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Review and Herald, Vol. 40, No. 5.

The Two Proclamations
Earlier text: The Old Cradle

Bring Hither the Ephod. 1 Sam. 23: 9.

By Jos. Clarke

THE ephod was a sacred vestment upon which was suspended the breastplate of judgment, composed of twelve jewels, upon which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; and in difficult cases, inquiries were made of God (see Numbers 27: 21), and answers were made, by means of a preternatural illumination upon the breastplate. Such is the opinion of Josephus and other Jewish writers.
Doeg, the Edomite, had slain a company of priests; one, escaping, fled to David with an ephod in his hand. Verse 9. Saul, who gave Doeg his commission to slay the priests, was in pursuit of David, who was in Keilah, which city he had just delivered from a foreign foe. Nevertheless, David mistrusted the citizens of Keilah. He calls for Abiathar the priest, by whom he will inquire of God, saying, “Bring hither the ephod.”
Under the present dispensation, we have no breastplate of judgment as it was in the Mosaic age; but have we nothing in its stead? The Urim and Thummim were a type: is there no antitype?
David was in a difficult position among the traitorous citizens of Keilah; the breastplate of judgment gave forth its decision, and David and his faithful followers were delivered from the hand of Saul, by the means of the ephod of Abiathar, a man of God. Was David ashamed of his deliverer? Was he ashamed of the ephod?
Has the breastplate of judgment passed away, and has no antitype followed? Let us examine the pages of the New Testament, and let us decide upon this matter.
Simeon and Anna, by divine discernment, fully and unequivocally indorsed the child Jesus. John the Baptist did the same; Peter decides the fate of Ananias and Sapphira, and John and Paul receive special revelations from God. All these proofs of divinity accompany the advent of Christianity into the world; indeed, miracles and miraculous proofs attest every step of the apostles as they proclaim the truth; in seasons of difficulty and danger, they receive divine aid and direction, and enemies are intimidated or won, and the disciples are encouraged.
At a later day, wonderful manifestations of divine power accompany the work of God; and the biographies of Whitefield and Wesley, the experience of the reformers of the sixteenth century, and martyrs of the dark ages, and numerous and well-attested facts of every age, go to prove that God has never changed, but is still near to deliver his people.
But now, in 1872, popular professors tell us that we need no such light. The fact that miracles have been done, is enough. We need no miracles now. The blind and deaf can go to the asylum. The insane also need no aid; for they can be confined in jails and cells. The sick need no Great Physician, for there are such multitudes of doctors, and oceans of patent medicines, and tons of opium and calomel. And we need no Peters; for if we had them, what would become of all the thousands of Ananiases and Sapphiras? No, the age of miracles has passed away; and the age which can invent sewing machines and steam engines, revolvers and ironclads, is too wise to need special revelations. It is true the book of Revelation was given in the new dispensation; but it is not essential to understand it; the seven thunders were not made known, nor written out; therefore we may as well smother down what is written out, and criminate those who do pretend to understand them.
David had need of the ephod; but he had no such police as we have now, who secretly band with criminals, or riot with female convict debauches; who assist in black-mailing virtuous men; who, when business runs low, get up cases to practice upon.
No need of the ephod; no, when honesty is banished from high places, and salesmen go from the Senate to the gambling saloon, or the brothel; when lawyers are Catalines, and judges are Jeffreys. No need of the ephod, when pulpits overflow with nasty tobacco spittoons, and vestries are redolent with the fumes of tobacco; and when the pews are only sofas, and the house of God a vast display of broadcloth and silks, and milliners' goods!
No need of the ephod, when adultery and theft are the order of the day, and virtue and honesty the exception! when witchcraft is legalized, and the Sabbath outlawed! when shams and hypocrisy are so common that they are “legal-tender.” Now that the thunders of the approaching advent shake the earth, we need no ephod, nor anything like its antitype! Oh, no! no! no! Jos. CLARKE.

Appeal to the Members of the N. Y. and Pa. Conference.

