THIS writer next says that the Jews by their traditions made the Sabbath a yoke of bondage. There is some truth in this, but he does not mention the fact that Christ spent much time during his entire ministry in separating these traditions from the Sabbath, and in restoring the Sabbath to its true place as a merciful institution. He quotes Acts 15:10, which speaks of the ceremonial law as a yoke too heavy to be borne and he applies this to the moral law!
But he says the Christians have not suppressed the primitive institution of a day of rest in seven. Here he makes use of the great error with which he commenced. The Sabbath is not the seventh day, but one day in seven which may as well be the first day of the week as the last! And this is what he is now to assert. He says, however, that the law is not abolished notwithstanding he has just called it a yoke too heavy to be borne! But if the law of God has not been abolished, then the fourth commandment is still in force, and the seventh day is still the memorial of the creation. Ex. 20:8-11.
But he says the Christians set apart the first day of the week to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. If this were true it would not follow that the seventh day should not be kept as the memorial of the creation according to the fourth commandment. It would add a memorial but would not destroy the one already existing in the law of God. But it is not true that the apostles set apart the first day to commemorate the resurrection. They could not set apart the day without saying so; they could not consecrate it to the memory of the resurrection without stating the fact. But they are totally silent respecting this consecration. They never speak of the day by any sacred name. In the first chapter of Revelation John speaks of the Lord's day, but he does not apply the term to the first day. It is not till about 200 years after Christ that this term is so applied. But the Father and the Son have each claimed the seventh day. Isa. 58:13; Mark 2:28.
The resurrection of Christ was on the day after the Sabbath, but it has no other distinction. Matt. 28:1; Mark 16; Luke 23:56; 24:1. But did not the apostles meet to commemorate the resurrection the first evening after that event? John 20:19. No, they were simply eating their evening meal and Christ when he came reproved them for not believing his resurrection. Mark 16:14. It was at the close of the first day that this took place, and if the meeting at which Thomas was present was just one week from that time it was in the evening at the close of the next first day. For the day begins and ends with evening (See Gen. 1) and evening commences at sunset. Josh. 9:26, 27; Mark 1:32.
But this writer says that it is no matter whether the Sabbath was changed by the apostles or by the pope, for it is not a matter of salvation! He cares nothing for the will of God expressed in his law because he can be saved in transgressing it! But if men with such a disposition were taken to Heaven, they would pollute its holy atmosphere. They would disobey God whenever they dared to do it! This is the way this writer would live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God! Because the Pharisees trusted in outward obedience and neglected heartwork Christ condemned them, and therefore this writer supposes that Christ dispensed with outward obedience! Not so; God requires both. Because Christ says that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath, he supposes that men have a right to use the Sabbath as they please! But this is just the way that Paul speaks of the husband and wife. 1 Cor. 11:9. And so the husband may treat his wife as he will. How false and wicked is such reasoning. The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath, not to destroy it but to defend it, and he will call to account the violators of the fourth commandment.
Should not the resurrection of Christ be commemorated? Yes, the New Testament tells us how to do this. It is by being buried with Christ in baptism. Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12. This writer thinks that if men are born again they need not keep the commandments of God; but the truth is, no man can keep them till he is born again; and this was just as true in the time of Moses as it is now. Conversion was as necessary before the time of Christ as it is in this age. The works of the flesh must be changed for those of the spirit and all things thus become new.
This writer brings forward Col. 2 and Rom. 14 to prove that the fourth commandment is abolished, But the Bible distinguishes between the moral law given in the ten commandments and the ceremonial law consisting of types and shadows, of meats and drinks, of annual sabbaths and of new moons and feast days. The connection shows that Paul speaks of the abolition of the ceremonial law with its many annual sabbaths and festivals, and that he does not speak of the moral law which contains the weekly Sabbath of the Lord.
But to this he adds the declaration of Paul that he was afraid of those who observe days and months and times and years as though spoken of those who keep the fourth commandment! Yet he knows that we do not observe years, nor times, nor months, nor even days, but simply the one day hallowed by God. He observes just as many days each week as we do; the difference is that we keep the day God has commanded and he keeps a day ordained by man. But if he will read Gal. 4:9, 10 with care he will see that the Galatians had returned to things observed by them before their conversion, that is, to heathen festivals and not to the days of the ceremonial law. This was why Paul was so much alarmed.
