Earlier text: NOTES OF NEWSEDITORIAL NOTES.
By Editor
Storms the past week have so delayed the mails that some matter is just arriving which would otherwise have appeared in this paper. The College has just procured an interesting collection of casts of some of the most celebrated fossils in America and Europe. These illustrate some forms of life which have long been extinct, and will greatly facilitate instruction in geological and kindred studies. The winter term of the College has opened very auspiciously, about three hundred students being present on the first day. Others are daily arriving, and the term bids fair to be more fully attended and prosperous than any preceding. The teachers resume their places with good cheer and courage in the work. We would call attention to the following expression in Bro. White’s article, “THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,” in another column of this paper, as equally applicable to the REVIEW:— “These [reports from ministers] should be directly to the point, and necessarily brief. If they are lengthy because of rambling to points of no real interest, the editor will either reduce them, or throw them to the moles and bats. Save him the trouble by spending ten minutes in arranging in your mind what you wish to say on paper before you take up your pen.”
The director of Dist. No. 4, Pennsylvania T. and M. Society, sends a strong appeal to the workers in that district, which we have not room to publish, hence we call their attention to the matter in this way. He appeals to you by the responsibilities upon us, by the shortness of time, the clearness of the truth, to come up to every duty,—circulating reading matter, visiting, living out the truth, reporting, letting your light shine before all, that some may be saved by your means, and the “Well done” be said to you at last. This Office has issued an elegant calendar for 1879, 11x14 inches, containing some new and novel features. Twelve calendar sheets, 5½ by 7½, in two colors, give the day of the month and the time of the sun’s rising and setting each day. The back of each one gives all the information given in an almanac for the month. Four other sheets give astronomical and meteorological phenomena for 1879, postal laws, interest laws, statutes of limitations of debts, election days, &c. Around and among these are interspersed the business cards of the Office. Though designed especially for local use as an advertising sheet, some of our brethren may thank us for saying that a limited number can be sent out by mail, post-paid, for 20 cts. each. A correspondent sends us the following item concerning our late camp-meeting, Oct. 2-14, 1878, which is going the rounds of the press, and asks us if it is correct:— “During the late session of the Seventh-day (Baptists) Adventists at Battle Creek, Mich., revival meetings were held with wonderful results, the number of conversions often reaching one hundred in one day.”
The item was evidently penned by a stranger. The facts are these: At several times during the meeting sinners and backsliders were called forward for prayers. These were powerful seasons, and sometimes between two and three hundred would respond; never less than one hundred. Many of these, though not all, were new converts, and it is not, perhaps, strange that a person beholding these scenes, and not knowing the facts, should write such an item concerning it as the foregoing. Just the number of new converts, we are unable to state. One hundred and nine in all were baptized at the meeting. There is a growing belief among Christians of all denominations that we are living in that remarkable and significant era of the world so often referred to in the Bible as “the latter days.” This belief is leading to a new and more thorough search of the prophetic parts of Scripture, to discover, if possible, their relation to our own time and to passing events. In consequence of the many exhortations in the New Testament to watch, and to be prepared, by continual alertness, for the second coming of Christ, coupled with the signs and wonders predicted as marking the close approach of our visitation, the history which each day makes for itself is scrutinized with deep interest by a large number of religionists. Not a few of these persons claim the multiplying frequency of extraordinary exceptional circumstances, as regards both people and things, as evidence of the correctness of their opinions; and they profess to find their warrant for such claim in numerous passages of the word of God, particularly in these verses from the twenty-first chapter of the gospel according to St. Luke:— “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring: men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees: when they now shoot forth ye see and know of yourselves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Verses 25–31. Also in the following verses from the third chapter of Paul’s second epistle to Timothy:— “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.” Verses 1–5. And those verses from the last chapter of Revelation:— “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Verses 11, 12. These various passages of Scripture, with a multitude of others of like significance, indicate radical, universal, conspicuous changes, calculated to arrest and fix the attention of those who are watchful, waiting, expectant, looking for the fulfillment of prophecy. Accordingly, it is insisted by many students of the Bible that just such conditions are beginning to manifest themselves all over the world, and are becoming increasingly remarkable in their