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Review and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 10.

LIFE OF WILLIAM MILLER
Earlier text: DISCUSSION ON THE SABBATH QUESTION

Faithfulness.

By A. S. HUTCHINS

Of the Christian, faithfulness is required in all the duties incumbent upon him. It is not enough that there be faithfulness in duties which may be regarded the more pleasant. Every where, in all the walks of life, opportunities meet us to labor for the Master. We must turn from the pleasures of the vain world, deny self, and bear the cross, to advance the cause of Him who sacrificed, suffered, and died, that we might live and reign with him.
Oh! surpassing pity. Oh! amazing love. Oh! that such divine and wondrous love might constrain us to lives of faithfulness and usefulness.
Says the apostle, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:14, 15. “For none of us liveth unto himself, and no man dieth unto himself.”
That love which led God to give his Son for the world, and led the Son to pour out his life for it, shed abroad in the soul, will cause us to live intensely the cause of God, and to labor perseveringly for the salvation of souls. The soul thus inspired with love will ever bear in mind that no longer can he live unto himself. That he is bought with a price, and that he must henceforth live unto Him who has graciously pardoned his sins, purified his heart, and brought him into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
The danger into which Christians are liable to run, is a neglect of the comparatively smaller duties. They do not intend to neglect those which to them seem important. But as the warp and woof of the Christian life is made up of small threads, these must be well attended to, or the web will show a corresponding defect.
Little thoughts, words, and acts, must be guarded. Much of our happiness and usefulness depend upon a constant and conscientious watch here. God, holy angels, and the world, watch the development of character in this direction.
Moments, and hours, too, must be improved to the glory of Him whose servants we are. Men are not inclined to set a right estimate upon precious time. When we see those professing godliness, habitually frequenting places where men congregate to pass away golden moments to no account, or murder the fast-flying hours of probation, we mourn their lack of faithfulness and fidelity to their high, holy, and most sacred profession. Can it be they have the assurance that the Holy Spirit accompanies them there, abides with, and attends them to their homes, when the evening gossip is closed?
From trifling inconveniences, or the hurry of the world, the reading of the Scriptures and family prayer are neglected, and the Giver of all we enjoy is not thanked for the well-spread table of earthly bounties.
To the faithful and wise servant, the most rich and priceless blessings will be given at the coming of our Lord. Who then is he? “He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.”
Says a wise and godly man, “He who has the genuine principles of fidelity in him, will make a point of conscience of carefully attending to even the smallest things; and it is by habituating himself to act uprightly in little things, that he acquires the gracious habit of acting with propriety, fidelity, honor, and conscience, in matters of the greatest concern. On the contrary, he who does not act uprightly in small matters, will seldom feel himself bound to pay much attention to the dictates of honor and conscience, in cases of high importance. Can we reasonably expect, that a man who is continually falling by little things, has power to resist temptations to great evils?”
Says another: “It is of more importance, than we are aware or are willing to allow, that we take care diligently to practise the smaller virtues, avoid scrupulously the lesser sins, and bear patiently inferior trials; for the sin of habitually yielding, or the grace of habitually resisting, in comparatively small points, tends in no inconsiderable degree to produce that vigor or that debility of mind on which hangs victory or defeat.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.

Constantine and Sunday.

By C. G. W.

