BRETHREN, are we looking for our absent Lord’s return? If we are, how earnestly, with how much faith, are we looking? Those who are hoarding up treasures for their children and grandchildren seem to be exercising about the same kind of faith in the coming of Christ as the woman exercised, who prayed that the mountain might be removed from in front of her house. Said she, “When I had finished praying, I opened my eyes, and there stood the mountain, just as I expected.”
Souls are perishing all around us for the want of the truth. The Lord has claims upon us and our property. We pay our s. B.; but if we are looking for Christ’s coming in this generation, we ought to do all in our power to gather in the sheaves. Suppose we look around us this spring and see if there is not some sacrifice that we can make, something that we can sell, that we may furnish means for sending preachers to places in our State where they have never heard a sermon upon present truth.
Now, how many will join me in this good enterprise? and remember we want it to be a sacrifice or something saved by economy, no matter how small the sum or how large. I have tried it, and my return is over a dozen good families investigating the truth, some if not all of whom will soon become Sabbath-keepers. I, for one, will continue to work. If we are truly looking for the Lord, let us show our faith by our works.
You say there are no preachers. Brethren, one reason why this seems so is this: Our preachers are generally poor, and get little or no pay. They cannot leave home to preach, as they would be glad to do. Let us try it, and we shall find plenty to preach if we will furnish them the means to live. “The Lord hath ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:14. Who will respond?
From a lover of the truth, looking for Christ. A BROTHER IN MISSOURI.
TAKE IT TO YOURSELF.
By Annie Teague
Reader, when you look over the pages of a book or paper, be sure to have your mind ready to grasp whatever of good is to be gleaned from it. Do not allow any business to be entertained by your thoughts, other than that afforded by the present company of your author. The careless reader is as accountable for what he loses as is the individual to whose care God has committed other important duties.
Not long since, a lady replied, in answer to my question whether she did not like one of the S. D. A. publications, that she did not know, could hardly tell how she did like it, for she had only occasionally read a verse or so at a time. If you have only time to read a verse each day, much good may be derived, if that little is carefully treasured for future use, and the subject familiarized by thoughtful analysis as your daily work proceeds.
The person who is most benefited by what he reads is he who makes an application of every truth he finds. It may be an unwelcome truth; nevertheless, we should make the personal test, letting the conviction melt down, by the power of God’s love, till it reaches the most hidden and secret recesses of our lives, as the ice and snow melt under the summer sun, filling the dark and dreary caverns in the rock, till cooling springs and streams burst forth with blessings on the earth, from a once cold, unwelcome thing.
If you cannot do a deed of mercy or a work of love, if you have not ability to form wise plans or to preach like a Paul, do not imagine your time need run to waste. Get useful books, and cultivate! cultivate! dig! dig! till you have prepared a brain soil, and planted it with seed that shall “bear thirty, sixty, or an hundred-fold.” You will find daily use for all knowledge that is guided by wisdom.
The Lord has no place for slothful, careless servants, no place for the superficial Christian. He requires us to search for the hidden treasures of his promise, which, when we have found them, we may be accounted worthy to receive, as tried servants of the Most High. ANNIE TEAGUE.
THE FOLLY OF PRIDE.
The very witty and sarcastic Rev. Sydney Smith thus discourseth on the folly of pride in such a creature as man:—
“After all, take some quiet, sober moment of life and add together the two ideas of pride and of man; behold him, creature of a span high, stalking through infinite space in all the grandeur of littleness. Perched on a speck of the universe, every wind of heaven strikes into his blood the coldness of death; day and night, as dust on the wheel, he is rolled along the heavens, through a labyrinth of worlds, and all the creations of God are flaming above and beneath. Is this a creature to make himself a crown of glory, to deny his own flesh, to mock his fellow, sprung from that dust to which both will return? Does the proud man not err? Does he not suffer? Does he not die? When he reasons is he never stopped by difficulties? When he acts, is he never tempted by pleasure? When he lives, is he free from pain? When he dies, can he escape the common grave? Pride is not the heritage of man; humility should dwell with frailty, and atone for ignorance, error, and imperfection.”
A PLEA FOR THE CHILDREN.
