Earlier text: Morality of the SabbathThe Power from on High.
By J. H. W.
"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49. The time spoken of by our Saviour in his promise in John 14:16, 17, soon arrived. He had returned to his Father, leaving his disciples alone with their enemies. We can but faintly imagine how tedious were the hours of their tarrying at Jerusalem, and how many were the scoffs at their faith which they were compelled to hear. About ten days after his ascension came one of the Jewish solemnities—the feast of Pentecost. At this feast were gathered, according to the custom, Jews from every nation; for at their feasts they were all to "appear before the Lord." The disciples were in one place. Circumstances as well as choice separated them from the vast multitude then assembled. Their hearts were stricken; they were a despised people, and they could find but little to interest them outside of their own company. The chief priests and the rulers, the Scribes and Pharisees, the first officers of the nation, and all the influence of the great city, were united against them. To these great men all looked for counsel, and the hosts of Israel could but be ready to echo their sentiments. The teachings and miracles of Jesus had been heard of by all; and the crucifixion, with the accompanying convulsions of nature, followed by the report of his resurrection, with the well-known truth that Jesus was not found in the sepulcher, though it had been surrounded by a trusty Roman guard, all together had created an intense interest and excitement. It was only to be expected that they who had led in the persecution of Jesus would endeavor to shield themselves by casting reproach upon his followers. It was unpleasant, if not even unsafe, for them to appear in the streets of Jerusalem. But the declaration that that which is highly esteemed among men is not regarded of God, was true in this case. God was bringing confusion upon the great and the proud, and preparing to lift up the heads of those who were stricken and bowed down. This little company, frowned upon by the world, were watched over and guarded by Heaven. "And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:2-4. The report of this phenomenon soon brought together a wondering crowd, who were confounded or perplexed. "They were amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our tongue, wherein we were born?" Verses 7, 8. God had chosen this time to manifest this power; for it was well known that these were unlearned men, chosen from the humbler walks of life, and now they were speaking the various tongues spoken by the Jews who had come to Jerusalem "out of every nation under heaven." To those who were thus gathered from the nations it was a wonder. But others, resident in Jerusalem and the country surrounding, were also gathered there, who did not understand the various tongues spoken. To them the scene presented a different appearance. They well knew that these humble Galileans had never been schooled in letters. To them it was but an unmeaning jargon of sounds, and it was but natural that, to all the follies which they had ascribed to the followers of Jesus, they should add the charge of drunkenness. But Peter repelled the charge, and thereupon opened the Scriptures to them as follows:— "141Ye men of Judea, and all that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words; for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come." Acts 2:14-20. There is much of interest in these words; some of the points introduced we will notice. The promise was that the Spirit should be poured out upon "all flesh." This cannot be restricted to less than all the church. It certainly cannot be confined to the apostles. The effort made by many to find a complete fulfillment of Joel's prophecy on the day of Pentecost is without even a show of reason. That Joel's prophecy as here quoted by Peter covers the gospel dispensation, is evident from his reference to daughters and handmaidens, of whom there were none among the apostles, as well as to the signs and wonders, which reach down to the coming of "that great and notable day of the Lord." If the reader will examine the following scriptures, Matt. 42:27-31; Rev. 6:12-17; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 5:1-3; Isa. 2:10-21; 13:6-13, he will plainly see that that great and notable day of the Lord comes at the close of the gospel age, ushering in the terrible judgments of God and the second advent of the blessed Saviour. But we have chiefly to do with Peter's application of the prophecy. He takes up the history of Jesus, in his life and miracles, his death, burial, and resurrection, proving this last by the words of David, and then refers to his exaltation as follows:— "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which you now see and hear." Acts 2:33. Peter here speaks of the promise of the Holy Ghost, which Jesus had received of the Father, and accordingly the Spirit is called the "Holy Spirit of promise;" Eph. 1:13. And its gift is called "the promise of the Father," Acts 1:4. When