It appears to have been the great aim of the New-Testament writers to inspire the readers of their writings with confidence and certainty as to the birth, life, death, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ; and they succeeded so well that the bare reading of their testimony has prevailed, to the discomfiture of paganism, and Romanism, and infidelity.
The design of these holy writers was evidently one; their hope and faith were one; they were not men of the world; they moved in another sphere—in a realm beyond this of ours.
It was not necessary for them to choose out a committee to write out a creed; but they wrote at different times, under different circumstances, and varied influences, as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit; and this one fact was the great foundation-stone of their faith that Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, and brought up by Joseph the carpenter, Jesus the son of Mary, did answer the prophetic delineation, both as to his birth, life, character, works, death, and resurrection.
Says John, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life, . . . that which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you.”
Says Peter, “And this voice, which came from Heaven, we heard when we were with him in the holy mount.”
Says Paul, “He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep; after that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles; and last of all, he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”
Infidelity may raise her idiotic head, and say it was all a farce or an imposture, and hold up to ridicule the statements of holy writ; but let her set herself to the task of showing how the Christian church has thrived amid opposition and persecution; let her show how it happened that ancient prophets foretold the events related by the evangelists; let them study carefully the two Testaments; let her compare dates and facts, then let her make out her case.
It is lack of faith, it is the darkness of man's mind, which causes doubt and unbelief, and unbelief causes recklessness and error. Faith must have rock bottom to set foot upon, and in the word of God this is found. Those who wrote that book were men of faith; they were anxious to place their all, for this world and for the illimitable future, in the hands of God.
All the prophets of the Old Testament peered into the future for the coming glory, and the writers and apostles of the New Testament gazed with rapt devotion, and wonder, and joy, upon the cross, then upon the sepulcher, where Peter looked for his Lord; then upon him who on the way to Emmaus explained to them his position, and then in the evening proved his identity by showing to them his yet open wounds; then in Galilee he comforted, instructed, established them; and then, with his ransomed captives, arose in majesty and left this dark earth, not visibly to return until he comes as a conqueror.
The writers of the New Testament wish their readers to have these facts indelibly fixed upon the mind, not as mere opinions, but as they felt them to be—living realities—as subjects to be much thought of and realized, so much so as to leaven the whole character and life, renewing, strengthening all that is holy and pure, and uprooting all that is wicked. Not only do the writers of the New Testament do this, but the inspired penmen of the Old Testament do the same.
Says David, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” No room for doubt here. God never employed infidels and doubters to write out the precious volume. The writers of that holy book felt no doubt, no wavering trust, but full, unlimited confidence in God. They were prepared to seal their testimony with their blood.
And the readers have been of like character. Millions have found life and immortality brought to light in the gospel; martyrdom and long imprisonment have been joyfully borne for love of the truth; faith in the facts related in the Bible has borne the myriads of sufferers above the rack and the flame, above defamation, insult, and scorn, and loss.
But faith goes not alone to successful warfare. Faith begets love; and without love she is a barren tree. Faith without love is only a parrot, or a mocking bird, or a machine without power to drive its wheels.
It is like the little steam tugs used in modern times to tow the shipping against wind and tide, as against the strong opposing current. These little giants bravely draw ships of great size and burden; so does faith attempt, and often accomplish, great things. She lifts heavy burdens, and daily bears her load of care, as a matter of course; why, this is her mission. As the steam tug labors most heroically, perseveringly, and with giant power; so does faith, but her power lies in God, not in the elements.
Jos. CLARKE.
Is Transgression Necessary to the Existence of Law?
By R. F. Cottrell
It is true where there is no law there is no transgression; but is it true that where there is no transgression there is no law?
In a discussion at Lancaster, N. Y., Isa. 66: 22, 23 was quoted to prove that the Sabbath law would exist in the world to come; and since it is admitted on every side that the other nine precepts of the decalogue are of universal and perpetual obligation, it was claimed that the ten commandments would still be law.
In reply to this, it was claimed that to suppose that these commandments would be law in the new earth, would be to suppose that there would be murder and adultery, theft and false witness there.