The writer complains that we judge others. This is not true; we point out men's duty from the Bible, but leave them to the judgment of God. He says that we desire to be doctors of the law though we do not understand what we teach. What crime have we committed that he should speak of us thus? It is that we say with James (chap. 2:8-12) that those who break one of the commandments of God break his whole law. He says that we lay heavy burdens upon men, and he would not share in our responsibility. But we keep the commandments and teach men so, and Christ has pronounced his blessing upon this course, while this writer breaks the commandments and teaches men so and this course Christ has condemned. Matt. 5:17-19.
This writer says: "There are two kinds of Christianity: that which God has given, and that which men have made; there are two churches: that which the apostles have founded, and that which the world has established." We agree with these remarks. The Christianity which comes from God says, "It is the love of God that we keep his commandments." 1 John 5:3. The Christianity which comes from man makes void the commandments of God to keep the traditions of the elders. Matt. 15.
The church which the world has created studies its own convenience; the church established by the apostles will keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12.
J. N. A.
SYNOPSIS OF THE PRESENT TRUTH.
By Uriah Smith
NUMBER TWENTY-EIGHT.
THE JUDGMENT.
FROM early and general teaching we have been taught to look forward to a day of judgment, a brief period when a general and indiscriminate multitude of all who have ever lived, would be gathered before the bar of their Judge, to hear from his lips the decision of their characters, and receive from his hands the reward of their deeds. It is not the design of these remarks to detract in any degree from the solemnity which we have been wont in our minds to attach to this event. And we trust that it will have no such effect upon any, but rather move them to new and earnest efforts in the work of preparation, as we present evidence to show that its unalterable decisions are already passing upon the human race! A moment's consideration of the events connected with the close of this dispensation will reveal to us the fact that the line of distinction between the righteous and the wicked must be drawn before our Saviour makes his appearance; and that consequently the work of investigating the characters of mankind, and determining to which class they respectively belong, whether to the righteous or the wicked, must take place ere probation closes.
There are plainly brought to view in the Scriptures two resurrections, first, of the righteous, second, of the wicked. The Scriptures affirm that all the dead shall be raised, both the just and the unjust. John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; but not all at the same time. The righteous are raised first. Paul says that they who are Christ's are raised at his coming. 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 4:16. Again, it was shown John that a certain class would be raised to reign with Christ, and that a thousand years thereafter the "rest of the dead" should come upon the breadth of the earth, compass the camp of the saints and be destroyed by fire. Rev. 20. Those who rise first are called blessed and holy; their resurrection is called "the first resurrection." And those who come up a thousand years thereafter are unholy, the victims of Satanic deception, and doomed to the second death. Their resurrection is, by implication, the second.
Such is the testimony concerning the dead. And the same distinction is maintained in respect to the living; for we are assured that the righteous living will be changed to immortality in the twinkling of an eye at the coming of the Lord, and be caught up to meet him in the air, while the wicked will be destroyed by the brightness of his coming and the glory of his power. 2 Thess. 1:6–9; 1 Cor. 15:51–54. In each of these cases, if previous to the time of their resurrection or change, there has been no investigation of the characters of the sleeping or living multitudes, how is it determined who are "the dead in Christ," who among the living crowds that throng the earth are worthy of immortality, and who should be abandoned to the dreary, hopeless slumber of a thousand years?
One fact will here be apparent to every mind. It is that after the righteous dead are raised, the living saints changed and caught up to meet the Lord in the air, there exists no necessity for any further judgment in their case, unless it be admitted that there may possibly have been some mistake in the matter, and the holy garb of immortality been bestowed upon some unworthy object from whom it must be torn again, or that some unsanctified character has been called from his dusty bed, whose only portion should have been the second resurrection and the second death. To suppose, we say, a judgment on the righteous after it has been decided who are righteous, and they have been raised, is to admit the possibility of a mistake in the matter. But from casting such an imputation on the divine government, we at least, must be excused.
