The Lord has given us great consolation and encouragement in the past month, both in Egypt and in this country. Praised be his name. And as I think the brethren in America will share the pleasure I have experienced, I herewith send a report.
First with regard to my visit to Bari, Dec. 19. There were several circumstances which showed clearly that it was my duty to visit the brethren at Bari previous to starting for Egypt. I had not had any news from there for a considerable time, and began to fear that the work among them was growing slack. But I received a letter from their minister, Bro. V., saying that he had been subjected to the most brutal and outrageous treatment at the instigation of the priests. He was arrested on a charge of being an Internationalist, a revolver was presented at him by the brigadier of the police, and he was conducted in chains through the streets to the jail. I resolved to go at once. I had expected to enjoy pleasant communion with a few Sabbath-keeping brethren, but was not prepared for the surprise which God had in store for me. The whole Baptist church, from the minister down, have accepted the Sabbath of the Lord, and are endeavoringto walk in the observance of his commandments. And not only this, but at another small town called Aquavia, some distance in the interior of the country, another body of believers has been formed, who recognize the sacred day of rest.
It was in the month of March last, about the time of Bro. Bertola’s departure for Egypt, that I wrote to Bro. V. (as well as several others) on the subject of the Sabbath, sending some copies of the “Sabbath of the Bible,” a tract which our brethren at Bâle had just printed in Italian. Then ensued a long correspondence. I sent the other Italian tracts as they came out, and the result has been as I have stated. Blessed be God for the good work these tracts have done.
I was truly gratified with the enthusiasm which these brethren displayed in the cause of God’s commandments and of his sacred day. One of them, a hale old man having seen sixty-five summers, whose ears were adorned with a pair of large and glittering rings according to the custom of the country, greeted me with a real apostolic kiss. “Fratello,” he said, “you have been an angel to me; you have brought me out of darkness into the knowledge of God’s commandments.”
On Sabbath evening, Dec. 20, I preached in their chapel to a most attentive audience on 2 Tim. 2:19: “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” On the next evening we had a very interesting discussion on the Sabbath question. Finding the brethren so well established in the Sabbath and the commandments, I thought it right to bring before their notice the subject of the approaching advent of our Saviour, and with this object I employed every available moment in reading with them those portions of Scripture that demonstrate the nearness of Christ’s coming, and the manner in which he will come. Their eyes sparkled as they listened to the description of the new earth, where “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.” And as we celebrated the ordinances, I reminded them that the act of breaking bread not only points back to the body of our Lord broken for us, but that it also looks forward to the coming glory; for it was to be done in remembrance of him “till he come.” 1 Cor. 11:26. “Yes,” exclaimed a dear sister, “I will in future think not only of the cross, but also of the coming glory.”
I could have spent a week most profitably with these brethren, who are very desirous to study the things of the coming kingdom, but my imminent departure for Egypt obliged me to return quickly to Naples. I promised to return to them if possible. From this journey I learned two things: that for the diffusion of the truth much traveling is very necessary, and also that a large assortment of well written tracts such as we have in the English language is indispensable. These brethren expressed a great desire to read an interpretation of Daniel and the Revelation; but alas! they can read only Italian. If God wills, I hope we may be able to multiply our tracts in Italian, and also to issue a journal. The translation of “Elijah on the Sabbath” has contributed powerfully to the conviction of many.
It is with much gratitude to God that I have to relate that our brethren here and also at Naples, who have received the truth, have not hidden the talents entrusted to them, knowing that for them they will one day have to render an account. In a former letter I mentioned a deist who had received Christ with us, and then commenced a work of evangelization in his own country. He has now been shut up there in a college that is a sort of convent, where he cannot see or speak with any one without permission. An uncle of his who had shaken hands with him, on learning that he had embraced the gospel immediately took a towel and wiped his hands. Notwithstanding this, another of our brethren, a student, has commenced the same work in another country further south. He writes to me as follows: “Many have hearkened to the word of life. Five have requested me to procure Bibles for them. There is quite an important work to be done here, and had I not to return to Naples, I would open a meeting soon. I hope to do so when I return home finally.”
