BRETHREN AND SISTERS OF INDIANA: Once more we call your attention to the important meeting to be held at Rochester, Sept. 30 to Oct. 6. All our brethren and sisters should be present, at least we should see a delegate from even the most remote church from the place of meeting.
The annual session of the Conference, the T. and M. society, and the H. and T. society, will be held, officers to be elected, reports to be listened to, and means devised whereby the cause of the third angel's message may be advanced in this great field the coming year. Let all put forth a double effort to be present.
The two new tents which we ordered last spring are nearly paid for. We have ordered a middle piece to put into the center of one of them, to make a large tent in which to hold the congregation at the camp-meeting. To purchase the middle piece and finish paying for the new ones we shall need about $100.00. In view of this, come to the meeting prepared to donate something toward the tent fund. Let those who cannot come, send donations by some one coming to the meeting.
We have earnestly requested Bro. and Sr. White to be present, and hope in the providence of God to have their help and counsel.
Let all church clerks, S. S. treasurers, and T. and M. officers bring their books. We will appoint a committee to examine said books, and if they have not been correctly kept, the committee will kindly teach you how to keep them in the future. Once more we say, be sure to come to camp-meeting. S. H. LANE.
GROUND OF FAITH.
By R. F. C.
The following, which I take from an old paper, may be of use to the readers of the REVIEW. Preceding the extract the writer describes the formation of the eye, and then comments and reasons as follows. R. F. C.
There are, then, four transparent media through which the rays of light must pass before they can reach the retina, and, consequently, before an object can be perceived by the mind.
1. The cornea. 2. The aqueous humor. 3. The crystalline humor or lens; and 4. The vitreous humor.
These substances are of equal transparency, but differ much in density; and, consequently, the rays, in passing from one to the other, undergo corresponding refractions.
Now, to say nothing of the choroid and its appendages, the sclerotica, etc.; the veins, the arteries, the nerves, and the muscles; this organ is one of the most wonderful pieces of mechanism. But when we consider that the retina, on which the images are drawn, is only about one half of an inch in diameter, and that, under favorable circumstances for an extensive prospect, many thousands of images are distinctly painted on it; how do convictions of the existence of a Supreme Intelligence crowd upon our minds! But when we examine this matter still farther, and find that, by nervous transition, all these images are capable of producing corresponding motions in the brain, and of giving rise to so many thoughts, and, indeed, to so many associations of ideas; we are forced on to the conclusion, that the eye was made for the mind. How perfect the adaptation of the reflection, and refractive qualities of different substances to light—the light to the eye—the eye to light, and the whole affair to the mind of man! The man who cannot discover knowledge, contrivance, and design in all this, resembles more the ox which knows his owner, or the ass his master's crib, than a rational being.
But when we have an eye, wonderful as it is, we have only a very small portion of a man. We can imagine only five objects of sense, in the material universe, and for each of these man has a distinct organ. Every person knows how impossible it is for us to hear colors, to feel odors, to smell sound, to taste tactility, or to see flavors.
It will not do to pass this matter off, and say that there is no design manifest in an eye, because we are all born with eyes; for the first man was not born, but created, or made. That there was a first pair of human beings, a male and a female, can be proved in the following way. Let us lay down one axiom to start with.
AXIOM 1.
There cannot be a SECOND without a FIRST to precede it. With respect to my father, I am second. Therefore with respect to me, he is first. Now if he was not really the first man who existed, he must have been second, with respect to some other man, in relation to whom I am third. Now as there cannot be a second without a first, so neither can there be a third without a second. And as the existence of a second is proof of the existence of a first, so the existence of a third is proof of the existence of a second. Because,
AXIOM 2.
There cannot be a THIRD without a SECOND to precede it. A first is no proof of a second, but a second is incontestable proof of a first. Neither is a second proof of a third, but a third is positive proof of a second, and also of a first. For,
AXIOM 3.
There cannot be a THIRD without both a FIRST and SECOND to precede it. There is therefore, without proceeding any farther, twice as many proofs of the existence of a first as of a second. Because a second not only proves the existence of a first, but a third also proves the existence of a first, as conclusively as it proves the existence of a second. For as there cannot be a third without a second, nor a second without a first, so neither can there be a third without a first. If this course of reasoning be pursued to a one-thousandth, or to any higher number, it will hold equally good; and in case it be carried to a one-thousandth, there would be nine hundred and ninety-nine positive proofs of the existence of a first.
