Earlier text: CAN SAINTS APOSTATIZE?SELF-DENIAL
By A. S. Hutchins
SELF-DENIAL lies at the very foundation of the religion of Jesus. Until the lesson of self-denial is learned, one cannot develop the character of a Christian. Said Jesus, while instructing his disciples respecting the many things that he must suffer, and of his death, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matt. 16:24. The love of God to fallen man led him to give his Son to die that we might have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” To sacrifice the presence of the beloved Son in the courts of glory, knowing that he must die a cruel and ignominious death upon the cross, was indeed a most wonderful manifestation of the Father’s love for disobedient man. Christ consented to leave the glory of Heaven, the presence of the Father, and all the holy angels, and come to this earth, marred and cursed by sin, and suffer and die as man’s Saviour. Now the apostle exhorts: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:4–8. Dear reader, let us behold the “Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” and reflect that you and I “have hid as it were our faces from him.” “He was despised, and we esteemed him not.” “Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Oh, when, as ministers “of the manifold grace of God,” shall we truly reflect the love of God and of his dear Son? When shall we carry the cross of Christ in front wherever we go? and when shall the religion of the Man of Calvary so form the warp and woof of our life that it may speak louder than words, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world”? With unfeigned gratitude should we hail the warnings and entreaties of awfully solemn import through Heaven’s chosen medium, spiritual gifts, “precept upon precept; line upon line,” to help us in the great work of preparation to stand when the Master of the house hath risen up and shut to the door. As we read these thrilling Testimonies, can language be more appropriate for each one of us to adopt with respect to ourself than is the following: “Hear ye, and give ear; and be not proud, for the Lord hath spoken.” Selfishness and self-denial array themselves directly against each other. One is condemned and forbidden by the word of God, the other is commanded and approved. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich.” When we array ourselves or our own interests against the work and prosperity of the cause of God, what a terrible mistake! A man may imagine himself misrepresented, yea, he may be, and be abused; but this can never justify him in sacrificing his dignity as a Christian, and turning with bitter feelings and unkind words upon his brother. The language of Inspiration is, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” The Bible, the dear old Bible, gives express direction how to harmoniously adjust matters of difference between brethren, and let the church of God go free. Please read Matthew 18:15–17. Should personal feelings break out among leaders in the church, let these men try the directions of Heaven, and thereby set a worthy example for others to follow. Paul in speaking of the qualifications of leaders in the church, says they should be “patient,” “blameless,” “not self-willed,” “not soon angry.” When our weak churches, the dear lambs of the flock, are brought into trial and perplexity, and the very existence of the church is threatened for lack of self-denial, and because some do not follow the word of God in settling matters of difference, my heart is pained. I ask, Do these dear brethren realize the responsibility of their position as men of God? Do they act with reference to the impending wrath of God, and with respect to the final decision of the Judge of all the earth, who will reward every man according to his works? We need more of the spirit of the apostle who could say while suffering trouble as an evil-doer, even unto bonds: “I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” This is self-denial—suffering for the good of others, preparing to enter into the joy of the Lord. Oh, how inexpressibly sweet the promise, as penned by Peter, to the faithful elders: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye also shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” SABBATH-SCHOOLS
By S. N. Haskell
Nothing has accomplished more for the youth and children in so brief a period of time as the revival of the Sabbath-school interest among our people. Hundreds have thus become interested in the truths of the Bible, and some have been converted to God. It has been the means of not only specially interesting parents in the Sabbath-school, but also in the salvation of their children. Wherever it has been taken hold of in the fear of God, the effect has been to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” It has also stepped outside the limits of our own people. In some places other children, having been invited to the Sabbath-school, have become interested and this interest has extended to their parents, who by this means have been led to embrace the solemn truths of the message of Rev. 14: 9-12. Sunday-schools have also been organized, and in a few cases converted into Sabbath-schools, and this has aided in raising up active churches. This is some of the fruit resulting from efforts that have been put forth to promote the Sabbath-school interests. Some schools have made more improvement than others, and some situated where people were much prejudiced against the truth have accomplished more than others more favorably located. This has led me to inquire into some things which are sure to make A SUCCESSFUL SABBATH-SCHOOL.