There are some texts supposed to prove a general and promiscuous judgment, which perhaps are entitled to a passing notice. Space will not permit an extended discussion of them; but there are certain general principles in accordance with which they may all be harmonized.
1. Whenever we read of men's receiving their desert according to the deeds done in the body, the testimony presupposes a judgment upon their characters previous to that time, and an allotment to them of rewards and punishments. Such texts as 2 Cor. 5:10, therefore furnish no aid to the popular theory.
2. Whenever a text speaks of all nations being gathered before their Judge, it must be shown that the expression includes all who have ever lived, before it can be urged in support of a general and indiscriminate judgment; for the expression, all nations, or its equivalent, is sometimes applied to those simply who will be alive on the earth when Christ comes. See Matt. 24:30; "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Yet the wicked dead have no participation in this scene; for we are assured in Rev. 20, that they do not live till a thousand years subsequent to that event. Since therefore the expression, "all nations," may be limited to those living on the earth at any one time, such texts as Matt. 25:31, 32, are easily harmonized with the doctrine of two resurrections.
3. If the Judgment is anywhere spoken of simply as occurring after any specified point, for instance death, that expression alone is altogether too indefinite to determine its chronology. If we would understand the definite time of its occurrence, we must find other texts that tell us how long after the specified event, it takes place. Paul tells us in Heb. 9:27, that it is appointed unto men once to die, and after death the Judgment. This is usually supposed to prove that an individual is judged immediately at death. But when we look at the declarations of the Scriptures of a Judgment located near the second coming of the Saviour, we cannot admit that a Judgment has previously been passed upon mankind at death, unless we admit that the first Judgment was liable to mistakes, making a second necessary to correct the errors of the first—an absurdity against which we have already protested in this article.
Seeing that no Judgment takes place at death, if Paul in Heb. 9:27 refers to the natural death of individuals (which the context will not allow, as it is an argument simply on the sanctuary work as illustrating the death of Christ), consistency compels us to let other texts come in and tell us how long after death it is before the Judgment occurs. Its chronology and character we will now consider.
U. S.
CAUSE IN CALIFORNIA.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
TWELVE years ago this present month Elders Loughborough and Bourdeau landed in San Francisco with their church tent. They immediately entered upon the work of proclaiming the great gospel message for our time. A few individuals scattered about the State were observing the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Rev. 14:12.
It was in the autumn of 1872 that Eld. White and wife made their first trip to this coast. They attended the first camp-meeting held in the autumn of that year at Windsor, Sonoma county. That visit did much to give permanency to the work. In June, 1874 the first number of the SIGNS was issued at Oakland, California. This marked an important era in the history of the cause. The
PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
was organized the following year. The primary object of the Association was to print our pioneer sheet and publish denominational works, and no other printing should ever take the place of this. But it was soon seen that by connecting a job department and having facilities to do first-class printing of every kind, we would be brought in contact with business men, and thereby reap many advantages. 1. It brings the knowledge of present truth before thousands of that class who would not otherwise be likely to become acquainted with it. On a neatly printed card by the side of the front door of the main building can be seen these words: "No business transacted on Saturdays 'The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.'—Fourth Commandment." 2. By doing first-class work it recommends the institution and its religious character. I have visited printing houses in Washington Territory, Oregon, and various parts of this State, and yet I have not found the place where they were not acquainted with this printing house. "They do splendid work there." "That printing house is a bee hive." "They are singular in their religious ideas, but it is an honorable, first-class printing house." These and similar remarks I have heard, but never have I heard an expression derogatory to its character. 3. All profit arising from the outside work is appropriated to the institution itself, for the object designed in its establishment. No individual is benefited any farther than the wages he receives. Those holding responsible positions labor at a pecuniary sacrifice, the compensation for labor being much less than in worldly institutions.
Like our other institutions, many obstacles have had to be met in trying to keep up a proper religious tone and a true spirit of sacrifice, and at the same time to make it a first-class printing establishment. Elder White's familiar statement that "no second-class job should ever be done by a Seventh-day Adventist," is true, and will bear repeating frequently. Experience has suggested improvements that should be made in order to do first-class work, so that from time to time expense has been incurred in meeting this demand.