By A Mother
I WANT to say a word for the children. I desire very much to see them brought into the fold of Christ. We who are parents feel a great anxiety for them; and while we are striving to teach them the way of life, trying to lead them to love and obey the Lord, we desire all the help we can get; and we feel that as our ministering brethren go from place to place, bearing the seeds of truth to “the children of larger growth,” if they would at times remember the “little ones,” with a few simple questions, put directly to them, or a few words of advice, and thus awaken an interest in their minds, it might be the means under God of their salvation.
There is a wonderful difference in the minds of the young, whether they are preached to at “arm’s length,” in a general kind of a way, or whether the minister whom they look up to, and reverence, sends a kindly inquiry direct to their hearts, as to whether they are loving and obeying God or not.
I well remember having my attention called to the subject of religion, when I was but a child, by questions and remarks that were made directly to me. I felt that if my salvation was a subject of interest to others, I surely should attend to it myself.
I believe I then gave my heart to God; and afterwards, I sought to lead a dear young friend to the Saviour. Among other efforts that I made, I persuaded her to go with me to the minister’s house, expecting that he would converse with her, but from being pre-occupied, or from some other cause, he neglected to speak to her anything relative to the salvation of her soul.
It was the turning point with her. From that time she resisted all my efforts, saying that “it was the minister’s business to try to lead the young to Christ, and if he did not think it of sufficient importance to speak of it to her, she was not going to give up all the pleasure of this world; and perhaps after all, she would be just as well off, at the last end, as any one.”
The result is, she is still living a life of impenitence, devoted to this world; and I shall ever believe that, if that minister had spoken but a few words for the Saviour, directly to her, it would have been otherwise.
A MOTHER.
Rocking-Horse Christians
Rowland Hill, entering one day the house of one of his congregation, saw a child on a rocking-horse. “Dear me,” he exclaimed, “how wondrously like some Christians! there is motion, motion, but no progress.”
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
DIED, at Easton, Talbot Co., Md., March 6, 1877, of pneumonia, Sr. Philenda Stebbins, widow of the late Champion Stebbins, in the 76th year of her age. Three children, including our beloved brother, W. W. Stebbins, are left to mourn their loss, but they sorrow not as those who have no hope. She and her husband embraced the present truth some twenty years ago, and they both fell asleep in bright hope of a part in the first resurrection at the soon coming of Jesus Christ. I attended the funeral at Bethlehem, the 8th inst., and had the privilege of speaking to a good and attentive congregation; and we laid her by the side of her husband, who died a year and nine months before. R. F. COTTRELL.
DIED, near Canola, Elk Co., Kan., Feb. 10, 1877, Mauda May, daughter of Ambrose and Marsalene Yancy, aged seven months and fourteen days. Funeral discourse by the writer, from Rom. 8:28. J. H. COOK.
DIED, at Golden Gate, Minn., Nov. 10, 1876, Bro. Chester Green, in the 59th year of his age. He embraced the truth one year ago, and rejoiced in the soon coming of Christ. He professed to be a follower of Christ some thirty-six years, and was connected with the Seventh-day Baptist church at Adams Center, N. Y. Discourse by the writer, from the words, “If a man die, shall he live again?” HARRISON GRANT.
DIED, in Heath, Allegan Co., Mich., Feb. 16, 1877, of brain fever, Ada Adelle, daughter of J. F. and Rosanna Case, aged 15 years, 3 months, and 7 days. Remarks from Luke 14:13, 14. C. A. RUSSELL.
DIED, of consumption, near Bowling Green, Wood Co., O., Jan. 27, 1877, Sister Meeker, aged 78 years. She leaves a large circle of friends. She embraced present truth with her husband about twenty years ago. Her last sickness was short. Although she suffered very much, she bore it all with patience, and in her last hours gave the best of evidence of her acceptance. She exhorted her children to prepare for the world to come, that they might meet again by-and-by, when the Life-giver shall come. J. B. GREGORY.
All letters addressed to me at Monroe, Green Co., Wis., will be forwarded to me.
H. W. Decker.
RECEIPTS
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money received pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should be given.
