. How many of that company of thirteen escaped the fangs of the destroyer I do not know, but I will give the history of one who came under my observation. When first Miss Martin came to our town she was a bright attractive girl. Her elder sister had married one of the doctors of the place, and she came on a visit to her, and as was right and fitting, her friends and she enjoyed themselves visiting places of interest. One day after viewing the sights of a neighboring city, and when waiting the time for a train to take them home, they stepped into one of those fashionable restaurants, with which our city abound, to rest and have a refreshment. As it was a hot day the sandwich was followed, at Dr. Black's suggestion, by a glass of wine. Chemists tell us of the affinity of certain substances. Dr. and Mrs. Black drank their glass of wine, and, as the saying is, felt neither up nor down after it. With Miss Martin it was different. She had never in all her life drank a whole glass of wine before, and something, I know not what or how, in her constitution answered to its suttle qualities, and she felt its exhilarating effects. A pleasing indescribable sensation came over her. Before she was worn out, and exhausted; now she felt light, vigorous and happy. And it is to constitutions of this kind that stimulants are an unspeakable temptation. Favoring circumstances, I grieve to say, were not wanting. Mrs. Black's callers were numerous, and wine and cake were regularly presented. They were asked to dinner and supper parties to get acquainted with the neighborhood, and at most of these also wine was abundant, and just because other people took it Miss Martin did so too. She thought the place delightful and the people exceedingly pleasant, and if in a forenoon she felt exhausted and nervous after a party, a glass of wine put her all right. No wonder that when she returned home, life seemed dull, flat and heavy. Of old she used to awake in the morning with a bright, cheery feeling, and begin to lay out her plan of work for the day. But things of an ordinary kind had no interest for her now. She became restless, her appetite failed, and she grew pale and thin. Her mother, anxious and alarmed, called in the doctor, whose verdict was, "A little out of sorts—trying season of the year—liver dull—a little stimulant set all to rights." Her father, good, confiding man, at once ordered in a dozen of port, which was to be administered to the patient twice a day. And so the spark was fanned and cherished which in due time was to become the raging conflagration in which health, comfort, the approval of conscience, the smile of friends, character, and life itself were to be engulfed. I have said Miss Martin was a very prepossessing girl, and, as was natural, she was admired by many; so in a little while, when on a second visit to her sister, no one was surprised when it was announced that she was to be married to one who stood high in the opinion of all, and was indeed a young man of great worth and excellence. It happened that winter that a young men's mutual improvement society was organized in our town, and a scientific association, and a total abstinence society. Now into the first two of these, Dr. Black and Mr. Bennet, his intended brother-in-law, entered readily, and were quite willing to attend meetings, and give readings and deliver lectures; but for the last: "Well really," they said, "it did seem a kind of insult to introduce the like of that among respectable people. No doubt there were many who should not drink, because they could not stop in time, and in such cases drink was a great curse; but with the like of them it was different." And when Mr. Bennet saw Miss Martin sipping her glass of wine, he thought, as of everything else about her, how graceful it seemed, and how well the action became her. It was but a few months after that the poor illusion was dispelled. Some gentlemen friends of Mr. Bennet's from a distance had come to spend the day with them, and a few neighbors had been asked to meet them at dinner. Mrs. Bennet had, like other young housekeepers, made great exertions for the entertainment of her guests. Who does not sympathize with her wish to do the honors of her house in a way worthy of the husband so devoted to her, and of whom she was so proud? Well all went off beautifully, and she had left her guests in the dining-room over their wine; but when seated by herself, with the excitement run down, a feeling of excessive fatigue and languor came over her. As on other occasions she at once thought of a glass of wine. This was just the very time it was needed, and so without further consideration, she drank one and another, and so on, till before she knew it, she was sleeping the sleep of a drunkard in her own elegant drawing-room. By-and-by the door was thrown open, and Mr. Bennet, in his usual cheery voice, said, "Here we are, Mary, all ready for your