Earlier text: A Liberal PlatformDeath and the Money-Changers
DEATH will put an end to the filling of the money-bags. Like Jesus in the temple, death will enter and overturn the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sell doves, and with a voice of authority he will cry, “These things hence!” Evening Questions for Self-Examination.
1. HAVE I read a portion of God's word to-day? and if so, was it hurriedly and without meditation, or reverently and with a sincere appreciation of its preciousness? 2. How did I pray to-day? Was it formally, without realizing thoughts of God, without sensible nearness to God, or without affection, favor, and confident dependence on Christ's mediation? 3. Have I been sensible of any holy motion of God's Spirit in my soul? or have I encouraged or discouraged his gracious visits? 4. Have I longed after God, panted after his manifestations to my soul, and felt that in his favor and love alone could I be happy? 5. Have I studiously repressed evil thoughts, and desired to be delivered from their intrusion? and have I made any successful assaults on my easily besetting sins? 6. Have I been guilty to-day of envy, jealousy, pride, evil-speaking, or unkind feelings? Have I returned good for evil? Has sin overcome me, or have I overcome sin? 7. Have I realized my nearness to eternity, and encouraged myself to meditate on, and to seek preparation for, death, judgment, and the coming of my Lord? 8. Have I met crosses and disappointments, wrong or slandering, with meekness and patience? 9. Have I been covetous, or have I resisted the tendency of my heart to avarice by the performance of benevolent and charitable deeds? Have I given anything to the poor, or purposed to do good to all men, as I have opportunity? 10. Have my secular avocations absorbed too much of my time and attention to-day? 11. Have I lived to God's glory, or for my own selfish ends to-day? 12. Is it a matter of consciousness with me that religion is my chief concern and the source of my greatest pleasure? 13. Have I been gentle and courteous toward my inferiors and dependents, kindly affectionate toward my equals, and respectful toward my superiors? 14. Have I spoken unadvisedly, or rashly judged others? 15. Has the world been in any way benefited by my living to-day? 16. Have I had opportunities for doing anything for Jesus, and have they been embraced? Have I spoken well of him to any perishing sinner? Have I given away a religious tract, magazine, or book, to any one, with prayer for the Spirit's blessing? 17. Have I prayed for the prosperity of the church, and the conversion of sinners, and considered all I have as given me for the promotion of the Lord's kingdom among men? 18. Have I felt with increased intensity that my only hope is in Christ? 19. Have I avoided all appearance of evil, and set a holy example before those with whom I have come in contact, fearing not man, but God? 20. In a word, have I made any advancement in the divine life to-day? Ponder this, O my soul! as in the immediate presence of God.—Sel. NEVER complain of your birth, your training, your employment, your hardships; never fancy that you could be something if only you had a different lot assigned you. God understands his own plan, and he understands what you want a great deal better than you do. The very things you most deprecate as most fatal limitations or obstructions, are probably what you most want. What you call hinderances, obstacles, discouragements, are probably God's opportunities; and it is nothing new that the patient should dislike his medicines, or any certain proof that they are poisons. No! A truce to all such impatience! Choke that devilish envy which gnaws your heart because you are not in the same lot with others; bring down your soul, or rather bring it up to receive God's will, and do his work in your lot, in your sphere, under your cloud of obscurity, against your temptations; and then you shall find that your condition is never opposed to your good, but really consistent with it.—Sel. Have Patience with the “Bad Scholars.”