I have received letters from Bro. Bertola at Constantinople, and from Bro. Rupp at Alexandria, urging me to lose no time in coming to Egypt, and I have arranged matters to start by the steamer which leaves this day. Our brethren here are firm in their profession, and can stand alone for a time, but they will be without a leader or head, and have no hall for meetings on the Sabbath. When Bro. Andrews comes, he will have to see what can be done for the church at Naples. H. P. RIBTON,
MEETING-HOUSES AND EASY SPEAKING.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Every public speaker knows that there is a great difference in houses and halls so far as easy speaking is concerned. Some houses have such a ring that it is almost impossible to make yourself distinctly understood; others are so constructed, having just the right proportions, that they seem to aid the speaker in his work. In such houses the slightest whisper or the loudest tone can be distinctly heard. I always dread to commence meetings in a new house, from the fact that I have found so many of them very poorly constructed in this respect. In some houses I can speak for hours, day after day, with scarcely any feelings of weariness; but in other houses I am tired out with a half hour's effort. Other speakers are aware of the same fact.
Now as our brethren are building meeting-houses all over the country, this is a matter that should engage our attention. Probably not less than twenty Seventh-day Adventist meeting-houses will be built in 1879. And if the work is not done more carefully than in the past, one-half or two-thirds of these houses will be almost utterly ruined, simply because they are not properly proportioned. Carpenters undertake to construct a house, who have not the least idea as to the proper proportions. They are simply guided by the means of the builders or their own taste. When the house is up, it is found that it rings like an empty hogshead.
I have just held meetings in two new churches in Ohio, and both of them are defective in this respect. One of them rings so badly that it almost ruins their social meetings and Sabbath-school. They cannot hear each other twenty feet apart. Now we suggest that our brethren who have meeting-houses to build, should use more caution about this matter. An experienced draftsman or architect should always be employed to draw up the plan of the house. This may cost twenty-five dollars; but it is worth several hundred dollars in the end. Thus far, our meeting-houses do not vary much in size. Three or four sizes would cover about all the meeting-houses built by our people. It is also a matter of importance to have a house of the right proportions outside, so as to look well. Then the construction of the seats, the pulpit, the location of the stoves, and the ventilation, are matters of much importance.
To aid our brethren in these matters, drafts of different sized houses are being made in Battle Creek by competent architects. Those who wish to build should send for these before commencing their houses. State about the size of the house and the expected cost; then full drawings of such a house will be sent for a reasonable price. D. M. CANRIGHT.
TRACT SOCIETY INSTITUTE,
By B. L. Whitney
AT WELLSVILLE, N. Y.
Our Institute thus far has been successful beyond the most sanguine expectations of those who have felt interested for its prosperity.
The Institute was organized Monday, Jan. 27, sixty-five members being present at the first meeting. This number has increased until to-day we have seventy-two names on the roll. This number includes every director and district secretary in the Pennsylvania Tract Society, and the larger proportion of the librarians, while some of the officers and members of the New York society are also present.
The Spirit of God seemed present at the State quarterly meeting held the Sabbath and first-day preceding the opening of the Institute, and the meeting was well calculated to prepare the minds of those who came to attend for the work before them.
A remarkable degree of interest has thus far been manifested in all the exercises, and though four regular meetings have been held each day, besides the prayer and social meetings which have been regularly held, the interest does not in any degree abate. We feel that the special blessing of the Lord has been with us thus far, and trust that this will continue to be the case, and that this effort will prove a great blessing to the cause in this Conference.
B. L. WHITNEY.
Wellsville, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1879.
GLEANINGS FROM KANSAS.
By D. T. Bourdeau
VICTORIES gained at Oswego are retained. In a report which was lost, I stated that among those who received the truth at Elivon were France French, Canadian French, Scotch, and two Mennonites. The director who had charge of the school-house, an infidel who stood by us to help us secure our rights, was converted.
An American Baptist preacher opposed our work in two discourses. At the close of his second discourse, an intelligent Baptist arose and said, “I have something to say. I came here expecting to hear something in favor of the first-day Sabbath, but what I have heard is against it. When next Saturday comes I shall keep the Sabbath.” This testimony was followed by a dozen loud amens from new converts. The Lord gave freedom in replying. God bless the work in Western Kansas!
D. T. BOURDEAU.
CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By John G. Matteson
The disturbance mentioned in last week's report, and the articles that have appeared in leading papers, have greatly increased the interest. No less than five hundred people have pressed into our hired house, occupying every apartment within reach of my voice as well as the hall and stairs. Sunday evening at least twelve hundred people attended in the large hall. Every foot of room was occupied, so that there was only room left for me to stand on a box. Yet crowds went away because they could not get in, and some climbed up in the windows outside, so that all the windows presented faces of such as were determined to hear. I spoke on the two covenants, and the best of attention was given to the very last.
