p. 37 | Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 5. (7/19/1870)

Thoughts on the Book of Daniel.

CHAPTER VIII. (VERSE 14, CONTINUED.)

4. THERE remains but one more position to be examined; namely, That the sanctuary mentioned in the text, is what Paul calls in Hebrews the “true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man,” to which he expressly gives the name of “the sanctuary,” and which he locates in “the Heavens;” of which sanctuary, we had under the former dispensation, first in the tabernacle built by Moses, and afterward in the temple at Jerusalem, a pattern, type, or figure. And let it be particularly noticed, that on the view here suggested, rests our only hope of ever understanding this question; for we have seen that all other positions are untenable. No other object which has ever been supposed by any one to be the sanctuary, neither the earth, the land of Canaan, nor the church, can for a moment support its claim. If, therefore, we do not find it in the object before us, we may abandon the search in utter despair; we may discard so much of revelation as still unrevealed, and may cut out the numerous passages which speak of this subject, as so much useless lumber on the sacred page. All those, therefore, who, rather than that so important a subject should go by default, are willing to lay aside all preconceived opinions and cherished views, will approach the position before us with intense anxiety and unbounded interest. They will lay hold of any evidence that may here be given us, as a man bewildered in a labyrinth of darkness, would lay hold on the thread which was his only guide to lead him forth again to light, or as the perishing man would leap for the last life-boat that could rescue him from destruction.

It will be safe for us to put ourselves in imagination in the place of Daniel, and view the subject from his standpoint. What would he understand by the term sanctuary as addressed to him? If we can ascertain this, it will not be difficult to arrive at correct conclusions on this subject. His mind would inevitably turn, on the mention of that word, to the sanctuary of that dispensation; and certainly he will know what that was. His mind did turn to Jerusalem, the city of his fathers, which was then in ruins, and to their “beautiful house,” which, as Isaiah laments, was burned with fire. And so, as was his wont, with his face turned toward the place of their once venerated temple, he prayed God to cause his face to shine upon his sanctuary which was desolate. By the word sanctuary, Daniel evidently understood their temple at Jerusalem.

But Paul bears testimony, which is most explicit on this point. Heb. 9:1: “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.” This is the very point which at present we are concerned to determine: What was the sanctuary of the first covenant? Paul proceeds to tell us. Hear him: Verses 2–5. “For there was a tabernacle made; the first [or first apartment] wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary [margin, the holy]. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.”

There is no mistaking the object to which Paul here has reference. It is the tabernacle erected by Moses according to the direction of the Lord, with a holy and a most holy place, and various vessels of service, as here set forth. A full description of this building, with its various vessels and their uses, will be found in Exodus, chapter 25, and onward. If the reader is not familiar with this subject, he is requested to turn and carefully examine the description of this building. This, Paul plainly says, was the sanctuary of the first covenant. And we wish the reader to carefully mark the logical value of this declaration. By telling us what did positively for a time constitute the sanctuary, Paul sets us on the right track of inquiry. He gives us a basis on which to work. For a time the field is cleared of all doubt and all obstacles. During the time covered by the first covenant, which reached from Sinai to Christ, we have before us a distinct and plainly-defined object, minutely described by Moses and declared by Paul to be the sanctuary during that time.

But Paul’s language has greater significance even than this. It forever annihilates the claims which are put forth in behalf of the earth, the land of Canaan, or the church, as the sanctuary. For the arguments which would prove them to be the sanctuary at any time, would prove them to be such under the old dispensation. If Canaan was ever the sanctuary, it was such when Israel were planted in it. If the church was ever the sanctuary, it was such when Israel were led forth from Egypt. If the earth was ever the sanctuary, it was such during the period of which we speak. To this period the arguments urged in their favor, apply; and if they were not the sanctuary during this time, then all the arguments are destroyed which would show that they ever were, or ever could be, the sanctuary. But were they the sanctuary during that time? This is a final question for these theories; and Paul decides it in the negative, by describing to us the tabernacle of Moses, and telling us that that, not the earth, nor Canaan, nor the church, was the sanctuary of that dispensation.

And this building meets all the requirements of the true sanctuary. 1. It was the earthly dwelling-place of God. “Let them make me a sanctuary,” said he to Moses, “that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25: 8. In this tabernacle, which they erected according to his instructions, he manifested his presence. 2. It was a holy or sacred place: “The holy sanctuary.” Lev. 16: 33. 3. It is over and over again called the sanctuary, in the word of God. Of the one hundred and forty-two instances in which the word is used in the Old Testament, it refers in almost every case to his building.

