My last report was to Nov. 20th, at Woodstock, Maine. The following week I spent at North Jay, Maine, where I held five meetings, and completed the organization of the church there. Reorganized s. B. for 1865, increasing the figures some $18. Considerable interest was manifested to hear the truth. From Sabbath Dec. 3d, to Wednesday Dec. 7th, I had six meetings in Bro. Goodrich's neighborhood, Palmyra, Maine. The brethren from Hartland and Canaan were with us. But as the weather was bad there was not as large a gathering as would otherwise have been. But good attention was given by those who did attend. In this place I presented the subject of organization for the consideration of those who had lately embraced the truth. I was made welcome at the house of Bro. Goodrich. This Bro. who was formaly a Christian Baptist minister, has been coming along step by step into the Advent principles and faith. Last spring he embraced the Sabbath while Bro. Cornell was preaching in that vicinity. He has since disconnected himself from the Baptist society, and is now zealously advocating the truths of the third angel's message.
Sabbath Dec. 10th, I preached twice in Eddington, Maine, to the little company of Sabbath-keepers there. After the second discourse, a few of us went through a severe snow storm to a stream of water one-half mile from the place of meeting. A brother was there baptized who had lately embraced the truth. In the evening we had a meeting to consider the subject of church order. Enrolled the names of seven for a church. Others will probably unite. Organized s. B. for the year 1865 amounting to $36,14.
Sunday, Dec. 11th, I preached twice in Brewer, Maine, near Bro. Hannaford's. The Eddington brethren were mostly there. The attendance was not very large owing to the shortness of the appointment, and snowy walking. I visited the dying bed of Sr. Ruth Fields, a daughter of Bro. and Sr. Hannaford, and tried to administer words of encouragement to her in her last hours. She had not been able to speak loud for two weeks. She could only whisper, and at last only converse by signs. She was blessed much in our seasons of prayer and singing, and gently fell asleep on Monday morning. As it was her request that I should attend her funeral, I consented to do so, although I had to go quite a journey to do it.
Tuesday evening, I spoke again in Bro. Goodrich's school-house, by request, on how, when, and where the Sabbath was changed. Good congregation and the best of interest. Wednesday Bro. Goodrich carried me some twelve miles to Cornville, found Bro. Eld. Charles Stratton suffering much with an attack of diphtheria. With the blessing of the Lord and the use of water, he was relieved. Preached in the evening to a few in Cornville on the subject of order in the church. Thursday Bro. Goodrich carried me by way of his place to Pittsfield Station, seventeen miles, where I took the cars for Bangor thirty miles. There met Bro. Fields who carried me three miles to Brewer, where on Friday morning I attended the funeral services of Sr. Field, and immediately returned to Pittsfield where Bro. Flanders met me and carried me some eight miles and Bro. Goodrich carried me on to Cornville again, to attend an Advent Quarterly Meeting. This meeting had been in progress one day when we arrived. By request, I preached Sabbath afternoon, and in the evening. I was requested to preach again, and preach on the change of the Sabbath. But I did not think it prudent as I was suffering from a cold, and was so hoarse it was difficult to speak. Elders Howard and Stratton were both at this meeting. These brethren are keeping the Sabbath and are investigating different points of present truth. Quite an interest has already been awakened in the minds of many on the Sabbath question through their influence. May the Lord lead them out into all the truth, and make them effective laborers in the third angel's message.
Here I had opportunity to form acquaintance with Eld. Hanscomb and many Adventists. Prejudice is breaking from many minds in Maine, and they are searching to see if these things are so, and they feel, as expressed by an Advent brother at Bryant's Pond, Maine, a few weeks since. Said he: "I am not satisfied with my position on the Sabbath question, I want the best work you have on the subject." I sold him the History of the Sabbath, and gave him Both Sides. These works by the blessing of God are making their mark in the East. Opposition only serves to make the truth shine out.
Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 21st, I had a meeting with a few at Topsham. Presented the subject of organization, and organized s. B. for 1865, amounting to about $35. But as there was a severe snow storm in the evening we had no meeting.