character. It is not that each extraordinary event, singly and independently considered, has no parallel in history, in the peculiar qualities which render it exceptional or impressive, for the contrary is the general fact; but it is that the strange, or wonderful, or startling instances which formerly were occasional, few, widely separate, are now frequent, numerous, and crowded together; that constant repetition has familiarized the public mind with what used to be regarded as phenomenal; that occurrences which once excited a profound sensation have sunk to the level of the commonplace. On applying this principle of interpretation to our own country, it is urged that there is found an extensive range of illustrative circumstances. Thousands of happenings take the form of extremes. We are pointed to the surprising mildness of last winter; to the scorching heat of the past summer; to the unusual prevalence and fatality of sunstroke; to the dire intensity and deadliness of the yellow-fever epidemic; to the extraordinarily liberal contributions, in a period of hard times, to relieve the sufferers in the stricken cities; to the heroism of self-sacrifice exhibited by such as Benner, and by the unacclimated physicians and nurses, who hastened from safe and comfortable homes to peril their lives in performing acts of benevolence; to the unnatural want of affection shown in the desertion of children by their parents, and of parents by their children, smitten with the fell disease; and to the grudging and scanty charity of the immensely rich, during a time of such intense distress, as contrasted with the ample generosity of other classes. We are further pointed to the saturnalia of vice and to the carnival of crime, run riot with extravagance and eccentricities of all sorts; to the multiplying cases of homicide without remorse, of murder lacking provocation, of suicide from whimsical motives; to remarkably astute, daring, expert, and successful robberies, like that of the Manhattan Bank; to the colossal audacity and fantastical ingenuity which invaded the sanctity of Stewart’s grave for the purpose of extorting a large reward for the return of the body. We are still further pointed to the almost inexplicable lawlessness in Breathitt county, Ky., where society for weeks has been terrorized by contending factions of sanguinary and revengeful men, whose animosities took their rise from the most trivial beginnings; to the bloody-minded infatuation which has deliberately employed armed array, human butchery, and unrestrained ballot-box stuffing, in order to realize and secure a solid South; to the desperate wickedness in high places brought to light by the revelations about the cipher dispatches. Indeed, we are asked to look in whatever direction we please—from the President’s extraordinary and unavailing policy of reconciliation to Edison’s wonderful and utilitarian inventions—from the mountain range of events to the mole-hill series of occurrences—and to notice the growing tendency to what is strange, remarkable, extreme, exceptional, peculiar, astonishing. In like manner abroad, Europe was never afflicted nor agitated as now by the hand of assassination raised against kings. There is “distress of nations, with perplexity.” The whole of the industrial system of Great Britain seems about to crumble to pieces. Both her exports and her imports are declining with alarming rapidity. Her prime minister is a Jew—a race subject to political disabilities there only a few decades ago. The snow-fall in England exceeds all precedent for thirty years. No parallel exists for the destitution of her laboring classes. Within a year, socialism in Germany and other countries has become a real and recognized peril to the government. No such failure as that of the Glasgow Bank has happened during the present century. Its directors were building churches while wrecking homes. Grant’s progress in his travels has been marked by distinguished honors never before paid to an American by crowned heads. Thus does the extraordinary and surprising character of events in the Old World appear in full sympathy with the extraordinary and surprising character of events in the United States. We have thus given form and expression to thoughts which many Christians are exchanging with one another in the course of their social intercourse. Some persons may be inclined to sneer at such views, and to call them nonsense; but, in the circles where they are prevalent, they are regarded as earnest truths and solemn realities. Without taking sides, we are content to lay before our readers a statement of these new inductions from the text of Scripture.—Daily Inter-Ocean, Jan. 2, 1879. Fashion Changes in Ladies' Dresses After the War
WHAT next? Before the war the fashionable style of ladies' dresses reminded us of an umbrella hoisted. Now they remind us of an umbrella let down and buttoned. THE T. AND M. INSTITUTE.
By S. B. Whitney
This Institute, held in Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 18–31, and noticed in last week’s REVIEW, was a decided success. The number in regular attendance was eighty-two and the average attendance of these was eighty-one. There were a few others so situated that they could attend but a small portion of the time. Rapid progress was made in most cases. This was especially observable in the matter of writing business letters, of which there were five sets in the course. The following rules were given for writing these letters:— - Number all business letters.
- Write plainly, and give full address.
- State whether the subscription is a renewal or wholly new.
