p. 83 | Review and Herald, Vol. 51, No. 11. (3/14/1878)

AN APPEAL TO THE CHURCHES.

By Ellen G. White

Our influence is of some consequence; it is active, constantly telling on one side or the other. We are builders, every one of us; and we are either building up the cause of God or we are building up the cause of Satan. There are many more engaged in building up the cause of Satan than we have the least idea of. Many who profess Christ do not have him enshrined in their hearts. Christ does not abide in them, and they do not abide in Christ. They are merely cumberers of the ground, destitute of fruit; and the curse which Christ pronounced upon the fig-tree will fall upon them as surely as it fell upon the barren fig-tree. What a time we are living in! the very remnant of probation! Surely these golden moments should be improved. Where are the stewards of God, to whom he has intrusted means for them to use in his cause, to extend the light of truth to those who are now in darkness? Where are the missionaries who feel the burden of the work, and who will go into other countries, and to people of other tongues, to make them ready for the great day just upon us?

Money is needed now. One dollar now, when it is actually needed, is worth as much as one hundred dollars will be by-and-by, when means are flowing into the treasury. The call comes from Europe for means to publish tracts and papers in the Italian language. Who has the ready money, and will help now, just now, when Europe is stretching forth her hands, crying, Help us to get the light of truth before these who are ready to perish? We are trying to sell our property that we may have means to use now. Oh! why will not those who have money at interest use it at this time? Why will they withhold from the cause of God the very means God has placed in their hands to be used in time of need? I feel intensely upon this subject. Men are robbing God; and with self-complacency they look up and say, “Wherein have we robbed thee?” The answer comes from him, “In tithes and in offerings.” There are men in the ranks of Sabbath-keepers who are holding fast their earthly treasure. It is their god, their idol; and they love their money, their farms, their cattle, and their merchandise better than they love their Saviour, who for their sakes became poor, that they, through his poverty, might be made rich. They exalt their earthly treasures, considering them of greater value than the souls of men. Will such have the “Well done” spoken to them? No; never. The irrevocable sentence, “Depart,” will fall upon their startled senses. Christ has no use for them. They have been slothful servants, hoarding the means God has given them, while their fellow-men have perished in darkness and error.

My soul feels to the very depths on this point. Will the men of means sleep on until it is too late? until God shall reject them and their treasures, saying, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you.” What a revelation will be made in the day of God, when hoarded treasures, and wages kept back by fraud, cry against their possessors, who were professedly good Christians, and flattered themselves that they were keeping the law of God, when they loved gain better than they loved the purchase of Christ’s blood, the souls of men!

Now is the time for all to work, those to whom are intrusted the five talents and those who have only one. Those with limited talents are responsible to God for their limited trust. To every man is given his work, and of every man the Master will require improvement of the talents intrusted to him. What will many answer in the day of God, when he inquires, What have ye done for me, who gave my riches, my honor, my command, and my life to save you from ruin? The do-nothings will be speechless in that day. They will see the sin of their neglect. They have robbed God of the service of a lifetime. They have not influenced any for good. They have not brought one soul to Jesus. They felt content to do nothing for the Master; and they meet no reward, but eternal loss. They perish with the wicked, although they professed to be followers of Christ.

None should mourn that they have not larger talents. When they use to the glory of God the talents he has given them, they will improve. It is no time now to bemoan our position in life, and excuse our neglect to improve our abilities because we have not another’s ability and position, saying, O if I had his gift and ability, I might invest a large capital for my Master. If such persons use their one talent wisely and well, that is all the Master requires of them.

Look into our churches. There are only a few real workers in them. The majority are irresponsible men and women. They feel no burden for souls. They manifest no hungering and thirsting for righteousness. They never lift when the work goes hard. These are the ones who have but one talent, and hide that one in a napkin, and bury it in the world; that is, they use all the influence they have in their temporal matters. In seeking the things of this life, they lose the future, eternal life, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. What can be said and done to arouse this class of church members to feel their accountability to God? Must the mass of professed Christian commandment-keepers hear the fearful words, “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth”?

