The grandest forces in this world are silent and unperceived. They operate unnoticed, but yet with resistless power. A child's tin trumpet makes more noise than the attraction of gravitation, which binds the whole universe as with chains of adamant, but works so quietly that it was thousands of years before mortals discovered its existence.
A babbling brook, or a little fountain throwing its jet into the air, attracts more attention than the hidden forces of nature, which draw millions of tons of water from the earth beneath, and spread it out in herbage and foliage, clothing the fields with beauty, crowning the forests with green, and diffusing fertility and life through all the land.
The forces of vegetation are silent. No lightning flashes to herald the swelling buds; no thunder peals to tell us when the flowers unfold their fragrant beauty; no trumpets are blown when spring unfolds her leafy banner to the breeze, but in the sunshine of the day and in the silence of the night, the work of nature goes noiselessly on, until the desert blossoms as the rose, and the wilderness becomes fair as Eden's garden.
God, who works thus silently in nature, also works in quiet in the realms of grace. Christ the great worker, did not strive nor cry, nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets. Some of the grandest changes that have ever revolutionized the character of society, have been the product of secret causes, working unnoticed and unknown, and bringing to pass the most wonderful events imaginable.
A copy of the Word of God planted in a benighted neighborhood; or a single text impressed upon the mind of a child, has often produced results which no amount of noisy and tumultuous effort could attain. The seed must be cast into the ground, and abide in darkness and in silence there, but in due time God, who giveth the increase, brings it forth in growth and beauty and fruitfulness.
Let us take courage, then, if we be called to work in silence unnoticed and unknown; and let us be careful not to judge others, whose quiet, unpretending labors may be far more successful in ultimate results than the works of those whose brawling clamor makes them the observed of all observers.
Vast heaps of wood, hay, and stubble, will perish in the fires of the last day, but he that buildeth upon the one foundation with gold and silver and precious stones, may look forward to the day that shall try all things with fire, and rejoice that his work, though tried, shall abide the burning ordeal, and shall ensure to him a great reward.—The Christian.
THE PACIFIC COAST.
(Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.)
Eld. U. Smith held meetings at Napa and St. Helena, Cal., May 12 and 13. He says, “The confidence and interest of the brethren and sisters in the great truths of this time, and their good cheer in the cause of the Lord, were pleasant to behold.”
Of the San Francisco church Eld. Loughboro says, “Light is breaking in, and the waters are moved in the entire church. At the commencement of the Sabbath of May 26, we had a heart-searching time in our prayer-meeting.” A missionary meeting was held evening after the Sabbath, at which it was voted to take 30 copies of the SIGNS in addition to the 50 already taken by the church.
From the North Pacific Mission, Eld. I. D. Van Horn writes, stating that at Jefferson, Oregon, he and Bro. Jones gave six discourses the last of April. Twelve covenanted to keep the Sabbath.
Under date of May 14, Brn. Healey and Stephens report having given nine lectures of a series, in a tent, at Dixon, Cal., to an audience of about 130. Only a commencement is yet made.
NEW YORK CAMP-MEETING.
By B. L. Whitney
The present prospect is that there will be a good attendance at the Western camp-meeting. Twenty-five tents are already ordered with many localities yet to hear from. We judge from present appearances that we shall have a larger number of tents on the ground than at any previous meeting held in the State.
Again we say to the brethren in western N. Y. and Pa., we hope you will make a special effort to attend this meeting. You will probably never have a more favorable opportunity, and we believe those who do not come will miss a great blessing which they might gain by coming.
We hope also that those living in the central part of the State in the localities mentioned by Bro. Carright last week will come, as it will be more convenient for them to reach this meeting than the one in the fall.
Our brethren ought to appreciate the fact that the cars land passengers and baggage on the ground, thus saving the expense, tiresomeness, and perplexity of transferring baggage two or three miles by teams, after leaving the R. R. An experience of this kind for several years will, I believe, help us to appreciate a change; and we hope all will avail themselves of the advantages to be enjoyed this year.
All mail should be directed to Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y., and marked, Filmore Park, which will insure its being delivered on the camp-ground. Ask for tickets for Filmore Park. To the brethren who will come by the Erie R. R. we say we will do all we can to secure a reduction on that road. We think that without doubt a reduction can be obtained from any station where twenty-five or more tickets are sold.
Should any decide to come at a late date, let them not hesitate to do so because they have not ordered tents, as we shall probably be prepared to furnish room for such. Be sure to be on the ground and have all preparations made Wednesday.
B. L. Whitney.
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
In faith, a believer in Christ. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16.
In knowledge, a disciple. “If ye continue in my word, then ye are my disciples indeed.” John 8:31.
In character, a saint. “Beloved of God, called to be saints.” Rom. 1:7.
