Review and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 18. (10/18/1870)

Review and Herald

Oct 18, 1870

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 18, 1870

The Day of the Lord Will Come as a Snare.

By John Matteson

How thoughtless and unconcerned men pass along to the Judgment. As sheep are led away to the slaughter, so men are led by their corrupt passions, and the deceitfulness of the world, until the righteous judgments of God will come upon them like a lightning flash, and they, burning in great heat, will gnaw their tongues for pain, and blaspheme the God of Heaven. Rev. 16: 9–11. “For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape.” Peace and safety is now preached everywhere. Only a few urge upon the people the nearness of that great and awful day, which like a sword in a brittle thread hangs over our heads. Blessed is he who walks with the children of light, and does not sleep as others; who is watchful and sober, putting on the whole armor of God. Blessed is the servant who shall be found giving meat in due season to the household. Matt. 24. “Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12: 40. “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [to feed so as to oppress the stomach. Webster.] and drunkenness, [indulging in stimulating drinks which injure and destroy the nervous system,] and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21: 34–36.

Wickedness and sin are increasing in the world as the end draws near. Evil men and seducers wax worse and worse. Perilous times are upon us. Men have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. A little close observation is sufficient to discover to us the fearful, corrupt condition of society. And yet mistaken guides continue to preach of peace and a happy time on earth before the appearing of our Saviour. How terribly they will be aroused from their slumber and deceitful dreams when the mighty voice of the trump of God shall wax louder and louder. Oh! that some may be persuaded, and hearken to the last solemn warning before it is too late.

As it was in the days of Noe and Lot, so it shall also be in the days of the Son of Man. “They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” In the days of Lot “they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.” Luke 17: 26–29. Their great sin was not that they ate, drank, married wives, bought, sold, planted, builded. It is no sin to do any of these things if done in the fear of God. But they went to a great excess; and they cared for nothing else. The statement is not that they did eat, drink, plant, build, &c., fearing God, giving thanks to him, and glorifying their Maker. There is a fearful blank there. They cared not at all for God. They walked as the majority of men walk now, who are enemies of the cross of Christ. “Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” They did not “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;” but forgot their Maker, and despised his truth and commandments. Thus it is exactly in our days. There is a form of godliness without the power. Iniquity is abounding. The love of many has waxed cold. Therefore the day of the Lord is at hand. “The Judge stands before the door.” The perils of the last days are upon us. Lukewarmness and stupor settle down upon God’s people like a thick, unwholesome vapor. Lord, save, or we perish.

The Jews in the days of Christ flattered themselves with the approach of a peaceful and happy time. But this did not stay the fearful judgments of God which had been predicted by the prophets. And when they thought that tribulation was farthest off, it came right upon them. Famine, sword, fire, and destruction, fell upon them like devouring eagles on a putrid carcass. And their children are still scattered throughout the earth, to be a constant sign that the word of the Lord cannot fail.

So likewise there are also now scoffers in the last days, who say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” But they are themselves a sign of the times, and must soon howl and weep for the miseries that shall come upon them. “Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” Joel 1: 15. “For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16: 27.

Dear reader, Jesus still intercedes in the heavenly temple for all who come unto him. No humble heart will he refuse admittance. He takes delight in a penitent soul. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Ps. 34: 18. “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ps. 51: 17. Come to the dear Saviour now, before he approaches with vengeance. Live for the glory of Heaven. Suffer not everlasting destruction from his presence. “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit; for why will ye die?”

JOHN MATTESON.

BE NOT WEARY.

Be not weary, saint of God, Faint not, in the heavenly road. Soon thy day of toil will close, And thy weary limbs repose. Soon, ah, soon, a heavenly prize, Shall delight thy raptured eyes.

Be not weary doing good, Oh! how blessed to do like God; But the time to labor here, Quickly hastes to disappear. Look on high for strength anew, And thy labor still pursue.

Be not weary; worldly men, Still intent on earthly gain, Day and night will labor on, Till their strength and life are gone. Wilt thou not as eager be, For the joys that never flee?