- State whether premiums have been furnished or are to be furnished.
- State the price to be charged on each subscription.
- In sending money, state the amount, how sent, and for what it was received.
- Give full address at the close of each letter.
In examining Nos. 1 and 2 of these letters, which were considered together by the committee, two hundred and twenty-five violations of these rules were detected; while in No. 3 there were only forty-eight, in No. 4 fourteen, and in No. 5 only seven. The improvement in other respects was nearly as rapid. At the outset few of those in attendance realized the extent of the enterprise or how much they had to learn; and it is therefore not surprising if some, not seeing the importance of the matter, did not feel the interest in it that it deserves. But as step after step was brought out by Bro. Haskell’s patient and untiring instruction, and we began to see more clearly the system and its workings, and had demonstrated before us, not only the utility but the necessity of such a system, our apathy gave place to an intense desire to become thoroughly acquainted with all its principles, and we only wished we could have another week in which to continue our study and practice. The wish was often expressed that all our T. and M. workers could enjoy such a privilege, and those who might have availed themselves of this opportunity, and did not do so, can hardly realize the loss they have sustained by their neglect. The system, when rightly understood, is harmonious in its workings, and is the best adapted to its design of any we have seen; indeed, we do not see how it can well be improved at the present stage of the T. and M. work; and we especially recommend it to all the officers of all our tract societies, and urge them to avail themselves of the earliest opportunity to gain the instruction needed in order to put it into practice. At the close of the last meeting, remarks were made by Elders Corliss, Lane, and Farnsworth, expressing their appreciation of the benefits they had received, after which a rising vote of thanks was tendered to Bro. Haskell and his co-workers for their patience and perseverance in imparting such valuable instruction. Annuals! Annuals!
By Editor
We still have a few Annuals left, which should be closed out at once. The time for disposing of them will soon be past. Some districts have not yet taken any, and others but a very few. Shall we not hear from these at once? Price, by mail, post-paid, 25 for $1.00. By freight or express, $2.50 per hundred. An old friend under a new name, but not a name adopted for the purpose of changing its objects or its principles. This is the name now adopted for the health journal published at this Office, instead of THE HEALTH REFORMER, a name by which it has been so long and favorably known. It is designed to make it still more worthy of favor, and to give it a still wider circulation, though the journal has now the largest circulation of any health journal in America. The new name makes an elegant title page, and everything between the two covers, is, as usual, bright and fresh, with sound and practical ideas in regard to regaining or maintaining that good health which every one seeks. VICK'S FLORAL GUIDE for 1879 is upon our table. In “A Word to Editors” Mr. Vick says: “If you think my Guide merits a good word, that word would be appreciated, and make us feel quite happy.” If this is so, a good deal of happiness of this kind awaits Mr. Vick; for there is no editor but will have a good word to say concerning the Guide. Of the many Guides and Seed and Plant Catalogues sent out by our seedsmen and nurserymen, and that are doing so much to inform the people and beautify and enrich our country, none are so beautiful, none so instructive, as Vick's Floral Guide. Its paper is the choicest, its illustrations handsome, and given by the hundred, while its colored plate is a gem. This work, although costing but five cents, is handsome enough for a gift book, or a place on the parlor table. Published by James Vick, Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Vick also issues an illustrated monthly magazine, 32 pages, a colored plate and many fine engravings in every number. Price $1.25 a year. Bushnell. From Dec. 3 to Dec. 24 I labored with the church in Bushnell, Montcalm county. This church I found to be in a much better condition spiritually, than I had anticipated. The people in the immediate vicinity also displayed an anxiety to hear, which was very encouraging. Whenever