Review and Herald, Vol. 44, No. 12.

THE SUNDAY LAW
Earlier text: Prophecy No. 6: Cities Waste and Sanctuaries Desolate

Significant Items.

NEW YORK, with only 1,000,000 of people has more crime committed within its borders than London, with 4,000,000.
An editorial comment is:—
“The growing demand during the last fifty years for a rhetorical and oratorical style of preaching has gradually crowded the Bible toward the background in the pulpit.”—Independent.
The “spirits” are in disgrace again. They predicted through a Worcester medium that the most destructive fire that had ever visited the city would occur on the 4th of July, this year. Unfortunately for their reputation there was not even a shanty burned.—Boston Herald.
Perhaps no one thing has more to do with molding the mind and character of the young than good reading. It has truly been said that “these are perilous times for young America.” The vast amount of sensational reading that is now scattered broadcast over our land will tell for evil upon the future lives of our youth, unless we counteract its influence.—Independent.

THE ROLE OF FRAUD.

Nearly every day some new development comes to the surface showing how dishonest this community is, how little reliance can be placed on men. Years amount to nothing. Men with the repute of ten, twenty, and even thirty years’ standing, go to the wall. It is difficult to tell what would become of us if a sharp investigation should overhaul our moneyed institutions. Men who have money don’t know what to do with it. Keep bonds in one’s house and thieves break through and steal. Put it into bank stock and the officials will steal the whole capital while the president and directors look on. Put bonds into the bank for safe keeping, and some beardless boy who runs the institution will hypothecate them in Wall street and run away. The old-time merchants hold up their hands in horror and ask, “Whom can we trust?”

SCENE AT A DEDICATION.

It took four hours and a half to dedicate Talmage’s new tabernacle. It was really the sensation of the day. The prominent pastors looked in and said a kind word. The cheering was lusty when Beecher, Duryea, and other familiar faces, appeared on the platform. At the lowest calculation at least 10,000 people tried to get in during the day. Two hours and a half of the service were given up to exercises not usual in a Presbyterian church. The Methodists have been the most successful of all the sects among us in raising money. This is done by a system of financiering very peculiar. Men are employed in this business just as revivalists are employed in a season of religious interest. The great beggar of the continent, as he is called, is Rev. L. F. Ives of Auburn, N. Y. He has attended the dedication of 800 churches, most of which he has freed from debt. He usually takes several days in the preparation. Meetings are held, plans are drawn, leading men consulted, and the sum agreed upon placed on a list. The audience see the smooth operation of the work. The machinery, the pulleys, and the wires, are out of sight. The time devoted to the collection is given up exclusively to Mr. Ives. He clears the deck like a commodore preparing for action. During the two hours and a half of his work he makes things lively. He is full of racy anecdote, humorous story, illustration and incident. As if in doubt how to proceed, he suggests that they begin with $1000 subscriptions or $500. The men who have agreed to subscribe that sum are in different parts of the house and ring out the amount sonorously. The good work goes on until the smaller sums are reached. All the while the getting of money is interspersed with story and song, and the mirthfulness of the audience is kept up to a fervid range.

The Fall of Babylon.

By a comparison of Rev. 18, with verse 8, of chapter 14, it will be seen that they both speak of the same event. But that of the fourteenth chapter referred to the movement just previous to the giving of the third message, while that of the eighteenth chapter gives us the condition of Babylon just before the descent of the plagues. The first was an announcement of Babylon's fall, while the last is a distinct delineation of the condition of Babylon just before her destruction and of the terrible fate which awaits her.
The call of the eighteenth chapter is often called the loud cry of the third angel's message of the fourteenth chapter as it joins in with it, and gives it force. A friend who is informed on this matter, writes thus: “The loud cry of the third angel's message has commenced. These are solemn, searching, important times. But a little while remains, for us to do the work the Lord designs we should do. We must let go of this world, and grasp eternal things.”
Reader, is it so? Have we reached the time mentioned in the eighteenth of Revelation? Are we so near the close of all earthly things? Is this a time to hoard up riches for future needs? Is this a time for the rich to close their hearts and hands against the calls for help from all parts of the field? Is this a time to become lukewarm and carnal? Nay. Let us consecrate all, and come to God with repentance and humility, and let us conquer all our besetments, and overcome. JOS. CLARKE.

