The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself, and this consecration to God and separation from the world is plainly declared and positively enjoined in both the Old and New Testaments. There is a wall of separation which the Lord himself has established between the things of the world and the things he has chosen out of the world and sanctified unto himself. The calling and the character of God’s people are peculiar. Their prospects are peculiar, and these peculiarities distinguish them from all people. All of God’s people upon the earth are one body, from the beginning to the end of time. They have one head that directs and governs the body. The same injunctions rest upon God’s people now, to be separate from the world, as rested upon ancient Israel. The great Head of the church has not changed. The experience of Christians in these days is much like the travels of ancient Israel. Please read 1 Cor. 10, especially from the 6th to the 15th verse.
“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. . . . . Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.”
1 John 3:1: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
1 John 2:15–17: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
2 Pet. 2:20: “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
James 4:4: “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
James 1:27: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Titus 2:12–14: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Rom. 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
John 17:14, 15, 17: “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. . . . . Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.”
Luke 6:22, 23: “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for behold your reward is great in Heaven; for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”
John 15:16–19: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
1 John 4:4, 5: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world; therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”
1 John 2:5, 6: “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.”
1 Pet. 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
As we read the word of God, how plain that God’s people are peculiar and distinct from the unbelieving world around them. Our position is interesting and fearful; living in the last days, how important that we imitate the example of Christ, and walk even as he walked. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” The opinions and wisdom of men must not guide or govern us. They always lead away from the cross.
The servants of Christ have not their home or their treasure here. Would that all of them could understand that it is only because the Lord reigns that we are even permitted to dwell in peace and safety among our enemies. It is not our privilege to claim special favors of the world. We must consent to be poor and despised among men until the warfare is finished and the victory won. The members of Christ are called to come out and be separate from the friendship and spirit of the world, and their strength and power consists in their being chosen and accepted of God.
The Son of God was the heir of all things, and the dominion and the glory of the kingdoms of this world were promised to him. Yet when he appeared in this world it was without riches or splendor. The world understood not his union with the Father; and the excellency and glory of his divine character were hid from them. He was therefore “despised and rejected of men,” and “we did esteem him smitten of God and afflicted.”
Even so the members of Christ are as he was in this world. They are the sons of God and joint heirs with Christ; and the kingdom and dominion belong to them. The world understand not their character and holy calling. They perceive not their adoption into the family of God. Their union and fellowship with the Father and the Son are not manifest to the world, and while they behold their humiliation and reproach, it does not appear what they shall be. They are strangers. The world knows them not, and appreciates not the motives which actuate them.
The world is ripening for its destruction. God can bear with sinners but a little longer. They must drink the dregs of the cup of his wrath unmixed with mercy. Those who will be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to the immortal inheritance will be peculiar, yes, so peculiar that God places a mark upon them as his, wholly his. Think ye that God will receive, honor, and acknowledge, a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from them only in name? Read again Titus 2:13–15. It is soon to be known who is on the Lord’s side—who will not be ashamed of Jesus. Those who have not moral courage to take their position conscientiously in the face of unbelievers, and leave the fashions of the world, and imitate the self-denying life of Christ, are ashamed of him, and do not love his example. E. G. W.
The Gospel Immutable.
By Hugh Miller Thompson
God's church is a trustee, and its duty is to keep the gospel safely—to preserve it just as it came from God—to transmit its truth pure and unchanged to the world. We have to transmit this old, unchanging story of truth in an age which, above all other ages, is full of the desire to hear new things. There never was an age in which human opinion was so much adrift. We establish supposed facts, and cling to apparently unchanging principle to-day, which, to-morrow, we find all adrift again. Undoubtedly we make advances every day. We improve and push on, but there is constant changing, and our faith is shattered. Our truth and principles of to-day must accommodate themselves to new truths and different principles to-morrow.
