A BROTHER writes from Moberly, Mo., Nov. 23, 1874: “Why will not some of the ministers of the Seventh-day Adventists discuss the subject of the Age to Come with so-called ministers of the church of God? There is one lecturing here; and he told me to-day that the Adventists would not discuss the subject with any of them. His name is Kinsley, from Parsons, Kansas. Please answer through the REVIEW, and oblige.”
In reply, we would say that we are not aware that our ministers have ever particularly refused to discuss the Age to Come with the teachers of that faith. We are not aware that any one of them has ever been pressed to do so. We know nothing of this Kinsley mentioned above, or whether he has ever solicited a discussion with any of our people or not.
But more than this, we know not whether he is worthy to be engaged with in discussion or not; whether his position or influence in the communities where he is known is sufficient to make it any object to discuss with him. There are some persons, who, though they may be highly endowed with a mistaken idea of their own importance, nevertheless excite in the community not the least possible concern as to what becomes of them or their doctrines. To discuss with such is a foolish waste of time and ammunition. We would not intimate that the gentleman above referred to is one of this kind, as we do not know; but all these points are to be taken into consideration.
And, lastly, we have a work on that subject called “A Refutation of the Age to Come,” which utterly overthrows that theory, and which we are able to say with profound gratitude of heart has driven from the ranks of S. D. Adventists every vestige of that cheerless and frigid belief. To that book, although it is now going through its second edition, no reply has been attempted; and the publishers of Age to Come journals have been careful not to let their readers know that such a work was in existence. We are all exceedingly busy in the promulgation of truths which are of vital importance to the people, truths which pertain to the living present, not to the distant and comparatively unexplored future. And were we to make any suggestion to our ministers relative to the Age to Come, it would be that believers in that doctrine could not consistently call upon us for a discussion of that question, till they at least attempt to answer this work, to which we have repeatedly endeavored to call their attention. U. S.
Is Adventism a New Thing?
By Jos. Clarke
No. From the days of Enoch (see Jude 14, 16) to the age of the Messiah, prophets and holy men, spake in the most enraptured tones, of the scenes of the last days. Scripture writings abound in prophetic warnings of the final catastrophe, and the victory. Both are held up to the view of all who read the word of God.
The New Testament is more clear than the Old on this subject. The revelation is an inspired commentary upon some portions of the prophecy of Daniel; and the words of Christ, in Matt. 24, seem to be brought in still clearer light, in the pages of John's Revelation.
Since the close of the canonical writings, good men have borne their unequivocal testimony to the same doctrine. Almost all the best and holiest of the universal church from Polycarp to Luther have borne the most undoubted testimony, to the common belief of the church, in the coming of the Messiah (personally) to the earth in the last days. (See Voice of the Church, by D. T. Taylor, a work of 400 pages, and of great interest.)
Very lately, coming in possession of a work written by that learned and devoted minister, Dr. John Owen, a dissenting clergyman, of the English church, in 1636, an author of many valuable works, I was surprised to find an elaborate argument, proving that the decree of Artaxerxes, of Ezra 7, was the true date for the beginning of the seventy weeks of Daniel 9:24, rather than the decree of Cyrus, or Darius. See Ezra chapters 7 and 4. This argument, written by Dr. Owen some 200 years since, seemed so much like the writings of S. D. Adventists that I could not help comparing them; and placing them side by side, I was more firmly established than ever, if possible, in the truth of our position.
Here we have Dr. John Owen, in those stormy times of Cromwell, writing out the very truth which Wm. Miller, James White, and others, have produced in our days; and when Bro. Miller and others took this ground, it is not likely they had ever seen this argument of Dr. Owen's. Let scoffers say their say; the truth is patent to all. Adventism is as old as the Bible.
JOS. CLARKE.
Death-Bed Repentance.