There has been no time in the history of the office when more important changes have been effected than during the present season. W. C. White, who has had much experience while laboring with his parents, whom God has seen fit to call to act a prominent part in this work, has been laboring with success to perfect certain branches which were already commenced. Each department is now well organized, and has at its head experienced workmen. Additional help in the counting-room, however, is much needed.
It requires a visit to the place and an examination of the work done, to convince anyone who is acquainted with the business that the job department, under its present management, is a success. The bindery is now prepared to furnish as good work of every kind as any on the coast. Beside the regular work, Bibles and other choice books are brought almost daily to be rebound. It is in charge of one of our faith, who is as skillful a workman as can be found in the country.
Certain improvements have been made about the office which will greatly facilitate the work. The increasing press of work has made it necessary to purchase a new cylinder press. Within one year from the arrival of the press,—with the present prosperity of the office,—all the improvements made this year, press included, can be paid for by the earnings of the office. When the proper time arrives, in consequence of the improvements made this season, a room can be fitted up for a school, which is so much needed on this coast. We hope the day is not far distant when our brethren in California will have in their midst many of the educational advantages which can now only be had at Battle Creek, Michigan. Last, but not least, is the increasing demand for our denominational works. Our State Tract Society has sold during the last quarter over $750 worth of publications. Over two hundred thousand pages of tracts have been printed (including those now in press) within the last three months.
In looking over the Conference accounts, we find the money received during the entire Conference year of 1878-79 amounted to about $2,800 excepting Oakland and San Francisco. A special move was made last season to have our friends adopt the Bible method of supporting the gospel; many have done so, and the result is that during the nine months of the present Conference year the receipts have been $3,395. It should be remembered that the remaining portion of the year is that in which our brethren receive returns for their crops, and of course the amount received will be in proportion as their tithes increase. Since our camp-meeting last fall, about one hundred have embraced the Sabbath, as the result of tent labor and missionary work. May God give success to his truth and his people in this State.
A fact worthy of notice is, that our office, like the institutions at Battle Creek, is a safe place in which our brethren and sisters can deposit their means. The association is owned by stockholders, who draw no premium on their stock, it being upon a charitable basis. The money invested is used for the spread of the truth, therefore the financial safety of the institution is really based upon the success of the truth. Any institution founded on such a basis, devoted to the promulgation of the truth of the Bible, is the safest place in which to invest our means that can exist. Those, therefore, who make deposits in such an institution accomplish two things: 1. Make a safe deposit of their means; 2. Have the consolation that the means God has lent them is being used directly in his work. Last spring we were paying one per cent a month for much money used by the Association. At present we are not paying over ten per cent a year for any, and many of our friends are loaning, either without interest or at a very low rate, so that we are continually reducing even this. We have reason to thank God for the present outlook. What is most lacking in California is a spirit of devotion in the hearts of our brethren. If God be with us, we are well able to take the goodly land. His word is, Go forward. This, with God's help, we are determined to do.
S. N. HASKELL.
PECULIARITIES OF THE SABBATH.
By R. F. Cottrell
THERE are some peculiarities with the opposition to the Sabbath. Those who hold that the Sabbath has been abolished, teach that it was two thousand five hundred years after God rested upon the seventh day and blessed and sanctified it, before any one was under obligation to keep it holy; that from Adam to Moses no one was bound to recognize the day as sanctified; that then it was binding on the Hebrew people only down to the cross of Christ, to which it was nailed, since which it is not binding.
The peculiarities, then, of the opposition are these: From the time the Sabbath was sanctified, i. e., set apart to a sacred use, there is a void of some two thousand five hundred years during which it was not binding; then it was binding for some fifteen hundred years; then there is a gap of some two thousand years in which it is not binding, and then it will be binding to all eternity in the world to come. This is singular indeed; especially that such an arrangement should be attributed to the Creator and Disposer of the universe. It looks much more like children's play.
The Sabbath has its peculiarities also. Its law was placed by the finger of God in the midst of nine moral precepts, precepts that no sane man can deny to be binding on all the human race. And, compared with these nine precepts which are universally and perpetually binding, the Sabbath has several peculiarities.
1. Its institution is described in the record of the creation; whereas none of the other nine precepts are found in the record of several hundred years.