By P. Z. Kinne; E. B. Gaskill; Harmon Lindsay

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: In view of our deplorable condition as brought to view in Testimony No. 21, we feel the need of consecrating ourselves more fully to the Lord and his service, and we earnestly entreat you, and especially the ministers in the Conference, to unite with us in seeking God, so that we may come up to our camp-meeting and Conference prepared to take hold of the work of the Lord with repentance for our past failures, and a determination to serve him more faithfully.
It is a lamentable fact that we, as a Conference, have been backsliding in the Health and Dress Reforms, and that now there are but few real health reformers among us. The light has been given us, and we are accountable for the manner in which we improve it; and now, although we have grieved the Spirit of the Lord from us repeatedly in this matter, shall we not humble ourselves before God and begin again to act upon the light given us, and thereby avert his frown so that he will return to us and lift the reproach from off the cause? Let us, from principle, begin the work of reform at home, then when we come to camp-meeting we shall see uniformity in dress, and a healthy diet. To wear the reform dress, and live on proper diet at the camp-meeting, while we violate the principles at home, will not stand the test of the Judgment.
In the matter of Systematic Benevolence, also, there is a manifest lack on our part in coming up to the plan which we have professed to adopt. In some of our churches there has been so little regard for order, that even the S. B. blank books have not been procured, quarterly reports have not been made, and the moneys raised have been handed out without regard to the Conference regulations in these matters. And we very much fear that none of our churches have come up in amount to the required plan.
With a membership in the Conference of over five hundred, our S. B. is but $2,500 or $2,600 a year, an average of about $5.00 per member, while in the New England Conference, for instance, where, to say the least, the ability to do does not exceed ours, the S. B. amounts to $10.00 per member. Let us at once take hold of these matters in earnest, and, as far as possible, have them set in order before the coming Conference.
Let every church that has not already done so, at once re-arrange its S. B. figures, and be ready with its pledge for the coming year. Let us make a diligent effort on our part to act up to the light God has given us on these points, and see if we cannot secure his blessing upon us as a Conference and have his prospering hand with us. The suggestion of the Camp-meeting Committee, in regard to promptness in being on the ground at the commencement of the meeting, and remaining till its close is one that should be heeded. It is certainly very discouraging to those who labor with us, and detracts very much from the interest and profit of the meeting to have brethren coming in one, two, or three days after it has commenced, or leaving the ground before its close while there are important matters to be considered which should interest all.
In view of the fact that there is to be a meeting of the Tract and Missionary Society in addition to the usual Conference business, it has been thought best to have the meeting commence this year, one day earlier than usual. We trust that the brethren will remember that the meeting commences, Tuesday, Aug. 6, and continues through Monday of the following week, and will make the necessary sacrifice on their part in order that they may be on the ground the entire time.
Those wishing tents should send their orders so that they will reach Bro. Lindsay as early as Monday, July 29.
We heartily concur in the invitation of the Camp-meeting Committee to Bro. and sister White, and would also invite Brn. Butler and Haskell to attend if consistent.
P. Z. KINNE,             N. Y. E. B. GASKILL,           Conf. HARMON LINDSAY,          Com.

Circuses and Camp-meetings.