The Gospel in Tents.

A CORRESPONDENT OF The Liberal Christian, living in a New Hampshire village where one of our brethren is now holding a tent-meeting writes an article to that paper, headed, “Jacob was a Plain Man Dwelling in Tents,” from which we make the following extract:—
But Verbal Inspiration in tents is, after all, an improvement on the same doctrine in churches. The fresh air of common sense finds more abundant entrance, and under the inspiration of rude, extemporized pine seats, an eager, curious, and strangely mixed assemblage, and the general absence of stiffness and formality, a great many good, true, and broad things get said, a good many people are aroused to something better than a passing interest in religious life and thought, and where, as in the present case, the preacher is in earnest and no friend of Mr. Hammond’s sensational methods, there is something tonic and refreshing in the zealous missionary spirit which goes thus from village to village, pitching its own tent, and asking nothing but a fair hearing from friend or foe.
On the whole, therefore, we are inclined to think well and hopefully of the work of such ministers of religion, whether orthodox or heterodox, blue lights or new lights, as have the courage and zeal in these days of ease and comfort to “dwell in tents.” Somehow or other the stiffness and coldness of most worship in churches must be broken up, or the church will continue to lose its influence and attraction for warm, young blood more rapidly even than at present. We are by no means in favor of abandoning the churches for tents, for religious life may be nourished and developed to better advantage in the more stable, commodious and attractive edifice. But for gospel recruiting-service it may be that we have undervalued the advantage of pitching our tents. A very large proportion of the non-church-going people of every town—and it need hardly be said that they largely outnumber the church-goers—would, we believe, welcome and enjoy public worship freed from the costliness, the apparent exclusiveness, the stiffness, the coldness, the deadness which now repel them. The instinct for public worship is, we think, as natural and general as the craving for companionship, and it is quite as extravagant to argue that those who never set foot inside a church door are without interest in religion or public worship as to imagine that those who are never seen in what we call “society” are unsocial.
Certainly the unintentional but none the less actual exclusiveness of most public worship is a problem which demands immediate attention, and, in towns and villages where commons and parks abound, there seems no good reason why, except in the winter months, thousands should not be regularly gathered to hear the gospel preached in tents. The expense would be comparatively trifling, the occasion and surroundings would stimulate hearty, earnest worship, and, after tent worship ceased to attract attention by its rarity, it is unlikely that such meetings would be molested or disturbed if wisely managed and conducted.

Spirit of Coalition in Present Revivals.

THERE is at the present time an increase of knowledge, according to that which was written by the prophet Daniel. Chap. 12: 4. The wise will receive the increasing light, the wicked will reject it. “The wise shall understand,” but “none of the wicked shall understand.” Verse 10. Increasing light tests the people. If it is received, it will bring the receivers together into unity of faith and practice; but if it is rejected, it will bring condemnation. “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3: 19.
If the churches of the present day are pure, they will receive the increasing light, and by so doing will be brought into a real unity of faith and practice, a very desirable result; but if they constitute a portion of fallen Babylon, being daughters of the mother of harlots, a coalition or confederacy of sects by a mere compromise of their differences, making the Bible truths on which they are divided of no importance, then their union is not desirable to the lovers of truth, but to be dreaded; for a union of corrupt bodies will only increase the power of corruption, and result in the persecution of those who adhere to the pure doctrines of the Bible. As thieves and robbers when united in a gang are the more to be dreaded, so the union of churches which have rejected truth and have consequently fallen from the favor of God, only speaks of the oppression and persecution of those who love the truth, and walk in its light.
As a stream cannot rise higher than its source, so those that are converted under the influence of those who hold such loose ideas in regard to revealed truth, cannot be expected to be very particular in respect to duty. They imbibe from their teachers that God is not very particular, and they like the makes-no-difference doctrine, and for themselves they feel like being fully persuaded to do as they please. I used to wonder how it was that the proselytes of false and apostate professors should be “twofold more the child of hell” than themselves. But now I think I understand it. The tendency of fallen human nature is downward. If teachers encourage a low standard, their proselytes will make it lower rather than higher. So these teachers of loose, makes-no-difference, views of religious duties are often surprised and dissatisfied that their pupils come short of their own ideas of that which is proper and right. They would like to see them more strict, coming up to the standard of their own minds; but they have taught them a looseness that is agreeable to fallen nature, and consequently, are doomed to see them descend still lower than themselves.
It is easy to go down the hill—to grow worse and worse. Hence it is that every real reform among men is uphill work. It takes real effort to rise. And there must be continued effort, or the car of reform will be found rolling backward. It is truly a wonder of mercy that God should undertake the salvation of those so depraved, and that he bears so long with us as a race. R. F. COTTRELL.