the people were assured that this was indeed the power of God upon the disciples, and thus became convinced that that same Jesus whom they had crucified was the Messiah, they were convicted of their sins and of their danger, and cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter's answer was in every aspect applicable to the occasion; it answered their question, and gave them definite information concerning the promise of the gift of the Spirit, to which he had referred, and which they had seen illustrated in the wonderful events of that day. He said:— "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Acts 2:38, 39. It is not possible to mistake "the promise" to which reference is here made. It was "the promise of the Spirit," as in verse 33; that is to say, that which was fulfilled to the apostles should also be fulfilled to them if they would accept and follow, the crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth. The words, "all that are afar off," have reference to the Gentiles, as Paul shows in Eph. 2:11-18, in distinction from the Jews, who are addressed as "you and your children." Thus the same promise of the Spirit is extended to the church at large, "even as many as the Lord our God shall call." This whole instruction as regards both duty and promise is neutralized between two classes in the present age. The Friends (known as Quakers) reject baptism as being only an external ordinance. As this subject is quite foreign to the subject of the present argument I pass over the error of the Friends without examination. On the other hand the disciples, and those holding with them, ignore the promise, making baptism the only point of interest in the text. When I say they ignore the promise, I mean they do not accept it according to the evident meaning of the text; for there is no real difference between the utter rejection of a text and the denial of its evident meaning. The Jews did not deny the Scriptures, directly; but they denied their plain and evident fulfillment, and thus they made them "of none effect." That the promise of Acts 2:39 is identical with that of verse 33 is so clear that Disciple authors have been constrained to admit it, however strenuously they deny the conclusion logically deduced therefrom. Thus Alexander Campbell says:— "The promise is expressly said by Peter to be 'the promise of the Holy Spirit,' which is extended to all that are near, and 'afar off.' The gift of the Holy Ghost is the immediate antecedent to the promise, as any one may see from the slightest attention to the passage." Baptism, p. 383, ed. 1853. And McGarvey in his Commentary on Acts, says of chap. 2:39:— "That we are right in referring the word promise in this sentence, to the promise of the Holy Ghost just made by Peter, is evident from the fact, that this is the only promise made in the immediate context." This is indeed evident, though it has been most strenuously denied by others of that body. Thus, Eld. Treat, associate editor of the Record, of Bedford, Ind., and highly recommended as an expounder and defender of their peculiar faith, persistently denied this fact, in Gosport, Ind., in Nov. 1871, when the subject of "the promise" was under consideration. But Mr. McGarvey, while he admits the truth of the statement, robs it of all its force by making a distinction between "the gift of the Holy Spirit," and "the Holy Spirit's gifts," and affirming that the former, but not the latter, is the subject of the promise. If we allow that that distinction is just, the inquiry then arises, Which did the apostles receive on the day of Pentecost? Any answer which includes either to the exclusion of the other, is only partial; it does not contain the whole truth. While all will acknowledge that they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, none can deny that they received the Holy Spirit's gifts. And then another inquiry may properly be raised: Were not all included under one and the same promise? Or, were there two distinct promises of the Spirit? Only one. The promise which Peter held out to his hearers, in verse 39, is identical with that of verse 33, as both Campbell and McGarvey admit. But Peter said that that which they saw and heard, even the mighty power of the Spirit of God upon the apostles, was given by virtue of that promise. There is but one "Holy Spirit of promise," and concerning it Jesus received but one "promise of the Father." And by virtue of that, but "one Spirit" was given. The facts here presented show that the pouring out of the Spirit upon the disciples was the cause of the wondering of the assembled multitude, and that drew out Peter's discourse, which was aimed to correct their impression, and to teach them in regard to the promise and gift of the Spirit. He said the Spirit was poured out, as they then saw and heard, according to the promise which Jesus received of the Father, and that they also might receive it, for the promise was to them and to their children, and to as many as the Lord shall call. Now if any can distinguish between the promise under which the disciples received