Upon such a time we have drifted, and I do not complain of the times. God has permitted them, with all their tendencies. The philosophies of the past generation must pass away before the facts of this, and the facts of this generation will yield to the newer theories of the next, and they will drift down the current, ever giving place to others. Men may go on making their theories and putting them into books, but they will die, as theories and books have died before them. Until the last testimony is before the court, there can be no fixed theory. Human investigation is corrected by human investigation. Until you have the last fact in your science, your theory will fail. A single unknown fact may overturn it. We must hold ourselves ready to cast away at sight all our theories and conclusions and adopt new ones. But is this so in all departments of human knowledge? Whatever is established by human investigation is liable to be corrected by better investigation to-morrow. Your expression of a truth thus established can never be more than part of the truth—it may be only the shadow of it.
But shall what depends on God's revelation also submit to change, and become all adrift? Is that also unfixed and veering? In one respect, perhaps, it is. In itself it is fixed and unchangeable. But when man accepts the truth he does so according to his capacity. He may take less to-day, and more to-morrow. He may see only part of it at one time. So the truth inside him may change, but the truth outside him never does. One man sees the truth more strongly than another, but it is the same unchanging truth. Here the mistake arises of supposing that God's truth does or can change. The difference is in man himself. The enormous mountain range of God's truth is traversed by men who see only part at a time, and as they go on they see more and get other views. They think that it is the mountains that change, but all the change is in themselves.
God's revealed gospel is always the same story. Man receives it according to his powers of reception. It is great and universal. All men take it, for it fits all. It can have no change to suit the advances of the times. That sort of thing is sometimes preached from the pulpit. It is said that this old gospel must improve as men advance, that it must accommodate itself to the progress of the age. We admit that to one age one side of the gospel may be brightest and dearest, and in another age another side of the gospel may be most cherished. But this is not a change in the gospel—it is a change in the age—not a change in God's truth, but a change in man. The unchanging truth comes with a voice to every man, but it seems to vary in accordance with his capacity of hearing.—Hugh Miller Thompson.
Time.
By Jos. Clarke
How little is time appreciated by most except to be used for selfish purposes—for profit, or for pleasure, or ambition. But in the light of eternity, how few estimate time as it should be estimated, how few weigh this invaluable treasure in a proper balance! Our most valuable blessings are seldom appreciated until they are withheld from us for a time. The manna became by constant use so little valued that the people complained, murmured, and rebelled, while eating of this heavenly food.
Time is continued to us day by day; our season of probation is lengthened out; shall we undervalue this great blessing, and let the precious opportunity of repentance escape? There is a point of time in the life of each of us, which, if improved, would set our feet in the straight and narrow path that leads to a future life of glory, immortality, and infinite, unspeakable happiness, in the presence of God, of Jesus Christ, and angels, and the just made perfect in Heaven.
There was a period of time in which the antediluvians were warned of the coming deluge. At a certain set time the deluge came; at a certain appointed time the waters of the flood were assuaged, and earth again smiled in beauty and glory, although it was deprived of its former magnificence. So, for a long period, good men looked forward to the time when the Messiah should appear; and when that period of time arrived, the glorious One appeared. For a time he was the present Saviour; good men rejoiced with joy unspeakable; the unfortunate and the poor were relieved. But time flew relentlessly on, and the Messiah was here on earth personally no longer.
Since that time, good men have looked down the distant ages for the fulfillment of the predicted signs of his second coming. Those signs in sun, moon, and stars, have taken place, and now they know he is near, even at the doors. Soon he will come in all the glory of his Father; yes, the time is near. A little space of time and all the elect will be safely landed on the plains of paradise.
Time will run as before its steady course. A thousand years will the sun count in its annual circuits while the poor ruined earth lies in utter ruin without inhabitants; then the resurrection of the wicked will take place, the earth be in flames, and the last sinner consumed.
Time will not stay, but will rush on to final victory. The time will come when all these events will be past, and the purified earth will bloom as when first from the hand of the Creator. Time will verify the truth of prophecy, and will prove that Jehovah will do as he has said by the words of all his prophets.
Jos. CLARKE.
Defective Prayers.