Thursday, Dec. 22, cars were detained by the snow, so that I did not get to Portland till meeting time. Bro. Cornell was opening the meeting as I came into the hall. He preached, and I followed occupying about one-half hour. I was gratified to see that matters were moving forward as they are in Portland. The brethren now have a comfortable hall in the city, and their numbers are increasing. May the Lord prosper them in standing for the right.
Friday came on to Haverhill, Mass., where we had five meetings on Sabbath and first-day; but as it was in the excitement of holidays, there was no special interest outside of the church. Some had become tired of the cross-bearing way since last I was there, and had given up the truth; but most were firm on their way. Completed the organization of a church here. The few here are poor, aged and infirm, so that their s. B. figures are not high. But it was organized for 1865 amounting to about $16, available to the New England mission.
My next meeting was at Manchester, N. H., where85on Monday evening Dec. 26th, I spoke to a good congregation in Advent Hall, on the history of the change of the Sabbath. Found the few there that are keeping the Sabbath, holding on with good courage. They were organized into a church. S. B. was organized there, amounting to about $70, a year. We were encouraged to find even a few in Manchester. Several have moved away that once met with them; but the remaining few are firm in the faith.
Came on next to Boston, which has aptly been termed "the city of notions." A violent storm arose on Sabbath morning, so that all that have interest in the truth even, were not together. A few of us met with Sr. Page in the third story of a tenement on Carver street, where we had a good time praying and speaking of the goodness of the Lord. Systematic Benevolence was organized for the few in Boston and vicinity, amounting to about $50 a year.
We were sorry to learn that Bro. Folsom had chosen to go with the world, and leave the obedience of God's commandments, which he still acknowledges to be truth. As I found him preparing to leave Somerville, I had quite a busy time moving my books into the city, to sister Temple's, No. 12, Acton-st., where any who are passing through Boston and wish our publications and charts can find them.
Sabbath and first-day, Jan. 7 and 8, held meetings in Dartmouth, Mass. The little company here have been much afflicted for the past year. Some of their number have moved away. Two who formerly met with them have died. Found Bro. Ashley, the elder of the church, slowly recovering from the effects of a fever. We felt encouraged by the meetings there, and trust they were profitable to the church. Systematic Benevolence figures were also re-arranged here, amounting to about $25 a year. One there has lately embraced the truth, and one other has been received into the church.
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, Jan. 10 and 11, had meetings at Kingston, R. I., in company with Bro. P. C. Rodman. Was glad to learn that the interest was rising there, and that several had embraced the truth since the conference at Peacedale last fall. Bro. Rodman has been holding meetings in Kingston, which have brought several into the truth.
From Sabbath, Jan. 14, to Thursday, Jan. 19, Bro. Rodman and myself had nine meetings on Block Island. Completed the organization of the church while there. Five members were added. Systematic Benevolence was re-organized for 1865, increasing the figures about three-fold, now amounting to nearly $75 a year. Our meetings here were not large, owing to two facts: first, it was cold, windy, and stormy, some of the time; second, they were held mostly in private houses, and school-houses, as the meeting-house could not be obtained.
At the various points mentioned in this report, I have found a general waking up among the brethren and sisters on the subject of proper care for their health, and the Lord is blessing them in this direction.
Bro. Rodman and myself are now here to spend a week in presenting the truth, by request of sister Allen. Bro. Rodman is with us in every point of present truth, and is now devoting his whole time to the cause. The Lord will bless him in his efforts to spread the truth in R. I., I believe.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Middletown, R. I., Jan. 21, 1865.
How to Proceed if Drafted.
By John Nevins Andrews
Bro. White : I have just returned from attending Sabbath and first-day meetings at Parma and Hamlin, and I find the Review No. 9, containing an account of matters of importance concerning our drafted brethren. Also I am called upon for light.