PROMINENT among the names which church historians delight to honor is that of Constantine, who is reported to have been a convert to Christianity, and entitled to special distinction as an early advocate and defender of Sunday observance.
The researches of Bro. Andrews in his “Sabbath History,” have thrown much light upon the character of this man, who has received such homage at the hands of Eusebius, and historians of a later day, and whose religion seems to have been composed of about equal parts of paganism, papacy, and crafty statesmanship.
Now that the public mind is being directed to the Sabbath question, it seems almost providential that two of the leading magazines should contain articles in which the character of Constantine is freely criticised, and his tampering with church festivals is placed in rather a questionable light. The Galaxy for December, and Harper’s Magazine for January, each contain articles referring directly to this subject, from which we make the following extracts. The former magazine contains an article entitled “The Growth of ‘Giant Pope,’” written with much care, and giving evidence of historical research.
The writer describes Constantine as “a soldier, a statesman, and a Roman Emperor, rather than a saint,” the great purpose of whose life was, “to reunite and tranquillize the empire which Diocletian had divided.” “Up to the age of forty his religious history was that of an idolater. He restored and endowed the temples of the ancient deities; he issued medals impressed with the images and attributes of Jupiter, Apollo, Mars and Hercules; he added his father, Constantius, to the society of the deified Cæsars; he paid especial worship to Apollo as the sun god.”
Thus much for his earlier history. But lest the claim should be made that he atoned for all this by his later acts in behalf of Christianity, the writer proceeds as follows:—
Let us see precisely what he did for the Christian church and for the bishops or pastors of the congregation at Rome. Arriving in the capital at the head of his Gaulish cohorts, over the bodies of the soldiers of Maxentius, his first acts were to accept the office of Pontifex Maximus, to attend the sacred games, to repair various pagan temples, and to authorize the founding of a college of priests in honor of the Flavian family. Then came an edict, now lost, which is reported to us as having favored Christianity,but which certainly did not establish it as the religion of the State. Somewhat later, signed conjointly by Licinius and Constantine, appeared what may be called the Magna Charta of the liberties of the church, the famous decree of Milan. What was it? It was a grant of toleration; it recognized Christianity as one of the forms in which men might properly and legally worship the divine nature; it restored all ecclesiastical edifices and possessions which had been confiscated under former emperors; it was emancipation, equality, justice and nothing more. The same freedom of worship, the same rights of property, which it accorded to Christianity, it also accorded to all other faiths. It was the edict, not of a convert and devotee, but of a wise statesman and clement prince.
After further testimony of a like character concerning the equivocal nature of the emperor’s Christianity, the writer draws the following conclusion:—
“In truth it would seem that the real purpose of the emperor was to introduce a composite religion, made up of philosophy, Christianity, and sun worship; that he hoped to unite in one pacific hodge-podge the warring faiths of his subjects, as he had re-united the provinces of the distracted empire. If he proclaimed the holiness of Sunday, it was because it was a day sacred to Apollo, as well as commemorative of Jesus. He was a pacifier, a compromiser, a politician, a ruler, rather than a convert. It was not until he lay upon his death-bed that he accepted baptism.”
The history of the church during this period proves conclusively that nothing is so fatal to any cause as compromise. While the church was under the iron heel of persecution, she preserved her principles in comparative purity; but when a compromise was offered, she began to waver, and accepted the compound of heathenism and papacy as a relief from her troubles and persecutions. Hence Sunday began to supplant the Sabbath, step by step, until its observance became well nigh universal.
The article in Harper’s Magazine is entitled “Christmas Throughout Christendom,” and although it makes no direct reference to the change of the Sabbath, it contains several suggestive paragraphs, from which we extract the following, the italics only being our own:—
“When, however, Constantine proclaimed the Christian faith as the predominating religion of the Roman Empire, the Christian church, relieved from persecution throughout both Orient and Occident, began to solemnize, under the ægis of imperial authority, Christmas as the birthday of Christ. One prominent feature, however, of Constantine’s political propaganda of Christianity was the adoption under Christian forms, not only of pagan rites and ceremonies, but also of pagan festivals. In order to reconcile heathen converts to the new faith, these relics of paganism, like antique columns transferred from ancient temples to adorn Christian churches, were freely incorporated into the Christian ceremonial. Thus it was that Christmas, though formerly observed on the 6th of January, was transferred to the 25th of December, the time of the Roman Saturnalia, and became invested with much of the paraphernalia of the heathen festival.”
And we might add, with strict truthfulness, thus it was that the Sabbath was transferred from the day of God’s rest to the first day of the week, “the venerable day of the sun,” on which Constantine and his pagan supporters paid their devotions to Apollo, the sun god.
In view of the foregoing evidence, the fact that Constantine was an advocate of Sunday observance adds no weight to the evidence in its behalf and no luster to its cause.
C. G. W.

Queries.—The Lord's Supper.