By D. T. Bourdeau

The other day, while on my way to this place I passed through Richmond, Vermont, where we design holding our forth-coming camp-meeting, and where a large circus and caravan was being held. People of every age and every caste, were rushing in from every direction. The roads were crowded. We met sixty teams in going two miles on a country road. With a few exceptions those we met were full of hilarity and glee, and showed vanity and extravagance in dress.
The question arose in my mind, Why are so many people coming together? and the answer returned to this question was: Some go to see the animals; but the majority go to enjoy vain pleasures, growing out of foolish talk and actions. The following words of Christ came forcibly to my mind: “Woe unto you that laugh now; for ye shall mourn and weep.” “Blessed are ye that weep now; for ye shall laugh.” Luke 6:25, 21.
Better be weeping over our sins than to be laughing over sin and folly, yet we may and should rejoice in the Lord, in view of his goodness and of the prospect that is before the righteous. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, and in sorrow and woe. They grow out of the perverted use of our faculties, and are therefore imperfect, and leave a void behind. But the pleasures of righteousness grow out of a proper use of all our powers, especially of those higher faculties that unite us to man, to God, and to Heaven. They are therefore of a higher type than the pleasures of sin, and will continue while the ages of eternity roll.
Though it may be lawful under certain circumstances to go and see animals, yet but few Christians can go to a combined caravan and circus without committing sin by coming under a vain and foolish spirit. Therefore, though I once went to a caravan, yet I have never felt free to go to a circus, lest my example should lead weak brethren to sin. I do not think the Man of Calvary, the “Man of sorrows,” who was often seen weeping would be seen at a circus if he were on earth, unless it were to reprove sin; and where Jesus would not be found, I cannot go.
Again, were Christ to appear at once to the thousands who assemble at shows, how many would be found ready to exclaim: “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: . . . ; we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa. 25:9. I do not claim there are no honest souls or even Christians who attend these gatherings. But such Christians as attend them from a want of knowledge and experience, do it with a sense that all is not right, and they feel worse when the excitement is over than they did before they went. This was illustrated by an aged man we met on his way to the circus. Said he to us, “You are going in the wrong direction.” I replied, I think not. He rejoined, “You are right, you are wise, and we are all fools.” We took especial pains to advertise another show of a different nature to be held at Richmond soon.
But there are some good lessons to be learned even from circuses. There is wisdom used in the management of those gatherings. First, they advertise thoroughly and very often exaggerate. We should always be thorough in advertising our camp-meeting, and should not leave this work with those who have no special interest in our views. The camp-meeting committee should see to it that our hand-bills be put up in at least twenty-five post-offices and at fifty or one hundred points away from post-offices, besides being published in two or three county papers. Brethren, let us be thorough in this thing. We have truths of infinite magnitude and importance, and cannot exaggerate in advertising them. And this work should be done at once, for the camp-meeting will soon be upon us. Let us spare no pains to make it attractive. Let not the men of this world be wiser in this respect than the children of light. Let dress and demeanor be a reproof to the pride and folly of the age. Let us be as ready to use our means in the worship of God and to advance his cause as worldlings are to use theirs in worldly pleasure. And as we do all we can on our part, God grant that we may have a good camp-meeting.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Lincoln, Vt., June 25, 1872.

We Have Reason for Great Confidence.

By B. F. Merritt

RETURNING from our good camp-meeting this spring, our little company desired to pass through the city of Galesburg. None of us were acquainted with the road. When some thirty or thirty-five miles from the city we began to inquire for the direct road. There were many roads of equal plainness, and it was very easy for us to mistake the right one. We availed ourselves of the best means we could, to determine the right way, and trustingly pursued our journey. As we advanced, the road began to appear plainer. Other roads came into it. We began to notice many tokens assuring us that we were right. We were traveling a thoroughfare, and the posters and writings on the fences, &c., showed that we were nearing a city, and it was Galesburg. But as we advanced, the evidences that we were right increased. We began to hear the shrill whistle of engines, and the rumbling of cars, and the black smoke could be seen rising in the distance. Could any one make us believe we were wrong now? No; we felt assured that we were right.
So when we first saw rays of light on present truth, we did not feel assured. We saw, as it were, “Men as trees walking.” We could then have been easily misdirected. But as we have advanced, the way of truth has become plainer. New truths harmonizing with, and making clearer, the first ones we saw, have appeared to us, till we now see such a connected chain of beautiful, harmonious truth, we feel assured. And when we look abroad and see how the material world, the sun, moon, and stars, atmosphere elements, old ocean and groaning earth, together with the race of man, all attest the faithful word, we have strong reasons for great confidence. B. F. MERRITT.

The Plague of Hail.