I have just called upon Mr. Hart the marshal of the 28th N. Y. District, and I stated the case to him and inquired for "light." He said that it was the duty of the district marshal in the case of non-combatants "to make an endorsement" of each case to the Provost Marshal General at Washington. And his duty to pass the endorsement to the Adjutant General, and his to the Secretary of War, who is the person to see that the provision of the law is carried out in such cases. I conclude therefore that the district marshals may have neglected to make the proper endorsement. If such be the case it is still their duty of course to act, and they can be looked after to see that they do it.
Perhaps a written appeal to the Secretary of War by the Gen. Conf. Committee, in the name of our entire people and accompanied by our draft book, and by the Review containing my Washington matters, and also the last Review might be advisable. Only a few words are needed to present the case. I would willingly write but it seems to me that the Committee would have more weight.
When at the office of Provost Marshal Fry, the first thing I was told was that they construed the law to apply to any religious body that fairly came under its provision. Next that they have issued instructions to the district marshals to thus interpret it, in carrying the law into execution. I then asked the nature of the proof that must be furnished the district marshal and was answered as I reported in the Review. Then they said they would copy my papers and place them on file for reference in case any appeal should be made to the war department or any difficulty arise. When copied they returned them to me with a very courteous endorsement. I asked them to give me the instructions issued to the district marshals in the cases of non-combatants, but they said this was secret and could be granted to no one. Had I got this I could have stated the duty of the marshal as Mr. Hart has now stated it to me.
J. N. ANDREWS.
The Review and Herald.
By A. S. Hutchins
Bro. White: Permit me to say that I hail the weekly visits of our excellent paper with real satisfaction. Its clear and able manner of presenting and defending Bible truth, its cheering epistles, its words of comfort and good cheer, are to be prized by all who seek to know and obey the truth.
The Review, worthy of its name, thoroughly reviews the great and glorious field of truth explored by Adventists under the proclamation of the former messages, without giving up one point of the pillar and groundwork of their faith; showing in the most satisfactory manner the consistency and harmony of the position we occupy.
It explains the reason of the sad disappointment in 1844, and the harmonious connection of the three messages of Rev. xiv. It leads the mind, understandingly to the subject of the Heavenly Sanctuary, explaining in the clearest manner, the nature of its cleansing and the time of its commencement.
Praise the Lord for such a brilliant blaze of light on this most important subject. As I had no light on the messages until the third was presented to me, my first inquiry was, What explanation do you offer for your mistake in 1844? I was immediately directed to the Sanctuary. A candid, careful and prayerful investigation of this subject, and all was clear to my mind. With a satisfaction beyond the power of my pen to describe, I received the truth. Great as was the cross, with a joyful soul, I left the church, and connected myself with those who look for, and love the appearing of the dear Saviour; which step I have had no occasion to regret.
The Review is not alone a reviewer. It looks forward to the glorious inheritance of the saints, which is "incorruptible, and undefiled and that fadeth not away." It holds up the conditions of eternal life. Eccl. xii, 13; Matt. xix, 17; Rev. xxii, 14. It teaches obedience to all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. In doing this, it must do as it ever has done, faithfully herald the Sabbath of the Lord. The Sabbath given to man in Paradise, and the Sabbath which all flesh will welcome in Paradise restored. Isa. lxvi, 23.
Let us dear brethren and sisters, rejoice that we have a paper which is not deaf and dumb. One which is giving to the household "meat in due season." One which raises its voice in defence of gospel truth, and exposes the error, confusion and inconsistency of its opponents. Don't be afraid to let the Review speak boldly. Remember "they that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them."
Commandment-keepers will not go through the world in silence. They have a message which will go with a loud cry. Let us hear reproach with them now, that we may rejoice with them in the city of God. And may the blessing of the Lord rest upon the editor and conductors of the Review. From nearly thirteen years acquaintance with it, I have no evil report to bring.
A. S. Hutchins.
Meetings in Wis.
