In No. 4, Vol. xxix, of Review, was a sermon from my pen, on the Three Messages of Rev. xiv, 6–14. To several positions there taken, a certain J. L., of Unionville, Ohio, has some objections to offer. The first angel says, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” I remarked that this proclamation must be fulfilled some time, and that just such a message as this was preached by Miller and others in 1840–44. Opposers say, that Miller’s work was a failure, as Christ did not come. But the message does not say that Christ will come at that time; it says, that the hour of judgment has come. On this J. L. says, “I know, sir, that John the Revelator, says so; but Miller said it was the time of Christ’s coming, (Miller’s Lectures on Christ’s Coming, p. 263.) So part of the message that he proclaimed was false, was it not?”
That the Adventists were disappointed in 1844, all readily admit; but that God was not in the movement, and that it did not fulfill the prophecy, we do not admit. That they had a wrong idea of what was to take place at the end of the 2300 days, is true; and that they expected the Lord to come then, when the Bible did not say so, is also true; but that the days did not end there and the judgment begin, is not true. They could prove conclusively that the prophetic periods would end and the judgment begin in 1844, and hence they supposed that the Lord would come. In their argument they labored to prove that the judgment would come on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844. This is what the angel announces, “The hour of his judgment is come.” The Adventists185preached just such a message as this in 1844. All the world heard this. Hundreds preached it on both continents. Papers, books, tracts, &c., were sent to all parts of the world, and the people were mightily moved by it. But Christ did not come to the earth as they expected, hence, J. L. argues that it was a false warning. Had he lived in the days of Christ he would have been found scoffing at the apostles in the same manner. Just before his crucifixion, see Jesus riding into Jerusalem. The disciples were in the highest joy, supposing that he was now to take the kingdom. Mark says, “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Chap. xi, 9, 10. The Pharisees said, “Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke xix, 39, 40. Now follow these same disciples a few days; see this same Jesus on the cross; see them hiding themselves for fear, and weeping for grief. Did ever mortals suffer a more bitter disappointment? Never. Did this prove that Jesus was not the Christ, or that God was not in this? No; for it was a direct fulfillment of prophecy, and had they held their peace the stones would have cried out. They were right in supposing that Jesus was the Christ, but they mistook the event that was to occur. Why does not J. L. object to this also? All can readily see that it is a parallel case. In 1844 they were right in believing that the prophetic periods ended, but mistook the work that Christ was to do at that time. Hence they were disappointed the same as the disciples were.
The disappointment of the people of God in 1844 is also shown in prophecy. In Rev. x, the message that time should be no longer is first given, then the disappointment is shown by John’s eating a book which is first sweet and then bitter, Rev. xiv, shows the same fact. The first angel proclaims the hour of judgment come; then, before Jesus comes, two more messages follow; then Christ is seen coming on the white cloud. Hence there is no evading the conclusion that after the judgment has come there will be two warning messages given to the world. This fact J. L. admits, for on this point he says, “I know, sir, that John the Revelator says so; but Miller said it was the time of Christ’s coming.”
J. L. next attempts to show that I have contradicted sister White’s visions by saying that the prophetic periods ended in 1844. He represents her as saying that they did not end there. Referring to my comments on Rev. x, he says, “But he asks, ‘How could it be true that time should be no longer?’ He says it is prophetic time which ended in 1844. There are no prophetic periods reaching this side of that time. But stop! Mrs. White’s Visions, Vol. I, p. 137, says there was a mistake in the prophetic periods. Now which shall I believe, Eld. Canright, or Mrs. White?”
Mrs. White never said so. Let us see how he has perverted her testimony. He says, “Mrs. White also says, Vol. I, p. 137, ‘I saw the people of God joyful in expectation, looking for their Lord; but His (God’s) hand covered a mistake in the reckoning of the prophetic periods. Those looking for the Lord did not discover it—all failed to see the mistake!! Hence she acknowledges that the first angel proclaimed a false (false) message both in sermons, books, and tracts, &c., sent over the world. But she (Mrs. White) goes (goes) further, and Says that God intended to deceive his people to try them. & [an, I suppose he means] odd way Sure for God to take.’”