By Talmage
I DON'T ask you to take my poor words about the brevity and uncertainty of life. Ask any commercial man whose kind of business necessitates that he calculate the length of human life—ask him in his business what he thinks of the uncertainty of human existence. “Oh!” says some man, “I shall repent on my sick bed.” Will you? The last sickness, as far as I have observed, is generally divided into two parts. The first half of that final sickness is spent in the expectation of getting well, in the discussion of doctors and the different kinds of medicine; the last half in delirium or in stupidity, or a consternation which prohibits religious thought, so that I take it for granted that the poorest place on earth for a man to repent of sin and prepare for Heaven is on his death-bed.—Talmage.
One Cannot Judge Another's Grief
ONE can never be the judge of another's grief. That which is a sorrow to one is to another joy.
Another Joy: The Superiority of Forgiveness
another joy.
By taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over he is superior.
Modern Religion.
By Uriah Smith
TALMAGE, in The Christian at Work, of Oct. 22, 1874, speaks as follows of the religion of the present day which so generally leaves out the just and holy, yet stern and inexorable, claims of God’s moral law, and the necessity of heart-broken repentance for sin. Such religion will never make a man meet for the kingdom of God. Mr. T. says:—
“Oh! this modern religion of sweet oil and sugar plums, that would make God a nerveless, inert being that the world can run over and he say nothing. My friends, while God is so merciful and patient that he will take back the most besotted wretch that ever came to him for help, he has omnipotent indignation for those who refuse his sway, and trample upon his law. Sodom must perish; sin must be crushed, and the whole world acclaim the justice of God.”
U. S.
ALONE
By Mary Martin
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray; and when the evening was come he was there alone.”
The day had folded its mantle,
Of amber and pearl and rose,
And the deeper shades of evening
The lamps of heaven disclose.
He had toiled for the throng who gathered,
From noon till the close of day,
But amid the purple twilight
He had sent them all away.
And up to the quiet mountain,
By a path they had not known,
He came so sad and weary,
For he chose to be alone.
Did he wish to see the landscape,
That was spread so fair below?
Or beauty of lake Gennesaret,
As its waters ebb and flow?
Or would mother earth afford him
A place for rest and sleep,
While angels from above him
Their loving watch should keep?
Ah, no! the sinless Saviour
Felt the need of earnest prayer,
And took his great life burdens
Alone to his Father there.
Here is our fitting pattern,
O Christian, lone and tried.
Fear not to tell your sorrows
To Him who for you died.
Dear friends may gather round us,
When joy is at its height;
But few will choose to tarry,
And watch through sorrow’s night.
But where the Father placeth,
On mountain or in vale,
His ear will ever listen,
His promise never fail.
’Tis sweet to meet with others,
And claim God’s blessing there,
But greater strength oft cometh,
From earnest, secret prayer.
The trees are very graceful,
That have in forests grown;
But tempests prove the stronger,
Is that which stands alone.
He who has placed the lily
Upon the lakelet’s wave,
Is he who in such pity
His Son for sinners gave.
And he who spread the wildwood,
With green and velvet moss,
Is he who helps the Christian
Upbear each daily cross.
And if he deems it better
Thy earthly path should lie
Where thou must suffer lonely,
Ne’er stop to ask him why.
But clasp the dear hand closer,
Thou shalt hereafter know,
That untold bliss awaiteth
Those who proved true below.
MARY MARTIN.
San Francisco, Cal.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Our tent-meeting in this city has been in progress one month. It has rained considerably during this time, which injured our meetings some, as the tent was not calculated for rainy weather; but most of the time we have had good weather. It is now very pleasant. The hills and valleys are beginning to look green, and cattle will soon be able to pick their living. Strawberries and all kinds of fresh vegetables are in the market. It does not seem much like winter. We are still comfortable in the tent. The attendance has been good, much of the time large. We have sold, probably, upwards of $50 worth of books, and given away a good many.
Last Sabbath our hearts were made glad by seeing one after another arise and say, “This is the first Sabbath I ever kept;” and another, “This is the second I have observed;” while another says, “I thank God for the blessed light I have received here,” and so on. About twenty have now fully decided to keep the Sabbath. As usual, many more are convinced for whom we still hope.