Now this order does exist among mankind, and that, too, from a necessity in nature. And if the order exists, it is proof positive that there was a first man.
There was, then, a first man, who was the father of all the generations of human kind, himself not generated, but created. He is, in his generations, a standing miracle, in which intelligence, design, and power are most astonishingly displayed. And,
1. Intelligence. An unintelligent being could never have conceived the noble thought of creating, much less the thought of creating one thing with special reference to numerous other things. Man is created with special reference to all chemical affinities; therefore the being who created him must have had a perfect knowledge of that wonderful science. If man had been created without this reference, one single day might have reduced him to the elementary principles of which he is compounded; or he might have evaporated in the hands of his Creator. He was also created with reference to the philosophy of light and vision, or he would have been, physically, as blind as atheists are morally. But he sees, and therefore the Being who made him must have perfectly understood the philosophy of light and vision. The philosophy of light and vision were both consulted, so to speak, in the formation of an eye. We find, too, in this singular formation, different chemical combinations in the various substances of which this organ is composed. So that if one of the laws of light, vision, or chemistry, which has a relation to the science of optics, had been violated, the organ would have been very imperfect, if it had not entirely failed to answer the end for which it was intended.
But man can not only see; he can hear also. The Being who made him, must, therefore, have been acquainted, not only with the chemical affinities, the laws of light, and of vision; but also with the philosophy of sound. The density and other properties of the atmosphere were taken into account in forming an ear, and the tympanum constructed accordingly.
Man not only sees and hears, but he tastes, he smells, and he feels. How wise must that Being be who invented one set of nerves for touch, another for taste, and another for scent! These organs are not only adapted to their various objects, but they are also adapted to mental operations. Here are five worlds, in miniature, thrown open to the mind of man, and he is invited to examine, compare, reason, and adore.
2. Design is proved by every act of intelligence. The very fact that man was formed capable of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling, proves it to have been the design of his Creator that he should see, hear, taste, smell, and feel; especially as we not only find the necessary organs, but also the appropriate objects of these organs. Passing, without notice, the bones, the muscles, the veins, the arteries, the various members and parts of the body—their adaptation to intended actions—the two chemical machines called the stomach and lungs—together with all the other thousands of wonders which constitute man a most wonderful creature; we have enough to prove that intelligence and design were both connected with man's miraculous origin. And,
3. As to the power which co-operated with the intelligence and design there can be no dispute. It is not our design to prove the extent of power put forth in the creation of man (for this is impossible), but simply to show that the three very necessary requisites of a Creator, viz., Intelligence, design, and power, are all shown to have existed in that conscious Being by whom he was created. How blind must be that philosophy which knows nothing of a God! And how shameful that destruction of moral principle, and that violence done to reason, which will permit a man to entertain the least doubt of the existence of a Supreme Being. It is to sink deeper into ignorance than did the idolatrous nations of antiquity! It is to degrade one's self to the level of brutal existence! How perfectly inapposite to such a man is the name, “philosopher!” For a man to say that he knows no more of God than the horse which draws him, or the swine on which he feeds, is frankly to acknowledge himself so devoid of all moral feeling that he cares not whether a God exists, and, therefore, he will not inquire. It is the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God.”
THE MISSOURI CAMP-MEETING.
By George L. Butler
As the time approaches for this meeting, I wish to say a word to the friends of the cause in the State. It is quite probable that this will be the last time I shall ever do so as an officer of your Conference, as other duties seem to be pressing upon me. I feel very anxious to see a large number of you at the camp-meeting at Windsor, Oct. 9-14. In some respects this will be the most important meeting ever held in the State, and every one who loves the cause, and can possibly come, should be there. Questions of great moment will arise, as to who shall be your officers, and what shall be the future policy of your Conference.
I regret that I have not been able to labor more in the Conference the last year, and that I could not lecture in new fields, and in the many churches which have so urgently requested my labor. But the General Conference has called in other directions, and I have felt that it was probably duty to attend the camp-meetings. The cause is one. In the two courses of lectures I have been able to give, I am glad that a church in each case will be ready to enter the Conference. I feel that God is able to bless Missouri, and that he will do so if all feel the importance of doing their whole duty. I have formed many warm attachments in the State, and I feel the deepest anxiety for the prosperity of the cause in it. I want much to see a general representation from both sides of the river. Let us all come together, and plan for the prosperity of the cause in our Conference. We hope that those who have pledged for the tract society, and who pay the tithe, will come forward as well as they can and relieve our societies from indebtedness. Come, brethren, make a general rally, and let us keep pace with the message. We hope to have good help at our camp-meeting.
