p. 181 | Review and Herald, Vol. 52, No. 23. (12/5/1878)

IS SIN NECESSARY TO THE EXISTENCE OF LAW?

By R. F. Cottrell

A greater number of flat contradictions, in so small a compass, cannot, I think, be found, than are huddled together in the compass of fifty pages of a tract by Eld. M. Grant, entitled, “The True Sabbath,” in which he tries to prove that there is no Sabbath for this dispensation, and also that Sunday, the day so generally observed by Christians, is the true primeval, Edenic Sabbath, and should be kept. In the REVIEW of Nov. 7, Bro. Owen has shown eight of these contradictions; but these are not all by any means. I will quote one more, and then proceed to what he puts forth as a grave argument, and inquire concerning its soundness.

On p. 39 of his tract he says, “From a careful examination we are satisfied that ‘the law’ never means the ten commandments.” But on p. 13, he says of those who keep the seventh day, “They have turned back from Christ to Moses; from the new to the old covenant; from the gospel to the law.” If the ten commandments are not the law, how can keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment be turning back to the law?

Now let us examine a grand argument. On p. 37 he designates the decalogue as “No. 1,” and argues that it has been abolished. He says: “No. 1 does not contain a single precept that will be needed by the saved in the world to come. Look over the ten commandments. Will these be necessary in the kingdom of Heaven? Does any one believe it? Will a holy man need a commandment telling him he must not murder, steal, swear, lie, or commit adultery?” Now I submit that a fallacy more bald was never put forth as a sober argument. A holy man does not need these commandments; and why? because he breaks them? No; but because he would not break them. Therefore he keeps them. Are they not law—the rule of a holy life—because a holy man does not break them, but keeps them perfectly? Is it impossible for them to be the good man’s law unless he breaks them? Is a law not a law, because it is not transgressed? Is sin necessary to the existence of law? If this be so, then sin and misery must be perpetuated eternally, or every righteous principle of the law of God must be abolished.

But the design of the Elder’s argument is to prove that the Sabbath of the decalogue is not now binding. This is the point in the controversy. But should it be admitted that his argument is sound, that there will be no law against murder, theft, profanity, or lying in the world to come, because they will not be needed, still it is a fact clearly revealed in prophecy that the Sabbath will be observed there. See Isa. 66:22, 23. The Sabbath will be there, needed or not needed. So his attempt to prove that the Sabbath commandment is abolished only proves that the other nine are! I should rather say that his effort has proved himself demented,—that the enemies of God’s law are not of a sound mind.

In quoting from Neh. 9:13, 14, Eld. G. not only substitutes the for thy, but he garbles the text so that its meaning is perverted. It is no perversion to abbreviate a text by dropping clauses that have no bearing upon the argument; but so to mutilate it as to change its sense is perversion. Neh. 9:13, 14 makes a clear distinction between the law and Sabbath which God gave in person directly by his own voice, and the statutes and judgments which were given by the hand of Moses. But Eld. G. says, “We read the Lord made ‘known unto them’ the ‘holy Sabbath . . . by the hand of Moses.’” Now the text as it is does not say that. But it shows very clearly that God gave with his own voice “right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments,” together with his holy Sabbath, and besides this, commanded them “precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses.” R. F. COTTRELL.

THE LAW OF GOD.

By A. S. Hutchins

“No man may put off the law of God.” This sentence I used to read when a small child, from my school book. I remember no declaration read in the days of my childhood which made a deeper impression upon my mind.

After considering the claims of God’s holy law upon men more than a quarter of a century, I am fully persuaded that the sentiment above expressed is in strict harmony with the teaching of Inspiration.

David says, “The law of the Lord is perfect.” Paul asks, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” And James carrying the mind forward to the Judgment, exhorts, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Oh that men would learn to love and obey God’s law rather than to oppose it. A. S. HUTCHINS.

“THE GREAT SEA.”

By Roswell F. Cottrell

The Mediterranean sea is called in the Scriptures the great sea. It was the western boundary of the land of Israel. Num. 34:6; Josh. 15:12; Eze. 47:15. The scene of the vision of Dan. 7 is laid here. The four winds strove upon the great sea, and four great beasts came up from the sea. These are symbols. The sea represents the people of the earth. Rev. 17:15. Winds represent war and strife among the people; the four winds—the winds from every quarter—shows that the vision comprehends the people of the whole earth, and consequently the four great beasts symbolize only the great and universal kingdoms of the world. R. F. C.