True prayer has power with God. It brings to the weakest Christian the aid of an omnipotent Helper, and is always answered, though often in ways quite otherwise than those anticipated or even desired. But there is a vast difference between the forms and the spirit of prayer, and many who feel that their prayers accomplish little may learn the reason in the following suggestions:—
1. Those which embody no desire. They are formal and lifeless. The soul will not be easily pacified when it has a great desire which cries out for something God alone can give.
2. Such as are not earnest. Prayer is real work for life, while yet disclaiming all personal power to secure it or merit it.
3. Such as are without faith. There are three grounds for faith in approach to God. 1. His covenant. 2. His promises. 3. His attributes. Surely upon one or the other the confidence of the petitioner may rest unshaken.
4. Such as are made in wrath. The heart which secures favor from God must love mankind. It must put away all wrath, and malice, and evil speaking. It must forgive and bless as it would be forgiven and blessed.
5. Such as are connected with a disposition to live in sin. “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.”
6. An unwillingness to do the will of God. Many a man dares not ask for the coming in of the Holy Spirit, lest it reprove him for some long-neglected duty. If we pray for light, we must accept its revelations; for strength, the duties it imposes.
7. The lack of praise to God. Thanklessness shuts God out—is a non-conductor of mercy. We do not praise God half enough.
8. Praying to be seen and heard of men. Prayers for human ears have little audience in divine ones.
Duration of Vegetable Life.
LORD LINDSAY states that in the course of his wanderings amid the pyramids of Egypt, he stumbled on a mummy, proved by its hieroglyphics to be at least 2,000 years of age. On examining the mummy after it was unwrapped, he found in one of its closed hands a tuberous or bulbous root. He was interested in the question how long vegetable life could last, and he therefore took that tuberous root from the mummy’s hand, planted it in a sunny soil, allowed the rains and dews of heaven to descend upon it, and in the course of a few weeks, to his astonishment and joy, the root burst forth and bloomed into a beauteous dahlia.
J. BYINGTON
By John Byington
Michigan.
May 29, I was with the Church in Oceana Co., at the school-house near Greenwood Station. I spoke of the great price paid for the church, of its great value to a lost world, and of our responsibilities to carry forward the work to be done by said church. Brethren came in from several towns, and there was freedom in preaching and in the social meetings throughout the day.
On first-day we had business meeting at 9 o’clock; preaching at half past ten; then went eight miles to Montague to attend the funeral of Bro. Frank Ward’s infant child. Here I spoke to an attentive congregation; many of them I think had never before heard a Seventh-day Adventist. We then went one and one-half miles to the burying ground, returned, and went two miles to the shore of White Lake, where three willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism. This was quite a day’s work considering age and infirmities; but the Lord sustained me.
June 5, at home, with the church in Newton.
The 12th I was with the church in Burlington, and with them attended the ordinances, which had been neglected for some time. This was a very solemn meeting. Here the brethren are just commencing to build a house of worship, and I hope all will set out anew to walk in love and union in the work of God.
June 19, 20, at Alaiedon. I spoke twice on the Sabbath, and once on first-day. There was a good turnout at this meeting, and the time was well filled up in social interview. Three years have passed since I had met with this church, which was raised up by Bro. Matteson, and I hope they will follow the instruction he has recently given them in the REVIEW. The Lord was a present help in these meetings, and I trust lasting good was done.
J. BYINGTON
Alaiedon, June, 1875.
Sabbath Interest and Jewish Response at Ligonier, Indiana
By S. H. Lane; H. M. Kenyon
Indiana.
SINCE our last report, the interest at this place, Ligonier, Noble Co., has been on the increase. The congregations have ranged from two to seven hundred.
The introduction of the Sabbath question has aroused not only the people in the village, but those in the immediate country for miles around. Sabbath, the 12th, in the afternoon, held a Bible Class as our first Sabbath exercise. Quite a large number present.