Be not weary in thy toil; Do not faint and lose thine all; Having labored, having run, Wilt thou lose all thou hast done? Leaving Christ where wilt thou go? What can earth on thee bestow?

Be not weary; lo, thy foes Thy destruction now propose; Satan, with malicious skill, Waits at length to find thee still. Watch and pray, and active be, Or his malice thou shalt see.

Strange Preaching.

By Thomas J. Cross

“Many Christians know not why they keep the first day of the week for the Sabbath.” Thus spoke one of the strong advocates for Sunday-keeping. The time and circumstances that called out these truthful remarks, together with many other things that were not in accordance with sound doctrine, was a time of inquiry and deep interest with many, Eld. Wm. S. Ingraham having in a clear and logical argument presented the claims of the seventh-day Sabbath, together with the honor, dignity and perpetuity of the law of God. Such was the intensity of feeling, when the plain truth of God was brought to bear, that many, apparently, were on the point of yielding. And to counteract this influence, not less than five ministers came to the rescue. No effort or arguments they could bring to bear were left untried. And to bring up the rear, and put a final quietus upon this troublesome question, the Elder from Winnebago City, among other things said, used the language at the heading of these lines—“Many Christians know not why they keep the first day of the week for the Sabbath.”

How true, and yet how strange. If the Bible is what it purports to be, of divine authenticity, the only and sufficient rule of faith and practice, certainly we ought to be able to give to every one that asketh, a reason why and what we believe. But what reason can be given for Sunday-keeping? All must admit that a law is in full force until repealed by a power equal to that which enacted it. But when they look for a change or repeal of any part of the law of God, it is like looking for the living among the dead. They cannot make void the law of God, for it is as immutable as the eternal throne. But seventh-day-Sabbath-keepers know why they observe the seventh day. See Gen. 2: 2, 3. Also Exodus 16, and chapter 20, where the law was given in its present form. There on Mount Sinai, amid scenes of the most awful and sublime grandeur, the ten commandments were written out by the finger of God upon tables of stone. And there, prominent in that divine code, we find the fourth commandment, God’s seal and memorial.

How fitting that there should be a weekly memorial, by which the great Creator and the vastness of his works are brought more especially and forcibly to the mind. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” The changing seasons, seed-time and harvest, with all the variegated scenery of nature, all proclaim that the hand that formed them is divine. Therefore the Sabbath of the Lord, kept “according to the commandment,” will ever produce a vivid consciousness of the divine power and the sacred obligations that we are under to yield a ready obedience to the great Creator and Law-giver. Thus we observe the day that God has sanctified and blessed.

There are other doctrines that are held as sacred, which have no foundation in the oracles of truth. They are taken for granted because so taught in the catechism, or confession of faith, all of which they steadfastly believe.

Another of the teachers uses this language: “That from Adam to Moses they were without law.” Then, of course, they were without sin. Again, we are told that “another hundred years of religious prosperity like the past hundred, and our world is revolutionized, all converted to Christ, and the last vestige of infidelity is forever swept away.” How glowing the picture drawn, “with the telegraph, the railroads, &c., all enlisted in pushing forward the victories of the cross.” Says the preacher, “The Crimean war did much toward advancing that long-prayed-for time of the world’s conversion.” According to this course of reasoning, much was accomplished in our late rebellion toward christianizing these United States, the evidence of which does not yet appear. Then again, the present European war, by parity of reasoning, will produce the peaceful fruits of righteousness. What, then, may be expected when the nations, all the great powers of earth, are angry?

Such is a specimen of some of the teaching in these latter days. But, says the inspired writer: “Speak thou the things that become sound doctrine.” “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.” “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Instead of the world’s conversion, we look for evil men and seducers to wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Are the above teachings in accordance with that gospel taught by Paul, or has the time come when they will not endure sound doctrine? To my mind, such teachings sound like the trumpet that gives a strange, uncertain sound.