In influence, a light. “Ye are the light of the world.” Matt. 5:14.
In conflict, a soldier. “Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:3.
In communion, a friend. “Henceforth I call you not servants, . . . but I have called you friends.” John 15:15.
In progress, a pilgrim. These all “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Heb. 11:13.
In relationship, a child. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” Rom. 8:16.
In expectation, an heir. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” Rom. 8:17.—Messiah’s Herald.
THE TRUE BUSINESS OF LIFE.
Never faint, halt, or despair, because you cannot realize your ideal, and do the thing you would. Only do the best you can, and no authoritative judgment shall condemn you. You may be equal to your ideal, while circumstances may raise an insuperable bar, for the time being, at least. How many persons make wreck of talent in sighing for opportunities to do other and more than circumstances warrant! They disdain the low rounds of the ladder, which most assuredly lead to the high. They have a notion of what is perfect accomplishment, and are unwilling to take any half-way, preliminary steps. They have no faith in the proverb, “Half a loaf is better than no bread.” If they would study the record, they would soon learn that the most famous winners of whole loaves were, at the start, willing and ready to take any slice they could get. Our true business in life is to make the most of the means and opportunities we have—not to neglect small advantages because we cannot have large ones. By cultivating the small, we make it easier to compass the great.—The Ladies’ Treasury.
BEREAVEMENT
By H. L. H.
Death’s blight is on earth’s fairest bloom,
Death’s taint is in the air;
The shroud, the coffin, and the tomb
Surround us everywhere.
Earth’s joys like flitting phantoms fly,
Earth’s pleasures flee away;
The fairest and the dearest die,
The loveliest forms decay.
Our smitten souls with sorrow bowed,
By stormy tempests driven,
Look upward through the rifted cloud
To hail the light of heaven.
Beyond the scenes of earthly grief
Shines the eternal home;
There shall our anguish find relief
Where sorrows never come.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money received pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should be given.
$2.00 EACH. G W Bartlett 51-3, Ed Halferty 51-21, M S Kellogg 51-16, W H Ball 51-21, Martin Shepperd 51-1, Geo W Barker 51-14, E Sprague 51-21, Chas Rifle 51-21, G W Witter 51-21, D Ovatt 51-21, Mrs D T Chase 51-20, J G Saunders 51-21, E W Wycuff 51-22.
$1.00 EACH. Lonie M Barnes 50-21, Joseph Nims 50-21, J S Rogers 50-20, E E Wilson 51-5, W H Wright 50-20, George Benton 50-20, E L Lane 49-3, A R Morse 50-3, Theo T Kendall 50-17, C C Dorse 50-1, O Hoffer 50-22, M L Dean 50-21, G W Page 51-1, J A Parmelee 50-22, W C Pruett 50-21, Helen Swift 50-21, Lizzie S Campbell 51-1, Hattie E Smith 50-2, J C Tomlinson 50-18, C S Rowley 50-21, W A Bottenberg 50-18, S Osborne 50-20, S L Edwards 50-20, M A French 50-21, Mrs Alva France 50-21, Sarah Prosper 50-22, S H Peck 50-21, C R Chittenden 50-21, H H C Q James 50-21, J A Robison 50-21, Daniel Briggs 50-21, John J N Allard 50-21, Ira Witter 50-21, Henry Rifle 50-22.
MISCELLANEOUS. Wm Buchanan 75c 50-13, John N Chandler 50c 50-8, Eld Samuel Miller 50c 50-13, Henry Landis 50c 50-13, Wm Miltenberger 50c 50-13, Mrs M Overman 50c 50-13, L E Warren 50c 51-8, G W Holt $1.50 51-21, Mary A Eaton 50c 50-24, Julia A Gifford 50c 50-9, S W Lane 1.50 51-21, J W Heath 1.50 51-21, Estella Clair 50c 50-12, Fannie Beardsley 50c 50-12, Mrs Lute Connell 50c 50-12, Emily Booth 1.50 51-21, Levi Grunsey 1.50 51-22, C Stoddard 50c 50-8.
Books Sent by Mail.
J G Robinson $1.25, Joseph Newsome 75c, David Morton Jr 25c, John J N Allard 10c, H H C Q James 25c, J B Newcomb 25c, R F Andrews 50c, H J Adams 35c, John G Hedrick 85c, A E Stutzman 6.00, R T Paine 60c, J S Osborn 1.50, Jas A Parmelee 1.60, Clarinda Wright 50c, Miss Vina La Dow 1.25, G W Page 1.25, Martha Hawkinson 20c, Maggie Phillis 1.00, J W Heath 60c, C Williams 50c, John Lund 3.80, Geo W Mann 1.50, M B Miller 1.50, Mary Brown 20c, Frank Starr 25c, L H Densmore 25c, O A Gilbert 1.95, J F Hanson 1.00, John Roberts 76c, Geo H Young 45c, L Mickelsen 1.00, Mrs B A Curtis 15c, N A Herrman 4.00, A Stewart 25c, E L Labrum 15c, F Bristow 35c, Mrs H Leopold 25c.