the weather was suitable for meetings, our house was well filled. The greatest need of this church at present is a house of worship, and they have already taken steps for its erection. Their Sabbath-school is in a flourishing condition, and bids fair to prove exceedingly useful in stimulating Bible study on the part of both the old and the young. It was a pleasure to procure for them the needed appliance for penny collections on the Sabbath, which is furnished by the REVIEW Office in the form of a tasty collection box. It was also a satisfaction to see them provide themselves with class record books and a secretary’s book, with printed forms, such as are now furnished by the same office. Before leaving, a club of eleven subscribers for the weekly INSTRUCTOR was made up. One decided to obey the truth, and others will, we trust, soon follow her example. W. H. LITTLEJOHN. Flint.—We held meetings in Flint one week, commencing Dec. 6. The Spirit of God was present, and we had a very profitable time. Quite a number came forward for prayers, and many testimonies were given well wet down with tears. The tithing system, with the added-one-third, was indorsed, and subscriptions on the SIGNS were renewed, with one subscriber additional, making twelve copies. Thetford.—This church numbers twenty members, and the T. and M. society eleven members. About fifty were present at our Sabbath meeting, some coming in from surrounding churches. We seldom see the Spirit of God affect hearts more than at this meeting. Nearly all took part, and quite a number arose for prayers. The church came up nobly in our business meeting, voting to act on the tithing system and raising a club for the SIGNS (including their old subscription of eight numbers) of thirty-three copies; besides we obtained five subscribers for the REVIEW, and a club of ten for the INSTRUCTOR for the Sabbath-school. They paid some money on the English Mission and Dime Tabernacle, and voted to continue their donations to the Tabernacle. On Tuesday seven were baptized. We had the pleasure of meeting Bro. Fisher of Tuscola. He was a great help to the meeting. There was an excellent outside interest, and we think it a good place for more labor. Lapeer.—Wednesday evening, Dec. 18, we commenced meetings at Lapeer. Here also the Spirit of God helped us, and this meeting was more encouraging than any we had previously held. The church freely voted to pay a tithe of their income and the added third, besides assisting on the Dime Tabernacle. We were affected to tears as one after another offered to pay for a whole club of the SIGNS, and others half clubs, till they had raised the large number of one hundred copies, and then laid plans for their distribution. We bowed together and invoked God’s rich blessing upon them, feeling that this little company of tract workers, numbering only about forty-five members, could not circulate four thousand eight hundred copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES during the coming year without seeing some fruit in the kingdom of God. May God bless the Lapeer church. In each of the above places the Sabbath-schools were in quite good working order, and the attendance was good. We suggested such improvements as seemed best, and all seemed glad to receive them. Mount Morris.—We held a very interesting meeting with the Mount Morris church, Sabbath, Dec. 28. Nearly all were affected to tears, and made confession of sins and backslidings. Sunday, the 29th, Bro. Woodhull, the director, held a successful tract society meeting, while I was called away to attend the funeral of Sister Hannah Soule. The most of the church voted to pay the one-tenth and one-third. Other church business was attended to, and their club of SIGNS was increased from four to thirteen copies. This small church has done well. We organized a Sabbath-school, all taking an interest in it. The director, Bro. S. Woodhull, was with me in these meetings. E. B. LANE. MINNESOTA
By John W. Moore
The interest at Dassel is still increasing. The school-house has been closed against us; and we now use a large hall. Two opposition sermons were given by an age-to-come Adventist, which I reviewed, and only four out of one hundred and twenty-five present voted in favor of our opponent. Eight have taken a stand to keep the commandments. The whole community seems to be interested. Bro. W. B. Hill has preached four times with good effect; he will help to finish up the work. Bro. J. L. House has helped greatly in visiting, etc. GENERAL MEETING.