$2.00 EACH. John G Estes 51-12, Jennie S Morse 51-1, J C Cole 51-10, D Boardman 51-18, A A Dodge 51-7, Zalman Niccola 51-12, C S Anderson 51-12, Clark Smith 51-12, Mrs H F Sprague 51-12, Emily G Bailey 51-12, Carl Larsen 45-4, M A Morrison 51-12, E E Guild 51-13, Horatio V Green 51-4, Truman Loomis 51-12, Nancy A Obittick 51-12, J Arman 51-12, Maggie Stiles 51-12, Mollie Wood 51-13, Jessie Barrows 51-12, H S Curtis 51-10, S B Craig 51-13, Orin Taylor 51-12, John Lindsay 51-12, H L Jones 51-12, Mrs M C Hoag 51-14, Dealtis Lyman 51-12, B E Mallernee 51-12, John Terwilliger 51-12, Jennie L Wisner 51-13, C W Cook 51-23, Mrs Wm Sweetser 51-12, John Helgass 51-12, D N Fay 52-1, Sarah Brown 50-15, Wm B Mason 51-12, Wm H Moody 51-12, A Woodward 51-12, Warren Coon 51-9, A C Neff 51-12, Esther Upson 51-7, Wm E Miles 50-23.
$1.00 EACH. Willoughby Bailey 50-12, N I McClintock 50-11, Maria E Lamb 50-12, J B Aldrich 50-1, John Sweet 51-7, J P Sample 50-12, Morris Phinney 50-12, Phebe Vedder 50-8, L N Lane 50-12, John Trotman 50-14, G L Davis 50-12, David Putnam 50-12, M S Merriam 50-14, M Wixson 50-12, Lottie A Clay 50-11, J Dickey 50-12, Angie Terpeny 50-17, B F Bellows 50-12, Christ Ebbe 50-12, John Davison 50-12, L Kellogg 49-25, Peter Moore 50-12, Phebe L Cornell 50-13, I A Fletcher 50-12, Mrs L Robinson 50-12, P E Ferrin 50-12, A W Read 50-12, David F Randolph 50-12, W E Stillman 50-4, Peter Blow 50-12, Abner B Stowell 50-12, G W States 50-12, C N Stuttle 50-13, Mrs John Truesdell 50-12, Louisa Watson 50-12, John Kemp 50-12, Mrs Wm Beddoe 50-12.
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Books Sent by Mail.
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S. D. A. E. Society.
D M $5.00, M J Cornell 10.00, C A Cornell 10.00.
Danish-Norwegian Mission.
Hans Larsen $3.00.
European Mission.
G $1.00.
Educational Aid Fund.
Wm Elsworth $1.00.
Cash Rec’d on Account.
C W Olds $38.33.
Gen. Conf. Fund.
“Right hand” $15.00, Janet Craw 7.00.
N. Y. and Pa. Tract Society Meetings.
By B. L. Whitney
As will be seen from the article in this number of the REVIEW it is proposed to have the quarters in our Conference arrangements commence with the 1st of Jan., April, July, and October; and we propose that our Tract Society quarterly meetings be adjusted to correspond with this.
In accordance with this we propose that at our business meeting in each church, Sunday, Mar. 8, each member of the Tract Society hand in to the librarian of his church a report of his labor for the past quarter up to April 1. Then we further suggest that the Sabbath and first-day following this, or the second Sabbath in April, each district hold a meeting notwithstanding the fact that district meetings have already been held in some of the districts.
Will our directors act in accordance with these suggestions immediately? The State quarterly meeting will be held at Lancaster, N. Y., the third Sabbath and Sunday in April.
B. L. WHITNEY.
General Meetings
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
General Meetings.
All are invited to come.
North Gouverneur, N. Y., Monday evening and Tuesday, Apr. 2, 3. Rossie, Wed. P. M. and Thursday, Apr. 4 and 5. Adams Centre, Apr. 7 and 8. B. L. Whitney.
Ovid, Mich., 7 P. M. Mar. 28. Muir, “ “ “ 29. Saranac, “ “ “ 30, 31. Grand Rapids, “ Apr. 1. A. O. Burrill.
Church Quarterly Meetings.
On Stromsburg church, at Pleasant Home school-house, Neb., Apr. 14, 15. Bro. Boyd is expected. G. S. Richard, Clerk.
Quincy, Branch Co., Mich., Apr. 7 and 8, commencing with the Sabbath. Bro. Jones is expected. H. J. Melvin, Clerk.
For Ithaca and Alma churches, changed to Apr. 7 and 8, at Ithaca, Mich. R. F. Phippeny, Clerk.
