The Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 19.
SIGNIFICANT ITEMSPage 1
Earlier text: SIGNIFICANT ITEMSCAMP-MEETING AT EAGLE LAKE.
SUNDAY morning June 27, at 8 o'clock, by request I spoke about one hour for the benefit of our Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian, as well as American brethren, in regard to the work the Lord is doing in Europe, in bringing present truth before those of other tongues. It was interpreted to them. This was an encouragement to our brethren and sisters of other tongues, and also to our American brethren. Sunday, at 10 A. M., my husband spoke from the stand with great freedom and power, giving the reasons of our faith. The congregation was very attentive. We hope the good seed sown will spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God. At 2½ P. M., I spoke to the people about one hour and a half upon Peter's ladder of sanctification consisting of eight rounds. I dwelt upon temperance and the importance of parents' teaching their children self-denial, and self-control, guarding the appetite and taste from indulgence at the expense of mental, moral, and physical strength. The lessons upon self-control and self-denial are to be received by education, in childhood and youth. The appetite is to be restrained and educated, and this is the responsible work that devolves upon parents. The youth in generations past have been the index to society. If parents had done their duty in spreading the table with wholesome food, discarding irritating and stimulating substances, and at the same time had taught their children self-control, and educated their characters to develop moral power, we should not now have to handle the lion of intemperance. After habits of indulgence have been formed, and grown with their growth and strengthened with their strength, how hard then for those who have not been properly trained in youth to break up their wrong habits and learn to restrain themselves and their unnatural appetites. How hard to teach such ones and make them feel the necessity of Christian temperance, when they reach maturity. The temperance lessons should commence with the child rocked in the cradle. “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rocks the world.” I was requested by the Swedes and Danes to write out the subject just as I presented it to the people, and have it translated into the different languages. I promised to do this when I had a favorable opportunity. Bro. Smith spoke to the people in the evening. Monday morning at 5 o'clock a business meeting was held. At 8 o'clock my husband spoke from the stand to the people, in regard to the present condition of the cause. I spoke to the people Monday at 10 A. M., with great freedom. It seemed to fall to my lot to speak in the afternoon also. The Lord blessed and strengthened me greatly. I spoke above one hour. I felt the special power of God upon me while speaking. Bro. Smith spoke in the evening with his usual clearness. These discourses from Bro. Smith were a feast to many who could appreciate the clear points of argument on our position. Tuesday morning, June 29, at 8 o'clock, my husband spoke to the people from the stand, upon baptism. He had great freedom and power. I spoke to the people at 10½ o'clock from James 1: 22, 25: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves; for if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” The Lord blessed the word spoken. Invitation was then given for any who desired to be children of God, those who were backslidden from God, and those who for the first time were convicted that they had been living in transgression of the law of God, to come forward. About forty responded to the call. Liberty was given to any who wished to relieve their minds by bearing their testimony. An aged sister said she came forward to receive the prayers of the servants of God. She had professed to be a Christian for years, but since these meetings commenced she was convinced that she had been breaking the law of God, and from this time she should take her position with this people to keep all of God's commandments. The law of God has convicted her as a sinner. She has felt that the Spirit of God was with this people. When the invitation was given upon a former occasion to go forward, she did not accept the invitation and let the opportunity pass. She felt that she had done wrong. She was sorry that she had transgressed the law of God. Her good and gracious Heavenly Father, who is plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness, has not left her in her blindness. She wants to be cleansed from all sin. (This sister was a member in good standing in the Methodist church.) A brother thought he could get no encouragement in coming up to this meeting, but he had received great good, and thanked God for this precious privilege. A Danish brother said he rejoiced in these truths. He thought the truth which was so clear to him would be seen and understood by all of good sense when presented before them, but he was terribly disappointed. Those who did see, would not acknowledge the light, and many he could not make see the evidences of the truth which were so plain to him. Bro. L. said, “You may some of you be surprised to see me forward here for prayers among sinners and backsliders.” He said he found scripture which was applicable to his case. Num. 11: 1: “And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord heard it, and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” He wants to be fully in union and harmony with his American brethren. He has grown up outside of the ranks of Adventists. Circumstances have kept him there continually watching and severely tempted in regard to the feelings of the Americans toward his Swedish brethren. When his eye rested upon the above passage in regard to murmurers, the Spirit of the Lord applied these words to his mind. He felt reproved of the Lord for being in the outermost part