May the light of divine truth shine full and clear upon our pathway, and so illumine the sacred pages that we may be able to distinguish between truth and fables. “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” Thus prayed our Saviour. May this prayer be answered. Then shall we be free indeed.

THOMAS J. CROSS.

Priestly Consecration.

God still has his priests, not of an earthly order, like that of Aaron—not a particular class in the church, but all believers, Christ himself being the High Priest. The Aaronical priesthood shadowed forth this heavenly priesthood. The separation of the priests of old by the blood and anointing oil was a type of our separation unto God by the precious blood of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, as a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. They were cared for by God, clothed with garments of glory and beauty, and they were to eat of those things wherewith atonement was made. So we must live upon the food which our God has provided for us—Christ, the living bread—and the result of this will be our practical consecration unto God.

The account of the consecration of the typical priests gives us important instruction regarding our acceptance with God and our position here. The blood of the ram of consecration was sprinkled on the priest. This is one use of the blood of Jesus—it separates us unto God; for we are not our own, but bought with a price. We are not only justified by it, but sanctified unto God for continual service and worship.

The blood of consecration was applied, 1. TO THE TIP OF THE RIGHT EAR, to show that the priests were to receive their instruction from God, and to hearken only to him. This is our place as a holy priesthood; and, inclining our ear unto wisdom, we shall be able to speak and act in the fear of the Lord. It was written concerning our High Priest, “He wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned;” and it was also written, “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.” Let us remember that, as a royal priesthood, we are to hearken to God and receive our instruction from him.

2. The blood was applied to THE THUMB OF THE RIGHT HAND, typically showing us that as priests unto God we are to labor for the Lord and to minister for his glory. Whatsoever we do, we are to do all in the name of the Lord, all for the glory of God. Our powers are to be consecrated to him in loving obedience. The Lord could say, “I do always those things that please him.” And it is when we are dwelling on the grace of God in Christ, by whose precious blood we are redeemed, that we can sing:

“Take thou our hearts, and let them be Forever closed to all but Thee; Thy willing servants, let us wear The seal of love forever there.”

3. The blood was applied to THE GREAT TOE OF THE RIGHT FOOT, to instruct us that we are to walk with God, in God’s ways. The Holy Spirit leads us in this path. The Scriptures reveal the footprints of Jesus, and the soul delights to trace them that we may follow his steps. It is indeed a narrow path; for he was not of the world, pleased not himself, was always obedient, and received not honor from men. It was a path of suffering; indeed, but of unbroken fellowship with God until his soul was made an offering for sin. In this last part of the path, when he cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” we cannot follow him. But if the remembrance of that sorrow and death for sin be kept fresh in our hearts, we shall bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, and practically own that we are forever consecrated by that sacrifice to the service of God.—Sel.

THE CROSS.

“If thou cast away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another, and that perhaps a heavier one.”—THOMAS A KEMPIS.

I bent beneath the burden, That my weary shoulders bore, And I said in my despairing, I can take the cross no more; For the flesh is torn and bleeding, The step is faint and slow; I must rest me in my journey, I can no further go.

I see no other pilgrim With such a cross as mine, For some are wreathed with blossoms, And some with jewels shine; And those who bear the burden Seem smiling as the morn; No weight is in the jewels, And in the flowers no thorn.

Oh! give me, gentle Jesus, Some shorter cross to bear, Before I faint and sicken, Or yield me to despair; Or, if the load I carry Is for my shoulders made, Let me not bear it lonely, But give me human aid.

Thus in my utter weakness And faint with toil I cried; When he, the burden bearer, Came quickly to my side; “No other cross would fit thee,” He said in gentle tone, “This was in love provided, In ages that are gone.

“I bore it long before thee, And bore it for thy sake; No other hand can aid thee, Nor any burden take; Thy heart with human sorrow Is only known by me; Take up thy cross with patience, And I thy help will be.”

God’s Greetings.