Let us look at this. The Sabbath will be there. All observe it. Then it is a law or rule for all to observe it. Is there any Sabbath-breaking there? No; for “all flesh” come from one Sabbath to another to worship God. It is a rule or law then violated by none.
Again, of the city of God, it is said that “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.” The law against lying and every abominable work remains then, but no one violates the law. Law will exist then, but no one on earth will violate it; for the gates of the city stand open continually to all the inhabitants of the earth. R. F. COTTRELL.
A Millennial Text Examined.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Perhaps one of the texts most frequently quoted as proving the millennium is Rev. 11:15. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” How often do we hear this quoted in prayer, about like this: “O Lord, hasten the glad time when the nations shall learn war no more, when the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord, and peace and good will shall prevail among men.” This is a fair sample of the application that is made of this text, Sunday after Sunday, in all the churches. But if we now read the connection, we shall see that almost exactly the reverse of this is what really happens when the kingdoms of this world do become the kingdoms of the Lord.
Here is what follows this passage, as above quoted. “And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshiped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Vs. 16–18. Mark what occurs when the kingdoms of the world become the Lord’s, and God takes his great power, and reigns. Instead of this peace, good will, no more war, &c., John says, “The nations were angry and thy wrath is come,” &c. This is the state of things that will immediately follow upon Christ’s receiving the kingdoms of the world. How the Lord’s explanation of this thing differs from that of those who are deluding the people with the cry of peace and safety. When the kingdoms of the world are given to Christ, it is that he may “dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Ps. 2:7–9. For this the world is fast preparing.
“TO DELIVER such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” This text is often quoted in proof of the immortality of the soul; but, like all other texts used to support that theory, it is greatly perverted from its true meaning. We shall see by a close examination with other passages of Scripture that the opposite theory is sustained by it.
The kingdoms of this world belong to Satan. Luke 4:5-7. He is the god of this world. 2 Cor. 4:4. To be a friend of the world is to be the enemy of God, and a friend to Satan. James 4:4. The church belongs to Jesus Christ. A man committing such deeds as are spoken of by the apostle in this chapter is not worthy to belong to the church of Christ; therefore the church takes action in his case and casts him out into the world, which is delivering him unto Satan. Here he must remain till the flesh is destroyed.
The flesh, in the text, means the carnal mind. Rom. 8:5-9. The fleshly or carnal minded man will do the works of the flesh, and such will never enter the kingdom of God. Gal. 5:19-21. The spiritual-minded man has crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, and brings forth the fruits of the Spirit. There will be no law to condemn this class in the Judgment, hence they will be saved. Gal. 5:22-24.
Now the individual delivered unto Satan will know that as long as he is in that condition there is no hope in his case, and he must be finally lost. But he wishes to be saved, so he turns from his wicked course, overcomes the flesh or carnal mind (which is thus destroyed), regains the favor of God, and his spirit is saved, not at death, but in the day of the Lord Jesus. But, should the flesh or carnal mind never be destroyed, would his spirit or he then be saved? Many passages of Scripture would answer, “No.” “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6:7, 8. I. D. VAN HORN.
More Clerical Slander.
By D. H. Lamson
The nature of the opposition to the truth in Almont, Mich., has not differed materially from that in other places, only in degree. All public effort against us has not only been insignificant, but puerile. Argument failing, slander of the most detestable character was resorted to. A minister of the place stated to me in a private conversation that we harbored among us those that believed in, and practiced polygamy, and that in its worst form; that a man might marry a wife and her sister, &c., and these, living with all at the same time; and that he knew of the circumstances, stating that the parties were living at the time near Rochester, Mich., making our crimes equal in enormity to those practiced by the Mormons in Utah, or in the seraglios of the Turk. The name of the party was given me, yet we should have thought but little of it were it not that this same minister was going about among those who were becoming interested in the truth, and poisoning their minds with such disgustingly, wicked and false reports. We concluded that the cause demanded an investigation, and as the party in question lived but twenty-three miles away, Bro. Lane hired a conveyance and repaired to the spot, having in his company a friend from this place to witness to any statements that might be made. Fortunately, the man himself was found, who, over his own signature, witnessed by two of his brothers that were also present, gave this testimony that he never was a Seventh-day Adventist, and was never so considered by any of his neighbors. This was also corroborated by several of his neighbors, members of the Seventh-day Adventist church at that place, and also signed by the Methodist minister located there, as also the elder of the Baptist church over a separate statement written by his own hand.