“SOME years ago,” says the Rev. William Jay, “I had in my garden a tree which never bore. One day as I was going down with the axe in my hand to fell it, my wife met me in the pathway and pleaded for it, saying, “Why, the spring is now very near; stay, and see if there may not be some change; and if not, you can deal with it accordingly.” As I had never repented following her advice, I yielded to it now; and what was the consequence? In a few weeks the tree was covered with blossoms, and in a few weeks more it was bending with fruit. Ah! said I, this should teach me. I will learn a lesson from hence not to cut down too soon; that is, not to consider persons incorrigible or abandoned too soon, so as to give up hope, and the use of means and prayer in their behalf.” The Soul’s Aspiration for Higher Things
EVERY impulse of beauty, of heroism, and every craving for purer love, fairer perfection, nobler type and style of being than that which closes like a prison-house around us, in the dim, daily walk of life, is God's breath, God's impulse, God's reminder to the soul that there is something higher, sweeter, purer, yet to be attained. How are we able?
By H. M. Van Slyke
“COME, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34. Gracious words of our Saviour—come, not go, ye. Christ, the glorious Shekinah leading the Israel of God, tells us to come and possess the kingdom. He has spied out the land, he tells us it is goodly, full of all precious things, a desirable place to dwell in. He has told us, too, that there are dangers by the way, that in our own weakness we cannot cope with our enemies; but he has also said to his followers, “Lo, I am with you alway; even unto the end of the world.” Jesus is our rear-guard. In him is the light that shineth unto the perfect day. In his life upon earth, he is our great example, in his sufferings here, our consolation in trouble, and in his glorious victory over the power of the grave, our great incentive to press on in the straight and narrow path of self-denial. We need not be affrighted by the giants in our way, though beside them we seem as grasshoppers. Let us dread not, neither be afraid of them; for our Lord has promised to be with us. “Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to over come it.” Num. 13:30. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven. Let us be little children, trusting our Father's word, obeying his commands, learning of our Teacher, growing in grace and simplicity, and we shall not only be able to enter, but such shall be called greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.” Brethren and sisters, are any of us discouraged by the coldness of friends, the scoffs and jeers of a deluded world, who have forgotten the commandments of God and changed his truth into a lie? If so, let us so humble ourselves beneath the mighty hand of God that we may find our true position as little children; then we shall fear not, neither be dismayed. The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of thee. Hamilton, Mo., April 11, 1871. Speak for Jesus.
By L. E. Millne
WHAT can I do for Jesus to-day? I asked myself, as I arose, and lifted my thoughts heavenward. How shall I honor my blessed Master? An opportunity soon offered. A lady called, and after a short conversation, I began speaking of the soon coming of Jesus, and the joy and gladness of the dear saints who loved his appearing. While speaking, I felt the sweet Spirit of the Lord witnessing with mine that I was in the path of duty. Oh! the blessing of the Lord! It makes us rich! This afternoon a gentleman called, and was shown into the room where I was sitting. My REVIEWS were lying on the table before me, and they attracted his attention. He commenced asking questions, and I referred him to the remnant people spoken of in the Revelation, who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. He seemed to listen with so much interest that I gave him some of our tracts, which he promised to read. I pray the Lord to bless the good seed sown in this wicked city. Let us be encouraged to speak for Jesus. Let us not be ashamed of his word, but let us be diligent in his service. Our days are swiftly passing, and shall we not improve each passing hour? Shall we not speak often of his wondrous love, of his tender mercies with which he is blessing us every day? Let us honor Jesus each day in all we do and say, and he will remember us when he comes with power and great glory to gather his jewels, and will give us a place in his everlasting kingdom. L. E. MILLNE.