nice cup of coffee." But, alas! there was no answering greeting, nothing but an inarticulate sound from the prostrate figure on the rug. The company took in the situation but too well, and all retired as gracefully as possible, sorry to see Mrs. Bennet so poorly, etc. Mr. Bennet was bewildered. Of all the possibilities in life this was the last that could have occurred to him, and there he sat with that terrible, mysterious smile which you may have seen on the face of the strong man when shame and agony were gnawing at his heart. It would be tedious to record Mrs. Bennet's resolutions of amendment made and broken, to be again renewed and with the same result; or her husband's patience, so often abused, and still so ready to forgive. But the most long-suffering patience may be worn out at last, and it seemed to Mr. Bennet that the only chance was to send his wife—once his pride as well as joy—to one of those asylums for the drunkard called refugees. The arrangements were made, and the day she was to go fixed. I shall never forget that afternoon. The poor husband was utterly prostrated with grief and shame by an outbreak of his wife the day before, and as an old friend he requested me to accompany her, for he could not trust himself, and feared his resolutions would give way at the parting scene. She, poor creature, not only acquiesced in the plan, but earnestly besought her husband on her knees to help her to get free from the wretched slavery in which she lived. It is easy for people outside to speak, but I do think drunkards are often deeply to be pitied as well as much to be blamed. She had been for some months in this establishment when her husband, hoping against hope, removed to the city of which I have spoken, with the view of giving her the benefit of new scenes and new surroundings in her future life, and brought her home. How he congratulated himself, how his love and long-slumbering reverence revived, as day after day and week after week passed and still she stood the trial! Some time after this I was invited to the marriage of their only daughter. She was one of whom any mother might have been proud, and on whom her father doted. I had been greatly gratified at hearing of my friend's continued reformation, and when I arrived that summer evening and found the three sitting together on the lawn under a spreading tree, enjoying the sweetest hour of all the day, I thought the outward scene a fitting symbol of the inward peace, and caught myself whispering, "At evening time it shall be light." Looking back on the past it seemed as if we had awoke from a frightful nightmare, and were being reassured by the calm and peace of returning morning. Next day, as the wedding guests were strolling through the grounds after the marriage till lunch was announced, and everything seemed the embodiment of calmness and comfort, he would have been thought a hard-hearted prophet of evil who would have predicted the events of the following hours. I stepped aside and went into the house to see if I could give any assistance in the finishing of the arrangements. On looking into the dining-room what was my amazement to find the table furnished with a profusion of wines and even brandies! Thinking there must have been some strange mistake I hurried out and sought Mr. Bennet, to whom I told what I had seen, saying that his orders must surely have been misunderstood. He looked wonderingly at me. "Not at all," said he; "you do suppose I could let such an occasion as this pass without giving it all the honors." "Honors!" I thought some people had strange ideas about honors. I implored him to alter his arrangements even yet. "Thanks," said he, "for your kind interest; but pray don't trouble yourself, you will see all will go off well." And then in a lower tone, "Mary has promised me." With a sorrowful heart I turned away. The party had not been long in the dining-room when I saw Mrs. Bennet, who had hitherto been acting the part of hostess with all the ease and grace which in her early days had charmed so many, become suddenly pale and seemed to put a strong restraint upon herself. I felt deeply grieved when I saw those around her carelessly sipping their wine, ignorant of the fierce war they were kindling within her. At last she could stand it no longer, and it seemed as if a thunderbolt had fallen amongst us when suddenly she rose and seizing a bottle darted to the door. Mr. Bennet's face turned ashy pale, and when he attempted to rise his knees smote against each other, like the monarch of old when the handwriting on the wall announced his doom. When I got outside the door the poor woman looked round on me with a half-triumphant, half-scared expression, and the brandy bottle, as it turned out to be, was lying empty beside her. I helped her to the bed and the doctor was sent for, but no human power could save her, and as we watched her tossing to and fro, and wildly