Armed with a document so concise and explicit, Bro. Lane returned the same day in time for the evening meeting. A meeting had been appointed for prayer and conference before preaching. Many testimonies were given, and the Spirit of the Lord was indeed in our midst. Between the conference meeting and preaching, the statements of Eld. J. T. Hankinson were called up. Parties were present to whom he had reported them. Then the report of Bro. Lane was read. There never was a clearer vindication. All breathed freer, and hearts that before had been trembling with a fear that all was not right were now ready to step out into all the light of the present truth. Surely, the wrath of man has been made to praise the Lord, and the pit which the wicked has dug, in it has he fallen himself.
Our first week-day prayer meeting was held at sister Noble's last evening, Wednesday, July 24. It was well attended, and every one bore their part in the meeting. The Lord was with us, for which we praise his name. Not far from forty are keeping the Sabbath. May we all learn to love the whole truth and each other, and be saved when our Lord shall appear! D. H. LAMSON.
Charity: The Crowning Christian Virtue
By Jos. Clark
Charity.
“But the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Cor. 13:13.
The gift of charity is here greatly valued, as the crowning of the Christian character, the most excellent, most beautiful, most indispensable, of all the virtues.
In this world, there are many counterfeits of this grace, many attempts made to pass off the base alloy for the true metal; but all these do not answer to the description given by Paul.
To have true charity for all, under all circumstances, you need to be a partaker of the nature of Christ, who knows how to succor the tempted; at the same time you need some of his discernment, lest you rank the goats as sheep and the sheep as goats, and thus you become yourself an object of pity.
We cannot feign this grace; for it is most difficult to act out mechanically of all the virtues; and no one of the virtues is so poorly calculated for mere display. You must have the genuine thing itself.
You smile at the naturalness of the little child as it acts out its loving heart and forgiving disposition. Charity is a still more than childish virtue, and should be at least as natural and as unostentatious as that of the child, while it is, in fact, a million times more wise and useful.
You do not need a long essay on charity; but you can get it where Nicodemus received his information as to regeneration; and there is the only place it is to be had. Jos. CLARK.
Matherton, Mich.
By E. B. Lane
A few weeks ago it was extensively circulated and published, that Eld. H. T. Barnaby would preach at Matherton on the subject of the Christian Sabbath. By invitation, I went to hear and review his discourse. Eld. B.'s first effort was two hours in length, during which I was forcibly reminded of an article recently published in the Health Reformer, entitled, “Simon's Wife's Mother.”
At Potterville, in a public discussion of three evenings, Eld. B. spent nearly all his time trying to show that the ten commandments were the old covenant, and that they had been superseded by a new covenant, which was nine of the ten commandments re-enacted.
All this effort was to get rid of the fourth command, which requires the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. He did not seem to consider that he was proving himself a no-Sabbath man; for if the authority for keeping the Sabbath does not come from that precept, we certainly have none at all, at least he was not able to show a command for Sunday. Six speeches were employed for the purpose of establishing the above positions, omitting almost entirely his reasons for Sunday-keeping if he had any.
I had heard the same things repeated over and over, in the discussion; still, to my surprise, at Matherton, Sunday at 10:30 A. M., I was again favored for two hours with the same, and again at 8:30 P. M., for one and one half hours longer, he not advancing one new idea, as I could discover. I think I could review him in the future one day in advance of his discourse.
In my reply, I maintained with him that the ten commandments are called God's covenant commanded, but denied that it can be shown from the Bible that the ten commandments are ever called the old covenant, or referred to as the covenant abolished.
I sustained this denial from the following considerations: There are several covenants spoken of in the Bible.
1. Promises are called covenants; e. g., God promised Noah that he would never drown the world again. This promise he calls a covenant, and places a bow in the clouds as a token of that covenant. Also the promises God makes with Abraham are called a covenant. 2. Agreements are called covenants; e. g., God makes an agreement with Israel at Horeb or Sinai, recorded in Ex. 19:4-8. Also the agreement between Abraham and Abimelech was called a covenant.