Council Bluffs. MR. GREEN, the famous diver, tells singular stories of his adventures when making search in the deep waters of the ocean. He thus sketches what he saw at the “Silver Bank,” near Hayti: The banks of coral, on which my divings were made, are about forty miles in length. On this bank is presented to the diver one of the most beautiful and sublime scenes the eye ever beheld. The water is from ten to one hundred feet in depth, and is so clear that the diver can see from two to three hundred feet when submerged, with but little obstruction to the sight. The bottom of the ocean, in many places, is as smooth as a marble floor; in others it is studded with coral columns, from ten to eighty feet in diameter. The tops of those more lofty, support a myriad of pyramidal pendants, each forming a myriad more, giving reality to the imaginary abode of some water nymph. In other places the pendants form each after each. As the diver stands on the bottom of the ocean and gazes through the deep winding avenues, he finds that they fill him with as sacred an awe as if he were in some old cathedral which had been long buried beneath the ocean’s waves. Here and there the coral extends even to the surface of the water, as if the loftier columns were towers belonging to those stately temples that are now in ruins. There are countless varieties of diminutive trees, shrubs, and plants in every crevice of the coral, all being of a faint hue, owing to the pale light they receive, although of every shade, and entirely different from plants that I am familiar with that vegetate upon dry land. One in particular attracted my attention; it resembled a sea fan of immense size, of variegated colors and the most brilliant hue. To the Churches of the Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
By H. F. Phelps
LET us bless the Lord for his wonderful works to the children of men. Let us thank his name for the glorious light of present truth that shines upon our pathway. Let us thank him that this light has reached the great State of Minnesota. We look back ten or twelve years in the past, and we see but a few faint lights sending out their rays across the broad prairies. We follow down the stream of time to the present, and then we look into the future. We see the work that has been accomplished, and we see what is yet to be done. Something has been gained, but still our light burns feebly. Greater work is before us. We need more order, more unity, more concert of action. Who will lift in this work? We can all lift, if we will. Then the question is, Who will? I think I hear all saying, I will try. But many may fail because they look over their work; that is, they are looking too high; they are looking for some great work. Let us get down lower. Let us seek more humility, more of the softening spirit of Christ. Let the rough corners be broken off. Let us look into our own hearts. Let the work begin at home, and then it will spread to others around. But all have not the same work to do. Some have the oversight of the work at large. Let us help them. They need it. Others again have the oversight of the little churches through the land. Oh! how they need our prayers and assistance! Let us all do our work, and do it well. And right here I would speak a word in regard to Systematic Benevolence. Brethren and sisters throughout the Conference of Minnesota, have you all done your duty in regard to this? How is it? Have you dealt as good stewards, and pledged according to the full value of the means God has given you? And then when you have pledged, have you been prompt to pay your vows to the Lord? These are plain questions; and all Seventh-day Adventists should see to it that they are able to answer them in the affirmative. And all who cannot, we hope will set about the work, that they may soon be able to do so. “Move on,” said an employer to his apprentice when he found him looking in at a shop window, instead of doing the errand upon which he was sent. “Move on, what would the world come to if all were to stand still as you are doing?” Is not this good advice for one of Christ’s followers? Yes; “move on,” in the work of saving souls; what if you can not do great things; do what you can; angels can do no more. The humblest flower that God has created has some mission to perform; so there is a work for the humblest child of God. Do not be discouraged because you cannot do as well as some one else; each one has his allotted place. Be yourself. God does not require us to do anything that is impossible; but he does require us to do all that we can do, and remember that unto whomsoever much is given of him will much be required. If we have but one talent, we must improve that one, that when Jesus comes we may receive the plaudit, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Do not neglect small opportunities. Speak a word for Jesus whenever you can. Who can refuse to work for Jesus when he has done so much for us? He died, that we might have eternal life. Is it not a prize worth striving for? Then let us move on in the work of preparing ourselves for that glorious meeting, and warning others of their danger. Oh! could we realize the importance of the time in which we are living, should we not be more in earnest in proclaiming this last message of mercy to fallen man. The time is short; and how much there is to be done. Precious souls are to be gathered into the fold; but time is fast hasting away, and those opportunities will soon all be in the past. May the Lord strengthen us, and help us to be faithful, and whatsoever our hands find to do, do it with our might, lest the blood of souls be found upon our garments. E. R. D. Advice to Young Converts.
