Earlier text: MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.The excellent system of mailing which we have for several years used on the Review precludes the necessity of our sending bills to our subscribers, as each one has his account in plain figures before him every week, and can see at a glance when his subscription expires, and how much he is in advance, or how much in arrears. No one therefore who is behind on his paper has any ground for delaying payment, under the innocent impression that his subscription is not yet expired. The greatest danger is in each one's thinking that the small amount he or she may owe, cannot make any material difference in the financial standing of the Office, and hence let it pass along as a matter of small importance. But the whole question of the financial support and prosperity of the Office rests upon these single and individual subscriptions; hence if any great portion of our subscribers reason and act on the ground above set forth, all will see that it must result in a falling off of funds and consequent financial embarrassment. When the enlargement of the paper was projected, a careful estimate of the cost was made by those whose experience in connection with the Office qualified them to judge in such matters. Many, no doubt, would have been willing, as we doubled the size of the paper, to pay double the amount, or $4.00 per year. At the same time we were aware that many were paying $2.00 per year, who could not raise their subscriptions; hence to make it as easy as possible for all, we thought it advisable to put the paper at a price which would just make it self-sustaining. It was thought that if we could double the size of the sheet, furnishing nearly double the amount of new reading matter weekly, and yet raise the price only one half, we should be meeting the wants of the cause which demanded a larger paper, conferring a favor on the brethren, and putting the paper at a price to which no one could possibly object. The Review can be published for $160.00 a number, amounting to $8,320.00 for the year. Now if 3000 of our subscribers should pay the full price, $3.00 per year, this would amply cover this expense, and leave us a margin of some hundreds of papers for poor subscriptions, and those which we send free. But probably we cannot count on full price from 3000; yet those who cannot pay full price, exclusive of the free, can pay half price, or at least something, and if we may judge from the past, especially a few years past, we may count on something from the liberal friends of the cause in the way of donations. With what may be received from these sources, if those who can and should pay the full price, would pay it, there is no question but what the paper would be well sustained. The enlargement was not a move that was hastily made. Ample notice was given; and the step was universally called for; and since it has been made, it has been universally approved; so that in this respect we may consider that we have the voice of the body. Now the question is, will those who should pay the full price be prompt to meet their obligations in this respect? If one thousand persons fail to pay, though each one may consider his indebtedness but a small amount, yet put them all together, and it makes a difference of $3000 with the Office, which is quite a sum. Now we are sorry to say that there is about half of this sum now actually due on subscriptions from those who have given us no intimation but that we might expect from them full price. All will agree that this ought not so to be. As has doubtless been noticed, our receipts for some weeks past have been quite light; yet if we had what is due, the amount in which the Review thus far this volume has failed to meet expenses, would be more than made up. We call the attention of the brethren to this matter for two reasons: 1. We have about reached the close of another volume, which is the time for all to see that their accounts are squared up, and advance payments made. 2. We have reached a favorable season of the year. Judging from our receipts for years past, the brethren find the months of November and December the best time to meet their obligations at the Office. Farmers especially, if they are to have means at any season of the year, will have it at a time when their crops are harvested and well in the market. We believe that all that is necessary on the part of most, is a little attention to the matter, and a resolution to attend to it at once, before it is forgotten, and even before the next mail leaves. As each one has his account with his address on the paper, we would say to all, Look at your pasters; and consider that every one on which the figures do not stand as high as 32-1, is a bill sent for collection. From all such we expect to hear immediately, either in the form of remittances or reports of inability to pay. The same liberal terms as heretofore will be continued to those who are not able to pay full price; that is, they can have it for what they can pay; and if they are not able to pay anything, they can have it free. But it cannot be considered requiring too much, to ask such to report their wishes in the matter, every six months, that we may not incur the expense of sending free papers longer than they are received and read with interest. We make these terms because we have faith in the brethren, 1. That all will pay full price, or as near to it as they are able; and 2. That those who have means will cheerfully make up by donations what is required to send the paper to the worthy poor free, or for less than full price; and we would take this opportunity to invite such to forward their free-will offerings, that the poor may be provided for, bearing in mind while they do so, two scriptures: The Lord "loveth a cheerful giver," and "He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord." At the close of this volume it will be necessary to stop all papers not paid up as far as 30-1, the continuance of which is not requested before that time. Again we say, Let us hear at once from all concerned. Let no one take exception to this article, as if it was a dun. It is not a dun, but only a statement of how matters stand collectively, which the brethren, considering only their individual cases, might be in danger of overlooking, but which they should understand, in order to see the importance of acting promptly and energetically in the matter. J. M. A. REPORT FROM BRO. RODMAN.
