Earlier text: The Ten Kingdoms in the Dark AgesDr. Clarke and the First Written Document.
By Editor
ED. SIGNS: I find that Dr. Clarke teaches that the law of ten commandments is the first instrument in writing ever seen by man. Is this true in the light of revelation and history? INQUIRER. It is too often the case that, in exalting the merit of some person or thing which they greatly admire, and which they want others to admire, and which is really admirable in itself, men overdo the matter and really belittle the subject of their admiration. An instance of this which we recall, occurred in relation to General Grant about the time of his death. In illustrating the General's evenness of temper, and his gentleness under great provocation, an instance was cited which should really be no provocation to any person, and which, if it had worked as this person supposed it naturally should in General Grant's case, would simply show him to have been little and spiteful and mean. And the narrator instead of by his narrative illustrating General Grant's greatness, only exposed his own lack of capacity to appreciate greatness. Another notable instance is that wherein ministers and others in portraying the merit of the Saviour, quote Napoleon's estimate of him. We have known one preacher in particular who apparently never lost an opportunity to parade Napoleon's opinion of Christ. As though the approval, or even the admiration of such a character as Napoleon, would be a recommendation of anybody, much less of the perfect goodness of the divine Saviour. For our part we should rather by a vast degree have Christ's opinion of Napoleon, than to have Napoleon's opinion of Christ. But the most singular instance of this overdoing the thing that we have ever seen is the one referred to by our correspondent. We know not by whom it was originated, but the idea is sanctioned, as our680correspondent says, even by Dr. Adam Clarke, that the decalogue was the first written document on earth! It is singular that so eminent a scholar as was Dr. Clarke,—a biblical scholar too,—should be led to indorse such an idea. And that the idea still passes current as though it were a piece of astonishingly exceptional wisdom, is a singular instance of the facility with which a thing passes on from generation to generation by sheer "reiteration and no examination." Dr. Clarke, in his comment on Ex. 31:18, "tables of stone, written with the finger of God," attributes the idea to Dr. Winder, saying: "Dr. Winder, in his 'History of Knowledge,' thinks it probable that this was the first writing in alphabetical characters ever exhibited to the world." But in his "Key to the Bible," Dr. Clarke himself gives it the weight of his own authority. In speaking of the Scriptures, he says:—
"They contain the most ancient writings in the world, the decalogue, or ten commandments, a part of the book of Exodus, being probably the first regular production in alphabetical characters ever seen by man." That might look very well as a theory, but there are a multitude of facts which go to show that it is but a figment of the imagination. It cannot be expected that we should attempt to give all the facts, for that would require that we should write a book. But we shall give a few which we hope may be useful on this point. Here is the English of part of a document that was written at Babylon nearly fifty years before the tables of stone were seen by man. It was written by Khammu-rabi, king of Chaldea, or his scribe, whose reign was about B. C. 1546 to 1520. He says:—
"I have caused to be dug the canal of Khammu-rabi, a blessing to the men of Babylonia. I have directed the waters of its branches over the desert plains; I have caused them to run in the dry channels, and thus given unfailing waters to the people. I have distributed the inhabitants of the land of Shumir and Accad [Gen. 10:10] among distant cities. I have changed desert plains into well-watered lands. I have given them fertility and abundance, and made the abode of happiness."—Lenormant's Ancient History of the East, Book IV, chap. 1, sec. 5; Rawlinson's Monarchies, First Mon., chap. 8, par. 29, 30. But there was writing away beyond that. The great Sennacherib, king of Assyria, who invaded Palestine B. C. 713, began to reign about B. C. 716. About the tenth year of his reign (cir. B. C. 707), he set up a monument with an inscription stating that he had recovered from Babylon certain images of gods which had been carried there by a king of Babylon, who took them from Tiglath-Pileser I., king of Assyria, 418 years before. This carries us back, 707+418=1125 years before Christ. Now this same Tiglath-Pileser wrote a long account of his wars, his conquests, his buildings, etc., and this document is in the British Museum. In it Tiglath-Pileser says that he rebuilt a temple in Assyria which had been torn down sixty years before, after it had stood 641 years from its foundation by Shamas-Vul, son of Ismi-Dagon. He rebuilt this temple at the beginning of his reign, which was about ten years before his war with the king of Babylon in which he lost his gods. This would give, 1125+10=1135 years B. C. But the temple had then been in ruins sixty years, after standing 641, which would give, 1135+60+641=B. C. 1836 for the foundation of the temple by Shamas-Vul. But