The tabernacle was at first constructed in such a manner as to be adapted to the condition of the children of Israel at that time. They were just entering upon their forty years’ wandering in the wilderness, when this building was set up in their midst, as the habitation of God, and the center of their religious worship. Journeying was a necessity, and removals were frequent. It would be necessary that the tabernacle should often be moved from place to place. It was, therefore, so fashioned of movable parts, the sides being composed of upright boards, and the covering consisting of curtains of linen and dyed skins, that it could be readily taken down, conveniently transported, and easily erected at each successive stage of their journey. After entering the promised land, this temporary structure in time gave place to the magnificent temple of Solomon. In this more permanent form it existed, saving only the time it lay in ruins in Daniel’s day, till its final destruction by the Romans, in A. D. 70.

This is the only sanctuary connected with the earth, about which the Bible gives us any instruction, or history any record. But is there nowhere any other? This was the sanctuary of the first covenant; with that covenant it came to an end; is there no sanctuary which pertains to the second or new covenant? There must be; otherwise there is no analogy between these covenants; and while one has a system of worship, which, though minutely described, is unintelligible, the other is indefinite and obscure. And Paul the same as asserts that the new covenant, in force since the death of Christ the testator, has a sanctuary; for when, in contrasting the two covenants, as he does in the book of Hebrews, he says, in chapter 9: 1, that the first covenant “had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary,” it is the same as saying that the new covenant has likewise its services and its sanctuary. Furthermore, in verse 8 of this chapter, he speaks of the worldly sanctuary as the first tabernacle. If that was the first, there must be a second; and as that existed so long as the first covenant was in force, the second must have succeeded to it when that came to its end, and must be the sanctuary of the new covenant. There can be no evading this conclusion.

Drunkenness in California

DRUNKENNESS has become fearfully prevalent among the wine-growing districts of California. Even young girls are sometimes seen reeling in the streets under the influence of “pure California.”

Our Nation's Progress.

In an article by Schuyler Colfax in the N. Y. Independent of July 7, 1870, we find the following statements concerning the rapid growth and present powerful position of this nation. Think of a nation with a territorial area fifteen times larger than that of two of the great powers of Europe combined; think of a coast line equal to the entire circumference of the globe; think of resources in one nation sufficient to sustain the present population of the earth. It is almost impossible to comprehend such an idea. If there is any difficulty in our application of prophecy to this country, it is that the nation is outgrowing the symbol. The difficulty is, not that it should be represented at all, but that the symbol by which it is represented should have been of more huge proportions, and more formidable appearances. Think, however, on the other hand, of the position of some, that the nation is not brought into prophecy at all! The thought borders on idiocy. Commencing with a brief glance at the past history of our government, Mr. C. says:—

“Wonderful, indeed, has been that history. Springing into life from under the heel of tyranny, its progress has been onward, with the firm step of a conqueror. From the rugged clime of New England, from the banks of the Chesapeake, from the savannahs of Carolina and Georgia, the descendants of the Puritan, the Cavalier, and the Huguenot, swept over the towering Alleghenies, but a century ago the barrier between civilization on the one side and almost unbroken barbarism on the other; and banners of the Republic waved from flagstaff and highland, through the broad valleys of the Ohio, the Mississippi, and the Missouri. Nor stopped its progress there. Thence still onward poured the tide of American civilization and progress, over the vast region of our Western plains; and from the snowy crests of the Sierras you look down on American States fronting the calm Pacific, an empire of themselves in resources and wealth, but loyal in our darkest hours to the nation whose authority they acknowledge and in whose glory they proudly share.

“From a territorial area of less than nine hundred thousand square miles, it has expanded into over four millions and a half—fifteen times larger than that of Great Britain and France combined—with a shore-line, including Alaska, equal to the entire circumference of the earth, and with a domain within these lines far wider than that of the Romans in their proudest days of conquest and renown. With a river, lake, and coastwise commerce estimated at over two thousand millions of dollars per year; with a railway traffic of four to six thousand millions per year, and the annual domestic exchanges of the country running up to nearly ten thousand millions per year; with over two thousand millions of dollars invested in manufacturing, mechanical, and mining industry; with over five hundred millions of acres of land in actual occupancy, valued, with their appurtenances, at over seven thousand millions of dollars, and producing annually crops valued at over three thousand millions of dollars; with a realm which, if the density of Belgium’s population were possible, would be vast enough to include all the present inhabitants of the world; and with equal rights guaranteed to even the poorest and humblest of our forty millions of people; we can, with a manly pride akin to that which distinguished the palmiest days of Rome, claim as the noblest title of the world, ‘I am an American citizen.’”