I was much interested in the case of an intelligent first-day Adventist, lately from the East. He says that he has long been trying to get some light on the two-horned beast, and the third angel’s message, and other similar points, but that people could give him no light. When he inquired about Seventh-day Adventists, he was informed that there were only a few of them who lived in Battle Creek, and that they were not doing much any way. He was surprised to learn the extent of our work. When he came into the tent and heard us, he said it seemed like old times again; the preaching had the genuine Advent ring, which was becoming less and less discernable in their own ranks. He now rejoices with us in the whole truth. Probably there are hundreds more in just his condition who are ready for the truth as soon as they can see it.
Many interesting cases like this have occurred in connection with our meeting. Two intelligent Catholics have taken their stand upon the Sabbath. Many who are transiently stopping in the city have heard, and bought books, and taken the paper. Some have embraced the truth to go home and carry the light with them.
We have had no public opposition. Indeed, this is one advantage in laboring in a large city. Ministers generally let us alone. Hence I notice that those who do come out do so with less labor. It is our custom to take up a collection every Sunday evening. We receive a good deal toward our expenses in this way. We have baptism next Sunday. We now have considerable over a hundred Sabbath-keepers in the two places, San Francisco and Oakland. Both churches are in a good condition, all in harmony, and working zealously. They are but a few minutes’ ride apart, and can readily meet together any Sabbath. New ones are coming out in Oakland without any preaching.
We feel much encouraged, and thank God for the success of the truth this season in these places. D. M. CANRIGHT.
San Francisco, Nov. 15, 1874.
Defiance Church Meets to Unite Scattered Sabbath-Keepers
By C. G. Daniels
Ohio.
According to a previous arrangement, the church of Defiance met at the house of C. G. Daniels on Sabbath, November 14, for a two days' meeting. The great object of this meeting was to try to encourage the scattered Sabbath keepers of north-western Ohio to unite with this little company, get into working order, and go with the remnant church to Mount Zion.
Some twelve scattered and lonely Sabbath-keepers besides the little company of ten that hold regular Sabbath meetings here, came together; and, best of all, Jesus gave us his Holy Spirit, and we were all led to praise the Lord in fullness of joy in a profitable prayer and social meeting.
On first-day morning, at 8 A. M., the friends came together to consider the object of the meeting. After considering the matter and hearing words of good cheer from a number of brethren and sisters, it was decided by a unanimous vote that we hold another general meeting at this place on the third Sabbath and Sunday in December, and an invitation is hereby extended to all the scattered Sabbath-keepers of Putnam, Henry, Paulding, and Defiance Counties to meet with us. Come, dear brethren and sisters, up to this meeting prepared to work for the Lord.
Any wishing to come on the R. R. can be met at the depot by corresponding with the writer. Can Bro. St. John be at our meeting in December? This meeting will be held in the new Bethel church controlled by the Christian denomination, which is open for us to hold meetings in.
The foregoing meeting closed with a social meeting in which some twenty-four testimonies were given in favor of the truth; and a large measure of the sweet, melting influence of the Holy Spirit rested down in our midst, and we were all made to rejoice in the Lord and take courage to go on. This was the largest number of Sabbath-keepers ever convened in this county. Pray for us.
By request. C. G. Daniels.
Bread Found.
By R. M. Kilgore
The wise man says: “Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.” “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” In harmony with this injunction, and fulfillment of this blessed promise, we relate a few instances which lately came under our observation and which prove these sayings true and faithful.
A few years since, the only daughter of kind and affectionate parents, embraced the truth and kept the Sabbath alone while the rest of the family pursued their usual avocations. She afterwards became the wife of one who had long been obeying the truth: and now she sleeps, awaiting the call to a glorious immortality.
Another family had been the recipients of the REVIEW during the late six months trial volume, sent through the Tract and Missionary Society by some unknown friend. In the same place, a lady, whose health was such that when her attention was called to the subject of health reform by one of its friends, she took the Reformer, adopted its principles so far as she could, and became friendly to those who advocated them.