About a month ago I was invited to take a leading part in a Sunday-school. The number of children increased very much, but also the number of opposers. At last the school was expelled from the hall formerly occupied on account of my presence, and we will now take the whole thing in hand. The teachers got up a Christmas-tree yesterday for the children in our rooms, and no less than one hundred and twenty-six children were present. We shall hereafter endeavor to get suitable teachers for these children.
More than forty friends signed the covenant last Sabbath, and we intend to take further steps this week to fully organize a church in harmony with the Scriptures and with the law of this country. Most of our books are gone except some four-page tracts. In view of the hard times, the friends have donated quite liberally toward the expenses of the meetings. Their donations amount in all to nearly $100. Up to the present time, I have paid out about $25 more than this for the meetings.
The truth is working on hundreds of honest minds. A number of Swedes have embraced the truth. Many other places in Norway and Sweden seem to present just as good fields of labor. May the Lord direct. Pray for us.
JOHN G. MATTESON.
Osterhausgaden 12, Jan. 6, 1879.
Uniopolis and Spencerville
By G. G. Rupert
On returning to Uniopolis I met Bro. T. F. Emans. We preached these discourses, and visited from house to house. One man and his wife embraced the truth, making fourteen in all. Regular meetings were appointed, a Sabbath-school was organized, and the tithing system adopted and a treasurer appointed. Some brethren who are running a saw-mill, since adopting the tithing system have commenced to keep new books, and say the Lord is the third partner.
I commenced meetings in Spencerville, Jan. 13. Bro. Emans has been with me part of the time. The interest is good, but opposition is bitter. The post-master, who is one of the leading merchants of the place, has embraced the truth. He has sent in his resignation of the office of post-master, giving his reason for doing so. Four others observed last Sabbath, and a number more are on the point of decision. Our publications have been sent here, and they have prepared the minds of some of the people to receive the truth.
G. G. RUPERT.
E. B. LANE
By E. B. Lane; J. F. Carman
Potterville.— We have had nine very interesting meetings with the church at Potterville. Sabbath their house of worship was well filled. Nearly two hundred Sabbath-keepers were present, and we seldom attend meetings where the Spirit of God affects hearts more than it did at these meetings. Nearly all the congregation were in tears during the discourses. The attendance from without was excellent. The church here have come up nobly on the tithing system and other church business, and about sixteen of their T. and M. members raised their club of Signs from nineteen to seventy-six copies. After an absence of seven years it was truly encouraging to meet with this dear people, and find them so zealous and willing to labor on. May God bless their labors to great good.
E. B. LANE
J. F. CARMAN, Director.
KENTUCKY
By S. Osborn
Elizabethtown.—All who attended our good quarterly meeting here pronounced it the best we ever held. The weather was inclement, yet one team came fifty miles, others twenty-five, etc. The Lord seemed to be near from the very commencement. We celebrated the ordinances, held one T. and M. meeting, disfellowshipped one member, and received three members. We also held a Sabbath-school meeting, and took ten copies of the weekly Instructor. A subscription of $9.55 was raised for the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, of which $5.35 was paid; 45 cents was donated to the Oakland church. The tithing system was adopted. Quite a number of copies of the Signs were taken.
While we were speaking Sunday evening on the subject, “Will it Pay to be a Christian?” a sister was taken very ill. All the hygienic remedies at hand were applied without any good results, and about midnight she requested us to present her case to the Lord. At the close of the season of prayer she remarked, “I am well; the Lord has healed me. It will pay to be a Christian.” She arose, and sat up quite a while. The next morning, when we left, she was well and rejoicing in the Lord. This is the work of the Lord.
S. OSBORN.
Knob Lick, Metcalfe Co., Jan. 22.
MISSOURI
By George L. Butler
Macon City and Sedalia.—I spent Sabbath and Sunday at Macon City, and spoke four times to small audiences. There seems to be very little religious interest in this place, and the same is true of many other places all around us. I do not judge thus because few attended our meetings; for we are little known here, as the present truth has never been preached near by. But very few seem to attend church anywhere, and quite a number of churches have no preaching, and those that do are slimly attended. This state of things shows the terrible religious apathy prevailing everywhere. Fun and nonsense will draw people, however.