Sedulously cultivate devotional habits. 1. “Pray without ceasing.” It were needless, surely, to enlarge upon the importance of prayer. “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gate of death,
He enters Heaven with prayer.” Its frequency greatly promotes spiritual growth and strength, while its neglect tells the secret of unfaithfulness, backsliding, and apostasy. Never, then, abandon your visits to the throne of grace while life remains. Daily and regularly commune in secret with your Heavenly Father, freely making known to him your many wants, confessing your sins, rendering thanks to him for your blessings, temporal and spiritual, and casting upon him your cares. If you are the head of a family, fail not to offer upon the hallowed domestic altar your morning and evening sacrifice. Never, when it can possibly be prevented, let your seat be vacated at the hour and in the place of social worship. 2. Be constant and diligent students of the Bible. This is the chart which God has put into your hands to guide you in your journey over life’s changeful and turbulent ocean. Following its directions, you shall escape from every danger, and safely reach the haven of eternal rest. This is the repository of all that is most valuable to you as a creature of time, and an heir of immortality. Here you may gaze, until your heart overflows with love, upon the perfect character of Him whom no mortal eye hath seen, drawn by his own unerring hand. Here is displayed, from its inception to its consummation, that wonderful plan of redemption into which angels desire to look, displayed in all the love which originated it, the cost at which it was executed, and the inestimable benefits which flow from it. Here are contained those doctrines which lie at the foundation of all Christian duty. Saying and Doing.
By JOS. CLARKE.
The intention cannot atone for the neglect. A man may intend to do right and nobly; yet such may be the temptation, and so weak the principle of right action, that the good resolutions are swept away like the leaves of autumn before the mountain torrent. The repentant sinner, or returning backslider, truly intends to amend his ways; but too frequently, as often as he repents, he returns again to his sin, or omission of duty, and thus becomes unstable, and double-minded. As he returns with humility, he wins the love and esteem of his brethren; as he again relapses into pride and vain glory, he loses more than he won by his humility. At each relapse, he loses the confidence of those he chose as his brethren, and weakens himself. This is not an isolated case; but in one form or other, many are thus undermining their own hope; not by humility, and repentance, but by forgetting their weakness, and presuming upon the strength they possess, and forgetting their own weakness and sin. Let us who are weak, flee unto God for strength. Let us rely upon him, and while our brethren forgive and forget our past wrongs, let us not be in haste to forgive ourselves; but rather cherish this virtue toward those who have injured us. None are more exposed to vain glory and pride, and instability, than those who have least cause for self-gratulation: let us remember that it is in humility only that we stand; by this we have arisen; by this let us hold our ground. THERE is a popular impression that the moon exerts a marked influence on vegetation; and the weather-seers are largely guided by the changes of that luminary. Mr. Coffin, in his recent book, “Our New Way Round the World,” thus writes of its effects on man within the tropics. He is in India: “The moon is at the full, pouring its rays from the zenith straight down upon us, with a power which is almost as unbearable as that of the sun at mid-day. There is no heat in its rays, but they have great effect on the brain. The blood rushes to the head, and there is a sense of fullness and pressure which, although not attended by acute pain, is exceedingly unpleasant. We find it necessary to keep our umbrellas spread at midnight as well as midday. It is dangerous to sleep in the moonlight in the tropics. In this country we can see new beauty in those words of the psalmist, expressive of God's care for those who love him: “The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.” LEAN hard upon the Father who shapes thy paths; he will uphold thee; lean hard upon the angels who guard thy steps, no stone shall bruise thy feet or tangled net entrap thee. Lean hard in love, but flatter not, bearing, yet upborne, the burden shall prove light, at which in doubt and fear thou faintest now. “Child of my love, ‘lean hard,’
And let me feel the pressure of thy care.
I know thy burden, child; I shaped it,
Poised it in mine own hand—made no proportion
In its weight to thine unaided strength;
For even as I laid it on, I said,
‘I shall be near, and while she leans on me,
This burden shall be mine, not hers;
So shall I keep my child within the circling arms
Of mine own love.’ Here lay it down, nor fear
To impose it on a shoulder which upholds
The government of worlds. Yet closer come;
Thou art not near enough. I would embrace thy care,
So I might feel my child reposing on my breast.
