Signs of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 29 Supplement (8/2/1883)

Signs of the Times

Aug 2, 1883

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 2, 1883

Our Camp-Meetings.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

Some of our camp-meetings are far from being what the Lord designed they should be. The people come unprepared for the visitation of God's Holy Spirit. Generally the sisters devote considerable time before the meeting to the preparation of garments for the outward adorning, while they entirely forget the inward adorning, which is in the sight of God of great price. There is also much time spent in needless cooking, in the preparation of rich pies and cakes and other articles of food that do positive injury to those who partake of them. Should our sisters provide good bread and some other healthful kinds of food, both they and their families would be better prepared to appreciate the words of life, and far more susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Often the stomach is over-burdened with food which is seldom as plain and simple as that eaten at home, where the amount of exercise taken is double or treble. This causes the mind to be in such a lethargy that it is difficult to appreciate eternal things, and the meeting closes, and they are disappointed in not having enjoyed more of the Spirit of God.

While preparing for the meeting, each individual should closely and critically examine his own heart before God. If there have been unpleasant feelings, discord, or strife in families, it should be one of the first acts of preparation to confess these faults one to another and pray with and for one another. Humble yourselves before God, and make an earnest effort to empty your soul-temple of all rubbish,—all envyings, all jealousies, all suspicions, all fault-findings. “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

The Lord speaks; enter into your closet, and in silence commune with your own heart; listen to the voice of truth and conscience. Nothing will give such clear views of self as secret prayer. He who seeth in secret and knoweth all things, will enlighten your understanding and answer your petitions. Plain, simple duties that must not be neglected will open before you. Make a covenant with God to yield yourselves and all your powers to his service. Do not carry this undone work to the camp-meeting. If it is not done at home your own soul will suffer, and others will be greatly injured by your coldness, your stupor, your spiritual lethargy.

The words of the prophet Ezekiel are applicable to the people professing the truth at this time: “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face; should I be inquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him that cometh, according to the multitude of his idols.”

If we love the things of the world and have pleasure in unrighteousness, or fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, we have put the stumbling-block of our iniquity before our face, and have set up idols in our heart. And unless by determined effort we put them away, we shall never be acknowledged as the sons and daughters of God.

Here is a work for families to engage in before coming up to our holy convocations. Let the preparation for eating and dressing be a secondary matter, but let deep heart-searching commence at home. Pray three times a day, and, like Jacob, be importunate. At home is the place to give their hearts to God.

The power of godliness has almost ceased to be in our churches. And why is this? The Lord is still waiting to be gracious; he has not closed the windows of heaven. We have separated ourselves from him. We need to fix the eye of faith upon the cross, and believe that Jesus is our strength, our salvation.

As we see so little burden of the work resting upon ministers and people, we inquire, When the Lord comes, shall he find faith on the earth? It is faith that is lacking. God has an abundance of grace and power awaiting our demand. But the reason we do not feel our great need of it is because we look to ourselves and not to Jesus. We do not exalt Jesus and rely wholly upon his merits.

Would that I could impress upon ministers and people the necessity of a deeper work of grace in the heart, and more thorough preparation to enter into the spirit and labor of our camp-meetings, that they may receive the greatest possible benefits from these meetings. These yearly gatherings may be seasons of special blessing, or they may be a great injury to spirituality. Which shall they be to you, dear reader? It remains for each one to decide for himself.

The same work of humiliation and heart-searching should also go on in the church, so that all differences and alienations among brethren may be laid aside before appearing before the Lord at these annual gatherings. Set about this work in earnest, and rest not until it is accomplished; for if you come up to the meeting with your doubts, your murmurings, your disputings, you bring evil angels into the camp, and carry darkness wherever you go.

For want of this preparation these yearly meetings have accomplished but little. The ministers are seldom prepared to labor for God. There are many speakers,—those who can say sharp, crank things, going out of their way to whip other churches and ridicule their faith,—but there are but few earnest laborers for God. These sharp, self-important speakers profess to have truth in advance of every other people, but their manner of labor and their religious zeal in no way correspond with their profession of faith.

These yearly gatherings might be, and they should be, meetings of earnest labor. Ministers should seek a heart preparation before entering upon the work of helping others, for the people are far in advance of many of the ministers. They should unitingly wrestle in prayer until the Lord blesses them. When the love of God is burning on the altar of their hearts, they will not preach to exhibit their own smartness, but to present Christ who taketh away the sins of the world.