By G. W. Amadon

In Rev. 16: 21, there is a prophecy of the most awful woe which will ever visit the ungodly of this doomed world—it is the seventh and last vial of Heaven's unmixed wrath. The Record says, “And there fell upon men (mark the language; it is upon men, not the ground) a GREAT HAIL out of heaven, every stone about the WEIGHT OF A TALENT!” Various computations have been made of the weight of a talent, all locating it somewhere in the vicinity of a hundred pounds. It is not the purpose of these paragraphs to determine the exact weight of a talent, for be it what it may, the image is a frightful one to contemplate.
Imagine a time when there is a commingling of “voices and thunders and lightnings,” and a “mighty earthquake,” so great as to sink islands and level the everlasting hills, and then, as if to add woe indescribable to woe unbearable, “a great hail” from heaven's arsenal is precipitated on “men,” every stone the weight of a talent! Well does the inspired penman add, “The plague thereof was EXCEEDING GREAT.”
Some faint idea of the effect of such a scene may be inferred from the following sketch of a hail storm on the Bosphorus, by our countryman, the late Commodore Porter, in his “Letters from Constantinople and its Environs,” vol. i, p. 44. He says:—
“We had got perhaps a mile and a half on our way, when a cloud, rising in the west, gave indications of approaching rain. In a few minutes we discovered something falling from the heavens with a heavy splash, and with a whitish appearance. I could not conceive what it was, but observing some gulls near, I supposed it to be them darting for fish; but soon after discovered that they were large balls of ice falling. Immediately we heard a sound like rumbling thunder, or ten thousand carriages rolling furiously over the pavement. The whole Bosphorus was in a foam, as though heaven's artillery had been charged upon us and our frail machine. Our fate seemed inevitable; our umbrellas were raised to protect us; the lumps of ice stripped them into ribbons. We fortunately had a bullock's hide in the boat, under which we crawled, and saved ourselves from further injury. One man of the three oarsmen had his hand literally smashed; another much injured in the shoulder; Mr. H. received a blow in the leg; my right hand was somewhat disabled, and all more or less injured.”
“It was the most awful and terrific scene I ever witnessed, and God forbid that I ever should be exposed to another! Balls of ice as large as my two fists fell into the boat, and some of them fell with such violence as certainly to have broken an arm or leg had they struck us in those parts. One of them struck the blade of an oar and split it. The scene lasted perhaps five minutes; but it was five minutes of the most awful feelings I ever experienced. When it passed over, we found the surrounding hills covered with masses of ice; I cannot call it hail; the trees stripped of their leaves and limbs; and everything looking desolate. The scene was awful, beyond all description!”
“I have witnessed repeated earthquakes; the lightning has played, as it were, about my head; the wind roared, and the waves at one moment have thrown me to the sky, and the next have sunk me into a deep abyss. I have been in action, and have seen death and destruction around me in every shape of horror; but I never before had the feeling of awe which seized me on this occasion, and still haunts, and I fear forever will haunt, me. My porter, the boldest of my family, who had ventured an instant from the door, had been knocked down by a hail-stone, and had they not dragged him in by the heels, would have been battered to death. Two boatmen were killed in the upper part of the village, and I have heard of broken bones in abundance. Imagine to yourself the heavens suddenly frozen over, and as suddenly broken to pieces in irregular masses of from half a pound to a pound weight, and precipitated to the earth.”
Reader, if such were the desolating effects of a hail storm of ice, which discharged stones the size of a man's fist, weighing at most a pound or so, who can depict the consequences of that coming storm in which “EVERY STONE” shall be of the weight of a talent? As sure as God's word is truth, he is thus seen to punish a guilty world. May it be ours, according to the promise, to have “sure dwellings” and “quiet resting places” in that terrible hour. Isa. 32: 18, 19.
G. W. AMADON.

Progress of the Cause.

By GEO. L. BUTLER

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again, with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

The Wisconsin Camp-Meeting.