1. I have never found a successful school for youth and children where question books or some course of systematic lessons was not used. A Bible class may be of some interest to a class of elderly men and women, where they can relate old experiences, express their opinion upon certain passages of Scripture, etc., etc.; but it does not interest the younger portion of the church. 2. If the school is too lengthy, young minds will become weary, and the good which might otherwise be accomplished will be destroyed. No Sabbath-school should hold over one hour and a half, and one hour is sometimes better. 3. A failure on the part of teachers or scholars in learning the lessons will make lessons irksome that would otherwise be interesting, and will be like canker to any Sabbath-school. Parents should set a good example in this respect, and children should realize that they are no more prepared to enter the class without their lesson than they would be if they were attending a week-day school. 4. If the superintendent, teachers, or other officers lack an interest in the salvation of the members of the school, the school will be like a withered branch, containing no moisture. They should become acquainted with God and be ever ready to point those they are instructing to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. The Sabbath-school should ever be It should be a place of real interest to the youth and children, and it is possible to make it so. It should be a place of instruction, where they can learn the truth in an interesting manner. Every means by which the school can be made instructive and attractive should be employed. This will require thought and planning. Some will take a lively interest in it, and the more general this feeling is the more prosperous will be the school. If the officers are so situated that they can have prayer and consultation meetings, it will be a great help; for God gives wisdom liberally to them that ask for it, and he upbraids none. S. N. Haskell, Pres. S. S. Association. Debello.—Feb. 15 and 16 I spent with the company at Debello, which were brought out last summer under the labors of Bro. O. A. Johnson. There are about forty keeping the Sabbath in the vicinity. On first-day, the 16th, a church of twenty-nine members was organized. Officers were chosen, and the elder and deacon were ordained. They are preparing to build a meeting-house. H. W. DECKER. Lodi, Columbia Co., Feb. 25.—Jan. 1, I commenced a series of meetings in the Green Ackerman school-house, one mile from Poynette village, and about eight miles from Leed's Center. Five or six took a firm stand for the third angel's message. Jan. 28, we commenced meetings in Poynette village, in Mr. Wood's hall, which he kindly permitted us to use free of charge. We continued the meetings four weeks. The attendance and interest were good; but the opposition from the churches was strong. A few have commenced keeping the Sabbath. These here and in Bro. Ackerman's neighborhood will make a company of ten or twelve Sabbath-keepers. They hold Sabbath meetings. N. M. JORDON. Kickapoo, Feb. 21.—I entered upon the duties of my appointment, Jan. 7, 1879, by going to Baraboo, and starting a singing class of about twenty. Gave sixteen lessons. My stay with our people there was pleasant, and the class made good progress. I then came to Kickapoo, and started a class of over forty. The interest is great, and the school is advancing finely. We expect to stay here about four weeks yet. Have distributed twenty-four copies of the Song Anchor among the members of this class. E. M. CRANDALL. Sedgwick Co.—March 6 to 10, we were with the brethren at Whitewater, Sedgwick county. Their quarterly meeting was held at this time. The church was small and much scattered, yet we trust the meeting was profitable. The outside attendance was good. The brethren in this new field have been almost entirely neglected the past year; but they have pledged the tithe for the coming year, are taking a club of the Signs, and have sent for the library of Sister White’s writings. I returned by way of Elivon, and held one meeting with this young church. They appear to be moving forward in this work as fast as could be expected. On the 15th, I closed my meetings at Spring Valley for the present. Only one family were added to the believers there as the result of three weeks’ labor. Am now at Empire, where I commenced meetings last night. J. H. Cook. Centropolis, Feb. 26.—I commenced a series of meetings at a school-house three miles west of Centropolis two weeks ago to-morrow evening. I have spoken several times on the Sabbath-question, and some interest is manifested. Have sold three or four dollars’ worth of books, and distributed several tracts. Several First-day Adventists live in the vicinity. The World’s Crisis and Miles Grant’s book have been extensively circulated among them, and the most of them manifest very bitter opposition. I have hopes that a few will embrace the truth. SMITH SHARP. Wakeman, Feb. 28.