MR. IVES AND THE TABERNACLE.

All this machinery was introduced into the tabernacle on Sunday, to lift a subscription of $35,000. The thing was admirably carried out. Mr. Ives was in his glory. His sallies brought peals of laughter from the mouth as well as money from the pocket. He gets well paid for this work. He receives from $250 to $1000 a Sunday, according to the amount raised. In his sphere he is supreme. No minister in the country can hold a candle to him in raising money. He is in constant demand, his popularity among the Methodists having run over into other denominations, where he seems quite at home.—Burleigh, N. Y. Correspondent to Boston Journal.
F. A. BUZZELL.

FAITH AND WORKS.

Two gentlemen were one day crossing a river in a ferry boat. A dispute about faith and works arose, one saying that good works were of small importance and that faith was everything, the other asserting the contrary. Not being able to convince each other, the ferryman, an enlightened Christian, asked permission to give his opinion. Consent being granted, he said, “I hold in my hand two oars. That in my right hand I call faith; the other, in my left, works. Now, gentlemen, please to observe; I pull the oar of faith, and pull that alone. See! the boat goes round and round, and makes no progress. I do the same with the oar of works, and with a precisely similar result—no advance. Mark! I pull both together, we go on apace, and in a very few moments we shall be at our landing place. So, in my humble opinion,” he added, “faith without works, or works without faith, will not suffice. Let there be both, and the haven of eternal rest is sure to be reached.”

ALWAYS TOO LATE.—

Some people are always too late, and therefore accomplish through life nothing worth naming. If they promise to meet you at such an hour, they are never present until thirty minutes after. No matter how important the business is, either to yourself or to them, they are just as tardy. If one of this class is to take passage by steamer or railway, he arrives just as the boat has left the wharf, or the train the station. His dinner has been waiting for him so long that the cook is out of patience. This course, the character we have described always pursues. He is never in time for church, at his place of business, at his meals, or in his bed. Persons of such habits, we cannot but despise. Always start in time, and be ready at the appointed hour. We would not give a fig for a man who is not punctual to his engagements, and who never makes up his mind to a certain course till the time is lost. Those who hang back, hesitate, and tremble—who are never at hand for a journey, to meet an appointment for business, or anything else—are poor sloths, and are ill calculated to succeed in business or get a living in this world.

Lowliness as the Foundation of Every Virtue

LOWLINESS is the base of every virtue; and he who goes the lowest builds the safest. My God keeps all his pity for the proud.

The Vermont Camp-meeting.