By P. C. Rodman.
My report in Review No. 19, left me at home. After staying four days I started to attend Monthly Meeting at Green Hill, held Oct. 5 and 6. First meeting, Sabbath evening, quite a number in. I spoke from Mal. iii, 16. Truth was listened to with interest, apparently, by all, and we hoped for good. Sabbath, it rained all day, hindering brethren from coming as was expected they would from other churches. As but few came on sixth-day, there was a disappointment. This and other reasons caused sadness and depression of spirits that we could not rise above, during the day. In the evening after the Sabbath, the few that were together earnestly sought the Lord, when darkness was lifted from our minds, in some degree, and it did appear that while it continued to rain, and was dark without, there was light in our midst. First-day morning came, pleasant, and at the hour of meeting our brethren began to come in, that intended to have been there on the Sabbath. Social meeting at 9 A. M. Nearly all took part, showing good interest in the work. At eleven I spoke from Rev. xiv, 6, 7, with freedom. In the afternoon, at 2 o'clock, another social meeting, showing a rise in the interest of our meeting. At three I preached again from 1 Pet. ii, 7, showing the preciousness of Christ to the believer; and in the evening on the Two-horned Beast, with freedom. So closed our Monthly Meeting at Green Hill. It was a success, but we did not see all accomplished that we hoped to. There needs to be more humility and earnestness on the part of all. I am happy to say that there is on the part of some a humbling of themselves, and an endeavoring to draw nigh to God. I stayed over the following Sabbath and first-day, preaching five discourses, and having social meeting on fourth-day evening, the best I ever attended with the brethren there. Visited nearly all the brethren through the week. Oct. 14, called on a few families, and wrote some. The 15th, preached at the Washington school-house to an attentive company. The 16th, returned home and attended Sabbath School and preached once, attending reading meeting second-day evening, the 21st. The 25th, went to Exeter, and preached five discourses. The church expressed themselves strengthened by the truth. Others gave good attention. We hope they will embrace the truth, and be saved from error; and the truth will make them free. The 28th, went to Peacedale and preached at Bro. A Holland's. The church at Curtiss' Corners bids fair to rise. If they continue to draw nigh to God in bearing the cross, he will bless and lead them on to certain victory; for in the providence of God the way is being prepared for others to receive the truth and be added to the Lord. Oh! that he may push on the work in R. I., preparing a people to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. The 29th, returned home, to prepare to come to this place. Arrived here Nov. 1. Met Bro. Wild, whose heart has been made glad of late by having others unite with him in the truth, to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Spoke in the evening to a few that came in, and three times since. Hope for good if the Lord leads, as I trust he will; but I feel I need more real humility and submission to God. My whole being is reaching out and panting for the living God. O my brethren, "seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." MEETING IN IOWA.
By R. M. KILGORE
According to appointment, the Brn. and sisters from Pilot Grove met with the Washington church Sabbath, Nov. 2. Although we were not favored with the labors of a minister, the brethren took hold of the promises of God, and the Lord was pleased to bless us throughout the meeting. It was truly a refreshing season. The desire of each was humility and a nearness to God. A deep searching of hearts was manifested by all present. As Bro. Nicola read to us the solemn testimony on page 54 of No 13, our hearts melted within us, while each asked “Is it I?” Deep solemnity rested upon us. Many solemn, impressive and affecting testimonies were borne. New resolutions were formed; and vows were made to start anew for the kingdom.357 We are thankful for the straight testimony, and that the way is narrowing down, and though the standard is high, we hope by the assisting grace of God, to come up to it. The Brn. and sisters were greatly encouraged to hear the result of the good meetings in Battle Creek, under the faithful labors of Bro. and Sr. White, and the influence of the Spirit of God. They rejoice with the church there in the good work done, and the freedom with which Bro. and Sr. White have again entered upon their labors. They, with the church at Battle Creek, have our prayers and warmest sympathies. LABORS IN VERMONT.