Every man and woman and child should be a worker for God. Where there is now one who feels the burden of souls there should be one hundred. What can we do to arouse the people to improve what influence and means they already have to the glory of the Master? Let those who have one talent use that well, and in so doing they will find it doubled. God will accept “according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” There always has been, and there always will be, diversity of gifts. It is not the great gifts alone that God requires and accepts, but he calls for the smaller talents, and will accept them if men will use them to his glory. Have we not become servants of the Master by his grace? It is not, then, our own property that is intrusted to us, but the Lord’s talents. The capital is his, and we are responsible for its use or its abuse.

I hope efforts will be made in every church to arouse those who are doing nothing. May God make these realize that he will require of them the one talent with improvement; and if they neglect to gain other talents besides the one, they will meet with the loss of that one talent and their own souls also. We hope to see a change in our churches. The Householder is preparing to return and call his stewards to account for the talents he has intrusted to them. God pity the do-nothings then! Those who hear the welcome applaudit, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will have well done in the improvement of their abilities and means to the glory of God. Who will come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty? Satan is active, persevering, a faithful general in his work, leading on his armies. He has his faithful sentinels everywhere. What are the servants of Jesus Christ doing? Have they the armor on? Are they vigilant and faithful to meet and resist the strong forces of the enemy? or are they asleep, expecting another to do their work?

Vigilant men are wanted in every church. Every member should be awake and active, feeling that he is responsible for the prosperity of the church. The reason there is so much dissension in the churches is because they do so little for God. Satan gives them a work to do for him in finding fault, murmuring, and talking discouragement. You will ever find that those who invest least in the cause of God are the ones who will express great concern as to how those at the head of the work are using the means in their trust. Those who do least have the least faith. They are like Judas, who grudged the money that would comfort, and bless, and honor the Redeemer. But let the church come up individually, every one doing what he can, and all that God requires, and these petty difficulties will not exist. The mind will be so engrossed in the greatness of the work, in devising plans for its advancement, that they cannot spend time to investigate their brother’s work or motives.

Let all awake; for the time is at hand when it will be said, “He which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Just now is the time to seek purity and holiness of character, and obtain white robes, that we may be prepared for a seat at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

E. G. White.

SABBATH REFORM.

By Charles P. Whitford

For many years Seventh-day Adventists have believed and taught that clear prophecies of a Sabbath reform were recorded in the Bible; and acting in harmony with this belief, they are earnestly proclaiming the evidences upon which their faith is based. In Isa. 56:1, 2, we read: “Thus saith the Lord, keep ye judgment, and do justice; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” From this testimony we learn that when the salvation of God is near to come, and his righteousness to be revealed, then a blessing is pronounced upon the man who lays hold of the Sabbath and keeps it.

In order that we may know when this Sabbath reform is due to the world, we must first ascertain when salvation is bestowed upon the people of God. The expression, “For my salvation is near to come,” seems to imply that a definite time is fixed upon when salvation shall be bestowed, and that men have not been receiving it from the days of righteous Abel down to the present time, whenever a good man has died. Matthew says that when “the Son of man shall come, then he shall reward every man according to his works.” This testimony looks forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ as the time when salvation is to be bestowed. Paul says in Romans 13 that when the long, dark night of sin is far spent, the salvation of God is near to come. Peter says, “And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

Other Adventists besides Seventh-day Adventists look for the reward to be given at the second coming of Christ, and with us believe that event is near. But the prophet Isaiah says that when this time fully arrives a blessing is pronounced upon the man that lays hold of the Sabbath. We think that here a Sabbath reform is clearly pointed out, a coming back to the true Bible Sabbath, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; for how else could it be said, “Blessed is the man that layeth hold on it”? Had we always observed the Sabbath, it could not properly be said of us that we had laid hold of it; but having embraced it as the truth of God, as one of the commandments in accordance with which we are trying to shape our lives, it can be very properly and truthfully said that we have laid hold of the Sabbath. We can testify that to us the day Jehovah has sanctified and blessed is a delight, the holy of the Lord, and honorable; and while we have tried to keep it as the Lord’s holy day, the promised blessing has been bestowed upon us. May many more enjoy the blessing which comes as a result of obedience; and when the reward is given, may reader and writer have an abundant entrance into everlasting life.