A man from the same vicinity, on the fourth day of last July, went to a neighboring village, to visit an acquaintance of his who was not a believer in present truth. While there, he accidently picked up a volume of “Spiritual Gifts” that his friend had borrowed a short time before; and it opened to a reference concerning the Sabbath where he read a few sentences which arrested his attention; and on returning home, he took his Bible to prove that the first day of the week was the Sabbath.
In all these cases, we see bread cast upon the waters and the sequel shows that it was found again.
During the past season, the tent was pitched in the same village, and among those who embraced the truths of the third angel’s message during that series of meetings, was the mother of the faithful and godly daughter above mentioned; the whole family who had received the REVIEW, the lady whose sympathies were with the Reformer, and the man who had read but a few words on the Sabbath in that volume which only refers to the subject. He was the first to embrace the whole truth and take his stand upon it, even at the loss of his situation.
And yet more: while this meeting was in progress, another man, whose attention had been called to present truth, came twenty miles, attended two Sabbath meetings with us, and since then has taken his stand upon the truth and is now keeping the Sabbath.
Another case of the same character has come to light since I came to this place, where I have been holding meetings about two weeks. A minister of the Baptist church a few months since, while walking along the road, picked up a small tract (“Sabbath by Elihu”), a seed fallen by the wayside. His attention was arrested and doubts arose in his mind concerning the divine authority of first-day observance. Since the meetings began here he has attended regularly, and now before I have done with the Sabbath question, he is fully satisfied where the truth lies. Last night he came into our room to talk with us, and said, “As for me, I must obey God; my duty is clear.”
Here was bread cast upon the waters but a short time since, by some one who loved its sweetness, which is now found at this early date; and although it was seed sown by the wayside, it was picked up by one whose heart is now imbued with the spirit of the truth, and the fruit of which, it is hoped, may be seen in the kingdom of God. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” R. M. KILGORE.
Hancock, N. H.
Health Tracts.
By M. Wood
A few days since, I received a package of health tracts, for which I feel very thankful. Immediately upon the reception of them, I carelessly placed them within the reach of one whom I have long tried to persuade to adopt the health reform. My pleadings were in vain. Never, so long as life and reason remain, would he deny himself of what his appetite craved. If he had money to buy with, he would have it, if it killed him. But judge of my surprise, dear reader, when this same person, who had read and reread the Health Reformer, after reading those tracts, informed me that he should never again partake of the filthy swine, and that he should give up his tea, &c.
As he is one who makes no profession of Christianity, it encourages us to press forward. Could people be induced to view the health reform from a religious standpoint, learn to deny self, and seek to comply with the admonition of the apostle Paul in Rom. 12:1, their minds and bodies would be in a healthier condition, better prepared to enjoy life and religion, and to receive the pure and unadulterated truth. And as the health reform is so intimately connected with the third angel’s message, it may be used as a sort of pioneer, to go ahead and break up the fallow ground, and so prepare for the good seed that is soon to follow.191
God is moving by his Holy Spirit upon the hearts of the people, and souls are being prepared for the loud cry of the third angel’s message. Soon the privilege of being a co-worker with Jesus, will be among the things that were, and unless we act well our part in the great work that is before us, use our means, time, talents, and influence, toward gathering sheaves for the heavenly garner, we shall be the recipients of those dreadful words, “I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” M. WOOD.
Boston, Mass., Nov. 19, 1874.
C H. BLISS
By C H. Bliss
Illinois.
It has been sometime since I have reported through the REVIEW; but as I have labored in connection with Bro. Colcord, my labors have mostly been reported by him. After our general meeting in Greenup, I spent several weeks in recruiting my health. From Nov. 7 to 15, spent in connection with Bro. C. holding meetings at Arthur and Lovington. At Arthur three or four are keeping the Sabbath. Others, for whom we hope, are reading our periodicals with much interest. At Lovington the brethren are making some advancement. Quite a number are quitting their tobacco, tea, and coffee. Several have been baptized, and others expect to go forward soon.