By H. W. Decker; M. A. Kerr
The general meeting held at Hundred-Mile Grove, Wisconsin, Dec. 19 to 23, was one of more than usual interest. Although the attendance was not so large as it has been at some previous meetings, yet we enjoyed the blessing of God in an unusual degree. The preaching on the Sabbath was very pointed and practical, and an earnest appeal was made to the people to seek a new conversion to God. A number came forward for prayers, and during the season of prayer the Lord manifested himself in a wonderful manner. It was truly “good to be there.” In business meeting it was voted to recommend the holding of one general camp-meeting the coming season; also to recommend the purchasing of four new tents, the size to be determined by the Conference Committee. The chair, having been authorized to do so, appointed O. A. Olsen, O. A. Johnson, and Wm. Canfield a committee on resolutions. The following resolutions, reported by the committee, were unanimously adopted:— Resolved, That we regard it the duty of our ministers to thoroughly inform themselves in all branches of the T. and M. work, and to make a special effort to forward its interests to the best of their ability, wherever they may labor. Resolved, That in view of the great amount of good done by the circulation of the SIGNS, we pledge ourselves to renew our efforts to extend its circulation, by clubbing and otherwise. Resolved, That we heartily approve of the tithing system as set forth in the pamphlet called “Systematic Benevolence, or the Bible Plan of Supporting the Ministry;” and that we recommend all our churches and scattered brethren to begin on the first day of January, 1879, to lay aside a tenth of their income and pay the same into the treasury at the beginning of each quarter, as therein set forth. WHEREAS, our Sabbath-schools stand greatly in need of a singing book free from the theological errors of the present age, and whereas upon examination we find the “Song Anchor,” published by J. E. White, to be such a book, therefore Resolved, That we recommend our people to obtain this book to be used in our Sabbath-schools; also, that we recommend Bro. E. M. Crandall to visit Sabbath-schools, introduce the “Song Anchor,” give instruction in singing, and labor for the good of the schools; also to canvass for our periodicals in the district where he may be laboring. Voted, To pay the paragraph printing press purchased by Bro. Decker. Voted, To pay the State secretary of the T. and M. society $50.00 for past services. The last meeting was spent in discussing the duties of canvassers, and the best way to distribute reading matter. Monroe, Wis., Dec. 31, 1878. WITHHOLDING FROM THE LORD.
A brother writes from Indiana: Having seen the acknowledgments of some of the brethren who have been prompt in paying S. B., I will give a little of my experience in the opposite direction. Two years ago I was in15quite a strait for means. I took the matter to the Lord, promising the profits of a certain field of corn. My prayers were answered beyond all my expectations. When the corn was ready to gather I had no trouble in selling it for $25. (The field was a small one.) Just at that time I had a debt of $28 which was pressing. So I took the Lord’s money and paid the debt. From that day to this I have been losing money and property. I am now trying to sell a horse to cancel my S. B. and other debts to the Lord, but as yet I have not succeeded. I hope I am not like King Saul. I want all who read this to pray for me. THE KINGDOM
By Eliza H. Morton
The trace of sin, the mark of woe,
Is seen o’er all the land;
The moan of pain, the cry for help,
Is heard on every hand. An Eye doth mark the acts of men,
And soon a change there’ll be;
Another kingdom will arise,
Another King men see. All earthly kingdoms rise and fall,
All earthly things decay;
All earthly monarchs turn to dust,
And quickly pass away. The last and greatest of all kings
Will be a King divine;
Beneath his sway the earth shall bloom,
And glory ever shine. The blind shall see, the deaf shall hear,
The tongue of dumb shall sing;
The lame man leap e’en like a hart,
And “Heaven’s high arches ring.” The ground, all parched, a pool shall be,
And springs of water rise;
The way of holiness will then
Be plain before all eyes. The ransomed of the Lord shall come,
With songs to Zion fair,
And joy and gladness dwell below,
And peace be everywhere. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done;”
O Lord and Master, King,
That day to many weary hearts
Deliverance will bring, CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By John G. Matteson
The truth is onward. I have added one more room to our rooms for meeting. We now use four large rooms. The pulpit is in the middle room, and there are large double doors between, so that all can easily hear. We can now accommodate three hundred persons, still the rooms are filled with hearers at every lecture. I speak on the prophecies. Many are investigating and seeking the Lord. Sunday evening about eight hundred attended in the Latin school, where I have hired a room for that evening. I spoke on the salvation of Israel versus the return of the Jews. The previous week I spoke on the millennium. The temporal millennium and age-to-come views prevail largely among believers and unbelievers in this city. The truth has gained a victory. Some tell me that their burdens for the old Canaan have rolled off from them. Many are turning their eye of faith to the soon-coming kingdom, and are beginning to understand that probation will soon be ended. I have never before had so extensive an interest. Bro. Brorson and myself received one hundred and thirty copies of ADVENT TIDENDE for November. They have all gone out among interested readers, and I have not a single copy