the Holy Ghost on that day and the promise under which the same Spirit was offered to the multitude, it will be by an exercise of ingenuity which we cannot comprehend. Nothing appears more evident than that all the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit of God are under one and the same promise; they are different parts of that promise; and to reject the parts is to reject the whole, and thus to annul the promise. In regard to the distinction referred to above, it is asserted that the Spirit's gifts include only the miraculous, or power conferred specially on a few, in distinction from the general gift of the Spirit to all the churches. But this is not satisfactory. Says Webster: "Miraculous, of the nature of a miracle; performed supernaturally; effected by the direct agency of almighty power, and not by natural causes." It needs but little consideration to make it apparent to all that there is no such distinction as natural and supernatural gifts and operations of the Spirit in the church. Each and every one who receives the Spirit, in any manner or to any extent, receives it by the direct power of God. There is no natural reception nor operation of the Spirit of God in any case. Hence the distinction is claimed without regard to the proper use of the words. A more obvious distinction, apparently, is claimed between the ordinary and extraordinary manifestations of the Spirit. But again we ask, are there two distinct promises for these methods of operations? Or, does not the promise include both? One promise includes all. There is no "promise of the Spirit" in the Bible which does not include the gifts or manifestations of divine power. This we shall claim as an established truth unless a separate and distinct promise is produced for a peculiar or distinct manifestation. In confirmation of the view here taken we notice that the apostles, who received the gifts and power of the Spirit, did not all possess like power; the Spirit did not manifest itself through all alike. Therefore Paul says:— "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?" 1 Cor. 12:29, 30. These questions are asked of the church at large, as well as of the apostles, which is an evidence that the same gifts were in the church at large, as we shall hereafter show, but not in all alike. Each has his own peculiar office; or, to use the language of inspiration concerning these manifestations, "Dividing to every man severally as he will." Yet all received under one promise; all were parts of one whole. What a blessing, a gracious privilege, is thus held out to us as members of the body of Christ—as called of God. And what a responsibility is thus placed upon us. May the Lord guide us that we never more quench the Spirit, but covet earnestly the best gifts, and so humble ourselves before God that we may be "endued with power from on high." J. H. W. Temptation of Christ.
By Mrs. E. G. White
THERE are many who fail to distinguish between the rashness of presumption and the intelligent confidence of faith. Satan thought that by his temptations he could delude the world's Redeemer, to make one bold move in manifesting his divine power, to create a sensation, and to surprise all by the wonderful display of the power of his Father in preserving him from injury. He suggested that Christ should appear in his real character, and by this masterpiece of power, establish his right to the confidence and faith of the people, that he was indeed the Saviour of the world. If Christ had been deceived by Satan's temptations, and had exercised his miraculous power to relieve himself from difficulty, he would have broken the contract made with his Father, to be a probationer in behalf of the race. It was a difficult task for the Prince of Life to carry out the plan which he had undertaken for the salvation of man, in clothing his divinity with humanity. He had received honor in the heavenly courts, and was familiar with absolute power. It was as difficult for him to keep the level of humanity as it is for men to rise above the low level of their depraved natures, and be partakers of the divine nature. Christ was put to the closest test, requiring the strength of all his faculties to resist the inclination when in danger, to use his power to deliver himself from peril, and triumph over the power of the prince of darkness. Satan showed his knowledge of the weak points of the human heart, and put forth his utmost power to take advantage of the weakness of the humanity which Christ had assumed in order to overcome his temptations on man's account. God has given man precious promises upon conditions of faith and obedience; but they are not to sustain him in any rash act. If men needlessly place themselves in peril, and go where God does not require them to go, and self-confidently expose themselves to danger, disregarding the dictates of reason, God will not work a miracle to relieve them. He will not send his angels to preserve any from being burned if they choose to place themselves in the fire. Adam was not deceived by the serpent, as was Eve, and it was inexcusable