2. The Sabbath existed and was kept by Israel in the desert before they came to Mount Sinai, where the law was given in form by God himself. Ex. 16:23, 30. The keeping of any one of the other nine separately is not found in the record up to that time; though all were kept by Abraham. Gen. 26:5,
3. The Sabbath precept was a part of God's law more than a month before that law was written on tables of stone. Ex. 16:4. This is not definitely revealed of any other precept of the decalogue.
4. The Sabbath precept is the only one of the ten that refers us back to the creation of the world for its origin. Ex. 20:11.
5. The Sabbath is mentioned oftener in the New Testament than any other commandment of the ten.
6. The Sabbath is the only precept of the ten that we are distinctly taught shall be observed in the new earth. Isa. 66:22, 23.
Is it not truly remarkable that a precept thus fortified should be the one singled out for abolition and destruction? R. F. COTTRELL.
STATE QUARTERLY MEETING.
The fourth quarterly meeting of the California Tract and Missionary Society was held at Santa Rosa, July 18, 1880. It being the busy season of the year, there were but two directors present, Eld. M. C. Israel of district No. 8, and T. M. Chapman of district No. 1. The companies of our brethren in the district, as well as the scattered345members, were well represented, Bro. Pratt, secretary of district No. 3, was also present.
The meeting commenced at 9:30 A. M. After singing and prayer, the report of the previous meeting was read and accepted. The president then explained the import of some of the resolutions adopted at that meeting relative to the manner of conducting the business of the society, and also in relation to the reserve fund, which was voted should be raised, and to which our brethren in the southern part of the State so generously pledged at that meeting. The work reported by the State for the quarter was then read which is as follows:—
Some of the districts show a gain, but in others there is a falling off from the report of last quarter. This is doubtless owing to the fact that many of our brethren are hurried, being in the midst of harvest. The reports from Vacaville and Hanford, and from some of the smaller companies, have not yet been received. The number of reports returned, unless there is some special reason why they cannot be returned, shows the interest taken in the missionary work; and by them we are to judge of the vitality of the society. We hope that there will be an effort on the part of all to keep a memoranda of the work done during this present quarter and then report at the church quarterly meetings. Pass-books have been prepared with printed headings. This will make the work of reporting very simple. Every member should have one. These can be furnished by the librarians.
The subject of furnishing SIGNS to Eld. Loughborough for his work in England was introduced by the president, and the article respecting it in the SIGNS of July 1 was read. It was voted that all our brethren in the State be invited to assist in making up a club to replace those which have expired. A paper was drawn up and circulated in the meeting, and fifty-three copies were immediately subscribed for at $1.50 each. This being the amount necessary to cover the expense of sending them, when sent direct from the office, at the number recently subscribed for in other places make about one hundred copies.
The book sales of the State society for the quarter amount to $759.69. The standing of the districts at present is as follows: District No. 1 has a balance in its favor of $4.29; No. 2 is owing the State society $496.39; No. 3, $29.72; No. 4, $15.63; No. 5, $224.12; No. 6, $33.24; No. 7, $32.80; No. 8, $53.79; No. 9, $6.51. The larger part of the indebtedness of district No. 2, as well as quite a portion of that of the other districts is covered by the publications on hand. There is also a balance of $391.48 against the Seaman's Mission. A special effort should be made to cancel the indebtedness of each district as nearly as possible by the time of the annual meeting which will be held in connection with our camp-meeting. It is expected that each church and district pay at the close of each quarter all indebtedness for periodicals, except it be those taken on the installment plan. All our publications should also be paid for unless it be bound books and pamphlets which are held for sale, and in that case the amount on hand in the churches and districts should be reported.
The work of the past year in some respects has been gratifying. Two hundred copies of the Review have been subscribed for in the State, and about 350 copies of Good Health. There has also been an increase in the number of SIGNS taken in clubs for missionary work.
The remarks made at this meeting were of importance to all. We were shown our defects, especially our lack of feeling the necessity of a connection with God, that his Spirit might attend our efforts.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
S. N. HASKELL Pres.
BARBARA C. STICKNEY, Sec.
The Missionary.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
OUR COLPORTERS.
