p. 400 | Review and Herald, Vol. 30, No. 25. (12/3/1867)

Russian America.

THE FORMAL TRANSFER OF THE TERRITORY TO THE UNITED STATES—INTERESTING CEREMONIES.

NEW-ARCHANGEL, October, via Victoria, Nov. 10, and Swinomish, W. I., Nov. 11.—The formal transfer and delivery of Russian America to the United States Government took place to-day by Capt. Pestrechoff, Acting Commissioner on behalf of the Russian Government, and Major-Gen. Rousseau on behalf of the United States.

At 3 o'clock P. M., a battalion of United States troops under command of Major Charles O. Wood of the Ninth Infantry, was drawn up in line in front of the Governor's residence, where the transfer took place. By 3½ o'clock a large concourse of people had assembled, comprising Americans, Russians of all classes, Creoles and Indians, all eager witnesses of the ceremonies. Precisely at the last named hour the Russian forts and fleet fired salutes in honor of the lowering of the Russian flag; but the flag would not come down. In lowering it tore its entire width, close by the halyards, and floated from the crosstrees, some 40 feet from the ground. Three Russian sailors attempted to ascend the inch and a half guy-ropes supporting the flag-staff, but each failed to reach his national emblem. A fourth ascended in a boatswain's chair, seized the flag and threw it in a direction directly beneath him; but the motion of the wind carried it off, and caused a sensation in every heart. Five minutes after the lowering of the Russian flag the Stars and Stripes went gracefully up, floating handsomely and free, Mr. George Dowell Rousseau having the honor of flinging the flag to the breeze, the United States steamers Ossipee and Resaca at the same time honoring the event by firing salutes.

As the Russian flag was lowered Capt. Pestrechoff stepped forward and addressed Gen. Rousseau as follows:

GENERAL: As Commissioner of his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Russia, I now transfer and deliver the territory of Russian America, ceded by his Majesty to the United States.

Gen. Rousseau, in response, as the American flag ascended, said:

CAPTAIN: As Commissioner on behalf of the United States Government, I receive and accept the same accordingly.

The Commissioners spoke in a tone of common conversation, and were only heard by Gov. Makesatoff, Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, Capt. Kuskol, and a few others who formed the troupe. Several ladies witnessed the ceremonies, among them Princess Makesatoff, Mrs. Gen. Davis, and Mrs. Major Wood. The Princess wept audibly as the Russian flag went down.

The transfer was conducted in a purely diplomatic and business-like manner, neither bouquets nor speech-making following. The entire transaction was concluded in a few hours, the Ossipee, with the Commissioner on board, steaming into the harbor at 11 o'clock this forenoon, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, a dozen American flags float over the newly-born American city of Sitka.

Obituary Notices.

By Julia A. Dayton

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

DIED, at his residence in Chesaning, Mich., Oct. 7, 1867, of typhoid fever, my beloved companion, Orson J. Dayton, aged forty-three years and ten days. He first heard and believed the great truths of the Advent doctrine under the labors of Eld. Cornell, in 1861. He afterward embraced it, but the cares of life and business connections with the world drew him again from following the Lord until a short time before his death, when he most earnestly repented of all sin, and found peace in the pardoning mercy of a gracious Saviour. He desired to live that he might do good, yet felt submissive to the will of God. He tenderly entreated his children to follow in the footsteps of the Redeemer and keep the commandments of God, and in bright hope of a glorious immortality, he fell asleep to waken when the trump of God shall summon his beloved from their dusty beds, to dwell forever in the city of our God. A tender and affectionate husband, and a most indulgent father—we cannot but mourn his departure, though we rejoice in the blissful hope of again meeting where partings are unknown. We await the services of an Adventist minister to preach a funeral discourse.

Where the bending willows above him wave, We have laid him down with the silent dead In the enemy's land; but One mighty to save Has stationed bright angels a watch round his bed.

JULIA A. DAYTON.