Monticello, Minn., Apr. 7, 8. Kenyon and Medford, at Medford, Apr. 21, 22. River Falls, “ 28, 29. Chicago Lake, May 5, 6. Rock Elm Centre, “ 12, 13. Lake City, “ 15. Greenwood Prairie, “ 19, 20. Harrison Grant.
Kickapoo Centre, Wis., Apr. 7, 8, to commence with the Sabbath. Will Bro. Atkinson meet with us? O. G. Henry, Clerk.
Fremont, Wis., Apr. 7, 8. Eld. P. H. Cady, is expected. S. D. Smith, Elder.
Burlington, Mich., Apr. 21 and 22. J. Dickey.
Leon, Wis., Apr. 7, 8. Can Eld. Sanborn or Eld. Atkinson meet with us? Brethren at Bunn and Farmer’s Valley are invited. T. B. Snow, Clerk.
Partello and Convis churches at Convis, April 7, 8. Bro. C. W. Stone will attend. L. E. Brackett, Clerk.
Monterey, Allegan Co., Mich., Sabbath, Apr. 14. This meeting is especially for this church; hope to see every member present. If any cannot consistently come, please report to us immediately by letter, or otherwise. Address, Allegan, Mich. Charles Jones. H. M. Kenyon.
La Grange, near Tomah, Wis., Apr. 7, 8. Meetings begin on Thursday eve preceding. I will meet with the friends near Mauston, April 14, 15. Bro. Carter please arrange. Geo. C. Tenney.
At a meeting held at Orleans, Mich., Mar. 18, it was voted to have brethren from the churches visit all the churches during the quarter, for the purpose of encouraging them and increasing the interest in the work before us. The churches of Dist. No. 6, are to be visited as follows: Sheridan, April 7, T. Harriman. Gowen, 14, Jackson Banks. Muir and Lyons, 14, Wm. Allchin. Saranac, 21, F. Howe. Vergennes, 28, W. J. Wilson. Lake view, May 5, A. W. Maynard. Orange, 5, W. A. Towle. Orleans, 12, E. Wilkinson. West Plains, 19, L. B. Kneeland. Bushnell, 26, N. Outwater. Greenville, June 2, J. S. Van Deusen.
By the Com.
T. and M. Quarterly Meetings.
Send reports and donations in season.
Dist. No. 8, at St. Charles, Mich., Apr. 7, 8. Can Bro. Fargo attend? J. McGregor.
By request of director of Dist. No. 9, the appointment is changed from Sheldon to Watseka, Ill. First service, Sabbath eve., Apr. 27, at 7 o’clock. Bro. Carlock please arrange for meetings till Sunday eve. G. W. Colcord.
Dist. No. 7, at Martinsville, Clark Co., Ill., Mar. 31, Apr. 1. Report to John Claypool, Clark Centre, Clark Co. Martin Kittle.
General meeting of the Minn. T. and M. Soc., at Medford, Minn., Apr. 22, continuing over Sabbath and Sunday. Hope to see directors present.
I appoint meetings in all the districts in this Conf., Apr. 15. Then let the directors report immediately to the general meeting. Harrison Grant, Pres.
The Cause in Texas.
By James White
The General Conference advised that Elder R. M. Kilgore, of Iowa, take Texas as a field of labor. To this suggestion Elder Kilgore has responded favorably. His choice is Iowa; but now, as well as when an officer in the Northern army, will go wherever ordered. This may be well on his part; but we are brethren. We simply advise that if, after much prayer, it seemeth good to the Holy Ghost and to our beloved Bro. Kilgore to take his good family to the new State of Texas, and there labor to build up a Conference, he will have the cheerful co-operation of the General Conference, so far as that body can advise and help.
This matter has been delayed for the final decision of the presidential election. That matter now decided, there are probably four years at least before us favorable to the extension of the cause in the South. And we know of no man among us better adapted to work in Texas than Elder R. M. Kilgore.
J. W.
Old Men for Counsel, Young Men for War
By James White
“OLD MEN FOR COUNSEL AND YOUNG MEN FOR WAR” is not Bible, but a very good maxim. We have done our share of hard work, and the fact that our people crowd us into important positions indicates that they have not lost confidence in our judgment as a counselor. We protested before the General Conference at Lansing last September, just before we left the camp ground, against giving us the important offices of our organizations. But in our absence our protests were set aside; and we, as usual, were harnessed in against our will.