Their new church, which in several respects is the neatest church building in the place, is finished ready for plastering.
Nov. 20, commenced meetings in this place in the Christian church. Have been here eleven days, and have spoken thirteen times. Congregations thus far are not very large, owing perhaps to bad weather and much prejudice. Have had no congregations to exceed perhaps 150, yet those who do come are regular in their attendance, and manifest a deep interest. If the Lord will help I hope for some success here.
C H. BLISS
Milton, Coles Co., Ill., Dec. 1, 1874.
South-western Iowa.
Bro H. G. Buxton reports two new converts to the truth in Blue Grove, and others favorable; and another family brought out in Bedford; making ten in all in the latter place. Eleven dollars worth of tracts and books were sold in these places.
Hungering for the Word of Life.
The following letter from Buffalo Co., Neb., shows how some would prize the privilege of listening to the preaching of the truth.
Dear Review and Herald: Please send some one to preach to us. We are like lost sheep. We have never heard one word on the present truth, and we are keeping the Sabbath just by reading and searching the Scriptures. We keep the Sabbath, but not as we would be glad to keep it. My husband and I are all alone in this part of the country; and we want some one to come and rouse us and our neighbors up to the love of God. Please come ere it is too late; for we are so thirsty for the water of life; and Satan is ever watching his chance and trying to cool our ardor, and he sometimes succeeds, but we pray to God and he helps us along. We would rejoice if we had church and Sabbath-school privileges. Oh! do listen to our cry for help. We need the truth here so much. I strive to do a little in lending tracts and papers; but it seems such a little. May God hear our prayer for help.
Sallie E. Young.
Where Are We?
By Chas. L. Boyd.
We are living at a period in the history of the world when great events are brought about in a short space of time. Speak to a person, a few years ago, of the time coming when the laws of our government would be so changed as to be oppressive to any class of Christians, and the idea would be scoffed as incredible. At the present time, after people have listened to, and seen the effects of, the proclamation of the third angel’s message, we find many very zealously advocating the necessity of such a law.
A short time since, I had the privilege of attending a class-meeting held by the United Brethren, the leader of which and several of the class were about to commence to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. At the close of the testimonies, the following remarks were made by the leader:—
“Since the Sabbath question has been agitated here, I have been carefully investigating the matter. I have examined every passage speaking on the subject of the Sabbath and law from Genesis to Revelation, and have tried in every way to upset this doctrine. I found that, if the law of God is still binding, the seventh day is the Sabbath. I then sought proof that the law is abolished. I sought refuge behind the declaration, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ Here the Sabbath must be included. But I found this referred to a time when there is no more death. Either the apostles tell an untruth when they say that the Sabbath precedes the first day of the week, or we when we say the first day is the Sabbath. I find the law of God is still binding, and that the Sabbath is a part of that law. I find the whole duty of man summed up in the commandments of God; and as for me I will keep these commandments.”
An officious and leading man in the church then arose, and expressed himself as follows:—
“You are acting hastily and very unwisely. You had better wait till our next quarterly meeting before deciding to take such a course.—Our fathers died keeping the first day, and we know they are in Heaven. My father died, and came back and told us all was well. Why did not he warn us to keep Saturday lest we go to hell!”
The former replied: “It is not safe to postpone present duty till the future. When converted I promised God that I would serve him. New light is shining upon my pathway, and I will try to walk in this light.”
“At the present time,” replied the other, “people have the privilege of keeping the day they see fit; but, as for my part, I shall be glad to see the time come when the day will be established by law, and all be obliged to keep it.”
The minds of the people are being rapidly prepared to vote in favor of an “image to the beast.” The winds are being held that the servants of God may be “sealed.” Soon, we know not how soon, the “winds” will blow, the “great battle” will be fought, the “trump of God” will sound, “the heavens and the earth shall shake,” “the dead in Christ shall rise,” and with them “we which are alive and remain” will be taken to the mansions now being prepared for “all them also that love his appearing.”