3. A law commanded is likewise called a covenant commanded; e. g., the ten commandments, Deut. 4:13. Since the word covenant has such a broad application we may properly inquire in what sense the term covenant is applied to the one abolished, and which, if any, of those above specified, is the one.
My opponent did not differ with me in considering the covenant abolished to be an agreement; that it was made at Sinai or Horeb, and that covenant there and then made is now superseded by the new covenant, wherefore the only point to be determined is which one of the above, if any, will meet all the specifications of the old or abolished covenant. He also claimed that it is the covenant commanded or ten commandments. This is not possible for the following reasons:
1. The covenant that was abolished had its origin at Sinai or Horeb. The principles and precepts of the ten commandments date a great way back of that, even as far back as creation. They therefore cannot be identical.
2. The covenant abolished was an agreement made between God and Israel. The ten commandments are not an agreement in any sense, but precepts commanded.
3. The covenant or agreement abolished was made concerning the ten commandments or voice of God. Ex. 19:4-8; 24:8. How could the old covenant be made concerning the moral law and yet be the moral law itself?
4. The old covenant was made with the Jews. The Gentiles were never as a nation connected with that covenant; yet the Gentiles showed the work of the law written in their hearts, giving them conscience, Rom. 2:12-16, thus showing a difference between the two.
5. Paul makes a clear distinction between the giving of the law and covenants, Rom. 9:4. If they were the same, no such distinction could be properly made.
6. David calls the law of the Lord perfect. Ps. 19:7. Paul speaks of the old covenant as faulty. They cannot be identical—one perfect, the other faulty.
7. The old covenant is abolished, certainly the ten commandments are not.
We argued and proved that the covenant abolished was the agreement between God and Israel at Sinai, recorded in Ex. 19:4-8. The reason of its abolition was because of the default of Israel.
In our affirmative arguments for the Bible Sabbath, we proved that it originated at the close of creation week; that God gave it to Adam by divine commandment. That the law containing the Sabbath was observed all through the patriarchal age, and that Israel had a knowledge of the Sabbath and observed it before the law was proclaimed from Sinai; and when there proclaimed, it claimed its obligation from creation, and based its origin on facts occurring there.
We called on Eld. B. to show from the Bible a commandment for the observance of the first day of the week, or any evidence that God, Christ, or his apostles, ever rested, blessed, or sanctified, that day, making it sacred time. But he utterly failed to show one point required of him, nor did he even try.
Eld. B. intimated at the close of his forenoon discourse that he would continue the subject at night, I requested him to divide the time with me, or speak at an early hour, giving me a chance to reply before the same congregation, neither of which would he do; but, commencing his meeting at about half past eight, he did not close till after ten, and thus deprived me of the opportunity to review him unless at an unreasonable hour.
His effort at night was a repetition of what he had so often given before, which I had sufficiently noticed in the forenoon. Had it not been for much abuse and falsehood repeated by him I should not have cared to notice his last effort at all. I considered it my duty as well as privilege to make proper correction of false statements. I earnestly solicited the opportunity of making a few statements before the meeting closed, but was denied, he dismissing the audience. I then called the house to order. All seemed willing to listen except the elder and a few of his friends who withdrew, doubtless expecting the congregation to follow. But in this he was disappointed, and so returned to hear for himself. Although I was under the painful necessity of calling him to order a number of times, still I was glad to address him personally. Some of his remarks were low and contemptable abuse, which I should be ashamed to put in print. When I corrected it before the audience he said he would not be responsible for it, but gave it as hearsay; still he stood responsible for it, by repeating it, thereby giving it credence.
I would not mention these facts if it were not for the purpose of informing our brethren what they may expect under similar circumstances, unless he reforms, if he takes it upon him to preach against us in other places, as at Matherton. This man is a member of our state Legislature; has been, and I think now is, the presiding elder of the United Brethren church; all of which gives him influence.