God greets many a one who never thanks him for it. When, for instance, his sun wakes thee early to the enjoyment of another day of life and health, it is as if he said to thee, “Good morning!” and when at eventide thine eyes close in peaceful slumber, it is because God hath bidden thee “Good night!” and when thou sittest down to a well-spread board with a good appetite, it is God’s gift for thy good.

When again thou art enabled timely to discover some threatened danger, what is it but God saying to thee, “Take heed, my child, and turn back before it be too late”?

When on some early summer morning, thou walkest about amid the blossoming flowers and the singing birds, and thy heart feels light and joyful, is not God saying to thee “Welcome, heartily welcome, to thy palace garden”?

And when, all of a sudden, perhaps without thy knowing how or why, thy heart is moved to good thoughts, and thou beginnest to feel sorrow for having done wrong, and a desire to do better, is not thy Heavenly Father saying to thee, “Oh! grieve not my Holy Spirit, which now stirs within thee”?

Or when thou passest by a new-made grave, and a sudden shudder of anxious foreboding runs cold through thy frame, is not God greeting thee with the fatherly admonition, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh in which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; for there is neither wisdom nor device in the grave, whither thou art fast hastening”?

Oh! yes, these are God’s greetings, “whether we will hear or whether we will forbear.” But if we hail them not with pleasure now, we shall remember them with vain regrets in the future.—From the German.

Little Sins.

By M. A. Holt

“LITTLE by little,” the tempter said, As a dark and cunning snare he spread For the young, unwary feet. “Little by little, and day by day, I will tempt the careless soul astray Unto the broad and flowery way, Till the ruin is made complete.”

There are many in the world that regard little sins as a very trifling matter, and do not apparently seek to shun them. They seem to forget that the great sum of our life-work is made up of small deeds—deeds that will form our destiny in the future life. The teachings of our Saviour everywhere guard us against little sins—even against the unholy thought and covetous desire. Many there are who in early life would revolt at the thought of committing a crime, and yet they are led to that very step by small sins. Step by step, they walk the downward road of vice, for conscience has become hardened by transgressions. He that once oversteps the line between the path of duty and the world, is upon dangerous ground, where the enemy will ever seek to hush the voice of conscience, and lead the bewildered soul further and further unto the path of folly. He is too crafty and subtle to propose some glaring crime, that would startle the soul, but he waits until little sins have hardened the heart with their corrupting influences. We believe that by thought alone, we are often led to sin.

If we listen to the tempter’s voice, and do not at once bid him depart from us, we are very likely to be led astray; and if we do indeed yield to him, it may plunge us into the mire of sin; for we believe that a single misstep has often turned the tide of a human life. An algebraic problem could not be correctly solved, if a single sign should be wrong—one mistake would lead to many more; and thus it is with the great problem of life; one error may involve a human being so deeply in the mazes of sin, that he may never extricate himself. And even if we do not become hardened sinners, small sins may form the terrible shoals that will wreck our happiness in eternity.

The coral islands of the deep are formed by creatures so small that they can hardly be discerned by the natural eye, and yet many a noble ship has been wrecked upon them, and many a human being has died of starvation upon their barren surface. Little sins hedge up the Christian’s pathway to the better land, and often hide from his eyes the path of duty. It requires not many years of existence to expand them into huge mountains. They hide from his view the faithful Guide that ever walks before, and also the crown of life that glimmers in the far distance; and when the straying feet have turned aside upon the lowlands of sin, how soon the benighted traveler is lost in the darkness and storm.

Every sin, however small, brings in its train shame and dishonor. A word, a whisper that was untrue, has ruined the reputation of a brother man, and branded his good name with lasting infamy. An angry word has brought a shadow upon the soul, that has remained for weary years, and driven from the brow the light of happiness. Whatever sin we commit, God condemns. He does not stop to inquire if a brother has committed one of far greater magnitude, or if we have been less sinful than we might have been. The truth is, that we have sinned and disobeyed the laws of God.

Christ, our divine exemplar, never sinned. Would we be like him? Then every act of our lives must be one of devotion, and whatsoever we do—whether we eat or drink, all must be done to the glory of God.