he says Shamas-Vul was the son of Ismi-Dagon, which would demand at least thirty years more for the reign of Ismi-Dagon, which would give, without a single missing link, B. C. 1866 for the beginning of the reign of Ismi-Dagon, which was 375 years before the tables of stone were "ever seen by man." And Ismi-Dagon, or his scribe, could write. And he did write, he and his two sons, Gurguna, who succeeded him as king in Ur of the Chaldees whence Abraham came, and Shamas-Vul who reigned as viceroy in Assyria. And their writings are now in the British Museum and are known and read of all Assyriologists. But these are not exceptions in the matter of writing. Writing was a familiar thing in the countries of Chaldea and Assyria, even a long while beyond the day of Ismi-Dagon. There were Arioch of Genesis 14:1, king of Ellasar, and Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, who invaded the borders of Palestine in the days of Abraham. Both are mentioned on the monuments, and this very Arioch is written, "King of Ellasar," and we are told that his father's name was Chedormabug, and that his grandfather's name was Simtisilhak. Writing that was written not only in the days of Abraham, but even before that, is now familiar to oriental scholars. Writing was a familiar thing in Chaldea 450 years before the tables of stone were seen by Israel. The same is true of Egypt. The following is the English of a document written by a discontented warrior, who was an officer in the army of the king "which knew not Joseph" (Ex. 1:8), or in the army of that king's father:—
"When you receive the verses I have written may you find the work of the scribe agreeable.
"I wish to depict to you the numberless troubles of an unfortunate officer of infantry.
"While still a youth he is entirely shut up in a barrack, a tight suit of armor encases his body, the peak of his helmet comes over his eyes;
"The visor is over his eyebrows; so that his head is protected from wounds.
"He is wrapped up like a papyrus roll, and can hardly move his limbs in fight.
"Shall I tell you of his expeditions into Syria, his marches in far distant lands?
"He is obliged to carry water on his shoulder as an ass bears its burden;
"His back is bent like that of a beast of burden, his backbone is bowed.
"When he has quenched his thirst with a drink of bad water, he is obliged to mount guard for the night.
"If he meets the enemy he is like a bird in a net, his limbs have no strength left.
"When he returns to Egypt, he is like a piece of worm-eaten wood.
"If he is too ill to stand, they put him on the back of an ass;
"His baggage is plundered by robbers, and his servant deserts him."—Lenormant, Id., Book III, chap. 5, sec. 6. But it may be said that these writings were all Egyptian, Assyrian, or Babylonian, while the ten commandments were written in Hebrew, and that this was the first written document in that kind of characters. Very well, of this kind of writing, Dr. Wm. Hayes Ward says:—
"It was not many years ago that it was stoutly asserted that Moses could not have written a book of the law, or the ten commandments, because writing was not then invented. . . . But within the past twenty years the history of Phoenician writing used by the Hebrews has been carefully studied; and it is now the general conclusion of the best scholars that it originated during the time of the conquest of Egypt by the Shepherd Kings four or five centuries before Moses. The last student of the subject, Mr. Isaac Taylor, thus sums up the result of long and careful investigation: 'The possible date of the origin of the alphabet . . . lies between the twenty-third and seventeenth centuries; and there seems to be no reason why we should not provisionally accept the approximate date which has been proposed by De Rouge, and place it in or about the nineteenth century B. C.'"—The Bible and the Monuments, in Sunday School Times, Volume 25, Number 42, pp. 659, 660. If, however, these evidences should be questioned or should not be considered sufficient to show that the decalogue was not the "first writing in alphabetical characters ever seen by man," we have the evidence of the Bible itself. 1. According to the best evidence and authorities, Job lived more than 500 years before the children of Israel left Egypt, and he exclaims, "Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed [graven, carved] in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever." Here we have the plain words "written," "book," and "pen." We cannot conceive how Job could have talked about his words being written if writing was not known. And if there was no writing there could have been neither book nor pen. Under Dr. Clarke's supposition, the words of Job are not only utterly meaningless, but it is impossible to conceive how he could have so named things that had no existence. This is not the only instance of it. In Job 31:35, he says, "My desire is, that . . . mine adversary had written a book." The only reasonable conclusion is that in the days of Job pens and writing were familiar things and to such an extent that books were written. 