CHAS. L. BOYD.
Repose the Secret of Power.
A PEACEFUL life is most likely to be a full one, with finer and keener sensibilities; better related to beauty and poetry and all higher matters; more dignified and self-respecting.
Repose is the secret of power in persons, pictures, statues, architecture, books, and nature, as if it were a means of retaining as well as disclosing life; and health demands a frequent pausing to restore the balance of the system, and keep up perfect circulation.
The night, if spent in healthy sleep after proper evening hours, reduces the world's chaos, and we are new every morning.
Who does not know the magic of a brief pause in the midst of the worst confusion? A calm of five minutes will invite back our vagrant ideas and powers.
So the home should be like a hush and a lullaby in this headlong, whirling, noisy, furious, and distracted world of the nineteenth century—a nook apart from the thoroughfares—a grot or bower under the sky, where the beautiful spirits of the air will hover and dance.
Its atmosphere should be a little oriental and cheering, as if exhaled from poppies and balsams.
The Mission of Hygienists.
By John Harvey Kellogg
It would seem that the aim and scope of a movement which has been in progress so long as the one in which we are engaged, should be by this time so well understood that any attempt at such a definition as we propose to make in this article would be wholly superfluous. That such is not the case, however, is the conclusion which constantly forces itself upon us as the result of repeated observations. If we may judge from the pointed, caustic paragraphs which are constantly appearing in popular journals, magazines, and newspapers (and these are but the echoes of public sentiment), we may justly conclude that in the eyes of a large majority of individuals, health reformers are looked upon as a horde of insurgents against human happiness; a set of stoics whose flinty natures delight in depriving life of all its pleasures; monomaniacs in whom the promptings of reason and sound judgment are totally eclipsed by the chemical fancies of a disordered brain; iconoclasts who delight in repudiating and attacking everything which has received the sanction of custom.
The object of this article is not to deny in toto the justness of such representations as we have just referred to, although we are glad to believe that they are false as regards the great mass of hygienists; for we fear that there has been, unfortunately, far too much occasion for the prevalence of such views. It is to the probable origin of such prejudicial notions that we wish to call attention.
Perhaps the greatest misfortune common to all reformations is the fact that the novelty of the movement attracts to its ranks a certain number of hot-headed fanatics who eagerly seize upon every favorable opportunity for making a raid upon established usages, and who delight in exhibiting and cultivating oddity and eccentricity. Such individuals do not fail to announce their peculiar views upon every possible occasion, presenting them in the most obtrusive and repulsive manner. By so doing they not only disgrace themselves in the eyes of all sensible persons, but also bring reproach upon the cause to which they claim adherence, and thus upon each individual member connected with it. We are often pained to meet with the most conclusive evidence that there are quite too many characters of this stamp within our ranks; and we here enter an earnest protest that such individuals shall not be considered as representatives of the true character of the movement.
Another evil which has been the curse of every reformation, from man's first emergence from barbarism to the present moment, is the tendency to extremes which seems to be inherent in the human mind. A suspended body which is by any means drawn from a perpendicular, when released, quickly oscillates to a point nearly as far from the perpendicular, on the opposite side. So with men whose minds are deficient in intellectual ballast; the momentum which they acquire in breaking away from the chains of habit and time-honored customs, drives them far beyond the equipoise of truth; and thus they defeat the purpose which first prompted a reform, and find their latter state as bad as the former, or even worse. We need scarcely say that the cause of health reform is daily suffering from the ignominy and opprobrium occasioned by the absurd freaks and ultra notions of this class of pseudo-reformers. In a future article we will attempt to define more clearly what we characterize as extreme or ultra.