in Adam to rashly transgress God's positive command. Adam was presumptuous because his wife had sinned. He could not see what would become of Eve. He was sad, troubled, and tempted. He listened to Eve's recital of the words of the serpent, and his constancy and integrity began to waver. Doubts arose in his mind in regard to whether God did mean just as he said. He rashly ate the tempting fruit. Spiritualists make the path to hell most attractive. Spirits of darkness are clothed by these deceptive teachers in pure robes of Heaven, and they have power to deceive those not fortified with Bible truth. Vain philosophy is employed in representing the path to hell as a path of safety. With the imagination highly wrought, and voices musically tuned, they picture the broad road as one of happiness and glory. Ambition holds before deluded souls, as Satan presented to Eve, a freedom and bliss for them to enjoy which they never conceived was possible. Men are praised who have traveled the broad path to hell, and after they die, are exalted to the highest positions in the eternal world. Satan, clothed in robes of brightness, appearing like an exalted angel, tempted the world's Redeemer without success. But as he comes to man robed as an angel of light he has better success. He covers his hideous purposes, and succeeds too well in deluding the unwary who are not firmly anchored upon eternal truth. Riches, power, genius, eloquence, pride, perverted reason, and passion, are enlisted as Satan's agents in doing his work in making the broad road attractive, strewing it with tempting flowers. But every word they have spoken against the world's Redeemer will be reflected back upon them, and will one day burn into their guilty souls like molten lead. They will be overwhelmed with terror and shame as they behold the exalted one coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Then shall the bold defier, who lifted himself up against the Son of God, see himself in the true blackness of his character. The sight of the inexpressible glory of the Son of God will be intensely painful to those whose characters are stained with sin. The pure light and glory emanating from Christ will awaken remorse, shame, and terror. They will send forth wails of anguish to the rocks and mountains, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?" Spiritualists claim superior light and power. They have opened the door and invited the prince of darkness in, and have made him their honored guest. They have allied themselves to the powers of darkness which are developing in these last days in signs and wonders, that if it were possible they would deceive the very elect. Spiritualists claim that they can do greater miracles than Christ did. Satan made the same boasts to Christ. Because the Son of God had linked himself to the weakness of humanity, to be tempted in all points like as man should be tempted, Satan triumphed over him, and taunted him. He boasted of his superior strength, and dared him to open a controversy with him. Spiritualists are increasing in numbers. They will come to men who have the truth as Satan came to Christ, tempting them to manifest their power, and work miracles, and give evidence of their being favored of God, and of their being the people who have the truth. Satan said to Christ, "If thou be the Son of God, command these stones that they be made bread." Herod and Pilate asked Christ to work miracles when he was on trial for his life. Their curiosity was aroused, but Christ did not work a miracle to gratify them. Spiritualists will press the matter to engage in controversy with ministers who teach the truth. If they decline, they will dare them. They will quote scripture, as did Satan to Christ. "Prove all things," say they. But their idea of proving is to listen to their deceptive reasonings, and to attend their circles. But in their gatherings, the angels of darkness assume the forms of dead friends, and communicate with them as angels of light. Their loved ones will appear in robes of light, as familiar to the sight as when they were upon the earth. They will teach them, and converse with them. And many will be deceived by this wonderful display of Satan's power. The only safety for the people of God is to be thoroughly conversant with their Bibles, and be intelligent upon the reasons of our faith in regard to the sleep of the dead. Satan is a cunning foe. And it is not difficult for the evil angels to represent both saints and sinners who have died, and make these representations visible to human eyes. These manifestations will be more frequent, and developments of a more startling character will appear as we near the close of time. We need not be astonished at anything in the line of deceptions to allure the unwary, and deceive, if possible, the very elect. Spiritualists quote, "Prove all things." But God has, for the benefit of his people who live amid the perils of the last days, proved this class, and given the result of his proving. 2 Thess. 2: 9-12: "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Missionary Department.