Christian friends, shun small sins, for they will assuredly block up the way that leads to your bright holy land. They will soil and blacken the beautiful robes you wear, and rob you of your strength to work for God. They will divest you of your shield and armor, and then how can you meet your subtle foes? Like the ship without mast or rudder, out upon the billowy ocean, you will be tossed in the winds and tempests of life. Only by strict obedience to God’s laws are you sure of Heaven; only by implicitly following the grand precepts of his teachings, will you dwell securely in the sheltering fold.—MRS. M. A. HOLT, in Christian Advocate.

What I Have Seen.

I HAVE seen a woman professing to love Christ more than the world, clad in a silk dress costing $75; making up and trimmings of same, $40; bonnet (or apology for one), $35; velvet mantle, $150; diamond ring, $500; watch, chain, pin, and other trappings, $300; total, $1,100—all hung upon one frail, dying worm. I have seen her at a meeting in behalf of homeless wanderers in New York, wipe her eyes upon an expensive embroidered handkerchief at the story of their sufferings, and when the contribution-box came round, take from a well-filled portemonnaie, of costly workmanship, twenty-five cents to aid the society formed to promote their welfare. Ah, thought I, dollars for ribbons, and pennies for Christ.

I have seen a man who had long been a member of the visible church, rush to his business after a hastily-swallowed breakfast, without a prayer in his family for God's blessing through the day, spend hours in the eager pursuit of that which perishes with the using, speaking not a word save of stocks and bonds and mortgages, and when business hours were over, return to his home exhausted and petulant, to turn away from a sad story of want and suffering with, “I am tired and cannot hear it!” I have seen him sleep away his evening without a pleasant word for either wife or children, retire to rest with no more apparent thought of God his maker, than if his meeting him at the last great day were an idle tale. Ah, thought I, days and years for mammon, but not a moment for Christ.

I have seen a lady who had taken the solemn vows of God upon her, rise late in the morning, and without time for more than a hasty word of prayer, go forth to shop, drop in to chat with friends, come home to dine, go out again to ride, and return to make an elaborate toilet, for an evening party, pausing longer over the great question, “What shall I wear?” than her conduct seemed to evince she had over “What shall I do to be saved?” I have seen her when asked to take a class in the Sabbath-school, to point them to the Saviour she had vowed to honor before the world, shake her head and answer, “No, I cannot; I have no talent for that kind of thing.” Ah, thought I, is there not danger that at last she will find that, like the foolish virgins, she has no oil in her lamp?

I have seen a professedly-Christian mother more wrought up over the mud brought in upon her carpet by her boy's shoes, than over the lie which sullied his conscience, and proclaimed him a coward. I have seen her exhibit more anxiety when detained from church, to hear from her daughters' lips how this and that one was dressed, than what the man of God said concerning the themes of death and eternity. Ah, thought I, will she, through her instrumentality, find these children at the right hand on the last great day?—Western Missionary.

“I Stand at the Door and Knock.”

It is Jesus who says this. He knocks at the door of the heart. Knocking implies a desire to enter. And he speaks as well as knocks: “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” He seeks to come in, that he may bless the soul with his richest gifts. “I will sup with him, and he with me.” Feasting together is the token and pledge of friendship. Spiritual feasting is communion of soul. Such communion with Christ is the earnest and pledge of Heaven.

He knocks that he may be invited to come in. He might force an entrance; but if not welcomed, his presence would be no blessing. It would only excite terror and alarm. He will not come in unless made welcome. “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Wherever his gospel is faithfully preached, and its promises and invitations pressed home upon the heart, Jesus is knocking, and pleading for admittance.

Through the admonitions and entreaties of a Christian friend urging the duty of immediate repentance, he often knocks.

When property wastes away, earthly plans are blighted, and worldly prospects are dark, Jesus, laden with heavenly treasures, asks to come in and enrich the soul.