—Underhanded opposition is very bitter here. The attendance is not large. A few are interested. Two or three have begun to keep the Sabbath. There may be others who will obey, but the prospects are not very flattering. We shall labor on awhile longer. H. A. ST. JOHN. Hamler.—This church, formerly known as the Defiance church, consists of forty-three members, seventeen of whom live near the place of meeting, and the rest in five different counties; namely, Henry, Fulton, Defiance, Paulding, and Putnam. The Sabbath-school now numbers thirty-two members. They use Prof. Bell’s Lessons for Youth and Lessons for Little Ones, and take up the penny collections. I spoke on the new tithing system, and all present but three immediately adopted it. I am still holding meetings in this place. Five, all heads of families, have signed the covenant. A. A. BIGELOW. Corsica, Feb. 24.—We have been obliged to close our meetings in the country for two weeks. This is through the influence of the sects, and they have concentrated their forces here for a revival; but their god is either “talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.” The truth may be smothered for a time, but it will break out again with renewed energies. We thank our Heavenly Father that all hearts are not closed against its influence. During the week one more has taken her stand for the truth of God. Our meetings are well attended on Sabbath and first-day. We have an organized society for legally holding church property, and to-day nine or ten teams are drawing the foundation stone for the new meeting-house. I shall remain here about two weeks. I hope then to be able to leave and go to Bellville, some fourteen miles distant, and I earnestly desire that a good work may be accomplished there. I expect Bro. Mann will return and follow up the outside interest in the country around here. A. O. BURRILL. Report of Labor.—Sabbath and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16, I spent with the church at Allegan, preaching on the Sabbath and conducting a business meeting on the first day of the week. This church has, we believe, almost universally adopted the new tithing system. On Sunday, among other important items of business transacted, necessary means were raised for the purchase of a circulating library, as recommended by the Conference. Feb. 19 to 22, I spent with the church at Monterey, preaching and attending business meetings. As the matters to be considered were of great importance, the President of the Conference and Bro. S. H. King, of the Conference Committee, and representatives of several of the churches, were present as per request. Happily, our deliberations were so guided by the Holy Spirit, that the results reached were very satisfactory. After the departure of the brethren summoned from abroad, I remained and held meetings for three days. On the Sabbath two individuals—both of whom had passed middle age—started in the service of the Lord. One of these men was a person who never before had made a profession of religion; the other had once been an observer of the seventh day and a member of the church, but had given up the truth and gone a great way from the Lord, though still holding on to his intellectual faith. When I speak of him as Bro. Sawyer, those acquainted with the early history of the Monterey church will at once be able to place him. W. H. LITTLEJOHN. Report of Labor.—Feb. 8 and 9 we held five meetings with the few friends at Twin Lake, Muskegon Co. The outside interest was good. In company with Bro. E. H. Root, held five meetings with the church in Shelby, Oceana Co. The Lord blessed. A church trial of long standing was cleared up, and harmony now prevails. The outside interest was excellent, and arrangements were made for a course of lectures. Muskegon, a city of about twelve thousand inhabitants, has offered us the free use of two of the largest halls in the place for a course of lectures, and one of the proprietors offered to donate ten dollars to pay the expense of gas and wood, if the people did not contribute liberally. I consider this a rare offer, as each of the halls rents for $25 per evening for other purposes. E. B. LANE. Dist. No. 13.—Bro. Wm. H. Mills sends us a report of meetings held in this district at Memphis, Armada, and Romeo, by himself and Bro. R. J. Lawrence, in December, 1878. The meetings were, as a whole, of an encouraging nature. Two clubs of the Signs were taken, each numbering ten copies; seventy-five Annuals were ordered, and some subscriptions were obtained for the REVIEW and Instructor. At Romeo the tithing system was adopted and the added one-third. At Memphis something was raised on the Dime Tabernacle and reserve fund. Mattawan, Feb. 27.—Bro. T. M. Steward has held meetings in the Congregational house at this place one week. Some are interested. Bro. S. states that Bro. N. Dewey, living seven miles north of Dowagiac, has twice engaged the Disciple meeting-house for a series of meetings; but each time, after the minister arrived, the house has been closed against him by underhanded means on the part of the Disciples. Bro. E. B. Lane and T. M. Steward have thus been shut out of the house. Pierson, Feb. 24.