The work of the colporter is not one of modern invention. In every religious reform there have been men and women who have visited families and devoted their talents to God by introducing publications and engaging in personal labor to bring their fellowmen to the knowledge of the truth. It was so in the apostles' time. It was so in Luther's time. It is so now. This work should not be entered upon in a careless manner, but those engaging in it should be men of prayer, men of piety; such as have a living connection with Heaven. They should feel that God holds them responsible for the impression they make and the influence they exert upon those for whom they labor. The responsibility cannot be put on and taken off as one does a garment.
There are many who have entered this work without a true sense of its importance; and when a little disappointment occurs, because their labor is not appreciated, or because weariness is connected with it, or from some other trivial cause, their burden leaves them and they retire from the field. When we can have even a slight comprehension of what Jesus has done for us, we shall feel a responsibility to do all we can for him. The life of Christ was spent in devising plans for our salvation; for while we were enemies to God he pitied us and came from Heaven to suffer, the just for the unjust. He died and rose again from the grave to show his followers the way of life from the dead. He now stands before the Father as our great High Priest and advocate, pleading our cause, and presenting our feeble progress with his infinite grace, before the Father. He forgives our transgressions, and by imputing unto us his righteousness, he links us to the Infinite. We need not be destitute of his Spirit or lacking of his power, but, "Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness."
In the heavenly courts our Saviour now stands and graciously invites us to him. Come ye weary, ye poor, ye hungry; come ye burdened, ye heavy laden sin-sick souls, come; and whosoever will let him come and partake of the water of life freely.
Can we be too earnest or self-sacrificing in our efforts to set the truth before the world? Shall we plead for ease and the pleasures of this life? Shall we complain of hardships and deprivations, and seek to enjoy our pleasant homes and the society of our families and friends, and let others do the work which must be done in warning the world? Shall we plead that we cannot have success, and so become discouraged? Shall we offer the excuses of those invited to the supper? One of them had bought him a piece of ground and must needs go and see it; another bought five yoke of oxen and must go to prove them; another had married a wife and therefore could not go. These all begged to be excused. Shall we not rather gird on the armor anew with cheerfulness, hope, and faith, and like valiant soldiers be willing to engage in the thickest of the fight, war the good warfare, share the glorious victory and receive the eternal reward? S. N. HASKELL.
Temperance.
By Barbara C. Stickney
TEMPERANCE WORK IN CALIFORNIA.
It is now about one year since the temperance question, as presented by the American Health and Temperance Association, began to be agitated in this State. Of course the principles set forth in the pledges had been observed to some extent by our people, yet there were many among us not very sound on the temperance question. There has been a steady advance in the work, and much good has been accomplished. Hundreds have reformed, by renouncing evil habits which had been difficult to overcome without something to assist them in their endeavors. Many of these have been those outside of our own people. Our brethren have almost invariably signed the teetotal pledge, as have many others not of our faith. Some clubs are comprised entirely of teetotal members, and embrace the whole church.
Our total membership at present is 946, of whom 713 are teetotal members. Those who have paid the initiation fee of twenty-five cents and become full members number 548. This is encouraging when we consider that there are more than 75,000 acres of the soil of California devoted to grape culture for wine manufacture, and that in many places it is almost the universal beverage.
The teetotal pledge is probably as strict as any temperance pledge ever presented. It not only attacks alcohol, the citadel of intemperance, but also attacks the outer walls, consisting of tobacco, tea and coffee. In some places much interest is taken in the meetings held by the clubs, of which there are now sixteen fully organized. In one place, where the membership of the church has been reduced to six, by removal, the interest in the temperance cause has increased, until it now has fifty-seven members; and in compliance to the request of the citizens in an adjoining neighborhood, the place of meeting has been changed to accommodate those in different sections.
A few extracts from a letter just received from Bro. Geo. Grayson, secretary of the Woodland club, illustrate the interest taken by some of our clubs in this State:
"A deep interest is manifested in the cause of temperance by all the members of the society, with the exception of a few who have fallen back. We have held several meetings with an attendance of between one hundred and one hundred and fifty. Our meetings consist of speaking, recitation, and singing, as you will see from the following programme: 1. Singing; 2. Prayer; 3. Reading of minutes; 4. Remarks from Leader; 5. Singing; 6. Address; 7. Singing; 8. Oration; 9. Singing by the children; 10. Recitations; 11. Essay; 12. Singing; 13. Miscellaneous, pledges presented, remarks, etc.; 14. Singing."