GENERAL MEETING FOR WISCONSIN.

By H. W. Decker

We expected to have a general gathering of directors at the Grand Rapids camp-meeting, but for various reasons we were disappointed: so the work we designed to accomplish was not done; yet we consider the meeting a success, as we have now a company there of about thirty-five who are firm in the truth, as the result.

We have decided to hold a general meeting at Hundred-mile Grove, Dec. 19 to 23. As there are several important items of business which we wish to bring before our brethren for their consideration and action, we ask for a large attendance, especially of our directors and librarians and elders of churches. We also invite ministers who can come without too much expense or neglect of interests. Let the librarians bring their books, as we design to have a drill on book-keeping. Meetings will commence Thursday evening. Those coming on the N. W. R. R. will stop at Dane station. Those coming on the Madison and Portage R. R. will stop at Morrison.

H. W. DECKER, Pres.

RETRIBUTION

Does it look like a measure of retribution that the bones of the late A. T. Stewart of New York should be dug up and carted about the country, as they now are, when it is remembered how he treated the remains of people buried in the churchyard, corner of Amity street and Wooster, when he transformed the church property into a stable for his horses? It appears that when people heard that Mr. Stewart had purchased the church property, and was going to turn it into a stable, they were very much shocked; but when they found that he was actually desecrating the graves, the indignation became so great that, in order to appease it Stewart promised to bury the bones; but, this not being satisfactory, he called upon the police, who dispersed the indignant crowds, and it is said had the bones dumped in with the material taken from the cellar in a general dump. His desecration of the many graves on Amity street seems to be the measure that is meted out to his own remains—a kind of judgment, as it were.—Boston Herald.

As a Bishop Sees It.

The Bishop of Manchester lives with his eyes open, and is also a man given to plainness of speech. In a recent sermon he took occasion to defend the clergy of the Established Church from being, as a body, “idle shepherds,” although he admitted that such existed, and frankly confessed that some were foolish, some were idle, some too fond of wasting their time in croquet-grounds and at lawn-tennis, and some of running off to the moors, or looking at the fox-hounds. But if his lordship stood up thus for “the cloth,” he did not scruple to denounce the habits of worshipers at fashionable churches, where he said, “magnificently dressed ladies walked with a mincing gait up the center aisle, sometimes with a footman preceding them carrying the hymn book, which was often too large and heavy for their dainty hands, and where they drew off their beautifully-fitting kid gloves, and placed their eau-de Cologne before them, for fear their delicate nerves and sensibilities should be overcome by the heat of the building. They looked to the right hand and to the left so as to see whether their friends and neighbors were present, with whom to have a pleasant chat on the way home, and so they prepared themselves for the worship of God, their Saviour, their Sanctifier.”

Stations on the Road to Ruin

There is more than one road to ruin, and The American Christian Review gives the stations on one road as follows:—

A social party.
Social and play party.
Croquet party.
Picnic and croquet party.
Picnic, croquet, and dance.
Absence from church.
Imprudent or immoral conduct.
Exclusion from the church.
A runaway match.
Poverty and discontent.
Shame and disgrace.
Ruin.

Keeping the Love of God in the Heart

By Chalmers

We know of no other way by which to keep the love of the world out of our hearts, than to keep in our hearts the love of God; and no other way by which to keep our hearts in the love of God, than by building ourselves upon our most holy faith. That denial of the world which is not possible to him that dissents from the gospel testimony, is possible, even as all things are possible, to him that believeth. To try this without faith, is to work without the right tool or the right instrument. But faith worketh by love; and the way of expelling from the heart the love which transgresseth the law, is to admit into its receptacles the love which fulfilleth the law.—Chalmers.

NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE.

By B. L. Whitney; S. B. Whitney

The seventeenth annual session of the New York and Pennsylvania Conference convened at Rome, N. Y., Nov. 13, 1878.