By Albert Stone
SABBATH, Oct. 12, 1867, met with a few brethren and sisters at the house of Bro. Loveland, in Johnson. As but few were present, the time was occupied by way of conference, in which all present took part. This little church are so scattered from the place of meeting, that considerable effort is required to bring them together, yet they manifest a commendable zeal in trying to keep up meetings on the Sabbath. The next Sabbath I met with the church in Stowe, where I preached two discourses, which were well received, and the testimonies of the brethren and sisters were good and to the point. Sabbath, 26th, have been for several days and am still confined at home by sickness of my youngest son with typhoid fever. The first Sabbath in Nov., met with the church in Wolcott, where we had freedom in speaking, and we think a profitable meeting, because the Spirit of the Lord was present to witness to the truth. On first-day, in company with Bro. Morse and Bro. and Sr. Fife, went eight miles to visit a sister who was sick and expecting soon to die of consumption, and who has expressed a desire to partake of the communion before her departure. Found her in a very good state of mind, having given up her children and all to the Lord. The sweet Spirit of the Lord seemed to fill the room, cheering the services of the occasion. I expect to be with the church in Wolcott next Sabbath. ALBERT STONE. ITALY'S ULTIMATUM TO FRANCE.
LONDON, Nov. 14.—The Times, in a leading editorial on the Italian situation, refers to the last note of Minister Menabrea, declaring the abolition of the Pope's temporal power essential to the preservation of peace, and calls it Italy's ultimatum to France. THE POPE'S ADDRESS TO THE FRENCH OFFICERS.
PARIS, Nov. 14.—Previous to the departure of the French troops from Rome, the Holy Father received the staff officers in a body at the audience chamber of the Vatican, and addressed them in the most feeling manner. He expressed his happiness at having the soldiers of France around him once more, but never had his happiness been so great as now, because of the recent peril to which he had been exposed. He returned thanks to the officers, to France and to the Emperor Napoleon, for the deliverance of the Holy See. He was filled with grief to see that Italy had sent out as a vanguard against Rome, a horde of anarchists, upon whose flags were inscribed rapine and devastation. While the valor of the Pontifical troops had successfully defended the soil of the church, the army of France had come to crown the splendid defence. The Pope concluded by saying that in the midst of this trouble he had the consolation of receiving sincere expressions of Catholic sympathy from all parts of the world. His Holiness then terminated the interview by giving his apostolic blessing to the army, the people, and the Emperor of France. BITTER FEELING OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE AGAINST THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
LONDON, Nov. 14.—Evening. Late dispatches from Italy state that the feeling against the French on the part of the Italians has reached a perfect furore. The authorities have taken precautions to prevent another outbreak, which was imminent, and more French troops have been dispatched from Toulon for Civita Vecchia. King Victor Emanuel and the Prime Minister, Menabrea, are very unpopular with the people. Baron Rattazzi, former Prime Minister, has openly joined the Radical party. The King has called out the reserves of the Italian army, and ordered the formation of three large camps. General Garibaldi is still closely confined. The Florence Italia of this morning, however, scouts the fear of a coup d'etat by the insurgents. The same authority asserts that the National Diet will meet in a few days. ACCORDING to statistics given some months ago in the Boston Journal by C. C. Coffin, or “Carleton,” when Pius IX ascended the pontifical throne in 1846, the debt of the Papal States—which had then a population exceeding two millions—was sixteen million dollars, but it is now supposed to amount to one hundred and twenty millions while the population is but seven hundred thousand; and this “immense debt is increasing every year five or six millions, and threatening, even if there should be no uprising of the people, to swamp the pontifical ship of state.” There are, however, in the city of Rome alone, between three and four hundred churches, “containing gold, diamonds, emeralds, and other precious stones, with costly marble of every variety, wrought in all conceivable devices, worth, all told, more than the entire national debt of the United States;” and of course quite enough to replenish the Italian treasury. The following, cut from the Methodist, shows the recent decision of the Italian government respecting a portion, at least, of the wealth of the Papacy: “After long quarrels on the disposition to be made of the ecclesiastical property, the Italian Government and the radicals of the Lower Chamber of the Italian Parliament have at length agreed on a bill which appropriates the immense wealth of the Church of Rome for improving the wretched condition of the Italian finances. Although the Church law threatens with excommunication every one who aids in the confiscation of Church property, only fifteen members among some four hundred voted against the bill. This shows how weak the ultramontane party is in the Italian Parliament and among the Italian people.” The bearing of this and similar acts performed by the kingdoms of Europe, will be best understood by looking a moment at the ‘sure word of prophecy.’ In the 17th chapter of Revelation we have the combination of the various ecclesiastical hierarchies of the Papacy symbolized by a wanton woman seated on a ‘scarlet-colored beast which has seven heads and ten horns. The rulers symbolized by these horns for a while sustain her, but when her career is nearly ended, they turn against her, hate her, “make her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” A distinguished writer on prophecy remarks: “This has already in a degree taken place, in the disallowance and scorn of her imperious claims in358most of the European States, the confiscation of her property in France and slaughter of many of her priests, the robbery of the churches, monasteries and ecclesiastics, of their wealth, wherever the French armies penetrated during the wars of the revolution, the conquest of the Papal States, and dejection of the Pope from his throne by Bonaparte, the secularization of many of the ecclesiastical territories in Germany, the dissolution of the religious houses and confiscation of ecclesiastical property in Spain and Portugal during the revolutions in those countries, the resumption by the civil rulers of Austria and other kingdoms of the nomination to bishoprics and other rights which had been conceded to her on the erection of the image in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and in the abrogation in Great Britain of the monopoly of civil offices by the members of the establishment; and these retributive judgments, are doubtless to be continued and carried to a greater severity.” Twenty years have passed away since this was written, and with these passing years the mystic woman has been losing flesh. This recent act of the Italian Parliament is but another act in the drama of her life. The Papal Hierarchy is not sustained by European kingdoms now as it was even then. Within that time the war-cloud has swept over the land, causing every throne in Europe to tremble, and driving the Pope into exile only to be restored by the French bayonet. The waiting ones may think events move slowly; but they move. God is in no hurry—he has boundless eternity before him, and “in his times he will show” that not one jot or tittle of his word will fail. Let us wait patiently, prayerfully and actively the return of the Master; for “they that are with him are called, and chosen and faithful.” A RESPONSE.
By M. E. Cornell
DEAR BRO. AND SR. WHITE: With deep sorrow I acknowledge my fault in not responding to your testimony for me, and also for suffering my mind to be in any way influenced and prejudiced against you during your late afflictions and trials. Sincerely do I regret it all, and humbly ask your forgiveness. I have set my heart to seek the Lord and I can never rest short of a new and entire consecration. The good work done for my companion in your late meetings at Battle Creek has greatly rejoiced my heart. One expression, that “Bro. and Sr. White never seemed so near and dear as now,” has given my heart a new spring of joy. How glad I am that your captivity is turned and the Lord is reviving his people. I have been looking over the testimonies given me during the past years, and I feel that I have never fully heeded them. I have now arranged them in a memorandum, to be read weekly on my days of self examination, fasting and prayer. Oh! that with zeal I may return fully to the Lord, rise with his people, and at last find a humble place in the kingdom of God. —Unfortunately Mexico, it is said, is again on the eve of a revolution. The vote on the Convocatoria showed a wide-spread dissatisfaction with the administration of Juarez, but we hoped that his opponents would be willing to combat him by ballots, and not by bullets. —Peru is again in the midst of a civil war, and President Prado has found it necessary to place himself at the head of troops to put down the insurrection. It is a new feature in these civil wars that the Government of Chili has been requested and has been found willing to furnish troops to President Prado, to aid him in quelling the rebellion. —The Turkish Government has again refused to accept the advice of the Great Powers of Europe, and makes grand preparations for war. If, as a cable dispatch states, England, France, and Austria have come to a new understanding about the Eastern question, their alliance is undoubtedly directed against the plans attributed to Russia. Bread Riots in Europe.