When he lays his hand upon some beloved child, parent, companion, friend, and the form so much loved is borne to its last resting-place, oh! how loudly does he knock, and ask to come in to fill the void, to soothe and comfort the bleeding heart, and be dearer and better than all earthly friends.

When prosperity smiles, when the destroyer is kept back and health returns, ease after pain, and comfort after sorrow, how kindly and gently does he knock, that the grateful soul, melted into penitence and love by his goodness, may open the door.

Amid the solemn scenes of a revival of religion, when the Spirit of God is descending, many are inquiring after the way of life, and new-born souls are rejoicing in hope, Christ is knocking. By his Spirit he moves upon the hearts, calls up to remembrance sins of the past, suggests thoughts of death, judgment, and eternity, and urges the soul to flee for refuge to the blood of atonement. Every motion of the Spirit is a knock at the door.

In some of these ways, has not Jesus knocked at the door of your heart? It may be that, amid the din of worldly pursuits or revelry of earthly pleasures, you have not heard his voice; still he has been knocking. Even now, in his long-suffering, he is waiting at the door. If you will hear his voice, and open the door, he will come in. But he will not always wait. He has said, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man.”

Procrastination.

THE late Dr. Clark, of Philadelphia, in one of his sermons, illustrates the absurdity of deferring the work of salvation, by the following striking fact. He was present on an occasion when a most solemn appeal was made to the young, to seek God without delay; the preacher urging as a motive, that, should they live to be old, difficulties would multiply, and their reluctance to the subject would increase with their years. As the preacher descended from the pulpit at the close of the service, an aged man came forward, and extending his hand to him, with much emotion, remarked, “Sir, what you said just now is unquestionably true. I know from my experience. When I was young, I said to myself, I cannot give up the world now, but I will by and by when I have passed the meridian of life, and begun to sink into the vale of years; then I will become a Christian; then I shall be ready to attend to the concerns of my soul. But here I am, an old man, and am not a Christian. I feel no readiness nor disposition to enter upon the work of my salvation. In looking back, I oftentimes feel as though I would give worlds if I could be placed where I was when I was twenty years old. There were not then half as many difficulties in my path as there are now.” But though the big tears burned down his cheek as he gave utterance to these truths, the emotions that were then stirred within him, like the early dew, soon passed away. He did not turn to God.

Appearance

APPEARANCE.—Upon the subject of dress and appearance, the New York Times thus remarks:

A coat that has the marks of use upon it, is a recommendation to people of sense, and a hat with too much nap and too high duster, is a derogatory circumstance. The best coats in Broadway are on the backs of penniless fops, broken-down merchants, clerks with pitiful salaries, and men that do not pay up. The heaviest gold chains dangle from the fobs of gamblers and gentlemen of very limited means. Costly ornaments on ladies indicate to the eyes that are well opened, the fact of a silly lover or husband cramped for funds. And when a pretty woman goes by in plain and neat apparel, it is the presumption that she has fair expectations, and a husband that can show a balance in his favor. For women are like books—too much gilding makes men suspicious that the binding is the most important part.

The Spirit of Christ Calms the Soul

The Spirit of Christ sweetly calms the soul of a suffering believer.

Eastern Tour.

By James White

We had made provision of one week to attend the S. D. Baptists General Conference, held at Little Genesee, N. Y., the second week in September. We were appointed by our General Conference at its last annual session to represent our people at this Conference, with the privilege of appointing another in case we could not attend. We had looked forward to this pleasant duty with a strong desire to meet with the S. D. Baptists in General Conference. But the sickness of our son Willie made our attendance at that meeting so very doubtful, that, in accordance with the privilege given us by our Conference, we immediately notified Bro. Andrews that we should depend upon him to attend this meeting as our alternate; and we are very sorry that he could not be present. We feel greatly indebted to our brethren of the S. D. Baptists for sending their worthy delegate, Prof. Allen, to our General Conference last March. The coming of this brother to us in the spirit of Christian liberty, and the report of his visit which appeared soon after in the Sabbath Recorder, have endeared him and his people to us. And it is a matter of deep regret that there should be a failure on our part in maintaining a relation between the two bodies that seemed to promise so happy results. And here it is a pleasure to state that among the most happy things we experienced at our Camp-meeting at Oneida, N. Y., in August, were the several interviews we enjoyed with Bro. Rogers, S. D. Baptist minister from Leonardsville, N. Y. While these esteemed brethren of the S. D. Baptists are interested in our style of pushing forward the work, especially in the publishing department, and think that our zeal in some things may be safely copied by themselves, it is more than probable that the liberal, gentlemanly, and Christian course of these brethren may be safely copied by some among us who mingle zeal with incautiousness.