of the camp. This was a wrong position for him to gain strength. He will from this time take his stand among his brethren. He would be more reasonable. “May God bless my brethren,” said he. “I want to put all my strength in the great work. I rejoice in the Lord that I see half a dozen of my countrymen who can scarcely understand a word of English coming forward for prayers.” It reminded him of the blind men feeling their way to Jesus. In a touching manner he talked in Swedish to those who came forward. The searching Spirit of God was in the meeting; his melting power was felt upon many hearts. Bro. L. continued, “May the Lord bless you all, and grant that we may all unite around the throne to praise his name.” A young sister feels that the Lord is very near her. She wants to leave the vanities of the world and follow her self-denying Redeemer. We repaired to the water about three miles distant over a rough road. Eighteen were buried with Christ in baptism. This baptismal scene was an interesting occasion. Children went into the water so very calmly, with light and peace expressed in the countenance. Surely the blessing of the Lord rested upon candidates, administrator, and those who were interested spectators. In the afternoon I spoke to the people with great freedom. I then invited sinners and backsliders forward for prayers. A large number responded. We gave them all an opportunity to talk out their feelings. One man arose and said that probably there was not a person on the ground who had passed through so great trials as himself. He was in the Indian massacre. He received several balls in his person. He saw his family massacred. He would not detain the people with the relation of his experience. He wants to set out now at this meeting to serve God, and do the best he can to save his own soul. If Job and Daniel were in the land, they could only deliver their own souls. They could not save son or daughter. A brother says he is an unworthy subject147of religion. He has been a Baptist in profession. Many years he had loved the people of God. He had pointed sinners to the Lamb of God, but had long been down by the cold streams of Babylon. He had not given a right example to his friends and neighbors. He is not without trials. He wants to be a Christian. He does not feel the love that he once felt, and that help from the courts of Heaven he once had. He said he was glad he came to the Adventist camp-meeting. He had received ideas at this meeting that were entirely new to him. He has had something hard and bitter in his heart against Mrs. White's visions. He had said many wrong things in regard to her for which he is now ashamed. He believes in the prayers of the children of God. He requests them to pray that he may think and act right, and see clearly all things as we see them. He does not see all points as this people see them, but hopes to be fully with us yet in the faith. A brother says he finds himself far behind. He wants to confess his wickedness before all present. He wants to make an entire surrender to God. Another brother says it is only a few months since he has been enlightened in regard to the truth by reading a REVIEW. He received the SIGNS OF THE TIMES also; and became convicted through reading these papers that Saturday was the Sabbath of the Lord. He felt that he must have something more than merely the light upon the Sabbath. He wanted to know some things for himself which had never been told him. He offered his first prayer forty miles from home while in camp. He sought the Lord then and there, and had come to this meeting to obtain further light and to follow it. This brother received the ordinance of baptism, and fully identified himself with this people. A brother then arose stating that the one who had just spoken had stated his case exactly. The VOICE OF TRUTH had first convicted him. He saw that this people had the truth. A Dane stated that her mother had lived a Christian life and instructed her. She was trying to be a Christian also. She had made many crooked paths. She had been a backslider and wants to start out anew. She wants the prayers of God's servants, that she may have grace to labor for her neighbors that they may be brought to the truth. She has learned many good things of Adventists. A brother finds that by gazing into the looking-glass as sister White mentioned, there was a lack. He had not the love of God in his heart as he should have it. He did not want to forget what manner of man he was. He wanted to see his defects revealed to him in the law of God. A young sister says she will not let her crown go. She wants to get to Heaven. She will watch and pray that no one may take her crown. She is determined to stand firm and consecrate her life wholly to God. A brother says no doubt many will be surprised to see him rise for prayers. He had made a profession of religion for a long time, joined the Baptist church, united with those of our faith in Illinois, came to Minnesota; since that time had become rather cold. He had backslidden and felt that he should be doing more than he was then doing. He had resisted the strivings of the Spirit of God. He wanted to consecrate all to the will of Christ. If it was his duty to bear the message he would do so. His wife had taken her seat with him to seek God that they might the better know and do his will from the heart. June 30. Last morning upon the camp ground. Assembled under the tent at the ringing of the bell about five o'clock. Meeting opened with singing and prayer. Bro. Smith made some appropriate remarks, then others followed with their testimonies. A sister realizes her weakness, but rejoices that she has a Saviour to help those who put their trust in him. She wants to train her children aright that they may gain the kingdom at last. She thanks God for what he has done for her. He has given her husband unto her as a companion in this good way. A brother rejoices in the goodness of God to him since