The people of M. sent for an able man to build up the first day Sabbath, and when he came, lo! he tries to set aside the only command that enjoined a Sabbath, and gives none in its stead, leaving them without command or Sabbath either. I fear for such men and their followers in the great day. I pray that God may yet open their eyes to behold wondrous things out of his law.
I returned from Matherton and joined tent labor again at Almont. Our meetings there have been faithfully reported by Bro. Lamson. I have never enjoyed a tent season more than this. The Lord has truly been with us, and I believe a great and good work has been accomplished.
We have removed the tent to Holly, from which I am absent for a few days. Bro. Lamson remains at Almont to follow up the work there, so that the burden of the work at Holly rests on Bro. H. M. Kenyon. Bro. K. is proving himself a strong and efficient laborer in the cause. Oh! that God would raise up many strong men to fill the calls that come in from all parts of the field.
The appeals for labor in all directions are abundant and most earnest. It is heart-rending to have to turn a deaf ear to them; especially is this true of Tennessee and other parts of the South. My heart aches for the interest of the cause in the South. I hope that the day is not far distant when many of our young men who have ability and devotion to the work will feel a burden for those new fields, which to me look very promising.
Our tent at Holly is pitched opposite the Christian church, and but a few feet from it. Being so near, we feared conflicting meetings; but to our surprise, Eld. Noble, of that church, withdrew all of their appointments while we should remain, that he himself might attend and give his congregation the same privilege. Our tent affords but little protection in storm, so we can have no meetings in the tent if the weather is bad. In view of this, Eld. Noble has kindly and generously invited us to use their church on all occasions when storm prevents the use of the tent. I believe this man to be a God-fearing Christian, and pray, with him, that God will show them the whole truth. Like the oasis on the desert are such men, when nearly all ministers oppose our work, and that often in a wicked and malicious manner.
My courage in the Lord is good. I have never felt a deeper interest in the work than I now feel. I hope we may be instrumental in bringing many to the saving truths of the third angel's message. God's blessing is with the labor of the tents this season in this State. Two quite large congregations of Sabbath-keepers have already been raised up, and our prospects are bright for the future. Do not forget our labors in your prayers. Remember especially those who have strength amid so much opposition to come out and embrace these unpopular doctrines. God's great cause is one everywhere. Never forget in your prayers all its wants and interests. E. B. LANE.
Battle Creek, July 31, 1872.
Wisconsin Tent Meetings.
By David Downer; E. Sutherland
Our meetings are progressing far beyond our expectations. It is now a very busy time of the year. Farmers are engaged in harvesting. We are located in the country in a very favorable locality, as there are seven roads all entering here. We are having from three to eight hundred in attendance at every meeting. People say the Bible is a new book to them, and they are astonished that their ministers do not explain the Bible and make it plain. We have now given our views on the condition of man, and the Sabbath; also quite a portion of the prophecies.
People come from one to twenty miles. Some are present every night from eight miles distant. Ministers seldom visit us, but are busy in visiting their flocks, advising them to stay away, making them believe they will confirm the word. Members tell their ministers they (the ministers) cannot sustain their positions.
Our stand is constantly decorated with choice flowers, brought in by good ladies and children of the country. Our cupboard is always full of provisions (we are boarding ourselves), gifts of friends. There is a strife among the people to see who can do the most for our comfort.
We were much annoyed by drunken Catholics last night, but God is working powerfully, to him be all the glory. We were visited by a stranger one night. He stayed to hear, over two days, then took reading with him. He said he believed God was doing a special work with this message.
Death-like silence generally prevails in our meetings. When we see the tremendous pressure toward the truth, we tremble before God, and cry for more of his guiding Spirit. May God help us, that these meetings may terminate in good. Brethren, while we are groaning under the burden, give us your earnest prayers. Several have avowed their intentions to keep the Sabbath. The test is soon coming; may the Lord help us, that our speaking may be effectual and accomplish the work.
DAVID DOWNER,
E. SUTHERLAND.
Mount Hope, Wis., July 28, 1872.
South-eastern Illinois.