Has J. L. correctly quoted sister White? No; it is a willful misrepresentation, the whole of it. He gives the page where he quotes from; hence he knows how the connection reads. On page 133 she says, “I saw that God was in the proclamation of the time in 1843.” Mark: it is ’43 that she speaks of. The Adventists first thought that Christ would come in 1843, though they fixed on no definite day or month. After giving a short history of the work of 1843, she says, “I saw the people of God, joyful in expectation, looking for their Lord. But God designed to prove them. His hand covered a mistake in the reckoning of the prophetic periods. Those who were looking for their Lord did not discover it, and the most learned men who opposed the time also failed to see the mistake. God designed that his people should meet with a disappointment. The time passed, and those who had looked with joyful expectation for their Saviour, were sad and disheartened. . . . Again they were led to their Bibles to search the prophetic periods. The hand of the Lord was removed from the figures, and the mistake was explained. They saw that the prophetic periods reached to 1844, and that the same evidence they had presented to show that the prophetic periods closed in 1843, proved that they would terminate in 1844.” On page 148, she says, “I saw that they were correct in their reckoning of the prophetic periods. Prophetic time closed in 1844.”
Yet J. L. represents her as saying that prophetic time, or the prophetic periods did not close in 1844. A man who will misrepresent in one thing to gain a point, is not to be believed or trusted anywhere.
Again he says, “Mr. C. says, the reed is the law of God, and the temple is man’s character and the angel was sent to measure the temple (man’s character) and them that worship therein (that is in character.)” What an audacious misrepresentation! No such language occurs in that sermon, nor anything from which he could conclude that I thought that the temple was man’s character.
Once more I quote from J. L., giving it word for word, spelling and all, just as he writes it. “Canright, Says there are many professed Adventess who say the work of 1840–44, was a failure and they have Spliced, out the prophetic periods, in every conceivable Shape &c., & deny all they had so positively proved before, (He Says) They have many false warnings of Christ’s coming, and last of all the true. But I notice, he Says, That the Bible order is just the reverse of this. Is this true I ask, if so, why did you print an article in your paper a Short time ago headed, Faltz Christs, Stating that you had received a printed letter from a Sertain one claiming to be Christ &c., asking you to acknowledge him as such?” He then quotes from Matt. xxiv, 5, 24; Luke xxi, 8, which says that, there would many false christs come after Jesus had finished his mission. Then he says, “I think you Should not allow such positive contradictions in your paper, for they have a bad influence when they so plainly contradict the word of God.”
I think that it would trouble any one excepting himself, to see where this wonderful contradiction comes in. Either I fail to comprehend his argument, or else he has simply confirmed what I stated. The point is this: Many Adventists have set time after time for the Lord to come, always claiming that the last time set is the true one; thus, of course, making all the preceding ones false warnings. They have the false warnings first and the true one last. On this, I remarked that the Bible order was the reverse of this. God has so guarded the fulfillment of his word that the true fulfillment of any prophecy is always first given; then Satan follows on with his counterfeit fulfillments. To illustrate: For ages it was foretold by all the prophets that Christ should come, and how he should come. Yet no one came claiming to fulfill these prophecies till the true Christ had come and truly fulfilled them. Then many false Christs immediately sprang up. So it has always been with the fulfillment of prophecy—the true first, then the false. Men do not counterfeit money till the genuine has first been issued. So with the first message: the true was faithfully given in 1844. Since then, false warnings have come along thick and fast. To this J. L. thinks that he finds an objection in the fact that many false christs have appeared since Jesus Christ’s time. What a “positive” contradiction indeed! It is just what I asserted. J. L. will have to try his powers of criticism again on this point.