CHARLES P. WHITFORD.

Always Look on the Bright Side

ALWAYS do as the sun does,—look at the bright side of everything; for while it is just as cheap, it is three times as good for digestion.

AS WE MAKE IT.

By Sel.

We must not hope to be mowers, And to gather the ripe, gold ears, Until we have first been sowers, And watered the furrows with tears. It is not just as we take it— This mystical world of ours; Life’s field will yield, as we make it, A harvest of thorns or flowers. —Sel.

CHRIST'S ABILITY.

Able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil. 3:21.

Able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work. 2 Cor. 9:8.

Able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24.

Able to succor them that are tempted. Heb. 2:18.

Able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him. Heb. 7:25.

Able also to perform what he hath promised. Rom. 4:21.

Able to keep that I have committed to him. 2 Tim. 1:12.

Able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. Acts 20:32.

Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Eph. 3:20.

Believe ye that I am able to do this? Matt. 9:28.

Irish Priest Rebels Against Rome in New York

There is a quiet little rebellion in an unexpected quarter against the arrogant claims of the Church of Rome; and strangely enough it has broken out among Irish Catholics. Father McNamara, an Irish priest, is its leader. He has a mission on Water street in this city (New York), and there he proposes to establish an Irish National Church. He says, and with truth, that the Italian hierarchy controls the church for political purposes; that the pomp and magnificence of Rome are contrary to the spirit of the humble babe of Bethlehem; that its influence is opposed to the teachings of the early church; and that the pope’s assumption of infallibility was an affront to God. He insists that Irish Catholics must look to the cross of Calvary and not to the Vatican.

This bold reformer stands on true and scriptural ground, but we fear there is little hope that he can bring his countrymen to his platform, as there are no more infatuated and subservient adherents of the imperious and heretical dogmas of Rome than are the Irish Catholics.—Illustrated Christian Weekly.

Welsh Mining Strike Brings Widespread Hunger and Ruin

In the southern part of Wales, in the manufacturing and mining center of the principality, during the winter of 1874 and 1875, a strike began which has greatly impoverished the master and the workman, and set the two bitterly opposed to each other. The condition of things has since gone from bad to worse. Out of five hundred coal works only twenty are fully employed; and out of nine hundred and twenty-seven iron furnaces which were in operation at the beginning of the year 1877, only five hundred are now at work. In but few of the works which pretend to run do men have more than two or three days a week, and on these days their earnings are very insignificant. Men, women, and children, who have lived in affluence, eat potato peelings, raw cabbages, anything they can find, to stay the pangs of hunger. From morning till night the streets are crowded with hungry people who search for the refuse which the rich throw from the table; yet, go where they may, starvation stares them in the face.—Condensed from The Advance.

Religious Statistics of Prussia from the 1875 Census

The Cologne Gazette gives the following statistics taken from the last census—that of December 31, 1875—as to the religious beliefs of the people of Prussia: Of the 25,742,404 inhabitants of the kingdom, 16,636,990 returned themselves as belonging to the Evangelical National Church; of these 13,266,620 are of the United Church; 2,905,250, Lutherans; and 465,120, of the Reformed Church. Of those who are not of the National Church there are 40,630 Lutherans, 35,080 Reformed, 3,710 Moravians, 2,620 Irvingites, 12,210 Baptists, 14,650 Mennonites, 2,080 Anglicans, Methodists, &c., 8,625,840 Roman and Old Catholics, 1,450 Greek Church, 4800 German Catholics, 17,880 Freethinkers, &c., 339,790 Jews, and 4,674 of various other beliefs.

THE MONEY VALUE OF RELIGION.

By J. H. W.

An old-time saying makes it as impossible “to apply logarithms to religion” as to compute the value of the marriage tie in dollars and cents. The saying must have arisen when religion was considered far above the standard of mere worldliness. It is not so now. A religion which is calculated to separate one from the world, to interfere with one's selfish, worldly interests, is not the religion to meet with much favor in this age.