GEO. L. BUTLER.
OHIO QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
We remind our people that every church in this Conference should hold a quarterly meeting Oct. 4 and 5. Let nothing hinder it. No excuse can be allowed in this case. We expect the elders, clerks, treasurers, and librarians to be on hand to attend to their duties, whether others come or not. Go through with the business, few or many. Then report the absent ones.
Blanks will be sent to every officer in each church, to fill out and return on Monday, Oct. 6, to his district elder.
Clyde, Norwalk, New Haven, Troy, and Wakeman report to Eld. St. John; Cleveland, Bloomfield, Bedford, Solon, Peninsula, and Parkman, to Eld. Underwood; Bellville, Waterford, Corsica, Appleton, and Newark, to myself; New Antioch, Springfield, and Leesburg, to Eld. Gates; Van Wert, Mendon, Paulding, Uniopolis, and Dunkirk, to Eld. Rupert; Bowling Green, Liberty, Hamler, and Gilboa, to Eld. Guilford.
Immediately following this meeting, each of these districts should hold a district quarterly meeting, which the elder should attend. Here reports from all the churches in the district can be read, all matters of business attended to, instruction received, baptism administered, and a Sabbath-school convention held. A greater interest must be awakened in these district meetings; a larger attendance must be secured. Our brethren must awake to value them more. We recommend that a large Sabbath-school convention and a temperance meeting be held at these meetings the second Sabbath and Sunday in October.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
WISCONSIN
De Soto, Sept. 12.—Since pitching our tent here we have held meetings nearly every evening, three times on the Sabbath, and twice on Sunday. We have succeeded in removing, in a measure, the prejudice which existed in many minds. We have quite a number of candid, attentive listeners. Have canvassed the Sabbath question, and most other points of our faith. We cannot tell how many will obey, but we hope for some. We are now visiting much of the time, trying to bring home the truth to the minds of the people. Our Sabbath-school and meetings held in the tent each Sabbath are excellent. The brethren seem to have a mind to work, and are taking hold with commendable zeal.
A. D. Olsen.
P. L. Hoen.
New Lisbon.—We have spent six weeks in this village endeavoring to get the truth before the people, but without much apparent results, only a very few having decided to obey. For the first three weeks the interest and attendance were good. Then the hop and cranberry harvest began and took away the most of those who were favorably impressed. After that our congregations were small and transient. Still we tried to accomplish what we could; but though many were convinced and acknowledged the truth of our positions, the interest was apparently broken, and we could not see accomplished what at first we had hoped. We had some opposition from the M. E. and Baptist ministers. Bro. Carter will hold Sabbath meetings here a short time, to encourage those who have already embraced the truth, and others who may be about deciding favorably. We go from here to Stevens Point.
G. C. Tenney.
J. J. Smith.
IOWA
Osceola, Sept. 17.—We took our tent down the 15th, after having labored in the western part of Ringgold county for four weeks. I think that we have overcome a large amount of prejudice, and have placed our people in a much more favorable position in that section of the country. On Sunday last some came twelve miles to hear us. Four have signed the covenant, and many are investigating. We think with a little more help a good company of Sabbath-keepers can be raised up here. We pitched our tent on the prairie, and our congregations ranged from thirty to three hundred. They supplied our temporal wants while with them. May the Lord bless those dear people, and help them to see the truth.
C. A. Washburn.
A. W. H. Millard.
Story City and Cedar Falls.—Since my last report I have met with the few friends at Story City. Here are seven or eight who keep the Sabbath, and meet regularly for prayer, reading of the Bible, and Sabbath-school. They raised $3.00, and sent for a club of the weekly Instructor. Our Danish paper and tracts are read by many here, and several are deciding for the truth.
Sept. 2, 3, I spoke in a district school-house six miles from Ames, where there are about ten Danish families, and among them one family that keep the Sabbath. The enemy has tried hard to hinder the good cause here, but I trust the Lord will give us the field, and that the honest hearted may yet triumph in his truth. Those who attended the meetings listened with marked interest, and invited me to come again as soon as I could. One subscribed for our paper.
Sept. 4, I spoke in the neighborhood of Bro. O. Houstead, who lives three miles from Nevada. We had a good meeting, and a good impression was left, which we think will help the cause there.