Twenty-nine churches were represented by thirty-six delegates. Three new churches were received into the Conference and nine companies of believers were taken under its watchcare.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted:—

Resolved, That brethren from abroad and those laboring among us be invited to participate in the deliberations of this Conference; and that we especially request Eld. J. N. Loughborough to make such suggestions and give such counsel as he shall see that the interests of the cause in this Conference demand.

Bro. C. H. Williams, who has lately embraced the truth from among the first-day Adventists, was also introduced to the Conference, and especially invited to take part in the discussion of business.

The several committees were as usual appointed by the chair, and consisted of the following-named persons: On resolutions, Geo. D. Ballou, A. P. Bump, and H. E. Robinson; on credentials, A. H. Hall, Jacob Wilbur, and F. Wheeler; on nominations, M. H. Brown, D. T. Fero, and R. F. Cottrell. Conference Auditors: E. S. Lane, David Carr, P. Z. Kinne, Daniel Bowe, Wm. Coats, and Geo. Hall. Auditors of S. B. books: E. W. Whitney, H. E. Robinson, and Geo. D. Ballou.

The Committee on Nominations reported that they were unable to proceed with their duties because of a request preferred from the general meeting at Wellsville. The action of that meeting being called for, the following report was presented:—

“At a business meeting held in connection with the general meeting at Wellsville, Nov. 11, 1878, the matter of dividing the New York and Pennsylvania Conference was presented with a view to learning the minds of the members present concerning it. After remarks by Brn. Loughborough and Whitney, the following resolutions were presented and after some discussion adopted:—

“Resolved, 1. That it is the sense of this meeting that this Conference be divided.

“2. That we request this Conference at its next annual session to consider the matter of dividing said Conference, and that we will submit to its action concerning it.”

The question was then referred to a committee of five to be appointed by the chair. D. T. Fero, Wm. Coats, J. G. Saunders, A. H. Hall, and Irving Whitford were named as said committee.

The question as to who should pay for the tracts given away by the ministers in connection with their meetings being raised, after considerable discussion it was finally voted, that the tract society pay for such

tracts and in return receive the profits on ministers’ book sales.

The committee appointed to consider the division of the Conference, after due consideration, and after prayer and consultation and with advice from Bro. Loughborough, presented the following preamble and resolutions as the sense of the committee:—

Whereas, the great extent of territory comprised in this Conference necessitates extensive travel by its officers, and imposes undue labor upon them, and

Whereas, The expense of effort, time, and money required to obtain a full representation at a given place is so great on the part of officers and members of the Conference and of all other State organizations as to make such representation practically a failure, and to necessitate the holding of two camp-meetings and two State meetings, thus virtually dividing the work and representation of the Conference; and

Whereas, Our General Conference Committee has recommended actual division; therefore

Resolved, That your committee recommend that the work of dividing the Conference be commenced at its present session, and be carried on according to the following plan: 1. That all of Pennsylvania and the counties of Chemung, Steuben, Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua from the State of New York, be organized into a separate Conference, taking the name Pennsylvania Conference; the remainder of the State of New York to retain its present organization and be called the New York Conference; 2. That officers be elected for these Conferences as follows: For each Conference respectively a secretary, treasurer, and an executive committee of two. For both Conferences one president, who shall preside until the settlement and arrangement of financial and other matters makes a complete division practicable, or until the next session.

After consideration, the report was adopted by a rising vote.

It was then voted that the chairman be instructed to add two more persons to the present nominating committee to assist in naming officers for the new Conference. Wm. Coats and A. D. Galutia were added to said committee.

It was also voted that the matter of finance in connection with the division of the Conference be referred to the executive board of both Conferences, when elected.

The name of the church at Farmington, Pa., was changed to Osceola, and that of Allegany county to Niles Hill.

A renewal of credentials was granted to Bro. B. L. Whitney, J. N. Andrews, R. F. Cottrell, F. Wheeler, S. B. Whitney, C. B. Reynolds, A. H. Hall, C. O. Taylor, and Jacob Wilbur. Bro. J. W. Raymond and C. H. Williams were recommended for ordination and credentials; and licenses were given to Bro. E. W. Whitney, M. C. Wilcox, J. Q. Foy, T. M. Lane, J. E. Robinson, H. E. Robinson, E. M. Plumb, F. Peabody, D. T. Fero, B. Holmes, A. P. Bump, J. G. Saunders, Geo. D. Ballou, M. H. Brown, H. H. Wilcox, and Barber Oviatt. Colporteurs’ licenses were given to Bro. E. S. Lane, A. H. Robinson, D. B. Welch, John Lindsey and his wife, S. A. H. Lindsey.