By S. N. Haskell
“Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” John 1:46. No individual who reads our periodicals can fail to see that the cause of present truth is spreading more rapidly than at any period in its previous history. In every part of this country we hear of souls embracing the truth. Cheering reports are received from the most distant parts of the world. Individuals of every nationality are seen taking their stand upon the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Nothing is more clearly demonstrated to the believer in the “third angel's message” of Rev. 14:9-12, than the fact that the Lord is preparing the way for the earth to be lightened with the glory of the “mighty angel” of Rev. 18. Reference to the state of the cause in one of our Conferences will give us some idea of the condition of the work all over the field. Wherever a spirit of sacrificing labor has been continued for months or years, the fruit of it is now becoming apparent. Two years ago this spring, the brethren in Minnesota organized their Tract and Missionary Society. Their circumstances at that time were such that it required much sacrificing zeal to successfully start and carry through the organization. Paying up their delinquency on the periodicals, purchasing publications, and such expenses as would necessarily arise, taxed them pecuniarily. This they cheerfully met. Then circumstances made it necessary that their ministerial help, which the General Conference had sent them should go to other fields. Thus they were left to their own resources. When the call was made for 10,000 new subscribers for our periodicals on a trial volume one year ago last December, this Conference was among the first to fill its quota. Many of the brethren and sisters then began the missionary labor in earnest. Visiting families, and praying with them where it was proper, constituted a share of their missionary work. When lectures were given in a community they did not leave the few who embraced the truth for the devouring wolves to destroy before they had become established; but some brother of experience would visit from house to house, to assist them in erecting the family altar, and to set before them in a judicious manner the moral and physical effects of the use of tobacco, tea, coffee, &c. When one left, another visited them. This gave them a change of gifts, thus saving the work of God from bearing too much the stamp of individualism, and left those who could give lectures free to enter new fields. In this way a healthy tone is given to the new churches, and they partake of the same missionary spirit. The fruit of this course soon became manifest. Over one hundred have embraced the truth in this Conference since the camp-meeting; and an interest to read and hear upon these truths is more or less apparent all over the State. To illustrate the effect of this kind of labor we relate the following: One brother went out in a back settlement to canvass for The Voice of Truth. There were nineteen families in that vicinity in which the REVIEW had been read, and they were anxious to hear on these subjects. They eagerly subscribed for The Voice. But how did they become acquainted with the Review? Some person unknown to the receiver had sent the trial volume last winter to one of these families and they had become interested in it; and when the subscription expired they felt that they could not do without the paper, and therefore renewed their subscription and loaned it to the other families. At another place where the Review had been sent, an interest had been awakened in these truths. A brother passing through the neighborhood, left some tracts, and, by their urgent request, an appointment to speak to them. For some cause he failed to meet his engagement. The friends, however, came together. Having no minister, they appointed one of their number to read to them a Sabbath tract which he had left. A short time after this, some lectures were given, and now there are forty keeping the Sabbath who meet to worship God. About twenty-five miles from this place, there is another company of forty that embraced the Sabbath under similar circumstances. A man and his wife came over forty miles to attend our meeting at Grove Lake. They had seen the appointment in the Review. She had commenced to keep the Sabbath, but was not acquainted with the brethren and sisters. Before the meeting closed two others took their stand to keep the commandments of God. Bro. Grant, who is constantly traveling through the State, holding quarterly meetings with the various churches, says that it is not an uncommon thing for one or more to come to the meeting for the first time, having seen the notice in the Review. In some instances the Review is the only reading matter they have ever seen, and by reading it these persons have commenced to keep the Bible Sabbath, have erected the family altar, thrown away their tobacco, and commenced to serve the Lord. Thus it is where the missionary work has been carried forward with steady perseverance. A director writes in his report as follows: “A brother gave some tracts to a family in the city who promised to read, but after he left they were thrown out of the window into the street. A family who were moving picked up these tracts, read them, and are now rejoicing in the truth.” Similar instances are constantly coming to notice. What is the meaning of all this, if it be not that God is preparing honest hearts everywhere to receive his sacred truth? The Tract Societies in this State are making an effort to fill their quota of names. The sisters, as well as the brethren, are taking an active part in this work. One, who is a widow with three small children, took her little boy to drive the oxen (for this was all the team they had), visited her neighbors through the cold and snow, and in a short time secured forty paying subscribes for The Voice. Could all realize the importance of this work and of the time in which we live, there would not be a Conference nor a single district in a Conference, but would make every effort to procure readers for our periodicals and publications wherever their influence extends. God is preparing hearts all over the world to receive his truth. He has committed the work of imparting this light and truth to his church. Now is the time to work. Neglect the present golden moments, and we meet with an irreparable loss. “This life to toil is given;
And he improves it best
Who seeks by patient labor
To enter into rest.” The brethren in Minnesota Conference have some courage in God, and they assure us that we can count on them to fill their quota of names for The Voice of Truth and Health Reformer. They want the privilege of doing it. If they continue in the same sacrificing spirit of labor, and take unselfish and enlarged views of the work of God, they will grow strong, and be successful in spreading the light of God's truth. We long for the time when more of this spirit will be diffused through all the ranks of our people, whether they are in Conference organizations or scattered in different parts of the world.