REVIEW AND HERALD: Wishing always to have correct ideas of my religious neighbors' views, and not sure that I fully understand the S. D. Adventists as to their position and teaching with reference to the Lord's Supper, I would like an answer to the following questions:—
1. What is the Lord's Supper? or, do you designate the breaking of the loaf and drinking the cup in memory of Christ's death by a different term?
2. Who has a right to sit at the Lord's table?
3. How often are we to attend to this institution?
4. On what day of the week, if on any particular day, are we to attend to it?
5. Is it material to the institution to partake of it at any particular hour of the day?
6. What is the antitype of the passover?
7. What is the antitype of the table of shew-bread in the Jewish tabernacle?
Fraternally, PETER VOGEL.
Lanark, Ill.
REPLY. To the foregoing queries we will briefly respond in their order.
1. We designate the breaking of the loaf and drinking the cup, by the term, the Lord's Supper. 1 Cor. 11 : 20. We regard the bread and wine as emblems of the broken body and spilt blood of our Lord; the ordinance being a memorial of the crucifixion of Christ, to be celebrated in memory of him till his second coming. 1 Cor. 11 : 26.
2. He has a right to sit at the Lord's table who has scripturally put on Christ; first, by dying to sin; secondly, by being baptized into Christ's death: Rom. 6 : 2–6; Gal. 3 : 27: baptism being a memorial of Christ's resurrection, as the supper is of his crucifixion.
3. The Bible gives no instruction to show how frequently this ordinance should be celebrated.
4. Neither do we think there is anything to confine it to a particular day. It was instituted on the evening of the night in which Christ was betrayed, probably our Thursday evening, certainly not the evening of the first day of the week. Only once have we any account that it was celebrated on the first day of the week. That was at Troas, when Paul was about to leave them, purposing to depart on the morrow. Acts 20 : 7. Being instituted on one day of the week, and at a certain time celebrated on another, without one word being said as to the duty of celebrating it on any particular day, and the inference from 1. Cor. 11 : 26, being clear that its frequency was left to be a matter of inclination or convenience, we see not how it can be made a matter of faith to confine it to any particular day of the week.
5. In regard to the hour of the day in which it should be celebrated, certain facts exist from which an inference can be drawn. It is called a supper. It was instituted in the evening; and we have one instance in which it was celebrated in the evening. From these facts, it would seem that the evening is the most appropriate part of the day for its celebration.
6. Christ is the antitypical paschal lamb. 1 Cor. 5 : 7. By his blood destruction will be averted from his people, or the destroying angel pass over them, in the day of vengeance.
7. Without presuming to be able to tell definitely what the antitype of the table of shew-bread is, we can, to a certain extent, tell what it is not. It does not find its antitype in anything here on earth; for no part of the Jewish tabernacle or its vessels of service constituted a type of anything here on earth, unless the priesthood of Christ can be performed here on earth. But the Scriptures expressly inform us that Christ cannot be a priest on earth. Heb. 8 : 4.

Christian Gentleness Under Persecution

SAYS Ignatius, the companion of Polycarp, “Be ye mild at their anger, humble at their boasting, to their blasphemies, return your prayers, to their error, your firmness in the faith; when they are cruel, be ye gentle, not endeavoring to imitate their ways. Let us be their brethren in all kindness and moderation, but let us be followers of the Lord; for who was ever more unjustly used, more destitute, more despised?”

Getting “Time.”

By James White

WITH regret I have noticed a disposition on the part of some brethren to buy almost every thing they can if they can get “time” on it, which means that they can buy it on credit, paying at some time future. This is a dangerous practice, and is generally attended with bad results. I have never known a person to prosper who was addicted to it; and when once the habit is formed, articles are frequently bought which are not needed. Such people are always in trouble; always behind their promises, or paying old debts at a sacrifice. Debt is a delusion—it deceives the unwary. I have known some who always meant to help the cause of God when they got out of debt, but year after year only put farther off the desired time. It was said by a certain writer that some people exercise all their benevolence over other people’s goods; that is, they tell what great things they would do if they were as rich as certain others, but feel little burden of doing with what they have. It is an easy matter to feel benevolent if we can make the feeling excuse us from action. And so with people who keep constantly in debt: they often feel a strong conviction of duty to help the cause when they get out of debt, but make comparatively little effort to get or to keep out of debt.
Solomon said, “The borrower is servant to the lender.” To many it is even worse than that. He that is cumbered with debts is a slave; he is not a free man. He is never out of trouble, unless, as occasionally happens, a man is perfectly unconcerned and at ease with debts upon him which he knows not how to pay; but such are greater objects of pity than any others.
“I will give you time,” should be heard with suspicion. It is a note of danger. It speaks of trouble, of anxiety, of days of perplexity, and often of sleepless nights. It is emphatically “vanity and vexation of spirit.”
He who gets in debt without imperative necessity is squandering the means which Providence has placed in his reach for better uses; yet many do not realize this. The amount usually paid on “s. b.” is $10.40 for $1000 for one year. But he who owes $1000 pays not less than $100 a year on it—nearly ten times as much. Yet some are paying even higher rates of interest than that, whose circumstances and business cannot warrant it; it is a leak which runs away all their profits, and keeps them crippled both in regard to their worldly business and their efforts to aid the cause of God. In a time of financial trouble, such are at the mercy of worldly men. It is a great satisfaction as well as a revealed duty to “Owe no man anything.”
J. H. W.