Thou lovest me? I know it. Doubt not then;
But, loving me, LEAN HARD.”—Western Home. teach us? Why, that the most mature Christian, if he judges aright, feels that he wants as much to be led in the right way as if he were only beginning the spiritual life. The word seems to be almost humiliating, “Lead me.” It is a little child, saying, “Lead me, mother, lead me.” It is more than that; it is a blind man putting out his hand. He cannot see; he cannot find his way; and he is begging, “Lead me.” Such babes are we, such blind men are we, apart from the guiding grace of God. If we have faith in a living God, a Father and Friend of man, who does not only interpose once in a while, but is present always in human affairs, then every man is sent to do a work; every man has a mission; a mission determined by his capacities and opportunities; a mission which no one can fulfill but himself, since every man has his proper gift from the Lord. The mission of Jesus differed from that of other men in these two points; that it was the greatest work ever given man to do, and that he saw more clearly what it was than other men see theirs. Give the mariner a stout ship, a skillful captain, deep water, and plenty of sea-room, and he will be steady through any tempest; because the permanent outbalances the transient. So give the man, on this great sea of life, trustworthy reliance on God, let him know that he can trust in the depth and sweep of this divine nature, in the trustiness of these things that are about him; let him see the eternal anchor ready to grapple and hold fast when all else fails, and he will cheerfully face any tempest that can ever come.—Robert Collyer. Pearls in Christ’s Crown.
SOME writer thus consoles Christian sufferers: “Oh! the wisdom, goodness, and mercy of God! He can take the pains and agonies of the sick one; and work them all into jewels which will sparkle in the crown of Christ forever! All our sorrows and suffering, and our very tears, will thus become a part of his own glorious crown. We wonder often that the good, the meek, are made to suffer so long and so fearfully; but when we look upon the jewels which he thus makes up, we shall cease to wonder. Not one pang or sorrow could be spared, and have the jewels in his crown that they are. O sufferer on the bed of pain! our Lord makes pearls for the crown of earthly monarchs; and, in the same way, he is fitting thee to be a crown of glory in his own diadem. Patiently, patiently suffer his will, and thou wilt hereafter see that it was all to make thee more glorious in the eternal kingdom.” The Mystery of the Incarnation
IN the lowest forms of God's works, all through earth and air and sky—all through the varied forms of inanimate nature—there are mysteries unsolved by finite intelligence; and be not surprised, therefore, if in the anomalous incarnation of the divine nature there is what is incomprehensible to us. To be surprised into doubt or unbelief of the law on this account, is neither logical nor antilogical. The Soul’s Magnetic Influence
WHEN the soft iron is in the electric circuit, it grows magnetic, and not only clings itself, but keeps lesser and kindred masses clinging; so when the soul is in the right relation to God, it acquires a strong induction—a mighty power of attracting others in the same direction. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. DIED, at Manchester, Boon Co., Ill., March 15, 1871, Carrie M. Bowles, daughter of I. C. and C. M. Bowles, aged 9 months and 20 days.
CYNTHIA M. BOWLES. DIED, of measles, complicated with other diseases, in East Genoa, N. Y., my brother, David C. Upson, aged 24 years, lacking 15 days. We are not without some hope that Bro. David will meet us in the first resurrection. His mind has been quite seriously disposed all the past winter, and he expressed a determination to serve the Lord faithfully the remainder of his life if he was permitted to recover from his sickness.
L. UPSON. DIED, near Braddyville, Page Co., Iowa, March 28, 1871, George B. Carr, youngest son of Robert and Ann A. Carr, aged one year and eight months. Our mourning hearts are comforted when we realize that it is but a short time ere we may meet our departed one.
R. AND A. A. CARR. DIED, in Providence, Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 20, 1871, Wellington S. Parker, son of Nelson W. and Elizabeth Parker, aged 7 years, 3 months, and 3 days. Funeral discourse by Eld. Showers of the Christian denomination, from 1 Cor. 15:55.