appealing for protection from the fiery serpents which she averred were swarming around her, I wondered if her husband did not ask himself if he had fulfilled that vow made long ago of loving, cherishing and protecting her when he exposed her to what was indeed supremest danger possible, the smell of what, to her, was deadly poison. At length the storm subsided, and wan and worn she lay on her pillow. Leaning over her, I heard in a low whisper the words, "They shall thirst no more." The pathos was inexpressible. These were her last words. No doubt there is pardon for the penitent drunkard as well as the penitent thief, even at the eleventh hour; but turning away from that death-bed I could not but say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." I have spoken of some of the outward incidents of Mrs. Bennet's history, but who shall imagine her inner life? Sure I am that the most exquisite tortures ever invented by cruel Turks fell very far short of those she inflicted on herself and her dearest friends. When bidding good-bye to the silent and mournful mansion, where all had but the other day seemed so bright and happy, I felt with new power and emphasis the force of the wise man's words, "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."—Scottish Temperance League. UNDER this head we shall consider as briefly as possible the comparative effects upon the human system of flesh and vegetable productions when used as food. While we think we have fully established that the best diet for man is of a vegetable character, we would by no means argue that life cannot be sustained by the use of animal food, either in connection with vegetables or when used exclusively. Indeed, we are willing to admit that by force of long habit man may become so accustomed to its use that he will feel a serious loss when deprived of it. This is sometimes urged as an argument in favor of its use; but it is plainly without logical force, for the same result follows the discontinuance191of tobacco, whisky, opium, arsenic, or any other substance to which the system has long been accustomed. Neither does the fact that many people have an appetite for meat prove anything in favor of such a diet. We claim, and history abundantly supports the statement, as we shall hereafter show, that whatever appetite man has for meat is acquired. And his capability to acquire such an appetite certainly does not establish his carnivorous nature, but only indicates that he is created with the capability of adapting himself to a great variety of circumstances when necessity requires. The same is equally true of other animals as well. The cat and dog have been trained to eat only vegetable food, and become so fond of this diet that they could scarcely be induced to partake of meat. On the other hand, horses, cows, sheep, and other herbivorous animals, have been known to become so fond of animal food as to greatly prefer beefsteak to the best corn or grass. The cattle of Nantucket have frequently been known when pressed by hunger during the winter season, to come down to the sea coast and dig up the frozen fish skins buried beneath the ice and snow, and devour them greedily. But this proves neither that the cat and dog are herbivorous or graminivorous, nor that the horse, cow, and sheep, are carnivorous. But it may be said that many people are not obliged to learn to relish flesh food, being born with an appetite for it; and hence, that the appetite must be natural. It would be equally just to claim that the appetite for alcohol and tobacco is natural, and hence the articles themselves harmless, because it is a well known fact that many boys inherit from their tobacco-using or drunken fathers so strong an appetite for those poisons that they are almost powerless to abstain from gratification. But no one will claim that in the latter case the inherited desire for rum and tobacco will protect the system from their baneful influence, or convert them into healthful, nutritious substances. So it is with animal food. Its use has been so prevalent for a long series of years that each individual born inherits an appetite for it along with other peculiarities and tendencies which are the well known results of heredity. It has also been urged that man, by reason of his superior intellect, is enabled to adapt himself to a flesh diet, while the lower animals are left wholly to the leadings of what is termed natural instinct, and so cannot change their dietetic habits at will. The same argument would make alcohol a good beverage for man, but poisonous to the horse, because the latter lacks the ingenuity to prepare the poison by the arts of fermentation and distillation. The absurdity of this method of reasoning is too apparent to need refutation. The evident truth is that the value of an article as food depends upon its adaptation to the wants of the being to be sustained, and not upon the imagination of the