ELDER Haskell and myself reached the Wolcott camp-ground Thursday noon. We found the people there waiting. Bro. A. C. Bourdeau had spoken to them in the morning. The preparations had been mostly completed. We found a good attendance for this small Conference, the largest we think in the last two years. At the outset, we had to face a very great disappointment on the part of the people. They felt certain of the presence of Bro. and sister White, and had advertised their coming in many of the newspapers. I have no doubt that hundreds of dollars could have been raised in a few minutes, if money would have procured their presence. It is not particularly pleasant to take the place of other public laborers so much preferred and so much more acceptable. But we did the best we could to call the attention of the people to the consideration of matters of greater importance than the personal ministrations of any one. But I really felt that the effect of this disappointment was not overcome till the meetings were nearly through.
It seemed very hard to rouse up the attention of the people to the great issues most important for our consideration. We felt that God gave special liberty in speaking plain truths adapted to the condition of the people. Gradually the interest rose toward the close of the meeting, and the people began to feel more the importance of the work in which we are engaged, and apparently consecrated themselves more to it. Hearty confessions were made.
I could not help seeing that the cause has not been making very much advancement in Vermont of late, and that a discouraging state of things existed. The tent has not been running the past season. Bro. D. T. Bourdeau is in the West. Bro. A. C. Bourdeau has been hindered by the sickness of his father and the peculiar circumstances of his pecuniary matters. And should these brethren labor, their work would doubtless be largely among the French. Young men who might, by thorough consecration to God, be doing a good work, are busy in other things, and so the cause is not moving forward, and some did not seem to realize that there was much importance to the work. We labored to make the people feel on these points that there was something higher to be attended to than worldly business, and that we must arouse.
The tract and missionary work had not been properly supported during the year. The people had not taken hold of this important enterprise, means were lacking, and, in short, everything was dragging. But they came up nobly in these things before the meeting closed. Six men pledged each one hundred dollars for the establishment of the press on the Pacific Coast. Sixteen hundred dollars were pledged to the two book funds, and twelve hundred were pledged for the tract and missionary work, one hundred of which is to go to the General Tract Society treasury. In all there was about $3500 pledged for the cause of God in Vermont. The brethren in no other Conference have been more liberal. This noble public spirit did not make the brethren feel discouraged, but it had just the opposite effect. I have rarely seen our people go away from any meeting in better spirits. They generally feel that there must be a change of base in old Vermont, and are determined that the truth shall rise. Faithful labor is much needed in this State, and the present time is when it could profitably be bestowed.
There are young men in this State who might be useful if they felt the burden of the work, and I am satisfied that there are many who would receive the truth, could the right kind of labor be expended here.
There were individuals making no profession of faith in this message who came many miles, and stayed days upon the ground. Their hearts were touched with the spirit of the meeting, and from some of them I received the most earnest invitations to come to their neighborhood and hold meetings. Some of these things touched my heart very much. They show that the people outside are ready to receive the truth, when we come up to the right position. They must have some interest when they will leave home cares and come many miles to attend meeting when they make no profession of religion.
On Monday we had a good move among the people. Many came forward almost spontaneously, asking for prayers. Several took a firm stand for the truth. Eight were baptized by Bro. Bourdeau in Lamoille River. We trust this has been a profitable meeting for the cause in Vermont.
At this writing, I find myself in Walpole, N. H. Learning that there was an interest here, resulting from the labors of Bro. Wm. C. Gage, with a tent, we stopped over two nights and a day to render any assistance we could. This is a very quiet, old-fashioned New-England village, very pleasant, and somewhat aristocratic. The tent is located on the beautiful grassy common in the center of the town. The lectures have stirred the people mightily and twelve have already voted to keep God’s Sabbath.
I had the privilege of speaking to a candid audience of sensible-looking people, last evening. I can but hope there will be a good church brought out here, to honor God by keeping his commandments. I speak again to-night, and then start for the New-England meeting.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Walpole, N. H., Aug. 26, 1874.