N. W. PARKER. DIED, of dropsy, April 14, 1871, in Daviess Co., Mo., Eld. Lewis Morrison in the 71st year of his age. He was a member of the Christian Church 31 years, was a leader in the promulgation of the doctrine of immortality only through Christ, and other kindred truths, stood firm for Bible truths, not regarding the teachings of men nor popularity. He adopted the observance of the Sabbath when 57 years old, and enjoyed himself much in the vindication of the claims of the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” until old age, infirmity, and death, closed his earthly career. He looked forward with bright prospect to a part in the first resurrection. Funeral discourse by Bro. L. R. Long, from Rev. 14:12, 13, to a large, sympathizing, and attentive congregation.
J. H. ROGERS. To the S. B. Treasurers in Minnesota.
By H. F. Phelps
For your benefit, I quote from report of last Conference. The subject of delinquencies was talked over. “Bro. White recommends all S. B. treasurers to take the matter in hand by consulting in a Christian manner with delinquents, remembering it is systematic benevolence and not systematic compulsion, and all who were so far in the background as to be very doubtful, to send the amount to the Secretary.” We shall expect a report from every church during the next quarter; for we need it in order to have our reports ready for the Conference. We would offer as a suggestion that at the present quarterly meeting, if you cannot have a special meeting, which would be better, every member be invited (if they need an invitation) to be present, and re-arrange Systematic Benevolence, and find out the determination of every one who is indebted, and then you will be able to make a full report. I wish simply to know how much cannot be paid, as the book of the secretary shows the amount due from each church. For some reason, the first report of the Tanhassen church failed to reach us. Will the treasurer send another? Also the second quarterly report of the Maiden Rock church; please send again. Hope to hear from all promptly to the close of this quarter, which ended March 31. Please send your report for the fourth quarter the first of June. At the next quarterly meeting each church should elect its delegates to the Conference. H. F. PHELPS,
Sec. Minn. Conf.
Pine Island, Minn. A Christless Masonic Burial
REV. LYMAN WHITING furnishes to Chicago Advance an account of the burial of the deacon of a city in the West, under Masonic auspices. He says: The “Order” appeared splendidly. The pastor, after years of intimacy, brother deacons, old and tried brethren and sisters might get in—come into line, as they could. No place whatever was made for them. The grave was near the gate of the cemetery. The swords and aprons filled the way so that most of those behind them halted “without the gate.” A strange, mumbled recitation was heard while and after the coffin was lowered—but not a word from pastor or any Christian friend. A pert young man read the Christless burial service; literally Christless, the name Christ, or Jesus, not allowed in it; “for,” said an M. E. minister-member of the “Order,” on the way back from the grave, “for regard to Jews who are Masons, and hold that name in such abhorrence.” So a man professing Christ, ministering at a communion-table for forty years and more, buried from the house of God, where all his life had been spent, is laid to his rest by heathen-like ceremony, which is not allowed to have one mention of Jesus Christ, his Redeemer and hope in the resurrection. PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church at Brighton, Iowa, Sabbath and Sunday, April 29 and 30, 1871. Friends from other places are invited. With the friends of the cause in Burt County, Nebraska, and in Western Iowa, in the place they may appoint, Sabbath and Sunday, May 13 and 14, 1871. Will some one of them meet me at Onawa Station, Thursday, April 17? I design to stay in that vicinity two weeks or more, and I hope there will be a general turnout of all the friends in that section of country. I desire to hold all the meetings that can be profitably held while I stay, and to take into consideration business matters of importance to the interests of the cause in that section.
GEO. I. BUTLER. THE Lord willing, I will meet with the church at Norridgewock, Me., Sabbath, May 6.
J. B. GOODRICH. THERE will be a two days' meeting of the S. D. Adventist church in Wakeman, Ohio, May 13 and 14. It is expected that all the members of the Wakeman church will attend.