he has been to this meeting. He has not felt his acceptance with God for a time, as he desired; but since these meetings he has enjoyed the blessing of God, and he wants to retain this precious blessing under all circumstances. A brother says he never felt greater gratitude to God than he does this morning. He has a most earnest desire to follow him and be better prepared to live in his kingdom. He was much affected. A brother rejoices for the blessing he has received at this meeting. He does not want to be forgetful of the words of truth, warning, and encouragement heard since coming here. Another brother says he has been blessed in attending this camp-meeting. He feels that the Spirit of God and of Heaven has come nigh unto us. He desires to go home and live better for the time to come than he has done, that rays of light may pass from him to others, that they may know that he has been learning of Jesus. Unless he makes quick steps he fears that the message will get ahead of him, and he be left behind. A sister says she is resolved to go to Mount Zion, lay all on the altar, and strive earnestly to do her Master's bidding. A brother says he is glad that God has put into his heart a desire to be a soldier of the cross, and bear that cross cheerfully till he shall exchange it for a crown. A Danish sister says she is thankful for the instruction she has received at this meeting. She wants to carry out the things she has heard. In all the departments of life she wants to gather with Christ. If we lose the influence of these meetings it will be to us a great loss. A sister feels that she has been greatly privileged in attending these meetings. She has been much discouraged. It seemed to her that she should never overcome, that with her the war was nearly ended. She has thought she could never obey the truth, her will had not been sufficient to enable her to do so. But she feels more hopeful, and is now willing to take hold anew and strive to overcome, and in every department of her life seek to work right to the point, let her surroundings and circumstances be as they may. She wants to live right before the Lord. She requests her brethren and sisters to tell her frankly when they see her out of the way, and she will receive it kindly and love them better for it. She desires to remember what she has heard, and the good words of instruction she has received at this meeting, and put them into practice when she returns home. A brother came up here to get a blessing. He had been sick, and was obliged to leave the ground. He had the privilege of the last day's meeting. The Lord has blessed him; although he is afflicted, he will put his trust in God, and will praise him while he lives. A brother says he has not kept his seat because he had nothing to say or had not an interest in the work. “My heart, with you, loves God.” He has many things to overcome, and he has been strengthened, and encouraged. A sister says she is determined to keep the law of God, and to love the truth. Another sister says she thanks God for this great privilege. She means to profit by it. The Lord is willing to show us our faults as fast as we are willing to put them away and overcome them. She exhorted her brethren to faithfulness, to do nothing to bring a reproach upon the precious cause of God. A brother thanks God for the privilege of being here and having a part in the good cause. He loves the people of God more than he ever has before. He has more confidence in this work than he has ever had. One brother has been only a few months in the truth. He has enjoyed at this camp-meeting a feast of fat things. While the great looking-glass has been held up before him, he has seen the imperfections in his character. He feels that he must be in earnest to remove the spots and stains, or he can never enter the pure kingdom of Heaven. A sister says she is grateful for the instruction received, and will improve upon what she has heard. A sister says she is thankful for this privilege. The light given has shown her her sins. She wants to do the will of God daily and overcome every wrong in her life and gather with Christ. A sister says she has received good instruction at this meeting. She could not, because of ill-health, get to the meeting until yesterday morning; but she has been richly paid by what she has received, and wants her heart and hand in the truth and work of God, growing stronger every day. A Swedish brother is thankful for the privilege of speaking a few words. He feels very happy. He has enjoyed the blessing of God. If he had missed this camp-meeting it would have been a great loss to him. He has had to leave his father and friends. He has had an experience in leaving parents for the truth and Christ's sake. He hopes to see them yet turning to the truth. “Let us instruct our children in the way of life, that they may not be led astray by heresy, but be saved with the people of God. Let us, my Swedish brethren, be united with the people of God, that none of us be led astray from the fold. How sorry should we be if any should fail to meet us there, when the obedient shall receive their reward.” A brother says he has more confidence in the message to-day than ever before. He has gained strength on the camp-ground. At this meeting, he has gained an experience worth having. A sister has been led, at the meeting, to feel the necessity of having a greater consecration to God. A sister said she had had a precious season of the grace of God. She wanted a share in the kingdom with the redeemed. Another sister spoke in behalf of a sister who was baptized in Wasioja. She is now in Canada, and has written a letter saying she has passed through great trials, but she can now rejoice in God because her husband has taken the truth. She is very poor, but she sent twenty-five cents of British money to aid in publishing these truths she so highly prizes. She said in her own behalf that the truth she has heard at this meeting