—Jan. 29 we commenced meetings at the Maple Grove school-house five miles west of Pierson, and to date have given twenty-four discourses. We are nearly through with the presentation of the Sabbath question, and held our first Sabbath meeting Feb. 22. The brethren from Pierson met with us, and it was one of the most precious seasons that we have ever had the privilege of enjoying. Eight or ten, who had once taken the Lord’s name upon them, but whose love had waxed cold, returned to the Lord with hearty confession. Fourteen adults signed the covenant. Several others are keeping the Sabbath, making about twenty in all. The community is very much stirred, and nearly all are convinced on the Sabbath. We are visiting from house to house. Will the friends remember us? D. A. WELLMAN. W. ELLSWORTH. Stanton, Feb. 26.—Feb. 12, I began meetings with the scattered brethren of Stanton and vicinity. I have held eight meetings, and established regular Sabbath-meetings, and a Sabbath-school with twelve copies of the Instructor; also obtained three subscribers for our periodicals, and sold $2.00 worth of books. ORLANDO SOULE. General Work.—Early this month I held a few meetings at Onarga, and found the church thriving. Lately I have held services at Sadorus. We organized a church of seven members, and afterwards admitted the eighth. Last Sunday evening I closed a short protracted effort at Lovington. Because of deaths, removals, and unnecessary trials, this company has been made weak. My stay was too short to do what should be done here. There is a large class of young people who should be reached. I have spoken in Oakland twice. Last night five arose for prayers. This morning one has desired baptism. We are hoping to build a meeting-house. One has promised $300; and another said, “Give me the material, and I will see that the house is built.” Kempton, Ford Co., Feb. 20.—I have labored about a month in Kankakee and Ford counties. I met with our French and American brethren at Kankakee and St. Anne when Elds. Colcord and Bourdeau were there. These meetings were a great encouragement to me. The Lord has blessed me in my labors. I have had some opposition from a Lutheran priest, and also from a Baptist minister from Kankakee, and I am told that another Lutheran priest is coming next Sunday to scare that young seventh-day man away. The word of God has made a great stir here. Eight have promised to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I have obtained eleven subscribers for the Tidende and one for the Signs, and sold books for $4.95. I work on, trusting in the mighty God of Israel. LEWIS JOHNSON. Martintown and Pitwood, Feb. 22.—At Martintown I have for the past two weeks spent half of my time for the French, and eleven have heartily embraced the message. Not one of these belonged to a Protestant church. They were either Roman Catholics, or had left that church without joining another, not knowing of a body of Christians that met their idea of what a church should be. The very first Sabbath, eight of them took a firm stand, some with deep feeling expressing gratitude for the truth. At Pitwood, not far from Martintown, I speak in English to Americans and French; and there is a good interest here, though not so far advanced as that in Martintown. This is not far from Watseka, and offers a fine opportunity for the church in that place to do missionary work. To-day (Sabbath) we have had at Pitwood a general rally of the brethren from Watseka, Beaver, St. Anne, and Martintown. A good-sized school-house, the only one in the village, was filled to its utmost capacity. At the close of the Sabbath I spoke to the French in Martintown. It has been a good day for both nationalities. Hearts are affected, the family altar is being erected, and we expect a moving forward in the performance of other Christian duties. Elkhorn and Altamont.—I have recently held eleven meetings with the churches at Elkhorn and Altamont. In these meetings I have tried to raise some money for the Scandinavian mission, in accordance with the testimony from Bro. and Sr. White. Feb. 9, the Elkhorn70pledged for that mission $408, a part of it is paid, and also voted to send for a set of White’s books to keep as a church library. Feb. 15, 16, I was with the brethren at Altamont, where they willingly pledged $76 for the mission, and paid a part of it. We thank the Lord for this liberality and love for the good work on the part of these two churches, and pray that the rest of our Scandinavian brethren, as well in Iowa as in any other State, show the same love for their own brethren. Decatur Co., Feb. 26.—I held meetings at Green Grove, Ia., Feb. 8 and 9. It is encouraging to know that a few here are trying to live the truth, and are anxious to learn the way perfectly. I am now holding meetings at Pleasanton. I met with the Davis City church for two months past. They seem to be growing stronger in the truth. “Whom shall I send, and who will go?