individual with reference to it. It is quite possible that the imagination may so affect the system as to interfere with the natural effects of a nutritious substance; but the most powerful effort of the imagination can never render wholesome an article in itself injurious. It is not wise to work constantly up to the highest rate of which we are capable. If the engineer, of the railroad were to keep the speed of his train up to the highest rate he could attain with his engine, it would soon be used up. If a horse is driven at the top of his speed for any length of time, he is ruined. It is well enough to try the power occasionally of a horse or an engine, by putting on all the motion they will bear, but not continuously. All machinists construct their machines so that there shall be a reserve force. If the power required is four-horse then they make a six-horse power. In this case it works easily and lasts long. A man who has strength to do twelve honest hours of labor in twenty-four, and no more, should do but nine or ten hours' work. The reserve power keeps the body in repair. It rounds out the frame to full proportions. It keeps the mind cheerful, hopeful, happy. The person with no reserve force is always incapable of taking on any more responsibility than he already has. A little exertion puts him out of breath. He cannot increase his work for an hour without danger of an explosion. Such are generally pale, dyspeptic, bloodless, nervous, irritable, despondent, gloomy. We all pity them. The great source of power in the individual is the blood. It runs the machinery of life, and upon it depends our health and strength. A mill on a stream where water is scanty can be worked but a portion of the time. So a man with a little good blood can do but little work. The reserve power must be stored up in this fluid. It is an old saying among stock-raisers, that "blood tells." It is equally true that blood tells in the sense in which we use the word. If it is only good blood, then the more of it the better. When the reserve power of an individual runs low, it is an indication that a change is necessary, and that it is best to stop expending and go to accumulating, just as the miller does when water gets low in the pond. Such a course would save many a person from physical bankruptcy.—Herald of Health. —Dr. Mary Walker is seriously ill. —It is proposed to annex Paraguay to the Argentine Republic. —The wheat crop of California for export this year, it is estimated, will be 200,000 tons. —The socialistic press of Germany now numbers no less than seventy-five periodicals with 135,000 subscribers. —Some idea of the headway the socialists are making in Germany may be gathered from the fact that no less than ten thousand of them followed the remains of one of their body to the grave last week iu Berlin, each one openly wearing a party-colored emblem. The coffin was bordered with brilliant red. —England's naval strength is 599 vessels, of 2,919 guns. Sixty-four of these are powerful iron-clads. —Queen Victoria has reigned forty-one years, only three years less than the reign of Queen Elizabeth. —The people of Kansas spent last year eight and one-half millions of dollars for whisky and tobacco. —There are 358 sorts of cigarettes sold in New York, and they are said to be more harmful than either cigars or pipes. —It is asserted that Germany has invited the Powers to consider necessary measures for checking conspirators located abroad. —The German patent office received 6,424 applications for patents during the past year, a greater number than any other country except the United States. —The American brig Harriet G. Been has been wrecked on the coast of Coro. A steam tug with twenty men from Maracaibo was sent to her assistance and foundered. Seven men drowned. —South Carolina supplies nearly half the rice produced in this country. Georgia is next, or nearly seven million pounds ahead of Louisiana. Nearly all our rice comes from these three States. —The coinage at the United States Mints from 1793 to 1874 inclusive, has been of gold, $983,159,695; silver, $208,872,291.40; minor, $12,884,703.55; making a grand total of $1,205,916,389.95. —The whole number of scholars reported in the State of Maine for 1877 was 217,417; the number registered in summer schools 125,455; average attendance, 100,982; number registered in winter schools, 132,865; average attendance, 107,653. —Bald Mountain, North Carolina, was shaken as by an earthquake and split in twain, leaving a chasm 300 feet in length, eight or ten wide and of unknown depth. No smoke or lava was thrown up but a strong smell of sulphur pervades the place. —A petrified wasp's nest has been found near Eureka, Nevada, by blasting in the solid rock forty feet below the surface of the ground. On breaking it open, cells, larvæ, and two perfectly formed wasps were found, also petrified. The rock is a gigantic sandstone of sedimentary