Books Sent by Express.
W H Casselman $28.05, J N Berry 4.00.
Books Sent by Freight.
J M Rannells $20.63, H W Decker 295.06, Wm Evans 62.31.
Cash Rec'd on Account.
Ind T and M Society $39.32, Geo A King 10.10, John F Hanson 1.66, S Osborn 20.00, Ill T and M Society 25.00.
Mich. T. & M. Society.
Dist 7 $2.00, Dist 13 6.00, Dist 6 15.00, Dist 6 per E Hutchins 3.00, Dist 2 per F A Drake 1.00.
Mich. Conf. Fund.
Orange $6.37, Orleans 22.50, Muir and Lyons 5.25, Levi N Miller 10.00.
Book Fund.
“L E B” $1.00.
Centennial Expense.
Ind T and M Society $10.00.
S. D. A. E. Society.
Mary A Eaton $2.00.
Camp-Meeting Expense.
Addie B Bennett $2.00.
General Meetings
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
General Meetings.
BRO. DECKER or myself will meet with the brethren in the vicinity of Mauston, Wis., in Bro. Carter’s neighborhood, June 9. Steps will be taken toward organization. All the friends of the cause, old and new, in that vicinity please meet with us. GEO. C. TENNEY.
Quarterly and Monthly Meetings.
FOR Allegan Co., at Monterey, Mich., June 2. J. S. DAY, Clerk.
TROY, Ashland Co., O., at the house of Bro. Harrison Sponsler, June 2 and 3. Special invitation to brethren of Clyde and Norwalk. ALICE ARNDT, Clerk.
T. and M. Quarterly Meetings.
Send reports and donations in season.
DIST. No. 11, with church at Antrim, Mich., June 16, 17. ALEX CARPENTER, Dir.
DIST. No. 6, at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., June 16, 17. FRANKLIN HOWE.
Annual Meetings
Iowa and Neb. Camp-Meeting.
THE Iowa State Camp-meeting will be held at Marshalltown, Marshall Co., Ia., June 7–12, at the beautiful grounds, on the margin of the city, where held last year. Let there be a grand turnout at this annual convocation of the Seventh-day Adventists of Iowa. GEO. I. BUTLER, HENRY NICOLA, R. M. KILGORE, Iowa Conf. Com.
Iowa and Nebraska Conference.
THE fourteenth annual meeting of the Iowa and Nebraska Conference will be held in connection with the Camp-meeting, June 7–12. Every church and every body of believers not fully organized, should be represented at this meeting, either by delegate or by letter, stating numbers, condition, and wants. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Iowa and Neb. T. and M. Society.
THE annual meeting of the Iowa and Neb. T. and M. Society will be held at the Camp-meeting at Marshalltown, June 7–12. Especial attention will be given to this branch of the work. COMMITTEE.
Western N. Y. Camp-Meeting.
THIS meeting will be held at Filmore Park, on the Buffalo, N. Y. and Philadelphia R. R., June 7–12, 1877. Filmore Park is eighteen miles S. E. from Buffalo and one mile from Aurora station. All trains stop at the ground. Half-fare will be given from all stations on the road to this point. Ask for tickets for Filmore Park or Camp Ground, which will be sold for regular fare one way, and on being indorsed by the secretary will be good for return passage. The usual arrangements for provisions, straw, teams, etc., will be made on the ground. N. Y. AND PA. CONF. COM.
Wisconsin Camp-Meeting.
THE Wisconsin State Camp-Meeting will be held at Portage City, Wis., on the banks of Silver Lake, one mile from the depot, June 13–19. The meeting is reached by the Wis. Central from Stevens Point, and by several branches of the C. M. and St. P. R. R. Round trip tickets can be purchased at the rate of about three cents per mile, and are good until used. Our arrangements will be as complete as possible for the comfort of all, and will be in many respects an improvement over anything we have yet had. The meeting will open Wednesday A. M., June 13, and close Tuesday morning, June 19. H. W. DECKER, GEO. C. TENNEY, O. A. OLSON, Wisconsin Conference Committee.
Wisconsin State Conference.
THE seventh annual meeting of the Wisconsin State Conference will be held in connection with the camp-meeting, June 13–19, for the election of officers, and to transact other business that may come before the meeting. Every church in the Conference, and every unorganized body of believers, should be represented at this meeting by one delegate or more, if possible, and where this is not possible, they should send forward a letter in season, stating their numbers, condition, and wants. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Wisconsin T. and M. Society.