The Blessing.

By R. M. KILGORE

In this mortal state we are the recipients of countless blessings bestowed upon us by our kind Heavenly Father, but that which we esteem most is life. Though we are called upon to share in trials, disappointments, afflictions, or persecutions; yet life is sweet. Were we promised all the honor and treasures of earth, to relinquish the uncertain hold we have upon life the answer would be, No. Life is worth more. “For,” says Christ, “what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul (life), or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (life)?”
This life is limited. The days of men are few and full of trouble. “The living know that they shall die,” yet they cling tenaciously to life, and dread the approach of the foul destroyer, which hastens them to the “land of darkness,” where there is no work, knowledge, device or wisdom, and where “the memory of them is forgotten.” This is the portion of all. “There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked,” “and there is no discharge in that war.”
But is this man’s finality? Is that which man esteemed so highly, to be abandoned without the hope of recovery? Job inquires, “If a man die, shall he live again?” Jesus answers, “I am the resurrection and the life.” “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live,” and “all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” A marked distinction is here shown in favor of one of these classes. Why is the “resurrection of life,” granted to one and not to the other? Because “they have done good.” The apostle Paul says: God “will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor, and immortality [he will render] eternal life.” Rom. 2: 6, 7.
Here characters are to be formed, and this is the fitting up place for another life in the future. What are the prerequisites? What is the standard of character? David, in the fifteenth psalm, asks: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill” (of Zion)? Ps. 15: 1. He answers: “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” And in the twenty-fourth psalm, in answer to the same questions, he assures him who is found in possession of this character that “He shall receive the blessing from the Lord.” When singing of the showers of blessings that fall like the gentle dew upon the “holy hill,” or mountains of Zion; he says: “For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.” Ps. 133: 3.
Though God has promised his people an inheritance in the new earth, mansions in the golden city, “crowns of glory,” “palms of victory,” with a seat at his right hand, that he would feed them with fruit from the tree of life, and give them to drink of the river of life, that they should “see the King in his beauty” and “delight themselves in the abundance of peace;” yet, should he not bestow that pre-eminent blessing, all would be very unsatisfactory. Without this, no other blessing could be enjoyed. It would not be “the fullness of joy,” because the pleasure could not be forevermore.
Will that life to come be of such a nature as to render satisfaction to its recipients? If it were limited, it would not. Nothing short of everlasting life will satisfy fully, the longing desire of, and the strong attachment we have for, life. So God declares of those who set their love upon him, “I will deliver him and show him my salvation.” Ps. 91: 14, 16. “And mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isa. 65: 22. Hence with sweet assurance and confidence in the promises of God, David says: “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” What more could he ask for? Nothing. When he awakes in the morning of the resurrection, holy satisfaction rests upon his brow; for then “he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,” whose leaf shall not wither. When the apostle Peter’s eyes shall be opened to behold that “joy which is unspeakable and full of glory,” he is satisfied because he wears a crown that “fadeth not away;” and though the apostle Paul could look back with pleasure upon the race he had run, the battle he had fought, and the victories he had gained, yet he anxiously looked forward to the time when he should receive that “crown of righteousness,” which was laid up for him. Will he be satisfied then? Yes, because it is “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Oh! precious boon! Who will be found worthy to receive it? What a blessing to live a life that shall measure with that of God’s? Can it be gained? What are the conditions? “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Come unto me.” “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me,” for, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.”
Then which shall we hear? the welcome words, “Well done,” “come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom,” or the doleful fiat, “Depart, ye cursed,” ye knew your Master’s will, but ye did it not? Remember, “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6: 23.
“Heed not the tempter’s siren voice, A deep with dangers rife; Mortal! thou hast a better choice— Life, life, eternal LIFE.”
R. M. KILGORE.