Gin Shops and Churches in New York

By Editor

In the First, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Wards of New York, there are 1,673 gin shops and nine churches. These tell volumes. We do not wonder that crime, lust and degradation hold high carnival in these localities. Is it right to build costly churches on spacious avenues, and leave Satan and wicked men in almost undisputed empire of large portions of the city?

Old and New.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

UNIVERSALISM is one hundred years old. Its centenary has been celebrated. The truth is much older than that. Still antiquity does not prove a thing to be true or false; for truth and error have been contemporaneous, and run parallel, ever since the first lie was introduced into the world, when the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. Since the first lie was believed, truth and error have existed in the world.

But there is this remarkable difference between truth and error. Truth is of God, and like God it does not change; but error is constantly changing its form—assuming some new dress to hide its deformities—that it may pass for truth. Truth is simple and easily told. It is so palpable that it requires no extraordinary faculties to affirm it, provided we are willing that the truth as it exists shall be truth. Nor so with falsehood and error. One lie needs ten more to make it believed. The support of error taxes the inventive faculties of the mind to the utmost. Hence new discoveries and inventions are in constant demand.

We have a good illustration of this in the medical profession. The people have got the idea that when sickness is upon them, which is the consequence of the violation of the physical laws of our being, they must, instead of returning to obedience of those laws, swallow something to make them well. This calls out all the wonderful discoveries of the all-healing medicines that flood our land. And as long as this fundamental error exists in the minds of the people, so long will quackery flourish, and the inventive genius will be taxed to discover the true panacea, the all-healing balm, which is to supersede all others, restoring health to our degenerate, and degenerating, dying, race, and fill the pockets of the discoverer; especially the latter.

To regain health we must go back to temperate living, and the observation and obedience of the physical laws of our being. And to obtain the truth and moral health, we must follow the directions of the word of God—“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” But the response of the people is, “We will not walk therein.” Jer. 6: 16. Hence the constant demand for new discoveries. The doctrine of the conversion of the whole world, and Universalism, both cry, Peace and safety; one to a favored race in the future, the other to all men, past, present, and future. They are not twins, for one is about two hundred years old, the other one hundred. In these progressive times the latest invention always claims to be the best; and if God is to compel the conversion of the whole world, notwithstanding the increasing wickedness, the unprecedented corruption, of these last days, would it not be a still greater improvement to decree the salvation of all those who have died in their sins?

And just here another child is born, completing the trio, or trinity, of doctrines, corresponding in a considerable degree, though advancing by steps of about a hundred years each. Spiritualism, the latest improvement, combines the improvements of the two former, and claims, of course, a decided preference over any of its predecessors.

But what about Adventism with its new teachings? The new teachings of genuine Adventism are all found in the old Bible. We go back to the fountain of truth, and sustain the truth that was contradicted by the first lie, namely, Ye shall not surely die. We search up the old paths—obedience to all the commandments of God, obligations that have existed ever since God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh. We teach “repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” as the only preparation to pass the test of the Judgment, and stand before the Coming One, who is to be revealed from Heaven taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These are some of the new things which we find in our old Bible; and we content ourselves with repeating those truths which have been true from the beginning, and obeying those commandments which date from the creation. Hence we are saved the trouble of inventing something to meet the exigencies of the times. We are thoroughly furnished in the Scriptures of truth. And we recommend to all to reject the wonderful discoveries of these later times, and seek for spiritual health and eternal salvation in obedience to the established laws of our Creator and Redeemer.

R. F. COTTERELL.

GEN. CONF. COM

Camp-Meetings.

THE importance of our camp-meetings can hardly be estimated. They afford a good opportunity for our people to have their minds refreshed with present truth, and present duty, and to consecrate themselves anew to the work. Also, at these meetings we can set forth many of the reasons of our faith and hope to thousands who have not heard, or if they have, do not feel the force of them.