READING THE BIBLE FOR 1868.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

ALL acknowledge that it is important to have a knowledge of the Bible. Many desire to become familiar with it who, nevertheless, have not yet done it. How shall we best become interested in reading the Bible, and best succeed in continuing to read it? I have found no method that succeeds so well as reading a certain portion every day. There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. By reading three chapters each day, and five on the Sabbath, you will read the Bible through in one year. This is my rule, hence, I read it through every year. If by any means I omit it one day, I make it up the next. If I do not have this definite rule to go by, I soon neglect it more and more, and finally read it but little. This has been my experience. So I recommend it to others.

Brethren and sisters, who of us shall read the word of God through in 1868? I am sorry to say that I know ministers who have preached for years, who never read the Bible through! I hope this will not be true of them another year. Let us begin with the first of January and carry this rule out through the year. Who will do it? D. M. CANRIGHT.

BOOKS FOR THE CHILDREN.

By J. M. A.

We desire to call the attention of our brethren to our fine assortment of books, which we obtain from the American Tract Society for the benefit of the children. We deem it a matter of vast importance that the children be well provided with suitable reading matter. Their young minds must be engaged at something. If they do not learn early to take pleasure in things good and heavenly, they certainly will in things hurtful and wicked.

“Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined.”

There are no means so effectual for bending the youthful “twig” in the right direction, as good, instructive, and interesting reading. These books, to which we now call the attention of our brethren, are especially adapted to the taste and capacity of small children, and though they are not entirely free from some of the popular errors of the day, they are, in the main, good, and well calculated to lead the young mind heavenward. As they are among the very best that can be obtained to meet the present necessity, we recommend our brethren to procure for the instruction and spiritual welfare of their little ones, one or more of the following libraries:

YOUTH’S GEMS.

These “gems” constitute a well-selected library of sixty-four books, bound in 32 volumes of thirty-two pages each. Price $4.00; only 12½ cts. per volume, or 6¼ cts. per book. If sent by mail, the postage will be 56 cts. It may be sent short distances cheaper by express.

THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARY.

This library contains one hundred and forty-four choice little books bound in 72 volumes of thirty-two pages each. Price $6.00; only 8⅓ cts. per volume, or 4⅙ cts. per book. Very cheap, certainly. This library should be sent by express.

THE YOUTH’S CABINET.

This is a very choice library, containing 76 neatly bound volumes of thirty-two pages each. Price $9.00; or less than 12 cts. per volume. This library should also be sent by express.

These libraries consist wholly of bound books, beautifully illustrated, and are very cheap. They are, indeed, so cheap that there is no good reason why very many of our Sabbath-keepers’ children may not become the happy possessors of one or more of them.

Sabbath Schools should also be well supplied with these books.

We shall be pleased to dispose of a large quantity of these libraries very soon in the manner above indicated.

J. M. A.

NOTE FROM BRO. LAWRENCE.

By H. W. Lawrence; M. L. Lawrence

We rejoice that the cause of truth is rising once more, and feel to yield to all the agencies the Lord has ordained for our improvement. Before Testimony No. 11 reached us, we were perplexed with a fear that all was not right among those who labor. But since Testimony No. 13 has come out, we are relieved, feeling assured that we were not deceived in some of our exercises of mind before the present happy change took place. We never were more willing to share with the faithful in the suffering part of the work than now.

H. W. & M. L. LAWRENCE.

West Bangor, N. Y.

Note from Bro. Rodman.

By P. C. Rodman

I HAVE given quite a number of lectures in Pleasantville, N. Y. Closed last evening, for the present. There is good interest to hear and several have decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Others are deeply interested, and I hope will obey the Lord by keeping all his holy law, embracing the faith of Jesus, and so prepare to stand on Mount Zion.

P. C. RODMAN.

Gorchakoff Circular on the Eastern Question

—The circular of Prince Gorchakoff on the Eastern Question indicates the irrepressible approach of a war between the Mohammedan Government of Turkey and its Christian subjects, who, in European Turkey, constitute a considerable majority of the total population. By declining the advice tendered by the great Christian Powers, Turkey has, in the opinion of the Russian Government, forfeited all claims to sympathy. The whole and outspoken sympathy of Russia will be with the Christian provinces, whose rights, as Prince Gorchakoff emphatically asserts, have been utterly disregarded by the Porte. When such sentiments prevail, war cannot be far remote. The significance of the circular is not weakened by the official announcement in the speech of the French Emperor, that all the Powers were agreed upon maintaining the integrity of the Turkish territory. Under the pressure of new considerations and circumstances, these agreements are as easily terminated as concluded.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

IMPORTANT PUBLICATIONS! See CATALOGUE inside.