In the early church, Christianity was taught in its purity; its precepts were given by the voice of inspiration; its ordinances were uncorrupted by the device of men. The church revealed the spirit of Christ, and appeared beautiful in its simplicity. Its adorning was the holy principles and exemplary lives of its members. Multitudes were won to Christ, not by display or learning, but by the power of God which attended the plain preaching of his word. But the church has become corrupt. And now there is greater necessity than ever that ministers should be channels of light.

There are many flippant talkers of Bible truth, whose souls are as barren of the Spirit of God as were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain. But what we need is men who are thoroughly converted themselves, and can teach others how to give their hearts to God. The power of godliness has almost ceased to be in our churches. And why is this? The Lord is still waiting to be gracious; he has not closed the windows of heaven. We have separated ourselves from him. We need to fix the eye of faith upon the cross, and believe that Jesus is our strength, our salvation.

California and New England Conferences.

By S. N. Haskell

We take this method of calling the attention of the California and New England Conferences to the importance of their coming camp-meetings; also to some of the reasons why a special effort should be put forth to attend these camp-meetings this present season. These Conferences have both selected important cities in which to hold their camp-meetings. Both are to be held upon the fair-grounds in two cities of about the same size. Each of these Conferences has more or less to do with ship missionary work, one upon the Atlantic Coast, the other upon the Pacific Coast. One furnishes publications to the islands of the Atlantic Ocean, the other to the islands of the Pacific Ocean; and in each case there is fruit of their labor. They also send publications to nearly all foreign ports to which vessels sail.

Each of these Conferences has established a school with the special object of sending out laborers in the cause of present truth. These schools are established and conducted upon the same principles, differing from other schools in that they believe that mental and physical labor combined is the only sure way to secure a healthy, well-balanced mind, which is so essential to fit men and women to labor successfully in the closing work of the gospel. The result of this one year's effort is that some thirty laborers have entered the field during the summer vacation. The camp-meeting is the only time when these matters can be set before all our friends together. These are some of the common features of these two Conferences which will make their camp-meetings of special interest.

GENERAL INTERESTS.

The cause of present truth has been steadily advancing for nearly two score years, but in no previous year in the history of this work have there been more important steps taken towards placing the truth before the people by the colporteurs, and also in educating ministers and teachers to engage in the cause of God, than during the present year. The establishing of mission rooms in San Francisco and New York City, the two most important sea port cities for our work in America, we look upon as important moves. It is true that successful missionary work had been done in these cities before, but there was no reading-room to which sailors and those interested could be invited. The increased circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES from 10,500 to 20,000 in a few months' time, is an item which shows that the Spirit of God is moving upon the people. And as the most favorable season of the year for

reading is before us, we shall expect this number will be largely increased before 1883 closes. It also indicates what God is willing to do for his people in a brief space of time. If we are faithful and put forth a corresponding effort, he will work for us and show us his salvation as we never have seen it in the past.

The Saviour when upon earth did not go where he was not wanted. “He made as though he would have gone further” when the two disciples “drew nigh unto the village whither they went; but they constrained him, saying, Abide with me.” “And he went in to tarry with them.” It is the same at the present day. He lets our hearts burn within us at some gracious token, revealing his divine love; then if we would have the Saviour come into our families and abide in our homes, we should not only earnestly invite him, but be sufficiently zealous to put from our hearts that which is in opposition to his Holy Spirit. Would we have him come into our Conferences, and convert our families, our neighbors, and friends, and have his special blessing follow our ministers in the field, then our united effort should be to that point, and we as a people should seek him with all our hearts. There has been many a failure when a series of meetings has been held, which will be chargeable in the day of Judgment to a backslidden church. Many a blessing has been offered to a people which their coldness and spiritual apathy has unfitted them to receive. If the Son of God himself could not do many mighty works because of unbelief, and if the covetousness of an Achan caused a defeat in all the armies of Israel, is it any marvel that we do not see greater victories of the cross, when our hearts are so cold, and we manifest no more of an interest in his cause?