And we wish here to call the attention of our people to one important duty. It is this: To help those out to our camp-meetings who are of moral worth, and in whom there are grounds to hope that the influence of such meetings would lead them to embrace the important truths for this time. Such persons should be invited to attend our camp-meetings. They should be encouraged, and even urged, to a proper extent, to attend them. Some may need assistance in getting to the ground, and in being cared for on the ground. We should have more tents, and more room for this class. We would be glad to see candid first-day Adventists, preachers, and people, and others of the various denominations, out to our camp-meetings. Let those brethren who can provide for such at camp-meetings, extend invitations to those they know are candid, and then let them take care of them.

But it should be distinctly understood that a camp-meeting is not a proper place for religious controversy. All religious bodies have a right to control this matter. Cheerfully we accord to others what we claim ourselves. But there are almost always those at such large gatherings, who delight in collecting around them knots of listeners, to whom they can talk out their views and feelings in opposition to the sentiments held by the people who sustain the meeting. But no Christian gentleman will take such liberties. And no such disorderly and unchristian conduct will be allowed at our camp-meetings. And we ask the hearty co-operation of all our people on this point, in that on no account they suffer themselves to be drawn into any controversial conversation with any one.

We design to freely give the reasons of our faith and hope in sermons from the stand, in which, however severe we may be regarded upon what we believe to be the popular errors of our times, we shall endeavor to treat all who hold those errors with Christian courtesy. We shall endeavor to treat all who attend our meetings, however much they differ with us in doctrine, with Christian kindness, and do all in our power to entertain them hospitably, so far as they may need, to make them comfortable while with us.

But it must be understood that Seventh-day Adventists claim the right to control their own meetings. And if any who attend them regard our rules as an abridgment of their liberty, we will give them perfect freedom at any time to leave us to the enjoyment of peace.

The great objects of our meetings are: 1. To set forth the reasons of our faith and hope. 2. To lead all our people to consecrate themselves to God, and to the interests of his cause. 3. To convince honest men and women of the truths of the word, and to lead them to seek Christ as the sinner's only hope of salvation. And as controversy and confusion would retard the accomplishment of these great and good objects, no pains will be spared to defeat the work of Satan in this direction, and to secure harmony and good order.

GEN. CONF. COM

Practical Thoughts on Scripture Subjects.

By John Nevins Andrews

THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR PRIVILEGES.

We can never realize the value of our privileges till they are past. While mercy and pardon are freely offered, we cannot realize the greatness of the offer. But when this is no longer extended, and we find that we have wasted all our season of probation, we shall too late awaken to the fact that we have wasted that which was of infinite worth. It is, therefore, of the utmost consequence that we improve our privileges while we enjoy them. They will not last always. They may close at any time. We should use every one as being the last. Acting thus, we shall make sure of everlasting life.

EVERY MAN HAS HIS PROPER PLACE TO FILL.

There is some place in which every person can be useful. Yet few persons are ambitious to labor in their own proper sphere. It seems to be something inherent in human nature to desire to excel in those things wherein there is a lack. So men seek for work that is not suitable in any respect, simply because that in such directions they have a vain desire to excel. Our own place is always one of such a character as to inspire humility and lowliness in us. Satan is willing that we should be very active in our work if our work is not in the order of God. What we all need, is to know our own place, and then in humble obedience to faithfully fill it. God will bless us in our own proper sphere of action. Let us find our place and faithfully fill it.

THE PEOPLE OF SODOM NOT DESTITUTE OF THE LIGHT OF TRUTH.

We are apt to think that the Sodomites lived in a very dark age of the world, and were, therefore, in comparative ignorance of the truths of the Bible. Let us see if there is not a mistake. First, it is certain that they had one righteous family dwelling in their midst. They regarded Lot as a man who wished to be a judge, because he condemned their wicked deeds. See Gen. 19; 2 Pet. 2. Second, it was their great privilege to have Abraham, the friend of God, to live within a few miles of them. They had occasion to be acquainted with him as he delivered them out of the hands of the kings that carried them captive. Gen. 14. Third, Melchisedec, a greater than Abraham, lived near them. Gen. 14. And fourth, Shem, the son of Noah who had witnessed the flood, lived fifty years after the building of Sodom. Surely, Sodom had no excuse for lack of light.

THE WICKED SHALL NOT STAND IN THE JUDGMENT.