The officers in our clubs should be active, and the members should sustain them in their efforts to make the meetings interesting and profitable.
We are now prepared to receive orders and expect very soon to be able to furnish copies of the new book, "Temperance and Gospel Songs," issued by the American Health and Temperance Association, and prepared by J. E. White. This book is just what every club and temperance worker needs; price thirty cents.
BARBARA C. STICKNEY, State Sec.
ROMSEY, ENGLAND.
By John Norton Loughborough
OUR tent-meeting at Romsey commenced, as appointed, June 20, with a large attendance. We have now had ten discourses in the tent. An interest is manifested in the word spoken. We hope to see much good result.
Bro. Andrews arrived from Bale, June 26, much wearied with his journey. He has been able to be with us in three meetings in the tent. On last first-day he spoke once. July 4 we were agreeably surprised at the tent with the presence of Bro. W. M. Jones, from London, and Bro. Carpenter, formerly Seventh-day Baptist missionary to China. They, with their wives, came down from London to spend two days with us. Bro. Veysey and wife from Taunton have also been with us a few days, but returned home yesterday to prepare for their next term of school. While conducting this tent-meeting we are also keeping up our meetings at Ravenswood. The presence and additional testimony of these ministers was a source of encouragement to the "little flock."
The cause is still advancing at Southampton, as well as in all the departments of our missionary work. The truth is getting hold of hearts and minds. Brethren, still pray for us, that God may water the seed sown, that in due time an abundant harvest may appear.
July 6, 1880. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
HOW IT WORKS.
An exchange says: "At a recent term of the quarter sessions court of Potter county, the district attorney informed the court that he had no indictments or bills to present to the grand jury; the sheriff also stated that he had no criminals in the prison; the directors of the poor reported that they had no one to keep at the county's charge or expense." Potter county has had no tavern license for ten years, and this is given as the reason for the lack of court business.
In contrast with the above, a late number of the Elmira Advertiser has the following: "Officer Squires arrested last evening a young boy very drunk. Can there not be some measure devised to stop this terrible practice of selling liquor to young boys? The fiend who sells to boys of such an age as the one arrested last night, ought to be placed where he could not do any more mischief for some time to come."
It would seem that the contrast in the two reports might be enough to show any sane person the true course. If it is right to license the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage to a person who is twenty-one years old, why not to one nineteen? In short, if it is right to sanction the sale and use by license for one person, why not for all? At what age does it cease to be a curse? If not right to license the sale to all, is it to any?
—Sabbath Recorder.
A Blessing on the Drinkables
A well-known Methodist preacher was invited to occupy the pulpit of a chapel in a country village not many miles from Bradford, England, one Sunday evening. After service the chief inhabitant invited the minister to supper at his house, to which he had also asked several other friends. The supper table was laden with good things, among which decanters and glasses figured prominently. When all were seated at the table the host requested the minister to ask a blessing. The latter rose, and quietly taking all the glasses and decanters, placed them at one end of the table, opposite the host, remarking that he would ask a blessing on the eatables if the host would do the same on the drinkables. The host appreciated this practical reproof and refrained from asking a blessing on the liquors. The supper was eaten, but only one glass was touched.
Forgery, Vice, and Social Respectability
A young man convicted at Athens, Ga., of forgery was, according to the Atlanta Constitution, "an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association," yet he habitually "played and drank in the billiard saloons." He "had been a Major in the British army, and was the son of an Irish peer," yet his first appearance in the place was as "a homeless tramp." "So bright and transcendent were the developments of his training that in a few weeks he was tendered the position of bookkeeper in one of the largest cotton warehouses of the city, and he soon mingled in the best society," yet in a drunken stupor, at midnight, broke at the gaming table, surrounded by sharks, crazed with abominable liquor, he forged a check for $25 on his employer." The upshot of it all is that he has gone to prison for four years.
Cultivate the Present
The future has a rich harvest in store for those who rightly cultivate the present.