When our ministers go into new fields, they should be sustained by the sympathies and prayers of a living church. With all the apostle’s eloquence, and the power of God which Paul possessed, he requested the church to pray, “That utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery.” The disciples, after they had been with the Saviour three and a half years, were requested by him to, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” This was necessary to qualify them for their work. After ten days of prayer and seeking God he did prepare them to labor among the different nations by the special outpouring of his Spirit. If it was important for the early disciples to spend ten days in seeking God, it certainly is no less important for us to have at least one annual meeting where a week or more may be spent in consultation and prayer. We need this fitting up now. We cannot afford to wait. Worldliness is weaving a net around many hearts so that they cannot break the snare, and they will be found wanting when weighed in the balances of God’s sanctuary.

God would have his people arouse and prepare themselves for battle, for battle is certainly coming. Not only are there victories to be gained over our individual besetments, but as a people God would do great things for us as Conferences were we in a condition to receive them. We shall soon see the salvation of God; his truth and work will triumph.

The camp-meetings should be seasons of refreshing by the Spirit of God. They should be seasons of consultation and prayer; seasons of instruction to both ministers and people, that when we go from the place we may be better prepared to engage in the work of God than ever before. It is to such camp-meetings that we look forward this present season in California and New England. No ordinary difficulty should keep any from attending, for we have interests far more important than any personal considerations. There are many in California, especially in the southern portion of the State, who have not attended a camp-meeting for years, who should attend the one at San José. You need the benefit of the camp-meeting, and we need your counsel. S. N. Haskell.

The Spirit of Sacrifice.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

Who will follow the example of his Lord in self-sacrifice and disinterested benevolence, to save his fellow-men? There are young men and women and those of middle age who have had experience in the truth, but do not advance in the divine life and increase in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and they do not know the cause. One cause of their lack of spiritual strength, and of their not being full-grown men and women in Christ is, they are not workers with Christ. If they would work for Jesus, their sympathies would be brought in close union with Christ, and they would grow in him, their living head, and have a better understanding of the nature of his work and of his sacrifice for man; and would place that estimate upon souls proportionate to the value of the price Christ has paid for man. There are a large number who, if they would come near enough to God by entire consecration, would hear his voice saying, Go labor in my vineyard, and ye shall receive your wages by-and-by.

Many are not sufficiently aroused to their duty to do the work they might do if they would, and that they do not do because they have not the spirit of sacrifice. God will hold such accountable for the souls of their fellow-men. They might have done a good work in union with Christ, and they will be called to render an account for the good to souls they could have done and did not.

We are not, as a people, sufficiently aroused to the short time in which we have to work, and we do not understand the magnitude of the work for the time. The night soon cometh, in which no man can work. Satan is earnest, zealous, and persevering in his work. If he fails to accomplish his purpose the first time, he tries again. He will try other plans, and work with great perseverance to bring in various temptations to ensnare souls. He never becomes so discouraged as to let souls entirely alone. If the zeal and perseverance of Christ’s followers in their efforts to save souls were equal to Satan’s efforts to deceive them to their eternal loss, we should see hundreds embracing the truth where we now see one.

God calls for men and women to qualify themselves, by consecration to his will and earnest study of the Scriptures, to do his special work for these last days. He calls for men now who can work. As they engage in the work in sincerity and humility to do all they can, they will be obtaining a more thorough experience. They will have a better knowledge of the truth and better know how to reach souls and help them just where they need to be helped. Workmen are needed now, just now, to labor for God. The fields are already white for the harvest, and yet laborers are few. There are those among us who could work if they were awake to the wants of the cause, and were willing to bear burdens. God calls for men and women, who are followers of Christ, to volunteer to work under his dictation to rescue souls from ruin. All who engage in the work of presenting the truth to others must have true courtesy, and Christian politeness, and sincere love for souls, so as to make, not general efforts merely, but personal efforts.

As a people, we have been asleep as to our duty in regard to getting the light before those of other nations. Is it because God has excused us, as a people, from having any burden or special work to do for those of other tongues that there are no missionaries to-day in foreign countries? Why is this negligence and delay? There are those of superior minds in many other nations whom God is impressing with the lack of spirituality and genuine godliness in the Christian denominations of the land. They cannot harmonize the life and character of professed Christians generally with the Bible standard. Many are praying for light and knowledge. They are not satisfied. God will answer their prayers through us, as a people, if we are not at such a distance from him that we cannot hear his voice, and so selfish that we do not wish to be disturbed in our ease and agreeable associations.