2. In Ex. 17:14 we read: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua; for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." This was after the battle with Amalek at Rephidim, and before Israel came to Sinai. Now if the decalogue was the first written document ever seen by man, Moses at this time could not have known what it was to write, much less could he have known what such a thing as a book was; and so the Lord had commanded him to do what was simply a physical, moral, and intellectual impossibility. But this is not all. 3. We know that Moses could write, and that he did write in a book, before either he or anybody else on earth ever saw the tables of stone. In Exodus 24:4, 7, we read: "And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill." "And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people; and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." Now it was not till after that that the Lord told Moses to come up and get the tables of the decalogue; for in verse 12 it is said: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there; and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them." And Moses was there in the mount "forty days and forty nights," before he came down with the tables of stone. Therefore the word of God shows positively that here was a "regular production in alphabetical characters," a "written document" written and seen and read by men before ever the tables of stone were seen by Moses, and more than forty days before they were ever seen by any man besides Moses. The idea of the ten commandments being the first written document on earth is a myth. Lest there should be any who may have so rested upon this statement of Dr. Clarke as being of authority that they might think its destruction would weaken the claims of the law of God, we would say that even though the statement were true it would not strengthen the claims of the law a particle. The ten commandments are the law of God. They were written with the finger of God, on the tables of stone, and whether they were the first writing, or the last, that man ever saw, neither adds to them, nor diminishes from them, a single element of force. And if the statement in question is not true, then it could not add any to the strength of the decalogue anyhow; for the truth can never be helped by that which is not the truth; its sole tendency would be to weaken the truth, and the sooner it was destroyed the better. There is, however, a principle involved here that justifies the question of our correspondent, and the exposure of this error. It is this: If it were true that writing was not then known on the earth, that of itself would be a sufficient reason why the Lord himself must write the law. For if man was to have the written law at all, the Lord would have to write it, because man couldn't; which we say would imply that that was the reason why the Lord did write it. But when we allow the truth to stand as it is, that writing, both on stone and in books, was a familiar thing to men and nations, then it shows that there was that about the giving and the writing of the law, which God regarded as of too much importance to be intrusted to the hand of man. J. The Time to Favor Zion Is Come.
By Stephen N. Haskell
NOTHING is more evident than that the providence of God has gone out before his people in preparing minds for the reception of the truth. It is also equally evident that the blessing of God in a most marked manner is accompanying the labors of those who are devoting their entire interests to the promulgation of present truth. Times are different from what they were ten years ago, and there never has been a time since the days of the apostles when more zeal should be manifested on the part of God's people than now. A great work is to be accomplished, and the people are few to do it. We have heard nothing but good words from the cause in Australia and New Zealand since the truth was established there. In Melbourne, a city of 350,000 inhabitants, there is a church of over a hundred with a flourishing Sabbath-school. At Ballarat, a city of less size than Melbourne, where the mines are in which the people are anxiously seeking for gold, we have a church established of forty-six members. Elder Corliss's effort at Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, was timely, for a goodly number have already taken their stand on the truth, while many more are interested. There are hundreds of fields in Australia which to all appearances are as good or even better than the fields which have been entered. In fact we know of but one city, judging from outward indications, that would be harder than the cities which have already been entered, and this is Sydney, a city of about the same population as Melbourne. The people are more English in their ways and customs; but yet it is a very important point, and one which should be entered very soon, as it is the greatest shipping center of all Australasia. There is not a part of the world into which ships are not sent from this place. Although comparatively little labor was devoted to New Zealand, no one going there but the writer, and that only for a short time, the work has prospered from its commencement. Since we left the brethren there, they have organized and labored systematically, distributing tracts all through that section of country. They have also subscribed for one hundred copies of the Bible Echo, and use them as our Vigilant Missionary Societies do in America. The donations