The letters from Italy and Egypt, which we publish on our seventh page, under the heading, “Important Correspondence,” will be perused by our readers with the greatest interest.
Bro. Loughborough reports four good meetings in Wellsville, up to the date of his writing, Nov. 10, closing with these words: “The best of all is, ‘The Lord is with us.’”
We give this week the last of the series of excellent articles on the “Sabbath on Two Hemispheres,” by Eld. W. H. Littlejohn. They are clear and pointed. Read them.
In the REVIEW and SUPPLEMENT this week, we spread before the reader a large variety of interesting matter. Do not content yourself with merely a hasty glance at any portion of it; but read it all; read carefully and inwardly digest. In the article headed, “Librarians,” read especially what is said about helping those unable to pay for periodicals at once.
To Correspondents.
WHERE do we learn that heathen nations practiced circumcision before God gave the rite to Abraham? M. J. H.
Ans. Among the various authorities that might be cited, we refer to M’Clintock and Strong’s Biblical Cyclopedia. They refer, for early authorities, to Celsus, Julian, Bauer, Jahn, etc.
1. Does the second commandment forbid keeping pictures or photographs of our friends? 2. Does not Lev. 3:17 forbid the eating of the fat of animals now? I. B. S.
Ans. 1. No. 2. No.
What history records the naming of the days of the week as they are now named? and when were they named? Webster tells why, but not when. S. J. H.
Ans. In Philip Smith’s History of the World, vol. 1, p. 211, he speaks of the ancient Chaldeans as follows:—
“There is reason to believe that they mapped out the Zodiac, invented the nomenclature which we still use for the seven days of the week, divided the days into equinoctial hours, as distinguished from the hours of variable length which depend on sunrise and sunset, and measured time by the water-clock.”
A foot note explains that Sunday was sacred to the sun, Monday to the moon, Tuesday to Mars, Wednesday to Mercury, Thursday to Jupiter, Friday to Venus, and Saturday to Saturn. The date of this arrangement was between the years 2234 and 1976 before Christ.
Is it right for Christians to attend circuses, or to have and use croquet grounds? J. M.
Ans. We think the latter is a wicked waste of time, and the former a wicked waste of both time and money.
Ans. 1. Paul’s testimony in 1 Tim. 4:1, 2, has been so strikingly fulfilled by modern spiritualists, that we look for them to fulfill verse 3 also. If they fail us in this, it will remain something of a mystery. 2. We understand 1 John 1:8 to apply before conversion, and hence to be no contradiction of 1 John 3:9, which applies after conversion.
ANSWERED BY LETTER. M. Haynor, P. E. Gros, O. M. Olds, Mrs. Mary Cady, H. T. Gosselin, M. J. Bahler, A. Gleason, L. F. Davis, M. F. H. Goodale, Mrs. P. T. Maynard.
J. N. A
By John Nevins Andrews
Mosheim.
A BROTHER in Vermont sends us an extract from Mosheim’s Church History concerning the observance of the first day of the week in the first century. He assigns two reasons for sending this extract,—first as a curiosity; second, because it has not been assigned a place in the work entitled Testimony of the Fathers of the first three centuries.
If our brother had examined the History of the Sabbath attentively, he would have found that this extract is given in full, and commented on, in the chapter entitled, “The first Witnesses for Sunday.” If he will take notice that Mosheim was a writer of the eighteenth century, he will see that it would be very improper to include Mosheim with the writers of the first three centuries.
J. N. A
To the Churches in Ohio.
By H. A. St. John
DEAR BRETHREN: For a long time some of you have stood greatly in need of efficient ministerial labor in your churches. Your appeals have been in vain for some time past, because no one both able and qualified to do so important work could be found to go. We should all feel truly thankful to God that this is so no longer. The General Conference has seen proper to send to our Conference Elds. D. M. Canright and A. O. Burrill. Of the ability and efficiency of these servants of God I need not speak, as you all know them well, at least by reputation, and they come recommended by the General Conference, and also, we think, by the grace of God.
Now is your opportunity. Do you inquire what to do? I would suggest that, first of all, earnest prayer be offered for success, abundant success, to attend the labors of God’s servants in every place.
Secondly, I suggest that every person endeavor with all the energies of his soul assisted by the grace of God, to be in union and love with all believers. We think that one way to show your esteem for the servants of God who labor among you is to be at peace among yourselves. Please read 1 Thess. 5:12, 13.
Thirdly, I suggest that the officers of each church counsel together about their condition and wants, and also the prospects of bringing other souls into the truth in their midst, and instruct their church clerk to make a full written statement of the conclusions of such counsel, and forward by mail to Eld. D. M. Canright, together with any appeal for help you wish to make.
Fourthly, I suggest that all ministers or licentiates, wishing counsel, or help in meetings or otherwise, address their communications to Eld. D. M. Canright, president of the Ohio Conference, and not to me.