I stopped at Macon more especially to see Bro. H. D. Clark, the director of this district, who lives there. Bro. C. embraced the Sabbath in Nebraska, and was acting as station agent, “telegraph operator, etc., with a salary of from $65 to $125 per month, all of which he gave up17for the truth’s sake. Being a lame man with a wooden limb, he cannot do every kind of work, and he has had much sickness to contend with, and has been brought into straightened circumstances. He could have a salary any time were it not for the Sabbath. His heart is in the work, and he is most anxious to find some position of usefulness, where his past knowledge of business will be of some use to the cause and to his family. He is willing to do anything honorable. May God open some way before this dear brother. He could run an engine and do many kinds of business which usually command good wages. If our brethren know of any good chances, they will please address him or me.
After quite a lengthy absence, I am again at Sedalia, and am rejoiced to find a goodly number still loving the truth. Some have gone back, as usual, and one more has commenced to keep the Sabbath. Though the night was dark and very disagreeable, and the roads muddy, yet nearly all our old congregation were out to hear the word spoken. They are circulating tracts, and doing what they can. We expect a good church in Sedalia. GEO. L. BUTLER.
WHAT'S DONE FOR GOD CAN NEVER DIE.
By E. P. Marvin
Ho, ye who spend your strength for naught,
And loathe the prize so dearly bought;
Toilers of earth, and time, and sense,
O what shall be your recompense?
Of all that's done beneath the sky,
Little hath immortality;
What's done for earth fails by-and-by,
What's done for God can never die.
Ho, ye who join the eager strife
For gold, or fame, or pride of life;
Who pamper lusts of flesh and eye,
And for the world with worldlings vie,
Death will undo your toil so vain,
And leave you no abiding gain;
What's done for time ends by-and-by,
What's done for God can never die.
Cheops may crumble back to dust,
Scepters and crowns deceive our trust,
And fail desire and perish lust;
By moth, or rust, or thief, or fire,
Our treasures fail; our hopes expire;
What's done for sense fails by-and-by,
What's done for God can never die.
When comes the King in royal might
To crush the wrong and crown the right;
When all the saints in glory meet,
No more to die, no more to weep;
When thrones are set and crowns are given,
With all the rich rewards of Heaven,
Oh! in that heavenly by-and-by
What's done for God can never die.
Then do for God, do what you can,
O mortal and immortal man!
A wasted life—ah me, to grieve!—
Eternity cannot retrieve!
A fruitful life for man and God
Eternity will well reward;
Probation ceases by-and-by,
What's done for God can never die.
—E. P. Marvin, in Messiah's Herald.
OHIO
By H. A. St. John
East Norwalk.—Eight souls are now obedient to the faith. H. A. St. John. Norwalk, Jan. 30.
A. O. BURRILL
By A. O. Burrill; A. M. Mann
Corsica, Jan. 27.—Thirty or thirty-five have decided to keep the Sabbath, and a large number more are deciding. Last evening all could not find seats in the hall. In many places, when we begin to present the Sabbath some become frightened and remain away; but it is not so here; for the more we say about the Sabbath the more they come to hear. This surprises us. At our meeting last Saturday it did us good to hear the testimonies of those who were keeping their first or second Sabbath. We confidently expect the Lord to do a great work here.
A. O. BURRILL
A. M. MANN.
MINNESOTA
By John W. Moore; J. L. House
Dassel, Jan. 30.—The interest at this place is still increasing. Twenty-five are now keeping the Sabbath, and a great many are interested, and are investigating.
JOHN W. MOORE.
J. L. HOUSE.
KANSAS
By Geo. Kennedy
Clinton, Jan. 24.—As the result of my meetings south of Clinton, one influential family has taken a stand on the Sabbath. The brother who is the head of this family can speak three languages. GEO. KENNEDY.
NEBRASKA
By H. A. Jenkins
Scott, Jan. 29.—I have given thirteen discourses to good audiences. The subject of the nature of man made quite a stir among the people, but I have had no opposition as yet. Commence on the Sabbath question to-night. I feel my need of the help of the Lord.