will be a savor of life unto life to her and her family. She hoped they would be a united family in the kingdom of God. A sister said she is thankful to God for this privilege and the instruction she had received, and was determined to follow on to know the Lord. A brother had a very great desire to gain spiritual strength. He had been cheered and strengthened greatly at these meetings. A brother said he was thankful that he had received the blessing he so much desired at this meeting. A sister had been seeking to follow the Saviour. She received the ordinance of baptism yesterday. After coming out of the water she was greatly blessed. A sister said the Lord has richly blessed her. Yesterday as she came out of the water a gleam of light from Heaven shone upon her. If clouds gather henceforth upon her soul she will strive to remember the sun shining beyond the cloud. She thanks God for the blessed results of this meeting. A brother said he had been much blessed at this meeting. His faith was increased and he had been greatly strengthened. Another brother thanked God for what he had done for his soul in this meeting. He was determined to live nearer to Jesus and serve him better. He wanted to overcome all his besetments. When the truth came to him at first, it found him going the downward road. He saw that he was a transgressor of God's law, and he had been trying to turn from his sins and choose the path that leads heavenward. A sister spoke in behalf of our aged sister Gibson, who could not come to the meeting. She is eighty years old, and this is the first camp-meeting she has missed of those held in the State. She went because she was not strong enough to come to the meeting. She loves the truth. She desired the prayers of her brethren and sisters who attended the meeting. A brother had at this meeting received encouragement to press on and be faithful in setting a right example. A brother said he had enjoyed this meeting. He desired to live nearer to God. He had recently started to serve him. A brother said his heart had been filled with gratitude to God for his blessing received at this meeting. He was determined to buckle on the armor anew and not lay it off until his Master bade him. A sister said she had love for Jesus. She thanked God for all things, even for poverty, for this was among the all things which shall work together for good to them that love God. A sister said she could say as never before, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus wanted to save her. The Lord wanted to save her, and angels of God wanted to save her, and why should she be unbelieving? A brother had looked forward with great expectations to this meeting. He had enjoyed it very much. For some reason a cloud had disturbed his mind for the last two days. He had felt like Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat. He wanted to enter into the kingdom of God. He wanted to go forth better prepared to work for God. He left his companion to go forth to his field of labor. A brother Spicer said he had not yet been ground down to rigid discipline. God had tried him, that he might see his way clear to work for him. He wanted to be in earnest, lest the message get ahead of him. Two hundred years ago the Lord planted Sabbath-keepers in America. They prospered for awhile, then seemed to hesitate. God raised up a people to carry on the work. We see what we do at this time. Blessings have been taken away from those who have proved themselves unworthy of them and given to others who would be more faithful to their trust. If we are not faithful to the message before us the blessing will be removed from us and given to others. We feel like saying to you who are attending this meeting, We feel like pressing forward and entreat of you to be faithful, be true, do not turn back. The promise is to those who endure unto the end. My husband responded and presented the case of Bro. and Sr. Spicer, that they become members of the Conference. A rising vote was taken, not a dissenting voice. So closed our last meeting on the ground. If stolen money, like laying hens, could cackle, what a racket there would be in some men's pockets and premises. If stolen goods, like chanticleer, could only crow, how many persons would be broken of their rest and kept awake by night. If the hire of laborers—kept back by fraud—could talk, like Balaam's beast, what braying would din some employers' ears. If the wrongs of the widow and the orphan could speak, how many unjust ones would be continually troubled by the ringing of voices in their ears, saying, “Give us our rights.” If some lordly mansions—reared by ill-gotten gain—could articulate, many a stone would cry out of the wall, and many a brick and beam from the timber would answer it: “Woe to him that procureth wicked gain for his house, that he may establish his nest on high.” If all things unfairly gotten and wrongly detained could be set free and remanded to their rightful owners, what a wonderful exodus would there be from house to house, from person to person, from purse to purse, from capital to labor, from labor to capital. If some individual, going from house to house, could enter the parlors and chambers—plain and princely—whose furniture was bought with other men's money, and could set the several articles in motion—each in the direction of its rightful owner—what a movement there would be among the mirrors, what a rattling of silver-plate, knives, forks, and spoons; what a hustling of chairs and tipping of tables; and would not many a bed take up itself, and walk? If evil spirits, at the present day, could enter into the various forms of property gotten by fraud—something besides swine would rush into the sea! Many a fat fancy horse—in the carriage or under the saddle—would make its way rapidly down “the steep,” and choke rider and all, in the depths. “As the partridge sitteth on eggs and hatcheth them not, so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.” It is a great thing to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men; a great thing to be able to say: “I have wronged no one—corrupted no one—defrauded no one.”