which they have made to assist the work in Australia have been not less than $75. The last mail brings a donation of $100 to advance the work in America. Including the sums which were donated when we were there, the amount sent out from that country is between two and three hundred dollars. Brother Edward Hare reports a large number of sales of Vol. 4 "Great Controversy," "Home Hand-Book," "Thoughts on Daniel," etc. Since we left them some thirteen members have been added to their number at Kaeo, and a few at Auckland. We can only thank God for the good omens portending a steady growth where the truth has once gained a foothold. Then when we consider the calls coming from Central America, South America, and South Africa, we can only say that the Lord is preparing a people to stand in the coming storm. Some of our people are stirred at the advance the truth is making, and also at the rapid growth of the movement which is to enforce the Sunday law among us. Yet we fear that as they see these things, they will not become sufficiently aroused to make preparation to stand when the Sunday law is enforced in those States where we now have full liberty. From the platform adopted by the Prohibition party of California, in their convention of Oct. 8, 1886, we make the following quotations:681 "We declare that Sunday is an institution so interwoven into our laws, our customs, our civilization, and the very structure of our Government; "And we believe it to be so intricately and beneficently connected with our social, business, and moral life, that we cannot dispense with it, without sacrificing the very best interests of the country, and the highest welfare of the whole people. "So believing, we demand an enactment and enforcement of an intelligent and rational Sunday law. Especially we demand that all saloons or places of business where intoxicating drinks are now licensed to be sold, or permitted to be sold on secular days, shall be absolutely closed on Sunday." From the above it is evident that California is determined not to rest satisfied with the present state of things. The Sunday law may be rigidly enforced even in this State before the people are prepared for it. We cannot make too great haste to get ready for the coming of the Lord. Those who have property in different parts of the country and are holding onto it, to get a higher price, may soon experience greater difficulty in disposing of it than they do at the present time, and be willing erelong to make greater sacrifices if they could only convert their goods into means that would help to support the truth. It is now we should act. It is time that we should prepare in a special sense to do the work that God has already commenced throughout the world. Men and women are wanted who so realize the importance of this that they cannot rest till God's providence opens the way for them to invest what they possess to advance the truth; who will give evidence that the burden of the work is on them; and who will give their lives to carry forward the Third Angel's Message. God is on the giving hand, and he will co-operate with those who will co-operate with him. There will be trials and difficulties in every step we make to advance the work of God; but these difficulties, if we meet them properly, will only tend to strengthen us, and fit us for posts of usefulness in the cause. If we cannot surmount the smaller difficulties, how can we be prepared to stand in the swelling of Jordan? We are upon the verge of trying scenes, and happy are those who can see the storm gathering and prepare for it. There never has been a time when the providence of God called more loudly than at present. Africa has stretched out her hands for help and sent means to pay the expenses of the living preacher to that distant field. Other countries have done the same. Where are our young men to enter the work at the present time? Where are those who will give their entire lives to the advancement of this truth? No doubt there are many who will say, "Here am I, send me;" but while the truth is to spread to these foreign countries, and men are wanted to go to the same, it requires those who have been proved and tried; men who have taken up life's duties right where they are in this country, and have given evidence of consecration and devotion to the work. Should men who have had no experience be sent to these foreign fields, and meet with difficulties far greater than they meet here in America, they would soon become discouraged, and fall in their task. It requires men of nerve and courage; men of stability of character, and those who would rather suffer and undergo the greatest privations than see the cause of God falter. There is room for thousands of such men, and for women who can go out as colporters, Bible-workers, canvassers, or preachers, and co-operate with the Spirit of God in spreading the truths of the Third Angel's Message. The time has come to put on strength and courage, and move forward in the name of the Lord. The faster we move the sooner the work will be over, and the time has come when, "Forward, march," is heard all along the line, and it will be but a short time before the conflict will be past and the victory gained, for those who are faithful in the work. California Sabbath-School Association Proceedings.