to send to other parts of Norway. The work is cramped for want of books and papers. I have never seen so much religious stir in any place as in this city; and it has all sprung up in a few years. Some preachers who are dissenters have large congregations, and beside them there is a host of lesser lights. The ministers, missionaries, and colporteurs in fellowship with the State church are numerous. They have their prayer-meetings and Bible-readings, and work most diligently. One of their preachers used a large tent in the summer season. He has had thousands of hearers. Many people are awakened, and converted so far as they understand the truth. Prayer-meetings are held, and souls are seeking the Lord from one end of the city to the other. There seems to be more than ten times as much religious interest in this country as in Denmark, and in Sweden the interest is said to be still greater. Many of those who are deeply interested in the truth are Swedes. Would to God we had a paper here, and facilities for publishing tracts to go out to the starving thousands of this country. Osterhaugsgaden 12, Dec. 9. I HAVE given twenty-one lectures in Springfield. Four or five have decided to keep all God's commandments, and many more are interested. Eighteen were present last Sabbath at our meeting. May the Lord still add his blessing. Nov. 26 to Dec. 8 I held meetings with the church in South Norridgewock. Some troubles of long standing were settled up. If the church carry out their good resolutions, God's blessing will rest upon them, and they will see additions to their numbers. Dec. 12 we held a meeting at West Athens, and Dec. 14 commenced meetings at Cornville. Some have taken a decided stand for the truth, and we hope for others. Eight years ago some valuable additions were made to this church, and we rejoice to see others added now. To the Lord be all the praise. Bro. Sawyer was with us Dec. 22. We have held meetings in three different school-houses since the Kentucky Conference. The people admit the truth almost unanimously, but only a few have the moral courage to do what they know and acknowledge to be their duty. It cheers our hearts to see a few venture out on the promises of God. We praise the Lord and labor on, looking for that “blessed hope.” The weather is very unfavorable at this season. G. K. OWEN. Alden, Tama City, and Haven.
Dec. 21 to 25 I met with the brethren at Alden. I spoke five times. A discourse on the spirit of prophecy was well received. Sold five dollars’ worth of books, and obtained one subscriber for the REVIEW and one for the INSTRUCTOR. Dec. 28, I was at Tama City. At each of these places all are strong in the truth, and meetings and Sabbath-schools have been well sustained. I commenced meetings at Haven, Tama county, Dec. 22. The friends kindly give us the free use of their church, and furnish lights and fuel. J. S. HART. AN INTERESTING LETTER.
By C. H. Williams
Bro. Smith: My heart overflows with gratitude to God for the wonderful manifestations of his loving-kindness and tender mercies to me during all of my life journey, and more particularly for the special light imparted to me in a brief interview with Bro. S. B. Whitney, less than two years ago; also for valuable instruction received from some of your writings, by which I am made acquainted with you in thought if not in person. For more than fifteen years I was engaged in proclaiming the “first angel’s message,” and I was made to rejoice in the hope of speedy redemption; but when the glorious light of the “third angel’s message” broke in upon my mind as an additional and exceedingly important “present truth,” its brilliancy excelled that of my former views, and gave a new impetus to my labors in the gospel. Some have dared to follow in this advance move, and are walking in obedience to the commandments. Others who have been warm friends to us in the past now engage in opposition and persecution. But the Lord holds us steady, and gives the assurance of constant care, providing we keep upon the sure foundation and endure hardness as good soldiers. Our Conference in Rome, N. Y., proved a blessing to me; for there I was strengthened and encouraged by the prayers, exhortations, and sermons of those who have long been connected with this message. Truly the Lord was in our midst, and directed in all the deliberations. Soon after returning home I found that a series of sermons modifying and changing the law of God so as to expunge the seventh-day Sabbath, was to be preached in the first-day Adventist church of this place; and (providentially, I believe) had been postponed on account of inclement weather. After making the matter a subject of prayer and due consideration, I concluded to go, and if possible act just as the Master would under similar circumstances. My presence, accompanied by the sweet spirit of Jesus, seemed to move the hearts of many; and the speaker, who had been my co-laborer in years past, was so touched that the tone of his arguments was softened considerably. By invitation, I cheerfully participated in the devotional exercises. The result was that unexpectedly to myself I had the privilege of delivering four discourses on “present truth” in the same house of worship. The interest was good, and some questions propounded by the pastor served to elucidate our subjects more perfectly; but what the result will be I am unable to tell. May God bless the effort, and open the way for further action. As soon as health and circumstances favor, I purpose to enter upon my appointed field of labor, in company with Bro. Geo. D. Ballou, and we trust that the scattered ones interested in our mission will remember us in prayer. C. H. WILLIAMS. Martville, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Dec. 26. CHANGE OF LABOR.