The Treasurer’s report was as follows:—

Receipts, $5003.79 Disbursements, 3546.86 Balance, $1456.93

The secretary’s report showed as follows:— No. of churches reporting, 37 Membership—Last Year, 911 “ Present “ 1009 S. B. reported, $3313.27 No. of S. S. Pupils, 472 “ “ Ministers, 11 “ “ Licentiates, 16 “ “ Licensed Colporteurs, 5

The Nominating Committee reported as follows: For President of both the New York and the Pennsylvania Conference, Eld. B. L. Whitney. For the New York Conference, Secretary, E. W. Whitney; Treasurer, Chas. E. Green; Executive Committee, B. L. Whitney, A. H. Hall, and P. Z. Kinne. For the Pennsylvania Conference, Secretary, D. T. Fero; Treasurer, O. P. Galloway; Executive Committee, B. L. Whitney, J. W. Raymond, and Barber Oviatt.

The report was accepted, and each person named was elected to the office designated.

The auditors of the S. B. books reported that sixteen books had come into their hands. After giving them a careful examination, out of the number not more than four or five were found to have been kept with any approximation to correctness or completeness, either in accounts or dates. And in view of the importance of having these accounts kept correctly, the committee recommended, 1. That the churches be requested, and urged, by the Conference to procure the new S. B. books, so that the treasurers may have no excuse for not keeping a correct account; 2. That the Conference secretaries be instructed to correspond with the S. B. treasurers in their respective Conferences, especially upon the point of greater care in keeping these accounts, giving such instruction as may be necessary.

After proper consideration, the report was adopted.

The Auditing Committee recommended an appropriation of $263 to the General Conference, which was accordingly made.

The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—

Resolved, That in view of the general prosperity of the cause of truth and of the manifold blessings of God that have attended his people and his work in this Conference during the past year, we hereby express our thanks to God for his mercy in showing us the light of the third angel’s message, and for permitting us to have a part in this work; and as we feel our confidence and courage in this work increasing, we will seek God earnestly for more of his Holy Spirit to rest upon and aid us in the determination to sustain the cause by all the means in our power.

Whereas, We believe the coming of the Lord to be very near, and feel the work committed to our trust to be a very important and responsible one, and

Whereas, The most self-sacrificing labors are required of our ministers, therefore

Resolved, That we as individuals and as a people pledge ourselves to hasten this work by adopting in full the tithing system for the support of the ministry, as recommended at the last session of the General Conference.

Resolved, That this Conference accept the recommendation of the General Conference Committee to pay one-tenth of its funds into the General Conference treasury.

Whereas, Much of the unity, harmony, and prosperity among us as a people is due to the gift of prophecy manifested through Sr. White, therefore

Resolved, That we show our increasing confidence in this gift by urging our people to give the testimonies that careful study which their importance demands, and by instructing our ministers to give this subject greater prominence in connection with their labors, by judiciously setting forth the perpetuity and special revival of this gift in the remnant church.

Resolved, That we recognize the hand of God in restoring the health of our beloved brother, James White, and we rejoice in the expectation of still being favored with his timely counsel and admonition.

Resolved, That we hail with joy the prospect of the establishment of a mission in England, and that we show our hearty approval of this move by pledging to sustain it by our prayers and means.

Resolved, That we hereby tender our sincere thanks to the General Conference for sending Eld. J. N. Loughborough to us on this occasion; that we recognize his presence and labors among us as a timely help from the Lord, and that we determine to profit by his counsel.

Resolved, That this Conference recommend to its ministers to make an earnest effort to obtain all the paying subscriptions for our periodicals possible, and also that they be instructed to use discretion in the distribution of free reading matter by keeping the cost of publications given away, as far as possible, within the profits on book sales.

Resolved, That the ministers, while in the employ of the Conference, be required to place all profits on all book sales at the disposal of the State T. and M. Society, whether purchased from the society or other sources.