JAMES WHITE

NOTE. If the writer of the foregoing report had given the reasons why we did not attend the Vermont camp-meeting this note would not be given. But in justice to myself I wish to state to the readers of the REVIEW that I reluctantly left California to attend all the eastern camp-meetings. I did one week's work on the cars, from Oakland to Battle Creek, in writing and editing The Signs of the Times, No. 6, that I might be ready for the camp-meeting. When I arrived at Battle Creek, near midnight, I called on my way to my lodgings, and left an appointment to meet leading brethren early the next morning to talk up business matters. I sought every opportunity, even at times of preaching, to get such men together to prepare matters, insomuch that I heard not one discourse from the stand, excepting the sound of my own voice. I did all I possibly could, and went far beyond my strength, to forward the work so that I could attend the meetings in Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Ohio, Indiana, and North-eastern Michigan.
But in my exhausted condition, my lot has been to remain at head-quarters, to look after a hundred and one matters which have been managed poorly at our institutions in my absence. I have been especially anxious to attend the Maine camp-meeting, and visit near relatives, and the home of my youth, which is but twenty miles from the camp-ground. At the very latest date I could leave and reach the ground before the Sabbath, I was away before God, on my face upon the ground praying and weeping. I then passed through a struggle in my feelings in giving up the camp-meetings, that I shall not soon forget.
I can do something yet in the cause, if my brethren will let me fill the place the Lord would have me. But to load me with responsible offices, which require double attention just now, when I am weary from overwork at the Battle Creek camp-meeting, and then urge me to go the rounds of all the camp-meetings, is the most direct way to overwhelm me with labor, care and discouragements, and break me completely down. I see in this such a want of wisdom that I dare not trust my life, and future usefulness, to the discretion of my brethren. I must, in these matters, be allowed to follow my own judgment, illuminated, I humbly hope, by the Spirit of God.

JAMES WHITE

Battle Creek.

Vermont Conference.

The twelfth annual session of the Vermont Conference was held during the camp-meeting at Wolcott. The Conference convened Friday morning, Aug. 21, and the meeting was opened by prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. Delegates were present from fifteen companies.
The Conference voted to invite Elds. S. N. Haskell, Geo. I. Butler, and all brethren present in good standing, to take part in the deliberations of the meeting.
The record of the eleventh annual session was read and accepted. By the instruction of the Conference, the President appointed the following officers: Nominating Committee, C. P. Whitford, Jessie Barrows, M. N. Cross; Committee on Credentials, Reuben Loveland, H. K. Pike, Albert Barton; Committee on Resolutions, A. C. Bourdeau, A. S. Hutchins, F. R. Richmond; Auditing Committee, C. P. Whitford, Jesse Barrows, Reuben Loveland, H. K. Pike, Marcus Gould, Moses Kellogg.

SECOND SESSION, AUG. 24.

Prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. Report of Nominating Committee as follows: President, L. Bean; Secretary, C. W. Stone; Treasurer, M. N. Cross; Executive Committee, H. N. Austin, T. H. Purdon; Camp-meeting Committee, H. W. Barrows, Henry Kellogg, Charles Bean. The report was accepted, and the nominees elected.
The Committee on Resolutions presented their report, and it was accepted. The resolutions were acted upon separately, and, after some amendments, were adopted as follows:—
Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude to God for the increasing evidence of the advance of the cause as manifest in the openings for the spread of truth among the different nations; also for the prospect of the establishment of a branch office of publication on the Pacific Coast, and the success attending the several institutions at Battle Creek; and that, we hereby pledge ourselves heartily to co-operate in the advancement of this cause.
Resolved, That, while we have been awakened to a sense of our deplorable lack of spirituality and zeal in the service of God, we hereby determine, by the assisting grace of God, to arouse ourselves to a new engagedness and activity in the work as we have never done before.
Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude to God for the close and searching truths applicable to our situation, which have been preached to us during this camp-meeting.
Resolved, That we express our deep disappointment in not having the presence and labors of Bro. and sister White at this meeting and that we cordially invite them to labor in our midst at their earliest convenience.
Credentials of Elds. D. T. Bourdeau, A. C. Bourdeau, N. Orcutt, A. Stone and A. S. Hutchins were renewed, and credentials were given to Bro. L. Bean. The licenses of Edward Kellogg, D. T. Evans, and C. W. Stone, were renewed. Voted to donate to General Conference $500. Adjourned for ten minutes.
Came together at call of Chair. Prayer by Eld. Haskell. Treasurer’s report as follows:—
Amount
Balance in treasury on last report, $114.98
Received during the year,
From Bordoville Church, 224.42
“ Jamaica, 138.50
“ Wolcott, 115.00
“ Charleston & Irasburgh, 196.88
“ Bristol, 86.07
“ Andover, 77.40
“ Stowe, 110.00
“ Compton & Eaton Church, 53.48
“ Westmore, 17.80
“ W. Bolton, 20.53
“ Sutton, 28.34
“ Granville, 28.82
“ Johnson & Eden, 48.33
Total, $1260.55
Paid out to
Eld. A. C. Bourdeau, $75.00
Gen. Conf. Committee, 50.00
Eld. D. T. Bourdeau, 10.00
Lewis Bean, 25.00
For report blanks, 1.71
To General Conference the sum voted this year, 500.00
Total, $661.71
On hand to balance, 598.84
Total, $1260.55
Bro. Richmond of Jamaica presented a request from that church to be set off that they might join the New England Conference. A motion to grant it was lost. Eld. G. I. Butler then spoke upon various points connected with labor in new and old fields, &c.
Voted, That the minutes of this Conference be published in REVIEW.
Adjourned sine die.
L. BEAN, Pres. C. W. STONE, Sec.
P. S. At the camp-meeting Sunday morning over $2,200 were pledged, $600 for the Pacific printing enterprise, and the balance for the book fund. C. W. S.