By B. F. Merritt; G. W. Colcord
Since our last report, May 15, have held meetings near York and Martinsville, Clark Co., and in Robinson, Crawford Co. In the tent, near York, we spoke to the people about thirty-five times. At first we had many hearers; but very wet weather, small pox in the vicinity, and the rush of farm labor preparatory to wheat harvest, caused our congregations to so dwindle that we thought it proper to move our tent.
We sold and gave away quite a number of our publications, received one name for the REVIEW, and urged our hearers to read, post up, and see “whether these things are so.”
Many are convicted of the truthfulness of our views; and to the end that honest souls may be converted to a practical knowledge of “present truth,” we labor on. Since moving the tent, have been back to that neighborhood and spoken once to an attentive audience congregated in a grove. Expect to be with them again August 1-4.
Since Conference, we have met with our brethren in Clark Center three Sabbaths, and have spoken to them seven times.
Sabbath, June 15, Bro. Merritt spoke on Baptism. After the discourse we repaired to the water, where twelve souls were buried in the emblematic grave. This band now numbers twenty-eight.
July 5 and 6, held four meetings with the church—two sermons, an ordinance meeting, and business transactions. It was good to see all take hold of the work of the Lord, as pointed out in John 13 and 1 Cor. 11. Systematic Benevolence was raised from $40.12, to $73.44, per year. They have an interesting Sabbath-school.
June 20, commenced meetings under the tent in Robinson, county seat of Crawford Co. Have spoken to the people of R. and adjoining neighborhoods forty-seven times. Last Sabbath, six of our friends from Clark County were with us, to add to the interest of our first social meeting. Several have declared themselves in favor of the Lord’s sanctified day. Some are keeping it, and71others are investigating. At present we cannot give numbers. Since Conference we have obtained ten names for our periodicals, and sold $17.03 worth of books, besides a number given away.
Although it may require a prolonged effort, yet, under the blessing of God, we hope to see the truth established in Crawford County upon a firm basis.
To this end we ask the prayers of the Lord’s saints.
B. F. MERRITT,
G. W. COLCORD.
TOO LATE.
By M. E. Williams
TOO LATE! too late! oh! wail of dark despair,
From many a lip an utterance wilt thou find,
In that dread day so swiftly hastening on,
When all appear before the bar of God.
Great day of recompense, then fully come,
For deeds committed, yea, and deeds undone;
For sins so heinous reaching up to Heaven,
For good they did not, which they might have done.
When from the Judge the awful sentence rings,
Depart ye cursed to everlasting fire:
How willingly they then would give—if theirs,
The world with all its store of wealth untold
For e’en one hour in which they might repent;
But ah! ’tis all too late, too late.
Dear Lord, how will it be with me;
Shall I toil on o’er all the dreary way,
Till e’en the glorious city doth appear,
And yet thus fail at last of entering in?
Some duty shrink, some cross neglect to bear;
Some idol cherish, some little sin indulge;
Appear all ready, yet be unprepared,
My talent called for, while as yet no gain,
Alas! found wanting, when in the balance weighed.
Too late, too late, shall it be all too late,
When knocking at the gate I seek to enter in?
O Lord, forbid that this should be my fate,
But courage, strength, and grace do thou impart,
And help me that I shall not be too late,
To find a covert from the storm that’s near,
A shelter underneath thy mighty wings.
M. E. WILLIAMS.
Ohio Tent.
By J. H. Waggoner
The meeting in West Unity, Ohio, has been held under unfavorable circumstances. Farmers were exceedingly busy, and the long drought is broken, and we have had considerable rain. But very few have been able to hear all the discourses, and where they do not hear regularly it takes much more time to do the work.
The interest is spreading, and seems to take deeper hold of late. We now think of remaining longer than we purposed before. The writing I have on my hands takes so much of my time and attention that I cannot visit very much, and this is the kind of work that is much needed here now. What may yet be done here we cannot judge, but pray the Lord to send prosperity.
I wish to say to the brethren in Indiana that I am rejoiced at the effort they are making to secure a tent for their camp meeting. They need it, and they can get it. And they need to put forth this vigorous effort, for their own benefit, and for the encouragement of those who labor with and for them. The success of their camp-meeting will depend somewhat, I think, on the success of this effort they are now making.