Also at Troy, May 20 and 21. Bro. O. Mears will attend these meetings.
GEO. SMITH. QUARTERLY meeting at Pottersville, Mich., 29, 30. QUARTERLY meeting of the New England Conference, in Washington, N. H., May 6 and 7, Sabbath and first-day. It is hoped that the brethren and sisters, will come prepared to stop over first-day, as there will be sessions of the New England Tract Society, and other matters of special interest to the cause to be considered. Eld J. N. Andrews is expected.
S. N. HASKELL. QUARTERLY meeting for the S. D. A. churches of Gratiot County, at Alma, May 13 and 14. We hope to see a large turnout at these meetings.
In behalf of the church. G. W. STATES, Clerk. MONTHLY meeting for Western New York, at Olcott, May 13 and 14, 1871.
J. G. LAMSON. Western Camp-Meetings.
By James White
On the 23d inst. we received letters from Bro. J. H. Rogers, of Missouri, and Bro. J. H. Cook, of Kansas, each calling for a camp-meeting in his State in May. We feel a deep interest in the cause in those States, and wish they could both enjoy the benefits of a camp-meeting this season. But they are destitute of tents, both large and small, the time is short, and money is scarce, especially in Kansas. We have already ordered of Geo. F. Foster, Chicago, a sixty-feet tent, top, 12 oz. duck, wall, 10 oz. All complete, excepting center pole, will cost in Chicago, at least, $400. This we shall order shipped to Kidder, Mo., as soon as completed, that it may be on the ground for the Missouri camp-meeting to commence May 18. To obtain two tents for the Missouri and Kansas Conference is out of the question this spring, unless there are men in that Conference who will at once advance the means to purchase them. We advance the money on one. If the brethren at the Missouri camp-meeting wish to take it off our hands, they can. If not, we shall offer it to some other State. Our next camp-meeting will be at Knoxville, Iowa, to commence May 24. We give no other appointments this week. If our brethren in Kansas are still anxious to have a camp-meeting the present season, they can have one, to commence June 1. This would give them more than a week to move the new tent from Missouri to the place of meeting in Kansas. But if they have one in Kansas, the appointment must be given in next week's REVIEW, which will not be mailed to subscribers in the West till we hear from Bro. Cook, Blanchard, and Wick. If there shall be a camp-meeting in Kansas, the appointments in next REVIEW will stand thus: Missouri, May 18–22; Knoxville, Iowa, 25–29; Kansas, June 1–5; Illinois, 8–12; LaPorte, Iowa, 15–19; Minnesota, 22–26; Wisconsin, 29–July 3. Future Labors.
By James White
We shall be very happy to attend the Western camp-meetings, and design so to do, unless providentially prevented. If others come up to the work so that we can be released from Battle Creek, and if the failing condition of our aged father does not demand our personal attention, Mrs. W. and self will attend the Western camp-meetings. Brethren, pray for us. JAMES WHITE. GEN. CONF. COM
By Gen. Conf. Com.
Mr. Geo. F. Foster, 217 South Water St., Chicago, gives us the following prices on large meeting tents. A tent 60 feet diameter, 26 feet high, in center, 8 feet wall, will cost the following figures, cash down:— Top of 10 oz. duck, wall of 8 oz. duck, complete, $313.20
“ 12 “ “ 8 “ “ “ $329.58
“ 12 “ “ 10 “ “ “ $336.57
“ 15 “ “ 10 “ “ “ $369.33
“ 15 “ “ 12 “ “ “ $376.32 Three sacks to transport tent in, $3.80 One center pole, side poles, guy ropes, and iron hoisting tackle, extra, $60.00 TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW ENGLAND TRACT SOCIETY
By S. N. HASKELL
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW ENGLAND TRACT SOCIETY.