Last Sabbath, June 19, held our first Sabbath meeting; about one hundred present. At the conclusion of the discourse, took a vote to ascertain who had determined to observe the Sabbath. Our hearts were made to rejoice to see thirty-five arise. In the afternoon held a second Bible Class. Fully one hundred were present.
There are some thirty families of Jews residing here. They have a synagogue, and each Sabbath they hold a morning service. Many of them are quite wealthy, and control, to a great extent, the business of this place, a town of about three thousand inhabitants. Some of them keep the Sabbath, but the business men keep open their places of business. Quite a number of them have attended our meetings. Some seem interested. The presentation of the Sabbath question has not only pleased, but aroused them. Yesterday, first-day, held a meeting to consider the idea of observing the Sabbath more strictly by closing their business houses. All agreed so to do, with one or two dissenting voices. They expect, as soon as they get the consent of all, to publish a date at which time they expect to close up business on the Sabbath. Some of them who have attended our meetings have purchased books and are reading. I mention this to illustrate the power of the Sabbath reform, in the light of the third angel’s message, in affecting all classes and nations.
Have sold thus far about sixteen dollars’ worth of publications. The interest is still good, and we trust through the blessing of the Lord that quite a number will be soundly converted and embrace the truth.
S. H. LANE,
H. M. KENYON.
Report from St. Anne, Ill.
By D. T. Bourdeau
On my way to this place, I attended the Illinois Camp-meeting, which, though small, was a much better meeting than the meeting of last year. The brethren seemed to be in a better frame of mind to take hold of the work, and the interest of the meeting was increased by the labors and counsels of Bro. and Sr. White. This meeting was a great blessing to me. I have had a clearer sense of my duty and of the relations I sustain to the work among my people, and greater freedom in God, since receiving instructions from Bro. and Sr. White. To God be all the praise.
I find all the French brethren and sisters in St. Anne and Kankakee holding on to the truth, and several new ones have embraced the message during my absence. We had an extraordinary meeting of the French last Sabbath. Some came twenty-five miles to attend it. My heart was touched at what my eyes beheld. The work is moving on slowly but surely. Truly there is power in the message to hold the unlearned and the oppressed as well as the learned, if they will work for themselves and for others. While laboring to further instruct the brethren, I am helping them to push forward the work on new ground. D. T. BOURDEAU.
St. Anne, Ill., June 21, 1875.
Progress of the Work among the Swedes
By J. S.
Translated from the Svensk Advent Harold, by J. S.
Progress of the Work among the Swedes.
What our eyes behold of the signs of the times—signs which daily multiply around us—invites us to watch for the soon coming of our Lord. We cast a glance over the broad harvest-field, and see how the wheat is being garnered in, in order to preserve it from the coming storm. It is gratifying to witness the advancement of this work of the Lord. Every letter that brings to us the news of a soul brought from darkness to light, and every report which gives account of the progress of the third angel’s message, rejoices the heart, and strengthens our courage. Amid adversity or prosperity, in evil or good report, we find still a determination to fight the fight of faith, and join in the shout of victory;
We have lately had encouraging news from Sweden. A Baptist sister writes:—
“Brethren in America: In gratitude to God will I inform you that the truths which I found revealed in your publications have helped me out of a state of anxiety and doubt, which had taken possession of my mind on account of not having a right understanding of God’s word. I had often spoken with ministers about the state of the soul after death, but they left me in the same darkness I was in before. This, as well as many other points, has now become clear to me through the Harold, which is a welcome messenger to us. A minister said to me a few days ago, as he was reading in the Harold: ‘This journal you should not circulate, but should throw it into the fire.’ I answered him that when God, through his Spirit and his word, makes his truth clear to me, I will follow it, even if I have to leave all my old friends; for I would rather obey God than man. Praise the Lord! there are a few of God’s children here who in a quiet spirit notice the Harold. They are convinced that it advocates the doctrines of the Bible, and no error.”
We have again had the pleasure of meeting our dear friends at Chisago Lake, Minn. One was baptized and taken into church fellowship.