formation. —The University at Athens has 72 professors whose salaries are paid by the State, and 1,500 students. A student's only expense is for subsistence. Men from the other great Universities of Europe go there to study modern Greek. The great work of this University, it is said, is to restore classical Greek. —A captain in the Austrian army has invented a repeating carbine, which is a murderous weapon, and quite in keeping with the spirit of the times. The chamber holds nine cartridges, and the whole may be discharged in eighteen seconds, while it only takes nine seconds to reload. At this rate the soldier armed with such a carbine could kill twenty-one antagonists in one minute. —The number of destructive earthquakes recorded in Japan during the past fifteen hundred years, is 149. The ninth century was most prolific in these, reaching 28; in the fifteenth century there were 15; the same in the seventeenth; 13 in the eighteenth; and 16 in the present century. The recorded average is one great earthquake every ten years, but the nineteenth century give one every five years. —The American Consul at Lambayeque, Peru, writes to the Department of States that the extraordinary rains of the past quarter have been destructive to agriculture, causing the total failure of the rice, alfalfa and fruit crops, and greatly damaging the sugar-cane. The country around Lambayeque has been almost entirely inundated, the railroads being washed away and dwellings leveled. The loss is estimated at $1,500,000. —One of the late inventions for naval attack is the rocket float. This is a small vessel, which is propelled by a rocket along the surface of the water at a speed of 275 miles per hour, and to the distance of four miles. In the bow of this vessel there is a quantity of gun cotton, arranged with a percussion cap, so as to explode upon striking an obstacle. If one of these rocket floats were started and accurately directed toward a ship at a distance, there is a clear certainty that it would arrive before the ship could be moved out of range. The charge of gun-cotton could easily be made sufficient to sink, on explosion, any ship that can be built. ONE of the most important contributions to the literature of the temperance question, in its scientific aspect, is a paper by Dr. Willard Parker, upon “The Hereditary Influence of Alcohol,” published, as revised by the distinguished author, by the National Temperance Society. In this paper it is affirmed that the hereditary influence of alcohol is not confined to the propagation of drunkards; that it produces insanity, idiocy, epilepsy, and other affections of the brain and nervous system, not only in the transgressor himself but in his children. Dr. Howe is mentioned as attributing one-half of the cases of idiocy in the state of Massachusetts to intemperance, and that he is sustained in his opinion by the most reliable authorities. One family is instanced with seven idiot children, both of whose parents were drunkards. It is claimed that one-half of the idiots of England are of drunken parentage, and that the same is true of Sweden, and probably of most European countries. In St. Petersburg most of the idiots come from drunken parents. To sweeten the breath and cleanse the teeth, scrub with a brush every night before retiring, using little, if any, soap; sprinkle on a very little pulverized borax; until the gums are hardened, and become accustomed to the use of borax, rinse the mouth with borax water; it will prevent it from becoming sore or tender. RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES.
—The Cincinnati authorities are trying to close the theatres of that city on Sunday. —A Presbyterian Tabernacle is to be built at Asbury Park, New Jersey, for summer worship. —The Reformed German church of the United States has 1,368 churches, and 146,901 members. —The beer gardens outside the Paris Exhibition grounds cover as much space as the Exposition buildings. —America has sent over 400 missionaries to Turkey and spent $5,000,000 in efforts to convert the Turks to Christianity. —It is said that the Missionary Society of Basle is taking care of 5000 children which the recent famine in India has made orphans. —The London City Mission had a total income the past year of $259,790; an increase of $32,000 over the preceding year. It employs 452 missionaries. —The Quakers in England and Wales now number 17,000. A few years ago they were estimated at 100,000. In 1700 there were 60,000 in Great Britain. —The Bible Society of Scotland has printed 50,000 New Testaments, in French, small size, but clear type, which it proposes to sell at about five cents a copy. —The British and Foreign Bible Society printed last year 2,670,742 copies of the Bible. The American Bible Society printed 881,056 copies. During the past year these societies have circulated among the Turks 17,773 Bibles. —The pastors of the State Church of