H. A. JENKINS.
Labor Among the Danes Near Fremont
By John Johnson
Fremont, Dodge Co., Jan. 28.—Since the 25th of December I have labored among the Danes eight miles north of Fremont. The truth was presented here three years ago, and six commenced keeping the Sabbath, two of whom have moved away. We have had good, attentive audiences. At our last meeting twenty-two expressed their belief that the seventh day is the Sabbath. The Spirit of the Lord has been with us in these meetings. I visited forty-three families, and obtained thirty subscribers for our periodicals. Sold books to the value of $7.50, and received $3.50 in donations. JOHN JOHNSON.
NEW YORK.
By R. F. Cottrell
Aurora, Erie Co., Jan. 31.—A house of worship has been fitted up in this place by an individual who belongs to no church, and it is to be free for all denominations. I am here to make arrangements for a series of meetings and a course of lectures. There are a few Sabbath-keepers here who embraced the truth from the efforts of Bro. Reynolds last May with the tent.
R. F. COTTRELL,
Meetings in Lindley
By D. T. Fero
Lindley, Steuben Co.—I held meetings in a school-house four miles from Lawrenceville, in the town of Lindley, until Jan. 22. The snow has been very deep; but the interest has been good. Three have commenced to keep the Sabbath, two of whom never made a profession before. Bro. T. M. Lane came to continue the meetings here while I attended the meeting at Wellsville. D. T. FERO.
MAINE
By J. B. Goodrich
Cornville, Jan. 28.—Twelve have commenced to keep the Sabbath here, and others are interested. Our meetings, which have been very interesting, have been broken up at times by severe snow-storms. This has made it necessary for us to remain longer than we otherwise should have done, and has kept us from visiting other churches. Our brethren and sisters in Cornville are greatly encouraged at the result of the meetings. May the Lord still give the increase.
J. B. GOODRICH.
MICHIGAN
By William H. Littlejohn
Report of Labor.— From Jan. 7 to Jan. 27, I labored with the church at Freeland. The church in that place numbers from thirty to forty members, and though it has been greatly afflicted in time past by internal dissensions, it is still in a situation to accomplish much good provided the members shall appreciate their opportunities. Greatly to my surprise, I found that there was little or no prejudice existing in the community against our views. Night after night their commodious house of worship was well filled with attentive hearers. During my stay three adult persons commenced the service of the Lord, and several who had backslidden entered again the Christian course. All things considered, my visit with them was very pleasant, and I trust profitable to all concerned. I left them much encouraged, and very hopeful for the future.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
Meetings at Sidney and Nevin’s Lake
By Orlando Soule
Sidney, Montcalm Co., Jan. 28.—Meetings at Sidney closed the 26th. A few embraced the Sabbath, and regular Sabbath meetings will be held. I expect to meet with them often. Many are convinced; but as this is a lumbering district, men are slow to obey, fearing that they cannot make a living.
Jan. 27, I commenced meetings at Nevin's Lake, two and one-half miles from Sidney, with a good attendance. ORLANDO SOULE.
Meetings in Sparta, Michigan
By G. A. Carlstedt
Sparta, Kent Co., Jan. 27.—I held meetings every evening last week, and spoke three times yesterday. I have had a fair congregation of interested hearers at each meeting. Four of these discourses were in the Swedish language, and the rest in English. The Swedes that attend are interested, and indorse everything I have yet said, which has been on man's nature and destiny. Many of the American families seem interested.
The Swedish Lutheran minister does not like my presence here. I have obtained another subscriber for the Herald, and distributed several hundred pages of tracts in the settlement.
G. A. Carlstedt.
DAKOTA
By S. B. Whitney
Elk Point, Jan. 27.—Circumstances prevented my visiting Big Springs last week as I intended, so I have been here all the week. Have held meetings every evening but one, and have succeeded in getting matters in the church and Sabbath-school into better order than they have been. I set the subject of tithing before the church, and all that were present acknowledged its correctness, and most of them pledged themselves to adopt it.
I go from this place to Big Springs.
S. B. WHITNEY.
IOWA
By J. H. Morrison
Clarence.—After the discussion at Olin, I came to Clarence in company with Brn. Hart and Pegg. This little band, with the help of a large circle of friends, has completed a very neat little meeting-house. The house was built under the energetic supervision of Bro. Russell Hart. I remained about ten days, and enjoyed some good meetings with the brethren here.