Whose lips are touched, whose feelings glow?
Who long to tell how much they owe?”
“I’ll go, my Lord, for thee.” Though oft this heart asks, Who am I?
Yet whilst I can on thee rely,
And “Abba, Father,” I can cry,
“I’ll go, my Lord, for thee.” And should the seed be sown with tears,
My faith oft struggling hard ’gainst fears,
Yet whilst thy smile my spirit cheers,
“I’ll go, my Lord, for thee.” Then, when I from my labor rest,
Grant, if my efforts have been blest,
This thought may calm my peaceful breast,
“I’ve been, my Lord, for thee.” Chatham, Feb. 23.—We have closed our meetings here. Twenty are keeping the Sabbath. Sabbath meetings, Sabbath-school, and weekly prayer-meetings are established. Bro. Black remains until we return with the tent. Our address is Watford, Ont. Frankton, Feb. 24.—I was prevented from following up the interest at this place last fall by sickness in my family. Last October Bro. Rees and myself left fifteen here keeping the Sabbath. When I returned Feb. 7, I found twelve holding on. I am trying to instruct and build them up, and am also giving a course of lectures in a school-house three and one-half miles north-east of Frankton. Have given eleven discourses. One kept last Sabbath, and others have decided to keep the next. Have obtained three subscribers for the REVIEW, and two for Good Health. Wm. COVERT. Red Cloud.—I am at present holding meetings six miles south-east of Red Cloud. Bro. Smith is with me this week. Elder Wheeler, S. D. B., speaks this evening. The interest is becoming good. H. A. JENKINS. Wahoo, Feb. 26.—I have been laboring among the Danes and Swedes ten miles southwest of Wahoo. I have spoken twelve times, and the Lord has given freedom in presenting the truth. One family who had not paid S. B. adopted the new tithing system. Notwithstanding the opposition of a Lutheran colporteur, who has done all he could to prevent the people from receiving a S. D. A. into their houses, I have visited 56 families, obtained 28 subscribers for our periodicals, loaned some pamphlets and sold $5.75 worth, and received $1.50 as a gift. I desire to work faithfully till the Lord comes. JOHN JOHNSON. Arbuckle City, Colusa Co., Feb. 11.—At this place, where Bro. J. D. Rice is now laboring, three have signed the covenant, and quite a number are debating the question of duty in their own minds. Fresno Co.—Bro. R. A. Morton’s labors in the Central Colony have closed. Ten have signed the covenant. A Sabbath-school has been organized, and a weekly prayer-meeting has been appointed. Finlay, Feb. 18.—The interest here seems to be increasing. We had quite a severe storm and some cold weather last week, but we missed but one meeting in consequence, and the congregation is steadily increasing. On Sunday evening there were a hundred or more out, which is a large audience for this sparsely settled region. I have introduced the Sabbath question, and some are already expressing themselves favorably. Have appointed a meeting for next Sabbath. Feb. 25.—The interest here is still encouraging. One very interesting family have embraced the Sabbath, and others are deeply interested. Twenty were present at our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath, and some who were anxious to be there were prevented by ill health. The meeting was good, the Lord being present. As the school-house is now vacant, and the storm and cold weather have somewhat reduced our audiences, we have decided to return there with our meetings this week. Opposition is being manifested to some extent, but mostly of a private character. Bro. Olsen reports good interest, crowded houses, and some embracing the truth. CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By John G. Matteson
The preaching of the truth is still calling forth opposition sermons from all sides. Wednesday evening we secured a large hall in the theater in order to get a reply before many. About eighteen hundred crowded in, and many went away for want of room. I have since paid no more attention to the attacks (which are still falling on us like hailstorms), but have preached for the edification of souls. Sunday evening the gymnasium was filled with attentive hearers. I spoke about Christ stilling the tempest. The Lord blessed our feeble efforts, and it was good to be there. Next Sunday is the last time we can have this hall. It is a continual strife to get rooms