Business Notes.

D. T. Shireman: Send the Hymn Books to the office.

Eld. D. T. Bourdeau: Not yet ready.

Mrs. H. M. Nye: We give you credit to the commencement of next volume.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. J I Kinney 32-1, Geo Banks 31-1, R Moran 32-1, I L Hoyt 32-1, Josephine House 32-1, Mrs C C Williams 32-1, Mrs D B Hull 32-1, S Reynolds 32-1, D W Stover 32-1, Drs T Day 32-1, L M Davis 32-1, B Israel 32-1.

$1.50 each. J G Jones 33-1, C E P Howe 30-10, Eld A Van Sickle 31-1, N M Gray 32-17, E Cobb 32-1, I D Cramer 32-1, T F Evans 31-1, W Mc Lenathan 32-1, J Thomas 32-6.

$2.00 each. Lorana Haynes 33-16, J S Mills 33-1, D Newcomb 33-3, Mrs E Coy 31-1, Mrs O Nye 31-1, Betsey Reed 33-1, David Upson 32-18.

$3.00 each. Mary Montgomery 33-1, H H Pierce 31-1, H H Cunningham 32-24, John Young 33-1, Maria M Rencher 32-1, F B Miller 33-1, G M Brown 32-18, B Blake 31-21, B Salisbury 32-11, E Stites 34-9, S C Perry 32-1, A D Smith 33-1, A Fairbank 32-5, P Markillie 33-1.

Miscellaneous. W C Taylor $4.00 32-5, Nancy Gibbs 1.73 32-5, B B Francis 4.75 34-1, Fanny Hull 3.75 32-14, N R Staines 4.25 32-18, N A Lord 1.85 32-7, Eliza Root 75c 32-1, C Belden 75c 31-1, H Cline 1.75 31-1, S W Payne 3.25 32-1, H W Gordon 3.50 32-22, W Vancil 4.00 33-3.

To make up Advance Credits.

F F Lameraux $1.25, A Green 25c.

Books Sent By Mail.

Jane Irish $1.15, R C Horton 15c, Z C Warren 50c, H Hodgson 15c, G E Crocker 50c, Dexter Daniels 15c, Julia C Wilson 15c, J L Bane Jr. 15c, Seymour O Day 15c, Mary E Smith 15c, Mrs. H Buzzell 15c, G W Varney 15c, W H Blaisdell 15c, C S Worthing 15c, W Clark 15c, C S Briggs 15c, C B Smith 15c, C H Tubb 15c, E G Stevenson 15c, Nancy Gibbs 1.27, S Maria Jones 15c, J W Marsh 85c, H B Hayward 50c, N R Rigby 61c, A S Andrews 1.00, J Q Foy 30c, A O Tobey 20c, N A Lord 15c, Laura L Cook 25c, J Chase 1.15, John Young 2.00, M Warner 29c, N J Cardey 22c, Mrs W Stage 22c, Geo. Flower 22c, J H Hacket 37c, J H Cook 44c, D Newcomb 1.30, Francis Gould 15c, H C Whitney 1.12, T T Brown 30c, Mrs. N Dennison 27c, A Green 50c, F O Brockway 53c, H Bingham 3.00, O H Hull 15c, J B Ingalls 15c, D W Eldredge 30c, Z Tyler 15c, I D Cramer 50c, W W Gordon 25c, F Markillie 30c, N M Cottrell 15c, Phebe Vedder 1.00, D Malin 66c, J G Davis 5c, Mary J Stewart 85c, S Hastings 1.75.

Books Sent by Express.

Daniel Andre Lisbon Iowa $15.21.

Cash Received on Account.

H W Lawrence $7.75.

To Publish Tracts for Gratuitous Circulation.