I then came with Bro. Pegg to Bro. Nelson Mitchell’s, about four miles from Olin, and through his influence secured the Baptist church, where we have been holding meetings for about two weeks, with a good hearing.
I may leave in a few days, but I hope that God may bless Bro. P., and crown his labors with great success. J. H. MORRISON.
Garden Grove
Garden Grove.—A note from this little company speaks of good meetings on the 4th, 11th, and 18th of January. On the first Sabbath in the new year, all resolved to live nearer to God. Their little meetings are a source of encouragement and strength.
PACIFIC COAST.
Bro. Wood has commenced a series of meetings at Hanford, Tulare county, Cal., and Bro. J. D. Rice at Willows, Colusa county, each with encouraging prospects.
At Temperance Colony, Fresno county, Cal., where Brn. Wood and Morton have been laboring, nine more have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and have signed the church covenant, and as many more have promised to do so.
Jan. 11 and 12, Bro. B. A. Stephens organized a church of seven members at Reno, Nevada. The ordinances were here celebrated for the first time in the State of Nevada by Seventh-day Adventists. Bro. Stephens commenced a series of meetings at Genoa, Nevada, Jan. 15.
Illinois
By G. W. Colcord
Morrison, Aledo, and Belvidere.—Early in January I held a few meetings in and near Morrison. Sabbath-schools, social meetings, and missionary work show increased life. They take a club of the Signs, and we trust the V. M. workers will reap. I spoke three times in the Universalist church in M.; and they offer it to me for future use. Should be glad if there could be a tent effort here this year.
I held nine meetings at Aledo, Jan. 9–12. Several said, “In the future we shall strive to accomplish more for the cause of God.” I trust some will be saved from Aledo; but before the great gift of eternal life can be bestowed the trials must be put away, and preparation must be made for the “shaking time,” upon which we are soon fully to enter. Pray, watch, endure, and be saved! On the Sabbath we had a good meeting. At the tract meeting on Sunday two workers were added to Dist. No. 4. Friends, other considerations being equal, it is the laborer, and not the idler, who is happy.
I came to Belvidere Jan. 17, and attended nine meetings. All were encouraging. The Sabbath-school ranks among the best in our Conference. A larger number of brethren and sisters were present than had been expected. The tract meeting was a source of encouragement. Brethren and sisters in Northern Illinois, be devoted to God, and he will continue to bless you.
G. W. Colcord.
Meetings in Jefferson County
By J. B. Logan
Jefferson Co.—Jan. 1, I commenced meetings at the Williamson school-house, and continued them until the 10th. The interest was good. Several were convinced on the Sabbath and nature of man. I was obliged to leave on account of hoarseness, but return to-day, Jan. 19. J. B. LOGAN.
INDIANA
By S. H. Lane
Springfield, Wolf Lake, Ligonier, and Rochester.—Jan. 8 to 11, I labored at Springfield, Noble county, where Bro. J. S. Shrock was completing a series of meetings. The Lord blessed, and some have embraced the truth.
Jan. 12 to 16, I was at Wolf Lake and Ligonier. The outside interest at Wolf Lake is good. The attendance was large. At almost every quarterly meeting some are added to the church. Steps were taken toward the erection of a meeting-house. At Ligonier all the members present adopted the tithing system but three, and they pledged $67 for the year. A club of thirty-one copies was raised for the Signs. Some very interesting letters received by the V. M. society were read at this meeting. Souls are rejoicing in the truth through their labor. The report of labor for the last quarter was large.
The State T. and M. quarterly meeting at Rochester, Jan. 17 to 20, was largely attended. On Sabbath and first-day our house of worship was well filled. As we saw nearly one hundred rejoicing in the truth, we could but praise the Lord for the progress of his cause in the north-western part of the State during the past three years.
The T. and M. quarterly report for the State was encouraging. Enough money has been raised during the quarter to pay over one-half of our State debt at the publishing houses. This is as it should be, and we hope by another quarter to get out of debt, and thus have our State library paid for, and some means on hand. Let all our T. and M. members work to that point.
First-day, after the business meeting, we had a general class, or school, for instruction in T. and M. work, business letters, and reports. Much interest was manifested. All felt that the occasion was very profitable.
The past few days I have been laboring at New London. I am holding a class, or school, in the interest of the T. and M. work. All seem anxious to learn and to act.