By I. Sanborn
In harmony with the mind of the General Conference, I have closed my labors in Vermont, and now go to Virginia to take charge of the work there. Expect to be there at the time of the general quarterly meeting. I greatly desire the prayers of God’s people, that I may in humility consecrate myself to the Lord and his work, so that he may bless my labors in that new field, to the salvation of many precious souls. I. SANBORN. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Died, Dec. 18, at Bushnell, Montcalm county, Mich., of disease of the heart and kidneys, Charles Allchin, aged 84 years and 4 months. The deceased was the father of Stephen, William, and Edward Allchin, who have long been residents of Bushnell. He was born in England, but moved to this country many years ago. For fifty years he had been a professor of religion. At the time of his death he stood connected with the Disciple church, and his funeral discourse was preached by Eld. Conant, a minister of the same denomination, to a large congregation of sympathizing friends and neighbors who convened at the M. E. church on Friday, Dec. 20. W. H. Littlejohn. Sister Hannah Soule, residing sixteen miles east of Flint, Michigan, died Dec. 26, 1878, after a protracted illness from an incurable disease, aged 49 years, 2 months, and one day. Sister Soule suffered much, but was comforted with a good hope of eternal life when Jesus comes. A large number of sympathizing friends attended the funeral. She leaves a companion and a large family to mourn her loss. Funeral address by the writer from Rev. 14:13. E. B. Lane. Died of lung fever, at the residence of Bro. O. Hill, near Canola, Elk county, Kan., Dec. 13, 1878, Sister Laura Collins, aged 24 years and 6 months. She embraced the Advent faith nearly two years ago, and united with the Canola church. She lived a consistent life, bore her sufferings patiently, and rests in hope of immortality at the resurrection of the just. Funeral discourse from Isa. 26:19. Chas. F. Stevens. THE SPIRIT OF LABOR.
By Lizzie S. Campbell
[The following essay was read at the last annual meeting of the Illinois Tract Society, at Bloomington, Illinois, Sept. 2, 1878. By request, the writer has kindly furnished it for publication.—Ed.] It is a distinguishing feature of the religion of Jesus, that in proportion as its saving influence is felt in the heart do we seek to bring others into the same blessed truth. While there are some who are especially called of God to proclaim his salvation to the people, there is also work that the weakest and humblest may perform. Among the agencies that have been most manifestly owned and sanctioned by the providence of God is the tract and missionary society. When we consider the progress and magnitude of the work, we cannot but realize that it holds an important place in the advancement of the cause of God. From small beginnings it has arisen to be a power in the land, and it appears that we are only standing on the threshold. The Lord sets before us an open door. He says to us, as he said to Israel, “Go forward.” Let us not be unfaithful, and prove recreant to the trust he commits to us. It may be interesting to contrast the labor performed by the Illinois T. and M. Society during the past year with that of the year preceding, in order that we may learn whether we are improving our opportunities and going forward with the work, as we should. The number of reports returned for the past year is 479; for the preceding year, 378: families visited the past year, 2,593; during the preceding year, 1,590: new subscribers obtained the past year, 254; the year preceding, 427. While the reports of the past year show a decided and encouraging gain in the number of reports returned, letters written, families visited, etc., there is a falling off in the number of new subscribers. Doubtless all have not been reported. This brings to mind the importance of faithfully reporting all we do, however small the item. Some of us may feel like undervaluing our efforts, because we can do but little, or because we do not see immediate results. Let us esteem nothing of small moment that tends to advance the cause of God. A seemingly trifling incident has often changed the whole current of a life. A gentleman went into a store on business. A tract lay on the counter. Its title, “Has the Command to Keep Holy the Seventh Day ever been Revoked?” attracted his attention. This was all he read; but the question followed him for weeks and months, until he began to search the Bible, and to-day he is observing the Sabbath of the Lord. Surely this was a very small item of labor, to simply place a tract upon the counter. Dare any of us say that we can do nothing? Fellow-laborers in this blessed cause, let us be more diligent in this service than ever before. Let the coming year see glorious results in Illinois. Let us resolve, by the help of the Lord, not to rest until every honest soul has been reached by the light of present truth. Let us give ourselves to the Lord to be worn out in his service, and seek to become effectual workers in his vineyard, that at his appearing we may come with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us.