Consistency.

By N. Orcutt

CONVERSING recently with an aged preacher of the Methodist church, upon the law of God and Sabbath of the Lord, the following dialogue (in substance) closed the conversation.
Methodist. I acknowledge the perpetual obligation of the moral law, but claim that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week.
Orcutt. You believe that the Scriptures are profitable, able to make the man of God perfect and thoroughly furnish him unto all good works?
M. I do. It is our rule of faith and practice. We are bound to believe and practice what it teaches.
O. Upon subjects of which it treats, are we justified in believing and practicing what it does not teach?
M. Certainly not.
O. Well, how is it about the Sabbath of the Lord? The Scriptures teach us that it is the seventh day.
M. Yes, but I am satisfied that it has been changed to the first day.
O. Changed by whom? Where is the testimony from the Bible to prove that point?
M. I must admit that I have no positive testimony. But the change was made by the Saviour, who was Lord of the Sabbath.
O. How do we know this?
M. Why, he met with his disciples on the first day of the week, after his resurrection.
O. And did he not meet with them on other days? Was he not seen of them forty days, during which time he spoke to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God? If his meeting with them on the first day made it the Sabbath, is not the same true of the other days?
M. Well, we have the example of the apostles to sanction the change.
O. Where recorded? I have been unable to find it in the Scriptures.
M. At any rate, you must admit that almost the whole Christian world have kept the first day for sixteen hundred years.
O. I admit that, from about A. D. 321, the great mass of professed Christians have kept the first day as the Sabbath, in obedience to the edicts of the little horn—the papacy. And a more numerous class, for more than twice that length of time, have bowed down and worshiped idols. Will that justify us in the practice of idolatry? The second precept is no more definite in condemnation of idolatry, than is the fourth in defining and enforcing the duty of Sabbath keeping—the sacred weekly observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord.
M. Yes, but we learn from history that for sixteen hundred years Sunday has been kept by the church; and I have so much confidence in the providence of God, that I believe if the church had been wrong God would have sent some judgment upon them to convince them of their error and set them right in the matter.
O. His judgments may be sent to convince those who will not take the testimony of his word, but I fear it will be too late to “set them right.” It were wisdom for us who profess to take his word as the rule of life, to conform to its teachings, instead of practicing and teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
N. ORCUTT.
Jamaica, Vt., Jan., 1873.

On Miracles and Creation

I SEE no greater difficulty in believing the resurrection of the dead, or the conception of the Virgin, than the creation of the world. Is it less easy to produce a human body than it was to produce it at first?—Pascal.

Christian Spiritualism.

By John Norton Loughborough

“THE Evangel,” the periodical of the Baptist denomination on this coast, in its issue of Jan. 9, 1873, gives the obituary notice of D. S. Watson, president of the California Baptist State Convention. After speaking of the services Eld. Watson had rendered to the Baptist cause, the writer of the obituary, C. B. P., says:— “After all, our brother is not dead. He has simply ‘gone before.’ The house he lived in may, and will, decay, but the earnest soul will still serve the Lord. The loved and loving wife, who ministered so faithfully to the suffering body, may find her aching heart soothed by some gentle, silent influence, from the heavenly land; and, if permitted to do so, that angel spirit will thus minister to her, and to his dear church, and to other loved friends toiling for Jesus.”
Should the Elder’s former society hear rapping, they may conclude it is from their former pastor. We prefer the sentiment of the wise man: “Neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” And instead of looking for consolation in the doubtful masses of heathen mythology, we would take heed to that consolation Paul gave his mourning friends: “The Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Confession and Reformation.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

THE discourse on 1 John 1, by Bro. White, was read by me with deep interest. God is light. In him is no darkness at all. If we say, We have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie. I was convicted, and had been before, that I was too far from God, the source of light. How shall I get into the light, and more clearly discern the path of duty, and have the needed help to perform? By confession. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” I resolved that I would try this course and get into the light; that I would search for my sins, and confess them.
The appeal I have read and re-read with deep and prayerful interest. I greatly desire to have a part in the work of the Lord. Truly, it must be a “terrible sin” for those who profess to believe that God is leading this people, and speaking to them by his Spirit in the gift of prophecy, and “yet from heedlessness receive no lasting impression when reproved, but go on as before, making no changes in those things wherein they are reproved.”
I often think of the reproofs I have had, and have tried to heed them and correct my errors; but how far short I have come. I feel the force and truthfulness of these words: “Be not deceived, brethren. You know in your very souls that you come very far short of realizing in yourselves what is comprehended in these precious words of John, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth you from all sin.”” I am satisfied that there is no “other way to the light but by confession.” And further, that “God did not specify all” my sins. It is my design to try confession. To confess all my wrongs to the ones who have been affected by them. And I ask the forgiveness of all those who have been grieved, or affected evilly, by my errors; and I ask the prayers of those who are nearer to God than myself, and realize the exceeding blessing, by walking in the light.
R. F. COTTRELL.