S. H. LANE.
Meetings at Mechanicsburg
By J. P. Henderson
Mechanicsburg.—Held meetings at Mechanicsburg, Jan. 18, 19. Five or six have discarded tobacco, pork, etc.; others will soon follow, and a church will yet be organized. We obtained six subscribers for the Signs, two for the Review, and four for the Instructor.
Jan. 25. J. P. HENDERSON.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth.” Rev. 14:13.
FELL asleep in Jesus, Jan. 9, 1879, at Wolf Lake, Noble county, Ind., Bro. Jacob Karr, aged 94 years and 6 months. Father Karr made a profession of religion sixteen years ago, but never united with any church until about one year since, when he became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church at Wolf Lake. He listened to and embraced the truth about three years ago. Although he was nearly ninety-two years old, and had been addicted to the constant use of tobacco for more than seventy-five years, he gave it up entirely. He was baptized last spring. He seemed devoted, and often spoke in the social meetings. He leaves a large circle of children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren to mourn their loss. Funeral discourse by the writer to a large and attentive congregation. S. H. LANE. (Signs of the Times, please copy.)
BRO. JOHN McDONALD, of Beaverville, Ill., died Sept. 19, 1878, in the 76th year of his age. With his companion and their three youngest daughters, he embraced the truth in 1875 under the labors of Eld. R. F. Andrews, and he loved the truth ever after. He died in hope. A large family mourn their loss. T. M. STEWARD.
N. S. ELLIOT died of consumption at the home of his father, John R. Elliot, in Mechanicsburg, Henry county, Ind., Jan. 17, 1879, aged 22 years, 11 months, and 7 days. He was an earnest worker in the church and Sabbath-school, where he will be greatly missed. But the afflicted parents and sorrowing friends do not mourn without hope. Sermon by the writer. Text John 11:25. W. W. SHARP.
FELL asleep in Mooresville, Mo., Dec. 4, 1878, Anna H., infant daughter of P. and H. Dawson; also in Corunna, Shiawassee county, Mich., Dec. 31, while on their way home from Missouri, their son, Floyd A., aged 4 years, 11 months, and 17 days. These sweet buds of promise sleep to wake at the voice of Jesus. S. LUCINDA CRANE.
DIED at his residence near Davis City, Iowa, Jan. 18, 1879, George Rockwell, aged 45 years. He joined the Mormon church fourteen years ago, but on hearing part of a course of lectures, he commenced keeping the Sabbath. About a year ago he was baptized by Bro. C. A. Washburn. A wife and four children mourn his loss. We believe he sleeps in Jesus. Funeral discourse from Job 14: 14. A. P. SCOTT.
Notes of News.
—England has 2,759 periodicals.
—Cuba spends nothing for public education.
—In Thibodeaux, La., there are 50 lepers. The original one arrived there 20 years ago.
—The national debt of Great Britain is £775,000,000; that of France is £940,000,000.
—Chicago and Indianapolis, 210 miles apart, converse by telephone.
—A sapphire, weighing two pounds and worth $50,000, has been discovered by two boys in Ceylon.
—There is a serious famine in upper Egypt. Relief has been forwarded.
—The Russians are taking active measures to prevent the spread of the plague.
—There has been an increase of 439 schools in South Carolina the past year.
—7,000 miners are idle in Durham county, England. The distress is the greatest experienced since the great strike in 1844.
—Nearly 95 out of every 100 of the 138,407 children of Connecticut between four and sixteen years of age, attended school last year.
—The Coroner reports for 1878, 95 suicides and 27 homicides for San Francisco, a city of 320,000 inhabitants.
—A San Francisco paper estimates that from 50,000 to 100,000 boxes of raisins were put up in California last year.
—A Cincinnati engineer has just completed a contract with French capitalists to build a narrow-gauge railroad from Jerusalem to Jaffa.
—Among the 19 who united with the church at Amherst, Mass., the first Sabbath of the year, were a Japanese and an Armenian.
—It speaks poorly for domestic felicity in San Francisco, that last year there were 284 divorces there, or one to every eight marriages.
—There has been skating lately in Atlanta, Ga., for the first time in twenty years, and a thousand pounds of ice were cut and packed for the first time in that neighborhood.
—The new French Protestant daily paper is to be started in Paris, April 16, with Mr. Leon Pilatte of Nice, as editor. Its title is to be “Le Réformateur Anti-Clérical et Républicain.”