By L. G. Bostwick
BRO. WHITE: I would say that the cause of present truth is on the rise in this part of the field. Since I last wrote, I have been holding meetings at Wauzeka, Crawford Co., Wis. The result was good, though not as good as we should like to have seen. Next I gave a course of lectures on West Knap's Creek, Richmond Co., Wis. The Lord was with us here, and the result of these meetings has been good. When I went into this place there was a great deal of prejudice against the truth; but as we commenced to show the evidence from God's word on the different points of our faith they began to see that there was a reality in these blessed truths and the interest kept increasing to the close of the meeting. The last night of the meeting I called on all those who had fully made up their mind to obey the Sabbath of the Lord, and live out the faith of Jesus, and go with the people of God, to rise to their feet, when eighteen arose and are now trying to obey the warning voice of the third angel's message. We had one social meeting with them before we left, and our hearts were encouraged as we heard those beginners express their determination to go through with the people of God. Regular Sabbath meetings were established in this place. I sold about $60,00 worth of books, and got twelve subscribers for the Review. We left those dear brethren and sisters encouraged to press on toward the prize.
I would say that I also attended the Quarterly Meeting at Lynxville, Jan. 14 and 15. This was truly a good meeting. Brethren and sisters were present from Waukon, Kickapoo, San Prairie and Wauzeka. This was the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers that was ever assembled at this place; and above all we had the Lord to meet with us; and his blessing rested down upon us. Two were baptized, and two added to the church. Many said that this was the best meeting they ever enjoyed, and we all felt to praise the Lord for his goodness.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us take courage and strive to be more faithful in this blessed cause, as we see that it is onward to victory.
The brethren would like to have Bro. Sanborn visit West Knap's Creek the coming spring, if he can, for the purpose of organizing a church.
L. G. BOSTWICK.
Music.
By Wm. C. Gage
None that love this branch of the worship of God, can fail to deplore the use which Satan has made of this Heaven-born science, prostituting it to the basest of purposes, and making it oftentimes a means of inculcating error and even blaspheming God. As we see how the masses may be swayed, and moved to deeds of valor or even acts of crime, by some popular song, we can but realize that music is a powerful agent, either for good or evil. Take for illustration, the famous Marseilles Hymn, and witness its effect in moving on the French populace to rebellion and revolution. Its thrilling notes rung out upon the sunny air of France, awoke responsive echoes in the heart of every French patriot, and was one of the most potent agents in bringing about those bloody massacres which deluged the country with blood and agitated the whole civilized world.
On the other hand, how has the heart of the child of God been thrilled with worshipful devotion, on hearing some grand old sacred melody swelling up from the leafy grove or the banks of the baptismal waters, from the lips of those who make melody in their hearts to the Lord. But few persons are incapable of being influenced in some degree by music, and it is no wonder that Satan, knowing this, should cunningly make the most of it. The popular theological errors of the day are all bolstered up by poetry and music, for lack of scripture, and many people quote familiarly from Dr. Watts in proof of certain doctrines, believing all the time that St. Paul says "death is the gate to endless joys." &c. This spirit is also being developed in the popular secular music of the day, which is all tuned to one string, namely, "there is no death." While this terrible war is giving death so many victims from among the promising youth of our country, Satan seizes the opportunity to enforce his first great falsehood and reiterates it in song, "ye shall not surely die." Public opinion is fast becoming educated to receive this doctrine without wincing, and the mass of the people are becoming believers in universal salvation, or at least tacitly consenting to the belief by singing it in the popular songs of the day.
Let us reduce a couplet from one of these songs into86matter-of-fact prose, and see what its real statements are, for when wafted to our ears in delicious strains of music, we are apt to forget the sentiment it contains:
"Soon with angels I'll be marching,
With bright laurels on my brow."
The dying soldier is here represented as about leaving the scene of carnage and bloodshed, with the heat of combat flushing his brow, and perhaps the blood of a human being upon his hands and going immediately into the presence and companionship of holy angels, there to be crowned with his battle-won laurels, and to march and counter-march with the heavenly hosts before the great white throne. This we conceive to be but little short of blasphemy, yet it is popular, and furnishes another proof of the fallibility of public opinion, and should lead us to be careful that we sing with the spirit and with the understanding.