What I have said, brethren, is only by way of advice and suggestion, nothing more.
H. A. St. John.
Clyde, O., Nov. 4, 1878.
S. N. HASKELL
By S. N. Haskell
Notice.
It will be noticed that the South Lancaster meeting is postponed one week. This is done for various reasons. As this will probably be the most important meeting of the kind ever held in New England, we wish to do all that can be done to make it a success. We hope to see at this meeting, (1) every one interested in the missionary work in New England; (2) each individual who wishes to become interested and to know where and how to work; (3) every individual who has no interest in it. It is evident that the work of present truth is fast closing, and we should have the armor on, all prepared for marching orders. Therefore we say to all our brethren, come one, come all, seeking God for his blessing. Come in season to be present at the commencement of the meeting, and be prepared to remain till its close, even should it not be until Wednesday morning, which very likely will be the case.
Perhaps I may not be in New England again for a year, and I feel anxious to see all the friends of the cause in this Conference at this meeting.
S. N. HASKELL
The Youth's Instructor Weekly.
By Editor
According to the request of the Sabbath-school Associations, and by recommendation of the General Conference Committee, we have decided to publish a weekly edition of the YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR for 1879. The monthly INSTRUCTOR will be continued in its present form and size, while the weekly INSTRUCTOR will be a four-page sheet the same size of page, and style, as the monthly edition.
The weekly, although half as large as the monthly, will during the year contain twice the matter that the present edition does. This matter will be made up of the same entertaining and instructive articles that are used in the monthly, with the addition of a larger Children's Department, and a large Sabbath-school Department. The latter will contain Sabbath-school lessons for each Sabbath in the year, with instruction to scholars, teachers, and officers—how to study, how to teach, and how to conduct a Sabbath-school, reports of different Sabbath-schools, of quarterly and yearly meetings, and of S. S. conventions will also be given.
The weekly INSTRUCTOR will be just the thing to arouse an interest in new schools, and to keep up the interest in old schools. It should be taken by the schools and given to every member. The first number will be ready by the middle of December. Send stamp for sample copy.
Prices in advance, post-paid:—
Single copy, per year, 75cts.
10 copies to one address, “ copy, 60cts.
25 “ “ “ “ “ 50cts.
YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.
Battle Creek, Mich.
CHAS. L. BOYD
By Chas. L. Boyd
Correction.
THE address of the Nebraska Conference Treasurer is Geo. S. Reichard, Pleasant Home, York Co., Nebraska. To him the church treasurers are requested to send their duplicate quarterly reports, and not to Mrs. Anna Shepard who is secretary of the T. and M. society.
WANTED.—Employment among Sabbath-keepers at teaching, copying, sewing, or housework. Address Lue F. Davis, Ipswich, Mass.
RECEIPTS
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review & Herald to which the money receipted pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, notice of the omission should be given.
$2.00 EACH. T M Morris 54-19, J P Christensen 54-17, Mrs H C Hawkins 54-18, Geo Benton 54-20, Mrs Alice Stafford 54-18, Mrs H D Randall 54-20, A W Bunnell 54-22, J Shattuck 54-20, H G Washburn 53-14, Mrs L Fuller 54-18, G A Baker 54-19, John Watts 54-19, Mrs E K Atchison 54-19, Lucy H Winslow 54-18, T H Wakeman 54-25, S J Twining 54-19, Joseph Merry 54-19, Gardiner Storer 54-19, Laura R Gilman 54-24, C Lawton 54-20, Almira Condron 54-19, Margaret Alexander 54-19, Mrs H C Lobdell 54-19, P F Ferciot 54-19, R A Boardman 54-20, S Sophia Post 54-19, Paul E Gros 54-16.
$1.00 EACH. F Morrow 58-18, Mrs T A Kilgore 58-19, Joel Gillett 58-14, Mrs D D Bartlett 58-18, Mrs C L Gildman 53-19, Isaac Brooks 53-20, Elihu Smith 58-19, Wm Caviness 58-19, John L Rice 53-19, R H Peck 53-21, Mrs E C Brazee 53-18, Richard Atkinson 58-19, Wm J Reed 53-19, D W Lamb 53-2, M F Garrett 53-19, Julia Whipple 53-17, Mary Newlan 53-19, Washington Morse 53-18, James Garland 58-19, E Hollinsworth 54-2, Miss H O Calkin 54-2, Jackson Banks 53-19, J R Hall 58-19, J W Clark 53-19, A Kobb 53-19, Jeremiah Rhodes 53-18.