Prussia are very poor, and a collection is annually taken up for them throughout the kingdom, the last one of which amounted to about $80,000, or less than half a cent apiece from the 17,000,000 nominally Protestant population. —The Roman Catholics have sent the Abbe Debaize from France to Zanzibar, accompanied by nine priests from Algiers, with whose aid he will establish missions at Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika, Central Africa. He expects to be absent three years. The French Chambers voted $20,000 for this mission. —At the anniversary of the Spurgeon's Pastor's College, in London, last month, it was stated that fifty-three chapels had been erected in the London district alone through the agency of that institution. Since 1865, 32,477 persons have been baptized by pastors educated in the college, and the number in fellowship of the churches in their charge is 37,597. —Kings county, N. Y., has 261 Sunday-schools. Of these the Methodists have 56; the Episcopalians, 35; The Baptist, 27; the Reformed, 23; the Congregational, 19; the Lutheran, 14, etc. There are 48 mission and Union schools. The total number gathered in these schools is 88,470. The number of conversions or confirmations the past year was 2,153. The amount expended during the year for benevolent and other purposes was $74,925. —The British Company of New Testament revisers have completed the first revision and sent it to the American committee. The latter have revised all except Revelations and four of the smaller Epistles, and sent over the larger parts of their work. The grand rhythm of the rich old English is everywhere preserved and only words changed that have lost their original meaning or which do not conform to the most authentic text of ancient manuscripts. DIED, in Oakland, Cal., May 7, of bright's disease, Sister Harriet A. Patterson, aged 40 years, 5 months, and 4 days. Sister P. had been in poor health for some three years. She was brought up by a Methodist mother and embraced the present truth, a few weeks before her death, by reading tracts and papers loaned her by a friend in Placer county, Cal. She embraced the truth in Oakland and died in our midst although the case was unknown to the church until our attention was called to it by a letter from Placer county, after her death. On Sunday, June 9, a discourse was given by the writer, from John 2:25. Thus another has passed away to rest till the Life-giver comes.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. DIED, in San Francisco, June 18, 1878, Martha, daughter of Brother Christian and Sister Catherine Rasmussen, aged one year and three months. The writer was called to give words of comfort which he endeavored to do from the words of Paul in 1 Thess. 4:13-18.
W. M. HEALEY. DIED, in Oakland, Cal., May 14, 1878, Ella, daughter of C. and L. Waldeck, aged fifteen years, four months and seven days. Remarks at the funeral by Elder J. N. Loughborough. Ordrup, Denmark.
By John G. Matteson
LAST week we held two meetings at Ordrup. The first evening, the minister of the parish visited our meeting, and last evening there was another minister present, who was very friendly and sociable, and with whom had a very interesting conversation after the meeting. There are some who listen to the word of God with interest; but it is not so easy to gather many people to a meeting here as in Jylland. We also held one meeting in Valsomagle, which was well attended; and two in Benlose, where only a few were present. I have in these places met many friends and relatives of our brethren and sisters in America. We have received the news of the death of our oldest daughter. It was a great sorrow to us; and it came so unexpectedly. It is most painful to my wife, and it seems hard for her to be so far away from the dear ones. But we find strength in that blessed hope which God has given to us. It is a consolation for us to know that our much-beloved child found peace in God through faith in our Redeemer, and that she tried to follow in the footsteps of the Saviour. Our sincere prayer is, that God may bless this affliction to the good of our souls, and make it a means through which our weak hearts may be drawn nearer to him and by which we may be led to have greater zeal and perseverance in his cause. We hereby send our most sincere thanks to the dear brethren and sisters in Battle Creek, who have so kindly taken care of our child and tried to lessen her sufferings. We likewise express our gratitude to those who so faithfull prayed for her temporal and spiritual welfare, while her father and mother were in a distant country, entirely ignorant of what was transpiring. We are also thankful for the encouraging words which several of our brethren have sent us. May the Lord reward you all for it, dear brethren; and may he strengthen us to accomplish the work which he has given us.—J. G. Matteson, in Review. Watching and Waiting.