We are not keeping pace with the opening providence of God. Jesus and angels are at work. This cause is onward, while we are standing still and being left in the rear. If we would follow the opening providence of God, we should be quick to discern every opening, and make the most of every advantage within our reach, to let the light extend and spread to other nations. God, in his providence, has sent men to our very doors and thrust them, as it were, into our arms, that they might learn the truth more perfectly, and be qualified to do a work we could not do in getting the light before men of other tongues. We have too often failed to discern God’s hand, and we have not received the very ones God had provided for us to work in union with, and act a part in sending the light to other nations.

There has been a slothful neglect, and a criminal unbelief among us as a people which has kept us back from doing the work God has left us to do in letting our light shine forth to those of other nations. There is a fearfulness to venture out and to run risks in this great work, fearing that the expenditure of means would not bring returns. What if means are used and yet we cannot see that souls have been saved by it? What if there is a dead loss of a portion of our means? Better work and keep at work than to do nothing. You know not which shall prosper, this or that. Men will invest in patent rights and meet with heavy losses, and it is taken as a matter of course. But in the work and cause of God, men are afraid to venture. Money seems to them to be a dead loss that does not bring immediate returns when invested in the work of saving souls. The very means that is now so sparingly invested in the cause of God, and that is selfishly retained will, in a little while, be cast with all idols to the moles and to the bats. Money will soon depreciate in value very suddenly when the reality of eternal scenes opens to the senses of man.

God will have men who will venture anything and everything to save souls. Those who will not move until they can see every step of the way clearly before them, will not be of advantage at this time to forward the truth of God. There must be workers now who will push ahead in the dark as well as in the light, and who will hold up bravely under discouragements and disappointed hopes, and yet work on with faith, with tears and patient hope, sowing beside all waters, trusting the Lord to bring the increase. God calls for men of nerve, of hope, faith, and endurance, to work to the point.

If Christ saw that the souls of men were so precious that he could leave the royal courts and humble himself to humanity, in order to help man in his darkness, and to finally die for him, how ought we to feel for one another who have been made subjects of the grace of God, and partakers of this great salvation. I say to you, my brethren, in the fear of God, that we do not place a just estimate upon souls for whose redemption Christ paid so great a price. Christ and angels are ready to work with our efforts, if we will work with love, simplicity, and faith.

Our publications should be printed in different languages and sent to every civilized country, at any cost. What is the value of money at this time, in comparison with the value of souls? Every dollar of our means should be considered as the Lord’s, not ours; and as a precious trust from God to us; not to be wasted for needless indulgences, but carefully used in the cause of God, in the work of saving men and women from ruin.

Instructions to God's People.

By S. N. Haskell

The Lord gave special instruction to his people anciently, when and how to appear before him. He also made them special promises providing they would obey this instruction. Three times in the year they were to appear before the Lord God. Ex. 23:17; 34:23. At the feast of the Passover they were to bring the first-fruits of their increase; this was their spring harvest. “Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits.” “The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God.” “Ye shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest; and ye shall wave the sheaf before the Lord to be accepted for you.” “And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year, for a burnt offering unto the Lord.” “And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears until the self-same day that you brought an offering unto your God.” Ex. 22:29; 23:19; Lev. 23:10, 11, 12, 14. A wave offering was a thank offering. It was an acknowledgement of God's prospering hand temporally,

— an expression of thankfulness that Heaven had given the first and best it possessed for the human race; and of belief that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and that through his resurrection they would enter the realm of the blest.

Fifty days later there was another gathering at the feast of Pentecost. At that time there was another special offering made to the Lord. During this fifty days they were to gather in the grain. The first dough of the new grain they were to give unto the Lord. “Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering; as ye do the heave offering of the threshing-floor, so shall ye heave it. Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the Lord an heave offering in your generations.” Num. 15:20, 21. Ye shall bring out of your habitation two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the first-fruits unto the Lord.” Lev. 23:17.

At the close of the autumnal harvest in the seventh month, they were again to appear before the Lord and make special offerings. This feast is mentioned by Moses in Deuteronomy the sixteenth chapter. The thirteenth to the seventeenth verses are his closing words:— “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine; and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow that are within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose, because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thy hands; therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty; Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.” Also see Ex. 23:14-17.