THE ninth annual session of this association was held in Woodland, in connection with the camp-meeting, October 6-19, 1886. The first meeting was called on Thursday, October 7, at 9 A. M. The song, "Workers in the Master's Vineyard," opened the meeting, and prayer was offered by Elder A. T. Jones. A statement was read showing the total number of Sabbath-schools in the United States to be 829; number of members, 20,840; contributions for one year, $7,539.10. Accounts given by those who had organized new schools were listened to with interest. The following are the names of schools which have been organized the past year: Brown's Station, Calistoga, Carson City, Cottonwood, Crystal Springs, Dayton, Duarte, Laytonville, Lompoc, Lone Oak, Mason Valley, Pomona, Rocklin, Rough and Ready, Sacramento, Selma, Stockton, Stuart, and Unionville. The schools at Callahans, Freshwater, Hanford, and Ukiah have been discontinued. Nineteen school having been added and but four dropped gives an increase of fifteen this year. There have also been two Sunday-schools organized, both in Oakland, making in all three that are held in the State. The number of schools in the Conference, including both Sabbath and Sunday-schools, is 64; membership, 2,001, which is an increase of 204 over last year's report; amount of contributions for the year, $1,763.28. The camp-meeting contributions have been $112.06; tithes sent State association, $166.10. Amount on hand in favor of association, $286.29. The President appointed the usual committees, which were announced as follows: On Nominations, Elders J. N. Loughborough, Wm. Healey, N. C. McClure; on Resolutions, Elder E. J. Waggoner, R. S. Owen, W. C. Grainger; on Examination of Record Books, Josie L. Baker, Alice C. Bartlett, Emma H. Boyd. Alice C. Bartlett and Josie L. Baker were appointed to canvass the ground to obtain subscriptions for the Sabbath-School Worker. At the second meeting, held Tuesday, October 12, the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Brother R. S. Owen then gave an interesting talk, answering the question, "How can we make our school interesting when it is so small?" This was followed by the reading of a paper by Mrs. E. J. Waggoner, entitled, "How to Help the Children." The Nominating Committee presented its report, recommending that the officers for the past year be re-elected. Their names are: C. H. Jones, President; W. C. Grainger, Vice-President; Josie L. Baker, Secretary; Alice C. Bartlett, Assistant Secretary; E. J. Waggoner, A. T. Jones, R. S. Owen, members of the Executive Committee. The report was accepted and the nominees elected. Thursday, October 14, the third meeting was held. The Committee on Resolutions submitted its report. After the reading of each resolution,682all of which were thoroughly discussed, some amendments were made, and the resolutions adopted as follows:— WHEREAS, It is apparent that the Sabbath-schools are being owned and blessed of God as an instrument in his hands for bringing souls to the knowledge of his truth; therefore, Resolved, That we encourage their establishment wherever it is possible, and that we believe that even in the case of a single family much more good could be accomplished by the organization of a family school, than without such organization. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that Sunday-schools may be a great means of good, and that we recommend that this means be utilized more largely in the future. Resolved, That as members of this Association we will use our influence to induce every member of a Seventh-day Adventist Church in California to become also a member of the Sabbath-school. Resolved, That we advise our Sabbath-schools to order their supplies directly from the Pacific Press Publishing House. WHEREAS, The children are under the care of the Sabbath-school teachers for only one hour in the week; therefore, Resolved, That we urge parents always to remember that the Sabbath-school teachers can never take their place in instructing the children, and to heartily co-operate with the teachers by learning the primary lessons themselves, and by assisting the children in their study of them. WHEREAS, The school contributions for the past year have aggregated nearly $1,800, and we believe that if the minds of all were directed to a worthy, common object, the amount of contributions would be greatly increased; and WHEREAS, The most of our schools are quite well provided with necessary supplies; and, even if they were not, it is not in accordance with the principles of the gospel which they teach, that all their expenditures should be for themselves; therefore, Resolved, That, as an association, we hereby pledge to the General Conference at least $1,000 from our contributions for the coming year, to assist in opening up the work in South Africa, provided that the General Conference shall, at its next session, take steps toward starting the work in that field. The meeting closed with remarks from Elder Waggoner, on the work and qualifications of a Sabbath-school teacher. C. H. JONES, Pres't.