Our excellent meeting at Lodi, Wis., has just closed, this being the last one of the Western Camp-meetings for this season. We reached the ground Thursday noon, from Minnesota, and found the meeting in progress, and Bro. Matteson preaching. The brethren had selected rather a pleasant place for it, some eighty rods from the village of Lodi, a small stream some distance in front of it and a pond of water behind it, with a sufficient grove around it for devotional purposes. It was not so large a meeting as I had expected, by considerable, there being only thirteen tents up, besides the large sixty-foot tent. Probably there were not far from three hundred brethren in attendance. There were hardly as many present as at Minnesota, though the Conference is much larger. I was rather surprised at this.
There was a great disappointment that Bro. and sister White were not present, which threatened, at first, to interfere with the good of the meeting.
The preaching was solemn and searching in its nature, and designed to set before the mind the character of the time in which we are living and the kind of people we must be to stand in the Judgment. At first, there seemed to be a disposition on the part of some to make the occasion a pleasant one, merely, a season of present enjoyment, to have a good opportunity to sing, and visit, and pass away the time, with no real searching of heart. But as the meeting progressed there was a great improvement, and this spirit gave place to a serious spirit of inquiry with nearly all, as to their real condition before God. Confessions were made, and brokenness of heart manifested. The preaching evidently affected hearts deeply.
Sabbath afternoon, the usual opportunity was given for individuals to manifest a desire for a deeper work of grace in the heart, and for conversion, by coming forward for prayers. There must have been upwards of two hundred, who immediately availed themselves of this opportunity. It was a very solemn time, and God's blessing seemed to come down greatly upon his servants and people as prayer was offered up. The people then repaired to their tents to carry the work further, and although the work was measurably interfered with by a furious storm of wind and rain, lasting a short time, yet these meetings continued till near the close of the Sabbath, and were characterized by confessions to one another, which did much to heal differences which had long existed in some churches and among some individuals.
On Sunday, there were from one thousand to twelve hundred persons present, who were orderly and gave good attention. Bro. Littlejohn spoke in the forenoon on the Sabbath question, and the people listened with interest. Some confessed the truth and said they should keep the Sabbath. In the afternoon, the rain nearly broke up the meeting.
On Monday morning, a Tract and Missionary Society was organized for the State, and seven were baptized. Then the meeting broke up.
The sessions of the Conference, held from time to time, were harmonious, and the financial standing of the Conference is good. $300.00 were voted to the General Conference Fund, and more still was left to carry on tent operations the coming season, after paying up all dues standing against the Conference. All seemed much encouraged, and leading brethren expressed themselves strongly that it was the best camp-meeting ever held in Wisconsin. In many places where trials have existed in the past they are growing out of them, and courage is taking the place of despondency. Truly, God is good to his people. The work is onward. We trust the right spirit will pervade the people, and the work move forward gloriously. To the Lord be all the praise.
GEO. L. BUTLER.
Chicago, Ill., July 3, 1872.

Canada and Vermont.

By A. C. Bourdeau

ABOUT two months have elapsed since I have reported in the REVIEW. During this time I have tried to do what I could for the furtherance of the cause of truth. I feel more than ever before to appreciate the meaning of the words of Christ, “Without me ye can do nothing,” and of the words of Paul, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The first week in May I spent in visiting the French in Canada. Have reason to hope that some good will result from the labors which were bestowed there then. May 11 and 12, held meetings with the new friends of the cause in West Bolton, Vt. Bro. Hutchins and Bean were present. Our meetings were interesting to all present. On Sunday, gave a discourse on church order and organization. Seventeen united together in church fellowship (others have joined the church since then, and more are expected to join soon), the church officers were appointed, and at the close of the meeting eight souls were buried with Christ in baptism.
The 18th, held meetings at the house of Bro. Loveland, in Johnson. Two preaching meetings in the daytime, followed by cheering testimonies from the brethren and sisters; and a business meeting in the evening. Systematic Benevolence was arranged for the present year, and the church was brought into working order relative to the Tract and Missionary Society. One thing I will mention here: While our aged Bro. and sister Loveland have borne heavy burdens in connection with the cause from its rise, in their worn condition their burdens are not eased in having to prepare and set a large table for those who attend meetings in their house each Sabbath. A word to the wise is sufficient.
The following week, wife and I visited several families in Jericho, Huntington, and Starksborough, and the next Sabbath and Sunday, held meetings with the brethren and sisters in Bristol. Organized a Tract and Missionary Society, arranged their S. S., and after the meeting, Sunday, at 5 P. M., we drove ten miles to the Sweet’s school-house, where I gave a discourse the same evening to a large and attentive audience.
The first Sabbath in June, I attended the first quarterly Tract and Missionary meeting for the first district, held in Bordoville, Vt. The discourse given in the morning by Bro. D. T. Bourdeau, who had just returned from Kentucky, was received as meat in due season. He dwelt on the importance of being active in the service of God. In the afternoon, we spoke on the importance of working while the day lasts, “for the night is coming when no man can work.” In the evening, we had a business meeting for the Society. Some interesting reports were made by the members of the Society. One lay member reported getting ten new subscribers for Reformer; another, getting five subscribers for the Review, three for the Reformer, and two for the Instructor, &c. As soon as we hear from all the districts in the State, we shall prepare a report for the REVIEW.
The following week, I held several special meetings with the church at home, which proved a success beyond our expectation. To God be all the praise. The next Sabbath, as it was arranged to have Bro. Bean, Hutchins, and D. T. Bourdeau, attend the first quarterly Tract and Missionary meeting for the second district, held with the church at Frasburgh, Vt., I met with the church at home, spoke with usual freedom from Matt. 6:14, 15, and the hearty confessions which were made, and the cheering testimonies given by the brethren and sisters, in response to the truth spoken, evinced that the Lord was in our midst by his Spirit on that day.
On Friday, June 15, we drove thirty-four miles to Wolcott. Sabbath, held two preaching meetings with the church, followed by a good conference meeting, and the evening following held a business meeting. As the members of the Tract and Missionary Society in that (the third) district had had only a few weeks to work in since their organization, they had not accomplished much in carrying out the object of the Society.
On Wednesday, the 19th, at 4 P. M., my brother and I started with the tent from Bordoville, accompanied by Bro. M. N. Cross, and came to this place, a distance of sixty-five miles, and pitched the tent before the Sabbath. We know not what there is before us in regard to our labors here. Brethren, pray for us.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
Lincoln, Vt., June 30, 1872.