One important command was that none should appear before him empty. Every one was to bring an offering to God. It was to be the first, and of the best they had. There is a singular promise that God made to those who did appear before him these three times a year bringing their offering in the manner specified. It seems that God pledged himself to look after their land when they were gone, that no one would desire it, and also to give them prosperity. “For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders; neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the Lord thy God thrice in the year.” Ex. 34:24. Dr. Adam Clarke says that God must have miraculously blessed them temporally. God will do no less for his people to-day, if they serve him as faithfully. We recommend that all conscientiously follow the instructions God has given; prove him and see if he will not pour out a blessing till there will not be room enough to receive it. S. N. Haskell.

Doing God’s Work Well

Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well, says the old proverb, and it is true, but it is more true in religion than any place else. There should be no slovenliness or botch work in what is done for God, but care and thoroughness, with an eye single to his glory.—United Presbyterian.

New England Conference.

By Stephen N. Haskell

There are special reasons why our friends in New England should attend the camp-meeting to be held at Worcester this present season. Many of the churches have had no preaching during the past year, and at this meeting you will have some of the most experienced and efficient laborers in the cause. Eld. Geo. I. Butler, Eld. I. D. Van Horn, and Mrs. E. G. White will be present. Sister White will cross the mountains to attend the Eastern camp-meetings. She feels that she has a testimony to bear, and it will be appreciated by all the friends of the cause.

Worcester is a great railroad center, and is easy of access from all parts of the Conference. In some respects a more important field could not have been selected. We have the repeated evidence that fields are ripening for the harvest, in every portion of that Conference. What shall we do to meet this demand? is an important question, and the manner in which we answer it must be met in the day of Judgment.

God’s providence through the instrumentality of the school has placed in our midst nearly a score of young men and women who have been engaged more or less in the missionary work, gaining an experience in laboring in the cause. This is as God would have it. May God bless them and give them courage. Will our brethren appreciate these blessings, and show their appreciation by spending a week in worshiping God?

With these laborers of experience, about 2,000 readers for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES have been secured in this Conference during the past year, and nearly one-half of this number in the city of Worcester. Then there was no camp-meeting in this Conference last year. Some thought this was a mistake—perhaps it was—but it will be a greater mistake for you to fail to attend the meeting this year. Come seeking God for his blessing, and you will not be disappointed, for he will be there by his Holy Spirit.

Advance steps must be taken. The cloud is rising for God’s people to move forward, and none can afford to be left behind. The judgments of God are already in the earth. Cyclones, tornadoes, and floods, with hail-storms, have wrought devastation in a marked manner in this country the present season; and there is pending the most important time which has ever been, and we need a fitting up for that time.

May Heaven’s blessing rest upon the old, tried friends of the cause in New England, and upon those who are bearing responsibilities; also upon the families that are growing cold in their faith, for we are upon the eve of momentous events.

S. N. HASKELL.

Sabbath-school Department.

This department of the Signs is written up for our own paper. While we do not fail to avail ourselves of all the light given us by the ability and research of others, there are many points of great interest in the book of Acts, wherein our lessons are contained this year, which are rendered doubly interesting by the light of “present truth” when it is brought to bear upon them. The one having this department in charge is an active Sabbath-school worker. His studies and class exercises every week give opportunity to develop points both interesting and useful. The management of this part of the Signs has received the commendation of other workers, and it shall be our utmost endeavor to reach the highest possible state of usefulness in this department. No branch of our work is more important than that which takes the training and direction of the children and youth; though we do not wish to be understood to say that the Sabbath-school is for the young only. All members of the church should be members of the Sabbath-school, and we trust that all may be led to more fully appreciate their lessons by the instructions given in this department of the Signs. Superintendents and teachers will find many suggestions which, if duly considered, cannot fail to greatly aid them in their work, and add to the efficiency of their schools.

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Our Camp-Meetings.

By Stephen N. Haskell

CAMP-MEETINGS are no novelty at the present day. When the Methodists commenced holding camp-meetings in this country, they did not meet with much approval from the devoted Puritanic Christians. But the Baptists, the Presbyterians, and nearly all denominations, have, during the past few years, sought the tented groves in which to worship the God of their fathers. “The groves were God’s first temples,” and ancient Israel held an annual gathering, in the autumn of each year, lasting three weeks; and in their booths, beholding nature’s grandeur, they worshiped their Creator.