By L. D. Santee
OH! the days are passing, fading, and the years glide slow away,
And our hearts are aching, yearning, longing for the coming day
When the warfare will be ended, and the weary rest in peace,
When our Lord from Heaven descended gives from pain a long release. Day by day our loved ones perish, sparkling eyes grow dim with pain,
Fair forms stiffen into silence, all our tender care is vain;
Sadly and with tears we lay them low beneath the sod to rest;
Free are they from all earth's troubles and the storms that sweep its breast. Seek we o'er the rolling water some fair spot to sin unknown,
Vain our search, for dread disaster reigns upon the ocean's throne.
Men go shuddering down to silence ne'er to wake while surges roar;
Waves are moaning for redemption, sobbing on the trembling shore. Oh! the weary, weary ages! oh! the years so filled with woe!
Still there follow in their seasons summer's heat and winter's snow.
Patience, patience, ye despairing; soon will come the King sublime,
And eternal hands are weaving off the measured thread of time.---L. D. Santee. Ringsted, Denmark.
By John G. Matteson
Monday evening I attended a meeting held by two ministers in Ordrup. One of them was a staunch follower of the doctrines taught by Grundtvig, and he showed great disregard for the word of God. Baptism, the sacraments, and the church were enough for salvation, according to his belief, and in these there was power, he said. He attended our meeting the next evening, and spoke some against the sermon I had given; but beyond this he was quite friendly. He interrupted me several times while I was speaking, but afterward he apologized for it. We have also held some meeting in Valsomagle. There are now six persons in that place who have commenced to observe the Sabbath. Last Sabbath we had a very good meeting. There are others here who are convinced in regard to the Sabbath, and the doctrine of the second advent of Christ is received with joy by many. Sunday I held two meetings and walked nearly thirteen miles. May the Lord still lead us to his own glory and the progress of the truth. JOHN G. MATTESON.
May 27, 1878. Hutchinson, Minn., Camp-Ground.
By C. W. Stone
ELDER CANRIGHT and I arrived at this place Wednesday, P. M., June 12. We were somewhat surprised to find eleven tents pitched and some fifty or sixty brethren and sisters in camp, intending to have the benefit of the whole meeting. The ground is that occupied last year. It is in a beautiful grove close to the town, five minutes' walk from the postoffice. Just back of the grove runs a nice little river in which so many were baptized last year. Brother Battin gave the first discourse last evening in the hall used by our brethren in the village. To-day we have held two meetings, in each of which Elder Canright has spoken an hour to the ministers, giving them very practical instruction, and a second hour was used by the brethren in expressing opinions, asking questions, and discussing points suggested in the lecture. To-night there are nineteen ministers in camp, and nineteen tents are pitched. The weather is fine, and all expect a pleasant and profitable meeting.
C. W. STONE. WE may continue for a time in the path of rectitude from unworthy motives; but unless the motive is purified, some temptation will overturn our hopes. It is not policy to do wrong; yet we should not do right merely from motives of policy. Studies in Luke.
By Editor
WE have received from the publishers a work entitled, Studies in Luke. The Gospel according to St. Luke, containing the Original Greek Text, with an interlined word-for-word English translation, and a new version based on the renderings of eminent critics, with illustrative explanatory foot notes and references. Also an alphabetical appendix of names, weights, coins, words and phrases used in the New Testament. The work has received the approval of many eminent critics, and it is believed will be accepted as a great help in the study of the Scriptures, the literal translation of the Greek being given. This work, by Benjamin Wilson, is 12 mo., 168 pages, fine paper, extra cloth. Price 60 cts. Publishers 'S. R. Wells & Co., 737 Broadway, New York. Rocklin, Cal.
By B. A. Stephens
I COMMENCED meetings here in the public school-house June 7, and have spoken seven times. A few seem interested and I hope for several to obey the truth. This town is in Placer county, twenty-two miles from Sacramento, on the line of the overland railroad.
B. A. STEPHENS.