J. L. proceeds: “C. Says that the object of the Health Reform is to prepare the saints or Advents to pass over the Pestelances fammis Trobles &c and the 7 last plagues that is coming on the earth. But John the Revelator, reveled the fact that the saints are those that had had the victory, ever the beast, & the number of his name, & they Stood on the Sea of glass, at the time when the seven last plagues were pored out on the Earth Rev. xv, 2: He See the first fruits of the resurrection on the sea of glass, & the 5th verse Says ‘AFTER that the seven angels come out of the temple,’ &c.”
His objection is, that the saints are all taken from the earth before any of the seven last plagues are poured out. I wonder if he ever read Rev. xvi? If he will take the trouble to read it, he will there find a prophetic history of the pouring out of these plagues. Under the pouring out of the sixth plague, verses 12–16, it reads, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
But how about Rev. xv? J. L. claims that this proves that the saints are safe on the sea of glass before the plagues are poured out. Why? Because in verses 2–4 they are seen on the sea of glass; then verse 5 says, “And after that” commission was given to the seven angels to pour out the plagues. This is a very weak argument for a professed Adventist to make. The book of Revelation is made up of many consecutive chains of prophecy. The expression, “and after this,” generally marks a change in the subject and the introduction of a new scene. See chap. iv, 1; vii, 1; xviii, 1; xix, 1, &c. So in Rev. xv. In verse 1 he sees the seven angels with the seven last plagues and briefly states their whole work; “for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” Then he sees the saints safe on the sea of glass, saying, “Thy judgments are made manifest.” They have seen the plagues poured upon the wicked; hence they can say, “Thy judgments are made manifest.” Beginning with verse 5, we have a more lengthy and particular account of the seven last plagues. If the plagues are not poured out till after the saints are taken up, why are they introduced first? See verses 1, 2. Why is the coming of Christ placed under the sixth plague? Chap. xvi, 15.
“Mr. Canright further says, To eat a book is to read and understand, (Eze. ii, 8; iii, 1–3.) In 1844, the people (He says) of God was glad at the prospect of immediate immortality, this he says is represented by the Sweetness of the book while eating it (Sweetness & eating is to read & under stand) Still he goes (goes) right on to say they did not understand the book and was disappointed. I do not understand, or cannot Comprehend, Such reasoning as the above.”
Another misrepresentation. I never said that they did not understand the book. J. L. has a wonderfully loose way of quoting the language of others; scarcely in a single instance giving it correctly. Such recklessness and disregard of truth is inexcusable. He says, “I feel as though I would sacrifice any thing for the truth.” Well, he has a poor way of showing it. If I see correctly, he has sacrificed the truth several times in this article, simply to gain his point.
But to the objection: It is true that they did not understand what the cleansing of the sanctuary was; yet they did understand the book of Daniel in general, and the fulfillment of the prophetic periods.
But Bro. Miller did not preach the Sabbath, hence J. L. argues that, according to our theory, he had the mark of the beast. Any one who is at all acquainted with our teachings on this point, ought to know better than to make such a statement. We have always held that the image of the beast is yet to be formed and that men cannot worship it until it is formed. Bro. Miller lived up to all the light he had, did the work which God assigned him in his day, and now sleeps in Jesus.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Portland, Me., 1867.
The Hypocrite
A HYPOCRITE may spin so fine a thread as to deceive his own eye. He may admire the cobweb and not know himself to be the spider.
MY SOUL, HOPE THOU IN GOD.
My soul, O Lord, on thee relies,
Though all is dark and drear;
To thee my fainting spirit flies,
And to thy throne devoutly cries,
Nor will I yield to fear.
My heart, my bleeding heart, shall be
Submissive to thy will;
Thy mercy long has followed me,
And though thy frowning face I see,
I'll trust that mercy still.
Though sorrow all my hours attend,
Or when I wake or sleep,
I know on whom my hopes depend,
And upward shall my thoughts ascend,—
I'll praise thee while I weep.
In all my griefs while here I stay,
O'er life's brief stage to roam,
Thou wilt defend by night and day,
And safe conduct me all the way
To my eternal home.