From Chisago Lake, we went to Trade Lake, Wisconsin, where Bro. Lindblad formerly labored, and where four families have received the truth. Here we organized a church of seven members. Systematic Benevolence for the year amounts to $20.00. CHARLES LEE.
MICHIGAN.
The last of January, I went to Manistee, Mich., where I sought to show the people that the coming of the Lord is near, and that God calls us to put away the commandments of men and accept the commandments of God. I pointed out the down-trodden Sabbath, and showed that the seventh day, and no other, is the day which the Lord set apart as a memorial and rest-day. This caused a great stir among the people. God’s Spirit convinced some of the truth, and six persons decided to obey the Lord and walk according to his commandments. C. LARSON.
CLAY CENTER, KANSAS.
A brother writes to the Svensk Advent Harold: “As a Lutheran preacher, I have, like some others, sought eternal life in other books beside the Scriptures. By the help of your publications, which refer directly to the Bible, I have found that the Scriptures testify plainly, that in Christ alone is found eternal life. I have not found in all my search that the soul is immortal. I see now that I had formerly mistaken ideas in regard to the Judgment. Men are so deceived, so deeply rooted in the doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul, that it appears to them that everything is swept away when it is declared unto them that such a doctrine is not of God, but of men, and had its origin with him who said, ‘Ye shall not surely die.’ Gen. 3:4. There are in all five families here who rejoice in the truth of the angel’s words to Daniel, that in the last days ‘many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ A. K.”
Report of the State Annual T. & M. Meeting in Ill.
By G. W. Colcord; Frances M. T. Simonson
THE fifth State annual meeting of the Illinois T. & M. Society was held at Sheridan, La Salle Co., June 14, 1875. After the opening prayer by Eld. T. M. Steward, as the secretary was absent, Bro. G. W. Colcord was chosen clerk of the meeting. Minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted.
Report showed the following:—
No. of families visited, 82; No. of letters written, 50; No. of new subscribers for REVIEW, 44; Instructor, 47; Reformer, 165; Voice of Truth, 234. Distribution of reading matter: Reviews, 402; Instructors, 38; Reformers, 135; Advent Tidende, 1; True Missionary, 2; Voice of Truth, 15; almanacs, 2; tracts and pamphlets loaned, pages, 14,893; given away, pp., 64,167; total No. of pages, 79,060; furnished to librarian, pp., 15,179. Money received from membership, donations, and book sales, $102.97.
June 7. CARY DRYDEN, Sec.
Remarks in reference to the proper manner of laboring in this branch of the sacred cause were made for the benefit of inexperienced members by Elds. D. T. Bourdeau and R. F. Andrews.
The following officers were nominated, and unanimously elected to their respective offices for the ensuing year:— For President, Eld. G. W. Colcord, Lovington, Moultrie Co., Ill.; Vice President, Eld. T. M. Steward, Rockton, Winnebago Co., Ill.; Secretary, Frances M. T. Simonson, Hillsdale, Rock Island Co., Ill.; Treasurer, Geo. Foreman, Somonauk, De Kalb Co., Ill. For Directors: Dist. No. 1. C. A. Bates, Green Vale, Jo. Daviess Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 2. J. H. Bennet, Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 3. James Bute, Sheridan, La Salle Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 4. Cary Dryden, Keithsburg, Mercer Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 5. James King, Eugene, Knox Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 6. William Penniman, Woodburn, Macoupin Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 7. Martin Kittle, Darien, Clark Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 8. A. J. Scott, Jeffersonville, Wayne Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 9. B. F. Merritt, Crescent City, Iroquois Co., Ill.; Dist. No. 10. Jared Mallernee, Lovington, Moultrie Co., Ill.
Voted, That the minutes of this meeting should be sent to the REVIEW for publication.
Adjourned, sine die.
G. W. COLCORD, Pres.
FRANCES M. T. SIMONSON, Sec.7
P. S. I would suggest the propriety of each officer of this Society keeping a copy of the paper in which this is published. It will be very convenient for reference.