A. S. HUTCHINS

By A. S. HUTCHINS

Brethren.

THIS is the word used in solemn and scriptural language, instead of “brothers,” in speaking of the people of God. Sometimes it is used in reference to our kinsfolk, in place of brothers. But I know of no place in the Bible where brothers is used instead of brethren, in speaking of those united with the Most High, by adoption. Testimonies in social meetings would sound better if this were borne in mind by some, while we think the Lord would be no less pleased with them.
It is right to approach our Maker in prayer and exhortation with becoming and proper language. Yet he will regard prayers and petitions arising from the contrite heart of the most unlearned.
“A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” “The preacher sought to find out acceptable words (words of delight, margin): and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.”

A. S. HUTCHINS

American Wonders.

The greatest cataract in the world is the falls of Niagara, where the water from the great upper lakes forms a river three-fourths of a mile in width, and then being suddenly contracted plunges over the rocks in two columns to the depth of one hundred and seventy feet each.
The greatest cave in the world is the Mammoth cave in Kentucky, where one can make a voyage in the waters of a subterranean river, and catch fish without eyes.
The greatest river in the world is the Mississippi, four thousand one hundred miles long.
The largest valley in the world is the valley of the Mississippi. It contains five hundred thousand square miles and is one of the most fertile regions of the globe.
The largest lake in the world is Lake Superior, which is truly an inland sea, being four hundred and thirty miles long and very deep.
The longest railroad in the world is the Pacific Railroad, over three thousand miles in length.
The greatest natural bridge in the world is the Natural Bridge over Cedar Creek, in Virginia. It extends across a chasm eighty feet in width and two hundred and fifty feet in depth, at the bottom of which the creek flows.
The greatest mass of solid iron in the world is the great Red Mountain, near Birmingham, Alabama. It is three hundred and fifty feet high, and fifty miles in length, of almost solid iron ore, the largest and richest deposit known in the world.
The largest deposit of anthracite coal in the world is in Pennsylvania, the mines of which supply the market with millions of tons annually.

Temptations After Extraordinary Duties

The temptations of the devil are strongest after extraordinary duties are performed, or revelations received. Immediately after the Lord's Supper, Satan desired to winnow the disciples. Christ was no sooner out of the water of baptism and the fast of forty days, than he was tempted of the devil.

Shelby Co., Iowa.