THE REPORT OF THE SPIES.

“Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.”—Num. 13: 30.
Back came the spies with weary feet And fearful hearts, their tidings telling; “A land of precious things and sweet, A goodly land to make our dwelling; But strongly walled its cities rise, Fierce giants there, we did discover; We seemed as nothing in their eyes, Oh! no; we dare not venture over.”
Then boldly spoke the faithful two, Who held God’s truth with hearts undaunted, “The land,” they said, “is fair to view, Our heritage by God appointed. He led us through the wilderness, His strength our feebleness shall cover, Let us at once the land possess, We are well able to go over.”
But all the timid, trembling host, Listened, dismayed and unbelieving, Backward along the dreary coast They turned, their faithful leader grieving. And in the wilderness they fell, Their graves the desert caverns cover, The mournful fate its shadows tell Of those who dared not venture over.
We linger in earth’s wilderness, Dismayed and faint, a feeble nation, We fail the promise to possess, The peace of God, a full salvation. With trembling hearts, with tearful eyes, Upon its verge we mournful hover, And say, “What glory lights those skies! But ah! we fear to venture over.”
“It is a goodly land,” we say, A land all precious gifts bestowing; But oh! the giants in our way, And Jordan’s waters wide o’erflowing.” Yet when our heavenly Joshua leads, The raging floods a path uncover, The gracious hand that guards and feeds, Shall safely guide his people over.
Look back along the desert way, Then lift to God our joyful chorus, The hand that keeps from day to day Bids the walled cities fall before us. He saves us to the uttermost, His righteousness our guilt shall cover; Press onward then, ye ransomed hosts, Till all his people shall pass over.
—Sel.

Saranac, Aug. 26

Michigan.

By request I visited the Danish brethren in Montcalm Co., June 7. Held one meeting, after which seven were baptized, and united with the church. These were brought into the truth through the influence of the Tract Society; and all have taken an active part in the tract enterprise. The director being present, a tract meeting was held, and $51.50 were raised for the Advent Tidende, and other enterprises. While celebrating the ordinances with them, the good Spirit came into our midst, and our hearts were made glad.
June 20 and 21, I met with the friends at Monroe, Traverse Co. Found them all trying to overcome. Death has thinned their ranks since they started, still they feel like holding on to the work.
June 25 to 29, I held four meetings in the tent at Traverse City, and then shipped the tent to Cedar Springs, Kent Co., where I remained till camp-meeting. Bro. Lawrence joined me in my labors there. Ten decided to obey the commandments, for which we feel thankful. P. Strong.
P. S. Our tent is now pitched at Saranac, Ionia Co. Have held seven meetings. The people are friendly and congregations increasing. R. J. Lawrence, P. Strong.