Sept. 5-8, I was with the church at Cedar Falls. Preached four times, and held one business meeting. These brethren are in better working order now than ever before.
Forest City and Buffalo Grove.—Sept. 10 to 14 I spent with the Sabbath-keepers in these places. Our meetings were blessed with the deep workings of the Spirit of God. Here are not less than twenty who regard the Sabbath of the Lord. Organized a church of sixteen members. These friends will now hold their regular meetings in each place every Sabbath, and once a month they will meet together in the school-house near Silver Lake. A Bible-reading class and Sabbath-school is formed of sixteen members, which is carried on in the English language by Bro. Hardy, and Bro. Benton, another American brother who, with his family, has lately come into the truth by reading the Signs. May God bless the cause here.
John F. Hanson.
MICHIGAN
WHILE we were at Fremont Center with the tent an interest was awakened about four miles west of there, where we have been laboring since. About ten have taken their stand on the Sabbath question. Fourteen have signed a church covenant, and enough more are keeping the Sabbath to make a church of twenty or more. We have organized a Sabbath-school of twenty-five. The meetings continue with good interest. We look for several more to take their stand with us, as they are fully convinced.
Sept. 18. Four more took their stand on the Sabbath question last Sabbath, and others are deeply interested. E. B. & E. S. LANE.
Mason, Tent No. 3, Sept. 15.—Our meetings continue here with increasing interest. Last Sabbath we had an excellent meeting. Some are making a start to serve God. The Lord is at work among the people. Praise his holy name. Last night our tent was packed with attentive listeners. Some have taken their stand on the Sabbath, and others are investigating. Pray for us, that God will give us wisdom to do his work faithfully. T. M. STEWARD. E. P. DANIELS.
Millington, Sept. 15.—After the Vassar camp-meeting I visited Tuscola. We are confident that the little company here will develop into a strong church. Expect Bro. Lawrence will join me soon. We expect to remain here and finish up the work. Some have decided to obey. We hope to be able to make a more definite report soon. The camp-meeting at Vassar left a good impression. Some that were almost persuaded have taken their stand. Wm. OSTRANDER.
OHIO
Clarkesfield, Sept. 16.—Our meetings have been much hindered by continuous rains. There is a prospect of fair weather to-day. Hope to revive the interest. About seventy-five were present last night. We are not yet through with the Sabbath question. Two have commenced to obey. No open opposition is manifested, no ministers living near here. Bro. Beebe has spoken once to good acceptance. Will remain here till close of tent season. We are of good courage. H. A. St. John.
Solon.—Since camp-meeting I have visited Peninsula, Bedford, and Solon. At the last-named place, Eld. Henry (Disciple) spoke on the Sabbath question. He was reviewed; and now comes Eld. Peter Vogel to the rescue of the flock, on next Sunday. Bro. Bartlett and myself are holding meetings in a school-house at North Solon, with a good interest. R. A. Underwood.
Pataskala.—About one week ago we pitched our tent here. It is between Newark and Columbus. Bro. Green lives here, by whose invitation we came. We have a delightful location for the tent. Eld. Mann and wife, Bro. N. J. Bowers and Verna Null are with me. We have a fair interest, the tent being well filled at each meeting.
Being excused from labors and duties outside of Ohio, I find it a great relief to return again to my old work of lecturing in new fields. For the present, my address is Pataskala, Ohio. D. M. Canright.
KENTUCKY
By S. Osborn
Sulphur Springs, Sept. 15.—We are still holding meetings at this place. People generally acknowledge the truth. Last Sabbath the brethren came in from different parts, and we had a good social meeting. The interest does not seem deep enough to justify our remaining here much longer. We hope the Lord will direct. S. OSBORN.
MINNESOTA
By N. Battin
Oronoco, Sept. 16.—Friday evening, Sept. 5, Bro. Vankirk and I began labor here in one of the forty-foot tents. The interest has been fair. Our general meeting for this district was appointed to begin Thursday (the 11th inst.) but a rain storm prevented most of the brethren from reaching the ground until Friday afternoon. The following ministers were present: Eld. Grant, Eld. S. Fulton, J. Fulton, and Sr. Anna Fulton. On the Sabbath Bro. J. Fulton led out in the Sabbath-school work, holding in the morning a large and excellent Sabbath-school. A portion of the afternoon was devoted to discussing various questions bearing on the Sabbath-school work.