My home! no sorrow enters there;
No hearts with grief are riven—
Then all life's ills I'll gladly bear,
Since thus my Father would prepare
My chastened soul for heaven.
The Commentary.
By John Norton Loughborough
Tell me the meaning of Scriptures. One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.—M'Cheyne.
The Bible Cubits.
“I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side-chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.” Ezek. xli, 8.
WHILE a mass of teachers at the present day, through modern Spiritualism, are teaching that mankind are constantly progressing in stature, strength and intellect, facts are constantly brought to light showing that the race is gradually decreasing in stature and strength. Man’s stature formerly must have been much greater than at the present day. Bones are frequently exhumed from the earth which must have belonged to persons twice as large as the present race.
In this short article I propose to present a Bible fact on ancient and modern measurement, which will tend to prove that men were once much larger than at present.
All our readers have read of the cubit, and may be aware of the fact that there are two kinds of cubits mentioned in the Bible. One of these cubits was twenty-two inches, and the other was eighteen inches. With some, perhaps, the query has arisen, when reading of the measure of a cubit in the Bible, whether it is the greater or lesser cubit which is meant, and why it is that two cubits are thus introduced. With a little care, we think, it can all be made plain, so that there will be no more difficulty in telling which cubit is referred to in certain texts, than there would be with one reading in history of an event which happened on a certain day of the month whether it was to be reckoned Old Style or New.
The careful reader would say, “If the event happened in any place previous to 1582 it must be reckoned by the Old Style. If in any Catholic country this side that date, it must be according to the New Style. In any country, this side of that date, which had not adopted the New Style, events, happening before they adopted the New Style must be reckoned by the Old Style; but if after those countries had adopted the New Style, those dates must be according to the New Style. In the time when the transition was being made from the Old Style to the New, we find events recorded in both Old and New Style.”
So in the measure of a cubit. In early times the cubit was twenty-two inches, but the more modern cubit is only eighteen inches, and in the transition from one to the other, which seems to be in the days of Ezekiel’s prophecy, both cubits are mentioned in recording measurement. In Chap. xli, 8, he says, “The foundations of the side-chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.” A great cubit would of course imply a small one, and the manner in which it is mentioned here, would also imply that they were becoming more familiar with the lesser than the greater cubit. In Ezekiel xliii, 13, we read, “And these are the measures of the altar after the cubit; the cubit is a cubit and a hand-breadth.”
What is a cubit? It is the measure from the point of the elbow to the end of the second finger. Before the days of Ezekiel, even when man’s stature must have been greatly reduced from what it anciently was, a cubit was twenty-two inches. But in the days of Ezekiel, the stature of man had so decreased that it became necessary to make a change in this measure, and the latter cubit was a hand-breadth (four inches) less than the former. If the same mode of measurement was now adopted and the average of mankind taken as the measure of a cubit, it would fall much short of eighteen inches. In this then we see Bible evidence that man’s stature in ancient times was greater than in later times, and, as it seems to us, we get a clue to what kind of cubit we are to reckon by in early, and in later, Bible times.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
THE SHINING ONES.—
It is said that a pure diamond may be easily recognized by putting it under water, when it retains all its brilliancy, while all other precious stones lose their peculiar appearance.
Thus it is with the person who is made pure in the blood of Jesus. However deep the waters are which overflow his soul, still his light shines, showing the peculiar excellency of the Christian's hope, and the power of divine grace. Of such it may be truly affirmed, “Ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.”
MOVING.
By John Norton Loughborough
A GREAT mania for moving seems to have seized the people. It pervades, to some extent, the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. Many are making moves that they will, no doubt, afterward regret. In moving, the principal thing to be considered is not personal interest, but to inquire, How can we move to glorify God? For a band of Sabbath-keepers, say twelve, fifteen, or twenty, to break up and move to a larger church who are sufficiently strong to take care of themselves, and leave the cause to die out where they were, does not look like just the thing.