Why not? Simply because they are wicked. The Judgment is for the express purpose of punishing every sin not forgiven before that event. Unless, therefore, the sinner be stronger than the Judge, he must fall beneath his sin-avenging hand. Strange that men should be willing to test this question with the Judge of the quick and dead. The day is swiftly hastening toward us. We cannot be too much in earnest to put away our sins. He who will be our Judge is now ready to help us in putting away our sins. When he has finished the work in us, we shall certainly be able to bear his inspection. But this will never be finished in us unless we make most earnest and continued efforts.

OUR TIME IS PASSING.

Swiftly we hasten toward the Judgment. Our days all count. Even those that are full of sorrow, tarry with us no longer than those that are the most joyous and precious. We need not murmur nor complain. Ours is a steady onward march toward our final home. The wheels of time are swiftly revolving, and they never turn backward. Let us make every day count. So to number our days that we shall continually apply our hearts to wisdom, is the great secret of safety at the end.

J. N. ANDREWS.

Meetings in Michigan.

By Joseph Bates

My last report, June 12, was respecting our series of meetings in Hastings, Bowne, Gainesville, Vergennes, Fair Plains, and Orleans.

June 18–20, was with the church in Oakland and Rochester. Held five meetings with them, and celebrated the ordinances. Labored with them in their families to overcome the besetments and temptations of the evil one, and follow the increasing light of the third angel's message, where God was blessing his people.

June 21–27, held five interesting meetings with the church in Memphis. Many of them manifest a strong desire to overcome, and reign with Jesus. Enjoyed much freedom in praying with Sr. McConnel, who was not expected to live. Her faith in the message was unwavering. She said, “I am willing to die if it be the will of the Lord.” God bless and save her, is our prayer.

Bro. Gurney’s team brought me nineteen miles, to Bro. Dickson’s. From thence I came twenty miles further to Lapeer. Here I spent six days visiting the brethren and the sick ones. Sabbath and first-day, held seven meetings. The brethren were much encouraged and strengthened, and are laboring to free themselves from the burden of their indebtedness for their meeting-house. We held our first meeting here last evening. JOSEPH BATES.

Holly, Mich., July 7, 1870.

Faith and Works.

By Emily L. Canright

By an act of disobedience, Adam fell from his first estate. He lost his home in Eden, and was driven from the tree of life, and so lost his hope of immortality. He was in a deplorable condition, a criminal before God, doomed from hence forth to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow, and finally to die and return to dust from whence he was taken. God loved him, and the angels pitying, “cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow.” Yet the threatened doom was just, and there was no reprieve. Adam must die; and that would have been his final end, and in him the end of the whole race of mankind, had not Heaven provided means for his redemption. “God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” But what is it to believe on the Son of God? To believe that he was the Christ merely? No; for nearly all the civilized world believe that. To believe that he died on the cross? No; for we have history, sacred and profane to prove that statement true. To believe that he left the courts of Heaven and all the glory of the Father, and came down to this lower world, and walked in its humble sphere, and then suffered an ignominious death on the cross to redeem a fallen world? That is nearer to believing on him; but that is not all. But believe, that he died for me. Believe, that though you lost your life in Adam, through faith in Christ you are redeemed.

But with this faith you must have works. They constitute another element equally essential to the Christian character. We are not saved “by works, lest any man should boast;” yet we can never inherit eternal life without them. They are the clear stream that flows from a fountain pure, the good fruit of a good tree, that which shows our faith to be a living faith. “Ye see then how by works a man is justified and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

EMILY L. CANRIGHT.

Fast Times.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THAT these are fast times, is agreed on every hand. Everything is done with almost lightning speed. It indicates the rapid approach of the end. The rapidity with which men travel, news is carried, and business done, is truly astonishing. Here is an item from the Cedar Rapids Times:

“ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE AGE.—On the 6th day of May, 1870, J. Sosel, Esq., mailed a letter in Cedar Rapids, containing a draft on a firm in the center of Bohemia, and on the 30th day of May the money arrived at the Post Office here, via St. Louis! Of course part of the business must have been done by telegraph, yet this does not detract from the wonderful

annihilation of time and distance which the inventions of modern times have accomplished. Think of it! Important business transacted, directly between citizens of the far West in the new world and those in the interior of the old, in the space of twenty-three days.”