S. N. HASKELL. The Cause in Europe Onward.
By John Nevins Andrews
In the merciful providence of God we are able to record an advance step in the work in Central Europe. I have mentioned the fact that there are some forty Sabbath-keepers in Prussia, who never saw one of like faith, from another country. In some way these brethren heard that there was a Sabbath-keeper at Basel by the name of James Ertzenberger, and thereupon they wrote him for information concerning the Sabbath cause in Switzerland. This was about the time of my arrival at Neuchatel. In writing to them he mentioned the fact of my arrival, and they, in answering, extended an earnest invitation to us each to come and visit them. I have also stated that some time since Satan was able in some things to get the advantage of Bro. E. I could not go to labor in Germany without the assistance of Bro. E., and I did not feel free to set out with him for that country till he could have the fullest confidence of the Swiss brethren. I have therefore sought help from God, and have put forth the best efforts in my power to have every fault corrected according to the instruction of the New Testament. I think it is not stating too much to say that God has crowned these efforts with abundant success. God has greatly blessed Bro. E., and the hearts of all his people here are made to rejoice. Now with the full approval of all the Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland, and with the blessing of God we hope to set out for Elberfield in Prussia, on Monday, Feb. 1. Bro. E. goes to remain and to preach in his own tongue, the German. I go to remain a few weeks to help him in the commencement of the work. Elberfield is about 300 miles directly north of Neuchatel. Then if the Lord will I shall return to Neuchatel to do what I can in French. We are now ready to begin the publication of French tracts, and intend to commence upon my return. It has been a time of constant, earnest effort with me to get under way in the work here. I have made each day's labor as extended as nature would enable me to make it. Neuchatel has a mild climate. There has been snow enough to whiten the ground for a few hours at a time, but I think there has never been frost enough in the ground to prevent spading in the vineyards. But we have had, with few and brief intervals of sunshine, three months of fog, and some of the time it has been very dense. I have suffered more with chilliness in this damp atmosphere of moderate cold than in the more severe cold of our American winters. But no one need complain at Neuchatel. If such a winter as I have described does not suit them they can find a real American winter in the higher country not more than three miles distant. My heart is full of courage and hope. The best of all is, God is with us. We have now at this place a general meeting of the Swiss Sabbath-keepers, for the transaction of business, for the celebration of the ordinances, and for the worship of God. It is a season of interest and encouragement; still we ask the prayers of the people of God. Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Jan. 31, 1875. P. S.—I thank those friends who have kindly sent me American papers. J. N. A. Racine, Wisconsin.
By John Matteson
AFTER leaving Battle Creek, we held meetings in Chicago one week. The brethren felt encouraged to continue in the way of truth and life. The Lord blessed us as we celebrated the ordinances. The Sisters' Mission, consisting of twenty-five members held their annual meeting. The report showed that they had earned about $180 during the last year. Most of this had been expended during the year for benevolent purposes, helping the poor, the sick, and widows, sending Advent Tidende to a number of friends in the old country, &c. In Racine, the interest was so good that I had to stay two weeks and a half. Some started to serve the Lord and keep his commandments. Two were baptized, and eight souls added to the church, which now numbers seventeen. Besides these, eight more are keeping the Sabbath, and meet with them for worship. There were a few Sabbath-keepers here before, but they have all left except one. It is less than a year since this work commenced. There are many of our countryman in this city, and there is a good prospect that others will be brought in. Busseyville, Wis., Feb. 10, 1875. Giving Broken Things to God.