By John Matteson

STILL I am trying to labor in this county, and intend to continue another month, if the Lord will. We are holding meetings now in the town of Clay, near Indian Creek. About twenty Danes have embraced the Sabbath here, and some Americans. There are now in all forty Danes in this county who have taken hold of the Sabbath since I came here. Most of these have been awakened by the truth, and are just starting out to serve the Lord. It is remarkable that most every one of that class of people try to live out the truth when they are convinced of it.
At Bowman's Grove, where I labored before I came to this last place, the Baptists have tried hard to turn away those new converts, but without success. The brethren have met together every Sabbath, and although none of them ever took part in religious exercises before, yet they sing together, read and study the Bible together, and some of them begin to pray. They all seem to enjoy it well. I was with them last Sabbath. Went on horseback across the prairie, eight miles and back, through a severe, cold wind. Went the same distance the Sabbath before, to Copy's Grove. Took a hard cold, yet I filled two appointments the next day, although I breathed with difficulty. By the help of the Lord and the use of water I soon got over it. The winter is severe, and the weather very changeable and unfavorable for meetings, yet I learn that we fare much better than those farther north.
The prospect is good that three little companies will be raised up here to obey the truth. They live about eight miles apart, and can all meet together once a month. I learn the same lesson here as often before, that a preacher has not so good chances at first when he goes into a new place, but when once a good reputation is established, the field is more likely to open up before him. There are a number of other places in these parts that I would like to visit, where no doubt good might be done. Omaha is only forty miles west, and is a principal place for the Danish population in the West. Much land around here is bought up by Danes, who are soon to settle. I therefore consider the planting of the truth here among our people as a work of much importance. I intend to return in the spring or summer, and it would be desirable to have another missionary settle here permanently, or, at least, a brother who could take the lead of the work. Urgent calls from other places make it necessary for me to leave here soon, otherwise I should remain longer.
The Advent Tidende takes much of my attention. It requires about seventy pages of foolscap manuscript every month. Besides this, much correspondence is called for, as well as reading, to keep posted. Consequently, I cannot visit so much as I otherwise could. The work of preaching moves along some, and the interest in the Advent Tidende is increasing among its readers.
Bro. Shong, from Chicago, writes: “I learn from the readers of the Advent Tidende that it is acknowledged to be the best religious journal in our language now in circulation. Some of the leading men among the Baptists have become subscribers.”
Bro. Petersen, from Poy Sippi, Wis., says: “The Lord has been very gracious to us as a people in helping us to obtain so many publications in our own languages, and especially our monthly journal which comes to me like the gentle rain on the dry ground.”
In the same way, write many others. A Methodist brother, A. W. Jensen, from N. J., embraced the truth by reading. He seems to have a great burden for others, and is now on his way to Texas for the purpose of carrying the truth to a Danish settlement there.
From Chicago, I learn that the brethren are united, and some have been added to their number, although they have no preaching. From Poy Sippi, the elder, Bro. Nielsen, has gone out into new places, while the members enjoy meetings together and have settled difficulties of several years' standing. This is a better way than to call away preachers from their field of duty to settle difficulties.
Our labor is more and more awakening opposition among other churches. The Evangelist, the Baptist organ in Denmark, comes out strong, declaring that the papal power has not changed the Sabbath, wherefore we are heretics.
Maanedstidenden, organ for the Lutheran synod, attacks me heavily, because some of their members have joined us. They are our most learned opponents, and speak with great zeal and bitterness. This is all replied to in our paper, and of course calls out many interesting items. Yet, who is sufficient for these things? Certainly, great wisdom is needed, and nothing short of the wisdom of God will do.
The blessing of the Lord is with us, yet still we pray that many more effectual doors in the gospel may be opened before us, and that God himself will send forth laborers into the great harvest. JOHN MATTESON.
Elkhorn, Feb. 5, 1873.

Cass Co., Mich

By P. Strong

Michigan.

My last report closed with my labors in Traverse Co., with Bro. Milk. Epizootic and deep snow caused us to select other fields. We rode twenty miles in a snow-storm, with an ox team, to get to the cars. Slept in our coats on a bale of hay, in a deserted shanty. Had a plain breakfast of baked potatoes and dry bread, for which we felt thankful. I was till nine P. M. the second day, getting seventy miles, in an open freight car, without fire. I literally worked my passage to keep warm, walking the car with my overcoat and shawl on.
On my way out, I held one meeting with the church in Cedar Springs, visited seven families, also met with the Greenville church at their monthly meeting, attended the ordinances, and visited five families.
Tuesday evening, commenced a series of meetings six miles south-east of my place; but there was so much cold weather that the people could not attend regularly. Some were interested, and wished me to return when the season was more favorable.
Had a very profitable time at our quarterly meeting in Orleans, the first Sabbath in January. Reports from the Tract Society were very interesting; but there is room for improvement, if all will take an active part. Let the good work go on. I hope that at our next district meeting the different churches will have so labored that clean Review, Instructor, and Reformer lists can be brought in. There are those within our district that take our papers, who do not stand with us. As yet, nothing has been done in their cases; let them be visited, or written to. Let us reach out after others also.
Jan. 15, I came to this place, and have held twenty-one meetings. Six have decided to obey, others are convinced. Two that have decided, heard Eld. J. B. Frisbie, eighteen years ago, in Illinois. Conviction has ever followed them. Their first question was, “What has become of Bro. Frisbie? We want to hear him again.” The seed sown was like bread cast upon the waters, to be gathered after many days. I hope that the one that cast the seed will not lose his reward, when the “well-done” is said to the laborers.
I have invitations to hold meetings in other places, and shall fill them as the way may open. P. Strong.

Cass Co., Mich

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