What would the good people of fifty years ago have thought of such a statement? It would have been a miracle to them. Here is another statement from the Cincinnati Times, still more wonderful:

“In experimenting in London recently on telegraphy, messages were sent to Teheran, in Persia, a distance of 6700 miles, and answers were received in thirty seconds.”

In all this we see the hand of God preparing the way for his last and mighty work in the earth to be done in a brief time. May we be ready to engage in it.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

ISHI

Thou shalt call me Ishi [my husband], and shalt call me no more Baali [my Lord], and I will betroth thee unto me forever. Hosea 2:16, 19.

Oh! my heart is full of laughter, And I'm very, very glad; For I have a precious treasure, Such as princes never had. Ishi! Ishi! is the Jewel, Mine He is while ages roll, Angels taste not of the glory, Holy Ishi, of the soul.

All my love no tongue can utter, All its wondrous depths and power, Growing deeper, growing stronger, Day by day, and hour by hour. Ishi! Ishi! night and morning, From my lips that holy name, All the while my soul exalting, In the self-same joyous strain.

Many beauteous names thou bearest, Brother, Shepherd, Friend, and King; But they none unto my spirit, Such divine support can bring. Other joys are short and fleeting, Thou and I can never part; Thou art altogether lovely, Ishi! Ishi! of my heart.

Earthly loves are very lovely, Passing, passing fair, they seem; But they come and go before me, Like some bright and happy dream. Thou art a reality, From which, like dreams, I never wake, These I cast aside as nothing, Ishi! Ishi! for thy sake.

In thy own fair realms of glory In the holiest above; Choirs of angels chant the story, Of thy wondrous, matchless love. All my longings are contented, All my wanderings turn to thee; Polestar of my restless spirit— Ishi! all in all to me.

When the sun of life is setting; When the shades of evening fall; And upon earth's fairest visions, Cometh darkness like a pall; Then, O Ishi! well beloved, I shall see thy glorious face; Finding in thy lovely bosom My eternal resting place.

—Selected for Review.

The Sabbath

By A. S. Hutchins

WAS designed to be a blessing to man in all ages. It is a commemorative institution, reminding us in its weekly return, of the handy works of the Creator, as manifest in the creation of the world. In divine beauty and matchless splendor, his infinite wisdom and boundless goodness, are herein revealed. So that with one anciently we may say, “O how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.”

The apostle says, “The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead.” Rom. 1:20. The man then who dares deny the existence of God, or he who hath said in his heart there is no God, is “without excuse.” All nature testifies to this, the heavens above, the earth beneath, the existence of man and beast, and the fowls of the air. Turn our attention in whatever direction we will, we see overwhelming evidences of this great, grand, and clearly revealed truth; which is the foundation of all true religion, the center and object of the Christian’s hope. On this point, well does inspiration say, “A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.” Ps. 92:6.

As we love God, love to retain him in our minds, meditate upon his holy character, and reflect upon his works; as they come from his hands in perfect beauty and order, shall we not love his holy Sabbath, the sacred rest-day of the Most High, which points us back to the bright and glorious morn, when “the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy?”

“Awake, my heart! my soul arise! This is the day believers prize.”

And shall we not prize it? Shall we not be grateful for the light and truth on the Bible Sabbath, while the great majority of professed Sabbath keepers observe another day, with another reason as a basis, than that set forth in the fourth commandment? Praise God for Bible truth on the Bible Sabbath. May we observe it as the Bible directs, and receive the reward promised in God’s sacred word. And finally may we be prepared to celebrate this sacred day, the gift of Heaven, in the earth made new, when all flesh shall come, from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, to worship the Lord of hosts. “And blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.” A. S. HUTCHINS.

Minnesota Conference.

By Wm. S. Ingraham; H. F. Phelps

The tenth annual Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Minnesota was held as appointed at Wasioja, Dodge Co., Minn., June 23–28, 1870. First session, 8½ o'clock A. M. Opened by prayer. With sorrow we found that Bro. Pierce, President of the Conference, was absent on account of sickness. Bro. Ingraham was called to the chair.

Delegates being called for, eleven responded, representing nine churches. By request of the church at Maiden Rock, Wis., and by advice of Gen. Conf. Committee, they were admitted to the Minnesota Conference. Secretary's report of the Conference, read and accepted.