J. H. Waggoner.
August 2, 1872.
Martinsbury, July 22, 1872
By J. Hare; S. Osborn
Iowa.
From the Southern Iowa Tent we came to this place on the 15th inst. Pitched the tent the day following, and had a discourse in the evening; and, notwithstanding the notice was short, there were about one hundred out.
We have given seven discourses altogether, with an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty, on work days. The last two Sunday afternoons and evenings the tent was filled. In the forenoon, we gave way to hear a discourse from Eld. Brown of this place, a Presbyterian, on the subject of the Sabbath, which we will notice when we come to that question. Considering the busy season, it being the midst of harvest, we have no reason to be discouraged. Our address will be here for the present.
J. Hare,
S. Osborn.
Martinsbury, July 22, 1872
Lincoln, Vt.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Thus far in our efforts in Lincoln two have embraced the truth and subscribed for the Review, and several others have become convinced that we have the truth, and a few feel the importance of obeying it. May God give them grace to carry out their convictions. From the first, we have treated the preachers with kindness, inviting them at times to take part with us in our exercises; but when they commenced to work against us in circulating falsehoods, and opposing our views in private, we frankly told them that they could have the use of our tent to set forth their views before the people while we were in the place. But thus far they have been silent, excepting that a popular preacher came here from Starksborough, and read an essay on the duty of the people meeting in their church.
Being offered the use of the town house to close our effort, and Eld. Hutchins’ being ready to aid in the work, Bro. Washington Cross and myself, in the absence of my brother, to make arrangements for our camp-meeting, came to this place with the tent yesterday; pitched it, and held our first meeting last evening, there being a fair audience and good interest. We can be here only over two Sundays before camp-meeting. But we could manage this place in connection with Lincoln, and thought that we or Bro. Evans could fall back here after camp-meeting. There is plenty of work to do if we will take hold of it with a spirit of sacrifice and with energy, feeling the worth of souls, and improving every opportunity of working for the Lord in private as well as in public. And we must not be discouraged though we should come over hard ground at times. Christ and the apostles had to do this. The chopper of wood does not stop when he comes to a hard knot, but he works the harder; and in clearing up a farm men must often work the hardest in going over the most promising soil.
My brother joins me to-morrow, while Bro. Hutchins and Bro. Evans go to Lincoln next Sunday. D. T. BOURDEAU.
South Starksborough, Vt., July 31, 1872.
West Unity, Ohio.
By J. H. Waggoner
We do not take the tent down this morning as we have talked of. The interest is rising, and spreading all around, and we cannot leave. How long we shall remain we cannot say, but shall look to the Lord for direction, and pray for wisdom to follow the leadings of his Spirit. Last night was the largest meeting we have had here. Pray for us.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Obituary Notices.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
DIED, in Battle Creek, July 29, 1872, of mesenteric consumption, Hortense E., daughter of Stephen and Harriet Gardner of Monterey, Michigan.
The body of sister Gardner was brought to Monterey on the morning of Tuesday, July 30, and interred in Poplar Hill Cemetery in the afternoon of the same day. Though the notice of the funeral service at 2 o’clock P. M. was extremely brief, the S. D. Adventist house of worship was well filled with sympathizing friends and neighbors.
Sister Gardner had won for herself the esteem of all who were acquainted with the straightforward course which she had pursued in her Christian experience. Though but just upon the threshold of life, and standing precisely at that period when the world has its foremost hold upon the mind and the affections, she had succeeded in inspiring in all the conviction that she was living for the life which is to come. The writer, while delivering the funeral discourse, felt more than ever before the force of the words, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
DIED, in Seneca, Newton Co., Mo., on the morning of April 8, 1872, of consumption, Emily P., wife of my son, A. E. Heaton, aged about twenty-eight years. She left no children to mourn a mother’s loss. Although pale in death, her pleasant and serene countenance was noticed by others—to us an evidence that she died as she had lived—strong in faith of meeting her Saviour in the morning of the first resurrection; and may God grant that we that remain of her friends and Bible-class may meet her at the gathering of God’s elect, which we think is soon to take place. ALBERT G. HEATON.