Bro. Ellis delivered a discourse to the youth and children, which was followed by an exhortation to all to seek the Lord. Several arose, expressing a determination to begin a Christian life. Sunday forenoon Sr. Fulton addressed a large and attentive audience on the subject of Christian temperance or Bible hygiene. The audience listened with the very best of attention for more than an hour to a clear, systematic, and earnest presentation of this very important subject. After the discourse the pledges were circulated, and nearly fifty signatures were obtained, most of them to the teetotal pledge. Sunday afternoon we repaired to the water, and five were baptized. The outside attendance is very good. Bro. Ellis and myself will remain to follow up the interest. Brethren, pray for us.
N. BATTIN.
A LETTER FROM GEORGIA.
By W. F. Kellen
Bro. W. F. Kellen writes from Houston Co., Ga.:—
When I was quite a youth I had very strong religious impressions, and would have gladly united with God’s people; but seeing so many different denominations all claiming to be the church of Christ, I was afraid to unite with any111of them. My parents were Missionary Baptists; but I determined to wait until I was grown, and then to unite with that church which I could feel assured took the Bible for its rule of faith and practice. At twenty-one years of age I was stirred up to decide this matter, and finally went with the Missionary Baptists. Since then I have thought myself a strong Baptist, though I have always held myself in readiness to renounce error when discovered.
About two years ago Eld. C. O. Taylor passed by where I lived, and I providentially heard him talk on some of the precious truths of the Bible that my attention had not been called to before. After investigating I was thoroughly convinced, and the Lord helped me to accept his truth. My wife is as firm in the present truth as I am. I have a family of eight children, and I desire that they may love Jesus. The people around us are very wicked. We have done the best we could to point them to the truth, and we believe that many of them are convinced. Brethren, pray for us.
REST FROM LABOR.
By H. A. Steinhauer
How many days of gladness,
How many days of care,
How many days of sadness,
Before we're safely there!
But, anchored once in Heaven,
The home for which we long,
The day that knows no even
Will scarce suffice for song.
There safe from sin and sorrow,
And freed from ills and care
That clouded earth's to-morrow,
And wrought us many a snare,
Our praise shall swell the anthem
Of joy that grandly rolls—
Like surging waves of ocean—
From hearts of ransomed souls.
The petty ills that grieved us,
And trials that were sore,—
From these alike death frees us,
Nor shall we know them more:
The sins 'gainst which we've striven,
Temptations which o'ercome,—
They all will prove forgiven,
Since Christ died for the same.
O blessed, blessed Jesus!
No earthly name so sweet!
No honor half so precious
As lying at thy feet!
Here keep me, low, my Master,
Nor ever let me stray,
Beguiled by earth's allurements,
From thy dear cross away.
Sanitarium. H. A. STEINHAUER.
INDIANA:
By J. M. Rees; J. S. Shrock; V. Thompson
Grant City, Tent No. 2.— Have been in this place about three weeks. The interest has been good from the first. Our congregations have ranged from 100 to 300. The people are diligent in inquiring after our wants. Twenty-one were present at our meeting last Sabbath. The general expression is that we are right on the Sabbath question. We have hopes that some will obey the truth. J. M. REES.
J. S. SHROCK,
V. THOMPSON.
ILLINOIS
By D. T. Bourdeau
Hoopeston, Sept. 15.—I have spoken ten times within eight days. Yesterday (Sunday) I spoke on the law, the gospel, and the Sabbath, to a good audience. The evenings are cool, and meetings have been held in one of the churches of the place every evening but one since we commenced. Some are anxious to hear. We are treated civilly, and are invited to speak in a neighboring school-house. In God we trust, and go forward.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
KANSAS
By W. E. DAWSON; E. L. FORTNER; G. H. ROGERS
Osage City, Sept. 15.—Meetings at this place are well attended. Friends invite us to meals and lodging. We have received $1.00 in donations, and sold $1.20 worth of books. Much interest is manifested. About two hundred listened attentively last evening to a sermon on the perpetuity of law. We hope to see several take hold of the truth here. Many express themselves thoroughly convinced as to the Sabbath. Oh! for the power of the Holy Spirit to move hearts. Pray for us.