The Vermont Tent.

By A. C. Bourdeau; D. T. Bourdeau

We pitched our tent in this place, Friday, June 21, while the thermometer stood 102° in the shade. We were quite worn, having traveled much in looking for a suitable place for our camp-meeting, and in searching for a place to hold tent-meetings.
We held our first meetings in the tent, Sunday, June 23. The attendance was fair, there being between three and four hundred persons present. Our congregations through the week are not large, as the village is small, and farmers are behind in their work, the season having been wet and cold. But we have some candid hearers who seem to highly appreciate the truth.
We did not come to this place because we viewed it as the most promising field for the present, but because it connected best with our closing effort last fall, and with our forth-coming camp-meeting. Again, the tent was pitched here fifteen years ago, when only six or seven lectures were given in the place, without leading any to embrace our views; and some of our brethren were very anxious to have a more thorough effort made at this time. We hope that some will embrace the truth, and that our brethren and sisters in Bristol and New Haven will have a watchcare over them. Whatever may be the result of our effort, we design to be thorough. Prejudice is giving way, and we are gaining the confidence of the people.
By request, we delivered a funeral sermon in the Union meeting-house in this place, last Thursday, which left a favorable impression. We meet with the brethren at Bristol, and with those at Huntington and Starkborough, on the Sabbath, and the Lord meets with us. Several in Huntington and Starkborough should move forward in baptism soon, preparatory to effecting an organization. God has greatly blessed these friends. May we not expect that they will respond to his goodness by doing duty when they have a favorable opportunity?
We have presented the second-advent doctrine quite fully, and design giving three discourses on the Sabbath question next Sunday. As we are favored with a tent master, and can more than manage the work here, we have commenced to give a course of lectures at South Starkborough (also called Jerusalem), situated five miles from this place, and four miles from where we closed our effort last fall. If the interest in South Starkborough will warrant, we shall hold tent-meetings in that place over two Sundays, on our way to the camp-meeting. A. C. BOURDEAU, D. T. BOURDEAU. Lincoln, Vt., July 1, 1872.

The Wisconsin State Conference.

By Isaac Sanborn; E. R. Gillett

The second annual Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Wisconsin, was held at Lodi, Columbia Co., Wisconsin, in connection with the camp-meeting June 26 to July 1, 1872.
Conference convened June 27, at 5 o'clock P. M. Eld. Isaac Sanborn, President, in the chair. Prayer by Eld. John Matteson.
Credentials of delegates were called for, presented, and examined.
A delegation of 25, representing 18 churches came forward. Two churches were represented by letter.
Voted, That Elds. George I. Butler and W. H. Littlejohn, and all members present of good standing in our churches, be invited to take part in the deliberations of this Conference.
Minutes of last Conference were called for, read and approved.
Voted, That the following churches be received into the Conference:
The Chicago church, Neenah church, Liberty Pole church, and Kickapoo Center church.
Adjourned to call of Chair.