Not long since a person was relating, with much apparent satisfaction, that neighbor B. was about to sever his connection with the “M. E. Church,” and to unite with the “Friends,” or Quakers. I inquired the reason. It was given: the Methodists had raised the “quarterage” too high; and, as the Friends have no paid ministry, there would be no quarterly collections for the support of the minister with them.

It is a rare thing for Methodists to desert their old standard and go to the Quakers, and my curiosity was excited to learn more of this case; so the conversation proceeded.

What is the amount of the quarterage Mr. B. has to pay?

Ten dollars a year.

Is this uniform—has each one to pay that amount, or is it rated according to the means of the members?

According to their circumstances. That is the sum asked of him.

And what are his circumstances? Has he a home?

Yes; he has a very good farm.

Is it improved, and is he out of debt?

Pretty well improved. He has a good house, and is clear from debt.

Look at this case. Here is a man who has been blessed with health and prosperity; a family, and a comfortable home for them, with an abundance of the comforts of life. And more, far more than all, he believes that in the infinite mercy of God he has been permitted to receive a personal, saving interest in the death and intercessions of the Son of the Most High, who came down from Heaven and suffered and died to rescue him from eternal perdition. He professes that by divine favor, entirely unmerited, he is blessed with a hope compared to which all the riches of this earth are but dross and vanity. He also professes to believe that there are people around him, everywhere, even aggregating hundreds of millions, who have no interest in that great salvation and are going down to eternal damnation. Yet to acknowledge God in these mercies both temporal and spiritual, and to aid in setting forth the love of the Redeemer, and his claims to our love and obedience, to his fellow mortals, he is not willing to give ten dollars a year!

For the greatest selfishness, the most unblushing hypocrisy, commend us to the worldly professor of religion. The non-professing worldling will generally refuse to receive long-continued favors without rendering some equivalent, but some professed Christians have no compunctions on that score. “Get all, and keep all,” seems to be their motto.

It is related that Robert Burns was once with a party of men on the bank of a river, when one fell into the water. Another man, seeing the first in danger of drowning, plunged in and saved his life at the risk of his own. The rescued man, a man of considerable wealth, wished to reward his rescuer for what he had done, and from his well-filled wallet offered him a sixpence. While all others cried out against such meanness, Burns said, “Let him alone; he knows what his life is worth better than you do!” He judged that it was not worth more than a sixpence to save the life of such a man.

Estimating on this basis, we may be able to justify the course of these close-dealing ones. Why should a man be required to pay ten dollars in behalf of his religion, if it is not worth ten dollars? Of all things a man ever possessed, a worthless religion is the very poorest. A man of large earthly possessions, who is a professed follower of Jesus, who gives scantily and grudgingly to the cause of the blessed Redeemer, has great reason to fear that his religion will never make any return for his outlay.

A new bonnet or a little extra finery for the wife or daughter, will amount to as much as such professors will do for the cause of Christ in a whole year; yet they talk of having given up the world for the Saviour, of having a hope that is worth more to them than all beside. The only wonder is that they are able to persuade themselves that they are honest, and that they mean what they say. Worldlings look on and deride, and say that Christianity is a delusion. Is it any marvel? A worldly, selfish professor does more harm to the cause of Christ than an open infidel! How much searching of heart it takes for a man to understand himself.

J. H. W.

OUR SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

It will be seen by the report of the General Conference that an effort is making to create a more general interest in our Sabbath-schools. It was a little remarkable that many of the brethren came to the Conference specially anxious that something should be done for the Sabbath-schools, and resolved to do their utmost to bring the subject before the Conference, though none knew anything of the feelings of the others. We take this as evidence that the Spirit of God is moving on the hearts of our people in this matter.

The Battle Creek Sabbath-school workers had gone so far as to prepare a Sabbath-school Constitution, which they wished to submit to the Conference. All seemed to take a deep interest in the matter. The reason of this is very apparent. Seventh-day Adventists already have about six hundred companies who meet together Sabbath after Sabbath. There are probably from eight to ten thousand children and young persons among our people. It becomes a matter of the greatest importance to so instruct these children that they shall not only become acquainted with the truth, but that they shall become Christians before they grow up and go away from home to give up the Sabbath.