But there is still another cause which we have become convinced is operating still more powerfully against the interests of this movement than either of those yet mentioned, and to which we shall venture to refer, although sensible that we are running some risk of incurring the displeasure of many who honestly consider themselves as valiant champions of the cause; viz., what seems to be a vindictive spirit against the whole medical profession, together with the totality of their teachings, on the part of a certain class of persons who are always ready with a volley of wholesale denunciations of every M. D. who carries a pill box. Such a course only excites contempt, and is beneath the dignity of a true reformer who claims to have logic and common sense on his side. We may rejoice in the glorious light of health reform, which gives us true notions of the nature of disease, its cause, and rational treatment; but it will not do for us to allow ourselves to become egotistical and conceited. A health reformer should be of all men the last to look with contempt upon science and its votaries. Without science, health reform would not be in existence. It is only through the instrumentality of the arduous labors and researches of scientific men that we have been delivered from the gross empiricism and superstition of the dark ages. It should be distinctly understood that health reform is not a crusade against science. Neither is it a raid upon the medical profession. All the progress in the treatment of disease, and all the improvement in public hygiene have come through the profession; and whatever may be said concerning many of the deductions of so-called medical science, it cannot be disputed that modern medicine presents a collection of facts relating to the causes, natural history, and characteristic symptoms of individual diseases which are of infinite value to the human family, and which demand the respect of every intelligent person.
Health reform embraces all that is true and reliable concerning the relations of health and disease to habits of life and material surroundings. It gathers the rays of truth from every quarter, and radiates them wherever its influence extends. It has no issue with individuals, it only deals with principles. We have good feelings and wishes for all, and welcome with joy every token of the progress of truth and the exposure of error.—J. H. K., in Health Reformer.
The Lord Is Coming.
By Mary A. Martin
Those who have preached the present truth in this place have shown plainly by the Scriptures that the Son of God is soon to array himself in robes of vengeance and descend the blazing vault of heaven, taking vengeance on all that know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord. The doubts are all removed from my mind and the clouds from my sky. I thank the Lord that I have the privilege of being numbered with those who are watching and waiting for that blessed hope, and I am determined by the grace of God to keep my attention fixed upon that great object, looking for and hasting unto the day of God and the blessed appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Mary A. Martin.
Woodland Cal.
Significant Items.
By R. M. Kilgore
(ONE who has been a close observer of morals, and a Judge of the civil courts, is certainly well qualified to testify of the
INCREASE of CRIME.
Judge Maxwell in his address to the Grand Jury of Polk County, said: “During the twenty years I have lived in Iowa, I have never known a time when the number and atrocity of capital crimes were so alarming. This is probably the last time I shall ever charge a Grand Jury in Polk County. I have no complaint to make against the Polk County jury; it has always done its duty, and its efforts have been well seconded by the Petit Jury. We have also had able prosecutors; and yet, with all our watchfulness, the disposition to commit crime appears to be greater than at any time during the past ten years. We do not know how many women and children have been killed in Des Moines; we only know that some of us have not been killed. During the time I have been on the bench the records show that in this district there have been nine hundred and seventy criminal trials, resulting in four hundred and four convictions and five hundred and sixty-six acquittals. Fifty-two convicts have been sent to the penitentiary. The amount of fines assessed is $11,951. $33,026 of these were fines in liquor cases. $16,420 have been collected.”
And another Judge grants indulgence to break the decalogue as interpreted by modern theology:—
Max Strakosch having announced an operatic entertainment by his troupe; in New York, the other night, the police board forbade it. Max applied to the Judge of the Supreme Court for an injunction restraining the board from interfering, which was granted. “Sacred concerts,” so-called, are given in New York nearly every Sunday night, and church choirs are full of operatic singers, and no protest is made.
This last sentence states a fact which must be admitted, and this custom, which prevails to so large an extent in the popular churches, entirely reverses the order of the poets. One sings:—
“Oh! for a thousand tongues, to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise!”
And another commands:—
“Let those refuse to sing,
Who never knew our God.”
The following would appear to indicate a fulfillment of Luke 21:25:—
In the gale on the 7th inst. a 2-acre island in St. Louis Bay, 1½ miles from Minnesota Point, near Duluth, was displaced, and floated 3 miles down into Duluth Bay, and landed at Allen’s ship-yard. Upon the island are pine trees that will measure 3 feet across the stump, and it is thickly covered over with other timber. The soil on the island is as solid as any on the mainland.