for meetings, because our opposers are trying to drive us out everywhere. For this reason our friends have formed a society to purchase property for the use of the S. D. A. church. Each member pays 50 Ore per week (13½ cents). Then we solicit donations besides. The members have to earn their living by hard work, and the times are exceedingly hard. The English Puritan Sunday reigns here, and Sabbath-keepers meet a great deal of opposition. Yet all feel willing to make an effort to secure a place for meeting. A rare chance has been offered to us, and all thought best to accept it before others should take it from us, so we have bought a house and lot situated in a central place, high and healthy, opposite to the Catholic church, and near a large Lutheran church, fronting a business street. It can be divided into two lots—one a corner lot 70x70 feet, suitable for a printing office, and another 70x150 feet, for a chapel. At present a two-story building with basement occupies a part of both lots. The upper story of this we intend to turn into a hall for meetings. That will make room for eight hundred to one thousand people. The rest of the house we rent to families. We shall occupy the house by the 15th of April. We are to pay 54,000 Kroner (about $15,000) for the property, with 5 per cent interest, and thirty-three years in which to pay the whole. The use of the building will pay the interest and taxes. The first five years we are to pay 1000 Kroner ($266) annually on the capital, and after this time twice that amount. Our paper, Tidernes Tegn, pays its own way; but it is printed by those who do not love the truth. I desire to give this paper into the hands of the General Conference as soon as they can undertake it. Our earnest prayer is that the truth may be published, and blessed from above. Osterhausgaden 12, Christiana, Norway, Feb. 5. —Extensive floods are reported in France. —At Rio Janeiro from 5 to 10 deaths occur daily from yellow fever. —The Japanese have a daily newspaper, the Japan Gazette. —Steamships for Europe usually carry about thirty thousand letters each trip. —A revolution of some magnitude has broken out in Sonora in the north-western part of Mexico. —The Russian physician at Tashkend says that the almost immediate death of the Ameer of Afghanistan is certain. —Dr. Daniel Gans of Baltimore, Md., has resigned the pastorate of the Third Reformed Church, and become a Roman Catholic. —Prince Doudanoff Korsakoff threatens to close the Bulgarian Assembly if the proceedings contravene the treaty of Berlin. —Severe shocks of earthquake were felt at Rome and Sienna, Feb. 25. Two priests and several villagers were killed at Sienna. —The Nihilists are at work in Russia. The governor of Charkoff was recently fired upon, and severely injured. He has since died. —36 Indians, the remnant of a band that raided in Idaho last summer, have been surprised and slaughtered in the Salmon River Mountains. —Prince Louis Napoleon, son of Louis III. of France, is on his way to South Africa, to join the English army in their war against the Zulus. —A petition has been presented in the Alabama Legislature, signed by hundreds of Presbyterians, praying for a law prohibiting the running of railroad trains on Sunday. —It is proposed to construct a line of telegraph through the whole extent of the continent of Africa, connecting the English South African colonies with the Egyptian lines at Kartum. —Sir Rowland Hill is to be presented with the freedom of the city of London in acknowledgment of the great benefits derived from uniform penny postage, introduced by him in 1840. —According to St. Petersburg papers, large consignments of arms have been lately going forward to Persia for the use of the Persian troops, many of whom are now drilled by Austrian officers. —A flood of petitions is pouring into the Wisconsin Legislature praying for prohibitory temperance legislation. Twenty-one were put in on one day, the signatures aggregating nearly 6,000. —In the week after the close of the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance at Basle, Switzerland, the International Federation of Lord’s Day Societies will hold Conferences at Berne, from September 8 to 14. —The waters of the Vistula have overflowed, submerging 40 villages in the vicinity of Warsaw in Russia. The dam above the city has broken, and there is a great inundation