The annual meeting of the Wisconsin Tract and Missionary Society will be held on the Portage City Camp-ground, June 13–19. It is hoped that a lively interest will be taken in this meeting by all the members in the Conference, and that the numbers of T. and M. workers will be greatly increased. COMMITTEE.
Missouri Camp-Meeting.
THE Missouri State Camp-meeting will be held in a grove one-half mile west of Holden, Johnson Co., Mo., June 14–19, on the line of the Missouri Pacific and Missouri, Kan. and Tex. R. R. Tickets will be sold from Kansas City and Sedalia to Holden and return at one and one-fifth the regular fare one way. On Sunday a special train. Round trip, rate of one fare from all stations between Kansas City and Sedalia inclusive. Same favors expected from the Mo. Kan. and Tex. R. R., both divisions. WILLIAM EVANS, J. F. KLOSTERMYER, J. A. O’BRYAN, Missouri Conference Committee.
Missouri State Conference.
THE second annual meeting of the Missouri Conference will be held on the Holden Camp-ground, June 14–19. Let there be a full representation from all our churches, and from bodies of believers not fully organized, either by delegate or by letter. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Missouri T. and M. Society.
THE annual State T. and M. Society meeting will be held on the camp-ground, June 14–19. This branch of our work will receive particular attention. COMMITTEE.
Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
THE Minnesota State Camp-meeting will be held at Hutchinson, McLeod Co., Minn., June 20–26. Let there be an earnest effort to attend this annual gathering of the Seventh-day Adventists of Minnesota. H. GRANT, W. H. HALL, CALVIN KELSEY, Minn. Conf. Com.
Minnesota Conference.
THE sixteenth annual meeting of the Minnesota State Conference will be held on the Hutchinson Camp-ground, June 20–26. Each church in this Conference should see that its delegates are elected, and provided with credentials, and prepared with reports of the standing and condition of their respective churches. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Minnesota T. & M. Society.
THE annual meeting of the Minn. T. and M. Society will be held at the Camp-meeting at Hutchinson, June 20–26. Directors will hold district meetings two weeks previously, and be prepared to report at this meeting. COMMITTEE.
District No. 9, Illinois: Director's Communication on Canvassing
Dist. No. 9, Illinois.
A COMMUNICATION (too late for this number) is received from your director. He has a new supply of tracts, and pamphlets; also a number of “Way of Life” for premiums to new subscribers, or for sale. He urges the members of the district to diligence in canvassing for the SIGNS AND REFORMER, making full reports of labor done, paying S. B., and donating. Send your orders for “Way of Life,” tracts, etc., to your director, Wilson Pottenger, Kankakee, Ill.
Vermont S. B. Treasurers.
By C. W. Stone
WILL the s. B. treasurers of all our churches please send in their quarterly reports? Some have not reported at all. We want to know how much s. B. is pledged in every church for the year, that an intelligible report may be made at our State Conference.
C. W. STONE, Sect. Vt. Conf.
Discussion at Rome.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
I HAVE now definitely arranged to hold a discussion upon the Sabbath question with Rev. F. Widmer, pastor of the first M. E. church, Rome, N. Y., Friday and Saturday evenings, June 15 and 16. It will be held in the opera house so as to accommodate the crowd. I shall also hold a two days’ meeting with the church at Rome at the same time, Sabbath and Sunday. Preaching at the usual hours. This will be the last time I can meet with the church for some time. We invite a full attendance, and also our friends from other churches. D. M. Canright.
Requests for Clerks and Treasurers to Bring Books
By D. M. Carright
Requests.
I REQUEST that every clerk and S. B. treasurer in Western New York bring their books to the camp-meeting at Aurora. We wish to examine them, to see if they are kept correctly and give any needed instruction about them. Don't forget them. D. M. Carright.
Request for Minnesota Tract and Missionary Society Reports
By A. H. Van Kirk
WILL the directors of the T. and M. Society of Minnesota send their reports to me at least by the 15th of June, in order that I can make my report in season. If possible, report your membership in full.
A. H. VAN KIRK, Sec.
Reduction of Rates to the Iowa Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
As stated recently, we have made application for reduction of rates to all those who should attend our camp-meeting. We could not obtain any on the Chicago North Western. But on the Central R. R. of Iowa we obtained the same as last year, viz., four-fifths off on the return fare. A certificate of attendance will be given on the ground to all who have paid full fare in coming, and such will have to pay but one-fifth fare in going back.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Truth Maintained Amid Conflict With Error
I AM convinced that in this world the true heavenly doctrine will ever have to maintain a conflict with errors and corruptions, and that those who uphold the cause of divine truth will be under the cross and suffer for their principles. From the beginning of the world it has been so; and holy and enlightened men know that these things must be borne.—Melanchthon.