It is now fifteen years since the Seventh-day Adventists adopted the plan of holding camp-meetings. Commencing in the early spring in southern Kansas, these annual gatherings are held in each of the Eastern, Western, Middle, and Southern States, as far as Alabama and Texas. Not less than twenty-five of these State meetings are held every year, and they have always been marked with the most perfect order and quietness. Over one hundred thousand people attend these meetings during the season, many of whom, for the first time, become acquainted with the views of that denomination.

Although two-score years, the length of time Israel wandered in the wilderness, have not passed since the Seventh-day Adventists were first organized as a denomination, our members have rapidly increased, numbering, at the present time, about thirty thousand believers in this country. Besides, there are missions in England, Switzerland, Norway, and Prussia. These extend their operations throughout Europe, and into Asia and Africa. The isles of the Mediterranean, as well as those of the Pacific Ocean, contain believers to this faith.

We are a temperance people, strongly advocating that Christians should regard their bodies as temples of the Holy Ghost; and that it is a religious duty to discard, not only alcoholic beverages, but articles in both food and drink, which disarrange the system and destroy health. These views have lead us to engage in the temperance work, in the organization of temperance clubs, and such other means as will advance the cause in which so many are at present interested. We are also a missionary people, as seen by the extension of our work to all parts of the world. All members of the denomination are invited to become members of our missionary organizations, and thus become active laborers in the cause of their Master. In the work of these members a prominent part is the distribution of their publications, far and near. Colporteurs go out visiting families from house to house, pointing suffering humanity to Him who has said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Ship missions have been established in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and New Bedford, in America, and Liverpool and Hull, in England; and religious reading matter is placed on nearly every vessel that leaves these ports.

The Sabbath-school interest is also made an important means of educating the youth, and instructing men and women in the truths of God’s sacred word.

We believe in a progressive faith as well as in exploring new fields. That there has been a great departure from the pure doctrines of the Bible, all must admit; and we believe that a return to these principles, and a restoration of the original gospel simplicity, is the work for these times.

S. N. HASKELL.

A CAMP-MEETING

BY THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

WILL BE HELD

On the Fair Ground

WORCESTER, MASS.

CONTINUING FROM

Aug. 23 to 28, 1883.

The following eminent speakers are announced for the occasion:

ELDER GEO. I. BUTLER,

President General Conference.

ELD. I. D. VAN HORN,

Formerly President North Pacific Conference.

ELDER D. A. ROBINSON,

President N. E. Health and Temperance Association, South Lancaster, Mass.

MRS. E. G. WHITE,

Oakland Cal.

Public Services will be held in a PAVILION 80 x 125 feet, each day at 10:30 A. M., and 2:30 and 7:30 P. M.

THE PUBLIC ARE CORDIALLY INVITED.

The Sufferings of Christ.

By Ellen G. White

The sufferings of martyrs can bear no comparison with the sufferings of Christ. The divine presence was with them in their physical sufferings. There was the hiding of the Father's face from his dear Son. Humanity staggered and trembled in that trying hour. It was soul-anguish beyond the endurance of finite nature. It was woe condensed that brought from the trembling lips of the noble sufferer these words: “Now is my soul troubled.” “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Again from his pale lips are heard these words: “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” The awful moment had come which was to decide the destiny of the world. Angels are waiting and watching with intense interest.

The fate of the world is trembling in the balance. The Son of God may even now refuse to drink the cup apportioned to guilty man. He may wipe the blood sweat from his brow, and leave the world to perish in their iniquity. Will the Son of the infinite God drink the cup of humiliation and agony? Will the innocent suffer the curse of God to save the guilty? It was here the mysterious cup trembled in his hand, and the destiny of a ruined world was balanced. The world's Redeemer sees that the transgressors of his Father's law must perish under his displeasure. He sees the power of sin and the utter helplessness of man to save himself.

The woes and lamentations of a doomed world come up before him, and his decision is made. He will save man at any cost to himself. He has accepted his baptism of blood, that perishing millions through him might gain everlasting life. He left the heavenly courts where all was purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world which had fallen by transgression. He will not leave man in his sins. He will reach to the very depths of misery to rescue him.—Mrs. E. G. White.