and a great loss of property. —Dr. King, of Yonkers, set this sum for the taxpayers to cipher out there: “The police appropriations for Yonkers are $35,000 because we have 100 grogshops. In Vineland they are only $75 because they have no grogshops.” —Feb. 21, the corpse of Bishop Foley, of Chicago, who had been for 10 years bishop of that diocese, was taken to Baltimore for the final funeral services and interment, after very imposing preliminary services in the Cathedral at Chicago. —Fossilized remains of what is reported as a gigantic pre-historic man have been found two hundred feet beneath the earth’s surface in a cave recently opened in a mine near Eureka, Nev. The lower limbs, head, and neck are said to be clearly defined and natural. —The Pennsylvania miners in the towns along the Monongahela are indulging in a strike. Sheriff Work of Washington county, with a posse of well-armed men, has made several arrests. Company B of the tenth regiment is at Sheriff Work’s command should he need them. —Rev. W. Fleming Stevenson, who has recently made a missionary tour around the globe, says that while Bombay had not a complete Marathi Bible till 1847, it had ten anti-Christian papers in 1843, and that the commonest book offered in the Calcutta Bazaar is a cheap edition of Tom Paine. —It is reported that 86 persons, including the ministry and the chief princes of the realm, have recently been massacred by order of the king of Burmah. The details of the massacre, as reported, are horrible. The king’s object is the re-establishment of a despotic form of government. British interference is hoped for. —The Advance pertinently says: “The paucity of revival intelligence is remarkable. Do Christians realize that the payment of church debts, the increase of charitable donations, the increase of congregations, abundant and lucrative pew-lettings, excellent things as they all are, ought never to take the place of bringing souls to Christ?” —A Chinese Religious Tract Society was organized at Shanghai, Nov. 19, 1878. It was resolved that the Publishing Committee shall consist of four foreigners and four natives, representing Presbyterians and Congregationalists, English and American Episcopalians, Baptists and Methodists. A second meeting was held Dec. 2, when a constitution was adopted. —A remarkable phenomenon occurred in the voyage of the mission bark John Williams to Gilbert Islands and Ellice’s Group. Captain Turpie says they sailed through a mass of pumice-stone, which he estimated at 600 miles in length and 150 miles in width, and that on some of the islands a ridge six feet high had been washed up. It is supposed that a terrible sub-marine convulsion had taken place. The usual currents and trade winds were reversed, so that they had to communicate with some of the islands on what is termed the windward side. —The Inter-Ocean thinks the census of 1880 will show a decrease during the last decade of not far from $3,000,000,000 in the property valuation of this country. This is partly owing to the fact that the census of 1870 was taken in the midst of the inflation and expansion period, when men put a fictitious valuation upon their property, and thought it permanent property. The Inter-Ocean says, “The effects of the war losses, the wiping out of slave property, and the expansion of the inflation period, will appear more vividly in the census of 1880 than in that of 1870.” —The Romanists of Cincinnati are greatly disturbed at the condition of Archbishop Purcell’s financial affairs. Some intimations of mismanagement were published a few weeks ago, but recent developments show that things are much worse than was supposed. An investigation, which has been in progress by the trustees, already shows that the claims outstanding far exceed in value the whole amount of property transferred to the board to secure them. While no definite information can be obtained from the officials, it is frankly admitted by them that the amount exceeds $1,000,000, and to this is to be added claims not yet presented and interest on the whole. The feeling among the creditors is becoming bitter, and is finding open expression in many quarters. The bulk of the creditors are poor men and women, who have committed their hard-earned savings to the care of the church.