But while we regret the use thus made of this beautiful science, we can also rejoice that it may be brought into requisition in the worship of God, causing harmony and union of feeling and sentiment among his people, as they meet from time to time for prayer and praise. And in this connection it may not be improper to allude to the manner of conducting this department of worship at some of the popular churches. A New York correspondent of a Boston paper, makes a careful estimate of the cost of sustaining the singing at one of the "worshiping establishments" of the former city, and finds that it exceeds the salary of the minister! An opera singer, who makes her appearance on the boards of a Theater six evenings in the week, is paid $500 per year, for her services on Sunday in leading the soprano in the "songs of Zion;" the organist, who plays for balls and parties during the week, also receives a liberal salary for his Sunday services, and the other "leaders" and singers receive in proportion to their respective abilities, swelling the amount to a sum which, though large in itself, is easily paid by renting the pews for a thousand dollars each per year, and excluding the poor (the Lord's poor, perhaps) from connection with the society.
In the name of all that is sacred we would inquire, Is this worship? Can the praise of God from such lips, uttered under such circumstances, ascend up to Heaven as grateful incense before the Lord? Is it not rather a solemn mockery? But perhaps it will do for those whose thinking is all done by one man, to whom they look for all their opinions in regard to matters pertaining to their future welfare, but upon whose judgment in temporal affairs they would not risk one precious dollar, unless approved by their own good sense. Modern professors may be satisfied to let out their worship to hirelings, but God will not accept of it, and the true Church will not thus dishonor him, but their prayers and songs of praise will come from the heart, and with David, they will praise him "with joyful lips."
Report from Bro. Taylor.
By C. O. Taylor
BRO. WHITE: December 17 and 18. I was with the church at Buck's Bridge, and passed a quiet and pleasant time with them in talking the truth, and in prayer and conference meetings. They are holding themselves ready for every good word and work.
In the evening of the 21st and 22nd, filled appointments at Norfolk. A heavy snow storm prevented all the church from being present, yet the few that were there received the word with gladness, and I trust with profit.
On the morning of the 24th went on to Franklin Co., to attend the Monthly Meeting at Bangor. The cold and storm prevented some getting to this meeting. Notwithstanding, the attendance was good, some coming 30 and 40 miles in their own conveyance, and were not sorry. There are some noble souls in this section of the State, and while they live, the truth will move forward; for God can trust them.
While some were cheered and encouraged at this meeting, others were in heaviness and trial. We did not find all that harmony and union in the leading members of the church that should be, in order that the work might move forward, and the truth shine out. There is still a great chance to labor, in cultivating the Christian graces.
Returned home the 27th in good health.
C. O. TAYLOR.
The Gold Fever.
THE covetous strife for riches in these last days is truly alarming in its moral bearing. It seems as though people were almost crazy after the shining dust. It eclipses everything else; hence all means are employed to obtain the filthy lucre, the love of which is the root of all evil. By reading the following, one may get a faint idea of the passion men have for gold in these last moments of time. It is from the New York Independent, of Jan. 5th, 1865.—Crisis.
"One Monday we sat by the window of a building which commands a view of the room where the speculators in gold have operated as extensively of late.