Our ministers are so busy in new fields that they cannot give much attention to this matter; hence we must look largely to our Sabbath-schools to save our children. But to succeed in this, the Sabbath-schools must be made very interesting. What can be done to help them? What course shall be taken to make them successful? We have much to learn in this matter; and hence we propose to commence immediately. It will be seen that a general organization was effected, and officers for the coming year properly elected. They will commence work forthwith.

A Sabbath-school song book adapted to our Sabbath-schools is greatly needed. We are glad to learn that one is being prepared at the California office of publication. We solicit brethren everywhere, who are interested in the Sabbath-school and have proper pieces of music and hymns, to send them there, that there may be a goodly number from which to select. This should be attended to now. Some improvements are needed in our question books. We have not enough adapted to very small infant classes, neither have we just what is wanted in organizing a Bible-class for the older persons in a new place. Prof. Bell agrees with us in this, and other brethren are earnestly considering this matter. Something will be done to meet these wants very soon.

Very little attention has been paid to the Sabbath-schools; very little has been said about them, either by our preachers or through the papers; hence most of our brethren know but little about them. We shall endeavor, therefore, to secure something every week for the REVIEW for some months to come, bearing directly upon this subject.

Brethren who have the most interest in the Sabbath-school will write articles bearing upon the different points. We invite our brethren and sisters generally to read the articles and inform themselves about the matter.

Perhaps the editor will give us a small place as a Sabbath-school department, during the spring. We invite our brethren and sisters who are interested, to write articles on the subject and forward them to us; also to send in questions concerning any point which is not clear to them. These will be answered through the REVIEW.

Please examine the Constitution which appears this week in another column.

Next week more may be expected on this subject. D. M. CANRIGHT.

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

By S. N. Haskell; Uriah Smith

OF THE THIRD SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTS.

(Concluded.)

FIFTH SESSION.

PRAYER by A. S. Hutchins. The Committee on Resolutions reported the following which, after some discussion, were unanimously adopted:—

OUR COLLEGE.

Whereas, We behold with the greatest satisfaction and thankfulness to God, the prosperity of our College, as indicated by a greatly increased attendance and by its harmonious workings, and

Whereas, We have full confidence in this institution and believe that the Spirit of God is guiding in its management; therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend all our Seventh-day Adventist brethren to send their children to this College, believing it will be for their spiritual as well as mental improvement.

QUARTERLY MEETINGS.

Whereas, The experience of the past year has fully demonstrated the utility of the system of quarterly meetings as proposed by this Conference, and

Whereas, It will require faithfulness and perseverance on the part of the officers and members of our churches to maintain the system after it has been adopted; therefore,

Resolved, That we again commend this plan to all our churches, and urge those upon whom the responsibility rests to labor earnestly that it may be fully carried out.

Resolved, That we also recommend the general adoption of the new books prepared for the tract and missionary workers, believing that their use will greatly facilitate the work of the tract society.

ELD. JAMES WHITE.

Resolved, That, while we deeply regret the necessary absence of the president of this Conference, our dear Bro. White, by which we are deprived of his experienced counsel at this important point in the work, yet we are thankful to know that he is able to speak to us through our papers, and we assure him of our continued sympathy, co-operation, and prayers in his behalf.

S. B. BOOKS.

Resolved, That we heartily approve the work of the committee appointed to prepare new S. B. and Church Record Books, and recommend all our churches to supply themselves with these books, that there may be uniformity among us in the keeping of our church records and S. B. accounts.

THE DANISH MISSION.

Resolved, That we recognize the providence of God in the success which has attended the mission in Denmark, and that in consequence of the increased magnitude of the work there, we show our sympathy with Eld. Matteson and our interest in his work by rendering him all the assistance in our power, and by sending him, as soon as arrangements to that effect can be made, an assistant.

Resolved, That we recommend him to procure a tent for his use, friends of that mission to assist by their means to this purpose.

THE GENERAL EUROPEAN MISSION.

Whereas, There is immediate necessity of help for the cause in Italy and other portions of Europe, and

Whereas, The demands upon the European mission have been such, that, under the most careful management, it has overdrawn its funds to the extent of about $2,000; therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend and invite further $100 donations and smaller sums to aid in this branch of the work.