Auditing Committee of six to settle with ministers, appointed by the Chair, consisting of H. Grant, W. I. Gibson, H. F. Phelps, I. Z. Lamb, Daniel McAlpine, and E. W. Darling.

Nominating Committee appointed by the Chair, were, I. Z. Lamb, C. Kelsey, and L. Bartholomew.

Adjourned to 4 P. M.

SECOND SESSION.

Prayer by Bro. White. Report of Nominating Committee, after remarks by Bro. White, was referred back to the Committee. The remainder of the time was taken up by interesting remarks.

Adjourned to call of the Chair.

THIRD SESSION.

First-day 8 A. M. Prayer by Bro. Littlejohn. Nominating Committee called for more time. Secretary's report concerning the financial condition of the Conference was presented. Reports show a deficiency on the part of several churches to come up to their pledges on S. B. Bro. White recommends all S. B. treasurers to take the matter in hand by consulting in a Christian manner with delinquents, remembering it is systematic benevolence and not systematic compulsion, and all who were so far in the back ground as to be very doubtful to send the amount to the secretary. Report accepted.

Adjourned to call of the Chair.

FOURTH SESSION.

Report of Nominating Committee, was presented and accepted. The nomination resulted in the election of the following officers: H. Grant, President, H. F. Phelps, Secretary, W. C. Gibson, Treasurer, H. Grant, C. Kelsey, and Daniel McAlpine, Executive Committee.

Auditing Committee's report was accepted.

Treasurer's report read and accepted.

Voted, That the Executive Committee act as a Camp-meeting Committee.

Voted, That the preachers and Executive Committee mutually consult each other as to the best interests of the cause in Minnesota.

Credentials of Elds. Pierce and Ingraham were renewed. The licenses of Jno. Hanson and F. W. Morse were renewed.

Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Littlejohn for their efficient and timely labors with us, and that we earnestly invite them to our next Camp-meeting, bringing such help as they may desire.

Resolved, That we hold a Camp-meeting next year, leaving it to the General Conference Committee to give the time.

Voted, That the minutes of this meeting be sent to the Review for publication.

Adjourned sine die. Wm. S. INGRAHAM, Pres. H. F. PHELPS, Sec'y.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DIED, at Petrolia, Province of Ontario, Canada, on the 8th of June, 1870, Mary Fairbanks, in the 84th year of her age.

J. H. FAIRBANKS.

DIED, in Ludlow, Iowa, June 21, 1870, of consumption, in the 44th year of her age, Sr. Alice Vile, wife of Bro. James Vile. Bro. and Sr. Vile embraced the Seventh-day Adventist faith in full under the labors of Eld. J. N. Andrews, some nine years since, in this place. The church here mourn the loss of one of its most zealous members. Her kind words and good deeds have won for her the love and esteem of all who knew her. She leaves a companion and three children, and a large circle of friends, to mourn her loss. But we believe they may meet her, if they are faithful, in that bright world to come, where sickness and death will never enter. Funeral services at the Adventist meeting-house, where a few remarks were made to a full house, from Rev. 14: 13.

“She hath passed death’s chilling billow, And gone to rest. Jesus smoothed her dying pillow, Her slumbers blest. When the morn of glory breaking, Shall light the tomb, Beautiful will be thy waking, In fadeless bloom.”

C. A. WASHBURN.

Waukon, Iowa.

Conference Department.

Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x. 25.

This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference of Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience.

SISTER C. M. LASHIER writes from Todd Co., Minn.: I am still trying to be an overcomer, that I may receive the overcomer's reward. Although my pathway seems dark many times, as cares, sorrows and afflictions thicken around me, as one loved one after another is called to lie down in death, which brings sadness and depression, still my trust is in Him who has said, Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Sweet promise for the weary, careworn pilgrim. It has been through great affliction that I have learned patience and submission. I can truly say with the psalmist, It is good for me that I have been afflicted. We have of late been called to pass through affliction. Death has severed a tender chord and taken one of our number; but I trust we sorrow not as those who have no hope. To know that our Saviour is soon coming to break the fetters of the tomb, and call forth our loved ones to life and immortality, is our comfort and consolation.

“Though dark my path, and sad my lot, Let me be still and murmur not, And breathe the prayer divinely taught, Thy will, thy will, my God be done.

“What though in lonely grief I sigh, For friends beloved no longer nigh, Submission still would I reply, Thy will, thy will, my God, be done.”

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