The place was packed from desk to door, and from floor to ceiling, with brokers, merchants, manufacturers, speculators, agents, clerks, and messengers. There were present old men, young men, fast men, fat men, lean men, short men, tall men, rich men, poor men, and men of every class, color, and creed. They stood on the floor, on the counter, on the desks, on the chairs, on the window-sills, and hour after hour they continued to buy and sell gold. Their flushed faces and flashing eyes told plainly the state of their minds. Fortunes were made and lost in a minute. Sellers were more numerous than buyers, and they resorted to their usual tricks to stimulate purchasers. When a telegraphic message favorable to our arms was read, the Union men gave three cheers, but they sounded feebly. It was like the music of a lute lost amid the roaring of bulls and growling of bears. Men who are polite in their drawing-rooms, cordial in their greetings, and quiet in their offices; men who sit demurely in church, and who dare not open their lips to speak in a Christian assembly, or at a public meeting, throw off all restraint in the presence of the golden image which they have set up, and shout frantically. A stranger unacquainted with the language, and unused to such scenes, would be impressed with the idea that Bedlam had broken loose. They cried out at the top of their voices, and with great rapidity of utterance, gesticulating violently the price they would take for the shining dust. A score or more of them would speak at the same time, each endeavoring to cut-shoot his neighbor. Almost every man had a book in his hand, in which, with convulsive fingers, notes were written. He who had plenty of brass as well as gold, and could make more noise than others, commanded the most attention and seemed to do the most business.
At about half-past three the gong sounded for the open Board to commence operations in the street—directly in front of the Gold Room. For several minutes there was a contest between the gong-beater and gold-bidders. Their time was up, but they continued their cries regardless of the rules. The more noise the gong made, the louder they shouted. The former was in danger of being battered to pieces—the latter ran the risk of bursting their lungs. Finally, brass or copper got the better of gold, and there was a general rush toward the street. Out they came like bees swarming, some red and some pale with excitement. Not a few of them resorted to the stimulus of tobacco—lighting their cigars or crowding the quid into their mouths, and rolling it as a sweet morsel under their tongues. Some hastened to the nearest restaurants, where they sought to keep their spirits up by pouring spirits down. In the meantime, the bidding commenced. Sellers were plentiful, but purchasers were scarce. A tall man wearing a white hat exhibited a telegraphic dispatch, and the news created considerable excitement, giving a momentary vigor to the market. An energetic man, with a round head, surmounting broad shoulders, offered to sell one hundred thousand dollars for a certain price on the dollar, but he could not inspire an acceptable bid. Several men wearing a Jewish cast of countenance, offered sums varying from five thousand to fifty thousand dollars, but the buyers were shy and wished to wait until the morning. Although they did but little business, they made a great deal of noise, and the news-boys in the vicinity endeavored to sell their paper to men who dealt chiefly in specie, by screaming out the nature of the news they had for sale. There was also a peddler on the corner, who offered a wagon load of sour oranges to the men whose teeth had been set on edge by their misadventures in the money market. The only quiet creature there, was the peddler's horse. The poor beast had lost one of its ears, and fortunately the deaf side of his head was turned toward the mob of speculators. Unlike the animal mentioned in the fable of Midas, the other ear did not turn into gold. In the boisterous gathering were many substantial men, representing almost every phase of business. There were also rebel agents from the Southern States—refugees who came here by the way of Canada, without the protection of our flag; graduates of Lafayette, red-mouthed Copperheads, who would like to see the head of Jeff. Davis stamped on every American coin; Englishmen, Canadians, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Italians, and others. Here and there might be seen millionaires. A young man, who seven weeks ago, commenced speculation with a margin of only $200, and who made $70,000 in that time has lost every cent of it, and now wears a troubled face, indicative of the wretched state of his mind.
This is the place toward which vast multitudes of men and women in all parts of our broad land turn their faces with anxious interest. It is classic as any battle-ground. The fall in gold is only second in importance to the triumph of our arms in the field. This is the thermometer by which we judge of our success. The lower the fall of gold, the higher the rise of patriotic hope. These are the men, with few exceptions, who have impaired the value of our currency; who have caused to a great extent the high prices of the necessaries of life; who have sought to bring discredit on us abroad; who have shot down our heroes with their bullets of silver and gold. If it is God's will, let them finally die. "Peace be to their ashes," shall be their epitaph.
The Clouds at Sunset.