Resolved, That it be the sense of this Conference that ministers should be required to advise with the Conference Committee in regard to their field of labor, and that they should be expected to labor in such field until they shall have developed their own work.

Resolved, That we, the ministers of this Conference, hereby pledge ourselves to practice strict economy in the matter of expenses, and that we will use every proper and commendable effort to obtain means to defray our expenses while laboring in new fields.

Resolved, That the time and place of our camp-meetings and next annual Conference or Conferences be left discretionary with the Conference Committees; and that they be empowered to appoint the Camp-meeting Committees.

Resolved, That it shall be the duty of each church treasurer to send his or her book to the State secretary one week previous to the annual session of the Conference.

Resolved, That our thanks are due to the officers and employees of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg, and the Utica and Black River railroads for the favors granted us and the courtesy shown to those who have attended this meeting from abroad.

Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of this Conference be furnished to the REVIEW AND HERALD for publication.

The session of the Conference required several meetings in the transaction of its business, and some points elicited interesting discussion. Bro. Loughborough was especially invited to preach on the subject of tithing, which he did, to general acceptance, as the resolutions in the report show. The report of the Committee on Resolutions was unanimously adopted, several resolutions being passed by a rising vote of the entire audience.

The Conference adjourned Nov. 19, 1878.

B. L. WHITNEY, Pres. S. B. WHITNEY, Sec.

OHIO

Dunkirk.

We have good news to report from Dunkirk. Two lone Sabbath-keepers living at this place invited Brn. Underwood and Rupert here to lecture. They came directly from the camp-meeting. These are young brethren, with but little experience. The Lord opened the way so that they obtained a good hall, and they remained seven weeks. They managed so that they did not make a dollar’s expense. We love to see young men starting out this way, instead of bringing in heavy bills for the Conference to pay. There are plenty of openings in Ohio, where there are from one to five Sabbath-keepers who would meet all the expenses of a series of meetings, and thus save the Conference fund. We recommend our ministers to seek such openings instead of going where they will necessarily have to hire a hall and pay their board and all other expenses.

The brethren raised a good interest here. Though they met with very bitter opposition, fifteen or twenty grown persons embraced the Sabbath. We came here last Friday, advertised thoroughly, and began meetings again. Our audiences were very large, larger than we expected, and thus far they have increased at every meeting so that we now have a very great interest. The whole village is stirred, and a great many are in the valley of decision. We shall remain another week at least, to follow up the interest. We hope to see several able men take their stand with us.

A wealthy merchant and banker whose wife is heartily in the truth, furnishes a good hall, lighted and warmed, free of expense, and boards us besides. We hope the Lord will open his heart to obey the truth; he loves it and throws all his influence in favor of it now.

D. M. CANRIGHT. A. O. BURRILL.

Solon, Cuyahoga Co., Nov. 21.

DURING the past two weeks I have been holding meetings in a school-house three miles from Solon. The interest is good; some who have attended religious meetings for years are present every evening. One young lady walked two miles through mud, rain, and darkness to attend one of our meetings.

Have sold over three dollars’ worth of books. May the Lord greatly bless in this place.

E. H. GATES.

IOWA

Labor among the Churches.

I HAVE recently visited the churches at State Center, Marshalltown, Bonaparte, Fremont, and Oskaloosa. At Marshalltown I labored one week, and the church seemed to be much encouraged. Some troubles were removed, six united with the church, five were baptized, and an elder and deacon were ordained. This church is quite strong and in good working order. Their place of meeting is five miles from town.

At Bonaparte all our friends are firm but two, who have apostatized; but five others signed the covenant. This company is doing well and will soon be ready for organization. We arranged for s. b. and formed a T. and M. society.

At Fremont all are firm in the truth, but they are not prospering spiritually as well as they might. One excellent brother has begun to observe the Sabbath since we were here. We hope this little band will learn to love one another as they profess to love the truth, and their influence will then be much better.

At Oskaloosa all are holding on, but here Satan has been busy at work also, and has sown discord. We tried to bear a plain testimony at each of these places, and hope it may have a good effect. Two were received into the church and baptized. We are much encouraged for this church, and believe that if all will be faithful they will gain others to the truth. May God’s blessing attend them.

There are many calls for labor, and very inviting fields.

L. McCoy.

Syracuse, Nov. 20.