—About $20,000 has been received in voluntary subscriptions for building a church in Berlin to be called a “Church of Thanks,” to commemorate the escape of the emperor from the assassin.
—Pope Leo is proposing to create a Scotch cardinal. Scotland has now six Roman Catholic bishops, 272 priests, and 264 churches and chapels; in 1851 it had only 118 priests and 97 churches and chapels.
—There has been an unusual amount of sickness and death among the members of Congress this session, four having died since the beginning of the holiday season. Drunkenness and late hours, it is believed, are in part responsible.
—The government of Samoa has sent this country a mat six feet square, made of cocoanut fiber. It is 300 years old, and valued at $2000. Inside of it, as a token of good-will, was wrapped up the recent Samoan treaty with our government.
—A recent ruling of the Post-office Department excludes matter printed by the papyrographic process, electric pen, and type-writer, from the mails, except on payment of the first-class or letter rate of postage. Some firms say that this order will increase their postage bills $1,000 a year.
—During the late war 594,000 Russian soldiers poured down through Roumania into Turkey. Of these 58,800 were sent back by rail wounded, and 62,150 ill; 31,000 sick went home to Odessa by sea; 29,000 are still in hospital; 31,000 laid their bones in Roumania, and 99,000 perished in Bulgaria.
—The most powerful microscope ever constructed was recently exhibited before the New York Academy of Sciences by Dr. E. Cutter, of Boston. It was made by R. A. Tolles, with “a one seventy-fifth objective,” requiring a working distance of only one two hundred and fiftieth of an inch, and magnifies 6,250,000 times!
—The alphabets of the world vary from 12 letters in the Sandwich Islands to 202 in the Ethiopic, the Burmese having 19, the Italian 20, the Bengalese 21, the Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldee, and Samaritan 22 each, the French 23, the Greek 24, the Latin 25, the German, Dutch, and English 26 each, the Spanish 27, the Arabic 28, the Persian 32, the Russian 41, and the Sanscrit 50.
—Dr. Garrett, of England, has invented a novel torpedo-boat. This boat, constructed of iron, can be made to sink, rise, move forward or backward, above or below the surface of the water, at the will of the manipulator. By means of long, straight waterproof bags, the operator gets the free use of his arms outside of his boat to work the torpedo.
—The Christian Weekly records an example recently set at a funeral, which is worthy of extensive imitation. A young and lovely lady died, and her father, instead of spending a large amount of money on an ostentatious funeral, buried her plainly, and presented a liberal check to a benevolent institution in which his daughter was much interested.
—In Dublin, at a conference between some gentlemen who were planning for a library for working men, and a delegation of working men, several of the latter, who were Roman Catholics, vigorously opposed the censorship of the priests in regard to the books to be selected for the library. This looks as though the Irish mind were rousing.
—A dispatch from Rome says that, in addition to the proposed appointment of several Vicars Apostolic in parts of America destitute of episcopal churches, the Vatican intends to establish several new bishoprics in the United States. The pope has sent a circular to bishops outside of Europe, with the view of extending the collection of Peter’s Pence in all countries of the world.
—Pope Leo XIII. is reported to be engaged in drawing up the plan of an agreement to be entered into by all the European Powers with a view to the repression of Socialistic and International tendencies. The Vatican authorities are working out the details, and the whole will, when completed, be dispatched to the Papal representatives abroad for submission to the governments to which they are accredited.
The Human and Equine Population of the Globe.
A recent number of Petermann’s “Mittheilungen” contains fresh information regarding the population of the globe. According to these new researches the globe has now about 1,439,145,300 inhabitants. Europe contains 310,398,480; Asia, 831,000,000; Africa, 205,210,500; Australia and Polynesia, 4,413,000; America, 86,116,000. This gives an average of 500 inhabitants per square mile of the surface of the globe. After calculating the number of human beings on the globe, the German statisticians turn their attention to the number of horses. This is estimated at about 58,000,000; of which number the contingent of Russia is about 21,750,000; that of the United States, 9,504,000; the Argentine Republic, 4,000,000; Germany, 3,352,000; Canada, 2,264,000; Great Britain, 2,255,000; Hungary, 2,179,000; Austria, 1,367,000; Turkey, 1,100,000; France, nearly 3,000,000, etc.