SECOND SESSION.

June 30, 8 o'clock A. M. Prayer by Eld. John Matteson.
Voted, That Bro. G. C. Clark be received into the Conference as a delegate from the church at Victory.
On motion, the Chair appointed the following committees;
AUDITING COMMITTEE.—O. H. Pratt, H. W. Decker, George Tenny, Walter Case, E. R. Gillett, Eli Osburn.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE:—O. H. Pratt, H. W. Decker, John Atkinson.
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS:—George I. Butler, John Matteson, P. S. Thurston.
On motion, N. M. Jordon and O. H. Pratt were appointed by the Conference as a Camp-meeting Committee.
Voted, That those wishing to take out license to preach should make application to the Conference Committee.
Adjourned to call of Chair.

THIRD SESSION.

June 30, 4 o'clock P. M. Prayer by Elder Sanborn.
Report of Nominating Committee called for, read, and accepted. The vote resulted in the election of nominees as follows: President, Isaac Sanborn, Johnstown Centre, Rock Co.,Wisconsin; Secretary, E. R. Gillett, Albany, Green Co.; Treasurer, Wm. Kerr, Monroe, Green Co.; Executive Committee: P. S. Thurston, Oasis, Waushara Co.; H. W. Decker, Avon, Rock Co.
Voted, To adopt the report of the Auditing Committee.
On motion, credentials were granted to Elds. I. Sanborn, John Matteson, and David Downer.
Voted, That licenses be granted to Brn. P. Cady, Walter Case, Stephen E. Sutherland, John Nelson, Peter Lorenzon, John Atkinson, N. M. Jordon, Abram Kisner, H. W. Decker, O. H. Pratt, W. B. Parmer, Rufus Baker, C. W. Olds, E. M. Crandall, J. C. Nelson, O. A. Olson, and P. S. Thurston.
Voted, That we recommend that a Tract and Missionary Society be formed within the limits of the Conference.
Adjourned to call of Chair.

FOURTH SESSION.

July 1, 8 o'clock A. M. Prayer by Eld. Butler.
Voted, That we raise a camp-meeting fund to pay present and past indebtedness. One hundred dollars was subscribed for this object, fifty dollars of which was paid in cash.
Committee on Resolutions reported the following, which were unanimously adopted:
1. Resolved, That we appreciate very highly the economy and energy manifested in the present management of the Publishing Association and the Health Institute, and that we recommend these institutions to our brethren in the Conference as worthy of their most liberal support.
2. Resolved, That we are very thankful to the General Conference for the help which we have received during this Conference and camp meeting through the faithful labors of Bro. Butler and Littlejohn.
3. Resolved, That we pay to the General Conference Fund three hundred dollars.
4. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Conference be furnished the REVIEW AND HERALD for publication.
Voted, To donate one hundred dollars ($100.) to the Chicago church.
Adjourned to call of Chair.

FIFTH SESSION.

July 1, 10 o'clock A. M. Prayer by Eld. Downer.
The Treasurer made the following report which was accepted by the Conference.
Cash on hand July 1, 1871, $194.82 Received during the year, 1498.16 Total, $1692.98 Cash paid out during the year, 1421.87 Cash on hand, $271.11
Church reports called for and adopted. No. of churches at the beginning of year, 20 No. at present, 24 No. of members at beginning of year, 526 No. at present, 619 No. paying Systematic Benevolence, 406 Amount of " " for last year, $2113.86. Amount of " " for present year, $2377.20
Adjourned to call of Chair. ISAAC SANBORN, Pres. E. R. GILLETT, Sec.

THE WARFARE.