JOSIE L. BAKER, Sec'y. Magnifying the Law.
By James White
No ONE who loves the truth of God's word can fail to regret that there is such diversity of faith concerning it. For where so great diversity exists, error must exist. Opposite faiths cannot be equally true. "God is not the author of confusion." The Romanists, and all who favor an "established church," who seek to place Christian principles "on a legal basis" before human laws, find in this variety of belief their argument against the "right of private judgment." They might with equal show of reason cry out against the freedom of the human will, or free agency, as through this came the fall of man "and all our woe." The abuse of the freedom of the will cursed man and the earth upon which he dwells; but without that freedom no moral character could be formed, for there can be no virtue in an action which is of necessity or by compulsion; a mere machine, moved by an irresistible power, can have no character. Even so, these diverse religious views are the result of an abuse of the right of private judgment; but without this right no genuine religion or acceptable worship of God can exist. The "doctrine of the atonement" is not merely a part of the gospel system—it is the gospel itself. It is the sum total of the plan of redemption. An error in regard to this is fundamental. It is not among the "non-essentials" of religion—if any such exist. We hold that the first great object of the atonement, or of the gospel, is to glorify God; to roll from his government the deep reproach which sin had brought upon it; to vindicate the integrity, the authority, and the majesty of that law which sinful man had trampled under his feet. Antinomianism is as far from the gospel as the west is from the east; as different from it as midnight is from noon. Dr. Barnes was a good man and an able writer; and we can only express our astonishment that he professed to see no justice—nothing but mercy—in the scenes on Calvary. True, there is mercy to the sinner; but who can overlook the groans and agony of the divine Son of God while viewing Calvary? Never did this world—never will the universe see another such display of unbending justice as was presented in our dear Saviour's sufferings and death. Had man been left to perish in his sins, the Saviour would not have suffered. Or could the law have been abolished which condemned man as a transgressor, then the sacrifice of the cross would not have been necessary. But man was to be saved, and the authority of the King of Heaven must be vindicated; the law which was disregarded by sinners must be honored, therefore God devised a plan whereby "he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus." Rom. 3:23-26. The following beautiful and impressive remarks on this subject are from Maclaurin's sermon on "Glorying in the Cross," pages 152, 153:— "Here shines spotless justice, incomprehensible wisdom, and infinite love, all at once. None of them darkens or eclipses the other; every one of them gives a luster to the rest. They mingle their beams and shine with united eternal splendor; the just Judge, the merciful Father, and the wise Governor. No other object gives such a display of all these perfections; yea, all the objects we know give not such a display of any one of them. Nowhere does justice appear so awful, mercy so amiable, or wisdom so profound. "By the infinite dignity of Christ's person, his cross gives more honor and glory to the law and justice of God than all the other sufferings that ever were or will be endured in the world. When the apostle is speaking to the Romans of the gospel, he does not tell them of God's mercy only, but also of his justice revealed by it. God's wrath against the unrighteousness of men is chiefly revealed by the righteousness and sufferings of Christ. "The Lord is pleased for his righteousness' sake." Rom. 1:17; Isa. 42:21. Both by requiring and appointing that righteousness, he magnified the law and made it honorable. And though that righteousness consists in obedience and sufferings which continue for a time, yet since the remembrance of them will continue forever, the cross of Christ may be said to give eternal majesty and honor to that law which it satisfied—that awful law by which the universe (which is God's kingdom) is governed, to which the principalities and powers of heaven are subject—that law which, in condemning sin, banished the devil and his angels from Heaven, our first parents from Paradise, and peace from the earth. Considering, therefore, that God is the Judge and Lawgiver of the world, it is plain that his glory shines with unspeakable brightness in the cross of Christ as the punishment of sin. But this is the very thing that hinders the lovers of sin from acknowledging the glory of the cross, because it shows so much of God's hatred of what they love." The Work in Australia.