Panora, Guthrie Co.

I CAME to Panora, Nov. 25. Some have taken a stand on the truth, and I think a little company of Sabbath-keepers will be raised up here. Since I have been here, some of my clothes have been stolen, also my pocket-book containing $18, and my half-fare passes on the railroad.

J. Bartlett.

MINNESOTA

Cleveland, Le Sueur Co.

I was with the brethren at Cleveland Nov. 16, 17. We enjoyed much of the blessing of the Lord, and all seemed to feel the need of drawing nearer to him. Four were baptized, and a church of eleven members was organized. All covenanted to pay tithes of all their increase.

I expect soon to commence a series of meetings at Pine Island, Goodhue county. Pray that the truth may have success here.

GEO. M. DIMMOCK.

All along the Line.

In that portion of Wisconsin which belongs to the Minnesota Conference, the Sabbath-school work is progressing favorably under the supervision of Bro. and Sr. Fulton.

At Pleasant Grove, Minn., there is a flourishing Sabbath-school. Here four young persons publicly signified their determination to live for God.

At Dodge Center the Sabbath-school is in excellent working order. It was encouraging to see the interest manifested by all the members.

The superintendent at Medford makes a special effort to teach the children to sing, and has succeeded well. I greatly enjoyed listening to their sweet voices, as they sang the songs of Zion. The secretary here is very careful to keep his books correctly. With a little more attention to order, this school will be one of the best.

The interest among the younger members of the school at Mapleton is very great. During the week the children learn all the lessons recited in the school,—the Children's Lesson, Youth's Lesson, and Bible-class Lesson; and during the general exercises can answer the questions found in the Bible-class Lesson as well as the members of the Bible-class can.

The Spirit of the Lord moved upon hearts during our meetings here, and last Sabbath seven young people followed their Lord in baptism and were added to the church.

So far as I have visited the churches, I have found the Sabbath-school interest rising among our people in this Conference. Doing everything unitedly and systematically is found to be a great help to the cause. So far, it has been unanimously voted, at all the meetings, to especially devote Tuesday evening and Sabbath evening to the study of the lessons, not that they should not be studied at other times, but that these evenings should be especially devoted to the work; and it is an encouraging thought that all the brethren throughout the Conference are engaged, at the same time, in learning the Bible truths for these days, and in teaching them to their children.

Angels must look with pleasure upon such a scene.

W. B. HILL.

Blue Earth City, Nov. 20.

Pope Co., Nov. 20.

Oct. 15 to Nov. 4, I labored among the friends in Pope county. With a few exceptions, all are of good courage and sound in the faith. They promise to help support the cause and to assist in sending papers and tracts to the old country as well as to distribute them here. Obtained three new subscribers to the TIDENDE.

I have since given twelve discourses at a place seven miles from Alexandria. Three are keeping the Sabbath, and two have been baptized. We have had bitter opposition from a Lutheran priest. His manner was very ungentlemanly. Among other things, he spoke against any outside of the Lutheran church who would undertake to teach the people. When I offered to prove my belief from the Bible, he did not answer, but hurried out, bidding his church follow, and the majority obeyed him and left in confusion. May the honest-hearted arouse out of sleep, and prepare for the soon-coming Redeemer.

C. NELSON.

NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN.

Luke 2:7.

“No room for Jesus in the inn;” The world would not receive her Lord, Though he had come to vanquish sin And bring the sinner back to God.

Thus did that life of love begin, Which closed on the accursed tree; “No room for Jesus in the inn,” But for him stripes and agony.

And as in Bethlehem of old, So man, the slave of self and sin, Has ever since the same tale told— “No room for Jesus in the inn.”

Has not that Jesus come to you— Perhaps upon the busy mart— And said, “These things for my sake do; Of all thy gains, where is my part?”

What answer didst thou give to him? The answer that the old Jews made: “No room for Jesus in the inn,” No room for Jesus in thy trade.

Again into your home he came, And listened for the voice of prayer; But heard no mention of his name— There was no room for Jesus there.

Has not this Jesus often been A suppliant for some small part Of those affections held by sin, But found no room within thy heart?

Again he comes to you to-day, No longer carry on this strife, Turn not the blessed Lord away, Make room for Jesus in thy life.