THE HEALTH REFORM INSTITUTE.

Resolved, That we are greatly cheered by the improvement in the management at the Health Institute, in the increased proficiency of its physicians and helpers, and in its rapidly growing patronage and influence.

Resolved, That we express our confidence that this Institution was established in the providence of God to aid in an important branch of the third angel’s message, and hence should be faithfully sustained by God’s people.

Whereas, The Health Reform Institute, in consequence of extensive building, is just now in the most pressing need of means to meet its obligations and finish the building; therefore,

Resolved, That we earnestly recommend our brethren and sisters everywhere to loan to the Institute immediately such sums as is reasonably within their power to raise, the Institute giving ample security for the payment of such loans at such times as may be agreed upon by the parties, with a fair rate of interest.

UNSUCCESSFUL LABORERS.

Whereas, The cause is rapidly extending on every side, and the number of public laborers is increasing yearly, and the matter of their support is becoming a more and more important question with us each year; and

Whereas, Our S. B. fund is depended upon by them for support; and in a considerable number of cases we find ministers who embarrass the Conference by requiring year after year more funds from the treasury than they bring into it; therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend the different Conferences to be sparing of their means to such ministers, paying them only in proportion to the benefit they have been to the cause in raising up churches, or otherwise.

SIXTH SESSION.

Monday, 2:30 P. M. On motion a committee of five was appointed to prepare a small collection of hymns for use in tent meetings and in new fields. The committee consisted of the following-named persons: W. C. White, U. Smith, B. L. Whitney, G. W. Colcord, and C. Lewis.

MEETING-HOUSE IN BATTLE CREEK.

As a larger house of worship in Battle Creek has become absolutely necessary on account of the increasing numbers called in to this place by the College, Sanitarium, Publishing Office, and the general meetings that must be held here in connection with these institutions, the matter of the erection of a suitable house was freely canvassed by the Conference. As the result, the opinion was unanimously expressed that the cause must suffer loss without such a provision to meet its growing wants. Whereupon it was

Moved and carried, That the General Conference Committee, with the presidents of the different State Conferences, be a committee to confer with a building committee to be appointed by the Battle Creek church, in reference to the erection of such a building as is now demanded.

Adjourned sine die.

S. N. HASKELL, Pres. pro tem.

U. SMITH, Sec.

REPORT FROM DENMARK.

By John G. Matteson

I have held meetings in Hostrup, Alstrup and Tylstrup since my last report. In Hostrup there is a brother who has observed the Sabbath for eleven years. His wife is united with him in the faith. We held one meeting in his house. The neighbors came in and listened attentively to a sermon on the reasons for our faith and hope.

On the Sabbath, Feb. 2, we had a prayer-meeting in Alstrup, and felt that the Spirit of the Lord was present. We organized the same day a Sabbath-school and Bible-class. In the afternoon, all the seats in the meeting-house were full. The people here are very willing to hear, but they are certainly very slow to obey the truths of God’s word.

The following week we held two meetings in the same place, besides visiting families and holding prayer-meeting, Sabbath-school, and Bible-class on the Sabbath. There is a large field of labor here, which we cannot soon get through with. Besides, we have invitations to preach in several other places in Vendsyssel. There is four times as much work as I can attend to.

The truth is also making an entrance into Norway. I have for some time corresponded with some friends there, and sent them some of our publications. In Bergen there are four persons who have commenced to observe the Sabbath of the Lord, and they are all temperance men. They write that there are others whom they hope to win to the truth, and that there are many who are willing to hear. In Romedal there is a brother who preaches to the people and holds the same views that we do. He is a homeopathic physician.

In Norway and Sweden there is much more religious awakening than in Denmark. And in Denmark the most promising field is Jylland, especially the northern part. This both the Methodists and the Baptists recognize. But there is no one who could have charge of the work begun here if I should go into new fields. Is there not at least one active brother who could come to help us in the spring, so that we could start a mission in Norway during the summer, if this should be the will of God, and the desire of our brethren?

In Tylstrup I have held six meetings. The friends have obtained a place to hold meetings, and have hired it for a year. It will seat about sixty persons. About one hundred and forty came to our first meeting. Several were obliged to stand outside. The word spoken has already, through the blessing of God, accomplished much good. JOHN G. MATTESON.