My mind is called out to this subject by a few circumstances which have lately occurred. A great many are looking toward Battle Creek, desirous to move here, and are writing to know whether circumstances are favorable to their moving here. This is what any one should do before hastily moving here, without knowing whether they can find a location, or even work to do. There are some lonely ones who are situated where they have no privileges with those of like faith, and some who can lift in the cause with their means or influence, who would be excusable in moving from where they are, even to Battle Creek. But, to move from a good church, and leave that to break up and go to pieces, would be unwise.
There is a church not far from this, of comfortable numbers, who have long contemplated building them a house of worship. During the past winter they have made some effort in the direction of getting out lumber for a house. Several of the church now contemplate moving, some of them to Battle Creek, which will probably close up the meeting-house enterprise there. As far as numbers are concerned, the Battle Creek church would not increase its numbers by jeopardizing its spirituality and activity. Neither would we wish to have the interests of the cause in other places injured. Persons coming to Battle Creek must not expect to bear any less burdens than in the places they came from, nor be any less active here. In coming here their activity should increase in the same ratio as the importance of this place—being the center of this work—is above the places they leave.
There is another place not far from this, Parkville, St. Joseph Co., Mich., where there is a good Seventh-day Adventist meeting-house held by a legally-organized society, but the moving spirit has so affected the former members of that church that there are scarcely enough left to make trustees of to hold the house. Parkville is only about five miles from a railroad, is in the midst of one of the finest fruit and farming sections in the State of Michigan. Let some of those who wish to move, move to Parkville,—we presume locations and business can be obtained there. Thus you will secure the benefits of society, and be saved the trouble of helping build a meeting-house, and will save a good meeting-house from going out of the hands of S. D. Adventists. The Mich. Conf. in the course of the coming season will try and have an efficient course of lectures in the house, which will undoubtedly add many new ones to the number now there, and those who may move there. Any wishing to make inquiries concerning Parkville, will write to C. G. Langdon, a member of that society, Mendon P. O., St. Joseph Co., Mich. We cannot promise even as favorable inducements to those who move here, for our meeting-house is not yet paid for. Those who are here have done all they can afford to on it, and we presume the new ones coming in will make up the balance, cheerfully.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
LABOR IN IOWA.
By D. T. Bourdeau
ANOTHER thaw, accompanied with a sudden rise of streams again, making the roads almost impassable, together with the exhaustion caused by our past jaunt on our way to this place, prevented us from filling our appointment at Osceola; for which we feel sorry, as we have ever made it a rule to come up to our promises, even if it should be at the sacrifice of precious strength.
But we are glad to hear that the few in Osceola are holding on; and we feel safe in saying that if they persevere and let their light shine, they will be helped in due time. God, who numbers even the hairs of our heads, will take cognizance of them, and meet with them according to his promise, and open the way for the truth to be preached in their vicinity, if it is a good field of labor. Better wait until a thorough effort can be made, even though it should be made at a late hour, than to hurry up the work in our anxiety, and hinder the cause by a lack of thoroughness in the effort. But we trust our time has not been lost to the cause for not going to Osceola. We spent last Sabbath and first-day with the church in this place, and found that though they had made improvements in laboring for the children and youth, as well as in forgetting past trials, yet there was a great work to be done for all, and especially for those who had not enjoyed the benefits of past labors in this place, because of indifference in the work of the Lord, and who were consequently on the back ground.
Last Sabbath we labored for the children and youth, with the assurance that a rich harvest of the dear and tender lambs will be realized when the parents take another step in advance by drawing near the Lord and taking hold of the soul-work with a fervency which is in keeping with our profession. There must be a greater earnestness in this work. The salvation of souls must be uppermost in our minds. Then shall we see a greater work accomplished for the children. But how can we labor for others, while we are indifferent to our own eternal interests?