Saranac, Aug. 26

Labors in Wisconsin and Golden Gate Church

Wisconsin.

Since my last report, July 21, I have labored as follows. The 21st to 23d, called on some of the lonely brethren. The 25th, met with the church at Riceland. Held two meetings with them. $25.00 were pledged for Advent Tidende. They had previously pledged $35.00. The 27th, met with the church at State Center, and held one meeting with them.
They all feel encouraged and strong in the Lord. The 30th, in company with Bro. Grant, came to Golden Gate, Brown Co. Found the friends glad to see us, as they have not had ministerial labor for some time. It is a young church, composed of Danes. They appeared to be strong in faith, and were encouraged to hope on. We spent the time before the Sabbath in visiting among them. On Sabbath we had three meetings. Our testimony was well received. It appeared that quite a number might be added to their band with some labor.
A T. & M. Society was organized. We left them with the expectation of attending the General Conference. The way not opening, we joined Bro. Olds in tent labor as he was here alone with none to help, and apparently a good interest. I have been here two weeks. The time has come for the people to make decisions. Some have taken their stand on the truth.
May God work for his glory and the salvation of souls. O. A. OLSEN.

Iowa: Progress of the Truth at Logan

Iowa.

BRN. J. BARTLETT and J. W. McWilliams write from Logan, sending one more subscriber for the REVIEW, and saying, “The Lord is working for us still here. In a discussion of five hours, on Friday last, truth gained a good victory. The interest is good. We are in good spirits. Some are keeping the Sabbath. Others are investigating. The truth is working among the people.”

Letter from Bro. J. C. Clemens on Adventist Doctrines

BRO. J. C. CLEMENS writes: “I have been led lately to investigate and embrace the doctrines of the S. D. Adventists, by a perusal of your books and periodicals. I now take great comfort in examining the evidence upon which the truth rests.”

Is the World Entirely Rotten? Bribery Testimony Stirs Doubt

“IS THE WORLD ENTIRELY ROTTEN?—Is there no soundness in it?” asks the Bangor Democrat, in speaking of the testimony before the committee concerning Judge Davis, who was so much praised for his decision in the case of Boss Tweed—that he had taken $1,000 bribe money.

Obituary Notices.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
Died, at Armada, Mich., June 9, 1874, Willie A. Chapman, aged 7 years, 8 months, and 17 days. Also, but few days before, May 31, 1874, Philip C. Chapman, aged 4 years, 10 months, and 7 days. These were both children of Bro. C. H. and sister J. Chapman, bright, happy, and joyous. Death’s hand has chilled these young hearts, and the childish mirth and joy of the household has ceased, but not forever. May God give these parents grace to bear this double affliction, and so live that the heart may be full of gladness in the reunion at the coming of Jesus. Both died of diphtheria. They rest, as they played, side by side. Discourses were given by the writer from Isa. 54:7, and John 14:18. D. H. Lamson.
Died, at West Paris, Maine, May 10, 1874, Miss Almira Tyler, aged 71 years. She formerly belonged to the Methodist church, but becoming convinced on the Sabbath and kindred truths about four years ago, she was baptized and joined the Woodstock church of S. D. Adventists. She was an earnest Christian, and exemplified it daily by accepting the duties and burdens of this life as appointed her by the Lord, and so she patiently and cheerfully performed them. All through her sickness we found her still trusting in the strength of that arm on which she had so long leaned, confiding and hopeful in God. Geo. W. Washburn. Abbie E. Washburn.
Died, in the town of Denmark, Tuscola Co., Mich. very unexpectedly, July 29, 1874, Bro. Matthew Wilkinson, aged 47 years. The place of his nativity was Sutton, Lincolnshire, England. A. N. Fisher.
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