Now if we could be allowed to act freely in the proper discharge of the duties of the offices to which we are elected, and act as a counselor, and see the younger brethren cheerfully bending into the work as we have done the past thirty years, we should not feel the dread of standing at the head of our several organizations as we now do.
When we reached the Indiana camp ground, last September, at midnight, the election of the Conference officers was in the past. There was plenty of preaching to do, but we were too tired for that work, and wished ourselves at home resting for the great Michigan camp-meeting, with all the business of our Associations and Societies. Then we thought of the maxim, “Old men for counsel, and young men for war.”
But this good proverb would not fit the occasion, unless changed so as to read, “Young men for counsel, and old men for the hard work.” There was no manner of need of electing the officers before we came. But the good brethren felt the need of our work more than our counsel.
We decided to remain on the Pacific Coast about fourteen months. And during the time of our office we cheerfully give the other members of the General Conference Committee, Elders Haskell and Canright, and the presidents of State Conferences, full liberty to correspond on matters pertaining to the cause, and we promise to give them prompt attention. Meantime, we invite thought to the maxim which heads this note,—“Old men for counsel, and young men for war.” J. W.
Leaving Battle Creek for the Oakland Biblical Institute
By Uriah Smith
An urgent request from California to attend the Biblical Institute to commence in Oakland, April 1, decides us to leave Battle Creek for that place, Monday morning, the 26th inst. We have on hand many matters of correspondence, and some applications for certificates of stock in the Educational Society, which we have not time to attend to before leaving. Our friends will therefore please have patience with us till we return. Our address, till further notice, will be SIGNS OF THE TIMES Office, Oakland, Cal. U. S.
To the Indiana Conference.
By Philemon Webber; Wm. McCurdy
You have seen ere this, in the columns of the REVIEW, the sad announcement of the death of Eld. James Harvey, president of your Conference. Another must fill the vacancy.
Through the advice of the president of the General Conference, we, the remaining members of the Indiana Conference committee, make a selection.
We request and hereby appoint Eld. S. H. Lane to act as president of the Indiana Conference, until its next annual session.
PHILEMON WEBBER.
Wm. McCURDY.
A Cheerful View.
By A. S. Hutchins
The tithing system was understood and practiced as far back as the days of Abram. Gen. 14. Says Paul, in speaking of Melchisedec, “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” Heb. 7: 4.
Immediately following, and while under the direct influence of a sweet communion with God, Jacob vowed, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Gen. 28: 20–22.
Tithes were also required under the Levitical priesthood. In the 27th chapter of Leviticus the subject of tithes is spoken of as a matter well understood, and cheerfully regarded by the people of God. Under the present dispensation, a regular system of giving was established by the apostle. 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2. And if the same writer does not clearly teach the perpetuity of the tithing system in Hebrews 7: 8, it is difficult to tell what he does mean. In speaking of the Melchisedec and the Levitical priesthood, he says, “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” By the expression here, he must refer to the Levitical priesthood. By the word there, to that of Melchisedec. And every one must admit that to-day we live under the true Melchisedec priesthood. When, and where, then, did the tithing system cease?
To all who admit our obligation to give unto the Lord one-tenth of our increase and income: Let us remember the words of the apostle, “If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that he hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Cor. 8: 12.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9: 6, 7. And those of Ecclesiasticus 35: 9, 10: “In all thy gifts show a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tithes with gladness. Give unto the Most High according as he hath enriched thee, and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye.” A. S. HUTCHINS.
Wanted: Sabbath-Keeping Tradesmen and Farm Help
Wanted.
A BLACKSMITH who is a Sabbath-keeper. Will sell or rent shop. We have meetings and Sabbath-school every Sabbath at our meeting-house. For particulars address, Alfred Hurlbutt, Chadwick, Ionia Co., Mich.
To work on farm for Sabbath-keeper. Address, Frank Allen, Hart, Oceana Co., Mich.
A PRACTICAL builder that has carried on carpentry in all its branches for 25 years past as a first-day man, will now labor as a seventh-day builder. Address, Norman Kling, Box 784, Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y.
NEVER run in debt unless you can see your way out again.