—From various parts of Europe we have intelligence that the working population have risen in bodies and demand “bread or blood.” This is an old cry, and one which has made many a tyrant tremble, but never did it have so much significance as now. The curious spectacle of English working-men developing themselves into something like responsible agents and free men has somewhat startled the aristocracy from time to time; but they have put off believing until the increase of co-operative societies, the reform meetings, and the hopeless yet daring Fenian insurrections have convinced them that they must not tread too heavily upon the necks of those below them. A bread riot in England to-day means more than ever before; it does not mean simply, “Give us bread for the moment or we die,” but it comes more and more to mean, “Give us the power that shall put us above the necessity of going without bread. Distribute wealth more equally.” This is ominous to the high and mighty in England. In France, we hear the peasant population are rioting in some of the provinces; but it is only because Napoleon happens to be the least bit unpopular at home just now that they put in their claims. If it were a riot in Paris, it would look more reasonable, but in the country, circumstances are better. Bread-riots in either country have certain “political significance” which grows and ripens with every fresh demonstration. A dispatch from Exeter, England, dated Monday, midnight, gives this account of the bread riots: Serious riots were commenced in this city to-night. The tumult has been produced by the high price of food, and a pretty general want of employment, the once great iron interest of the place having been greatly depressed of late. Almost every baker’s and butcher’s shop in town has been broken open and completely gutted and plundered. The movement has extended to Axminster, situated twenty-four miles east of Exeter, where the premises of the corn dealers have been burned. Axminster contains the well-known carpet factories, with buildings for the manufacture of woolen cloths and gloves, and has a very determined population of working-men. The local militia has been called out and placed under arms in Exeter, and re-inforcements of the regular troops have arrived in the city from the naval station at Plymouth. Several arrests have been made. Special constables have been sworn in, both in Exeter and Axminster. The mayor of Exeter has made a speech to the people, but the mob is still in force, and great excitement prevails in the streets, even at this hour. The Union Pacific Railroad.
ATTENTION has been frequently called in this journal to the marvels of engineering skill accomplished in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. No road of its length and magnitude was ever before contemplated, much less attempted; and no such work was ever before prosecuted by the most energetic of men or races, under such adverse circumstances as a war with the barbarous tribes whose country the road traverses, and the present high and unexampled cost of all necessary building materials. Few roads were ever built in a country of greater natural difficulties, for it crosses the two highest ranges of mountains in the country. And yet, in spite of these natural, social, and financial obstacles, five hundred miles of the road have been completed in an incredible short period of time, at once astonishing the scientific and laboring world. But this very material revolution thus accomplished in the construction of the Pacific Railroad is insignificant compared to that commercial revolution which is to follow, of necessity, its completion. When the line stretches unbroken from Omaha to Sacramento, it will affect not merely the rapid settlement of our vast Western States and Territories; it will not merely influence the tide of German and Irish emigration, swelling it, and facilitating that transfer of energy, industry, and genius from the East to the West which has been going on for scores and scores of centuries; it will not merely affect the cultivation of the wide prairie lands of the West, where corn and wheat grow almost without care, and countless cattle can be grazed and reared without cost; it will not merely develop fully the riches of the vast mining regions of the great mountains, bringing the most extensive mining field of the richest and purest of all the metals in the world within the grasp of the capitalist, the reach of the laborer, the center of civilization; but it is to affect the trade of all the world, and to pour into the lap of this metropolis and this country the riches and labor of the Old World as well as the New. Ten thousand emigrants from China delve in the tunnels of the road through the Sierra Nevada, and fifty thousand from Germany and Ireland have followed it across the Plains. It will in the same way attract hither the capital of the East, and will make America not merely the short route from Asia to Europe, but the stopping point, the mart for it in Europe and Asia, and Americans will be the merchantmen of the world. It will not merely shorten by many hours the various routes for travelers from India and China to Europe, but it will make this country the terminus for the various freight routes of the world, and the Exchange Place for the Universe. Europe will, when this road is completed, come to New York, and San Francisco, and St. Louis, and Chicago, not only for our own corn and wheat as heretofore, but for the teas and silks of China, India, and Japan, which these material advantages will place under the control of our capital. The road is to be finished in two years. Five hundred miles of the route across the Plains were finished last month; the mountain line across the Sierra Nevada was finished the month before, and the line across the Rocky Mountains and the Humboldt Valley, 419 miles, alone remain to be constructed.—Harper's Weekly. An energetic woman residing in Ontario County, New York, has cut and harvested this season over twenty five acres of wheat with her own hands. Her health improved immensely by the operation; she acquired the bronze complexion so fashionable just now in Paris, and is said to have gained fifty pounds of flesh.