We discovered that there was still a lack of punctuality on the part of some in attending meetings on time, which was, perhaps, owing in part, to the state of the roads; yet there was need of faithful reproof on this point, which we endeavored to administer, showing, among other things, how beautifully order and punctuality were displayed by the Creator, in his works, his laws, with which he governs the material universe, and in the fulfillment of his promises to man. God never falters, swerves, or delays one moment in these things. He is always on time. Look at the revolution of the earth around its axis, once in twenty-four hours, and around the sun once a year. Look at the sun and moon and all the worlds on high. What punctuality they display. And how faithfully God fulfills his prophecies, so that we can depend upon him always. Truly his example is worthy of imitation; and we cannot be said to be the children of God, neither can we expect to be successful and thorough in overcoming, while neglecting punctuality in attending meetings; for wrong habits in this direction must necessarily produce slackness in the performance of other duties that we owe to God and our fellow men.
We told the people that they would find us on time; and that we would commence our meetings at our usual hour, at half past ten, and not at eleven or twelve, whether they were present or not, and we are happy to say that our remarks had their designed effect; for the next day we found the people on hand at the appointed time. How much better this is than to burden the preacher, by giving him a chance to speak but once, while he ought to speak twice, or by depriving him of the privilege of speaking to all who should hear, if he commences on time.
On first-day, we spoke an hour and a half on the tongue, and in the course of our remarks showed how much evil can arise from manifesting false sympathy, even to preachers, who have been labored with for their good and improvement. The only way to help such, is to hold the principles to which their attention has been called as sacred, that they may improve upon them. To pursue an opposite course would be to encourage in them that which must be overcome, in order that they may be saved from ruin. Many have been ruined by this unwise course, who might have improved, and have been of service in the cause. Those principles appeared to be appreciated by all.
We have good brethren and sisters here, who mean to move along with the body. Light breaks in and our burdens are lightened as we discharge our duties. We intend to visit and hold meetings through the week and close our labors here next first-day. We find we have none too much time to do our work in.
Brethren, pray for us. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Sandyville, Iowa, March 4, 1867.
THE CAUSE IN OHIO.
By I. D. Van Horn
My last report reached to Strongsville, and since then I have held meetings at Orwell and Wayne. At the former place we found the brethren and sisters a little troubled in mind on account of existing difficulties. These were of such a nature that we could not reach them at present, so we left them for further development. Though such was the state of things, yet we had a very good meeting, and the Lord gave us his blessing.
On Sabbath morning, March 2, we assembled at the place appointed for meeting, and after a good season of prayer, I spoke to them with good freedom on the subject of Faith and Holiness, showing the necessity of holding a firm confidence on all points of present truth and having a readiness to advance with the message as we pass through the perils of the last days. I then showed the importance of making thorough work in the Health Reform in order that the body as well as the spirit might be cleansed from all filthiness, thus perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. We as a people have been expecting the “loud cry” would soon begin to move among us, but we have not yet realized our expectation. Shall we give up and say, It will never come? No, for the Bible plainly opens to our view such a movement. It may be asked by some, What hinders? Let me answer this by asking a few questions, which we think will give the reason. 1. Can the loud cry go without the pouring out of the Spirit of God upon his people? Impossible. 2. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?” 3. Can the Holy Spirit dwell in polluted temples? No, never. 4. How, then, can the Spirit of God dwell in and work through his people till they have taken the step of temperance and cleansed themselves from all filthiness of the flesh as well as of the spirit? I trust all can now see the importance of the Health Reform movement among us. For some time in the past it has seemed to me that this Reform was the work of preparation for the message to go with greater power. O187that we may be ever ready to follow in the way the Spirit leads us that we may be prepared to meet our Lord in peace.
In our social meeting that followed, the brethren and sisters made new resolves to be more faithful and earnest in the work of reform and in doing their duty in view of the responsibility resting upon them in these last days. Evening after the Sabbath we assembled at the house of Bro. Swan and enjoyed a blessed season in celebrating the ordinances. This was truly a soul-refreshing time. On Sunday morning I gave a discourse with good freedom on Systematic Benevolence. Order in this particular was very much needed in this place. In the evening we had a meeting to consider the subject and s. B. was organized to the amount of $254,00 per year. Taking all things into consideration we had a good meeting with the friends of truth here, and they all seemed to be encouraged to press on in the good way.