G. W. C.
THE SUN-BRIGHT CLIME.
Have you heard, have you heard, of the sun-bright
clime,
Undimmed by tears, unhurt by crime,
Where age hath no power o'er the fadeless frame;
For they live forever and know no pain—
Have you heard of that sun-bright clime?
A river of water gushes there,
Mid flowers of beauty strangely rare,
And rich-plumed songsters flit through the bowers
Of the tree of life, on those golden shores,
Over there in that sun-bright clime.
Soon the saints will roam those fields of light
In garments of beauty pure and white,
And pluck life's fruit in the Eden bowers,
Mid a thousand hues of fadeless flowers,
Over there in that sun-bright clime.
Not long shall we wait for that sinless clime,
For now we are nearing the end of time;
Soon the Lord will come with his bride in white,
To take us home where there'll be no night,
Will ye go to that sun-bright clime?
Northern Missouri.
By J. H. Rogers
Since May 28, I have been with Bro. Long and Chaffee in Daviess Co., assisting with the tent. Continued at Prairie Valley, near Winstanville, till the 13th. Five were baptized. The cause is still onward there.
Our visit from Bro. and Sr. White was greatly appreciated by us all. Quite a number came in from a distance to see and hear them, and be with us at the meeting. It rejoiced us much to see these veterans of the cause looking so well and enjoying such freedom in the Lord, although doing more than double labor while with us. Brethren, we who are younger in the cause, let us take courage, and go forward in the work doing what we can find to do with all our might; for the time is short.
Came to Gallatin with the tent the 15th. Have held only two meetings yet, it being so stormy. Quite an interest was raised here by the meetings of Bro. and Sr. White, and many are anxious to hear further. Hope we may lead them into the light of present truth. Pray for us.
J. H. Rogers.
June 19, 1875.
Northern N. Y.
By N. B. Whitney
ACCORDING to my published appointments, I have visited the friends of truth in this part of the State.
At Benson, I found them firm, and a favorable state of feeling among the larger part of the community. Some have removed, and they do not feel strong enough to sustain a separate organization, but wish to unite with this people, which they will have an opportunity to do. Baptized one.
At Chester, owing to seemingly unavoidable circumstances, our meetings were small, but very good. One united with the church. Visited Indian Lake, and baptized three.
At Keene, circumstances also conspired against the interest of the meeting, but still it was good. Interest was manifested by outside friends, and one was baptized.
At Vermontville, the attendance was full, and a good outside interest manifested, but the church was laboring under some disadvantage and discouragement, and after due consideration it was deemed advisable to disband and unite with the church in Keene, which was accordingly done.
On my way home I visited Pierpont, St. Lawrence Co., where Bro. Hall has been laboring some time for the confirming of believers and the conversion of sinners. Found a good interest. As the result of his labor, several families have embraced the truth, and a number of persons have given good evidence of sound conversion.
About thirty-five Sabbath-keepers were present Sabbath-day, and the attendance from outside was large. Sunday morning the Methodist minister spoke against our views on the immortality theme, and in the evening, when I reviewed him, the house would not hold the people that came. Steps are being taken to build a house of worship, with a fair prospect of success.
N. B. WHITNEY.
Litchfield, N. Y., June 15, 1875.
Durand, Wis., June 6, 1875
By D. DOWNER
Wisconsin.
Spent Sabbath, June 5, with the Burnside church. It was a good day for us all. Two united with the church, and others are almost persuaded. One of those who joined us has been a sailor for twenty years. He has visited the lands where Paul and Christ suffered; and during all his wanderings has loved his God and been faithful. He does not know, he says, why the Lord has been so good as to bring him away into the wilderness to show him this light. It softened all our hearts to witness his joy and tears.
May 6, spent with the Modena church. They were in some embarrassment, yet hopeful. D. DOWNER.
Durand, Wis., June 6, 1875
Hart Co., Kentucky.