We were obliged to leave our Willie in the care of Sister Hall, at Brookfield, N. Y., in the family of Bro. and Sister Abbey, Sister Hall's parents, as he was not able to accompany us to the Michigan and Ohio camp-meetings. We have greatly felt the loss of his society and his help at these meetings. But we expect to meet him at our Battle Creek home on our return from Kansas.

MICHIGAN CAMP-MEETING.

Bro. Smith has given a very full account of this meeting. We wish, however, to make a few general remarks, though some of them may be only a repetition of what has been said of this good meeting. The location was central, and the natural advantages of the ground can hardly be equaled. But it was almost impossible to find men to prepare the ground properly. But the first morning of the meeting a hundred men cleared nearly an acre, and moved tents, making the circle one third larger, sufficient to receive between forty and fifty tents. And then taste was manifest in raking, and even sweeping the extensive grounds, making them beautifully neat; so much so as to call forth the oft-repeated remark of admiration of visitors. And we are satisfied that the appearance of the grounds did much to gain the respect and the attention of the people. This was remarkable. We have never witnessed better order and attention at any meeting, of any kind. We are satisfied that we have greatly failed in properly locating and preparing our camp-grounds. Camp-meetings are gatherings of great expense and importance. They should be located in places most accessible to our people, and also where we can secure a candid hearing from thousands. And then preparations should be made extensive, the grounds should be made really neat and beautiful. And then a suitable amount of ministerial labor should be secured. The absence of Bro. Littlejohn was very much felt at this meeting. Mrs. W. and self were both in poor condition to address the people, and to labor for sinners. But God helped us in our weariness and hoarseness, and gave power to the word.

Noble Michigan has acted a benevolent part in this work, and we pray God that a worldly, covetous spirit may not come over our good brethren in this State. Michigan has sent nearly all of her efficient ministerial help out of the State. Bro. Canright is in Iowa, Cornell and Waggoner in New England, Van Horn in Ohio, Lawrence in Missouri, and Loughborough in California. And the Michigan Conference gives $1000 to the General Conference. Michigan is a good field of labor, and we are satisfied that she has loved her neighbors better than herself. There must be more efficient labor in Michigan. Our brethren are becoming wealthy, worldly, and backslidden from God. They pay systematic benevolence, consent to let our ministers go out of the State, and, therefore, see next to nothing done in the State, while they give themselves up to the cares of this life, lose their faith, backslide from God, grow stingy, and are not ready to respond to calls for help to extend the interests of the cause.

Our good Camp-meeting in Charlotte, Mich., afforded a good opportunity to call the attention of our people to the subject of true, saving Advent faith. All were ready to admit the truth spoken. All seemed convicted of the duties of our time, and could our meeting have held a few days longer, there might have been, not only many bright conversions of sinners, but of wealthy brethren to the correct principles and the legitimate works of saving faith. Our camp-meetings should hold ten days each. Could all come on the ground the first days of the meeting, and all remain eight or ten days, ten-fold more good might be accomplished. But even now, when our meetings hold but five days, some of our wealthy brethren cannot come, or if they do, can spend but two or three days on the ground, because of home cares. Could we hold our camp-meetings in mid-winter, those brethren might get out to attend them, if they could obtain trusty help to feed their numerous herds.

JAMES WHITE.

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