A typhoon in China, with earthquake and tidal-wave accompaniments, on September 22, ruined Hong Kong, Macao and other places, destroyed shipping, killed 20,000 people, and destroyed millions of property. During the storm, pirates burned 700 buildings in Macao for plunder. The bodies could not be buried fast enough, decomposition was so rapid, and 4,000 corpses were cremated, having first been smeared with tar.
R M. KILGORE.
Four Distinguished Men Predict a European War.
FATHER HYACINTHE and Victor Hugo have joined Mr. Disraeli and the pope in prophesying the approach of a tremendous war, which shall rage all over Europe and elsewhere. Mr. Disraeli predicted that the war would be a religious one, and that it would convulse the globe. The pope described the impending struggle as one between the armies of the Archangel Michael and the hosts of Satan. According to the prognostication of Father Hyacinthe, the coming war will be three-fold, and will include a fearful conflict between popular rights and the power of capital, in which the combatants will tear each other to pieces. According to the vaticination of Victor Hugo, the great and inevitable encounter is to be “between two principles, republic and empire.” He says that “we have before us—in Europe—a series of catastrophies which engender each other, and which must be exhausted;” that “we can get a glimpse of peace only across a shock of arms;” that “between the present and the future there is a fatal interposition;” that “kings must expiate their crimes;” and that the separation of the people will result in federation and fraternity. He thus closes his prophecy of the “Universal Fatherland:” “The solution is this: The United States of Europe. The end will be for the people—that is to say, for liberty and for God—that is to say—for peace.” There must surely be something in the atmosphere of Europe that leads so many prophets to prophesy the approach of war—war about religion, republicanism, and the rights of human nature.
Ventilation of Cellars.
By J. H. Waggoner
As the time is approaching when cellars will be closed up, so to remain most of the winter, it is a fit time to inquire if the collection of foul air in the cellar may not either be prevented or corrected. A cellar in which are kept vegetables and fruit, especially if it is somewhat damp, not only contains an atmosphere dangerous to inhale, but it imparts it more or less to the rooms above. It is true that the effects are felt more as warm weather approaches, but confined, damp, tainted air is dangerous at all times.
As the worst air in a cellar is usually the heaviest, and therefore remains near the bottom, and as the windows are necessarily small and near the top, and as there can be no opening to admit air at the bottom, it is evident that opening the windows occasionally, as may be done in favorable weather even in winter, will not dispel the foul air which lies below the range of a current through the windows.
I know of but one certain method of purifying the air in a damp cellar, and that is by means of a pipe. This may be as small as desired; two inches in diameter will answer. Let the lower end remain open, and within a few inches of the bottom of the cellar, and connect the upper end to a stove pipe in the ordinary T method. The upward draft, especially when there is fire in the stove, will cause a draft from the bottom of the pipe, and of course cause the air to move at the bottom of the cellar.
Because the air in cellars is usually damp and foul it has been thought by some that cellars under houses are injurious and ought to be abandoned. But I think not. A house with close underpinning, as is usually seen, admits of no circulation, nor of examination, while, with proper care, the air in a cellar may be as pure as that in any part of the house, and admits of renovation at any time. Who will remember this? And who, that has a damp cellar, will act upon the suggestion?
J. H. Waggoner.
Forming a High-Toned Public Opinion
Most people need all the strength which a high-toned public opinion can give them to keep them true to their conscience and their God; and that opinion is partly formed by what we do and what we are. Strive earnestly, then, to order your life with a wise simplicity. Be frugal in the shows, and generous in the substances of life. Set the example so greatly needed, of wholesome moderation. Show that you care for character above all else.—Sel.
Forgetting Our Humble Beginnings
Success in life is very apt to make us forget the time when we were not much. It is just so with a frog on a jump; he can't remember when he was a tadpole, but other folks can.—