—Selected.

CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.

By John G. Matteson

The meetings in this place have been well attended during the past week. Last night we had about two hundred and fifty attentive hearers. We had a prayer-meeting one evening, and several took part. There is much prejudice to overcome, but we trust the Lord will prepare some hearts to receive the truth even in this city. I have obtained three subscribers for our paper and sold books for Kr. 12.00 ($3.20). If we could find a faithful person to do missionary work, it would help greatly. I have so much writing, that necessarily must be attended to, that I cannot see one-tenth of the people that ought to be visited.

The work in Denmark is progressing. Bro. A. Brorsen has visited many persons and held several meetings on Sjælland. He held five meetings in Næsby, which were well attended. Two persons commenced to keep the Sabbath. He has sold some books and obtained three subscribers for the TIDENDE.

Bro. K. Brorsen is also active in the northern part of Jylland. He has visited and held meetings in Hellum, Jerslev, Hjallerup, Orsö, Hellevad, Tylstrup, and other places. In the last-named place the brethren are growing in grace. Tracts and papers have been read by many people in these places, and quite a number are more or less interested in the truth.

John G. Matteson.

Osterhausgaden 12, Christiana, Norway, Nov. 4.

MISSOURI

By J. H. Rogers

Since Oct. 6, I have been laboring in Ray county, Mo., in an entirely new field. I have had large audiences and the interest has been good; but like the Southern people generally, they are slow to decide and act. The people are almost unanimous in admitting we have the truth.

J. H. Rogers.

WISCONSIN

By T. B. Snow

Since the close of the tent season I have visited the brethren at Kendall twice, holding eleven meetings. Three more have embraced the Sabbath, and one has signed the covenant. The brethren are encouraged, and are determined to strive earnestly for an inheritance in the kingdom. I return there again in three weeks. Obtained five subscribers for our periodicals.

Nov. 26. T. B. SNOW.

KANSAS

By Marshall Enoch

I CLOSED my labors near Bennington Nov. 18. Nine more have signed the covenant since my last report, making fourteen in all. Others are expected to join them soon. Sabbath meetings and weekly prayer-meetings are established. The Lord blessed greatly in the presentation of his truth. Nov. 21. MARSHALL ENOCH.

ILLINOIS

By Dennis Morrison

Carbondale.

We were in Carbondale Nov. 15, and held five meetings. Bro. Ellis, being sick, requested us to hold our last meeting at his house. A goodly number were present, and the blessing of God rested upon us. Hearts were melted in confession, and tears of repentance flowed freely. We felt much encouraged in the work of the Lord.

Brethren, let us take the Saviour as our pattern and cling to the truth, the Lord is coming. DENNIS MORRISON.

Du Quoin, Nov. 22.

INDIANA

By W. W. Sharp

Dist. No. 5.

I labored with the friends at Alexandria Oct. 17–25 and Nov. 5–15. Organized a small church, with $49.40 S. B. There are about fourteen keeping the Sabbath.

Oct. 25–30 and Nov. 15, 16 I was at Noblesville. The Lord has blessed Bro. Lane’s labors here, and there will probably be a good church established.

Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 I was at Yorktown. One promised to keep the Sabbath who will, I trust, be a great help to the cause there. I know of no place where we have a better outside influence, and may the Lord bless it to his glory.

W. W. SHARP.

NEW SWEDEN, MAINE.

By James Sawyer

During the past three weeks and a half I have visited from house to house in New Sweden and vicinity. I have distributed tracts and solicited subscriptions among the Americans and French in Aroostook county, and among the French and English in New Brunswick. I have obtained eight subscribers for the Youth’s Instructor, one for the Health Reformer, one for the Signs of the Times, eight for Les Signes des Temps, and four for the Swedish paper. I have received from sales of Annuals and pamphlets and from subscriptions $35.05, also $5.00 from a brother to assist in the Swedish mission.

I intend to start next Monday for the West, to carry out the recommendation of the General Conference. The Swedish brethren are full of hope and courage. We hope to be remembered in the prayers of God’s people. James Sawyer.

Continue reading: ORGANIZATION OF THE TEXAS CONFERENCE, STATE T. AND M. SOCIETY, AND S. S. ASSOCIATION