By E. J. Burnham
ADELAIDE, SEPTEMBER 2, 1886.—I came to this place August 28, by a two days' voyage on a steamer. It is the prettiest city I have visited in Australia. The streets are wide and nicely laid out. The city is ornamented in every part with fine parks laid out in public walks, and set with tropical evergreens. Oranges and lemons grow in the gardens, and flowers bloom in great profusion. The city itself, with its numerous suburbs, nestles under a range of low mountains that at present are resplendent with living green. But, alas! the beauty of this place, like every one of earth, is as a fading flower. For two years past everything here has been dried up by continual drought, and now it smiles because of the late abundant rains. Hundreds of houses are now empty in the city because of the great number who have left the colony in the last six months. And still they go away by every steamer leaving the port. There is little or no work here for any one, and of course everything is in a depressed condition. I have engaged the town hall of one of the largest suburbs, Norwood, at nearly $3.00 per night for the first week, after that about $2.50 a night, and have advertised to commence meetings next Sunday night, September 5. SEPTEMBER 28.—Our meetings commenced September 5, as appointed, in the town hall with a moderate attendance. But the audience has not varied much except Sunday nights, when we have had 200 or more present. One week ago Sunday night we created some sensation by showing the people that they were keeping the wrong day for the Sabbath; but we had prepared the way so carefully, and fortified them beforehand so fully against objections, that all we had to do was to recall to their minds what they had cordially assented to, to convince many of the truth. It made some consternation, and threw many into deep trouble because of their conscientiousness. Some have told me they never were in such mental agony in their lives. And yet a few are venturing to take their stand on the truth. After presenting the truth through the week, we ventured to appoint a Sabbath meeting, and about forty attended. After a discourse on the love of God, I presented the covenant, and was gratified to obtain seventeen signatures. Many others were deeply affected, and were half inclined to give in their names. Later two more did so. There are some noble young men interested that I pray may accept the truth. I hope to have the sustaining grace of our heavenly Father while laboring in this country, and live to his glory. We beg to be still remembered by all old friends. MELBOURNE.—Sabbath, October 2, this church held their third quarterly meeting. Elder Israel was present to conduct the exercises. There was a good attendance. Nearly all were present to respond to their names, or were necessarily absent, and had friends to speak for them. Seven united with the church, four of them by baptism. Four were present from the newly organized church at Ballarat. We had a very interesting meeting. It is a pleasure to hear these brethren and sisters speak of their joy and gratitude, and to see what love they manifest for the truth, what enthusiasm in its behalf. The Melbourne church now numbers ninety-six members, and others are coming in. It is made up of an industrious, intelligent, substantial class of persons, such as would be the strength of any cause. And in some respects they set an example worthy of imitation by our American churches. The church at Ballarat is of the same character. There are not quite a hundred names enrolled as members of the Melbourne Sabbath-school; but the average attendance is good, and a great deal of interest is taken in the lessons. Sunday afternoon a tract-society meeting was held. About half of the members reported. Elder M. C. Israel, the president of the society, made some interesting remarks on the importance of the missionary work and of right methods of labor. A number of letters were read, and several of the members related interesting incidents of their missionary work. At first it was a matter of great surprise to these brethren and sisters that the good people in the churches, and especially the ministers in whom they had such confidence, did not see plain Bible truth, and accept it gladly. This feeling is beginning to wear away now; but their courage is still good. They let their light shine on all suitable occasions, and good results from their efforts. In Ballarat there is now a church of twenty-one members, and there is a prospect that others will unite with them soon. A Sabbath-school and a tract society have been organized. Brother Israel was with them Sabbath and Sunday, September 25 and 26. This was their first quarterly meeting, and the brethren and sisters evidently enjoyed it. Brother Israel has been holding Bible-readings at Majorca, a little town about forty miles from Ballarat. The interest is good, and he confidently expects to raise up a church there. Elder Corliss has been in Adelaide about six weeks. Some have signed the covenant, and many others are interested, and convinced that the seventh day is the Bible Sabbath. But the times are very hard there; and in not a few cases if persons follow their convictions of duty they will be thrown out of employment, with no prospect of finding anything else to do. As a consequence, it is hard for them to decide. We are all of good courage, and believe that the Lord is leading in the work in Australia. Melbourne, October 5. E. J. BURNHAM.