Monday the 4th, I accompanied Bro. Underwood to his home in Wayne. While journeying over the road, which was very rough, a heavy gloom rested upon me and it seemed that I was going into one of the Enemy’s strong holds. Tuesday evening I commenced my meeting which I continued through the week and over Sabbath and first-day. My whole object through the meeting was to allay prejudice which existed in the minds of the people. In this I succeeded beyond my expectations. The Lord gave special aid in speaking forth the word of truth in its clearness and strength. Before the meeting closed, the cloud of gloom was lifted from my mind and the peace, which none but followers of Christ can realize, filled my soul. On Sabbath and first-day our hearts were cheered with the presence of some of the good brethren and sisters from the Orwell church. These were days of refreshing to all. The Lord gave us his Spirit in good measure, and our hearts were filled with praise and gratitude to him. We all found by experience that it was good to wait upon the Lord.
Monday morning the friends of truth came together to consider the subject of organization, and after due consideration we proceeded in our work and organized a church of eight members. This little band adopted the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and, though none of them are very well off in this world’s goods, yet they put down their figures to the amount of $57,20 per year. This shows their hearts are in the work. May the Lord protect this little band from the power of the enemy, and may they be perfectly joined together being of one heart and one mind. Bro. A. B. Underwood was elected and ordained their elder. Thus our meeting closed, with a result far exceeding our expectation. May the Lord prosper the work among them, and may the light of truth continue to shine here till the coming of the Lord to save his remnant people.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Belleville, O., March 15, 1867.
MEETING HOUSES.
By James White
We have stated that no church should build a house of worship that would cost less than the best dwelling owned by any member of the church. We then referred to those churches who are sufficiently numerous to nearly fill a house of worship respectable in size. In that case, we believe the remark strictly correct.
But in the case of scattered brethren, in a new country, who are nearly all of them poor, where three or four small churches can be seated in a school-house, as is the case in Eaton county, Mich., it may not be duty to build such a house of worship. Yet they should have a house in which they can assemble for Monthly Meetings. In such places a log house would be of great service. If they wait till they feel able to build a house that would cost $1000, it is to be feared that they will become weak and discouraged from the want of a place for general meetings monthly, so that they will never build at all.
We recommend a bee of all the able-bodied brethren in the county of three or four days, to roll up the logs and put on the roof, and the raising of $100, to purchase lumber, nails and glass. Let the house be twenty-six by thirty-five, and made in a style to be used in a framed house of the same size.
Let this be done this spring for the summer's use, and in the autumn make them tight and furnish stove for winter. With such an effort on the part of the brethren, we think the Conference Committee would furnish ministerial labor monthly. As we said to the brethren in Orange, we say to them in Eaton county, the Lord willing, we will attend their first meeting in the new log house.
JAMES WHITE.
MORE TRUTH FOR THE DANES.
By JOHN MATTESON
For the past two months I have attended mostly to the writing of my manuscripts, and I feel thankful to our heavenly Father for the blessing I have enjoyed in that time, and his gracious assistance in compiling the work. I am now in Battle Creek, and have commenced setting the type. I propose to have three books printed, all in the Danish language.
1. Life and Death, a book containing about 220 pages. It will embrace three subjects, The Nature of Man; The Reward of the Saints; and The Punishment of the Wicked.
2. Scripture References, 16 pages.
3. Forty Questions on Immortality, 4 pages.
We have thought of issuing 1500 copies of the first and of the second, and 2000 copies of the last mentioned tract.