HAVE you ever noticed how beautiful the clouds look when the sun sets? Sometimes so bright that you can scarcely look at them, and richly tinted with purple, gold, and rose color. Yes, you must often have seen them with pleasure, and perhaps have thought, as a little boy did whom I knew, "There is the power and the glory mentioned in the Lord's prayer." Very possibly you may have wondered what those beautifully-colored clouds were, floating up so high above you; but did you ever think that perhaps they yesterday formed part of the dirty puddles of our street, trodden under foot by every passer-by? Or, it may be, they formed a part of the ugly, unsightly ditches about the great city. Some of them may have helped to form part of a noble river, while others may have been the pretty little sparkling dewdrops, which you saw on the grass, or glittering among the spiders' webs in the gardens as you went to school. But the sun has collected the dew and water from the roads, and drawn up the moisture to the skies, together with some from the rivers, the ditches, and wherever there is water. It is the sun that has raised them from earth to heaven, and to him they owe their beauty and brightness.
Thus it will be in the resurrection at the last great day, when Christ shall have collected his people, who are now scattered over the earth like water. They now, it may be, have their portion among the noble and the great, like the water of a mighty river; or they may be poor and despised, like the puddles in the street or the ditches of the city; or smiling bright-eyed little ones, like the dewdrops on the grass; but then they will all, whether small or great, be lifted up to heaven, and shine alike with the brightness and glory of the Sun of righteousness.
"Kind Words Can Never Die."
[A short time since I was reading in "Lessons in Life" by Titcomb. He was talking upon the subject of, "Reproduction in Kind," from which I make a short extract, thinking it may be of interest to the readers of the "Review." H. F. Phelps.]
"I have been thinking how, in accordance with this law of which we are talking, our modes, our passions, our sympathies, our moral frames and conditions, reproduce themselves, after their kind, in the minds and lives around us.
I call my child to my knee in anger; I strike him a hasty blow that carries with it the peculiar sting of anger; I speak a loud reproof that bears with it the spirit of anger; and I look in vain for any relenting in his flashing eyes, flushed face, and compressed lips.
I have made my child angry, and my uncontrolled passion has produced after its kind. I have sown anger, and I have reaped anger instantaneously. Perhaps I become still more angry, in consequence of the passion manifested by my child, and speak and strike again. He is weak and I am strong; but though he bowed his head, crushed into silence, I may be sure that there is a sullen heart in the little bosom, and anger the more bitter because it is impotent. I put the child away from me, and think of what I have done. I am full of relentings, I long to ask his pardon, for I know that I have offended and deeply injured one of my little ones.
I call him to me again, press his head on my breast, kiss him and weep. No word is spoken, but the little bosom heaves, the little heart softens, the little eyes grow tenderly penitent, the little hands come up and clasp my neck, and my relentings and my sorrow have produced after their kind. The child is conquered and so am I.
If I utter fretful words, they come back to me like echoes. If I bristle all over with irritability, the quills will begin to rise all about me.87One thoroughly irritable person in a breakfast room spoils coffee and toast, sours milk, and destroys appetite for a whole family. He produces after his kind."
Let parents and teachers ponder and remember these words. Remember we can, and it is our duty to correct, but not in anger. "Let patience have her perfect work that we may be perfect and entire wanting nothing," in that day that is fast hastening.
"Speak gently, it is better far,
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently, let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here;
Speak gently to the little child,
Its love be sure to gain,
Teach it in accents soft and mild
From evil to refrain."
Extracts from Letters.
Sister A. S. Cowdrey, writes from Colebrook River, Ct.: Having been so often cheered, by the contributions of Brn. and sisters to the Review, I cast in my mite in favor of the truth, praying for the holy Spirit to guide my pen. I would fain say something that would encourage the heart of some poor lone pilgrim in the way to Mt. Zion. Although I have not been so long a traveler in this way as some of you, yet I have been long enough to be convinced that it is the good and the right way, for several reasons: First, it is the way in which the lovers of this world, will not walk; because it is not the way of the multitude; it is not the way of ease, or worldly pleasure; but it is the way of toil, of reproach, of persecution, of suffering for Christ's sake. Yes, thank God, it is the way of the cross, the way our blessed Saviour trod. Then let us follow on cheerfully, yea joyfully, knowing in whom we have believed, trusting in his promises, that he will sustain and strengthen us to endure even unto the end. For one, I can say, that I feel unworthy the honor of suffering for Christ's sake; but since my receiving the truths of the third angel's message, I have known, as never before, what sore trials, and temptations, and persecutions mean. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and I mean to still urge my way on through to the kingdom. There I shall no longer pine and sigh for the society of the saints, but with them, and all the holy angels, unite in ascribing glory, and honor, and salvation, unto our God forever and ever.