—Sel. I am a sworn enemy to them, I never knew one yet but the devil got in before we got through. Just conceive for a moment Paul going down to Corinth to open a fair. God's people have money enough; they don't want to go into the world to get it. There was a time when the church was trying to get out of the world, but now the world has come into the church. A young lady is put behind a table to draw young people by her beauty. I don't know when I was more mortified than by an advertisement of a church fair in the West, where it was said that any young man could come in and take a kiss from the handsomest woman at the fair for twenty-five cents. I hope the time is come when we shall be rid of these abominations. If we cannot get churches without fairs, let us get along without churches. It would be a good deal better to preach in the streets than to get a church put up in that way. SILENCE is the fittest reply to folly. CONFERENCE ADDRESS.
By James White
Progress and Wants of the Cause.
The work of the ministry must take the lead of all human agencies employed in the cause of Christ. At an early period in his ministry Christ chose twelve men to be with him, to learn of him both by private instructions and public teachings, to behold his miracles, and witness his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, that they might be proper witnesses of these events in fulfilling the high commission from their Master, in these words, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” And when the apostle would represent the comparative importance of the gifts in the Christian church he makes the following statement: “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that, miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12:28. And again he preserves nearly the same order in addressing the church at Ephesus: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Eph. 4:11. Here the work of those sent to preach the gospel ranks first in importance. Christ’s ministers are his representatives, to speak in his name and to act in his stead. Paul expresses the dignity, magnitude, holy character, and fearful responsibilities of the ministry in these words: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us. We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20. No minister can fully realize such a position without a deep experience in the things of the Spirit of God. He must first realize in himself the strongest Scripture expressions of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In contrast with the endowments of the real ambassadors of Christ thousands take the name of Reverend or Elder who are as destitute of the Holy Spirit, and as insensible of the fearful responsibilities of the ministry, as the inanimate walls of their churches. Would God that all our ministers could read their experiences from the book of Acts. If the ministers of the first Christian churches were not a measure of the will of Christ during the Christian age to its very close, then where is the rule by which to measure the ministry of the nineteenth century? It is not to be found in the New Testament. And may God pity an apostate ministry, an apostate church, and a world lying in wickedness, destitute of that gospel which Christ committed to his first ministers. But we cling to the original commission with all its toils, crosses, blessings, and power with God and with the people. “All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth,” said Christ to the eleven, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:18-20. The work of an evangelist is laborious and often very disagreeable. It is marked all the way with hardships and privations. But there are two redeeming features in the sad picture which make it really desirable to the man of God who feels in his inmost soul, “Woe is me if I preach not the gospel.” 1. The connective, therefore. In the commission, Christ first states that all power in Heaven and in earth is invested in himself. He there delegates a certain degree of that power to his first ministers, and commands, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. Why willingly, cheerfully, and even joyfully go out everywhere preaching the word to hearts as hard as steel, and deprive themselves of nearly all of life regarded by men of the world as worth having? Because their all-powerful Master sends them and leaves with them the gracious assurance:— 2. Lo, I am with you always to the end of the Christian age. Christ being ever with the gospel minister to give him strength in time of need, he can do all things embraced in the high and holy commission. But “without me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” At an earlier period Christ sent out his twelve disciples, and “gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matt. 10:1. If it be said that this power was to attend the twelve for a limited mission only and restricted to the Jews, then we reply, that in the unrestricted commission to the eleven, to teach all nations, which was to extend to the end of the world, the same power and authority are given to the Christian ministry. At that last interview with the eleven, as Christ was about to ascend to Heaven, he said to them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” “So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:15-20. This power was to attend not only the eleven but those who should believe the gospel they preached, and be baptized. Where is the proof in all the New Testament that these signs were given for a limited period, and that preaching, believing, and being baptized was to go on long centuries without manifestation of them? It does not meet the case to say that these signs do not follow the masses of professing believers. The history