We have prayed and labored that the work of God may prosper also among our Danish and Norwegian friends. The Lord has graciously heard our prayers and blest our labors so far, but we need more of his blessing that the work may go on, and for this we still pray and work. It is our honest conviction that these books, under the blessing of God, may be made instrumental in saving souls, wherefore we would invite our brethren and friends, who may be interested in this branch of the cause, to lend a helping hand, by sending in their contributions.
We have ventured out so far, spending our time and strength, and believing this to be in the providence of the Lord, we hope that others will join with us.
The expenses of printing will be about $450.00. We have in the Danish Tract fund, left from the Sabbath Tract about $60.00. Contributions should be addressed to the Review Office. If we receive donations and sell books enough to cover more than the expenses, the surplus will be used for future publications in the same language.
I have found a kind reception among my brethren here at Battle Creek. The Lord is still with them, and they enjoy some of the blessing of his holy Spirit.
Bro. Loughborough has been laboring for some time here, and a good work is going on.
May the Lord lead his people to final victory, and we find a place with them in the kingdom of God.
JOHN MATTESON.
Battle Creek, Mich., March 29, 1867.
REPORT FROM BRO. STEWARD.
By T. M. Steward
AFTER sending my wife to Battle Creek to the Health Institute, and commending my little girl to the care of kind friends and a gracious Providence, the way seemed to be opened for me to engage once more in the Lord’s vineyard.
Jan. 1, I came to Elkhorn Grove. Preached in the evening, and visited and did some business through the week. Remained over Sabbath and first-day. Preached four times. Good interest. Brethren and sisters seemed to be encouraged. A general interest to hear more.
Jan. 7, went to Freeport. Visited the brethren at Crane’s Grove.
The 8th, came home to my deserted house. But the Lord will order aright. Was glad to find Bro. Sanborn in the neighborhood to hold meetings. Lord bless him and his labors. The 9th and 10th I spent with Bro. Sanborn, holding meetings with the Rockton church. The 11th, started on my winter’s northern tour. Stopped over Sabbath and first-day at Mauston. Preached twice. The 14th, took the cars for Sparta, and arrived at 12 o’clock at night. Went to the tavern, and secured about four hours’ sleep. The 15th, took the stage at 9 o’clock for a ninety miles’ ride. The thermometer stood 10, 15, and 20, below zero. Here I realized the comfort of a good buffalo robe I had taken from home. I arrived at Eau Claire at 2 o’clock, A. M., of the 16th, chilled and tired; but only had a few hours to rest. The 16th, took the stage for a seventy miles’ ride, having lain down on my buffalo robe two and a half or three hours in the barroom. Rode all day, while the thermometer stood from 16 to 20, and then until midnight, when it stood 28 below zero. The 17th, stopped over at Hudson, waiting for the stage to take me to Prescott. The 18th, afternoon, went to Prescott, where I found Bro. John McMillan. I was not expected, but was made welcome. Spent the Sabbath with this kind family, talking over the truth. They love it. Here I found the Review, my old friend. How often its stirring appeals have cheered my lonely pathway. I love it.
The 20th, Bro. McM. and myself went round to circulate an appointment for the evening. I commenced my lectures eight miles from Prescott, with a fair congregation. Here I labored five weeks. The people gave good attention, and manifested some interest, by purchasing some twenty-five dollars’ worth of books. Preached forty-nine times, besides social meetings. Over twenty expressed themselves convinced of the Sabbath. Ten or twelve have commenced to keep it, and others, I trust, will soon take up the cross.
I debated one evening with a Presbyterian preacher. He made about the weakest defense of Sunday-keeping I ever heard. Before I left, we got together and partially organized a church of seven members. Others will join soon. Also adopted Systematic Benevolence amounting to $99.00, with a prospect of an increase soon.
I am now just commencing a course of lectures here with as good a prospect as I ever had. I intend to visit the place I have just left before I go home, and to labor with them more. The Lord has been with me, and while I have tried to water others, my own soul has been refreshed. I feel full of confidence in the work of the third angel’s message; and I believe the Lord’s hand is in the work of the Health Reform among our people.