W. E. DAWSON.
E. L. FORTNER.
G. H. ROGERS.
MISSOURI
By H. Wren
Kirksville, Sept. 16.—I have been holding meetings for seventeen days, five miles east of Macon; and return in a few days to continue the effort. Our meetings were excellent, especially the Sabbath meetings, by reason of the presence of God’s Spirit. Here are several families and parts of families who embraced the truth several years ago, and there is encouraging prospect of some additions before long. The congregation averaged about sixty through the meeting, though at times more than a hundred were present; but for several nights the weather was unfavorable, and there were only a few out. We speak for a tent and the best laborers in Missouri next summer to come to N. E. Mo. and give the cause a good lift, which it has never yet had in this part, various causes having arisen to prevent former efforts from being followed up. May God bless the cause in this State. H. WREN.
DAKOTA
By S. B. Whitney
Canton, Sept. 15.—The interest here is not very extensive, but is deep on the part of a few. Some opposition is being developed by individuals, that is hindering some from following their convictions. The weather has also been so cool as to materially interfere with our meetings. My head has been troubling me seriously for a few weeks, and taking everything into consideration, I thought it best to close the meetings last evening, leaving Bro. Olsen to follow up the interest and hold Sabbath meetings, while I go east with Mr. Aurner, the husband of Sr. Aurner who attended the General Conference last fall; he is very low with lung difficulty, but hopes to receive benefit at the Sanitarium.
One or two more have decided to keep the Sabbath, and others are in the valley of decision. The Sabbath-school at Sioux Falls is doing finely, having adopted the Instructor lessons throughout, and supplied themselves with the Song Anchor.
Expect to return to my field of labor immediately after General Conference.
S. B. WHITNEY.
INDIANA
By S. H. Lane
Sevastopol, Tent No. 1, Sept. 15.—The meetings during the past week have been of an interesting nature. Although the nights have been very cool, yet the congregations have decreased but little. Last night (Sunday) we had the largest congregation we have yet had. The Sabbath meeting was especially interesting. Some twelve are keeping the Sabbath. After a sermon, ten or fifteen gave in cheering testimonies, which gave evidence that their hearts were moved by the Spirit of God. Some of the conversions are remarkable. Four weeks ago they knew nothing of the views of S. D. Adventists, and some were non-professing, profane men. But what a change! Now these men pray, ask a blessing, and read the Bible and our publications all their spare time, even taking these books to their places of labor. A few weeks ago we purchased a set of Sr. White’s works for each one of our three tents. We lend ours to the most interested ones, and they are doing good.
Bro. Sharp reports an excellent meeting last Sabbath at Silver Lake, where a company of ten embraced the truth just before we moved the tent here.
We expect to remain here (Sevastopol) until the camp-meeting at Rochester. All letters addressed to the writer until camp-meeting should be directed to Rochester, Ind., as we are often there overseeing the preparation of the camp-ground. S. H. LANE.
PENNSYLVANIA
By J. G. Saunders; Phillip Kent
Potter Brook, Tent No. 2. Sept. 10.—We strike our tent to-day if the weather will permit. Have held in all eighty meetings. The work here has moved slowly. Strong prejudice prevailed here among the no-law Adventists. Our congregations were good during the first five weeks, by which time we had canvassed the Sabbath question. Then, by vote, twenty acknowledged the Bible Sabbath binding. Eld. Cowls then commenced a tirade of opposition, in which all his adherents took part. They went around from house to house pouring out their bitter epithets against us, stating that we had preached a shut door, and that Sunday-keepers had now the mark of the beast. We called them into the tent, and asked them to have the manly courage and Christian courtesy to state publicly their position, and we would meet them; but they refused. They finally challenged us for a discussion on the two covenants. We accepted the challenge, and held three meetings in the tent. These were very exciting times. From this effort ten took their stand on the side of the Bible Sabbath. The interest has kept up from first to last. The last evening of our meetings, the tent was filled, although it rained hard. After camp-meeting we shall return and follow up the interest, which has extended to adjoining neighborhoods. The call is, Come over and help us.
J. G. SAUNDERS.
PHILLIP KENT.
GEORGIA
By C. O. Taylor
Reynolds, Sept. 14.—After an absence of four months, we are again at this place. During the time we have driven our faithful horse thirteen hundred and fifty miles. I was weary before starting, but duty urged. After traveling many miles, laboring hard and seeing no fruit, we are sometimes ready to ask, What good has been accomplished? Such have been my thoughts in regard to the labor put forth in South Carolina. But a letter written by a first-day Adventist minister, to friends here, has cheered me much. I copy from it:—
“Bro. C. O. Taylor’s visit has been a blessing to me. I never saw the heavenly sanctuary as I now see it. Oh! it is a great subject. Bro. T. gave me several works which I appreciate very much. The S. D. Adventists are right on the Sabbath. It is the Lord’s day, and should be kept. We are evidently in the time of the third angel’s message, when the keeping of the Sabbath of the Lord will be the sign of his people. Last Sunday I spoke from Dan. 8, on the cleansing of the sanctuary. The Lord helped me, and I trust some good was done.”