By S. Osborn
I AM at Hammondsville, Hart Co., Ky., lecturing. Have a good interest; but prejudice runs very high. I have to lecture in a small school-house, though there is a large Baptist meeting-house here; but no one gets the privilege of using it but those of their own faith. How much we need a tent here.
I have effected a temporary organization of a church of seventeen members near the Powder Mills in Hart Co., Ky., to be called the Powder Mills church. There are many more keeping the Sabbath who will join soon. We have had some good meetings here of late. The Lord has blessed us much. Praise his name. Sabbath meetings and Sabbath-school are held here every Sabbath, and the people rejoice much in the truth. My P. O. address for the present is as above. S. OSBORN.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
Died, at his residence in Wayne Co., Ill., of pneumonia and heart disease, Dr. Z. Woodworth, after an illness of about twelve days. Bro. W. was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in 1823, came to Southern Illinois in 1860, and departed this life May 21, 1875, being 52 years of age the day he died. He made a profession of religion in 1849, and during the last four years he has endeavored to keep God’s holy Sabbath, as the result of reading our publications. In his decease, Sr. W. sustains the loss of a kind husband, the three children lose a loving father, and the Keenville church their leader. May God sustain all. G. W. COLCORD.
Died, at Fairgrove, Tuscola Co., Mich., June 6, 1875, my brother, Lewis B. Perkins, aged thirty-six years and eleven months. His disease was consumption, and he was a great sufferer from the time he was sixteen years of age. He leaves a wife, father, mother, brothers, and sisters, to mourn their loss, but not without hope. He did not fully give up all to Christ till about two weeks before his death, when he acknowledged the truth of the third angel’s message. He thought the Lord forgave his sins, and said he was ready and willing to go. We hope hereafter to join him in the new earth. Funeral discourse by Eld. Baskerville, of the Methodist church, at Watrousville. HOMER H. PERKINS.
Died, of consumption, in Ceresco, Mich., May 30, 1875, my brother, Winfield Smith, in the twenty-seventh year of his age. We miss him much, but we mourn not as those who have no hope. Funeral discourse by Eld. S. N. Haskell.
“Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep.”
EMMA SMITH.
Died, near Darlington, Richland Co., Ohio, May 26, 1875, of serous cysts of the liver, Sarah Bisel, wife of George Bisel, in the 39th year of her age. She leaves a husband, six children, and many friends to mourn their loss. Funeral discourse by F. S. Simons, Disciple. Text, Rev. 14:13. A. M. MANN.
Died, of consumption, in North Lansing, June 7, 1875, our beloved brother, Harrison H. Trembly, aged twenty-eight years. He leaves a companion and two children to mourn their loss. In the spring of 1874 he took a severe cold, which settled on his lungs. He gradually grew worse, and finally went to the Health Institute at Battle Creek; but the doctors pronounced him past cure—he had waited too long. Bro. Trembly embraced the present truth in 1868. He left good evidence of a well-grounded hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Funeral discourse by Eld. Bates—Free-will Baptist. Text, 1 Thess. 3:14. W. H. KYNETT.
Died, at St. Johns, Mich., June 13, 1875, of pneumonia, Alice, wife of Eglon Aray, and daughter of W. J. and Eliza Hardy, of Gaines, Kent Co., Mich., aged twenty-eight years and ten months. About three months before Alice died she sought and found the Lord. Her sufferings were short, but very severe. Her appeal to friends to prepare to meet her when the Lifegiver comes will be long remembered. Her only regret seemed to be that she had no opportunity to be baptized by one of our faith. A very impressive discourse was preached by the Congregational minister of St. Johns. Text, John 11:25. J. W. & ELIZA HARDY.
Fell asleep in Jesus, June 1, 1875, my dear companion, Phebe P. Hackett, in the 46th year of her age. I realize that I have met with a great loss. Her words of comfort and encouragement in all our trials in life for more than twenty-five years are fresh in memory. She gave us all the farewell blessing, and bade us meet her on the other shore where there will be no parting. Services by Eld. Rogers, Seventh-day Baptist. L. HACKETT.