Mary House $2.00, P Markillie 25c, S Vincent 1.00, L Vincent 10c, O S Eddy 10c, D A Eddy 15c, Ellen Fairbanks 15c.

Donations to Publishing Association.

A sister $1.00.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Church at Allegan $20.00.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

RECEIVED FROM CHURCHES. Church at Kensington, Conn. $12.00, Exeter, R I $8.87, Curtis' Corners, $13.35, Green Hill, $11.00, Ashaway, R I, $13.00.

For the Health-Reform Institute.

The following amounts are subscribed for shares in The Health-Reform Institute at $25.00, each share.

W H Littlejohn $100.00.

On Shares in the H. R. Institute.

The following amounts have been paid on pledges previously given to the Health Reform Institute.

W H Littlejohn $25.00, Mrs R C Baker 25.00, A D Smith 25.00, O H and S E Pratt 150.00, Anthony Korb 25.00, Seimantha Korb 25.00.

Health of Cottrell and Fuller

By J. M. A.

A private note from Bro. R. F. Cottrell informs us that he is now able to ride out, and that he is regaining his health. We are thankful for this. We should also be glad to hear from Bro. Fuller. We are interested in the health and welfare of these dear servants of God. J. M. A.

Arrangements for Washington and West Enosburg Meetings

By John Nevins Andrews; James White; Ellen G. White

We expect that the meetings at Washington and West Enosburg will be large gatherings of the friends of the cause, especially of the old friends of Bro. and Sr. White; and it will be necessary for those who attend, to come prepared to take care of themselves as far as possible. Especially will this be necessary at the Washington meeting, where those who can entertain are few. Brethren, come with your provisions, your blankets, quilts, comforts, buffalo robes, and your straw ticks, to be filled at the place of meeting. Barn room can be provided for lodgings for healthy men. Rooms in dwelling-houses can be procured of those who are not Sabbath-keepers for healthy women. Invalids who cannot enjoy such accommodations, and also small children, should remain at home and not burden these meetings, especially the one at Washington. Those who labor in the meetings will first be provided for, among the brethren, then the most feeble and aged, as far as possible. We shall be glad to meet Bro. P. C. Rodman, and others, from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, at the Washington meeting. J. N. ANDREWS.

We now design to visit the brethren in the counties of Gratiot, Tuscola and Saginaw, Mich., during February and March, 1868. JAMES WHITE, ELLEN G. WHITE.

Allegan County Monthly Meeting

By John Norton Loughborough

The next Monthly Meeting for Allegan Co. will be held at Allegan, Sabbath, Dec. 7. I expect, if the Lord will, to attend it. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Upcoming Meetings in Illinois and Wisconsin

By H. C. BLANCHARD; R. F. ANDREWS.

The Lord willing, we design holding meetings with the brethren as follows: Quarterly Meeting at Gridley, Ill., Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 7 and 8. Meeting with the church at Clyde, Ill., commencing Thursday evening, Dec. 12, at half past six, to continue over Sabbath and first-day. Elkhorn Grove, Ill., commencing Thursday evening, Dec. 19, to continue over Sabbath and first-day. Rockton, Ill., Wednesday evening, Dec. 25, at Bro. John Logan's. Johnstown Center, Wis., Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 28 and 29. Little Prairie, Wis., Sabbath and first-day, Jan. 4 and 5, to continue as long as the interest demands.

Brethren, entreat the Lord that great good may result from these meetings. H. C. BLANCHARD, R. F. ANDREWS.

Meetings at Leslie and Alendon

By John Byington

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren of Leslie, in Monthly Meeting, at Bro. Landfair's, the usual place, Sabbath, Dec. 14. The 15th, I will hold a meeting in Alendon. Meetings each day to commence at 10½ A. M. JOHN BYINGTON.

Monthly Meeting Appointments

By James White; Ellen G. White; John Nevins Andrews

PROVIDENCE permitting, we will meet with the brethren, as follows: Topsham, Me., Monthly Meeting, Dec. 14, 15. Washington, N. H., Monthly Meeting, Dec. 21, 22. West Enosburg, Vt., Monthly Meeting, Dec 28, 29.

JAMES WHITE, ELLEN G. WHITE, J. N. ANDREWS.