At our next quarterly meeting (see appointment), it is expected there will be a report from every member of the society. The design of this society is to help forward present truth, not by fits and starts, but to make gradual systematic advancement in the work. The object of our quarterly sessions is not merely to hear of the number of tracts circulated, subscribers obtained for our periodicals, and sick families visited, which is an important part, but to counsel together, that our effort may be united, and all the steps taken be owned and approved of God. Therefore let none be discouraged, if you can do but little. Remember it is the many littles that make the large amount, and the whole of Christian life is made up of littles, and those that perform the little Christian duties faithfully and prayerfully, will find in the end they have not lived in vain. Neither let any be discouraged if some suggestions for improvement may be made in their manner of operations. The report of labor may be made after the following plan: - Number of tracts circulated.
- Their value as a whole.
- Number of subscribers obtained for each of our periodicals.
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Much prayer and great humility are needed in this work. Communication from Dr. Russell.
By Wm. Russell
DEAR BRO. AND SR. WHITE: I am constrained from the fullness of my heart to express my love and gratitude to you, for the kind sympathy you have ever manifested toward me and my family even while I was to some degree your enemy, though I never felt real enmity toward you; and most of the time nothing but love and true sympathy has dwelt in my heart. I must freely confess to you and all who may read this, that much of the time during the past two years, my mind has been in a state of sadness, and I could see no light or relief only in returning to the dear people I so much injured by writing and speaking against. But to longer keep silent is to grieve the Spirit of God which has striven with me at times for many months; and having fully weighed the matter, and studied the dealings of God with me, and finding no rest of mind, I am fully resolved to seek the favor of God and his people, and identify myself in some humble way in the last great work of preparing a people for the coming of the Lord. I am weak, but in the Lord is strength. “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” I humbly pray that God may, in his great mercy pardon me, and give me sustaining grace to meet the trials that will come upon me. I humbly pray that you will pardon me for the many sad reflections I may have caused you. I am fully determined henceforth to go with you to Mount Zion, the city of God. “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” I will suffer with you in the trials of this life, with some hope of sharing with you that better life in the kingdom of God. Oh! the terrible influence of Satan upon the human heart. My feet had well-nigh slipped. Despair at times seemed inevitable. But I would humbly thank God that he has had a care for me, and that he has moved upon the hearts of his dear people to have a care for me. I have no worthiness to plead. I am a sinner in the sight of God, but such the blessed Saviour came to save. In him will I trust. His precious blood cleanseth from all sin. I can now fully realize the feelings of David when he said he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in tents of wickedness. Let me say in conclusion to you and Bro. J. N. Andrews, that while some treated me with coldness and suspicion, you have always treated me with loving kindness. Had I needed your reproof and counsel I would have saved myself much sadness and great loss. Space will not allow me to particularize, but I hope in future to undo as far as I can all the wrongs I may have done. I cannot close without saying, May God bless you and the dear brethren and sisters at Battle Creek and elsewhere whose kind sympathy I have shared. In hope of the better life, I am, yours, seeking the favor of God. WM. RUSSELL. P. S. On looking over the foregoing, I do not feel satisfied to let it appear in the paper without some further remarks touching my short stay at the Institute one year ago last January. I went there enjoying the confidence of the brethren and in my own mind willing to engage in the duties of the Institute. But soon after going there, through opposing influences, the enemy overcame me, and I left and disregarded the counsel of those who had my good at heart. My course in this was wrong, which has caused me much heart felt sorrow. My acts in the course I then pursued merited censure, although in some things I was misunderstood. I hope those brethren who tried to help me then, will pardon my ingratitude. I am astonished when I think how kindly they treated me, that my heart could be so fixed in refusing their counsel. I caused Bro. White and Bro. Andrews much sorrow in the course I then took. I ask them to forgive me as well as others whom I grieved. I will humble myself that God may forgive me. W. R. D. M. Canright’s New Address
The P. O. address of Eld. D. M. Canright is now Monroe, Iowa.