At Watauga Co., N. C., I left fifteen keeping the Sabbath. Six received baptism, and entered into church covenant. They are growing in all the truth. Others will unite with them soon. Brethren having back numbers of Good Health, who wish to have them doing good, may send them to J. P. Hodge, Boone, Watauga Co., N. C. He will put them to good use. Several counties in that part of the State, are the best fields for labor that I have found in the South.
C. O. TAYLOR.
Notes of News.
—LONDON, Sept. 16.—A Constantinople dispatch says telegrams from Adrianople represent that the Mussulmans in Eastern Roumelia are flying to Adrianople for protection, and are utterly destitute.
—A BOMBAY dispatch says it is believed there that the rumor of Ameer Yakoob Khan’s treachery was spread by mutineers to induce the Afghan hill tribes to join them. The story of an escaped trooper of Major Cavagnari’s escort, however, seems to confirm the Ameer’s reported faithlessness.
—GLASGOW, Sept. 15.—In consequence of the resolution arrived at by the Scotch iron masters last week, not to accede to the demand of the working-men for an increase of wages until the price of iron exceeds 50 shillings per ton, fifty-four furnaces have been blown out in various parts of Scotland, rendering 3,000 men idle.
—SAYS the Advance, Sept. 18, “A set of wagons marked ‘Hell-Gate Brewery’ go through the streets of New York distributing their liquid damnation along the way. Those Hell-Gate men are quite frank thus to confess their occupation. The farmers who raise hops for them to work up see by this where their produce goes, and what business they are engaged in.”
—RELATIVE to the apprehended distress among the working-classes in the thickly populated towns in the northeast of England, it is estimated that 20,000 persons in the district referred to have been thrown out of work during the three years past. There are thousands of empty houses in Darlington. Stockton and Newport are also seriously affected. The climax of distress has been reached at Middlesborough.
—THE revival of the Afghan war has cast a wet blanket on the apparently reviving trade of England. Merchants and manufacturers, not knowing what complication may grow out of it, naturally hesitate to undertake any new enterprises they can avoid. A wail of misery arises from all parts of the country. They are starving in England and Scotland, and they have commenced stabbing each other in Ireland, which, on the whole, is perhaps better than starving.—Detroit Evening News.
—THE Chicago Times says: “The extraordinary controversy now alarming Europe on the supposed misunderstanding between Gortschakoff and Bismarck shows what dangerous stuff is all around us. A ring of interested speculators in the confusion seems to have half persuaded the illustrious statesmen that the greatness of one empire is incompatible with the greatness of the other. For the Russian and German nationals at present the difficulty appears to be to manufacture reasons for flying at each other’s throats. Their interests are in no respect opposed; neither owns territory coveted by the other. We believe much of this flourishing of swords will be found to be merely exercises of fencing-schools; but it is time the masters should come forward and reassure mistrustful Europe.”
—THOSE who have watched the reports of the Bureau of Statistics at Washington have noticed the very significant change in the current of foreign immigration which has taken place within the year past. Every successive report has told of swelling numbers, as compared with the same time twelve months before. Just now there are many indications that we are on the eve of such a thronging influx from abroad as will greatly exceed every other experience of the kind in our history.
The eyes of the world are fixed upon this country, which has become “the desire of all nations.” Thither turn hopes of relief. The magnetism of our position is beginning to attract to our shores many thousands of people weary of embarrassments which grow heavier; rendered desperate by their darkening prospects; and seeing no escape from their thralldom except in emigration to the great republic between the oceans. Throngs of agriculturists, overjoyed with the expectation of acquiring in America a farm in fee simple at the cost of the annual rent they have been paying at home, are preparing to join the movement. Manufacturing capitalists, worn out with their unavailing struggles to produce and obtain markets at a profit, are making ready to follow; and a few have already come, bringing with them their entire outfit of men and machinery. Every passing month adds to the volume of the inpouring stream, which is rising and spreading with a freshet-like impetuosity.—Inter-Ocean.