WISE heads are sometimes found on young shoulders. Infant lips sometimes utter sharp truths and biting sarcasms. A child's eyes see farther and a child's mind understands more than older heads imagine. Clothing for the Freedmen! We want to send two or three barrels of clothing for the poor blacks at the South. Who will give to God's poor! "He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord." Such was the call from the pulpit. Of course, the matter was talked over in the family. Clothes-presses were ransacked. Second-hand garments with, perhaps, here and there a rent in them, were gathered together, and a respectable bundle was sent to the "barrel." Little eyes looked on with interest. Little thoughts were busy. Why did we send so many second-hand things to God's poor? Why didn't we lend some of our best things to the Lord? Not long after a valuable chair was badly broken. What shall we do with that chair? was the natural question. "I dess," said little three-year old, "I dess we shall have to div it to Dod." What a commentary upon poor human nature! How prone we are to give broken things to God! How the old Jews set us the example! How they would persist in bringing the maimed, and the halt, and the blind, for sacrifice, when God demanded the spotless and the unblemished. In one of our secular papers, not long since, we saw the statement that the deacons of a certain church out West usually spent a large part of Monday mending the broken scrip which was put into the contribution box on Sunday. No doubt the statement was exaggerated. But we question if there was ever a church treasurer who did not have considerable of such work to do. And sometimes the scrip aforesaid is not only broken, but not even worth mending. It is counterfeit. Giving broken things to God! What multitudes of impenitent sinners are doing it or purposing to do it! "Give me thine heart," says God. Give it now. Give it in youth. Give it in manhood. Give your best days, your best strength, your best services, your best powers of mind and body to God. But no; not now is the response. Wait—wait till old age comes—till sinful indulgences no longer exhilarate. Wait til death stares me in the face. Then I'll give myself to God; then, when I am broken, and helpless, and useless. Oh, for shame!143 Dear reader, don't give broken things to God—that is, with one exception. There is one broken thing which God calls for and never will refuse. It is a broken heart.—Give him that, but let all your other offerings be sound and wholesome.—New York Observer. O Soul! if ever you with me
Shall sail across the jasper sea,
And see upon the shining sands
Him with the nail prints in his hands;
If ever we shall find the the grace;
To look upon his glorious face,
And touch the robe without a seam,
Our hope has been no idle dream. For in the world where work and care
Are round about us everywhere;
Where crime creeps in, and sin obscures,
And patient suffering endures;
Where wealth rides by in purple state,
And misery sits outside the gate;
What ground is left for human trust,
If life is all, and we are dust? No! if beneath the mantling snow
Are roots from which the violets grow;
And if the rose-tree blooms again
If sunny skies and April rain;
If after all the spring-time showers
Bring summer buds and gorgeous flowers,
So, out of all the damp and mould
Of death, do saintly souls unfold. North Pacific Mission.
By Isaac D. Van Horn
WE can report that the work here is progressing favorably. Since New Years' we have been laboring in two different school districts. In the first, during the extremely cold weather, there were but few who attended the meetings, yet there was some fruit.—Three persons declared their intention to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. These will probably in a short time join the Walla Walla church. We commenced work in the second district with more favorable weather, and a better attendance. This district includes the little village of Milton, Oregon; a place of about fifty inhabitants. At our last Sabbath meeting a company of fifteen, including three members of the Walla Walla church, signed a covenant to keep up Sabbath meetings until such time as might be thought best to organize a church. Bro. Aaron Miller was appointed to take the lead of the meetings. Bro. Wm. Nichols was appointed Superintendent of the Bible Class and Sabbath School. We shall hope for a little company of firm advocates of the truth to be established here. The members of the Walla Walla church are all doing well, with two exceptions. These we have had to withdraw fellowship from. The meeting house is nearly completed. The church are holding their meetings in it now. It will be ready for dedication as soon as we can get the paper from below, which will be as soon as the boats begin to run up the river. I have now commenced meetings in Pendleton, Oregon, the county seat of Umatilla County. It is a small village of about 200 inhabitants. We have already held two meetings with good attendance and a good interest.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Pendleton, Oregon, Feb. 22, 1875.