Feb. 14, 1878.

THE SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK.

By S. N. Haskell; J. T. Richards

The following action of the General Conference in relation to our Sabbath-school cause, we give in this manner by itself, for more prominence and convenient reference.

Monday evening, March 4, 6 P. M.

Prayer by E. W. Farnsworth. The committee appointed to draft a Constitution for the proposed S. S. organization reported a form, which, after some amendments, was adopted. It is as follows:—

CONSTITUTION.

For the purpose of awakening a deeper interest in Sabbath-school work, and of securing uniformity of method in our schools, a Sabbath-school Association is hereby organized by Seventh-day Adventists in General Conference assembled, this 4th day of March, A. D. 1878, this Association to be governed by the following Constitution:—

ARTICLE I.

This society shall be known as the Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath-school Association; and shall be composed of all the members of the several Sabbath-schools of the Seventh-day Adventists, who shall be represented in business sessions by delegates from the several State Conference S. S. Associations, chosen upon the same basis and plan as are the delegates to the General Conference.

ARTICLE II.

The officers of this Association shall be a President, as many Vice-Presidents as there may be auxiliary Conference Associations, the President of each of which Associations shall be a Vice-President of this. These officers shall be elected annually.

ARTICLE III.

The duties of the President shall be to preside at all the meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, and to call special meetings thereof.

ARTICLE IV.

The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be:—

To record all the proceedings of the Association, and to present a yearly summary of the same at the annual meeting.
To present such other summary reports as may from time to time be ordered.
To attend the meetings of the Executive Board, and keep a record of its proceedings.

ARTICLE V.

It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary:—

To execute all the correspondence ordered by the Association and by the Executive Board.
To make to the Recording Secretary an annual report of such correspondence, at least two weeks previous to the annual meeting of this Association.
To make reports at such other times as may be ordered.
He shall also act as treasurer of the Association, and shall receive and hold all moneys belonging to the Association, giving receipts therefor, and paying out the same as the Association or the Executive Board may direct, through the written order of the Recording Secretary.

ARTICLES VI.

The functions of the Executive Board shall be:—

To represent this Association when not in session assembled, and to execute all its recommendations and orders.
To assist, either personally or by authorized agents, in organizing and conducting Sabbath-schools, Sabbath-school Institutes, and Sabbath-school Associations.
To induce those possessing the requisite ability, and having a heart in the work, to write in the interest of Bible study and proper Sabbath-school instruction, and to secure the publication and distribution of needed Sabbath-school literature.
To make all necessary provisions for rendering the sessions of the Association interesting and profitable; and in general, to labor to make our Sabbath-schools efficient in preparing their members to be fruitful workers in the grand mission of the third angel's message.

ARTICLE VII.

The funds for defraying the expenses of this Association shall be obtained by contributions and donations.

ARTICLE VIII.

This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present at any regular meeting.

The Committee on Nominations reported the following names: President, D. M. Canright; Recording Secretary, G. H. Bell; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Eva Perkins; Executive Committee, D. M. Canright, S. N. Haskell, and W. C. White. All of these were elected by unanimous vote.

Remarks were made by Brn. Canright, White, Bell, Colcord, Olsen, Jones, and others, expressing their convictions of the necessity and importance of this move.

It was suggested that a song book, and smaller question books be prepared for the children, and that annual meetings for the children be held in connection with the camp-meetings. It was thought necessary to organize State associations.

Moved, That the chairman appoint a committee of three to draft a constitution for State organizations. Carried.

D. M. Canright, G. H. Bell, and W. C. White were appointed to draw up the constitution for said organizations.

O. A. Olsen remarked that the Danish brethren could not use the question books unless a translation be made. It was thereupon voted that this matter be referred to the committee.

The time having arrived for the T. and M. meeting, the Conference adjourned sine die.

S. N. HASKELL, Pres. pro tem.

J. T. RICHARDS, Sec. pro tem.

Continue reading: SPECIAL MEETING OF THE STOCK-HOLDERS OF THE HEALTH REFORM INSTITUTE