By Mary E. Guilford

How oft the weary child of God Is brought through places dark as night, And made to feel the chastening rod, And mourn o’er sin’s dark, withering blight.
How oft doth sorrow pierce his heart, And paleness gather on his brow, And torturing pain inflict its smart, Till he in anguish bendeth low.
How oft he meets the world’s cold scorn, And feels the sting of selfish pride; In sadness, braves the raging storm, Of persecution’s angry tide.
Oppressed with grief, and doubts, and fears, Conflicts without, and foes within, Lonely he treads this vale of tears, A pilgrim in a world of sin.
But oh! why paint this gloomy scene, Upon the canvas of his life, There are true joys that intervene, And hopes that reach beyond earth’s strife.
As oft he feels the soft winds blow The spicy gale from Eden’s shore, And gladly follows on, to know The way to life and bliss, the more.
There is a blessed land of rest, Where sin and sorrow never come. ’Tis there, he will be truly blest; ’Tis there he’ll find his long-sought home,
For this he’ll work, and watch, and pray; And wait the coming of that day, Which brings release from every woe.
MARY E. GUILFORD.
Castalia, Ohio.

The Minnesota Camp-Meeting.

By H. F. Phelps

I WOULD like to say a few words in regard to this meeting. I believe it is the best one we have enjoyed in this State. There was a feeling of great disappointment, by not seeing our beloved Bro. and sister White, but the Lord is good, and blessed us as we tried to draw near to him.
The testimonies of the ministers were pointed, and were evidently received with a determination to improve upon them. There seems to be a settling into the work by nearly all in Minnesota. If the ministers set a good example, the flock will follow. I feel that there are brighter times before us.
I think we need to be encouraged. Come brethren, let’s come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Let us come up on all our pledges to the cause of God. Come up on our pledges. Very many are behind on what they have pledged, and many are not paying on the full amount of their property. Come, then, brethren, come up. Let us be faithful. Let us not rob God, but render to the Lord the things that are his. Come, the Lord stands waiting to bless you. May the Lord bless us all is my prayer. H. F. PHELPS.

The California Tent.

The following from the pen of Bro. Cornell, published in the Yolo (Cal.) Democrat of June 29, 1872, will explain itself, and show in a measure how the tent-meeting in Woodland is progressing.

VINDICATION.

It has been our purpose not to notice the slanderous insinuations of any, and so far as the candid public of Woodland is concerned we might well pass them all by; but an article in the California Christian Advocate of Thursday, June 27, over the initials of the Methodist clergyman of Woodland, demands a passing notice.
The writer describes our scripture expositions as “loud mouthed style,” “exceedingly disgusting to a refined taste,” having “its ordinary results on the weak minded!” Now, the three to five hundred of our regular hearers will understand what this clergyman thinks of both their intelligence and their refinement.
We have now given thirty-seven discourses, and one hundred dollars' worth of religious books and tracts have been taken from our stand and are being read, and $97 have been voluntarily contributed toward our expenses. A Bible Class and Sabbath School have been started with over one hundred attendants, and it is remarked by some of the oldest and most candid citizens that there is now more Bible reading than was ever before known in this town.
Scores of old-fashioned Christians are bidding us a most hearty God-speed. Several who never made any profession of religion are now inquiring the way, and we have been blessed in praying for them in their own houses and seeing their tearful interest to know and do the right.
And yet this professed Christian minister can say of our meetings, “There is an entire lack of the spirit of true devotion and Christian love,” and that our first meetings were introduced without prayer. Scores of witnesses will testify that every meeting has been duly opened by prayer and singing, from the first.
Hoping for grace and patience to endure, we shall try to be faithful while we continue here—several weeks—at the earnest solicitation of many citizens.
M. E. CONNELL. Woodland, June 28, 1872.

A Good Meeting.

By I. SANBORN

We have just had the best camp-meeting that we have ever had. Although we were much disappointed in not meeting Bro. and sister White at the meeting, yet we know that the Lord was there, and that he greatly blessed his people.
There seemed to be a real settling down into the good work; and I think all returned to their homes with new zeal, to be faithful in the future, to carry out in their daily lives the pointed truths that they heard at the camp-meeting. By the grace of God to help, I will be more zealous and faithful in the work of the Lord.                                                                                                                                                     I. SANBORN.
Continue reading: J. ERTZENBERGER