of the church shows that such manifestations have existed more or less in all the centuries of the church since Christ gave the commission to the eleven. The manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit have been no more scarce since the ascension than the religion taught and exemplified by the Son of God has been. And when the church shall come back to the full measure of Christian duty as given by Christ, she will find all the blessings with which he clothed his first ministers and their converts. We plead for the religion set forth in the New Testament. With that religion is connected the work of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the gifts from the first record of the ministry and miracles of Christ reaching throughout the epistles. The gospel of the Son of God and the attending blessings and power of the Holy Spirit are the same in the days of Paul, Peter, and James that they were when Christ ascended up to Heaven in the presence of the eleven, or when he sent out the twelve, and afterward the seventy, on their first limited mission. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house, or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily, I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of Judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matt. 10:5-16. As we read the foregoing we are deeply impressed with the great fact that Christ clothes his ministers with authority and power equal to the importance of their work. Those who receive the worthy ambassadors for Christ are blest; but those who reject them call upon themselves the wrath of God more intolerable than that which rested upon the land of Sodom and Gomorrah. And the gospel of the Son of God gives such men claims on the charities of the very communities in which they labor. This fact of general application is illustrated by a principle for all time in the words, “The workman is worthy of his meat.” This is true in the nineteenth century, was true when the commission was given to the eleven, also when the seventy were sent out, and when spoken to the twelve as they were about to start out on their restricted mission. In Luke 10:7, this illustration of the claims of the ministry on those to whom they minister is expressed in the words, “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” And Christ would have his ministers test the worthiness of the people to receive their labors by their action in receiving them, and hearing their words. “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” The carrying out of these principles by the evangelist brings him into relations with the people beneficial to both himself and them. He needs their hospitality, and they need his social labors. And never can the young disciple be so favorably impressed with his duty to sustain the cause of God as when the Spirit of the Lord is opening his heart to the great plan of salvation through Jesus Christ? But the course of some of our ministers illy compares with these plain statements of Christ. They will pitch their tent in a village or city, and at their opening discourse will tell the people that they have not come for their money, or to be a burden upon them, and that they are sent there by their Conference which fully supports them. Maybe they will commence a sort of house-keeping in a corner of the tent, on crackers and fruit, and cultivate a dread of mingling with the people socially. Many are impressed with the truths spoken, and yearn in their very hearts to entertain the ministers, become acquainted with them, and minister to their wants; but those remarks in the introductory discourse completely closed up their way, and the people receive the idea that they have nothing to do only to hear the gospel. But the tug of war comes when the subject of Systematic Benevolence is urged upon the believers who have come out under false impressions. The teaching of Christ on this subject were for the best good of both the preachers and the people throughout the entire Christian age. It brings them in that relation beneficial to both, where they may feel mutual obligations. In this relation the people will be led to cultivate the spirit of hospitality, and the minister will cultivate those social qualities in which lies his principal power to accomplish good. When he enters a town he should at an early period in his labors visit the ministers of the place, visit the schools, and become acquainted with the leading men in and out of the churches. He should with a humble dignity becoming his mission go in and out before the people, and so deport himself in all his social interviews as a man sent of God, having claims upon the attention, and hospitality of the people, as to give the impression that the last message to lost sinners is in his mind at least, the great question of the times. Those who cannot do this, and will not cultivate a love to mingle with the more intelligent, should never enter a village or city, but should seek their level in a more retired portion of the great field. But the gospel does bring the true minister of Christ in close and tender relations with the people. It gives him claims on the sympathy, tender care, and hospitality of the people which but few realize. Peter would know what would be his portion, and what would be that of his fellow disciples, and says, “Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:28-30. From the very nature of things it is not possible for any man to literally have a hundred mothers, brothers and sisters. Neither can we suppose for a moment that this promise of the Lord gives the minister a title to a hundred farms or a hundred houses. But the gospel does give the true minister claims on the people, and does plant the evangelist in a hundred families where he finds fathers, mothers, brethren, sisters, and houses, to meet his present wants, and sustain a relation higher, holier, and more tender than any earthly relationship.