—Christian Statesman. I am not especially favorable to eulogies either spoken or written, since they often arise from a disposition to flatter. Yet I trust no one who is alive to the importance and magnitude of the third angel’s message will attribute any such motive to me when I say that next to my Bible nothing is read with so keen an interest as our paper. How it is that some S. D. Adventists can live year after year without this weekly visitor is a mystery to me; and yet I find that some of the officers even of the tract society are without the paper. It is no wonder that such persons have but a faint idea of the vastness of this work and the rapidity with which it is spreading. As I read the letters of Bro. Matteson in Review Supplement of Feb. 6, my heart sent up a silent prayer for God to convert the sinners who are dying spiritually for want of a disposition to sacrifice. While I felt sad to think Bro. Matteson should be so cramped for means, I felt a thrill of joy as I read how the multitudes flocked to hear him. Then there was Bro. Ribton’s letter with his account of a whole church being converted to the truth. Who can read such things unmoved? And who can say, after reading Bro. Loughborough’s report of how the work is opening up before him in Great Britain, that there is no virtue in the distribution of reading matter? And yet there are some who refuse to work in connection with the tract society, because they can see no advantage in it. But it is in the REVIEW that the reports of these societies are published, and those who cannot interest themselves in that kind of reading, can find at least one person for whom they can pray to advantage, without going from home. Then there is the progress department, containing reports from some whom we have seen and known, and from scores whom we may never see this side of the kingdom. But it is useless to enumerate. No portion of the paper can be neglected without loss. May God bless our dear paper, and all who help make it what it is. * A CORRESPONDENT of the Christian Intelligencer writes: “In Milan, Turin, Pisa, Florence, and notably in Rome, I gleaned but one impression,—that the Papal Church was fatally and irretrievably losing its hold upon the masses of Italy. An eminent man, who enjoys the friendship of the present pope, remarks in an article furnished to a late number of the Contemporary Review, that, ‘if the word Protestant could be accepted as the synonym of anti-papal, the people of Italy are at the present moment the most Protestant nation in the world.’ Go from one cathedral to another, and while you witness the pageant of the ritual, or listen to the richest music, you look about you and wonder at the absence of worshipers. The splendid churches remain, but the spirit which once builded them is gone. They remain, but instead of being thronged with eager worshipers, they are only vast ecclesiastical show-shops, and shrines for the worshipers of art alone. Indeed, they seemed painfully like the mausoleums of a dead faith.” MINNESOTA SABBATH-SCHOOLS!
By W. B. Hill; L. A. Curtis
We see by the Supplement to the Review of 13 that only 162 copies of the weekly Instructor are taken in our Conference. There are about fifty companies of Sabbath-keepers in Conference, and twenty-seven Sabbath-schools have reported a membership of 708 scholars. If all had reported, the number would probably have not been far from 1,200. The schools should have at least 700 copies of Instructor to be distributed among the schools. We know that times are hard, very hard, but club rates every school ought to be able to obtain an ample supply. You will find the Instructor a great help in Sabbath-schools, in fact it is impossible to be very successful without it; and just think of 50 copies for only $5.00. Brethren of Minnesota, let us all have the Instructor, and also record books, they cost but little and are as necessary as the register to the common school. Those schools that have adopted a regular contribution will find little difficulty in paying for these, and will soon have a fund on hand to meet other necessary expenses. The treasury of the association is empty and has been. How shall it be supplied? It is recommended by the Board that each school send the State secretary one-tenth of all the contributions received by it. We are willing to write for nothing, but let us have something for stamps and stationery. W. B. Hill, Pres.
L. A. Curtis, Sec. Kingston, Meeker Co., Minn.