MISCELLANEOUS. Sarah Bush 50c 54-1, Dr Totton 50c 53-10, J F Chubb $1.50 54-9, Mrs H Mosier 50c 53-10, Mrs E A Culberhouse 1.50 54-19, Levi Crawford 1.50 54-19, J C Barton 50c 53-9, John N Chandler 50c 53-8, J Blodgett 60c 53-18, James Peters 1.50 54-19, Alfred Pardun 50c 53-10, Mrs H L Cox 50c 52-8, Eli Osborn 1.70 55-1, Peter H Clark 50c 53-10, Sarah I Nichols 1.50 54-19, Dennis Dyer 1.50 54-19, Jane Parker 1.50 54-19, Perry A Rukes 1.50 54-19, S S Brooks 1.50 54-19, Wm Weller 1.50 54-19, J M Huguely 1.50 54-19, Mrs O Schevenell 1.50 54-19, Mrs Louisa Robinson 1.50 54-19, Mrs Caroline Mason 50c 53-10, Y M C A of Springfield, Ill., 75c 53-19, H C Hayden 50c 53-8, Chas Spoor 50c 53-10, Fitch Spoor 50c 53-10, David Houghtaling 50c 58-10, E A Hocking 1.50 54-19, Robt Gardiner 1.50 54-19, John Moore 1.50 54-19, G W Riley 75c 58-19, C Pearce 1.25 54-4.
Books Sent by Mail.
H W Decker $1.00, John Ely 4.67, A J Cudney 3.00, S Fulton 14c, A S Hutchins 1.00, Ida L Dullam 80c, J O Corliss 8.50, H A Crane 10c, John G Stair M D 25c, Barrant Van Nest 1.50, W H Tawney 15c, H M Brown 10c, L F Foss 50c, L G Olson 70c, John I Abbott 75c, J Blodgett 1.40, Douglass Ford 25c, H B Smith 25c, Josephine E Mott 30c, Jeremiah Suckley 25c, M C Fatic 15c, Mrs M Shepard 1.00, C M Gale 30c, Chas F Stilwell 50c, S H Swift 25c, H G Washburn 80c, W W Prescott 80c, Harvey Lee Hoover 40c, Mrs McNicol 25c, F O Pierce 45c, Moses D Campbell 1.00, Rose M Utley 50c, Ira J Andrews 1.00, Michael Johnson 35c, Miss Mattie Burton 20c, H V Miller 50c, Frank Enoch 18c, James Rowe 1.00, N J Bowers 30c, S E Daigneau 20c, Jacob Newlan 1.00, S A Higgins 10c, Lucretia S Boyd 50c, G W Rogers 15c, Chas M Everett 15c, James McMoran 15c, S S Brooks 15c, Mrs H C Mead 40c, C A Bates 89c.
Books Sent by Express.
Smith Sharp $29.42, Thomas Brown 5.62, C Turnipseed 2.50, Wm Pepper 1.25, M Kittle 5.00, L A Logan 1.25, J W Tait 6.25, Jacob Newlan 8.18, S Glascock 5.00.
Books Sent by Freight.
Robert Vickery $10.20, Geo Foreman 10.00, Cary Dryden 10.15, Bettie Coombs 92.16, Clinton Owens 16.51, North Pacific T and M Society 35.50, Signs of Times 170.25.
Cash Rec’d on Account.
N Y T and M Society per B L W $125.00, E H Pullen 1.90, Christian Black 1.50, Ill T and M Society per L S Campbell 25.00, A H Clymer 10.00, Kan T and M Society per S N Haskell 350.00, Me T M Society per R J G 15.00, J S Hoyt 10.00, Va T and M Society per S Woods 50c, Ind Conf Fund per S H Lane 10.00, Ind T and M Society per S H Lane 20.08, Ind Tent Fund per S H Lane 2.00.
Mich. T. & M. Society.
Dist 11 per L Osborne added ¾ Alaiedon church 14.87, Mrs J D H Camp 2.45.
Gen. Conf. Fund.
A sister $1.00, New Eng Conf 250.00.
Gen. T. & M. Society.—Donations.
Mrs M T Haughey $2.20, A N Wilson 1.00, Eliza Margerson (freewill offering) 2.00.
European Mission.
A W Bunnell $8.00, C D Green and wife 5.00, W A Towle and wife 50.00.
Mich. Conf. Fund.
Alaiedon per L Osborne $40.18, Parkville per John Byington 2.12.
English Mission.
O F Tripp $5.00, J W Horner 5.00, Geo Savage 5.00, Julia Cady 2.00, C O Buck 60.00, Florinda Hall 50c, G W Colcord 25.00, Jos Ellis 20.00, Frank O Ward 5.00, Margaret Dixon 2.00, M J Eastman 25c.
Bible Lessons for Youth and Adults.
Series 1. Lesson Sheets for Youth. A four-page monthly sheet, each number containing four or five lessons on those subjects recorded in the first books of the Bible. This series is suited to the youth, and those children who have thoroughly mastered “Progressive Lessons for Children.”
Series 2. Lesson Sheets for Bible Classes. A four-page monthly, each sheet containing four or five lessons, suited to the older classes of the Sabbath-school, and especially to the use of Bible Classes. These are lessons on prophecy, and begin with the book of Daniel.
Subscription price of either series, fifteen cents a year in advance.