We who are alone, know best how to sympathize with each other; and I would ask the prayers of God's children, not only for my unworthy self, but for that lone sister in distant Africa, who for her loyalty to God, and her belief of the truth is even now suffering perhaps more than any of us here at home. My sympathies have been strongly enlisted for her and my earnest prayers have gone up to Heaven in her behalf. May God bless her and all the Israel of God is my prayer.
I would like to say also through the Review, that I have been visited for the last few months with a little two-leaved sheet called The Voice of the East and Second Advent Monitor. I would say to the proprietors (as they seem to be readers of the Review) that the paper is not welcome, and I shall feel obliged to them if they will not mail any more to me.
Bro. W. Cheever writes from Marietta, Wis.: Bro. WHITE: I cannot refrain from expressing my feelings of gratitude to the S. D. A. Publishing Association for the blessed truths that are published and sent abroad by them into our land. But while I feel thankful to you, I feel to give God the praise. I have been made to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, since I embraced the Advent faith. Oh the blessedness that there is in living near the Saviour. I acknowledge that I am an unprofitable servant; but I ask my Heavenly Father to forgive me, my short comings, and to give me grace sufficient to be an overcomer, and at last, enter through the pearly gates into the city. I have lately been made to rejoice while with the brethren and sisters at the Lynxville Quarterly Meeting. We had a refreshing time.
Amusements.
When Martin Luther threw his cares aside from time to time, and played on his flute, and jested with his friends, gambled with his children, or gave himself up to the songs of birds, and all the joyful restorative influences of nature, he thus kept his soul sweet, and his powers fresh, so as to renew at the fitting time and finish the work which had been given him to do.
Here we see the true place and office of amusements. They are not the business of life, but interludes, recreations, refreshments, thrown in at intervals to save us from being utterly broken down by unceasing and perpetual toil. While we study or labor, while we do our part to work or to prepare ourselves for work, it is right, nay it is our duty as well as our privilege, to give ourselves up, from time to time, to amusements.
But when amusements become the chief thing, when they take the place of the serious duties which God has imposed on every man whom he has created, then they undermine our principles, and impair our faith in whatever is noblest in virtue, or most holy in religion. The soul that lays upon itself no obligations and seeks no higher ends is lost. Even poetry, and music, and art, so beautiful in their places as the handmaids of religion, only lead into paths of death, when they withdraw from her guidance, and demand for themselves the worship which is due to God alone.
"This, too, is the effect of an education wholly of the accomplishment. The education of taste, and the cultivation of the feelings, in undue proportions, destroys the masculine tone of the mind. An education chiefly romantic or poetical, and unbalanced by hard practical life, is simply the ruin of the soul."
And when such has become the character of the community, when æsthetic tastes have greater influence than the love of truth, and amusements are allowed to stand in the place of better things, then no matter what external show of prosperity and refinement there may be, the doom of that community is sealed.
For, in the language of an able historian, "neither in sacred or profane history, neither in the monarchies of the East, or in the free Commonwealths of the Western world, neither in Egyptian, Grecian, Roman, Italian, Sardonic, or any other chronicles—can an exception be found to the law which dooms to ruin any people who, abandoning the duties for the delights of this transitory state, live only in the frivolities of life, and find only the means of dissolute and emasculate self-indulgence in God's best gifts to man—in wealth, and leisure, and society; in erudition, and art, and science; in literature, and philosophy, and eloquence; in the domestic affections which should bless our existence, and in the worship by which it should be consecrated."